Holy cow! Chapter 13 already! Woo hoo! This is just flying by. Ok, so a lot of you have missed Jake and Nessie...especially some sexy time. Well, fine. Here ya go! But honestly, I loved this chapter even though some, um, not so happy things happen. But ya know, shit happens. Oh, and some of you have been asking about the cabins. A fan of mine sent me some links to a sight where they created their own version of the cabins. They did this last installment in PIP, but they're very close to how I picture them. If you want the link PM me and I'll send them to you.
*Disclaimer*
Please Enjoy!
RPOV
Frustrated with my food planning, I growled and threw the pad of paper onto the coffee table. Jacob was watching UFC on Spike but not really into it like he usually is.
Turning to him, I wrapped my arms around myself and rested my head on his shoulder. "You still thinking about Alana, Seth, and Shelby?"
He muted the tv. "I just don't understand," he said, shaking his head tightly. "Why wouldn't Alana just let Shelby take the hit?"
"For the same reason Adam or Derek wouldn't let me take a hit. Shelby was right. You put them in charge of guarding us. And that's what they're going to do."
"Then this is my fault?"
I shook my head. "No. We just need to be specific with them. We need to tell them that if we're in public, then they need to let us take the petty stuff and only reveal themselves if absolutely necessary." Moving my head, I kissed his shoulder. "There's nothing we can do about what happened but wait. Maybe Shelby's right. From what she told me that woman wouldn't want anyone thinking she was crazy. And Audrey?" I shrugged. "Only time will tell. Maybe we can meet up with her with Seth and Shelby to further explain things. We can only play the hand we're dealt. No use stirring a stick through the spilled milk."
Sighing, he wrapped his arm around me. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"I understand your anger, and so do they. You have every right to be angry. But there's no sense in expressing it physically. You've explained your anger to them and that's enough. Now let's deal with it rationally."
His shoulders lifted with another heavy sigh. "You are so perfect."
I rolled my eyes. "Would you stop saying that? I'm gonna get a complex." Snuggling in against him while he chuckled, I changed the subject. "So how about Haleigh, Walker, and Christa? That's huge."
He nodded. "Yeah, but they fit. She loves them. One night in their house and she didn't want to leave. I asked her what they did last night and she said that mommy made pasketti and daddy watched a movie with her."
My eyes widened. "She called them that?"
He nodded. "It's serious for her. Like, she understands that they aren't her biological parents, but she wants them to love her like a daughter."
"I'm pretty sure she doesn't need to worry about that. Walker is totally wrapped around her finger."
"Amen to that. The guy is young, but...there's just something about him that's changed. I'm pretty sure his weeks being tortured has something to with it. That'll mature anyone. And then Craig coming to tell us about the howling? That they're engaged and adopting Haleigh. That's a lot, but I think they can handle it. Both of them have been through hell and know the value of how precious things can be."
"I totally agree. Christa definitely needs that kind of love, reassurance. And Walker just needs something good in his life. A family of his own gives him a reason not to sink into that darkness."
Jacob squeezed me. "You're my reason."
I smiled up at him. "It's amazing to me how far we've come. From confused feelings to being married. All in this cabin. And here we are, stronger than ever."
Leaning forward, his soft lips pressed to my forehead. "You were always stronger than me, but that made me become a better man."
Shaking my head with a smile, I said, "Shut up and kiss me."
Chuckling, he pressed his warm lips to mine and I opened for him, his tongue slipping inside to dance with mine. Leaning into him, I cupped his face to pull him closer. Arms wrapping around me, he nudged me down so that I was laying on the couch, his warm body pressing down on mine.
This time, he took his time sliding off my clothes. Took his time running his lips and tongue over my body. Breathing hard, closing my eyes, I dug my nails into his scalp as his tongue flicked over my core, then stroked and sucked, lavishing me. On the upstroke, his tongue hitting my sweet spot, my hips bucked. He snaked an arm across my hips to hold me down as his teeth scraped over me. I let out a hoarse yell.
Looking down at him, I saw the line of his body. I'd removed his tank and had undone his jeans before he'd managed to pull away. Those jeans were low on his ass. And, boy, was that ass gorgeous. I'd never thought about it before but Jacob did not have a problem in that area. The thought of what that rounded pound of flesh would look like flexing as he thrust inside me had me going higher while his tongue and teeth did the rest.
"Oh, Jacob," I gasped, my body getting close to bursting apart in the sweetest way.
The moment he rolled his dark eyes up to meet mine and thrust two fingers into me while his tongue still played over me, I finally exploded. As I yelled out my pleasure, my nails scraped over Jacob's scalp, no doubt drawing blood. It didn't faze him. Instead, he just growled against me, the vibration prolonging my orgasm.
When I finally collapsed against the cushions, Jacob sensuously prowled up my body, shucking his jeans as he moved to settle on top of me. His weight was warm and heavy on top of me, but I loved it. He kept himself up just enough so that I could breathe as he positioned himself at my entrance.
As he pushed in slowly, we kept eye contact. And I realized it was the first time we'd ever done that. Usually his first thrust in was so intense that I generally threw my head back, eyes closed. This time, electricity sizzled between us as I felt his body slowly enter and rub against mine. My inner walls clenched with the leftovers of the previous orgasm, clutching at him, pulling him further into me.
On his elbows, he traced his thumbs over my cheekbones. "I love you so much. You're the perfect fit," he whispered.
I grinned. "Of course I am. I'm your soul mate. And you're mine."
Slowly, so slowly, he pulled out almost all the way before sliding back in. a shudder went through me as he hit the end of me. Going this slow, I felt every little nuance of him inside me, pulsing, jerking, his girth. Every little rub of his hot shaft against my walls. It was incredible to think that two people could be so connected.
I ran my hands over his hot skin. Every inch that I could reach, I caressed. No nails, just skin on skin. Lavishing him the way he did me. Those slow thrusts continued. Surprisingly, his body wasn't straining for more. He was in complete control, breathing heavy, heart pounding. The whole time he just made slow love to me. His lips continued their exploration of my skin. Lovingly, he smoothed his tongue over my breasts, slow and precise. No teeth nipping at me, just his lips sucking me into his warm wet mouth. Eventually, I found his rhythm and started meeting him thrust for delicious thrust, lifting my hips to meet his with a soft slap of flesh.
"So good," he breathed against my breast. His hot breath against the wetness he'd left behind had me arching, my nipples hardening even more for him.
Chuckling, he put his mouth back to work, making my pleasure meter fly up even more. His lips were a little rougher, letting me know he was about lose his hard won control. It made me proud to know that his loss of control was because of me. I made him hard, made him want to claim something with his body. I was the one he found release with. Always. And he was it for me as well.
Moaning as he did something sinful with his tongue on my breast, he thrust into me hard causing me to arch off the couch. He growled against my skin. Our finish was coming, fast. The build up was torture, the pressure in my body filling out my skin. It suddenly felt like my skin was shrinkwrap, getting smaller and smaller with every thrust of his hips into me.
Reaching between us, I hit that sweet spot of mine, getting the pressure to build more. Little flashes of electricity shot through me, igniting me.
Jacob must had felt it too because he roared as his control shattered. Hard thrust after erotically hard thrust, he pounded into me, hips jackhammering against me. The sounds echoing through the room was like silky chocolate to my ears. Our harsh breathing, the louder slapping of flesh on sweaty flesh.
"Oh, god, Jacob!" My free hand flew to his side, nails shredding his skin, until I moved it to the front of his hips, my fingers rubbing over him on his retreat. He was wet and slick with my pleasure, and hot from the blood pumping through his shaft. My touch on that shaft as he thrust hard and harder into me was his undoing.
Hissing between his teeth, he thrust one last time, so deep I could swear I felt him pass my navel, and jerked inside me, hot seed jetting into me. And that was my undoing. I flew apart with a scream, body milking him as fast and as long as possible.
When Jacob finally collapsed on top of me, we were a sweaty, shaky heap of flesh on the couch.
"I will never get tired of taking you," he whispered shakily.
My chuckle was just as shaky and tired. "I can live with that."
His own chuckle was cut off as he hissed and slid out of me. I was too tired to react to the sensation. Rolling onto his side, he took me with him and then pulled the throw off the back of the couch to wrap around us.
Sighing contentedly, I stroked his chest and snuggled into his warmth. "Perfect stress reliever."
He laughed again, the rumble vibrating in my ear.
"Absolutely."
"Jacob?"
"Hm?"
"You're perfect, too."
As he wrapped his arms around me, sleep started to suck at me. But not just sleep. It was the promise of actually resting. The hormones racing through my body negated all the stress and nerves, allowing me to sink into the warmth and safety of my mate.
"Sleep, baby. I'm here."
"I know. I love you.
"Love you, too."
It wasn't long before the crackle of the fireplace and the sound of his breathing sent me to dreamland.
JPOV
Nessie's mint and honey scent settled in my sinuses, trying to lull me back to sleep. But it didn't work. A pounding in my head kept it from happening. Groaning, I opened my eyes. The fire had died down to embers and weak light drifted through the part in the drapes. Dawn.
And the pounding wasn't in my head. It was on my front door. Nessie was curled up tight to the front of my body. Her hair was in tangles around her face, which was flushed, probably from being pressed to my chest all night. As gently as I could, I disentangled myself from her to hop over the back of the couch. There was no smooth way to do that. She flopped onto her back with a frown but pulled the covers up her waist. Her breasts were bare to the room. The air was cool and played over her, hardening her nipples. Holding back a dark chuckle, I moved the blanket up to her neck. She sighed.
Grabbing another blanket, I wrapped it around my waist as I went for the door. Caden was on the other side of it looking troubled. More snow had come but hadn't knocked the power out again. They'd gotten it fixed late last night thankfully.
At first, he looked irritated that I'd made him wait, and then those amber eyes saw the blanket and turned amused.
"Sorry for interrupting, but I need to talk to you." That heavily accented voice held all the amusement his eyes did.
I rolled my eyes. "All you interrupted was sleep. What's up?"
"I believe this needs to be discussed with clothes on. This is not just a hallo/goodbye type of conversation. Not to mention, I told Walker we'd help move his pack."
I looked back at Nessie. "I can't leave her today."
"I heard about the threat. Walker told me. You really trust this psychic?"
I sighed. "Werewolves and vampires exist. Why can't psychics? Hell, Alice is a vampire and psychic."
He made a push away gesture. "Alright, alright. You trust her. Fine. Just tell Ness to stay in the house while you help out. Or she can come with. We'll be there with her now that we know."
Cocking an eyebrow, I said, "Was that a jab?"
He shrugged. "We're here to help and we can't do that if we don't know what's going on. That's the reason you keep me around."
Now I glared at him. "You know damn well that's not why we keep you around. One, you keep Leah happy and off our asses. Two, this is your home now. Period. Not another smartass remark out of you." I rolled my eyes again while chuckled. "Let me go put Ness in bed and get dressed."
"I'm not freezing my ass off for you to have a round ten."
My turn to chuckle. "No. We, uh, ended up on the couch."
He made a face. "Remind me to sit on the floor the next time I visit."
Laughing darkly, I turned and started to close the door on him. "Don't worry. She'll clean it like she has a thousand times since we moved in. As well as the floor."
Before I closed the door, I caught his eyes bug out. Totally worth it. Going to the couch, I gently picked her up and carried her to bed. Before I placed her on the cold sheets, I laid down with her on top of me to warm up the bed so she wouldn't wake up. She needed her sleep. When I was confident the bed was warm enough, I tucked her into her side before writing her a quick note, leaving it on my pillow. Then, I went for the closet. Another tank, another pair of jeans, and some boots. I also grabbed my old riding jacket. Looking at it, I realized I missed the bike. I hadn't ridden that thing in years. It was tucked away in the Cullen garage with Bella's. Maybe after all this was over, I'd rev the old puppy up and take Ness for a ride. Maybe even look into buying a better bike.
Caden knocked on the door again, clearly impatient. Slipping the jacket on, I took the stairs two at a time and met Caden outside, locking the door behind me. Just in time, Adam and Derek showed up in wolf form.
"Keep an eye on her, guys."
Just like the last couple times they'd approached me, they kept low to the ground, eyes rolled up. They each rubbed against my legs and then took their posts. One at the front door, the other at the back door.
Sighing, I decided to just get used to it. The entire pack had been acting the same way since the news of me killing Nicolai and the story with it had gotten around.
"So, what's up, Caden?" I asked as we worked our way through the snow. It was already slushy, the temperature getting to where it usually was.
He frowned, thinking about something. "The trip to Denali. It can't wait."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you wanted to wait until Walker's pack was acclimated, but that will take too long. We've got to integrate them now and take them with us within the next couple days. Tristan might be healing enough to move. I broke his legs, but he's resourceful. Honestly, we've waited too long as it is. We should have gone the moment we found out."
Brows pulled low in concentration, I nodded. "Alright. We'll talk to Walker when we get there."
It didn't take long for the walk because we cut through the woods and the Cullens' property. Edward was leaning against a post on the porch, arms crossed.
"Hey, Edward."
He gave me a look. "We didn't mean to run you off, Jacob. We like the pack."
As he joined us in the yard, we shook hands.
"Don't worry about it. We didn't mean to take over your house. Just wish you would have said something."
Another look. "That's not how we meant Nessie to take it, either."
"Then, how did you mean it, Edward? Because that's what it seems like." I shook my head. "You know what? Don't worry about it. What's done is done. My house is pack HQ now, though they're reluctant to frequently show up. And we're moving Walker's pack today. Your land is yours once more."
For a long moment, Edward just stared at me. And then, "What would you say if we staged it that way for her think that's what we meant? Alice had a vision that was...off for her."
"What do you mean off?" I demanded with more hostility than necessary. I took a deep breath to calm down.
"For some reason the witnesses from last time are coming back. We don't know when or why."
The vampires. Carlisle's friends were coming back. Now, I understood.
"The Volturi?"
Edward shook his head. "Alice has been watching them closely. None of them have even thought in our direction. Only…"
I growled and stepped toward him. "Only what, Edward?"
"Only, Alice says Caius keeps disappearing," Bella's voice rang out from the porch.
"Disappearing?" Caden asked as Bella came to stand next to Edward.
Frowning, I said, "But that only happens when-"
Edward nodded. "When one of us is too close to werewolves. We completely disappear."
"Werewolves? She can't see around us?" Caden asked even though he had to know that by now.
All three of us shook our heads.
"That doesn't make sense. When Leah and I were over there, one of the packs had said that the vampires had made a deal to a truce between themselves and the werewolves years ago."
"If that's true, they broke the truce going after your family."
Carlisle was the next out of the house. "Caius was never happy with that truce. That's why when they were here last he tried to use our fraternizing with Jacob and the pack as a reason to go to war. But Aro said no not only because Alice had shown him he'd lose, but also because the news would get around by those of us who survived and the surviving Volturi would be hunted down."
"So, he's going after our allies."
"Possibly," Carlisle conceded carefully.
As Caden began foaming at the mouth, I held up my hands. "Ok, ok. Let's get back to the problem at hand." I looked at Carlisle. "Your friends are coming back and we don't know why."
"Could be the Volturi is targeting them, too," Bella suggested.
"I've been trying to find Kate and the others, but they've disappeared, too." Alice and Jasper joined us outside. A big family reunion.
"Completely, or are you seeing bits and pieces?" I asked.
She sighed. "Bits and pieces I suppose. I'll get the briefest glimpse."
The clearing went silent as we all went into thinking mode.
"Alright, let's assume that the Volturi is grabbing our allies. Jane didn't know where the Denalis were, remember? Nicolai told Walker that. So maybe they're staying close to a pack of wolves and that's why you can't see them. Carlisle, is Aro sticking to the truce? Is he that kind of guy?"
Carlisle mulled it over. "Yes. He'll stick to the truce."
"Then let's assume Caius is going behind Aro's back. If Caius somehow figured out that Alice can't see the wolves, then maybe he's using that as a way to make his decisions before blanking his thoughts and going back to the others where he can be watched."
Edward gave me an appraising look. "That actually makes sense."
"So, we should go to Aro and say something," Bella said.
The rest of the Cullens shook their heads.
"Why?" Bella asked.
"If we approach Aro now, Caius will end whoever he has in his possession," Edward explained. "We have no proof. What we need is Jane to come back. If she comes back, it's proof that someone high in the Volturi gave her orders. And it would be pretty clear who that is. Although she plays the part of Aro's pet, she really belongs to Caius. That's the brother she supports."
I nodded. "Ok. I'm going to talk to Walker and get the packs ready to head up north. We really need to know if Tristan or the Denalis are up there." I turned to Edward. "Why didn't you say anything about Caius disappearing?"
Alice answered before Edward could. "Because I didn't realize that's what was happening until I tried to see the Denalis."
Before anybody could say anything else, the trees rustled. Walker and Christa walked through the shrubs. Haleigh was in Christa's arms. Her grin was infectious and could be seen a mile away. Her head was cuddled into Christa's neck. Walker came forward to shake my hand.
"Hey, man. Congrats," I told them.
"Thanks," he said grinning.
Edward listened for a moment before turning to them. "A child and a marriage. Congratulations is indeed in order." He shook hands with Walker and gave a warm smile to Christa and Haleigh.
Haleigh's smile had diminished.
"It's ok, sweetie," Christa said. "These vampires are friends. They're family. You can trust them with anything."
Silently, she waved, waggling her fingers. I waved and smiled at her.
"Hey, Haleigh. How ya doin'?" I asked softly reaching forward to tickle her cheek.
She smiled at me, almost like she couldn't help herself. I pointed to Edward.
"That's my father-in-law, Nessie's daddy." Pointed to Bella. "And that's Nessie's mommy. They're good friends of mine."
Smiling a little, she waved at them. They smiled back at her. I introduced each vampire and Caden, and as I did, she relaxed a little more. Her smile became bigger and bigger as she realized that the people she trusted also trusted the vampires.
"So, what are we doing out here?" Walker asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Having an enlightening conversation at dawn," Caden said dryly.
I shot him a glare, and then looked to Walker with an urgent look. "We need to get up to Denali ASAP. We'll move your wolves, and then we need to go over those plans."
Walker took the urgency for what it was. He nodded. "Sure. You'll explain this little get-together later, right?"
"Right."
"Good deal. Thanks for letting us use the truck. It helps out a lot."
"Not a problem, man. That's what it's for."
"Would you mind some help?" Edward asked. "We have a couple trucks that could be useful."
I looked to Walker. "Think your wolves could handle the vamps?"
He shrugged. "Might as well try. Especially since we're going to start up a plan to use one of the wolves' land to build some cabins outside of town. I already told them I'm not leaving Forks. And you need to meet them as well. I told them that I trust you and they need to listen to you the way they'd listen to me."
"Why would you tell them that?"
"Because it's the truth. I'm following you in this war. That means if I'm not around, they need someone else to turn to. Bianca isn't made for pack leader. Nobody else in that pack is."
Reaching out, I gripped his shoulder. "I'll see to them when you need me to."
"Thanks. Now what do you say we get to moving them?"
"Wait a second," Edward said, stepping up to Walker. "We want you to know that we don't mind them staying."
He smirked. "Don't get all emotional on me. I want them closer to us anyway until we get those cabins built. I can keep a better eye on them."
Edward nodded. "I suppose I can understand that. We were just telling Jacob that some friends of ours might be visiting soon. If that's the case, we didn't want any conflicts."
Walker slapped him on the back. "You could have just said so, man." He jerked his head in the direction that they came from. "Come on. Let's get this show on the road."
An hour or so later, the Cullens, Caden, and I were standing at the edge of camp. Walker had taken Haleigh who had fallen asleep to become dead weight. He was in the process of introducing us to the pack. The one, Malik, that he'd told me and Nessie about was surrounded by six huge guys. Not as tall as me, but a couple of them had some muscle like Emmett and Derek. He didn't look all that dangerous...until you looked in his eyes. The way he watched Haleigh and licked his lips. Nothing sexual, which left...I shuddered. The urge to kill the guy made my fists clench. The wolf in me prowled in my head, snarling and raising his hackles. Why the hell did Walker leave him alive? More than likely for information.
All the wolves except for Malik and his guards came to greet us, shaking our hands. Some were more skittish of the vampires than others. But what got me was the kids. None of them were as young as Haleigh, but they all had the eyes of adults. They'd probably seen and done things that had aged them at least five years older than they actually were. One of them, the oldest, Xavier, gave me direct eye contact and a firm handshake. I liked him instantly. Walker had introduced him and talked about training him to fight so that he could guard the other kids better until they were old enough to train. Jasper and I had shared a look and nod. Why not?
"So, Xavier," I said a while later, tossing some sleeping bags into the back of the truck. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen, sir," he answered immediately, sliding a cooler over the tailgate.
I shook my head. "Oh, no. Don't start with the 'sir' crap. Just call me Jacob or Jake. Or, hell, even Black will work."
He nodded. "Sixteen. I'm sixteen."
I clapped him on the shoulder. "Good age. I was that age when I phased for the first time."
"What's it like?"
"What's what like?"
"Not being infected. A smooth shift, er, phase."
"Oh, um, well, I don't know what it's like to be infected, but the shifting part...I must say we have it much easier than you guys do. At first it took heavy emotion, but after a while, it's just a thought, a command of the brain."
He laughed humorlessly. "Being infected is like having another being forced into your body. At first, both of you are confused. And then, it's a fight just to be able to stay conscious, to not let that other presence take over entirely. I was born human. My mom, dad, and I were infected after I was born, so we're different than the other families here. It was so hard not to just fall to the ground and shift. After a while, you come to an agreement with that presence because you're both sick of fighting. It's a negotiation with your own self. And the shifting itself?" He shook his head. "Hurts like a mother every freaking time. All your bones break at once, your skin rips, muscles tear. And then you get molded back together in a shape that you know you're not supposed to be in."
Sympathy flooded me as I gripped his shoulder. "Don't worry. Caden's a seasoned alpha male. If you want, we'll get you to talk to him, see if he can help you out."
He smiled. "Thanks. We have a bunch of dominant males but not alphas. Otherwise Edmund would have been taken out a long time ago and we wouldn't be here." He looked out to the camp where Haleigh was dancing around the fire while other females watched her. "But I'm glad that Walker came around, that he killed Edmund. I am sorry for what Edmund had done to him. He didn't deserve it." He grinned as Haleigh blew him a kiss. "Haleigh's happy, really happy. I've never seen her like that since she's been with us. Walker and Christa are good for us."
I watched Haleigh, too. She was skipping and dancing with her doll, laughing. Two nights in a caring home had changed her.
"Yeah, they are. They're good people. My pack and I will also help when needed. Never hesitate if Walker's not around. My second, Seth, and I will do whatever we can. My mate, too. Her name is Nessie. The Cullens as well. They'll be able to get in touch with any of us."
He nodded. "Good to know."
"Come on. This truck is full. Take it down with me."
He grinned, a sparkle in his eyes. Something made me think this kid didn't really have any males that he looked up to or any that tried to interact with him.
"Can I drive?"
I gave him the eyebrow. "License?"
Shoulder slumping her shook his head.
"Tell ya what, once things calm down, I'll teach you how to drive. I even have a bike."
What do ya know, he perked right back up. "Really?"
"Really."
"That's so awesome!" Before I knew it, he threw his arms around me. "Thank you!"
He whooped all the way around the truck to the passenger's side. As I hopped into the driver's side, I made a promise to myself that I'd spend some time with him, take him under my wing. Walker had enough going on with Haleigh.
On the way down to the spot where we were moving the pack, he watched everything I did behind the wheel. When he started asking me mechanical questions and I answered them, his eyes lit up even more.
Seemed like I'd be teaching this kid more than just how to drive.
RPOV
I shivered. And that was what woke me up all the way. I hadn't woken up cold since Jacob had stopped his weekly meetings with the Makah rez, which meant he wasn't in the bed with me. Stretching, my arm landing on empty bed with a thunk confirmed that. Leaning up on my elbows, I saw the fire going. Dying, but still there. He must have moved me to the bed after last night. Looking over to his side, I saw a note.
Ness,
Good morning, baby. Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up, but Caden needed to talk to me and Walker needs help moving the pack.
I want you to stay in the house today. Adam and Derek are outside. You're safe. Do NOT go near the river. There can be a first time for Cricket to be wrong later, not this time.
I love you.
Your Husband.
Clutching the note to my chest, I grinned. I loved that man. I truly did.
Getting out of bed, I went for the shower. My muscles were tight from laying on the couch all night. No doubt Jacob had moved me this morning before he left. The hot shower worked wonders. The power must have been back on because I didn't hear the rumble of the generator.
After getting dressed, I went up to the kitchen still towel-drying my hair. Maybe it was time to cut some of it off, maybe a new style. The drying time was getting a bit ridiculous.
Since Jacob wasn't here, I just settled with a bagel and some oatmeal for breakfast as well as a glass of orange juice. Since I was calmer and significantly less stressed after last night, I decided to work on the food plans for the week. Pulling my hair up into a messy knot, I turned on my iPod docking station and then cuddled up on the couch with a mug of tea.
Before I could even get started, however, there was growling and yipping from outside. Getting up, I put on my boots. I had an oversize sweater on that hung off one shoulder so I donned my jacket as well before peeking outside. More snow had fallen and somebody had scraped a lot of it off the porch.
Walking outside, I managed to catch a glimpse of both Adam and Derek darting into the woods yipping as they went. But movement to the right caught my eye. Dark hair and a black cloak swirled as someone took off into the woods. The boys were heading north, but this figure was heading southeast toward the big house.
Darting into the house, I grabbed my cell phone. After locking the door, I leapt off the porch and went after whoever it was. The air was cold as it shot down my lungs and puffed out in front of me, but the temperature was rising, turning the snow to slush. Once I got deep enough into the woods, the snow was no more. Shrubs and roots threatened to trip me, but ever since I'd been on a proper hunting schedule, my vampire speed was intact. Everything was sharp defined and easily avoided.
Eventually, I caught up enough that whoever it was wasn't too far ahead. The heavy cloak and dress slowed them down, letting me know it was a female. But not Jane. Not blonde.
We ran through the woods behind the big house, and something about it tugged at my gut but I couldn't remember. All I could see was my prey, the vampire I was chasing. I knew it was a vampire from the scent that I was running through.
The river was coming up fast, but the female was slowing down. Not to taunt me, but more like it wasn't a choice. Heavy breaths reached my ears. Vampires didn't need to breathe. If she was breathing, she was hurt.
Suddenly, I was jerked down, my foot tangled with a root. Throwing out my hands, I managed to avoid face-planting into the frozen dirt.
"Oof," I muttered as I popped back up. That little bit of time was enough for the female to hide. I knew I was close to the river and the camp because I could hear the rumble of truck engines and the bubbling of the water.
Pausing, I closed my eyes and lifted my nose to the breeze. The scent that I could only consider pain drifted over from in front of me and to the right. There was a rather large tree at the bank of the river.
I eased over to it, trying not to step on anything noisy. Tentatively, I rounded the tree.
And came face to face with the scariest man I'd ever seen.
"Well, well, well," he said in a growl. His nostrils flared. "Too bad. Such a pretty piece, but I can smell the rankness of vampire. The sweetness of human. Yet another abomination."
I backpedaled as fast as I dared, remembering Tristan. If I ended up on the ground, I was as good as dead, even if I screamed. Those eyes flashed amber, the same as Caden's, but a lot colder. Shaved head. Scars all over. He was a figment of nightmares everywhere.
"Please, tell me you'll just kill me," I said with as much bravado as I could. "The raping game is getting a little old."
He sneered. "Someone tried to rape you?"
I crossed my arms over my stomach. "Gee, thanks for the compliment, but yeah. Tristan? He's been dying for a go at me."
He snarled. "That's a lie!"
I shrank back in the face of that rage but I nodded. "Yeah, he did. I swear it."
"Shut up!" He advanced on me, eyes enraged. "Shut your mouth!"
He lunged for me and my feet tangled in the shrubs. Before I fell, though, something hard like a steel rod kept me up. A growl echoed in my ears as an arm swung up to meet the man's downward swing. The black cloak swished around me as the female twisted that arm and snapped it with a resounding crack. The man roared and swiped at her with the other hand. He got her over the shoulder. And that was it for her. She went down hard, gripping the wound.
Bleeding and broken, the werewolf advanced on me, snarling. I was too slow to see his arm whip out because I'd been watching his teeth snapping their way closer. His fingers gripped my neck and hauled me off the ground. Air was hard to come by as his grip tightened. I kicked my feet but the jerky movement caused pain to sear through my neck and body. I dug my nails into his wrist, drawing blood.
As my vision winked in and out, I saw fur start to flow over his lengthening face. He was shifting...with his hands on me.
Something flashed in front of my eyes followed by the sounds of a series of clicks. I'd heard the sound before but I couldn't place it right that moment. There was a sizzle and the smell of something burning before the guy yelled, dropped me, and shook his arm like he was trying to get something off.
"Sorry, Sasquatch, but only the key can fix your little problem." That voice. I recognized it.
Sliding down the tree, I gasped in as much air as I could possibly hold while the wolf spun around with another roar. When my vision cleared enough, I saw that a pair of handcuffs were swinging from that wrist, the skin bubbling and boiling as if it were burning. Silver. The Children of the Moon were allergic to silver. I couldn't see who had done it because he was so big. I just couldn't seem to care who it was. I was very close to passing out despite the air sawing in and out of my body.
"Ah, ah, ah. No grabbing." Another sizzle and another yell. "Go down like a good boy." The man went down to his knees. Auburn and black hair was the first thing I saw over his head. My vision was still blurry, air searing my windpipe and lungs as I fought to breathe.
Then the distinctive click of a gun sounded.
"That is filled with silver bullets so no funny business, Balto. Actually, this is Kujo. I believe we owe Pongo an apology."
Cricket. And Trey.
He was very steadily pointing a gun at the werewolf. It looked like he knew what he was doing with it. Arm steady. Breathing even. Eyes clear.
Unfortunately, the sound of people running through the woods managed to distract him. The werewolf took advantage of that, swiping his legs out to trip Cricket. As he pushed off from the ground, he shouldered Trey and ran, clutching his arm as he went.
I relaxed.
And proceeded to pass out.
WalkerPOV
"Yeah, you can set up however you want. Of course I don't have specifics," I told Bianca over the phone. There was a beep from my phone indicating another call. Holding the phone away from my ear I saw that it was Jacob. "Hold on, Bianca. Let me call you back." Hanging up, I answered Jacob. "Hey, what's up?"
"Is Nessie with you?"
He sounded panicked.
"I haven't seen her." My eyes scanned the nearly empty clearing. There were only a couple tents left up and most of the pack was down at the new site. "No, man, I don't see her. Why?"
"She's not at home. I stopped in to grab something and she's not here. I told her to stay here today just in case. Adam and Derek didn't see her leave."
"Walker! Walker!" someone called from across the clearing.
"Ok, look. I'll search the area. We'll find her, Jake."
"Daddy!" that someone yelled again, jerking on my wrist. "Daddy!"
Looking down, I found Haleigh staring at me with scared eyes. She'd just called me daddy.
"What is it, baby girl?" I asked before I could let the name affect me.
"What's going on?" Jacob demanded.
She tugged on my arm. "Come look, come look!"
Though there was true fear in her eyes, she pointed and led me just far enough that I could see six men sprawled out over the grass. Malik's guards.
I put the phone back to my ear as everything fell into place. "Jacob, it's Malik. Malik's the one to attack her. I gotta go."
"Walker! Don't you dare-"
There was a roar and screech of tires as I hung up the phone. I knelt down in front of Haleigh.
"Go find Christa. Right now. Run."
Without a fight, she took off, racing across the clearing toward the trucks where Christa was packing up. I raced into the woods but there were too many scents to decipher. To my right, a roar echoed through the trees. Grunts and yells followed. Running, I flew through the trees, branches reaching out to grab me, slap at me. I didn't stop. If anything happened to Nessie the pack would be devastated as would the Cullens. And I wouldn't be too happy either.
There was a wall of shrubs in front of me. Low voices on the other side. Slaps and grunts, heavy pounding footsteps, and then silence.
Right before I broke through, I heard. "Nessie? Nessie, wake up. Come on. Remember what I said? You die, I'll be pissed. Don't make me give you mouth-to-mouth."
Bursting through the wall of leaves, I found myself staring at the wrong end of a gun barrel. The guy holding it was about my age and had a very steady hand.
I held my hands up and froze. "Whoa, man. I'm a friend."
"Not mine," he said, voice low.
Glancing over, I saw a girl cradling Nessie in her lap. Ness was unconscious, bruises starting to darken into a grotesque necklace around her throat. Oh, man. Jake was gonna go apeshit. On the other side of them, a pale figure with dark hair and black clothing was sitting on the ground, back against the tree. I could smell it from here. Vampire.
"Where's Malik?" I asked calmly.
"You mean the bastard that did this?" the girl demanded. "He took off with a broken arm. Hello? Can we worry about the unconscious girl here?"
"Is she breathing?"
The girl leaned over. "Yeah." And then she put two fingers to Nessie's wrist. "Pulse is strong. I think she might have hyperventilated after he let her go." Her eyes flipped up to me before going to the guy. "Put it down. He won't hurt us."
Behind me, there was another rustle. Fortunately, the gun left me. I put my hands down. Unfortunately, it was now swinging between Edward and Carlisle.
"Easy. They're friends, too. They're Nessie's family. One is a doctor. Let him get to her."
After a couple heartbeats, he lowered the gun. Edward was the first to reach his daughter, gently taking her from the girl's arms. As he gathered his daughter into his arms, he stared at the other girl. She was quite striking with auburn hair mixed with black, and violet-blue eyes.
Carlisle knelt down to check Ness the same way the girl had. Apparently he was satisfied that she was ok because he nodded and stroked her forehead.
"I think you're right," he said to the girl. "She probably hyperventilated from her body trying to get as much oxygen as it could in too little amount of time. Edward, let's get her to the house. I just want to monitor her until she wakes up."
The snarl of a truck's engine got close, probably the edge of the clearing, as close to the woods as it could get. The door slammed and I heard Jacob call for me and Nessie.
"Over here!" I called.
Moments later, he crashed through the bushes, breathing hard, eyes wild. Once those frantic eyes landed on her, he moved to take her limp body from Edward.
"What happened?" he choked out, gently brushing a finger over those bruises.
"Malik took out his guards. Attacked her." I pointed at the guy and girl. "I'm assuming these two helped chase him off."
Jacob glanced at them before doing a double-take. "Cricket? Trey?"
She waved with a small smile. "Hey, Kujo."
"What happened?" he asked her.
I gaped. "You know them?"
Before she could answer, Edward broke in. "I know you want answers, Jacob, but...who is this?"
He was looking down at the vampire. I walked around to see that it was a female with dark hair and eyes, pale skin...with chunks missing from her shoulder. There was a dark cloak wrapped around her. As she stared up at us, her eyes were filled with pain.
Behind us, there was a weak cough followed by a harsh breath and more coughing.
"Ness, it's ok, baby. I got you," Jacob said.
Nessie blinked rapidly, throat working, chest heaving.
"I'm ok," she rasped out. She smiled up at Jacob weakly. "I'm good." And then her gaze moved over to us, and the woman at our feet. Her eyes widened. "Oh my god. Abigail." She struggled to get out of Jacob's grasp.
"You know her?" That's all I seemed to be asking.
Nessie didn't have the energy to talk so she just looked at Edward. He nodded.
"She was with Jane when the cabin burned down. She's the one who only partially scrubbed their memories."
"I take it that's before my time," I said.
Edward nodded. "Yes. It is." He knelt in front of Abigail. "Are you still with Jane?"
Swallowing hard, she shook her head. "Tortured me. Starved me."
"Her eyes are black, Edward," Carlisle said. "And the werewolf hurt her."
"She's telling the truth," Edward said. "We have some human blood that we took from the hospital. You can drink that to-"
She shook her head. "No. No more human blood. I was vegetarian before Aro forced me to join the Volturi. Like you."
He shared a look with Jacob and Carlisle before nodding. "Ok. We'll hunt you something, though human blood will make you heal faster."
Again, she shook her head. "No."
"Ok. Emmett," he called.
A moment later, Emmett was standing with us between the trees. He took one look at his niece and a growl left him.
"I'm ok, Uncle Emmett," she rasped before wincing.
Stepping over to her and Jacob, he stroked her cheek. "You've gotta quit scaring us like that."
"Sorry."
Abigail suddenly gripped Edward's arm. "They stripped me of my gift."
Everybody froze.
"What?" he asked her.
"They stripped me of my gift. I can no longer scrub one's mind."
"How?"
She shook her head. "A new vampire with a gift. Extremely powerful. He can strip any vampire's gift. But the only way he can strip a shield is by touch. I heard him talking."
"My wife," he said.
She nodded. "Protect her. Closely."
Carlisle knelt down to touch her shoulder. "Ok. Enough talk. Emmett, get her to the house. She needs to feed. Jacob, get Nessie to the house as well. I want to keep her for observation only for a couple hours and then you can take her home."
"Carlisle," Nessie started.
He pegged her with a stare. "No. You're going up to the house."
Closing her mouth, she nodded and cuddled closer to Jacob, who held her tightly.
Eventually, we all made it out of the woods. When I went to check on the guards, I only found five. A bad thought formed in my mind while I checked pulses. Thankfully, they were all alive.
But only one of them was awake and I knew his name.
"Eric, what happened?"
He shook his head as if trying to clear it. "Malik and Gavin attacked us."
"Shit," I said as I offered him a hand up.
"Thanks."
Looking over my shoulder, I found the Cullens trooping over the grass. "Carlisle, can you come check on the guys, please?"
Eric tensed.
"It's ok. He's cool. If it'll make you feel better, watch over him while he sees to the rest of them."
He nodded as Carlisle knelt down and opened his bag.
"Thanks, Carlisle."
"Not a problem."
Turning around, I found Christa standing at the opposite edge of the clearing. Haleigh struggled in her grasp before Christa finally let her go. She ran straight for me, hair flying out behind her like a cape.
"Walker!" she yelled as she flew into my arms. Apparently, the "daddy" had just been to get my attention. But I damn sure wasn't going to forget it.
"Hey, baby girl," I whispered as she buried her face into my neck. "It's ok. He's not going to hurt you. In fact, he went away."
"Is Miss Nessie ok?" she whimpered.
I nodded and stroked her hair down her back. "Yeah. Yeah, she's ok."
"I wanna go home." I recognized the pout in her voice.
"I know, baby, I know. But we still have more moving to do."
"No," she whined.
"Haleigh, sweetheart, it's ok. Why don't you lay down in one of the trucks?"
Her arms and legs tightened around me. "No!"
"Ok, ok. Shhh."
I just rocked her while Christa made her way to us.
"Hey."
Turning around, I saw Nessie and Jacob. The two humans were standing behind them, heads close together, whispering.
Jacob was worrying over her while she stood by herself and smiled at us.
Haleigh turned her head just enough to be able to see Nessie. "Are you ok, Miss Nessie?" she asked.
The alpha female nodded. "Yeah, I'm ok," she rasped out. "Just a little sore. But hey, I was going to go watch movies and drink hot chocolate. Would you like to come with me?"
Haleigh pulled back to look at me as if asking permission. I nodded. That would be perfect so that I could get this move done and get my family home. Haleigh would be safe at the Cullen house while we finished up.
She looked at Nessie, and nodded. In her way, she reached out suddenly so that Nessie was forced to catch her. Not once did Ness make a pained noise or even flinch as she tucked Haleigh into her arms. Over her head, Nessie winked at me.
"Thanks," Christa said, stepping into me.
"Not a problem," Jacob rushed out. "Come on. Let's get you two where it's warm." He looked over his shoulder at me. "You mind if I sit the rest out?"
Before I could say anything, Nessie shot him a glare. "You are going to finish helping."
He gave her a look. "Nessie,-"
"Jacob Black, I am fine. Cricket predicted this and I was the idiot who left the house. The best thing to do is to carry on with the day. Alarming people with something like this won't help. Worrying over me will give you an aneurysm. I am ok. Keep helping them." Her voice was shot by the end.
He gritted his teeth, nostrils flaring, and glanced down at Haleigh. "Fine," he managed to grit out as he opened the passenger door to the truck and helped them in. He shot me a look as he hopped into the truck while the two humans did the same. I nodded and gave him a salute.
"What happened?" Christa asked as they drove off.
"Malik and one of his guards attacked the rest. Nessie was chasing Abigail and ended up running into him. The two humans showed up and somehow helped." I shook my head. "I don't know. It's all very confusing right now."
"So, Nessie's really ok?"
I nodded. "Seems like it. She was passed out when I got there, but woke up after Jacob picked her up."
Wrapping her arms around me, she laid her head on my shoulder. "Power of the imprint. What's going to happen with Malik and his accomplice?"
I shrugged. "I don't know where they went. Malik was injured from what I gathered. Nessie was right. No sense in worrying everyone. They'll figure out that he's gone, but we don't have to tell them how far off the deep end he was. Although they know from what he did to me."
She sighed. "I think I agree with Haleigh. I just wanna go home."
I kissed her forehead. "We're almost done. And Haleigh is safe at the Cullen place."
"I want you tonight."
Pulling back, I stared at her in surprise.
"What? I've been dying to have you again. We'll just tell Haleigh to stay in her room tonight."
Leaning down, I kissed her lips. "We'll see what we can do. I want you, too."
JPOV
Angry. That word really didn't cover what I was feeling. Rage didn't either as I watched the bruises on my wife's neck darken. I knew I should have killed that bastard when I had the chance. But that would have undermined Walker's authority, something I wasn't willing to do.
"Cricket, Trey, one of you better start talking. What happened?" I demanded. Haleigh shrank into Nessie's arms. Nessie glared at me.
"I got a vision. It wasn't until later that I realized I needed to be there. So I was there. I wasn't counting on the vampire of course. But hey, the woman saved your woman's life so be grateful. And then Trey and I showed up to save everybody. How's that for an explanation?"
My teeth gnashed together. "What happened to my wife's neck?"
"Oh, that," Cricket said. "Dude just picked her up. That's it. Nothing else. Her neck was a handle. Luckily, the cuffs were made of silver. Burned him. He let her go." She sighed, losing the attitude. "Look, she passed out from hyperventilating. She's fine. She'd only been out for like five minutes. And she was breathing. I made sure of it."
"I am sitting right here," Nessie said. Her voice sounded like sandpaper.
"Yes, but you don't need to be talking."
She rolled her eyes.
Before I was ready, we made it to the Cullen garage. Running around, I helped Nessie and Haleigh out of the truck. Trey and Cricket inched toward the door that led to the woods.
"Where do you think you're going?" I demanded not looking at them.
They gaped at each other.
"Oh, we just thought we'd head back to our treehouse."
"Forget it. You're staying with us."
"I agreed to no such thing."
"Too bad." I pinned them with a glare. "Get your a-butts inside. Now."
Haleigh giggled into Nessie's hair.
"Look," Cricket started.
"Nessie?" Alice's voice chimed through the air. A moment later she walked through the garage door with Jasper in tow. When she saw Nessie, she smiled. "Hey, you. We heard what happened. Are you ok?"
Nessie nodded. "Yeah. I'm good. I could use some tea though. Throat hurts."
Alice opened her mouth but Cricket filled the silence.
"Alice? Mary Alice?"
We all turned to her.
She paled out, eyes wide, looking like she'd seen a ghost.
And for the first time, Alice saw her. Her own eyes widened. "Brigette?" she gasped out.
"You know me?"
Alice let go of Jasper to step forward slowly. "Your mother is my niece. How-how is this…"
It wasn't often we got to see Alice stutter.
"You're my great-aunt." The tears started rolling as she reached out to play over Alice's hair and face. "I've been looking for you." And then she threw herself into Alice's arms. Her voice was muffled when she said, "I just didn't think I'd find you alive."
Nessie stepped into my side looking as if she were about to cry.
Alice carefully wrapped her arms around Cricket. "But why...how...I don't understand."
"I get visions, too," Cricket said brokenly. "I have for years. Mom told me about a woman in the family who was a freak like me, her aunt that she never met. So I did research. And then my visions led me to Nessie, who led me to you." She pulled back and wiped under her eyes. "Oh my god, I can't believe this is actually happening. So, you're a vampire."
Alice just stood there, looking shocked. Jasper came up behind her, touching her elbow. A wave of calm flowed throughout the room. Shaking her head, Alice blinked.
"Maybe we should take this conversation inside," I suggested. "It's cold out here for the humans and little girls."
On the way to the house, Alice seemed to warm up to the idea that her great-niece was here with her, and knew who she was.
She'd wrapped Cricket's arm through hers. "Yes, I am a vampire. Years ago, I researched myself and found my niece, your mother. I didn't remember my life before becoming a vampire and I needed to know. I knew about you, even checked in on you. But...you have visions?"
Cricket nodded. "But only to lead me to something that my heart truly desires. And this time it was to find answers about my family. My visions always direct me the roundabout way for some reason. I think this time it was so I could meet Nessie and Jake." Reaching back, she grabbed Trey's hand. "And he was also one of my heart's true desires, true love. Fate gave me him."
Alice laughed and motioned to Jasper who was following behind. "That's Jasper. He's mine."
Cricket smiled, eyes filling with tears as we made inside. "Oh my gosh, I have so much to ask you."
Alice stroked her hair. "Are you alone?"
Cricket's face sobered a little as she nodded. "Yeah. I ran away. Mom doesn't miss me. The entire family thinks I'm a freak. That's why I came to find answers about you. I had to know my heritage."
Alice actually took a deep breath. "Well, now that you're here and part of the world of freaks, you'll stay here. I'm sure Carlisle wouldn't mind. Although, we don't really have an extra bedroom anymore."
"They can stay with us until something else is figured out," I chimed in. Nessie gave me an approving look.
Cricket looked like she was going to object.
I pointed a finger at her. "You say one word in the direction of 'no, thank you' and I will hunt you down in that treehouse and drag you out. Don't think I don't know about that."
"Treehouse?" Alice gave them an incredulous look. "Absolutely not. No niece of mine is staying in a treehouse."
"There's the Alice we all know and love," Nessie said with a chuckle that turned into a wince. But her voice was getting stronger. "If you'll excuse me, I have some tea and hot chocolate to make." She leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss me. "Go help Walker. We'll be fine."
I sighed. "You are the most infuriating woman."
"I know. We can fight those people settled. The temperature is supposed to drop again. They need to be warm and cozy before that happens."
"Alright, but you and I are having a talk tonight. Don't think you're getting off easy."
She rolled her eyes. "Well duh."
"Miss Nessie, come on! Hot chocolate!"
We both chuckled as Haleigh pulled Ness in the direction of the kitchen. Before she was pulled completely out of my range, I gave her another kiss.
I smiled over at Alice and Cricket. "I'm glad you found what you were after. Now maybe you can get a break from those visions."
Cricket shook her head. "I doubt it. After today, I know what I really want."
"What is that?"
"Safety."
Sighing again, I said," Well, maybe those visions will help us out. But for now, I have to help finish moving the pack. I'll see you guys later. If anything changes, let me know."
"No problem, Kujo," she yelled after me as I walked out the door.
Ness was right. The temperature was dropping.
I didn't like leaving her here. I didn't like anything that had happened today. But one thing was for sure, Ness was strong. A year or so ago, she'd have been having hysterics. Now, she was smiling and entertaining a six year old little girl. If she could be strong and push me out the door, then I could be strong enough to let her hold that strength and finish what I'd started in helping the others. But I definitely would be having the "order" talk with her. She needed to follow mine, dammit.
"Are you coming? We need these tents."
Looking down, I found Xavier leaning against the truck, arms crossed over his chest.
"You have a strong mate. Not many could stand up to Malik and survive. She'll be ok. Although I would like to meet her when she's feeling better."
I couldn't help but laugh. "You're right. She is strong. When she's better, I'll introduce you, let her cook for you. You may never leave our house."
Chuckling, he climbed into the truck. "None of the pack have ever had a home-cooked meal before, so I'd be interested to know what one tastes like."
"Oh, we'll fix that," I promised as I pulled away from the house. "We will definitely fix that."
RPOV
Tenderly, I poked at the bruises on my neck. If I hunted tonight, they'd heal by tomorrow. But I really didn't think Jacob's temper would allow that. If he found out I left another place he told me to stay in, I'd probably get the full force of his alpha side. A side that I never wanted aimed at me. It was his most aggressive, and scary, nature.
There was a small knock on the bathroom door. "Miss Nessie? The movie is ready."
"Alright, sweetie. I'm on my way out."
She'd chosen The Aristocats today. One of my favorites. I knew the damn thing by heart, french accents and all. Grabbing my mug of mint tea, I made my way out to find Haleigh holding her hand out to me. I took it so she could lead me to the couch.
"You sit down. Mr. Jacob wants you all better." She pushed at my legs until I complied.
I couldn't help my laugh. "Ok. I'm sitting down. Now what?"
She gave me a very stern look, her hands on her hips. "Watch the movie and drink tea. I will call Miss Alice if you need anymore."
I gave her a little salute. "Yes, ma'am."
Aunt Alice and Cricket were tucked into a corner going through everything that Alice had dug up on her past and family. Smiling at them, their two heads pressed together, I was so happy for them. Aunt Alice had always wanted to have a slice of her past with her, some memory, anything. And now, her niece had sought her out for answers even though Cricket had expected to research Alice in a library seeing as how she'd be dead right now.
Trey was rummaging through Uncle Emmett's game collection and eyeing Uncle Jasper's chess set before Uncle Jasper caught him looking. He nodded his head in that direction and Trey lit up, sitting down on one side of the board. Those two would definitely get along.
Carlisle was upstairs with Abigail after getting back from the clearing. Adam and Derek had drained a deer of blood and brought it in for her. Both had apologized profusely for leaving me, letting me go off. I'd told them to shut up because I'd known better and still gone out anyway.
As Haleigh snuggled into my side and the movie started, the front door opened and closed before Shelby entered the living room with Brayden in her arms. She looked frantic before darting over to me.
"Oh my god, are you ok?" she demanded.
I nodded, throat a little tight. "Yeah, I'm good. Just some drama as usual."
"Seriously, you could use a little less of that," she said as she settled in next to me, cradling a sleeping Brayden.
I chuckled. "I'm alpha female. Something tells me that's not going to happen any time soon."
Haleigh craned her neck, looking at Brayden.
"Would you like to say hi?" I asked.
She nodded. Shelby was new to her so she wouldn't speak that much yet. Lifting my arms up, I patted my lap. Taking the hint, she crawled over my legs and just stared at the baby.
"Hi," Shelby said with a smile.
I stroked Haleigh's hair when she pulled back a little. "It's ok. She's my best friend. Her name is Shelby. And the baby's name is Brayden."
She looked up at me questioningly. "Bray...den?"
I nodded. "That's it. Brayden."
She giggled, looking back at him. "Hi, Bray...den." Reaching out, she booped his nose and looked back at me with a grin. "He's sleeping." She put her finger to her lips. "Shhh."
I nodded. "That's right. Shhh." Picking her up around the middle, I sat her down in my lap so that my arms were framing her and her back was to my front. "Let's watch the movie, ok?"
Leaning back against me, she nodded. Throughout the movie, she would glance over every now and then. When she did, she'd pat his leg gently, and then go back to watching the movie.
With her happy energy near me, I was feeling much better, much lighter. And more ok than I thought I should after nearly being strangled to death. I just couldn't bring myself to be scared when I though that it could just as easily have been her neck in his grasp. There was just no way that was acceptable.
I'd take me being strangled over anything ever happening to one of these children. They were too precious, too innocent.
There was no question that I'd lay my life down for theirs. And that's why I didn't feel the need for hysterics the way Jacob thought I would have. What had happened today was completely my fault, but I'm glad it happened. Haleigh had been in the clearing. He could have easily taken her, and she wouldn't have lasted half as long as I had.
The revelation that I would sacrifice myself meant that I had done some more growing up that I hadn't realized needed to happen.
Maybe, just maybe, I was starting to realize what being an alpha truly meant.
Soooo? How do we feel? Are things starting to fall into place or are there any questions? Reviews and PMs are very much welcome! Love you guys! xoxoxoxoxo