Traditions
A/N: Just a few quick notes about this chapter. Inner thoughts will be identified by each person as follows:
Italics only: Jacob
Italics & underline: Seth
Bold only: Sam
Bold & underline: Paul
Bold & italics: Jared
A/N: Last chapter had a lot happen and I guarantee this chapter will be filled with a lot of information and events that will pertain to the story. I try not to have irrelevant things in my chapters. I want to thank those of you who have favorited, followed, and reviewed thus far. I appreciate all of the positive comments coming from you all. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Thanks to my beta Romancing The Boys. Always appreciate the advice.
Disclaimer: IDO NOT OWN TWILIGHT.
Warning: There will be abrasive language and slash in this chapter.
~Jacob~
The day had been a whirlwind of events. I am so tired but for some reason I cannot sleep tonight. I can't shake the memories that flooded my mind the moment I saw Paul. Specifically, I began to think of how he taste and if has been tainted by my sister's taste over the years. I could sit here and lie to myself and say that I don't love him still or crave him but I know that is not the truth. I need him like I need air to breathe. I almost lost it when I saw him at my dad's house. I know he is still Paul but he has lost the edge that he once had the fire that burned my soul every time he would glance my way.
I am so scared for my children now that they have all phased along with Seth's children. Their lives are forever tied to this land, especially, Hezekiah who is now tied not only as a protector but an imprint as well. I was so afraid that they would figure out who their father is especially since Zeke and Billy look more like Paul then me. When I first saw my children in their wolf forms I was shocked the boys had my height and Paul's color while the girls were smaller versions of me. I noticed Jared glancing between the children and Sam and Paul all night. I fear he knows and he is going to tell them before we have a chance to decide how to approach the situation.
"Jake, you in here?" Seth calls out.
"Yeah, I am in the den. The kids are all sleep."
"What are we going to do? I never wanted this for them. This world breaks people, Jake."
"We are going to be the same loving parents we have always been. Continue to mentor and guide them and hope that all we have taught them will keep them safe. However, we can't protect them from everything."
"I know I wish we could though. Why did time have to fly by?"
Ring. Ring.
"Hello."
"Hey Jake, it's me Em and I was wondering if I could come over and talk to you. I just got off patrol and I want to talk about Zeke, please."
"Yeah that's cool. Door is open just come on in."
"Okay thanks man."
"That was Embry; he is on his way over."
"Okay cool. You want me to leave or stay?"
"Stay."
~30 Mins Later~
Waiting for Embry, I can't help but hope that he will not reject my son but instead be there for him and love and protect him. I trust him but I don't know who he is anymore because I have been gone so long without contact. Hearing him pull up into the driveway, I start to get nervous for the encounter ahead of me.
"Hey guys." Embry walks in greeting us.
"Hey Em." Seth and I reply.
"I don't want to reject it. Please don't keep him away from me. I want to be his forever and he be mine if that's what he wants. I will abide by any and all rules you give me. I want to make this work just tell me what I have to do."
"Love and keep him."
"What?"
"You heard me. I don't have any rules except that he not let his schoolwork suffer and that he still has time for the family. Besides that I want you to love him. Never allow my son to know pain or heartbreak because he loves you. That is all I ask."
Embry gets up and hugs me. When he pulls back I see the sympathy in his eyes as he realizes why I asked him not to hurt my son. After that both Seth and Embry leave and I head off to bed to prepare for the rest of the family to meet the kids. To say I am nervous is an understatement. My dad has always been astute and sees things others tend not to. I don't know what to expect tomorrow and that in itself is a hard situation to grasp. Eventually, I allow a dreamless sleep to take over.
~Seth~
My heart and head have yet to completely grasp the situation. My head is spinning from the fact that my babies are no longer babies and are a part of the pack now. My heart is hurting and aching for the one person I have loved in my life. Being away for 16 years did nothing to diminish my love, in fact, I am more in love with him now then I was then. Seeing him again made my heart race and my mind to reminisce. I am completely shocked that no one noticed the reaction I had or when we shifted I am glad no thoughts leaked through. When the question of paternity came up I was glad Jake was able to answer because I was about to buckle under the pressure of returning and letting it slip that he was the father. To be honest, I want to tell him but the other part wants to be selfish and hide this from him.
Now tomorrow, I have to face my sister who is downright evil and the rest of the family outside of the pack. The good thing about it is that my children will finally meet their grandmother. I have been patiently waiting for this moment since I found out I was pregnant. Hopefully, Charlie will be there to seeing as the doc has given the all clear for them to return home and resume normal activities.
When I heard they phased, I was anxious but then seeing them made my heart rejoice because their wolves look exactly like a smaller version of Sam and I couldn't help the part of myself that was glad that they have a part of him in both of their forms. I know the next generation has phased along with some new wolves as well and I must be truthful because I am nervous about if they will imprint or not because that will be easier for them then taking a chance on a wolf and not having it be you're imprint.
I spent the evening after returning from Jake's being restless in bed. I couldn't calm down enough to sleep knowing tomorrow is a very important day. I still can't shake the feeling that life will be different from now on.
~The Next Morning~
~3rd Person~
~La Push~
As they arrive on the reservation the boys head to meet their parents who are still at Billy's house but are sitting on the porch waiting for their arrival. After pulling up to the house and parking their cars the two families get out to the shock of their parents.
"Mom and Billy, I would like you to meet my children. This is EJ, Sophia, Henry, and Olivia. Kids this is your grandma and Billy Black."
"Hello grandma and Mr. Black."
"Dad and Sue, I would like you to meet my children. This is Sarah, William, Halle, and Hezekiah. Kids this is your grandfather and Mrs. Clearwater."
"Go inside kids and let us talk to your parents for a while. There are other people who are here and I think they should meet you too." Billy states.
Once the kids are inside and the door is closed Billy and Sue look at their children with knowing eyes. No words are said for the next ten minutes but they feel like a lifetime for the two shifters.
"Now I understand why you left." Billy says as he turns and heads back into the house.
"Do they know?" Sue questions.
The boys shake their heads no and the three of them follow behind Billy back into the house. The children are in the kitchen with Emily and Kim talking animatedly about their lives back in England and what they used to do.
~2 Hours Later~
Billy has Seth and Jacob head out to get some things from the grocery store and has the children stay with him and Sue so they can learn about their grandchildren. Sue and Billy leave the room to take their medicine. The children are startled when they are suddenly bombarded by three women entering the Black home.
"Who the hell are you?" Leah asks.
"I am Henry."
"I am Zeke."
"I am Elijah."
"I am William."
"I am Olivia."
"I am Sarah."
"I am Sophia."
"I am Halley."
"What are you doing here?" Rachel questions.
"We shouldn't harp on the kids like that girls. I am sure they were invited in and have every reason to be here. Am I right?" Rebekah reasons with the other two.
"Yes, you are. We are waiting for Grandpa and Sue to come back." Zeke replies.
"Billy is your grandfather? Then that makes you Jacob's kids. So, where is your father?"
"He will be back with Uncle Seth in a bit." William supplies.
"Okay so you're telling me my brother had 8 kids and never thought to mention that to us yesterday."
"Not 8. Just the 4 over there are Uncle Jake's kids. Seth is our dad." Sophia clarifies.
"What the fuck my brother had kids? How old are you?"
"16." The group replies.
Before any more questions can be asked Billy and Sue return to the room just as Jacob and Seth return with the groceries and other items they purchased. After they put the groceries away, Rachel comes and smacks her brother while Leah punches Seth.
"What the fuck?" Jake questions.
"You left us and the pack might forgive you but I sure as hell don't. You left me to take care of our father while you went off and fuck some bitch and got her pregnant. Sixteen years Jacob Ephraim Black and not one single fucking word. Now you want to come back and act like shit hasn't changed but it has."
"I can't fucking believe you two have the nerve to show up here after all the hell you caused by being weak and leaving. You don't think some of us wanted to ditch this Podunk town for greener pastures but we didn't we knew our responsibility. You two are some selfish fucking bastards do you know that. Now what you expect us to help with your bastards? Is that why you came back because the bitches wised up and realized you two ain't shit?" Leah sneered as she continued to hit her brother.
"Get the fuck off my dad you crazy ass woman." Olivia grabs the back of Leah and drags her out the house. "You think it's okay to use your strength to hurt people? My dad isn't selfish, you know nothing about him. He raised us on his own. It was us and dad and Uncle Jake. Never once have we asked for help and we won't start now. So watch what you say to my dad and where you put your hands at."
"Calm down, Sophia, let her think what she wants but always show respect your Aunt Leah."
"Go inside Sophia. Your dad and I need to have a chat with your aunts." Sophia goes inside and all that's left outside are Leah, Rachel, Rebekah, Jacob, and Seth.
"You can say whatever the fuck you want to about me but the moment you start talking shit about my children is the moment you will be put in your place. Say what you want Leah you may be a shifter but I am stronger than you and have no qualms about beating the shit out of you in an instant if you ever try to hurt my kids. So watch what comes out your mouths from now on. We left you guys because we needed to because if we didn't we still wouldn't have been around. I have no regrets about my life and as far as needed help we don't need it. I own a successful company and your brother is an amazing fucking doctor even though we don't need to explain ourselves to you." Jacob states as he turns around to return to the house.
"You two are a piece of work. How dare you say that shit to about my children in front of them? To think I put family first when I fucking left here and all you can do is be a nasty bitch in return. You have the audacity to call us selfish when every fucking thing we have done has been selfless, but if you want me to be selfish I can be from now and I won't feel any sympathy. You two are ungrateful bitches." Seth expresses before also returning to the house.
"Hell no those bastards didn't just speak to us like that and that little piece of shit hit me. Wait til I tell Sam about this shit it will be handled."
"I know I am calling Paul he will set those bitches right."
"You two are ridiculous can't you just be accepting of them like you were of mine and the rest of the pack?" Rebekah pleads.
"NO FUCKING WAY!" Leah shouts as she storms off to find her husband.
"You're my twin but you're siding with those traitors. Unbelievable." Rachel hops in her car and pulls off.
Rebekah returns inside to learn about her nieces and nephews and about her brother and Seth. As they continue to learn about the goings on of the past 16 years, the family prepares food for the bonfire that will be occurring later in the evening to welcome the pups to the fold as well as welcome back their parents.
Jacob and Seth are anxious to see how the rest of the night will play out knowing the bonfire is mandatory and everyone will be there and how tense will the atmosphere be. If either of those two says anything we will be leaving and have nothing to do with any of them except a select few.
~The Bonfire~
Walking up to the beach where the bonfire is being held, the reception is warm from most of the people in attendance. Jacob and Seth are excited for the children to hear the legends for the first time. However, before that can be done they must be introduced to everyone in the pack and the imprints. They were definitely unprepared for what happened as introductions were made. In the span of five minutes, the rest of their children imprinted on other members of the pack and it was a shocking moment.
Stephen, a young shifter from the reservation who's cousins with Collin stops and looks at Elijah like he is the sole reason for him being on this earth and Elijah looks like Stephen is his what ties him to the earth now. Neither takes their eyes off the other and become lost in their own world. As Stephen realizes he has just imprinted he decides to introduce himself and find out this young man before him.
"Hello, I am Stephen. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Hi, I am Elijah but everyone calls me EJ. And the pleasure is all mines."
EJ is curious as to whether or not his imprint is gay like him but is nervous to ask him because he would be upset if he is not. He is happy to know that Stephen is a guy because he has never been interested in the opposite sex and has known that he was different in his preference for boys and not girls.
"Can I ask you something, Stephen?"
"Yep. Ask me anything."
"Um I don't know how to ask you this."
"Just speak don't think."
"Are you gay?" EJ rushes out the statement.
"Yes." Stephen whispers in EJ ears causing him to shiver from the sensation.
EJ is surprised by his reactions to Stephen and the fact that it was almost immediate. Granted he thinks Stephen is so handsome it is ridiculous but he is shock that he finds him fuckable and delicious. He wants to learn more and get to know the man who will be his forever.
"Let's go somewhere and talk. I want to know everything about you, EJ."
"Sure, sure that's fine."
Jared's twins imprint as well. Joshua imprints on Olivia and Jason imprints on William. Jason is reeling from the fact that William is a guy because he has never been interested or attracted to guys before him. William is still in shock when he feels a tingling sensation on his hand that travels up his arm. Looking down he notices that Jason has grabbed his hand to get his attention.
"Hey, William, are you okay? I know this comes as a shock. It is one for me to but we will figure it out."
"Huh. What did you say?" William shakes his head to clear it of the thousands of thoughts currently running around his mind about Jason.
"I was just saying we will sort things out and not to worry."
"Yeah thanks man. Did you feel that?"
"Yeah, I did."
Olivia is pleased that Joshua is her imprint but she is confused about how it works and what it means for her and her siblings. Joshua and Olivia decide to be friends for the time being because they are unsure of everything and do not want to be clouded by the imprint. They want to take their time and figure out what they want.
"Let's meet up tomorrow and get to know each other better." Joshua suggests.
"Sure, sure sounds like a plan."
Collin's two boys imprint along with Brady's two boys.
Collin's oldest son, Carrick, imprints on Sarah and his youngest, Christopher, imprints on Sophia.
"Carrick, I'm Sarah. I don't mean to be rude and I want to learn about who you are but I need to sort through things first so can you give me some time to figure it all out. I am sure I will see you at pack functions but for now outside of that I don't know if I am ready to see you just yet. I am sorry. Please don't see this as rejection."
"It's fine. I need to take care of some things as well."
Carrick was glad that Sarah didn't want anything more immediately because this means he could break up with his girlfriend and understand what his feelings mean. Sarah was sure she saw relief flash across Carrick's face before he walked away. She knows this is going to be tough because she doesn't know why she had to imprint.
Christopher is stunned that he begins to shake and phase. Being dragged off into the woods he phases and runs off. Sophia is hurt by his reaction that she in turns and runs away phasing on the fly. Entering the pack mind Sophia catches Christopher's thoughts about his long term girlfriend who he has been dating for three years. She immediately feels bad for him and tells him that she will only accept friendship from him and nothing more since he already has a loving relationship.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Christopher slips away from the pack mind and Sophia lets out her hurt at the fact that she won't have her happily ever after. She decides to return to the bonfire once she has calmed down and seek out her dad later. He always knows how to make her feel better.
Brady's oldest son, Brandon, imprints on Halley and his middle son, Bradley, imprints on Henry.
Bradley and Brandon have never been one to shy away from their feelings and this situation is no different. Before, Halley or Henry can speak up Brandon and Bradley grab them both and kiss them passionately. Once, they run out of oxygen they reluctantly pull away.
"Hi, I'm Bradley but call me Brad. I accept us baby please tell me you do too."
Henry pulls Brad back to him and kisses him again.
"I definitely accept if you'll keep kissing me like that. I'm Henry."
"Hey, beautiful name's Brandon and I want to be yours."
"Hell yeah, you can definitely be mine. Come here."
Halley grabs Brandon and kisses a trail to his ear and whispers "I'm Halley."
"Oh hell, why did they have to grow up?" Jacob asks Seth.
After Billy has told the legends the elders leave. Sam calls attention to the pack so that they can talk patrol schedules.
"There are enough of us now to lighten the loads of the patrol schedules and shorten them. Senior pack members will be running with two of the pups so that they can learn from the senior members. No one should patrol alone unless I say so. I would like to official welcome the new members and welcome back Jacob and Seth." Sam explains.
Rounds of applauses and cheers erupt from the pack when he is done in celebration and in acceptance of the new pack members. Sam pulls Jacob to ask him to become beta so that he can begin to learn about the role of alpha because Sam wants to step down to a less stressful role and reminds Jacob of his promise to step up as alpha when the time came. He wants me to take over as alpha. I don't know if I am ready for that. Maybe we can compromise because I need to understand the dynamics of the pack before I even consider being alpha. What about the children? Can I balance the time properly? Will I be able to separate pack from family? There are so many things to question.
"I don't know if I can Sam. You are asking me to take over for you as alpha and that is going to be a lot of work and responsibility on top of the ones I already have. I don't even know if I can handle being beta. I just returned after 16 years and I am readjusting to how things are here. I need to know one thing though: why now?"
I should be honest with him and say I don't have the energy to do it anymore. Would he understand how I feel about everything? I know I need to give him time to adjust and I guess I should.
"Why now? In all honesty it is because you have returned. I know it was never my place to be alpha and was willing to wait until you were ready to become alpha. Now I have a proposition for you. I will be willing to wait until you sort through the things that you have to and just learn the ropes while you adjust. I will not force you into the role, Jacob. You have to be completely prepared to take on the role and all it entails."
He is being reasonable and I should be grateful for that. I guess that life is changing and I better get on board with it. I still need to talk to the kids and Seth because we always make decisions together.
"Thanks, Sam, I am willing to compromise with you and agree to your proposition. However, I do want to speak to my family and see how they feel about this. It doesn't only affect me but them as well. I will have my answer by the end of the week."
Okay, I can work with that.
"Thank you, Jacob."
After the discussion, Jacob and Sam return to the bonfire.
~Jacob~
I sit back and watch my children as they interact with their imprints and I am happy that they have found their soul mates. I am hopeful that they will never experience pain like I have. We are waiting for the rest of the pack and their families to arrive but it is looking like the only ones not here are Paul, Jared, Rachel, Leah and Kim. I am nervous to see him and my sister together especially since the last bonfire I attended was the one they announced their engagement at. I don't have the heart to look at him when they arrive. Where is Rachel? Why is he coming with Jared and Kim? Stop, don't think about that. He chose her not you. I glance in his general direction and see that he is looking at me too. It is in unnerving to feel him staring at me so intently.
Paul approaches me and asks if we can talk. Should I? I realize it is best to talk to him and get this over with now that I am stepping up as beta. I will have to interact with him eventually and I realize that it is better to have a level head in those situations.
"Hello, Paul, how are you doing?"
"I am good and yourself?"
"Doing well, thanks." What does he want?
"I need to say some things to you that I have been holding onto for sixteen years. The first is how angry and hurt I felt when you left without being man enough to come say goodbye in person. I felt like you didn't give a fuck about me or the pack and that made me angry all the time. It made me question if you cared about anyone but yourself." How dare he? The bastard thinks I am selfish. Isn't the pot calling kettle black.
"Hold the hell up, if you read the letter jackass I left for unselfish reasons. It wouldn't have been good to stay here. I didn't want to watch you all be fucking lovey dovey while I sat on the sidelines waiting for some breadcrumbs to drop my fucking way." I got him where I want him and if I get him riled up enough maybe he will relent to me.
"Screw you Jake. I am allowed to have my thoughts. You hurt me and I am allowed what I felt."
"You hurt! You fucking hurt! Here you go same old Paul only thinking of himself! I was broken you bastard! YOU FUCKING BROKE ME AND EXPECTED ME TO STAY! HOW WAS THAT FUCKING FAIR TO ME OR YOU? Answer the fucking question."
"No shut up and listen Jake. I searched for your ass for two years to convince you to come back to me. Do you know I was willing to be with you and forget about the damn imprint but I never got the chance? You took that from me. If I broke you, Jacob you destroyed me! I was never the same. Hell I am still not. No one compares to you!"
Paul pushes me against a tree and kisses me. I try pushing him away but he becomes agitated and his grip tightens.
"Mine."
He deepens the kiss and I relent to him. He is better than I remember the kiss is breathtaking and enticing. I want more. I am brought out of the trance he always puts me in when he pulls away. Biting my neck I know I am going to have a mark for a while.
"You will always be mine, Jacob. Despite whomever you have slept with since me. Never forget that because I haven't."
Leaving me alone in the woods, I slide down the tree and start to cry uncontrollably. Memories flooding my mind and I cannot get rid of them. I am so upset I don't notice Billy walking over to me and holding me.
"He is our father isn't he dad?"
Hearing those six words from my son, I cry harder and that in turn provides the nonverbal agreement to his question. He holds me tighter and rubs my back until my sobs are calmer and I am ready to return the bonfire.
"Thank you, Billy. I appreciate it son. I am sorry you had to see that."
"It's cool dad. I just don't like to see you hurt."
"I have one question though."
"What's that?"
"Does he know?"
I shake my head no.
"Why not?"
I shrug my shoulders and tell him we shall have a family meeting later with his siblings to discuss things in detail and I will answer everything there.
~Seth~
Jacob had disappeared a long time ago with Paul into the woods. I am so worried because they have yet to return. My body starts getting chills and I look behind me and see Sam staring at me while Leah glares at me next to him. I am so concerned about my children and the fight that occurred earlier and that Sam will take Leah's side. I don't know if coming back was the best idea. We should have stayed in the UK and just came to check on our parents and went back when we knew they were safe. I smell a familiar scent and turn around to see Sam standing in front of me. Some would be intimidated by the stance he is taken but I know he would never hurt me. At least I used to be sure.
"I have to get some things off my chest. They are eating me alive." I nod in agreement.
Moving away from the bonfire and walking down the beach Sam grasps my hand in his and pulls me down on a piece of driftwood. For the longest time nothing is said between the two of us and we enter an awkward silence. Unable to take it anymore I decide to speak up.
"So…you brought me out here for what purpose?"
"I need you to stay silent and just listen because if you speak up I might not have the strength to continue what I have to say." Nodding in agreement, Sam continues.
"For years I wondered what I would say to you if I ever saw you again. In the beginning, when you first left, I thought my words would be filled with anger and hate. I was so angry that you left me not the res or the pack but you walked away from me. I loved you completely, Seth. However, in time my anger changed to pain at the thought that I would never see you happy face again." He scoots closer to me and nuzzles my neck.
"You still smell the same. I spent the first week you were gone alone in my room not seeing anybody just trying to keep your scent in there as long as possible. Soon I realized that you left and had no intention to return. So I decided to embrace the life I was left with. Although, I continued to go through the motions you were always on my mind. My love has intensified for you instead of dissipated. I had to let you know that I still love you and I am still in love with you as well."
What do I say to that? I have been waiting for him to say that for years. I have never stopped loving this man. He still has my heart but can I say that to him. What about Leah? I cannot hurt her no matter what shit she puts me through.
"Sam, I will always love you but we cannot do this. You are married to my sister. She is your imprint." I get up to walk away, when I feel his lips on my sensitive spot on my neck and I melt into it. The same reaction to his touch. I have got to get this under control.
He still reacts the same way. God I love when he gives in to me. I have missed this. I so want to taste him.
"Stop. Someone will see us."
"We will hear them if they come."
I am slowly losing my will to fight him and grab him and pull him to me. Consequences be damned. How would I feel if my children were treated like this by their imprints? Oh God this has got to stop before it starts again. I push Sam off and tell him we can't do this and run away crying.
I knew it. Both of them cheating on their imprints and now I am going have to keep this secret. However, I know I need to talk to Jacob and Seth because there is something they have yet to tell us and if it's what I think it is they will change many lives in the process.
"Come on out. I know you're there. Say what you have to say and go." I call out to my pack mate who is following behind me.
"We need to talk." Jared says as he pulls on a pair of cutoffs.
"Okay. Talk."
"Not just us but Jacob as well. There are some things that need to be handled." Jared replies before leaving from the way he comes.
OH shit does he know?