Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight SM does and she messed it up big time so I am trying to fix it while not making any money at it.
A/N:I have to say thankies to Mist, Noin, Shadowlynx, and my fearless beta TayJayFan who read this chapter twice and it is only because of her you have what is an amazing chapter. Comments and Reviews are very much appreciated, even if you hate it.
Sam pulled up right in front of the steps. He got out and grabbed Bella's bags from the toolbox and her shower seat from the back of the truck. He ran them inside and Emily followed behind. She got the roast out of the oven while Sam went and got Bella. He ran out and opened the door.
"Your chair is soaking wet, Little One. So I am just going to carry you in and sit you at the table and then I will come back out and get the chair and cushion and put it by the fire to dry while we eat. Hood up," he said as he picked her up and out of the truck, sprinting for the steps and the cover of the porch. He walked inside and sat her in his usual place at the kitchen table. "You okay, Little One?"
"Yeah," Bella mumbled as she burrowed further down in her coat to ward off a chill. Sam was back in what seemed like seconds with her chair and was busy making a fire in the stone fireplace. He placed her cushion near the hearth and her wheelchair in front of the fire. Turning back towards the kitchen, he saw Bella huddled in her jacket, staring blankly at the plate of food in front of her.
"Cold, Little One?" Sam asked with concern.
Bella had lost the energy to speak, so she just shook her head yes. Sam came over and helped her out of her still wet coat. "Little One I know you're tired but you must eat. We had a deal, remember?" Bella shook her head yes again before picking up the fork and eating what was on her plate with lackluster enthusiasm. Sam watched her for several minutes until it became too painful. She was barely able to get the fork from her mouth to the plate and back again. "Bella, Emily and I are gonna go make sure your room is ready and that your things are put away, okay?" Sam said as he got up and headed to the guest room. Emily followed, worried; she had only seen him this way once before and it was after she had come home from the hospital. Emily knew it was going to be a long weekend for all of them. She walked into the guest room to find Sam there, staring at the furniture. It had all been placed along the outer walls of the room in order to give Bella room to move around in her wheelchair.
"Who?" he mouthed to Emily.
"Jake," she mouthed back.
"I thought as much," he said as he went over to the bed and fingered the quilt. "Is this new?" he asked as he watched Emily arranged Bella's clothes in the dresser.
"Billy sent it over," she said while Sam turned down the quilt and saw Bella hand stitched at the top. "Apparently, Sarah made it for her years ago and Billy is just now getting around to giving it to her." Emily heard Sam sigh as he set up her laptop on the desk. "Sam, are you sure you wanna do this? Sue said she could come stay with them."
"No, Emily, we need to do this. I know you are nervous, but Jacob needs to be with her. Hell, she needs to be with him too. You of all people should know what the pull of the imprint is doing to her and on top of everything else; she has the therapists from hell who get their jollies from making her work until she is completely exhausted. She has no friends anymore, Emily. Between the Cullens and that damn nomad bloodsucker and his twisted need to make her suffer, she has been isolated and alienated from her friends. Jacob, Billy, Charlie, the Pack, and the Cullens are all she has now and she is about to add the tribal council to her troubles. I am not about to add an angry and bitter Leah to that list. What do you think will happen when I drop her off, huh?"
"I just don't like to see you like this, Sam."
"I know Em, but I can't help it. She is just a kid who is scared, who has the world bearing down on her tiny shoulders. She has exhausted herself this week and is in constant pain, but she will not take her pain meds. She needs someone to make her take them and to make sure she sleeps and eats, and Charlie cannot do it alone anymore, so it has to be us."
"Okay, you convinced me. Go get her and I will help her get ready for bed. She grabbed Bella's shorts and tank top and headed for the bathroom.
Sam went into the kitchen and found Bella sound asleep with her head resting on her arms. He picked up the plate in front of her and saw that it was still full, apart from what she had eaten in his presence. He placed the plate in the sink and returned, lifting her out of the chair and heading towards the bedroom. He ducked his head in the bathroom, motioning for Emily to follow. He gently laid her on the bed.
"Jacob, my Jacob," Bella whispered as she ran her fingers through Sam's hair.
"Not yet, Little One, but soon, I promise," he said as he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "Emily, get her ready for bed, please. I will be right back with a glass of water and her meds."
Emily had helped Bella into her PJ's and put her under the covers by the time Sam came in with the glass of water and her meds. He had a sandwich hanging out of his mouth and Emily giggled at the sight. She reached up and took it out of his mouth.
"Do you want me to fix you a plate, while you take care of this?" she asked.
"Yeah, and fix a plate for Billy and a few sandwiches for Jake too, okay?"
"Sure, Hon," she said as she walked out of the room.
Sam took the water and the pills and knelt down quietly by the bed. "Little One, wake up, you need to take your meds."
"Don't wanna, go away," she mumbled.
"Isabella Swan, you made me a promise, remember? Now sit up and take these meds or I will tell Jake."
"I don't like you anymore, Sam," she grumbled as she opened her eyes.
Sam just shrugged as he helped her sit up and take her meds before gently laying her back on the pillow and tucking the quilt under her chin. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead before leaving the room. He sat at his place at the kitchen table and began to eat.
"Sam, slow down. The roast is not going to try to eat you."
"I gotta get going, Em; I want to meet Jake so we can talk and go for a run before we have to meet Dr. Cullen."
"It is only six, Sam, and you have been gone since noon. You need to rest."
Sam finished his dinner and took Emily's hand and led her to the sofa. "What are you afraid of Emily?" he asked quietly.
"I am afraid this girl is bringing us, and the Tribe as a whole, nothing but trouble. I mean, look at what she is doing to Jacob already and you are getting too close to her. Paul is on constant night patrols because of her and she is not even Native."
"Em, where is this coming from, really?" Sam asked as he ran his hand down her scarred cheek.
"Sam, I am scared that the vamps who did that to her will come back and of what will happen to you and the boys. Why can't you guys just let the Cullens take care of her?"
"She is our future Alpha's mate, Emily. She means a lot to our pack and to our tribe and she is just a young girl who got caught up in something that she had no idea of the consequences of. She needs a family so bad that she was willing to die to get it, Em. We have to be that for her now."
"Okay, Sam, just promise me you will be careful."
"I will-"Sam's answer was cut off by the scream that tore from Bella's throat in the guest room. Sam was off the couch in a flash with Emily on his heels. He got to the room in seconds and saw Bella thrashing against the covers. He knelt down besides the bed and held her arms still. Emily turned on the light next to the bed and she saw the tears coursing down Bella's cheeks as Sam stroked the side of her face and whispered in her ear. "It is okay, Little One, they can't hurt you anymore. I won't allow it, and Jake won't allow it. Do you hear me, Isabella; no one can hurt you anymore."
Emily watched as Bella's breathing evened out and she knew whatever was plaguing the young girl had been kept at bay for now.
"Em, stay with her. I am gonna head down to Jake's and take them their food and go for a run with Jake before we meet with the Cullens. I will send Embry back down here to stay with the two of you. If you need anything, Paul will be phased and on the Rez. He can come get us if she gets too bad. If she has to go to the bathroom, I want Embry to carry her, do you understand?"
"Yes, Sam, I understand. Be careful and I love you."
Sam walked over to Emily and placed a long sensual kiss on her lips before leaving her alone with a now shivering Bella. Emily pulled the covers up and tucked Bella back in before taking a seat close to the door.
Sam ran to Billy's through the woods, so that no one would notice his super speed. He knew Jacob had heard Bella's screams; hell, he would be surprised if she didn't wake up the whole Rez. He only hoped Jacob was able to control his anger and worry and not phase until they could talk. Sam was about to go up the steps of the little red house when he heard the banging in the garage and he took off in that direction. He walked in just in time to see another wrench fly across the garage and hit the wall.
"Damn it Jake, that was close to my head that time," Embry said. Sam couldn't help but smile.
"Well, move the fuck out of the way."
"Nope, I will not let you destroy this garage again after all the work I did to get it clean from the last time."
"Well, what you want me to do, Em? I can't go see her. She needs me, and I can't see her and I can't phase either."
"How about you eat while we talk, and then you can phase and run for a while before the meeting?" Sam interrupted
"Sam," Jake spun around to see his Alpha standing in the doorway. "How is she?" he asked as he jogged towards the door.
"She is fine now, little brother, but we really need to work on those wolf senses of yours. You should have heard and smelled me coming awhile ago."
"I was a little distracted," Jake said with a hint of laughter in his voice and a slight blush to his cheeks.
Sam threw his head back and laughed. "I see that. Trying to take your brothers head off is kinda against the rules, Jake."
"Hey, I was here by myself. He was the one who decided to come over here and get in my way."
"Hey, it's not my fault. I was sleeping and your girlfriend decides to scream like a banshee and wake up half the rez."
"Embry Call, you take that back or else."
"Nope," Embry said, popping the p and plastering a smile on his face just to annoy Jake even more.
Before Sam could put an end to the good natured ribbing, Jacob flew across the garage and tackled Embry taking him down to the floor. Embry was taken off guard by the attack so Jake had the upper hand and he began to tickle Embry with no mercy. Sam watched and laughed as Embry tried getting away from Jake, but Jake would not ease up, even a little.
"A little help here, Sam?" Embry begged as Jake continued the onslaught to his ribs.
"Jacob, let your brother up and go inside and eat. Embry, apologize for the Bella remark and then come with me. I need to talk to you."
"Sorry, Jake," Embry said as Jake let go of him and took the food from Sam and headed for the house. "What's up, Sam?" Embry asked as they walked out the garage.
"I know I told you that you would be patrolling with Paul tonight but with Bella here, and Jake and I being busy with the Cullens, I want you to head over to my house and help Emily. Since we brought Bella home, Em has been acting kinda weird and with Bella having those nightmares, I will feel better if you are there and so will Jake. We will be back as soon as we can. Jared and I will take the morning patrol and you and Paul can have the afternoon, and Jared and Paul will have tomorrow night."
"Are you ever gonna cut Paul some slack, Sam?" Embry asked as he steeled himself for the slap to the back of the head. He was shocked that Sam just looked at him and didn't hit him.
"I will cut Paul slack when he treats Jacob with the respect he deserves as our future Alpha, and Bella as the future Alpha female."
"Okay, Sam."
"Em, if Bella has another nightmare try whispering in her ear that she is safe and nothing can hurt her here. If that doesn't work, go outside and phase and tell Paul to come get me and Jake at the treaty line. Remember, she is your sister. If she has to use the bathroom, you carry her. She is not to use that chair anymore tonight and she is not to push herself anywhere this weekend, which means if me, Jacob, or Jared are not there, it falls to you to keep her from overdoing anything. Is that clear?"
"Crystal, Sam. I will take care of her; I promise."
Sam turned towards the little red house only to see Jacob come flying out the door with something in his hand.
"Jacob, what are you doing? I told you to get inside."
"I am Sam, but I heard you were sending Embry to your place and I thought these might help," Jake said as he handed Embry his black t-shirt and brown hoodie. "Tell Em to put the shirt on her when you get there and if she gets cold, put the hoodie on her. Tell her I love her and I will be with her soon."
"I will, Brother, I promise," Embry said as he took off in the direction of Sam's.
Sam threw his arm over Jacob's shoulder. "Great idea, little brother, you will make a great Alpha. Come on, let's go to talk to your dad and make a plan of action."
Carlisle and Jasper paced the treaty line. The wolves were late.
"They are late, Carlisle; I don't think they are coming."
"They will be here, Jasper, they will be here."
"How can you be so sure? I mean, they have Bella on the reservation now, so why would they?"
"Because they are an honorable people, Jasper, and Sam said they would be here, so they will be here."
"Did someone doubt my word?" Sam said as he stepped out of the shadows. Jacob was on his right and Jared on his left as they walked up to the line and faced Carlisle.
"I apologize for my lack of confidence, Mr. Uley, but you are late," Jasper replied.
"And you are?" Sam asked curiously.
"Sam, this is my son, Jasper. He is currently my second in command and he has the ability to control emotions, vampires, humans, and shape shifters alike. Jasper, this is Sam Uley, Jacob Black, and Jared Cameron."
"Excuse me Dr Cullen, and as much as I appreciate the introductions, Bella is having a rough time of it right now and I would really like to finish up here so I can go to her."
"What do you mean by a rough time?" Carlisle asked in concern.
"I mean, those assholes you call therapists have pushed her to the brink of exhaustion everyday and they are talking about adding two more hours in the summer."
"Calm down, Sam," Jared whispered.
"Bullshit Jared, you have seen her, she is exhausted. She falls asleep at the fucking dinner table every night." Jacob put his hand on Sam's shoulder and Sam felt an instant wave of calm coming from across the treaty line."
"I am sorry to hear that, Sam. I never intended for them to work her that hard, I assure you."
"She is also, still behind in her schoolwork and there is talk of summer school and don't even get me started on the nightmares."
"Nightmares? Sam, what are you talking about," Carlisle asked, even more concerned than before.
"That is why we were late. Bella has been having nightmares, bad ones, and I had to go back home and calm her down before we came here."
"Jasper, why hasn't Alice seen any of this?"
"I don't know, but I know she has tried to avoid looking into Bella's future while Edward is around."
"Get her on the phone for me."
Jasper took out his phone and dialed at vampire speed and began to talk to Alice in low, hushed tones before handing the phone to Carlisle.
"Alice, why didn't you see what is going on with Bella?"
"Carlisle, between the wolves and Edward, I haven't been able to keep Bella's future very clear."
"Alice, you have to do better. With Victoria and Laurent both out there now, we need to keep an eye on Bella when she is not on the Reservation."
"But Carlisle, you know if Edward finds out Bella is with the dogs, he will want to come back to Forks and you were the one who said that wasn't a good idea right now."
"It's not Alice, not with Victoria hell bent on revenge against Bella and Edward. What Edward needs to be doing is tracking those two and letting me worry about Bella's well-being."
"But Carlisle, he loves Bella."
"Alice, if he truly loves Bella than he will want to see her happy and well and right now, she is apparently neither of those things." Carlisle's comment was met with silence. "Alice," Carlisle said in a harsh whisper.
"Carlisle, what does Alice mean when she said Bella is keeping company with the wolves?"
"Edward, you need to stay out of your sister's head." The mere mention of Edward's name earned a low growl from Jacob's chest and Jacob was immediately hit by a wave of calm from Jasper, who gave him a tight smile. Jacob let this go in silence because he wanted to hear the rest of Dr. Cullen's conversation with Edward.
"But the wolves are dangerous and I don't think Bella needs to be around them now or ever Carlisle."
"Well, it's a good thing you aren't making those decisions now, isn't it? They are dangerous but no more so than we are, and you had no problem exposing Bella to what we are, now did you?"
"But Carlisle…"
"But nothing, Edward. I am her doctor and if I thought it was a bad thing for her, it wouldn't happen, but as it is they can help protect her." Jacob watched as Carlisle closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "No, Edward, you will not come back to Forks right now. You will do as I asked and see if you can track Victoria and find out what her plans are. Bella is safe where she is and honestly the last thing she needs right now is you hovering over her, letting her feel sorry for herself. There is hope for her but only if she fights for it, which will be a long, painful process. Tell Alice that Jasper will be back before morning, and tell Esme I will call her as soon as I can." Carlisle ended the phone call without listening for Edward's response and turned to Jasper. "Jasper, head back to Denali now. Call Emmett on the way and tell him under no circumstances is he to let Edward come back to Forks. I want you to travel with him while he tracks Victoria; we have to know what her plans are as soon as possible."
"Will you be okay here alone?" Jasper asked.
"Yes, I will be fine. Go." And with that, Jasper was gone with lightening fast speed. Carlisle turned and faced Sam, Jacob, and Jared. "I would like to see Bella, if I may?"
"Okay," Sam said without hesitation. "On one condition. She gets to see Jacob again."
"Agreed." The three wolves phased, flanking Carlisle as they ran toward Sam's little house on the rez. Sam and Jared went in ahead of Carlisle and Jake was bringing up the rear. Emily was sitting on the sofa in front of the fire when the boys came in.
"Emily, this is Dr. Cullen. He is here to see Bella. How has she been since I left?"
"She is still restless. Embry is with her now. Are you boys hungry?"
"Not now Em, we will eat in a bit. Why don't you head to bed okay?" Sam said as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
She unfolded herself from the sofa and stood up, kissing Sam, before taking her leave and heading to the Master Bedroom. Sam walked towards the guest room and opened the door. The light from the hallway fell across Bella's flushed cheeks. Sam could tell she was talking in her sleep still but none of it made any sense to them. Embry had stationed himself as close to her bedside as he could without actually getting in bed with her.
"How is she, Em?" Sam asked.
"She is better, but she is still cold. Even with Jake's hoodie, she is still freezing. Do you think it's the you know what?"
"Embry, let's not talk about that now. Why don't you go eat while Dr. Cullen checks on Bella and then Jake can take over taking care of her?"
"Okay, Sam," Embry said as he exited the room and headed for the kitchen.
"Jake, come on in, Brother. She won't bite, much." Sam said with a chuckle
"Sam…" Jacob cautioned as he moved forward to take his place next to Sam. "Bells," he said softly as he dropped to his knees next to the bed. "Bells, honey, wake up," Jake whispered as he grabbed her tiny hand, enfolding it in his own. "Come on, baby. I have waited five days to see those beautiful brown eyes so how about you open them and let me enjoy the moment?"
Bella's eyes fluttered open at that comment. "Jacob, my Jacob," she said as her eyes began to focus. She raised her free hand up to touch the side of his face. He placed his free hand on top of hers. "You're so warm. Are you okay?" she asked.
"From what I hear, I am better than you," he said as he took the quilt off of her and lifted her up. He sat down on the bed with her in his arms. He removed the hoodie and threw it towards the chair. His shirt hung well below her knees and for the first time since she left on Sunday, his desire to be alone with her returned with a vengeance. All he could feel were her tiny hands curling around his nape and her lips finding a home in the side of his neck. He caressed down her arms and pulled her hands away from his neck. His fingertips hit the scar on her wrist and he yanked it towards the light for greater inspection. Seeing the bite mark, his body began to shake. Bella laid her hand on his chest and the shaking began to subside but it didn't stop completely. He put her wrist out towards Carlisle and looked him in the eye before Carlisle's answer to his silent question came.
"Yes, first James and then Edward."
With that answer, Jacob had placed Bella on the bed with lightening speed and had Carlisle backed up against the wall with his hand around his throat. "Your son broke the treaty and you let him?" he bit out around a snarl while Sam and Jared tried pulling him off of Carlisle before he could do any real damage.
"If I had not let him, Bella wouldn't be breathing anymore."
"But I wouldn't be broken, and Edward would still be with me." Bella mumbled to no one in particular.
Hearing this, Jacob let go of Carlisle and turned to face Bella, who looked at him with pain in her eyes, causing his wolf to struggle to break free. He literally ran as fast as he could, phasing when his feet hit the ground. He barely heard Bella's anguished cry of 'Jacob' over his own howl. Sam and Jared followed soon after, trying to catch Jacob before he made it to Canada, leaving Embry and Carlisle to take care of a distraught Bella. She was currently snuggled against Embry's chest, crying and mumbling about how she didn't mean it and Jake's name over and over again. Embry was trying to console her the best way that he could, but he knew the only thing that would make her feel better was Jake himself.
Carlisle had lowered himself into the chair next to the bed, shaking his head. He had many regrets in his life, but he knew letting Edward get involved with Isabella Swan would always be his greatest. He looked down at her frail body, wrapped in the young wolf's arms, and he sighed before rummaging through his bag for the meds and needle which he needed to administer them.
"Um, Embry, do you think you could hold her down gently while I give her some medicine to calm her; she won't like it but she needs it."
Embry held her still as Carlisle prepped the syringe with the drugs. He watched as he injected the drugs into her and covered the injection site with a bandage.
"How do you do that?" Embry asked.
"Do what?"
"Deal with blood like that. I thought vamps were not able to resist the pull, but you seem to do just fine."
"Centuries of practice, but even with the practice, Bella takes a special kind of discipline. Keep her warm, that drug is likely to cause her body temperature to drop slightly."
"What is so different about her blood?"
"It smells sweet, like candy to us, which is why James went after her in the first place."
Embry laid Bella back on the bed and covered her with quilt before climbing into the bed next to her. He and Carlisle stayed silent for a long time. Embry watched as Carlisle kept a constant eye on Bella. "Why haven't you left to be with your family?" Embry finally asked breaking the silence.
"Because Bella needs top-notch medical care and I need to oversee it."
"You could have just as easily turned her or given her care over to another doctor. Why didn't you?"
"I didn't turn her because Charlie is a good friend and I had a chance to save her. Every person I have turned has been dying with no hope of recovery. Turning people has never been an easy choice for me and Bella deserves to live, even though she can't see the beauty in it now. I hope that one day she will. As far turning her care over to someone else, Bella Swan is the closest I will ever get to having a child of my own and I just can't leave her care to just some random stranger."
"What about members of your coven? Aren't they your children?
"In a sense, yes, but children are suppose to need their parents and Bella is the only one who truly needs me. So here I sit, reminded everyday of guilt and regret, because Bella thinks she is ordinary when really her compassion and acceptance is the most extraordinary thing I have seen in almost nine centuries on this planet."
"Jake would agree with you, I am sure."
"I doubt young Jacob would agree with anything I have to say at this time."
"He just can't see anything past Bella these days. Hell, I don't think he has seen anything past Bella for a long time."
"She is lucky to have that type of devotion and she needs it now more than ever."
Jake was running as far and as fast as he could. He couldn't believe what had happened to Bella, his Bella. She had been beaten, battered, broken, and bitten, not once but twice, by bloodsucking leeches and what was worse is that Dr. Fang encouraged the second bite.
"Jacob, had she not been bitten the second time, she wouldn't be a living, breathing human being anymore."
"I know Sam, I know, but it is no comfort to the wolf or to me. Those filthy bloodsuckers had their teeth on her and he just left her Sam, let her think she wasn't good enough for him. She is better than all of us, Sam."
"I know Jacob, but you know it's not easy dealing with what Bella is dealing with right now. You heard Dr. Cullen, Edward coddles her and that is the last thing she needs. Not to mention, I think the imprint is affecting her more now that she is closer to you. She needs you to step up and be a man now, Jacob, which means no running off half cocked anymore. No more attacking Dr. Cullen because he is not the enemy here."
"That's right, Baby Alpha. No more choking Dr. Fang cuz your leech-loving girlfriend needs him to fix this mess."
"Paul," Sam boomed in their heads so loud it caused them all to whine as they noticed the silver wolf come from the tree line in front of them.
No, Sam, someone has to set him straight since you seem to be too afraid to tell him the truth. Paul's silver wolf stalked forward and came face to face with the russet wolf before stopping. "Baby Alpha, your choice of Alpha Female is fucked up. She is a pale-faced leech-loving simpering bitch who can't even walk. I refuse to protect her from the shit she's brought on herself."
Almost before he finished the thought, Jacob lunged for Paul and knocked him down, going for his throat. Paul managed to evade him but Jake's teeth sunk deep into Paul's shoulder, before he could shake him off. Paul landed a kick to Jake's ribs and he went flying into the trees as Paul stood on all fours, shaking out his fur and calmly began to saunter away.
"Sam, aren't you going to stop this, before someone really gets hurt?" Jared asked because he knew Jacob wasn't done. He felt the Alpha power surging in Jake and he knew Jake might take an alpha order from Sam but there was no way in hell he was gonna lay down for Paul.
"Nope, I am just as tired of Paul's shit as Jake is. I am tired of having to alpha order his ass to behave and be nice to Jake and to stop talking about Bella like she is nothing more than shit on the bottom of his favorite shoes. So, I am gonna let Jake teach him a lesson and then if that doesn't work, I will kick his ass from here to Canada."
The two wolves watched as the battle continued. Jacob stalked up behind Paul and caught Paul's hind leg in his powerful jaws, applying pressure until it was bleeding heavily. Paul whipped his big head around and clamped down on Jake's front paw. He pulled until Jake whined in pain and let go of his hind leg. After Paul let go, Jake lunged for his front paw, pulling until he heard a snap and Paul crumpled to the ground. With Paul unable to stand, Jake to the opportunity to flip Paul on his back and clamp down of his throat, applying just enough pressure to hold him still before screaming in his head:
"Lahote, what is your fucking problem? What have I ever done to you? What did Bella do to you? I am sick and tired of it all. I never wanted this and neither did Bella, so as far as I am concerned, Sam can be fucking Alpha forever. Yes, Bella made some bad choices but Paul so have you and you know it. Does that mean she should pay forever for those sins or that she doesn't deserve protecting from the leeches, who apparently still want nothing more than to kill her? You know what Paul? Forget it, I will protect her with my dying breathe and screw you."
Jacob let go of Paul's throat and limped off toward the tree line. Shifting, he came back holding his arm.
"Jared, head back with Jake. We will be along in a minute."
"You, sure, Sam?" Jared asked, concerned for his friend.
"I'm not going to hurt him, Jared. We just need to talk about some things."
With that, Jared shifted and followed Jake back to Sam's house and Sam sauntered over to Paul, who lay in the dirt, whimpering.
"Are you happy now, Paul? Do you take satisfaction from causing your Brother pain? Don't you think he has suffered enough? Hasn't Bella suffered enough without having you constantly throwing it in their faces?"
"Someone had to tell him the truth that his girlfriend is trouble. I can't believe you brought a bloodsucker here to the Rez and into your home."
"Damn it Paul, I have had it, so this is what has to happen. You will no longer speak to Jacob about Bella, you will no longer think about Bella when phased. You will be polite in Bella's presence or you will NOT be welcome in my house when she is there. Lastly, you will go apologize to your brother and mean it, and have Dr. Cullen look at your injuries before heading home to get some rest. Is that understood?
"Yes, Alpha," Paul said under the weight of the heaviest Alpha order Sam had ever given.
They both shifted and Sam got the first look at Paul's injuries. They looked pretty severe; he was pretty sure his arm was broken and he had some pretty deep gashes on his leg. He supported Paul's weight as they walked as quickly as possible back to house. Sam helped Paul mount the steps slowly and opened the door. Jake was sitting on the sofa and Dr. Cullen was wrapping his arm and they saw that he had several bandages elsewhere. When he saw Paul limp in, Jake let out a low growl from his chest.
"Stand down, Jacob. This is over. Do you understand?" Sam bellowed and Jake slumped back against the couch. Sam helped Paul to the opposite end of the sofa before turning to address Carlisle. "I think his arm is broken and these gashes look pretty deep. Do you think you could help him?"
"Yes, of course," Carlisle said as he came around and assessed Paul's injuries. "You are right about the arm. It has already begun to heal so I will have to re-break it and reset it in order for it to heal correctly and the gashes could use some liquid stitches. It should only take a few minutes."
Sam watched in amazement as within a half an hour, he had Paul patched up.
"Okay, all done, Gentlemen. I will come check on them tomorrow if that is okay and we can discuss the changes in Bella's schedule and the other things we never got to discuss."
"Yes, of course. Just call and Embry will meet you at the treaty line."
"Of course. Until tomorrow, then, unless Bella needs me before then."
"Embry, get out here and escort Dr. Cullen to the treaty line and then patrol with Jared."
When Embry left, Sam turned to Jake and Paul who were still sitting at opposite ends of the couch. "Now, I have to deal with the two of you. Paul, do you have something to say to your brother?"
"Sorry, Jacob, it won't happen again," Paul bit out around clench teeth.
"It better not," Jacob mumbled.
"Okay, Paul. Emily made you some sandwiches and left them in the refrigerator for you and you might as well crash on the couch. Jake, you can sleep in the room with Bella. I will help you get into bed and then I am going to sleep."
Paul got up and headed for the kitchen while Jake and Sam headed to the guest room. Paul leaned against the counter; eating his sandwich and watching Sam lift a shivering Bella out of the bed to allow Jacob easy access to the other side. Of the bed and for the first time, Paul saw just how frail Bella Swan was but he also saw the silent strength she didn't even know she possessed. As he continued to watch, Jacob climbed in the bed and Sam laid Bella back down and covered her with the quilt. Jake placed and arm around her middle and pulled her flush with his body and she whispered his name before placing her small hand on his arm holding her in place. And Jacob buried his nose in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply, and fell asleep within seconds. Sam must have been satisfied because he left the room, leaving the door open. Spotting Paul watching them, he spoke in low tones.
"If you wanna watch TV, keep the volume low. I have to leave the doors open in case Bella has to go to the bathroom and Jake can't lift her."
"She is lucky to be alive," he whispered back
"Yes, yes she is but she isn't necessarily feeling that way at the moment. Good night, Paul." With that, Sam retreated to his own room, leaving Paul in a place that he was getting use to being in. Alone. With a sigh, Paul pushed away from the counter and hobbled to the couch. Lying down, he let silent tears fall until he drifted off to sleep.