Everything Is Different Now

Chapter 14

April 1, 2013

Willikins, Barney and Marie gathered on the patio in the pre-dawn hours for a serious discussion.

Willikins was first to speak.

"They are both in her suite. I think the time has come for us to tell her what is going on. Before she

learns that we have kept her in the dark."

"Phillip, don't ye think she's gunna ta be a wee bit put out with us anyway? I mean, we've kept her in

the dark for so many years. She's only had wee glimpses of what we helped her parents do. She's

only thought that our wolves were dreams she had, not actual things she witnessed."

"I'm well aware of the circumstances and the difficulties we face Barney. I also understand why we

face a dilemma with Miss Laura at this point in time. But we still have to tell her. She has seen

Master Jacob's wolf for herself. She even saw the transformation from start to finish in slow motion,

no less."

"I noticed how slowly he phased. It must have been very difficult for him. The poor boy."

"Marie, I know you care about Master Jacob. Yes, it probably was painful for him. But phasing for

one's soulmate is a completely different situation. The pain would hardly register with him I would

think."

"So what do we do? How do we find a way ta separate them ta talk to Laura before some terrible

misunderstandin' occurs? We can't ha' them walkin' away from one another just cause they each

thought the other knew more than they confessed. The poor children are both so clueless about their

situation and their future."

"Well, Barney, 'me lad', I think we'll just have to find a way to sneak them away from each other. You

know, we'll lure Laura to the barn while Jacob is asleep or something, on the pretense of checking on

Rosie and her pups. Once we get her alone, we tell her the whole story and conscript her to our side

to spell everything out to Jacob. Having him here with us is the greatest honor that could have ever

happened to us. Our future is 100 times brighter because he has risen and we must take care to treat

him gently lest we send him into shock and delay our success. With Jacob we can finally be free from

the viciousness of the bloodsucking population that longs to take over the entire planet solely for

their feeding purposes. We must support and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Alpha so that he

may defeat these evil masses."

"Phillip, I think this will be the most important thing we will ever do for Laura. She needs to be fully

informed before this whole situation blows wide open. But we must also make certain that Jacob

doesn't blame her. He must be made to understand that she was completely unaware of his nature

until he revealed himself to her."

"I agree Marie. We will take care of it. Barney and I will make certain that Master Jacob is prepared

and you can help us with Miss Laura."

"Of course, Phillip. Whatever we need to do, I am with you."

JPOV

I was awakened by the sound of laughter. It was actually more of a low chuckle, husky yet

unmistakably feminine. I kept my eyes closed to pick apart all the sounds around me. There were

birds singing. It was distant so they were outside in the trees and shrubs at the edge of the lawn

beyond Laura's bedroom windows. I picked up on a clink or two from behind the door to the

hallway. The others had returned home, Marie was in the kitchen and the faint scent of coffee came

into my mind. There was a tinge of pink luminescence penetrating my eyelids. The sun was fully up.

The dawn was behind us. But the sensations closer to me were much more interesting and enticing.

I was lying on something soft. I was laying with someone soft. I could detect the subtle swish of the

ceiling fan blades as they stirred the air above us. My arms were completely wrapped around the

warmest and most luscious body I have ever felt. Her soft curves and velvety, silky skin were sensory

overload for me and my wolf. Her scent, oh her scent, was like nothing I've ever encountered. She

smelled like honey and gardenias and something entirely unique that I would spend hours, days

trying to identify. She was surprised that I recognized the gardenias. I had explained to her that my

mother had often worn a gardenia in her hair, or sometimes pinned to her dress. When she lifted her

tiny son into her arms, I was always nose to bloom with that sweet scent. Here and now it was

comforting. It settled my soul. It was my mate. It was home.

The honeysuckle fragrance was concentrated in her hair. The lustrous cascade of sun-n-sand blonde

in which my face was currently buried, was drenched in something akin to those rich summer

blooms. I was held there like a bee caught in a too-frilly flower blossom. The silken strands were still

partially wound into the bun or twist that she always sported, so I still couldn't say how long they

were. As I lay there in stillness, I resolved that it was past time to remedy that situation.

Ignoring the persistent chuckling that continued from my companion, I pressed my face into the back

of her head, eyes still closed, feeling for the offending pins that held the tresses captive and away

from my pleasure. I could feel several of them, partially loosened. As I began to grasp each one

between my lips and pull it from its fragrant prison, dropping it on the pillow under our heads, the

amusement of the angel in my arms hushed. My arms were still wrapped snugly around her and her

hands came up to caress them. She stroked my forearms delicately, leaving a trail of goose bumps on

my normally overheated skin. I continued pulling the pins from her hair until I had most of her

mane free and waiting for my fingers to comb through it. Once again, I buried my nose into the mass

and nuzzled the bun loose, releasing a renewed and concentrated cloud of the honeysuckle.

Drawing in a deep draught of my woman, I hummed in pleasure and approval. She softly wiggled

closer back against me, burrowing into my body as she shivered from the sensation of my lips pressed

against her nape. The pressure of the touch awoke heated yet tender emotions deep within me.

"What are you doing, Sir?"

"Hmmm, what does it feel like I'm doing?"

"Well...altering my hairstyle for one thing, sniffing off all of my conditioner, and littering the bed

with hairpins just to start the list."

"Is that all? No other observations for me Doctor?"

"Oh yes, there's more. You are also currently turning my tummy to jelly, my brain to mush and my

heart to hot lava. And you appear to be accomplishing this multi-task hands-free and with very little

effort."

"Why thank you sweet lady. Your evaluation and approval is most appreciated. But I must ask you a

question if I may be so bold."

"What do you wish to know? I'll tell you anything."

"I must know why you were laughing at me. Or please, tell me what's so funny that you must chuckle

in my arms, waking me from the best dream a man ever had?"

"Best dream a man ever had? My, my, I'm certainly sorry I interrupted that. But I'll untangle your

confusion. I wasn't laughing at you. Never at you. I was laughing at the situation of the last 30 or so

hours. I've seen a man turn into a huge wolf before my very eyes and have stroked, petted and played

with that wolf. I've witnessed his return to human and exchanged professions of love with him and

have spent the last several hours sleeping with him, in my bed, fully clothed but with him naked. And

all of this is with a man who up until 30 hours ago was my patient with whom I was barely beginning

to become acquainted."

"And why is all of that cause for such mirth?"

"Today's date."

"Date?"

"Today is April the first my dear. Do you not see the irony?"

"Ah, of course! It's April Fool's! Now your amusement rings true, honey. I hope you know that

neither of the last two nights or mornings is a joke."

"I do know that. There are so many layers to the humor and yet, to be honest, my laughter was from

pure, simple happiness. Good morning, Jacob."

"Good morning, Laura. Were you able to get at least some sleep? I know you're still not used to

being held close like this."

"I did sleep. Soundly, sweetly, warmly. Thank you for asking. And you? Were you successful at

getting some rest?"

"Possibly the best I've ever had. And I know you know why."

"Does phasing tire you out? Is that it?"

"No and no. Try again."

"Let me see. Simple exhaustion from lack of sleep, belated jet-lag, your fever, the trauma of

relocation combined with phasing for me more than twice not to mention the piggy-ba...I mean wolf-

back rides. All of these would be valid reasons for you to finally achieve sound sleep."

"But none of them are."

"No?"

"Nope. Come on my little one, you surely know the real reason my soul is finally at peace. The

reason my body could relax so completely."

"If I can take credit for any small measure of those results, I can face the day with a satisfied mind."

"Perhaps I can offer to satisfy the rest of you as a way of thanking you for the peace and relaxation."

"You can offer. I'll have to consider it carefully for I am timid and untrained."

"Hah! Timid and untrained! That's the best one yet! Come here you little minx!"

I couldn't stand it anymore. At that point I just jumped her and kissed and tickled her until she

screamed that if I didn't stop she would wet the bed. I relented and stood up, grinning when she

lowered her eyes with a deep blush staining her cheeks. I reached for her, dragging her from the bed

by the ankle as she made an attempt to evade my attack. I scooped her into my arms and carried her

into the ensuite where I stood her back on her feet.

Cupping her face in my hands, I kissed her again, tenderly but soundly and passionately, exploring

the inner sanctum of her mouth with my tongue. When I straightened, I began to pull her clothing

from her body, promising her with my eyes that I'd bow to her wishes for slow progress. I only

wanted to see her and pamper her and I told her as much. Once I'd removed all of her garments, I

took extra time finally running my fingers through that beautiful hair. It was like spun wheat and it

fairly sparkled in the beam of sunlight that slanted through the blinds that covered the window. My

breath caught in my chest as I pulled a couple of lingering pins and released the full length of it. It

stopped just above the swell of her bottom and the waves were a cascade of luxurious champagne.

I turned her toward the large mirror over the vanity, standing behind her and reached for the brush

on the marble surface. Our eyes held a steady gaze in the reflection as I pulled the brush through the

honeyed tresses, following each stroke with a caress from my other hand. Her head tilted back

slightly and a sexy hum of appreciation issued from her sweet lips as her eyes fluttered shut. My

hands only stilled for a second when she reached her hands around behind her to smooth over the

skin of my hips and thighs. My arousal was off the charts as I struggled to abide by her requested

timeline. I replaced the brush on the counter and turned her to face me again. She pressed herself

against my body and wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging tightly, her cheek snuggled against

my chest.

"I still want to go slow, but I would never leave you wanting Jacob."

She began to caress my manhood with her long, slender fingers. I drew in a sharp, deep breath and

closed my eyes in ecstasy. Her gentle stroking quickly brought me to a point of quivering rock

hardness and I groaned in the pain and pleasure at the sensations she was provoking. Just when I

thought I would scream from the tension and frustration, she lowered herself to her knees and parted

her lips to take me fully into her mouth. I gasped in surprise but quickly drew in another breath on a

moan. The moist warmth of her tongue wrapped itself around me, stroking until the edges of my

sight seemed about to darken. Her cool hands grasped the base of my shaft and my sack at the same

moment that she plunged down to bump the head into the back of her throat. Very soon, I came with

an animalistic shout and gripped the counter behind her to help my buckled knees hold my body

upright.

After a few moments of recovery, I opened my eyes to her, still kneeling at my feet, her hands resting

on my thighs. She gazed up at me with those shining turquoise pools of sea water, a smug smile

playing about those magnificent lips. I reached down and around her, lifting her into my arms and,

holding her close to my chest, I kissed her mouth with all the passion I felt. Turning on and adjusting

the temperature of the water, I stepped into the shower with her still in my arms. Gently, I lowered

her feet to the stone floor and proceeded to bathe my mate with scented soaps and shampoos. I

tenderly ran my fingers through her hair, rinsing the lather and then working in the conditioner.

There. There was the honeysuckle. I would buy the company that made this stuff I swore.

I tried to tell myself that I'd only bathe her. I couldn't do it though.

"Please, Laura. I have to taste you."

She lowered her lashes shyly in acquiescence and I fell to my knees at her feet. There was a bench

molded into the wall of the shower and I nudged her back to sit on the edge. Pushing her hair back

from her face, I kissed every inch of her that I could reach. I nipped at her chin and her lips, pressed

kisses to her eyelids, her cheeks and nibbled her earlobes until the music of her laughter made my

heart soar. I pulled my tongue down the side of her neck and placed kisses down to the swell of her

breasts. Moving to one pale pink bud, I suckled it into my mouth and found my home. Her fingers

combed into my hair and held my head to her breast like a newborn babe. I devoted equal attention

to the other crinkled nubbin and soon my mate was whimpering in pleasure.

I sat back on my heels and stroked down her belly with my hands, massaging her soft thighs as I

slowly pushed them apart. Glancing up at her for permission to continue, I lifted again and kissed

her smile as she nodded silently to me. I softly pulled my fingers inside the edges of her lower lips

and the rich pinkness pulled my mouth to her center. She cried out with joy as I suckled the bundle

of nerves in with my lips and slipped a finger into her passage. She was so tight and so wet and so

hot. She gasped out a breath with a little cry and I looked up at her with slight surprise and concern

and she confirmed quietly.

"It's just been so long. And your hands feel so good."

Reaching up with my other hand, I brushed a tear from her cheek and swept my thumb across her

lips, receiving a kiss from her to my palm.

I stroked her inner walls slowly but deeply, adding a second finger while I lapped and sucked at her

sweet juices. She began to writhe around me and gripped my shoulders tightly as she quickly reached

her release. I drank her in and softly brought her back down then collected her limp body into my

arms again. I turned and walked us back under the warm cascade once more before stopping the

flow and stepping out to reach for a bath sheet to wrap around us.

Once our bodies were dry, I again brushed her hair and squeezed as much moisture out of it as I

could with a towel. She sat on my lap back on the side of the bed while I alternated pulling the brush

and towel through her long strands. She was still drifting in her haze of sexual overload and I held

her close to me as I put my lips to her ear.

"I promise to wake you this way every morning and tend to you the same way every night if you'll

allow me to love you and hold you in my heart."

She looked into my eyes searching for my honesty. She saw that and more.

"I promise to spend every morning and every night wrapped in your arms. I've placed my heart in

your hands, Jacob and I'll stay by your side, always."

We sealed our pledges with a slow burning kiss before reluctantly pulling apart to dress for the day

and venture out to find Marie, Willikins and Barney. We had not been out of her suite for more than

24 hours now. We needed food and drink. We planned to ride Snowball and Rocky again today and

we would definitely need to enlighten the rest of our family to our new status. The patient/doctor

relationship was history and our new path merged with the new day.

April 4, 2013

LPOV

Things were changing. In my home, in my professional life, in my personal life. I began this year

with a new patient, a new charge. My goal was to help him achieve some peace and regain some

mental stability, emotional clarity. He had been through unspeakable hell for years. A weak man

would have crumbled into madness. A weak man would have given over to the rage conceived from

years of continuous torment. But Jacob Black was not a weak man. He was strength personified.

His character, his intellect, his compassion, his heart, his soul were all made of tougher stuff than a

normal human being possessed. He was a warrior. I had already begun to see signs that as Jacob's

body healed physically from his ordeal; his mind was repairing itself from within. His spirit was open

and willing and it became evident that it would soon soar again as it once had.

And he was taking me with him. I had not anticipated my level of involvement to reach these

heights. I had never before had any patient who had so completely encompassed my life. Jacob

reached into my heart and warmed the frozen parts with the heat from his soul. He reached into my

mind and brushed away the cobwebs of loneliness and sorrow. He wrapped his strong arms around

my body, holding me together even as I was caving in from my stoic pride that had been holding on

far too long to a fate I thought was my only future. Had any human being, male or female, ever been

so completely consumed and rebuilt anew? Jacob told me he felt like a phoenix bird, burned to ash

and reborn into a bright, new world. I understood him completely.

"Are you ready for this?"

"Yes, I think so. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Positive. No time like the present. Grab the bull and his horns and all that. Come on, they're

waiting on the terrace."

"Okay Honey, I'm right behind you."

"No Jacob, I'm behind you. Hello everyone. Here we are. Oh, thank you for the tea Marie."

"You're more than welcome Bebe. Jacob, you'll have some too?"

"Of course. Thank you. I suppose you're wondering why Laura and I asked you to meet with us like

this."

"Not exactly Master Jacob. We have a fairly good idea I believe."

"Really? Has my lovely physician tipped you off?"

"Not exactly Jacob. Willie and I have a sneakin' suspicion what's up with you and Mama there has

probably guessed correctly what's goin' on between the two of ya."

"Alright, well, I guess I'll just dive in and tell you all what's what, and you can tell me what you have

figured out on your own. How's that sound?"

"Go ahead and spill it lad. We'll be listenin' on ya."

"Okay, well, here goes nothing. I guess you all know by now that I'm a member of the Quileute Tribe

in Washington State. I have a few other 'attributes' you might say. I'm a living member of my Tribe's

legends. I'm a shape shifter. I can turn into a wolf. A really big wolf. On the Reservation there are

several of us who run in a Pack and protect the people of the Tribe from threats. The most prevalent

threat that we encounter, is the intrusion onto our land by vampires. The shape shifters are

genetically designed to be able to destroy these creatures and we carry on this tradition begun by our

forefathers hundreds of years ago. We have unique physical features such as high metabolism that

gives us high body temperatures, rapid healing abilities to handle battle injuries, resistance to disease

and illness as well as chemical substances like alcohol or drugs. When more than one of us is in our

wolf form, we can communicate mentally with one another over large distances. We call it the Pack

Mind. It links and cross-links all of us, each one with the others. This helps with hunting."

"Tell them about the spiritual side, Jacob."

"Oh yeah, of course. The ability to shift is traditionally thought to be a gift from the Spirits. Another

gift we have been given is the ability to find our soul mates, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt

that they are the other half of our being. We know in our hearts that our destiny and happiness lies

with that person. That's actually the reason I'm telling you all of this. It's the reason that I am here,

the real and true reason. Laura here is my soul mate. The process is called 'imprinting' and I

imprinted on her back in January in Portland when she first came to see me in the asylum."

"Jacob, I want to add one thing. The legends hold that if the man and his wolf are separated from his

imprint, he experiences crippling physical and mental anguish. Jacob had imprinted on another

person in 2006 but she was the wrong person for him and he removed himself from her presence. He

ended up in the institution in Portland where as you know he was abused horribly. That's quite a

long story, but in short Jacob tells me that the imprint on that first one broke away when he saw me

for the first time and then it reattached itself onto me. We have been getting acquainted, getting

closer, and we have pledged ourselves to each other. The moral of the story Marie, Barney,

Phillip,...Jacob will be living here with me from now on. His place here with us is permanent."

"This is grreat news m'laddie!"

"Oh I'm so happy for you my dears!"

"Yes, well done Sir! My lady, I'm very pleased for you both!"

"Gee folks! Thank you! You're all takin' it...um...so well. Did you know they'd be so open

minded Laura?"

"I was pretty sure. You must understand Jacob. Marie, Barney and Phillip are my family, my whole

family. There is nobody else. We were a complete, closed unit. We still are actually, we're just one

segment bigger now. We were 4, now we are 5."

"Number Five is very important to us all, dear, especially since you have a special relationship with

our precious little Number One here."

"As long as you can make our wee lass happy laddie, you're alright with us."

"But don't you have lots of questions about...?"

"There'll be plenty o' time for that later sonny."

"There's certainly no need for us to be nosy dear."

April 7, 2013

"Come on Marie, let's go. Phillip are you ready? Come with us to the barn?"

"Right here, M'Lady."

"Hey Barney. Here we are."

"Good evening lass. How's your fellah?"

"He's good, fine. He's taking a shower so my time is limited. Tell me what happened."

"It's Him lass. It's really Him."

"Really? Phillip?"

"Barney's correct my Lady. He's The One. We were correct in our feelings when you came back from

your first trip to Portland."

"And you could honestly smell and feel him through me? With no actual physical contact?"

"You know it's true Bebe. It's because your young man is The One. His Wolf chose you. Your

essence was changed by merely being in His presence."

"I can't believe this has happened!"

"Believe it lassie. We always knew ye were born under a lucky star. And now you have the perfect lad

for ye. He's not just an Alpha. He's THE Alpha."

"And Barney's wolf and mine have both recognized him as OUR Alpha."

"And you're sure he doesn't know?"

"He doesn't seem aware of it. He's confident yet humble. He seems quite in the dark about his

position and powers Laura. Just as you were until yesterday. I hope you aren't upset that we

kept this from you."

"I should be Phillip, but how could I? This concerns the man I love and it's wonderful news. How

shall we tell him? My God, we'll scare him to death!"

"Perhaps ye should let Willie and me tell 'im lass."

"Perhaps. But I want to be there. You too Marie. We are all his family now. I want us to be together

to support him when he learns who he really is."

"Oh of course cheri, we will all be there with you."