Being There
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-Thanks for all the lovely reviews on this story so far. Here is the next chapter! Sorry about not updating anything, been rather unwell the past few days! I will try and update the next chapter of 'Blast from the Past' soon.
Nikki :)
Part Two
Jacob perched on the edge of the couch, his hands resting on his knees. Embry took the armchair, but Sam remained standing; arms crossed, wearing his usual stoic expression. Bella went to sit next to Jacob but Sam glared at her.
"You need to leave, this is a tribal matter," he said sternly.
Jacob jumped up from his seat. He marched toward Sam and got right in his face. "Either she stays or you leave." He yelled at him.
A tic along the side of Sam's jaw was the only sign that he was pissed off by Jacob's attitude. He glanced sideways at Embry and stepped back. "Talk to him," he muttered irritably.
Embry gave Jacob a nervous smile. "Hey Jake. Look I know it seems kinda rude, but seriously there are just some things that need to be kept private." He then turned to Bella and gave her an apologetic smile. "You understand Bella, right? It's nothing against you."
Bella fidgeted nervously. She stared at Jacob who was beginning to get riled up again. She was worried that he would involuntarily change again if he got too mad. "Err that's up to Jake, Embry. I'm sorry. Like he said it's his house and he needs...I mean wants me to stay."
Jacob turned and gave her a happy grin, his anger dissipating at her words. He went over to her side and took hold of her hand. "Thanks honey."
"Honey?" Sam threw his arms up in the air. "What are you dating this girl? I haven't got time to mess about with you Jake. I know what happened to you very recently. Now stop making this hard and send her home so we can talk."
Embry was staring at Jacob and Bella in surprise. "Wow I have missed a lot. So you two are like a couple now?"
Bella began to fidget again, she hated being under the spotlight; especially when it looked like Sam Uley was about to combust on the spot. "We're friends," she mumbled.
Jacob seemed annoyed at her admission. He didn't say anything but the hurt look written all over his face said it all. He returned his attention back to Sam. "Look stop talking in riddles. I heard your voice in my head, is that part of this freaky transition thing? I wouldn't worry, Bells knows, she was here when I...changed." He winced when he said it out loud.
"She was here?" Embry's mouth dropped open as he stared at Bella.
Sam regarded her with some surprise. "You were in this house when he phased?" He couldn't seem to take it in.
Bella nodded, trying to hide behind Jacob. Sam intimidated her a bit and she hated being the centre of attention.
"So there you go," Jacob interjected hurriedly, rubbing the back of Bella's hand comfortingly. "She knows and lucky for me she didn't run out of this house screaming."
Sam's posture changed. His shoulders relaxed and he finally sat down. "Well this does change things." He mused.
"Will you please explain to me exactly why this has happened to me and why I could hear both of you in my head?" Jacob questioned them.
Embry sat back in his chair and gave his friend a reassuring grin. "Well dude sit down and chill because it's quite a story."
Jacob rolled his eyes at Embry's nonchalant attitude. He pulled Bella over to the couch and made her sit beside him. "Well I'm listening." He said looking directly at Sam.
Sam sat forward in his chair. "You remember your dad's stories about the spirit wolves, the tribes protectors. Well Jake that is exactly what you are..." he began.
XXXXXX
After Sam had finished his long winded explanation about the spirit wolves and told Jacob that his dad knew all about it, all hell broke loose. Jacob was so angry that his dad had known what was going to happen to him and that he knew all this time why Embry had suddenly decided to become part of Sam Uley's supposed cult. This time he couldn't contain himself, with one quick glance at Bella he tore out of the house. He just made it out in time before bursting out of his clothes for the second time that day. His four paws pounded on the ground, tearing up the earth as his wolf instinctively headed for the trees.
Bella ran out of the house after him, calling out his name. "Jake, come back."
Sam and Embry followed her outside. "It's best that he runs his anger off. I'll follow him and make sure he is okay." Sam said to Bella, giving her a half smile.
"Just bring him back. I'm worried about him," Bella begged him.
"Don't worry. Jake will be fine. It's just that he's new to this, he will get the hang of it soon." Sam began to run toward the trees until he disappeared within the covering forest.
Bella sighed and turned to go back into the house. Embry followed after her and they sat across from each other in awkward silence for a moment. Bella stared at the floor while Embry looked around the room, neither one knowing how to start the conversation. Bella had only met Embry on a few occasions before he had begun to hang around Sam and his 'pack' as he referred to them.
"So how have you been?" Embry finally broke the silence.
Bella's pale skin flushed red with embarrassment. "Okay. How about you?" She winced at the lame question. She knew how he had been.
Embry couldn't control the grin that lit up his face. For a brief moment he reminded her of Jacob. "Wow this is an amazing conversation we're having here," he laughed.
Bella returned his smile and she began to relax. "Yeah, sorry." She apologised. "So when did you first phase, it that what you call it?"
Embry's expression darkened. "Do you mind if we don't talk about that."
Bella flushed red again. "Of course, sorry..."
"It's okay Bella it was just traumatic that's all. I try not to think about it. Jake was lucky really that he wasn't alone." Embry gave her a reassuring smile.
"It was so strange to see him change like that," Bella admitted. She hooked her hair behind her ear to get it out of her eyes. "The funny thing was I wasn't at all scared though. I mean my best friend had just morphed into this huge wolf and all I wanted to do was stroke his fur."
Embry gave her an odd look. "So you were drawn to him then?"
Bella shrugged. "Not drawn to him as such. I knew Jake was still in control, I could tell by those big brown eyes of his. I just wanted to comfort him because he was so panicked."
"Oh well, lucky for him that you were there," Embry glanced back at the damage in the hallway. "Billy will be pissed at all the damage though."
Bella frowned. "Billy should have told Jake what was going to happen to him. Why would you keep something as life changing as that from your own son?"
Embry sighed. "What was he supposed to say, Bella. Hey son just to give you the heads up but you're gonna be changing into a ball of fur very soon." He gave a pretty good imitation of Billy's voice. "I don't think Jake would have believed him, do you?"
"I suppose not," Bella agreed.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while as they waited for Jacob and Sam to return. Bella eventually got up and offered to make something to eat. This was where she got her first lesson about the eating habits of the wolf pack. She handed Embry a sandwich and a drink. He thanked her quickly before shoving most of the sandwich in his mouth and gulping it down.
"Wow you're hungry. Haven't you eaten at all today?" She asked in surprise as Embry popped open the can of soda and drank it's contents without pausing for breath.
"Yeah, of course. That's one thing you're going to have to get used to Bella, we eat a lot. Fuel is our food, something to do with our metabolism. Changing back and forth takes a lot of energy." He held out his plate and gave her a big smile. "Is there more where that came from?"
Bella had to laugh at his audacity. She snatched the plate from him and went back to make up another sandwich.
XXXXXX
As Embry began to devour his second sandwich, Jake and Sam finally returned. Bella had already retrieved some more of Jacob's clothes and left them outside the front door, she knew he would need them. As soon as he saw her Jake pulled her into one of his bear hugs. "Sorry. My temper got the better of me. Have you been alright?"
Bella gave him a relieved smile; glad to have him back. "Yeah, Embry has been telling me all about the wolf packs big appetites."
"Huh?" Jacob's own stomach rumbled at this point and Bella and Embry cracked up laughing. He wasn't amused. "I haven't eaten much today." He grouched.
"Now that you're part of the pack you will find that your appetites increased tenfold," Embry joked. Jacob just rolled his eyes, it was good to have his friend back. He had missed him.
"Very funny Call. If I remember right you never needed that excuse to raid our fridge." Jacob walked over to Embry and punched him playfully on the shoulder.
Embry winced. "Careful Jake, you're much stronger now. Watch it."
"Oops, sorry," Jacob apologised, not sorry at all.
Sam stood up and pushed his way between them. "As happy as I am to see you two reunited we have serious matters to discuss." He said sarcastically.
Embry grinned. "Oh yeah Sam's favourite topic, the damn patrol schedules."
"Schedules?" Jacob looked confused.
"Yes Black schedules. Now you've finally phased you can take some of the burden off the rest of us." Sam interjected.
"Oh you mean Thail and Lahote," Jacob's mouth turned down. "Will I really have to share head space with Paul?"
Embry's grin widened. "Hell yeah. You will have a front row seat to all of Paul's depraved thoughts. You know Bella was the star of one or two of those." He quipped.
Bella let out a small gasp and Jacob growled. "Not funny Em." He muttered darkly. "If I ever catch him even looking her way I'll..."
"Will you two quit," Sam complained. "Lucky for you Paul prefers the more feisty type." He gave Bella a small smile, her face was beet red with embarrassment.
"Like Leah?" Embry raised his eyebrows.
Sam glared at him. "I TOLD YOU BOTH TO QUIT. Now no more talking," there was an odd timbre to his voice as he spoke. Bella was shocked to see both Embry and Jake suddenly looking chastened. What was going on?
"That's better," Sam said with satisfaction. "Now about the patrol schedules. Jake you will pair up with me for a few days just until you get the hang of it."Bella watched in astonishment as Jacob nodded obediently. It seemed as if Sam's order had definitely worked. He stayed submissively silent.
"As for you Embry, after your little dig at Leah you can run two shifts straight, alright?" Embry too did not protest but agreed without complaint.
Bella stood to one side and watched all their interactions carefully. Why were Jake and Embry obeying Sam without a word? She began to get a little annoyed on their behalf; especially poor Embry. His remark about Leah had only been in jest. It was unusual for Bella to actually feel such emotions, after locking them away for months since Edward had abandoned her, it was kind of freeing to be able to just feel. Even if it was anger! She had felt different ever since Jacob had fallen ill. Squaring her small shoulders and flipping her long hair away from her face she marched over to Sam and poked him in the chest. He stared down at her in surprise.
"You have no right to order Jake and Embry about. I thought the pack would have been more like a team. Who appointed you as leader?" She demanded.
Jacob and Embry gave each other shocked smiles. Jacob especially couldn't believe that his Bells of all people would try and stand up to Sam Uley. He was forbidden to speak by Sam's Alpha order, so all he could do was watch her proudly.
Sam took a moment to issue a retort. Was this really the same fragile, withdrawn girl he had rescued from the woods? He crossed his arms and just glared at her. "The pack is a team, but they need a leader. That job has fallen to me. I am the Alpha and as such it gives me certain privileges to keep idiots like these from over stepping the mark."
Bella huffed in irritation. She whirled around and faced Jacob. "Are you just going to stand there and take that?" She demanded.
Jacob tried to answer but his throat closed up and the words wouldn't come. He glanced over at Sam who was wearing a smirk. Instead Jacob gave her a resigned smile and pulled her to him for a hug.
"Jake," she protested, avoiding his arms. "Why won't you answer me?"
Sam began to laugh; something he hadn't done in a long time. Seeing Jacob trying to communicate with a frustrated Bella was amusing. He finally felt a smidgeon of sympathy for the latest addition to his pack and he revoked the Alpha command. "You can speak now."
Jacob's voice came back in a rush. "Thank god for that. Sorry Bells but what Sam says goes. If he issues an Alpha command we have to obey." He babbled to a confused Bella.
"Alpha command?" Bella mumbled. This wolf thing was very tricky indeed.
"There's a lot that Jake has to learn," Sam interjected. "But time is short and we will need to leave soon so I can to begin showing you the ropes."
"Already? I haven't even eaten yet?" Jacob whined. His stomach grumbled again making them all jump. "Hey Bells do you have any of those tasty sandwiches I saw this douche stuffing in when I first got back."
Bella gave him a sheepish look. "Sorry Jake. Embry was very hungry and I ended up using all the bread."
Jacob glared over at his friend. "You greedy..."
"Jake," Bella warned as his arms began to tremble. "Calm down."
Embry tried to hide his laughter. "Sorry dude. First come, first served." He patted his full stomach to rub it in further.
Jacob lunged at him, but Embry avoided him easily. Sam was getting irritated with their antics. "Enough." He scolded them like children.
"I'll get you Call," Jacob promised him. "Watch your back."
"I''ll be waiting," Embry grinned devilishly at him, annoying Jacob further.
"How about I try and rustle up something else? I'm sure I can put together something," Bella suggested.
Immediately Jacob's expression changed. This time when he pulled her in for a hug, she let him. "Thanks honey." He murmured, kissing the top of her head.
The sound of a truck pulling up outside made them all look toward the door. "Your dad's back, Jake." Embry said with a grin.
Jacob's eyes wandered over to the mess in the hallway. He hadn't cleared any of it up. "I'm screwed." He sighed as he heard Harry's voice bidding Billy goodbye. He could hear the persistent squeak of the wheels of his father's wheelchair. It seemed to go on forever until the door opened and Billy finally entered the house.
There was a gasp and a few seconds of silence before. "Jake what the hell have you done to the house?" Billy roared.
A/N-Thanks for reading!
