A/N: Those who have been following this story from the beginning know that this fic will not contain any lemons. I find that it fits more that I keep this PG in some ways. I know the rating is M, but for the reason of the little bit of cursing here and there. I hope you still enjoy the way I had put everything together. So enjoy!

D: Disclaimed

Chapter Twenty-Three

There was something different going on with the couple.

Words hardly spoken, but gestures played out frequently towards each other. Neither of them noticed that Jacob was now courting Sebastian more than ever. Breakfast in bed, unexpected massages causing both to be in awkward position; usually forcing both to flee and handle the biggest problem they faced, the arousals. Jacob would pick up on it often, but as the days passed, it was becoming more difficult for him to fight his feelings. It was like trying to lock a lion in a cage; eventually the beast would want to be freed.

Sebastian was no different. Sure has dealt with his teenage hormones before, but when his boyfriend was next to him constantly and easy to access at any moment he wanted, he was never sure on how to react to it. It was sure to his mind that he wanted to take the next step, but their was that fear and anxiety of how to make that move. He wanted it to be perfect. But with all the chaos going on between the tribe and his coven family, he wasn't sure if it was ever the right time. That and the wolves that continued to hang around their property.

It was still a question to why both wolves were there, and to what their purpose was. Only Sebastian was sure that they were meant to be around, their presence was needed and Sebastian even questioned his need for them to be around. It was almost if the pair were their pets.

Now that the tribe was sure that the imprint meant something, they were grateful to find out that Sebastian's transformation was complete. But it still bothered Sebastian's parents to go forward without any answers. It has never been heard of, and Carlisle's studies always reached a dead end. With all the problems left behind, this ended up being their biggest one. Except the only ones that didn't care were Jacob and Sebastian. They could finally live the life they dreamed about, and maybe one day they would start the family they always dreamed of.

But one thing that had come to the packs attention was the energy between their alpha and his mate. It was filled with sexual frustration that drove the pack crazy. They could see that their Jacob was suffering as well as Sebastian being confused entirely. Paul, Jared, Tyler and the rest refused to even go near the couple's house for the reason the scent was the strongest. It even came difficult for Seth to handle that he stood his distance.

It was Seth's idea actually to speak to the other imprints about speaking to Sebastian about what lied ahead for him and Jacob. It would never have come to their attention if they knew it wasn't getting to the pair. It wasn't only Jacob this time, but Sebastian clearly gave off the feeling a wolf in heat. It became very distracting for any supernatural being to be close by.

As awkward as it was for Rachel to speak to her brother-in-law, her and the other's sat Sebastian down and explained the differences of bonding with their imprinters to a normal relationship. For the next week they would be in need of each other; constantly actually. This would be their time together to finally form that alpha bond that everyone's been waiting for.

As agreed, Embry would step up to the plate while Jacob and Sebastian would be absent. Paul and Jared still awaited the birth of their children which would be any day for them, leaving the pack a little vulnerable with a few doing double-shifts to pitch in.

-JARED-

Unimaginable.

These past few weeks have been just that. Since Kim and I found out we were expecting our first child, I've been trying working my butt off making sure everything was ready before the baby came. This meant that our first new home. It wasn't much, but we found a place in the apartments just outside of Forks and not too far from the reservation where I could be near the pack.

Instead of going out with a bang like Rachel and Paul had, I proposed to Kim that followed with a small ceremony that we both could afford. With all of the excitement going on, what really mattered was making sure that our child had a home once they arrived.

Not only having to constantly worry about Kim and if the baby is okay –Kim says I worry too much- I found myself involved with the rest of the pack, especially Jake. I could see the man was losing it in some way. Just like me with my imprint, he adored Sebastian to his every aspect. No one could compare to him in his eyes, and he hoped that one day he would be able to experience the compassion that we all had with our imprints. The best way I could explain it to Jake is that it was a bit different for him and Seb than it was with Kim and me.

First of all, Kim and I had met officially in high school, and that's when I had imprinted on her. It didn't take long for either of us to give in and have sex. I believe it was on the second date and we already went through our first pregnancy scare. Both of us knew we weren't ready at the time, and Kim being late as she told me, we informed Sam. At the time he was our alpha, it was his duty to tell us to take precautions, right now I had to think as his beta, and being burdened with a child at the time would only endanger me. With me being a young wolf at the time, there was still a chance I could mess up and end up not coming home to my only child.

Secondly, most of us other than Quil; were close to age. It was easier for us to go forth with it than it would be with them. I knew that if I was old enough to be Kim's teenage father, I would be bothered to the edge of the earth to court her. I dreaded the thought that my Kim could be anyone other than the beautiful woman she is today. She truly is my everything.

I guess lastly would be the fact that Sebastian was a man and my Kim was a woman. I never used to be as open-minded as I am now, I'll admit it. In fact, the first time word had broken lose that our alpha imprinted on a boy, not only that, the enemy, I was a bit disgusted by it. But my opinion changed over the years after I had watched Jake go through the most miserable of his times. When we as his pack, and the council constantly on his back about how wrong it was, it began to fill his head with doubt, and not only did it affect him, it affected the rest of us.

I could feel the sorrow. The anger. The resentment. The regret. The pity, and every emotion burdened with that. I could swear at times I was going through the same thing with Kim. I hated the feeling of rejection. It had to be one of the biggest flaws of it all. Jake wanted so bad to go and see the boy that he was meant to protect. I hated myself for being a part of that, for being one of the reasons Jake had the most important thing taken from him.

It was then I stood on Seth's side. My alpha needed me this time, and I was going to do anything to help him. I finally spoke up during one of our meetings and explained how wrong we all were. I knew there had to be some sort of plausible reason Jake was tied to Seb, I didn't know why, but I was sure the spirits wouldn't make that mistake. We had to believe that Jake and Seb were meant for each other in some way. It took a lot of convincing to the others to realize that everything we felt was what Jacob was feeling, expect our alpha's emotions burdened him ten times worse than it did to us.

Paul finally had come around when Rachel opened his eyes. She told him that if Jacob has to reject his imprint, then she'd reject her imprinter. She truly believed her brother deserved every bit of happiness, and if Sebastian was the source of that, she was going to make sure that it was exactly what he got. Paul finally opened his eyes and heart when he got the taste of loss. Never would he curse that upon another wolf, no matter the gender or species. We all knew then that Rachel was everything to Paul.

Tyler surprisingly was more open minded then we expected. He might be a Lahote, but that didn't mean that he was just as ignorant as they were. I believe Audrey saved him before he had the chance to lose himself. It's probably the reason why Tyler vowed to protect Sebastian when Jake couldn't'.

With everything happening, it was then we were informed that Jacob would be absent from pack duties until he returned hopefully in a week. We wouldn't state the obvious, but we knew that after our alpha returned he would be a different man.

-PAUL-

I was more grateful then I had ever been, not only for my life, but the distraction of waiting for my kid to arrive. Pack duties were limited and it gave me more time to take care of Rachel and prepare for the arrival of our baby that would come any time soon now. Sure Jake and Sebastian were… most likely doing the deed, and his absence was sure noticed during this time. Rachel began to worry that her only brother would miss the birth of his niece or nephew –I'm praying for a son- being caught up with his imprint. But she understood his reasons and the timespan.

I wasn't sure how it worked between two men, and believe me I wasn't too keen on finding out, but I was hoping that the lack of being able to produce a child would change how long the process took. Hell I couldn't gain control until at least the forth day before I realized just dominant my inner wolf had become. I hadn't let Rachel out of my sight, and we hadn't left the room other than to eat and maybe shower. Even then we were busy having sex at any moment I could get my hands on her.

It was getting to the point I was beginning to worry for the both of us. As much as I was enjoying the romp sessions as sure I was that Rachel was too, I never thought we'd ever finalize the bond. But it was sealed with a marking on the sixth day before things started to settle down.

To not have that with you imprint can be brutal, and almost unbearable. I wasn't sure how Jake lasted this long, but it worked for him. If his bond with Seb was compared to Kim and mine, then I was glad that Sebastian didn't make him wait any longer.

But I couldn't blame Seb for all of this.

We fell apart. The pack wasn't the same the moment we found out that our new alpha was bonded to a male, but also to enemy. I had no right to be furious now that I look back on it. In some sick way, I felt that Jacob was being played for the worst of it. Not only was he in love with Bella at first, but also he lost the fight to win her over, and now we knew why. He was fighting to stay close to the child she carried, or was about to carry. What we saw a little bloodsucker, Jacob saw so much more.

We resented him for it. It was an abomination to all of us, and we couldn't stand the fact that Jake betrayed us to protect them. But it was all in good reason of some sort. I was just too young and dumb to see it. We'd be in a war if it wasn't for the reconciliations that took a couple years. Even though none of it went as planned, it still happened eventually.

But Jake had to suffer because of it. If I could take it all back, I would. I saw Jake as my brother, and for me to brainwash him that the imprint was a hoax and that he was never to belong to the enemy, I shouldn't have said it. As much as I believed at the time that something was entirely wrong about the situation, I was stupid for making shit worse than it already was.

I had to face the biggest of consequences when Rach put me in the hotspot. Her baby brother meant the world to her, and since Billy passed, there was no one to really protect Jake other than her. She dumped me. As much as it hurt the both of us, she knew what had to be done for me to open my eyes.

Before all that, I wouldn't admit that I could feel our alpha's pain and sorrow. That would have meant that I lost the battle that wasn't even mine. But after feeling the rejection Rachel made me face, I couldn't bare it. The first night alone was enough to cut me deep. I couldn't sleep; it felt as if a vice was crushing my insides. My memories were constantly focused on the moment that Rachel told me that it was over. It was a constant re-run playing through my mind that tormented me. For the first time in a long time, I cried through the whole night. I was so damn miserable I couldn't let anyone see me this way. I was weak.

Rachel's absence was more than heartache. I was losing my sanity, and I was beginning to blame Jacob for it all, but after seeing the shit that he was going through, compared to nothing to what I felt. It was only three days into the separation and I was a mess, and yet Jacob had been going through it for a couple years that I wondered how he dealt with it. I was sure that my alpha would have been suicidal by now.

I knew that without Rachel in my life, it wasn't worth living. I had to do the one thing that I never expected doing. I comforted my alpha. At first Jake didn't accept anything I had to offer, I couldn't blame him, but that didn't stop me from trying. I stayed close and told him that if he ever needed anything, I was there.

By that time, Jared and Seth were already planning a way to break the rules. It was up to us to make sure that Jake had a chance to at least see his imprint before it was too late. If I could just stand strong for him, I thought that maybe I'd still have a chance with Rachel. I only hoped that this was enough consolation for her to forgive me. Jake needed Seb by his side, and I needed Rachel by mine, and I hadn't quit until that happened.

It took at least a month for things to finally mend. Jake was a part of Sebastian's life as we planned, and Rachel came back into mine. But we had to start all over. I had to court her once again and get back to her good graces. To this day I was grateful she gave me another chance and that our alpha now had his mate a part of his life.

I was too quick to judge Sebastian before, but after he began to come around more, I warmed up to him. At times I would forget that he was even part bloodsucker, or the fact that he was a man. But he sure made Jacob smile more than I had seen anyone else.

It's still an imprint I don't understand. But after Sebastian transitioning back to a human, I found comfort in knowing that at some point, he was meant to be the mate of our alpha. Others have been looking for reasoning to it, but I see it as a blessing. Our alpha was strong enough to give someone who was supposed to be our enemy, their humanity. Sebastian was a part of the pack now, and after they both return, it would be official and not even the council could counterpart with it.

But there was still a mystery unsolved. The wolves that hang around the Black residence. While we've been patrolling, the wolves found a home there. I questioned it, but Jake said that Sebastian enjoys their company. I found it strange for the fact that Seb was not only becoming human at the time, but now he was bonding with wolves that weren't shape shifters. It was then I began to think that maybe Sebastian would not only join the pack as an imprint, but maybe the wolves were here to give him a spirit for him to shift into one of us.

Just maybe these wolves were waiting for the perfect moment to spring that on our alpha's mate. If Seb were to become one of us, I think it would even confuse us more. The more I thought about it, the more it didn't make sense. But that didn't stop me from asking Jake at the time.

It was Sebastian that was sure there were reasons. It was his instincts that believed that the wolves were here on purpose; we just needed to wait and find out. The problem was, we weren't sure if we wanted to wait around and find out what that purpose was. But we trusted Seb for one reason, he was the alpha's mate, and usually the alpha's mate was never questioned when it came to decisions as such.

Right now, Sebastian was waiting on something we weren't so sure about. I don't think that he was even sure, but we trusted him.

-SEBASTIAN-

The soreness still remained.

My body ached with every movement. I winced once I began to lift myself forward. Right away Jake was by my side apologizing to me and helping me sit up. As much I told him that there was need for apologies, he still felt as if he needed to say sorry. The thing was, I enjoyed every bit of it, every moment of it was how I imagined it. As I leaned into Jacob's naked chest, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of that I fully belonged to Jacob, and I had the mark to prove it.

I sat in my naked form next to Jacob's, the sheet sloppily draped over our legs, exposing ourselves to each other still. Instead of lusting for each other like the other eight nights, the need had finally stood at bay. We were both exhausted. Me more than him, which was the reason he lifted me in his arms bridal style as he began to carry me to the washroom to relieve myself once again. It was the only private moment I could have when I used the toilet, but after that, Jacob was by my side constantly. Catering to me in every way.

The only time we rested was when we ate and slept. Our showers even consisted if me being straddled by my mate under the water. But not this time.

I sat as I watched him fill the tub with the cold water. I stared at him puzzled wondering why he wasn't adding any heat to it, and as big as he was, we now both could fit in the massive Jacuzzi tub he installed a couple months ago.

He lifted me once again and carried me to the tub as he sat us both in the cold water. "It will soon warm up with my boy heat." He muttered as I now sat between his legs.

I didn't say a word as I found myself leaning back on his chest. His member was now soft for the first time we locked ourselves in the house. I found comfort as I could feel the heat come from his body. He was in fact correct when he said the water would soon warm up. I turned my body slightly and looked up at Jake and noticed he was smiling now. My head rested on his chest with one of my arms wrapped around his torso. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on top of my head as he ran one of his hands through my scalp.

I sighed in relief the moment he began to massage my body. His touch was heavenly as he caresses my every muscle. I opened my eyes to look down at the mark he had given me. My finger grazed over the bite mark inside my thigh next to my cock. Jake's hand was now over mine as he too began to rub the pads of his fingers over the scar. He apologized once again, but knowing the purpose of it, I was proud to wear it. I told Jacob that I was more than happy that he ha done it. It was now the point on my body that I was the weakest to Jakes touch. The more he touched it, the more vulnerable I was to him.

By then, the water was the perfect temperature and I found my eyes getting heavy. I must've fell asleep because I was now lying on our bed with freshly covered sheets and a clean blanket. I was a bit disappointed to find that Jake was nowhere to be found, but I knew that he wouldn't be too far off. Of course I was right the moment he walked back into the room in just his boxers and a tray of food.

"Good, you're awake." He grinned, "I was beginning to think that you might end up sleeping the day away."

"Well I feel like that's all I've been doing." I giggled as he sat next to me with the tray of food.

"Are you doing okay," he asked concerned, "do you still feel any pain."

"Just my rear." I admitted with a blush, "but it will pass eventually."

"I didn't mean to act like such an animal." He said embarrassed.

"I wasn't that much human-like either." I teased taking a bite of bacon. "You have nothing to feel bad for. I enjoyed every bit of it Jake. I can't see it any other way."

"You don't regret it?"

"God, no Jake." I leaned into him to kiss his cheek, "I knew what I was getting into, and I knew from the beginning that you are well endowed, I don't regret any of it."

"I just worried that I would've hurt you." He admitted.

"I may be human now Jake, but I'm not entirely fragile." I shrugged, "you were nothing but caring for me. Thank you."

I gave him a kiss to assure him. By now, I knew what was going through his head. I just needed to remind him that I was okay with it all now. I'm now comfortable with who we are as a couple. I really couldn't see it any other way. I also knew that there was more to come and I actually looked forward to it. It's not that sex was on my mind constantly, no, it just now I was comfortable with myself enough to give myself to Jake over and over again without worrying about any repercussions.

"Now eat," I ordered, "I get the feeling the pack is missing you just as much as we miss seeing them."

"Let's just hope that Rachel and Kim are still pregnant and that we didn't miss anything." He chuckled. "I would never hear the end of it."

"Hey they knew the process." I teased, "and besides, I don't think they'd let us miss out on any of the pups coming into the tribe."

"Speaking of pups," I sat up slowly, "I think we better feed the wolves before they starve."

"I don't think that's a worry Seb," Jake replied, "they can hunt for themselves, they've been doing it since they got here."

"I know," I smiled, "it's just my excuse to see them."

It was the truth in fact. We've been away from society behind locked doors for more than a week; I was beginning to realize just how much I missed everyone. It was noted by Jake that they knew what was going on, but that didn't mean I was comfortable with them knowing, but there was nothing I could do about it. I knew that once we saw the pack, things would be different and I could already hear the guys teasing Jake already about how he finally was able to get some.

The thing was, I wasn't sure where things would go from here. I was now known as the alpha's mate, but in my eyes, I would soon… or hopefully be Jacob's husband just as he would be mine. We'd watch the pack's families grow and maybe one day we'd decide to adopt just as aunt Rose hoped one day we'd do. And maybe, just maybe we'd get the happily ever after story that I had hoped for. But for now, I'm okay with taking it one day at a time.

"Jake?" I called out.

"What's wrong?" He came rushing down the stairs and to the back door where I now was.

"I don't know." I stood there puzzled. "Something's wrong with Baby-girl."

Baby-girl was the name I gave the female wolf and Dom is the name I gave the male. What worried me was seeing that Baby-girl was lying in the blankets I had set out for her slowly breathing. I was sure by then that she was sick, and I couldn't help but worry. Dom had lain next to her with his head rested on her neck as she began to yelp in pain. Before I could react, Jake had pulled me back, "just wait, Dom might get protective."

"He won't hurt me," I argued, "she's in pain, I have to see what's wrong."

"We'll call Carlisle and ask him," just as he said we'd call my grandpa, Dom did in fact growl at me. I took a step back and nodded to Jake.

I could only stand and watch while I waited for Jake to tell me if my grandpa was coming or not. I stood at the doorway still watching the pair of wolves. I could only hope that Baby-girl was okay and that whatever it was; she would pull through.

"Carlisle is on his way." Jake returned comforting me with a hug. "She'll be fine, it can't be too bad."

"But I've grown attached to her Jake." I admitted, "she's like family now."

"I know love," he kissed my forehead, "I know."

A/N: I apologize that it had taken me longer with this chapter; I just couldn't find a way to incorporate the mating-bond without actually writing a lemon. So this was the best way I could incorporate it. So please leave a review for they still count for the update.

Shout outs as always go to Courtland, lytebrytehybrid88, The Stitched Ninja, .16547, BurnedSpy, wolfhappiness, ShikamaruNaraKibaNaruChunin, saphira88, The Thunder Kitsune, Guest, FreeSpirit15 & Shalette. I appreciate all of your input.

Much Love,

TurnItUp03