Hello darlings! Thank you so much for your reviews! Keep them coming :)

After this one, I'll try to upload the next story, which will be a one shot for Bella and Jake. Hang in there.

In the meantime, stay safe, review and enjoy :)

PACK SOULS

Black Wolf: Final part.

The barbeque at Sam's house was everything she expected and more. Jared opened the door again when she knocked on it. He smiled mischievously at her, but this time, she only rolled her eyes with a smile on her face, asking him if she could help her unload the things she'd brought. She had seen them eat those cookies she brought the first time, so she assumed they ate a lot. But instead of bringing food, she brought beverages. She would ruin herself trying to feed those boys. She wouldn't mind at all because both Jared and Paul kissed her cheek as they passed her to get to her truck. At first, she blushed, not used to such endearing behavior from anyone, but it made her feel good like she belonged. The kisses, she didn't know, were a way these two wolves had of greeting the Alpha's girl. Because at first, she was just an imprint, but after the bonfire, they could see in Sam's mind that he didn't think of her in those terms. He thought of her as his already.

"You made cookies again!" Paul's excitement was adorable and hilarious.

She laughed and nodded. Just at that moment, Sam entered the living room. As last time, he was wearing only a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Nothing else. He was even barefoot, and it was the middle of February in Forks. Cold as hell, but he seemed unbothered by it.

He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, closer to her mouth. His kiss bore a different meaning than Jared's and Paul's. She couldn't determine what exactly, but it was there.

He bypassed her quickly and snatched the cookies from Paul's hands, mocking him in the process. "I'll hide the cookies."

Bella smiled and stifled a laugh at Paul's chastised face. "Sam Uley, put those cookies where I can see them!" he ordered.

Sam flipped him, causing Jared to laugh. "In your dreams you'll make him do anything." There was something in his intonation, some hidden meaning that only the three of them understood. But they didn't count on Bella being smart and observant.

She observed and participated. Angela kept following Paul with her eyes, and every so often, he would come to her and whisper something in her ear, making her nod and smile sweetly at him. Every so often, he would kiss her forehead or leave a peck on her lips. Angela knew something that she didn't. It was evident in the way she interacted with the three boys. Kim, Jared's new girlfriend, also seemed to know something she didn't know. She paid close attention then. Whatever dynamic there was between those three, it was clear that it wasn't a gang. They were too innocent to be in something so twisted. But Sam was their leader. That much was clear. It wasn't one of those situations where the host would take command and ask everyone to do something. It was like an unspoken hierarchy. But Paul and Jared seemed more like equals than one being over the other.

By the end of the night, she was the last to leave. She needed to speak with Sam about it because it was eating her alive, and she liked him too much not to address the issue.

As it turned out, the legends that Jacob had told her that day she tried to pry about the Cullens were true. Some Quileute did descend from spirit warriors who changed (phased as he called it) into wolves to protect the tribe from any enemy, principally from the cold ones.

"You knew they were vampires?" she asked, surprised.

He nodded. "I did. I didn't have the time to speak with their leader about the treaty because, by the time, they were already gone. I'm sorry they hurt you."

A tear escaped her eyes, and she quickly cleaned it. She was tired of crying about them. She had trusted them, loved them, and that had meant nothing to them. They were not worthy of her thoughts or her tears.

"I really hate them." She admitted in a soft voice.

He was shocked to hear those words. He looked at her in the eyes and noticed that the shadows were almost completely gone.

…

…

…

The days turned into weeks, and the weeks in months, and without realizing it, she spent her weekends at Sam, be it with the other wolves or alone. A month after she learned the truth, Embry joined the pack, making Jacob more insistent on his hatred for the pack. Quil looked sad that his friend had been taken, but Embry was too unstable still. He would phase without a second thought at the minimum provocation.

Those were difficult times. Sam's free time was spent working on new patrol schedules for the pack. She missed him.

Three months had passed, and suddenly, Sam had his hands full with Jacob and Quil joining his pack too. He was getting worried. This was already a larger pack than the last one. Who knew how many more wolves descendants there were.

Three months turned into seven months, and suddenly, she couldn't imagine a life without the pack. Jacob was still a pain in her ass. Embry and Quil were lovely, Jared and Paul were as they've always been, although they held more authority now within the pack. Sam was still their Alpha because Jacob had clearly stated he didn't want the responsibility to lead the pack, and his only altruistic decision was letting the best wolf remain Alpha.

And just like that, Bella belonged. She had noticed a shift in the workings of the pack too. She was adored by the wolves, and the girls held the pants in their respective relationships, which was hilarious. But the more noticeable change was her place within the pack. They treated her differently than they treated Angela and Kim. It had to do with Sam, but she couldn't understand it.

She was elated because she had these small moments with him, a kiss on her cheek, a word whispered in her ear, a kiss on the forehead. These small gestures drove her crazy and on the verge of spontaneous combustion. Because she had fallen in love with the Alpha of the pack, and she wanted to jump his bones.

…

…

…

Exactly eight months after the Cullens left, they decided to suddenly appear again in Forks. All of them, causing three young boys to phase. Sam had his hands full. He needed to be the Alpha his pack needed. And right now, he only trusted Paul and Jared to meet with the leeches.

He was not a fool; he knew they had come back for Bella. No matter how much he hated it, it was ultimately Bella's choice to take them back.

Bella didn't need anyone fighting her battles, and she had made her decision long ago. She agreed to meet with the vampires, but only if she was with at least one wolf. Ideally, she would have asked Sam to go with her, but when she arrived at the treaty line and crossed it to be on the Reservation, she only saw Jared, Paul, and the seven Cullens.

Logically, she knew Sam was busy with these three new young wolves, but she wanted him here.

Jared hugged her briefly.

She mouthed Sam's name, getting a subtle shake of the head from both wolves, confirming her thoughts: Sam was helping Collin, Brady, and Seth, but he also another reason to not show up: if she decided to go back with them, it was something he didn't want to witness. It would break his heart.

Bella's shoulders slumped, but she nodded, understanding Sam's reluctance to come. They had become close in the past months, but she hadn't confessed her feelings for him to him. That would end today.

Whatever happened here, she would tell him she loved him. She had grown emotionally in these past eight months. If he didn't love her back, she would survive, as long as she could remain his friend.

Jared and Paul started the meeting, reiterating the terms of the treaty. Carlisle agreed to the terms and asked to speak with the Alpha. Jared was about to tell them that the Alpha was unavailable when the Alpha decided to show up.

"Bella's house is off-limits to you." She turned around when she heard Sam's voice. He had decided to fight for his girl, his imprint, his mate.

He had Jake, Embry, and Quil taking care of the now calmer young wolves.

Rosalie's eyes widened in understanding, while Emmett smiled mischievously to Bella at the same time he moved his eyebrows up and down. She rolled her eyes, smiling softly and successfully avoiding her embarrassment becoming a blush like it usually did.

She had confessed to Sam a long time ago that she hated the Cullens. But she saw now that it was a lie. She hated Edward for breaking her heart; she hated Alice for betraying their friendship; she hated Esme and Carlisle for abandoning her like they had abandoned the furniture of their house. She missed Emmett, and surprisingly, she missed Jasper too. Those two, along with Rosalie, had been brutally honest from the get-go.

Edward remained quiet while the wolves negotiated with Carlisle.

Bella didn't know what to say when her turn to speak came. But somehow, her mouth said the words

"I loved you guys, but it's not a matter of choosing between you or them. It's about me, my happiness, my life. I want to live. And I want that with the wolves. They've become my family now." She finished, shooting a smile at Paul, Jared, and Sam, who in turn smiled back.

Edward didn't take the news well. He stared at Sam with a look that didn't sit well with Bella. "She doesn't love you. She never will. She loves me. That's why she hasn't said anything to you. She doesn't feel it. You're just a toy to pass the time." Jared, Paul, and Sam looked at each other confused. What the hell was he talking about?

Bella frowned for a few seconds until she understood what Edward was doing. She felt anger rile up inside of her as she positioned herself in front of Sam in a protective stance as if her body would block Edward from accessing Sam's mind. Obviously, she didn't stand a chance in a confrontation, but her movements had been instinctive.

"Stay out of his head!" She ordered loudly and firmly, crossing her arms in her chest, breathing hard with anger.

Emmett and Jasper smiled widely. Little Bella was not only finally showing her claws, but she was defending her mate. But if what Edward had said was true, she hadn't said anything to the poor bastard. That would explain the anxiety he felt coming from Sam, as well as the love. Now that he understood the relationship between him and Bella, he understood why Bella felt love and protection. She felt that regarding Sam. Good for her.

Edward took a few steps forward, menacing, frowning, and growling. Bella was not afraid of him, and she matched his stance.

Sam reacted then, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her back. It was clear now that she shared his feelings, but he was not allowing her to endanger herself to protect him.

He turned his back to the vampires, forcing Bella to meet his eyes.

"Calm down." He whispered. Everyone could hear them anyway, but this is how they've always been with each other.

Bella breathed in and out a few times before nodding, showing she was calm once more.

Now that she was calmed again, he could focus on what she'd said to the leech. "What did you mean by 'stay out of his head'?"

Alice whimpered. "Bella, no."

But she no longer owed them anything, and truthfully it was long overdue that she told them about their gifts. "They have extra powers." She started, ignoring Alice's complaint. "Alice can see the future based on someone's decisions, Jazz can feel what someone is feeling and is able to amp someone that's lethargic, or numb someone who's too amped, Edward can read minds. That's all I know."

Edward continued taking steps towards the border, almost crossing it, putting Jared and Paul on edge. They phased within seconds and were ready to jump if he crossed. It would be catastrophic for the Cullens if Edward crossed the border, as it would be considered an act of aggression, and the wolves would be forced to kill Edward and any Cullen who decided to try to save him.

The hustle broke Bella and Sam out of their bubble.

"Please, go to your truck, and drive to my house. Wait for me there." He wanted her out of any possible danger.

She started shaking her head, scared. "I'm not leaving you." She didn't want to stay. It was obvious she wasn't going to be of any use here, but she couldn't just drive away. She was scared for the wolves and herself. She knew the wolves could handle themselves, but she still worried.

He understood. "Ok. Breath in and out." She did and was able to lessen her sobs. "Get into your truck, and no matter what happens, don't get out. If a fight breaks out, you leave." The last part was said with a little more force, to which Bella nodded.

He kissed her forehead and pushed her softly to her truck. She got in, watching everything unfold.

Sam turned and gave his undivided attention to the situation in front. He tried to remain calm as not to frighten Bella more than she already was. Phasing right now would scare her even more. Carlisle had moved to restrain Edward, but he was the only one who had moved; the rest of them remained in the same place. That gave Sam enough information. He tried to divert his thoughts as not to disclose too much information.

"We've said what we needed to say. The treaty remains with the addendum of Bella's house. If any of you steps a foot in there, the treaty is null and void." Carlisle nodded, looking at his family to ensure they understood. "I know that you know what an imprint is." Sam added, looking at Carlisle directly. The patriarch nodded. "Bella is my imprint. And I love her. She's part of the tribe now, not just a pale face." Carlisle nodded again. This was more serious than before.

"We'll stay clear of the Swan's house."

He turned around signaled the wolves to move along with him. They had shredded their clothes, so they would have to run home and get a new set of clothes. In the meantime, Sam walked calmly to Bella and got in the passenger seat. "You and I have to talk." He said, smiling cheekily. She looked at him in shock. Nevertheless, she nodded and drove to his house.

Once at Sam's house, Bella couldn't wait anymore; she jumped in his arms and crashed her lips to his. He chuckled in surprise but quickly returned the kiss. With one arm holding Bella from her thigh and the other entangled in her hair, he walked blindly into his house and directly into his bedroom. He deposited her on the bed, but he had to stop because he needed to tell her the most critical piece of information.

"I love you." She said.

Sam smiled brightly, depositing a peck on her lips and settling next to her on the bed. He told her then everything about his legends, everything he'd shared with her the first time, plus more, including the imprint story.

Bella smiled, undisturbed by anything. "You could have said something sooner."

"So could you." He smiled back.