Chapter 17: Home to Chaos

A/N: Sorry guys I know this chapter is late! School started up and the kiddos are adjusting! Plus I've become a part-time caretaker for my great-grandfather! So it's been busy! And I got sick for like a week! Thank you to my fans who checked on me and thank you all for your patience! You all are appreciated!

When Paul made it to their house, Bella was asleep in his arms. He was greeted by the sound of yelling parents and a very upset pack.

"It's been a week! Why are you not out there looking for my daughter!" he heard Charlie yell.

"Hmmm I don't know Charlie maybe it's because we have an unseen enemy on our doorstep!" a voice yelled back.

"Hold on! Everyone needs to stop yelling this isn't going to make anything any better!" a female voice scolded.

"I'm sorry but who are you?" he heard Sue asks

" I'm Stephanie Ferguson. Julian's wife."

Paul froze in his tracks, he felt a tiger rumble In disapproval.

His stepmother was here and that was not a good sign.

With fast strides, he made his way to the back porch.

He let out a low growl of displeasure as all the different scents ambushed his nose.

His father, brothers, and sister were all inside. Alongside his in-laws and two other scents he barely recognized.

Before he could open the back door, Brady's desperate eyes stared at him in shock. The young wolf was quick to slide open the door and let out a whine.

Paul put a finger to his lips, as he motioned for Brady to scoot back and let him through.

Brady did so and sniffed towards his mother, another concerned whine coming from him. Even in his concerned state, Brady held his arms out.

Paul sighed quietly as he handed his wife over to his son.

"Be careful with her," he said quietly.

The duo then walked up the stairs quietly, past the kitchen where everyone was gathered and up the stairs.

Did he mention how awkward it was that both he and his wife were naked and yet his son was carrying her up the stairs?

When they got to his bedroom, he was quick to throw on a shirt and pants while Brady covered Bella in bed.

"What happened while we were gone son?" he asked as he and Brady stepped out into the hallway.

Paul cupped the back of his son's neck.

"Hey, it's ok. Everything is okay."

"Y-you guys left m-me… You left us. N-no one knew w-where you guys were. I-i looked for you but I couldn't find you. I -I thought you guys didn't w-want me anymore." Brady cried

Paul heard wolf growl.

We would never abandon our pup! Wolf growled internally.

"We would never abandon you son. The wolf took over for a while. That's all." He explained as he pulled Brady into a hug.

He felt his son relax.

"Y-you mean you and M-mom won't a-abandon me?" Brady questioned.

"Never. We love you. I love you. You and your sister are a blessing, our gifts from God. Don't you ever doubt that?"

As soon as he felt Brady relax, Paul let go.

"Now, tell me, what happened while we were gone?"

"W-well, the day you sent me b-back into the house, everything was f-fine. It was two days when everyone b-became worried. R-rebbecca called, and then Mr. Julian became worried and before you knew it the house was filled with all these people. I – I - don't know who half of them are and then the pack has been worried. T-they want to go after the enemy but they are a-afraid of messing up the plan."

"Why in the world would they want to go after the enemy now? It's not time yet."

Brady let out an annoyed growl as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"E-Esme Cullen appeared on the border a f-few days ago. She had r-red eyes and was looking for m-mom. The pack has been giving her the r-runaround, keeping her away but we f-fear it won't last. She disappeared last n-night and no one knows where she w-went."

Paul closed his eyes as exhaustion finally set in. Whatever spiritual experience he and Bella had, it had taken a toll on their bodies. He mentally and emotionally felt much stronger, but physically he was wiped.

He pulled his son into another hug.

"You did well son. I am proud of you. Where's your sister?"

"s-sleeping," Brady informed him

Paul nodded ran his hands through his hair and sighed.

"Alright here's what we're gonna do. I'm going to go downstairs and clear out the house, call Rebecca, and then I'm going to take a nap. "

Brady nodded. And then looked away nervously

"What is it?" Paul questioned

" w-well I did my p-patrol and I finished my h-homework. Is it possible I can go hang out with C-collin?"

" shouldn't be a problem. Be home around 7 for dinner."

Brady's smile was blinding as he gave a cheer and darted down the stairs.

Paul followed him and made his way to the kitchen where arguing could be heard.

"Look none of this matters right now, there is a leech roaming around our borders! The pack needs Paul. This leech is after my goddaughter. That should be the focus!"

"Now, the leech at the border is just a distraction! Our focus needs to be on the invisible leech. Not the Cullen!" another voice argued.

Paul had heard enough. He made his presence known when he walked into the kitchen.

Sitting at the table, was his father and mother-in-law. His father and stepmother. All four of his siblings, Big Quill, and his wife.

Everyone began to talk at once when they saw him. However, he shut them up with a roar.

"ENOUGH!" He ordered.

Everyone shut their mouths.

"Now, I apologize for my and Bella's sudden absence. We had a spiritual encounter, and we had no idea it would take a week. There is no concept of time in the spirit realm. I have been informed of the turn of events and all of us, the pack, and my family will handle it."

The family tried to ask questions and tried to give their opinion on what they thought was best but Paul shut them down.

His next step was to call Rebecca.

…..

Esme growled in frustration as she strayed away from the state of Washington. Demetri and Jane had found her and she needed to get out of dodge.

However, she knew how Demetri's gift worked. Once he got a hold of your scent, he couldn't lose you. he would be on her tail again in no time.

Esme was so deep in her thoughts she didn't realize she was coming upon a big group of people. When she finally came to her senses, she hopped into the trees to avoid them.

As they ran below her, Esme gasped at who it was.

It was her cousins.

"Tanya!" she called as she dropped down.

The group froze.

"Esme!" they called in surprise.

Tanya was the first to greet her, even though shock filled her features.

"Esme, what happened to you?" Carmen as she hugged her cousin.

"It's a long story one I cant-"

"Well, well, well, who do we have here?"

Esme gasped as a man with bright hair and red eyes appeared behind her.

"Ooo.. you're a golden eye, well it seems you used to be. I was originally looking for your coven but then I found something better. But I think you can be of use to me too." He stated evilly.

Esme let out a warning growl. He was way too close to her. She had one goal in mind and that goal was to get Bella back to Edward. That was all. But then again maybe this man could help her reach her goal. If Demetri was looking for her, then he would find this man. The Volturi knew all about Victor and his plan but they wanted to respect the wolves' decision to guard their territory. But if Demetri intervened, he could kill Victor, eliminating the middleman. With this in mind, Esme stood up from her crouch and smiled.

"im sorry Where are my manners? I am Esme Cullen. Pardon me for being rude, you gave me quite a fright."

Victor smiled, his teeth glistening in the afternoon light.

"Well… this changes things.." he purred.

Esem felt herself internally cringed and her instincts told her to run. This was an unmated man who was used to getting what he wanted.

But she put in a brave face anyway.

"How so?"

Victor swiftly moved to her side, swinging an arm around her waist.

"You and the mouse are close correct? From what my sister told me you all were very protective of her. You can get to her yes?" he questioned.

Esme shook her head.

"I tried already. I've been wanting to contact her for a while but I can't get past the wolves."

Victor pulled her closer to him.

"Ahhh, I see your dilemma. Maybe we can come up with a plan together aye? I've been patient but I think it's time to move forward…"

If Esme could have paled she would have.