Chapter 12: Old Friends and New Enemies.

The next day, Paul strode into the pack meeting, the scent of sex reeking off him. He smiled internally as some of his pack mates looked at him in shock. He held the door open for Sue and followed behind her. Whispers and murmurs filled the room as he leaned against the back wall. His eyes scanned the room.

The elders were upfront, all of them sitting on the floor. Chief Black sat in the middle of them. The pack sat on the floor in rows of rank. The alpha female is at the front and the pups Colin and Brady are in the back. All of the imprints who were not wolves sat to the side.

Paul did not sit amongst them. He grinned as Rachel kept turning back to look at him. The shock on her face was worth it. She could smell that he had had sex with someone. The question of Who was going to make her go crazy. Especially when she had been trying to get into his pants for over a year.

The sound of a drum meant the meeting had started. He never attended pack meetings, never. But since his mate was concerned, he needed to know what information they might have had. As much as he didn't want to he might have to play nice with his packmates just for his wife's sake.

"We call this meeting to order." Chief Black announced. "A cold one was on our lands. It was killed but not without the casualty of a friend of ours. We are grateful the warrior and the pack were able to defeat this cold one. But we must know, how did it get on our lands? And why? Why go after Charlie Swan?"

The Alpha female stood to give her reply

"We had regular patrols set up Chief Black. If anything it was the warrior lahote who warned us of this oncoming enemy. We blindsided her while he attacked."

The elders began to murmur among themselves before Chief Black quieted them.

"Warrior lahote?" he called " your testimony."

Paul wanted to laugh. Chief Black respected him as the warrior but him as the man, he hated. A prime example was back in Charlie's hospital room. He completely ignored him and only opened his mouth to talk down on him. But now, he was suddenly full of respect and ancient wisdom. He felt both his wolf and tiger roll their eyes. Chief Black was a hypocrite.

Paul walked past the pack and stood in front of the chief and elders. He wore a black sweater with black slacks. And of course, his customary shades.

"I knew that the cold one was heading toward forks, I was in Canada at the time. I ran to get to Charlie."

"But how did you know?" one of the elders asked.

"I ran into the Cullen coven during my travels. Their seer had a vision of the cold one harming Charles swan."

Growls filled the room.

"You ran into the Cullens? How exactly did you run into them? " Chief Black questioned.

"It doesn't matter."

"Warrior lahote your chief asked you a question."

Paul gave the elder an arched eyebrow but still didn't respond.

Chief Black silenced the elder and turned back to Paul.

"Warrior lahote is there any other information you can give us?"

Paul nodded.

" That cold one that was killed. Had a brother. He has the power to turn invisible. It would be wise to turn our direction to the trees."

"How so?" Chief Black asked.

"That's where he hides. I also encountered him in Canada. He won't stay on the ground. He uses the trees to his advantage."

"How do you know this?"

"When I encountered him in Canada he made someone I know a target. We cornered him but he escaped. I was able to get some information on him from our last encounter. He is currently in Alaska, gathering some comrades. I believed you killed a friend of theirs some time ago?" Paul questioned as turned to look at the alpha female.

"You mean the man with the dreads? Of course, we killed him, he was near our land."

Paul shook his head.

"Well, you unintentionally started a war. The man with the dreads was mated to a cold one from the Denali clan. From the information I have received, our invisible guy is with them now. Persuading them to help him attack us."

"But why are we fighting in the first place? Because we killed his sister? Wouldn't that just scare him away?" Jacob asked.

Paul shook his head.

"Cold ones are selfish creatures. When a mate is killed, they go insane. Our invisible guy is upset he lost the fight he picked with me. He couldn't care less about his sister's death. He didn't like her much. He's upset he lost his fight with me. I blindsided him and he ran away."

"So, this is all your fault!" Jacob accused.

Paul shrugged. "Not really but think what you want. Either way, I have a plan in place, you can all join if you want. I don't care. Just don't get in my way."

"What is your plan warrior lahote?" Elder Harry Clearwater asked.

"We let them come to us. I have a spy who has been watching their every move. When they head toward us, we will be ready. I want to put ethanol fire traps in their path. They will be overwhelmed by an invisible fire."

"Ethanol fire! Are you insane? The forest will be burned down!" one of the elders yelled.

Paul shook his head.

"No, it won't. The bombs are only triggered by things that don't have a heat source. Cold ones are not alive, therefore there is no heat source. Anything with a heat source will be safe."

The room was quiet as they thought about Paul's plan.

"Chief Black. As the alpha of the pack. I would like to agree to follow the direction of Warrior lahote."

The pack let out a chorus of shouts but Rebecca's growl shut them down.

"If you think that's wise."

"It is. He hasn't let us down before when it comes to taking down the cold ones."

"Very well. Next order of business. I need to inform everyone that since he was taken by a cold one Charlie Swan now has evidence of our existence alongside, the existence of cold ones. He hasn't asked any questions and he didn't seem very surprised. But we need to be careful around him. From my understanding, he is still here on the reservation. He is staying with Warrior Lahote."

"Why is he not at home with his own family?" an elder asked angrily.

"There was no one to take care of him. Warrior lahote volunteered for the job. How is he?" Chief Black asked.

"He's fine."Was Paul's short reply.

"As soon as he is healed he needs to go back home. I don't mind him visiting but staying on the reservation is a whole different situation. How do we know he will not expose us?!"

Chief Black shook his head.

"he will not. I trust him."

"And what about his daughter? No one has seen her for two years! The last time she was here, she was affiliated with the cold ones."

"No. the cold one had left by then. They left her behind." Big Quil made it known.

"and then she disappeared. For all we know she could have left to follow the cold ones. I think she is one of them. That's why she has not come home yet."

"but she did come home. I saw her yesterday." Big Quil announced. "And she was fully human."

The pack and the elders began to talk amongst themselves.

Chief Black put his hand up for silence.

"That is neither here nor there. We just need to keep an eye on Charlie. Next order of business. Elder Sue has asked for an audience."

Everyone turned to look at Sue as she stood to address them. Paul went back to his spot against the wall.

" I would like to bring attention to the chief and council that I am engaged."

Gasps and questions were heard.

Chief Black, quieted them.

"To whom sue?"

"Charlie Swan is my intended."

Paul watched Harry Clearwater's face turn murderous. He would have to keep a close eye on that one.

The council began to yell before Chief Black quieted them again.

"If I have to keep hushing you all I will call this meeting done."

The council shut their mouths.

"I didn't know you two were together. Elder Sue, you know if you marry him, I will have to revoke your position on the council."

"I understand that chief. I just wanted to inform you of my decision."

"You would choose an outsider over your tribe?" he asked.

"Yes."

Chief Black sighed.

"Im sorry Elder Sue but I must revoke your position if you choose this path."

"This is my choice, Chief Black."

"Alright. You must turn in your mat at the end of the meeting."

Sue nodded.

"Alright. Does anyone else have anything they need to say? Any other audiences?"

To their surprise, Rachel Black stood.

"Beta?" he questioned.

"I want to use my right as an imprinter to bring my imprintee to submission."

"By what cause?" Chief Black asked.

"Neglect of an imprint!" Rachel accused.

Chief Black sighed wearily.

"Very well. But we will not hold counsel today. Let's get rid of this cold one first."

When no one had anything else to say, there was the sound of a drum. The meeting was over.

Paul let out a warning growl at his pack mates as some of them took subtle sniffs at him as they left the council hall. They were trying to figure out who dared to sleep with him.

However, he gave a gentle pat on the head to the pups as they walked past him wearily. The youngest Brady stopped to lean into his touch.

"h-h- hello p-p-paul." Brady stuttered. It wasn't out of fear, the poor kid just had a bad stutter.

"Hey, pup. You eat today?"

Brady shook his head.

"Emily made food but…" Brady trailed off.

Paul knew exactly what the pup was talking about. Embry's imprint was a horrible cook, but the pack didn't complain. Since the pack was busy patrolling. The human imprints, Kim and Emily were in charge of food. It also helped that some of the pack mothers made batches of food every week. Once again, Paul never attended any of those gatherings. He wasn't invited nor did he want to be. He wasn't pack.

But Brady here was still dealing with being a newly phased wolf. A wolf with parents that didn't care either. Paul observed how the fullers treated their son, they neglected him and were verbally abusive. They used to physically abuse him too but once he phased, that was a no-go. The pack provided a false sense of security for Brady. Being the youngest, he was treated as the weakest. But with so many males with strong personalities, their alpha didn't have time to keep everyone in check.

Paul would make anonymous phone calls to the Forks police department but it was a tribe matter and they couldn't interfere.

So when he made a call to the elders, they dismissed his claims. Brady's uncle was an elder and had not heard of such things.

So from then on, Paul kept an eye on the small scrawny kid when he could but enough was enough.

Brady made a small whimper when Paul removed his hand, but the older Shifter comforted him with a humm.

He gave Sue an arched eyebrow when she approached.

"Don't argue with me, Paul. I know what im doing."

Paul continued to stare.

Sue sighed. "I don't want to be bound anymore."

Paul hummed and stepped aside for her to go ahead of him. He walked behind her and quietly motioned for Brady to follow. He always made sure he was in the back of those he cared for, it made it easier to protect.

Paul allowed the pup to walk beside him, as they approached his black truck. He unlocked it and quietly opened the door for Sue to get in. However, before she could get in someone called out to her.

"Mom."

Sue turned to see Leah and Seth. A few of the pack stood in the background.

"Leah? Seth?" she questioned.

"So you're just going to give up your council seat for a pale face!" Leah argued.

Sue shook her head at her daughter.

" I know what im doing Leah. Don't worry about me."

"Dad was right about you, you are a whore !" Leah spat.

Sue stomped towards her daughter and slapped her. wolf or not, she wouldn't take the disrespect.

"How dare you! after everything I have done for you! I did not raise you to treat your mother like this. You are not a child Leah! You are a full-grown woman, don't you ever disrespect me like that again!"

Leah looked away from her mother with tears in her eyes.

"Why did you have to leave us!" Leah asked through her tears.

"I never left you, Leah. I have always been here. For you and Seth. I gave up my life for both of you and this is how you treat me? Your father is living his life. Why can't I? Besides, I gave you both the choice to visit me and to even stay with me if you wanted. I wasn't going to make you choose. You are both adults now. I'm sorry if you feel hurt or you feel like I did something to hurt you. This wasn't the way I wanted any of this to go but here we are. You both are free to call me anytime. I will always be there for you. I love you both very much."

And with that said, Paul helped sue into the truck. He also opened the back door for Brady.

Brady looked at him in surprise but got in, ignoring the glares of Seth and some of the pack.

…..

When they pulled up to the house, Paul guided Brady into the kitchen, where his wife was. The house was silent except for the three of their heartbeats.

"Hey babe welcome- oh hello there? Who do we have here?"

Brady trembled. Not out of phasing but out of fear. Paul sensed it and cupped the back of Brady's neck.

"Calm pup. No harm will come to you here. This is my mate."

Brady's eyes widen.

"Imprint?" Brady whispered.

"No."

Paul gently pushed Brady towards his mate. With gentleness, Bella squatted down to Brady, who flinched a little at how close she came. Normally during the phase, the shifter body changed, for the better. Their body became muscled and taller. They all looked older than they truly were. Everyone was in their twenty's, but they all looked thirty. Collin was fifteen and yet looked eighteen. But Brady Fuller was an anomaly. He was already very skinny before he phased, but now he looked even thinner. He hadn't had a growth spurt; he hadn't gained any muscle like the rest of the pack. Instead, he seemed to be losing weight. Even when he phased, his wolf looked like it was being starved and clumps of fur were missing. However, Paul knew exactly what was going on.

With Brady's trauma and abuse, his phase made things worse. And instead of helping him the pack ignored him. Therefore, his wolf felt rejected and weakened.

As Paul looked down at the pup, he felt something in him roar. His eyes flashed a mixture of blue and yellow. Tiger and wolf agreed.

This pup was theirs.

"Feed." He commanded as he pushed, the child closer to his mate.

He then walked out the front door.

…..

Sue sat on the porch swing as she waited for Paul to come back. He had silently pointed her to the porch swing, while he took Brady inside the house. She just hoped he hurried, they had to meet up with joy soon.

The front door swung open, and a thick blanket was thrown overlap. Paul sat down next to her and pulled her to her side. The warmth of his body made her relax.

"Let it out." was the only thing he said.

Sue looked at the man in shock. She remembered seeing him around the reservation when he was growing up. When she could, she would give baskets of food and clothes, but she was limited in what she could do because of Harry. Paul had always been mature for his age. It seemed as if he never let the problems of his life affect him. Yes, to others he seemed cold and cruel but if you were Paul's family, he would do right by you. no matter what.

"Let it out," he repeated. Sue leaned her head on his shoulder. Tears forming in her eyes. and then the dam broke. She cried. She cried for her broken marriage. She cried for her family. She cried for everything she had lost.

….

Joy looked at Bella curiously as she ordered her drink.

"What did you just order honey?"

Three women Sue, Joy, and Bella gathered together at a Seattle Café. They had spent the evening shopping since Bella needed new clothes. Joy had caught her buying clothes as well for what looked like a preteen boy. She would have to get clarity on that.

"I ordered a honey lavender decaf latte with a cinnamon crunch. A fruit bowl and strawberry muffin."

"Hmm, that's interesting. Why'd you order that?"

Bella shrugged.

"I like lavender anything."

Once the three women gathered their drinks and food. They sat on a couch with a table.

"So, Bella what have you been up to these past two years? Where did go?" Joy asked getting to the point.

She was never one to beat around the bush.

Bella sighed.

"Listen mama joy. I know about the wolves, and I know about the cold ones. I don't know if you remember but I used to date a cold one and then he abandoned me. I then fell in love with someone else and we were doing fine before the cold ones came back. I had been summoned by their leaders. The coven exposed me to their kindness, and they had to be punished. They used me to do so. I had to spend the past two years away from my family because of that. But that the just of it. I don't want to go into details."

"How could you possibly know about the wolves? Did the cold ones tell you?" Joy asked.

Bella shook her head.

"My husband told me."

"HUSBAND!" Joy exclaimed

Bella laughed.

"Yes, I got married two years ago before I left."

"To whom?!"

Bella looked at Sue and Sue looked at Bella. She couldn't hide her marriage forever and to be honest she didn't want to. Paul was a wonderful man, she was proud of him. She had nothing to be ashamed of.

"paul."

Joy choked on her coffee.

"paul? As in the warrior Paul? The one who doesn't like anybody! He's a mystery! How in the world did you get with him?" Joy asked.

"We met when we were kids. We've been together ever since but enough about me, how are you doing? ."

Seeing that Bella didn't want to talk anymore, Joy began to tell them about the store and how they might have to expand.

The conversation then turned to Sue and the wedding.

"So Sue, Quil told me you and Charlie were getting married. Any wedding plans or ideas?"

Sue shook her head.

"No, I think a simple courthouse wedding will do," Sue said timidly

"A courthouse wedding! Sue this is the man of your dreams right?" Joy questioned.

"Of course."

"OK! So let's plan something! It won't have to be like last time. You can have what you want!"

As the two ladies discussed wedding plans, Bella allowed her eyes to stray over the coffee shop. It was then she caught two people she hadn't seen in a long time. She quickly excused herself and walked towards them.

"angela? Jessica?"

The women looked and gasped.

"Bella!" they said in unison before they jumped up and hugged her.

"hi! How are you guys?" Bella asked as they welcomed her to sit down.

"We're good! Jessica and I were just talking about our internships. You know with us graduating high school at sixteen and going into college at seventeen. We kind of got stuck along the way in our choosing of internships. "Angela told her.

Bella smiled as she looked at her longtime friends. The three of them graduated high school at sixteen. Then Jessica and Angela went to college at seventeen while Bella chose to get married and finish her degree later. She finished top of her class but she never got to attend graduation.

She shook off the dark memories and looked at her friends.

"What did you guys major in?"

"I majored in social work. Now I have to fulfill my internship requirement." Jessica told her.

"I decided to go to seminary school, and now im shadowing my dad. I also have a job at the Seattle Times. Im interning there. I want to be a missionary but I want the journalism experience as well." Angela explained.

"And what have you been up to Miss Swan?" Jessica asked.

"Actually, It's Mrs. lahote Ferguson now." Bella squealed as she held up her ring finger showing her handmade wedding ring.

Jessica and Angela squealed.

"No way! Who did you marry?!" Jessica asked.

"his name is Paul. We met when we were kids. We got married when I was seventeen."

"You got married right out of high school! Wow, you are brave! I couldn't do it!" Angela told her.

"So any kids?" Jessica asked.

Bella sighed sadly and shook her head.

"No."

"Don't you want kids?" Angela asked.

"Of course…but…I can't give him kids. I had an injury a few years ago and it damaged my insides."

Immediately, Jessica and Angela pulled her into a hug. Allowed herself to get a little teary-eyed. The only person who knew was Paul. They didn't want to share the news with their families for fear of judgment and questions that didn't need to be asked.

"But Bella you can always-"

"Don't say it, Angela. If you say you can always adopt, im going to scream. People think adoption is so easy. But it isn't. There are fees paperwork and classes. Not to mention that Washington is foster to adopt state. We have to have foster children first and that's if their original family doesn't want them back. The goal is to always restore the family structure. I am not against adoption and I would love to do it but it's not as easy as people make it"

" I'm sorry Bella I didn't mean to assume," Angela said.

Bella squeezed her hand.

"No need. Oh, I wanted to ask you, does your dad still preach?"

"Of course. Every Sunday and Tuesday." Angela responded.

"Could I have the address, I've been looking for a new church. I had to leave my old one when I came home."

"Oh, my dad would love to see you! Of course. We have prayer at 9:30 which's optional, and then service at 10:30. "

"Thank you. So how are your love lives going?"

Both women groaned.

…

Paige Fuller wasn't happy to be interrupted by a knock on her door. She was trying to get her newborn to stop crying but she couldn't soothe the crying infant.

"Rodney get the door!" she yelled.

Her husband who had been smoking in the other room cussed and went to open the door.

When he did open it, he cussed even louder.

"Paige you might want to get in here. And leave the brat in the other room."

Paige put the infant in the old crib and walked to the front door. She cussed when she saw who was standing there.

Paul freaking lahote. Howard Lahote's bastard son. She hadn't seen the little twerp since Howard and his wife were sent to prison. The kid then became a ward of the tribe. But nobody wanted him. He stayed to himself with the help of a few of the tribe's mothers. Paige wasn't one of them.

"What do you want?" she sneered.

"Your kids."