Chapter 7

Being back in La Push soothed Paul's nerves while his wolf regained its self-control and strength. Not phasing especially when needed, was too much of a strain on his inner beast. Smelling leech and being unable to act on it was the most unnatural thing a shapeshifter could encounter. And in need to protect its mate and puppies, it had been overwhelming. But now was time to relax for a bit.

Bella had one more concert on the last of March, nine days from now. After which, they would stay in La Push, not worrying about the damn leeches. Waiting for their babies to be born, living the happy life as expectant parents should as fully as possible. Here in La Push, they could try to forget the looming threat, for a moment at least.

As long as they were in La Push, Paul knew nothing could threaten Bella and his babies, but it wasn't enough. They could not live in the threat that would always be waiting for them when outside their safe area. The problem needed eventually to be solved.

Sam was running beside him; they were outside the res close to Mount Olympus. Running felt damn good; the beast needed to recharge, and running was the best way to do it.

Paul had gotten the usual heads-up: all was good, no leeches, and life was good. Sam also had some special news: he, too, was soon to be a father; Emily had just found out she was pregnant. Paul was happy he'd kept his thoughts to himself; this wasn't the time to talk about the leeches coming after their alpha's mate. But it couldn't wait much longer either; Embry and Jared already knew. They wouldn't say anything to anybody; to ensure that Paul had made sure they had phased together just them two. They needed to get the beast out and run the frustration out of their system. Shapeshifters really weren't meant not to phase.

Paul wanted to give Sam a moment to be happy, worry-free. Sam could stay in and run; he seemed too ecstatic to keep still. Paul was happy for him; he and Emily deserved to be happy. They all did.

I need the pack at your place at noon. No imprints. Paul said through their mind link, and with that, he turned back to the res.

He arrived at their home, and he marveled at the house. It looked like a proper family home now. Sam and his crew had done an awesome job. The sun was out, and Bella was sitting on the front porch in the swing, wrapped in the blanket. She had her eyes closed; she was taking a nap. Paul walked silently and sat beside her, moving her so she could rest her head on his lap. He placed a pillow under her head.

"Mmm," she mumbled sleepily.

"Go back to sleep, baby," Paul said and brushed his hand over her tummy. His babies were wiggling as if telling their dad they were alright.

"Any news?" Bella asked, yawning but not opening her eyes. She had taken his hand and entwined their fingers together. Bella always wanted to know about the things going on with the pack. Not so much as to be involved but to be there for him, to support him. Knowing stuff was essential for her. He loved her all the more for it.

"Emily's pregnant," Paul told her, brushing his finger over her cheek.

"Sam must be thrilled," Bella said but did not stir. Paul smiled. "Yeah, he is."

"When is the baby due?"

"Sometime in December."

"Pack's own Christmas miracle. That's sweet." And she was back to sleep.

Paul leaned his head back at the wall and closed his eyes too. Being back home felt good. The man felt relaxed and well-rested. The wolf was vibrating with power and contentment that he was home where he belonged.

The cosmic connection Paul and his wolf felt when in La Push, the very same Paul used to think was utter bullshit, gave him what he needed the most; the reassurance that his mate and his babies were safe. Nothing bad could happen to them while they were here. He could protect them here.

But there was no denying that this was somewhat contradictory to the life he and Bella were planning to live together. Bella could not be only in La Push, live only here. She would travel with her music after the babies were born and the threat was eliminated. Paul had to, and he wanted to travel with her and their babies.

What would it take to make the outside world safe for Bella? Would he ever be able to let her go without him? Probably not, not unless he could be 110 percent sure she was safe all the time, which was pretty much impossible.

So there had to be a way to help his wolf cope with the separation from the res. They yet haven't been anywhere where he could phase and run. Would it be easier for the wolf to be away from the spiritual connection if he could at least phase?

They would find that out at some point. With these thoughts, Paul fell asleep too.

He was startled awake by his mobile. It was buzzing in his pocket, waking Bella up too.

"Sorry baby, I have to go to Sam's. We have a pack meeting," Paul said and leaned down to kiss the tip of Bella's nose. "There is macaroni and cheese casserole in the fridge. It's pretty heavy, but have that for lunch. I'll eat at Sam's with the others. I was going to have lunch with you, but I needed the sleep more."

"M'kay," Bella mumbled, getting up to sit and stretching her back. "Don't worry about me. I'll make myself a sandwich and a salad, and we'll eat the casserole later tonight."

Paul helped Bella up and made sure she got inside and left for Sam's. Everybody was probably there eating lunch, hopefully without the imprints as he had requested. Emily was studying these days, so usually, she wasn't at home when they had pack meetings. Paul liked it that way. When only the wolfs were present, they could concentrate on the matters at hand, and the meetings went faster that way.

He liked hanging out with the pack but wanted to be with Bella more. He had once asked Bella to come with him, but she had refused. Instead, she had told him to spend some time with his friends and enjoy the time without her. But the thing was, he needed her to be with him to really enjoy himself. There was a term for that: "pussy whipped". Yeah, he was just that.

Okay, Lahote, head back in the game; he snickered to himself and opened the door to Sam's house.

The lunch was in full swing, its usual messy affair, and Paul went to make himself a plate. While taking the food, he told the pack what the leech doc had told him.

"I want you to keep this to yourself," Paul said to his pack. They tried to argue, but he silenced them with a raised hand.

"Before we know what the threat means, we don't tell anybody," Paul gave Embry a pointed look. Paul knew that Embry had spilled the beans to Katie. Paul had talked with her right after they'd returned, emphasizing the importance of staying silent. Paul was confident Katie wouldn't speak.

Since there were people around them who Paul could not fully trust, it was better than no one who didn't need to know didn't. For Embry, he had used an alpha order not to think about his discussion with Katie.

"I know, this is fucked up situation. But to kill bloodsuckers is the very reason we exist, to protect our people and our lands. Now the most powerful of them are after my mate, and we don't know what it entails and what it means to keep Bella safe, but we will."

"Who are these Volturis?" Jacob asked before stuffing a huge chunk of bread into his mouth.

"I don't know much about them, only what the doc told me. They live in Italy and are as old as the pyramids. They think of themselves as a law of their kind or some shit, and Carlisle Cullen knows them quite well. And that is the reason I need to contact the Cullens and set up a meeting with them."

"The fuckers aren't coming back here!" Quil snapped. "Are they?" he added more timidly.

"No, they're not," Paul confirmed. "I don't want them anywhere near Bella or the res. And I'm trying to keep her shield a secret, but not sure if it's possible. But we need to know what we are facing, and the Cullens are our only way of finding that out."

No one had anything to say to that. Paul was surprised how easily the pack accepted the upcoming unknown threat and was willing to protect his mate and, in doing so, to protect the res. He guessed it came with the sense of being part of something bigger, something worth protecting.

"Is there anyone who wants to come with me to meet the Cullens?" Paul asked. For this meeting, it was only essential that he didn't go alone. "I would want one or two of you to come with me, and the rest of you to stay here to protect the res."

Paul wasn't too happy to leave Bella, but she would be safe here. Colin, Brady, Jared, and Jacob lifted their hands.

"Jacob and Colin, you come with me. Sam, Jared, Brady, Embry, and Quil, you stay here to protect the res and Bella. One on patrol of all times while I'm away, and one keeps an eye on Bella all the fucking time, understood?"

Everybody nodded.

"We don't know for sure how much of the shield protecting the area is from Bella and me being here in the res together and how much of it is only Bella. So, no gaps, not in any circumstances. I'll call the doc after this meeting and set up the date. We'll meet them in Seattle after Bella's last concert. So, it will be on the first week of April."

"Do you think we can kill those Italian corpses without the Cullens?" Jared asked.

Paul was tempted to say yes, but he didn't know. And in the end, would it be so bad to get help from them? Before Bella got pregnant, he might have thought it would, but now he was ready to do whatever was necessary to keep Bella safe. Having help would be safer for the pack too. And he knew he could trust them, at least Rosalie, Emmet, and Carlisle.

"Probably," Paul answered. "But we'll know more after the meeting."

The pack meeting continued with the celebration of Emily's pregnancy, and Paul was pleased to see all his wolves happy and content. Even Jared. He had his mobile in his hand and was shooting messages none stop.

"That would be Anna?" Paul chuckled.

Jared grinned like a Cheshire cat. Paul tapped him on his shoulder and walked to the door.

"Okay fuckers. I'm off to my woman."

Old Quil was having a bad day, a very bad day. He watched his grandson openly hugging a man, romantically, and kissing him. He was disgusted by what he saw. So much that he had to look away. Claire was there sitting on Quil's lap. What was that all about? If his disgrace of a grandson was in love with a man, why was Claire still here?

He used to like Claire and had been sure she would be a great mother to his great-grandchildren. But she'd turned out to be a disappointment. How easily she'd given up the relationship with Quil, ready to step away so the perversion could occur. Claire had even spoken to him with disrespect telling him he was an old fool who had gotten what he'd deserved. And all he had wanted to do was preserve the good name of Ateara.

All the planning and hard work had gone to waste. Old Quil had to see the ruin and shame of the old and respectable name of Ateara. No more Atearas would be born to this tribe. Their name would vanish and disappear with humiliation and ridicule.

Old Quil shook with anger. All it was because of Harry Clearwater and Paul Lahote. They had ruined everything, and they would pay. There would be a day when old Quil would get his revenge.

AN:

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