Note | Alpha Order | Inner Wolf | 'Talking in Mind Link'

Chapter Twenty-Six | Informational Abyss

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"Is there a reason they won't leave us the hell alone?" Loveless muttered as Bella and Edward walked away.

Vic chuckled, "Can't say Princess, can't say." His eyes twinkled with secretive mirth as they connected James. 'Can't say . . . Yet.'

"Don't pay attention to them." James smiled.

Loveless nodded. "I know. She's just annoying to me." Her fingers flexed on their own accord.

Vic's eyes watched the movement with easy skill. "Who's ready for the librarian to come by?"

Loveless giggled. "I don't believe that Angela is impressed with Hot Buns anymore." Her eyes sparkled. "I do believe Jacob has clouded her mind."

Angela stuck her tongue out. "Claire is worse!"

"I think it's a tie." Loveless contradicted.

Both girls shrieked indignantly.

"You like Paul!"

She froze, her eyes widened as she stared at Angela.

Angela gasped. Her hands moved up to cover her mouth. "I'm sorry!" She shook her head. "That wasn't mine to tell."

The group stayed quiet as they watched the two girls.

"What!" Alejandro wailed. "What about me!" He faked a wailing cry and dropped his head onto James' shoulder. "I . . . This whole time!" He sniffled dramatically. "I thought I was the only one she loved!" He cried out once more. 'I let it slide when Hot Buns entered the picture. But now this!"

Loveless giggled slightly.

The group relaxed. Alex continued.

"How can she throw me away like this! I feel so used!"

James held in a laugh as he wrapped an arm around Alex. "It's okay. You just have to let her go."

Alejandro cried out in anguish once more.

"But I'm the gay one?" Eric asked while pointing at Alejandro who had cuddled himself up to James.

The group laughed once more.

Angela leaned against Loveless and wrapped her in a friendly hug.

Loveless grinned and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It's fine." She murmured.

Claire's lips pursed. "Do you really?"

"I . . ."

"Cause we could totally double date!" Her eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands. "Angela won't double date with me!"

Angela twisted around to face Claire. "That's cause it's weird!"

"Is not!" Claire rebutted.

Angela giggled while rolling her eyes.

"I don't double date." Loveless blurted out.

"Aw! Come on!" Claire whined. "Anybody!" She pouted while crossing her arms. "You all suck!"

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Loveless heaved a small sigh and gathered her books. It was like a weight had lifted off her shoulders. It was out in the open and she didn't have to say it herself. It let her bring into light there was something there while simultaneously continuing to deny what she felt. A weight had lifted - it was out in the open - now all the was left was blissful ignorance.

Vic wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You okay?"

She grinned softly - always the mom. But, there were things even she wanted to keep secret for herself. "I'm not sure. I feel kind of tired. Exhausted really." Loveless murmured as she let Vic guide her. She shared half of her feelings. The rest were still in a jumble - Loveless was still sorting through them.

Vic glanced at James over Loveless' head. "It's okay sweetie."

"Kind of achy too."

Vic hummed softly while letting the heat swell in his chest. His eyes clouded over as his body swirled with the magic of their land. The heat receded from his body coiling in his chest as he used it to take away her discomfort. I am sorry Princess, but more will come as the change nears.

Loveless heaved a small sigh. "I always feel better with you around."

Vic grinned. "Well then, I'll never go far Princess."

James smiled. "Neither of us will."

"Good." Loveless murmured.

. . .

"There is something seriously off with them." Rosalie hissed as she watched the trio from afar.

"I want to know what Devon felt." Emmett started. "You looked scared. Like . . ." His brows furrowed as he searched for the right words. "Like the Volturi coming after you scared."

Devon swallowed.

Edward nodded. "I could only catch a few things from the both of you." His brows furrowed. "That only left me confused though."

"We need to leave . . . For the rest of the day."

Alice smiled. "I saw this part." She held out notes for everyone. "Let's go."

Jasper chuckled and wrapped an arm around her tiny waist. "That's my little fairy."

Alice smiled brightly.

2o minutes later, the Cullens stepped out of their cars and onto the Cullen property.

"Are you going to tell us now?"

Devon walked through the open door, smiling at Esme in the process. "Evil.

"Power." Edward added. "You continuously chanted that word over and over." He moved closer, honeyed eyes trained on the sitting boy. "Why?"

"Because they are." Devon heaved a small sigh. His own brows were drawn together in concentration. 'They are more powerful than our kind."

The other's eyes widened.

"How can that be?" Esme questioned fearfully.

Devon leaned back in the chair he occupied. "I remember reading a book while I lived in Italy. A special book."

Edward's eyes widened. "No one is allowed in the Volturi's Library."

"You are when you are considered special by Aro." Devon smirked. The smirk dropped as he shook his head. "The book spoke of another breed of creatures that had roamed this earth along with us."

"Another breed?"

Carlisle stopped Devon. "The wolves need to hear this."

The others nodded.

"See if you can get a hold of them." Edward started. "We will not continue without them. If Nicole is indeed Paul's imprint - he needs to know."

. . .

Jane grinned tightly as she stared at the giggling sisters. "Stop acting like idiots and answer me."

The eldest of the three beamed brightly. "It would be our honor to serve the Volturi."

Figures. Jane gave a curt nod. "There will be no killing."

The middle sister heaved a groaning sigh. "And why not? that is indeed our specialty."

Jane held back an eye roll. Mine too. "Aro wants intel first. We have to be positive."

"Okay, is that all?"

Jane turned to stare at the youngest - the most powerful. "Yes, Aeries. It is." She looked back at the middle sister. "I suggest you keep Alexia on a leash though." Her ruby colored eyes skipped over to the eldest. "Keep your legs closed Annette. I know you are shameless, but there are things not even your family let alone your own kind will forgive."

The eldest pouted. "Where is the fun in that?"

Aeries tsked while staring at Annette.

The elder flinched and stepped away. "It was a joke."

Jane smirked. The other two can die on this mission, but Aeries should be save - she can become of some value later. "Just find out what you can and then call for me."

"How will we know?" Annette questioned with furrowed brows. Her long blonde hair swayed as she titled her head to the side.

Jane's lips curled up in a snarl. "You'll smell her."

Aeries cocked her head to the side. "Smell her?"

"She will smell like burning wood. A soothing oak smell, charred slightly." Her lips pursed. "She'll smell of warmth and fire above everything else. Tinged with the scent of the earth."

Aeries arched an eyebrow. "That sounds incredibly close to a Pheorian."

"It is." Jane snapped. She didn't like being tested. And no one questioned her.

Alexia's brows furrowed. "Their kind should be extinct.

"Should be is the key word." Aeries smirked. " Is extinct would be used if they had let us do our job the first time."

Jane clamped her jaw closed. The three sisters were needed alive, not skinned. "Just do your job or I will tell Aro you are unfit."

"There is no need." Aeries cooed while stepping forward. "The job will be done correctly, this time."

Jane stared the sister down. We shall see.

It was a challenge. One both would try to rise and meet.

Jane bowed slightly before blurring as she disappeared. She arrived soon after back at home in Italy. She moved towards the palace in search of Aro.

"Is it done?"

Jane bowed once more as she stood before Aro. "Yes, sire." She stood up straight. "I have told the three sisters to collect intel for us before they make any moves."

Aro nodded. A slow smile spread across his lips. "Good."

"Yes." Jane bowed once more as she left the throne room. Her eyes flickered back and forth as she searched. Her eyes lit up. "Alec!" She moved a tiny bit quicker as she located her twin.

Alex twisted around, a smile on his lips as he waited for her. "Hello sister."

"Hello brother." Jane grinned for the first time as she stared at her twin. "Hello Damon."

The blonde smiled slightly and bowed. "Jane."

"I have a job for you." Jane smirked wickedly. "I would like you to enroll at Forks High."

Damon arched a brow. "And what is at Forks High?"

"Your brother."

His lips stretched as they pulled back in a vicious grin. Damn's dark bloody eyes sparkled cruelly. "Is he now."

. . .

Loveless heaved a small sigh and shuffled the food around on her plate once more.

"Are you not hungry?" Emily questioned softly. Her eyes narrowed, worry filling them to the brim. She had just started to eat more than just a salad, now was not the time to starting taking steps backward! No, they needed to go forward!

Loveless shrugged.

"It's cause Paul isn't here yet, Emmy." Jacob grinned cheekily.

"Nope!" Quil cheered. "It's cause he didn't pick her up from school today."

Embry laughed. "Both wrong!" He exclaimed as if he was currently holding the key to the city of food.

What?

Did they honestly think Loveless didn't see the masses of food that disappeared into their mouths?

"She's upset because he didn't pick her up from school and he's not here for dinner." His eyes sparkled brightly. "She misses her Paul."

Loveless locked her jaw and dropped her fork onto the white ceramic plate. Her chair scuffed against the wooden flooring as she shoved it back. Her eyes hardened as she moved towards the stairs. Loveless wasn't in the mood. She didn't want cheerfulness. She didn't want playfulness. She didn't want jabbing and candor.

They were right.

Which pissed her off.

He hadn't shown up.

And yes, she was upset that he hadn't.

And that, pissed her off even further.

Loveless growled ferociously. Why was she so upset with him? They weren't dating. They weren't together in any shape or form. "Ridiculous." She muttered while shaking her head.

She heaved a sigh and shut the door behind her. Alone. Loveless needed some time alone. Away from everything else. With a shake of her head, Loveless looked out the window.

The sun was out. Odd really. The sun was never out.

She bit her lower lip before setting her mind. Might as well enjoy it. Grabbing a pair of flip-flops and the wrap Vic had bought her for the beach, Loveless backed out of her room.

"Nicole?"

"I'm going to the beach." She held up her hand. "No, I don't want company." She eyed the three boys getting ready to protest. "I just want to watch the waves for a few. I have my phone." Loveless held up her phone as proof before heading out the door.

. . .

"What is wrong with you!" Emily glared at the three sulking boys. Hands on her hip, ladle in hand.

The trio flinched and looked down at the floor.

"We were just having fun . . ." Quil offered up, hoping to placate his wolf-mom.

Emily sent a disapproving glare towards Quil. "You know better." She pointed the ladle at each boy. "You better pray she stays safe. If not, both Paul and Sam will be after you." Emily's eyes narrowed. "But they'll have to get through me first." Emily shook her head. "You three have places to be." She made a shooing motion with her hands. "I have dinner to fix for the others."

The three wolves nodded and trudged out of the Uley house. They stepped into the woods before shedding their jeans to begin their patrols.

. . .

7:25:09 PM

Paul groaned and rolled his shoulders. He really, really didn't want to be here. There were many other things he could be doing. Being with Loveless was one of those things. "Are we finished?" He stared at the tribal council.

"That is really no way to speak with your elders."

Paul's fists curled as he held back a tremor.

"Council," Sam started. He could feel the tension rise. The three - Paul, Jared, and Himself - had been away from their imprints since 8 this morning. None of their wolves were happy. "We've been here for a while now."

"That gives you no reason to be rude."

It was getting hard for Sam to hold in his own anger, let alone help Jared keep Paul under control - which was laughable in itself, Paul was the alpha, they had no control. And fuck them, he wanted Emily.

"We aren't being rude." Jared tried to reason. Damn Council woman Felicity - she was looking for a reason to be a hard ass.

"Oh really?" Felicity prodded.

Paul let out a soft dangerous growl.

Both wolves tensed.

"Either you get to the point or I leave." Paul threatened.

Felicity waved him off dismissively. "You will do no such thing."

Well shit.

Didn't they know by now not to challenge Paul Lahote? Come on. Really?

Paul arched an eyebrow in sheer amusement. "I will," he pointed at the other council members. "And they all know it." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "We've been here since eight." Paul rolled his shoulders once more. "I haven't seen my imprint since seven this morning."

Council member Nahuel stood. "I do believe what they are saying . . . The wolves are restless."

Jared nodded. "Exactly. We aren't meaning to sound short or rude - the wolves are just unhappy."

"There is only so much we can do to keep them under control when all they want is the imprint." Sam continued.

Felicity had the audacity to blush. "Forgive me, I forget sometimes that the wolf within wants out."

Paul nodded. "It's fine."

Nahuel smiled. "We are sorry for keeping you tied up so long. But we are extremely thankful for your patience."

"You are welcome." Jared replied.

Sam nodded. "And as for the sightings on the edge of the north side, we will look into it."

Nahuel smiled. "That is all we can ask of you." He bowed slightly. "Thank you warriors. Please," He held out his hand towards the door. "Return to your imprints."

The three wolves stood and made their ways out.

Paul rolled his shoulders. "I was about to maul her."

"Glad you didn't, I wouldn't want to explain that one to Nicole." Jared chuckled.

Paul snorted and shoved at his Beta. "Shut it."

"Let's just go home!" Sam all but whined. "We both know, Emmy has food ready."

Two stomach growls answered him.

Sam chuckled. "Then stop talking and shift!"

. . .

Okay?