Notes | Inner Wolf | Alpha Order | Italic 'Talking in Mind Mind' || Snapshickles! 183 SUBBIES!

Chapter Twenty-Nine | Feeling Sick

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Loveless woke slowly. She was warm, a tingling sensation that started at her toes and wormed through every muscle, tendon, and vein. Relaxed, her body was beyond the recognition of completely and utterly relaxed. She yawned softly and nuzzled against the heat that surrounded her. Ridiculously warm.

"You have to get up."

She stilled. Her body slipping into hyper-drive sensitive as she opened her eyes slowly. Tan. Darkly tanned skin, smoothed and stretched over taut muscles. Paul.

Loveless rested her hands against the firm chest - doing her best not to try and curl her hands into the heat. Her eyes widened as her breath hitched, body freezing in the process. She was nearly laying on top of Paul. Dear sweet baby Jesus. She was freaking laying on top of Paul. A shriek lodged in the back of her throat as she tried to jerk away - not getting far with the arm like bands that wrapped around her waist.

"Breathe." Paul murmured softly. His dark eyes stayed on her, watching her very move. Assessing her. He tightened his grip for a moment before loosening. "Are you okay?" Chest rumbling as he wolf paced back and forth inside him. "Do you feel okay?"

Loveless breathed in and out deeply. How did she feel? Brows furrowed in confusion as she quietly analyzed herself. Rested. Her shoulders sagged as she melted against the firm heat below her. She felt at peace. "Good." Her voice was rusty from a lack of use. "I haven't slept that well in . . ." She trailed off. It had been years. The only time she slept like that, all through the night, with no issues was when James or Vic was around - and even then the dreams could be dark.

Paul tightened his grip once more before easing the two up into a sitting position. "I'm glad." His deep voice rumbled low through her chest - sending little pin-prick shivers down her spine. "Any time you need to sleep like that again . . . just ask. I don't mind."

A soft blush rose on her cheeks as she nodded. Cheek rubbing against chiseled peck. She swallowed hard. With a soft grunt she eased herself up and into a sitting position. "You didn't pick me up . . ." Her voice was whisper soft as she trailed off.

Paul held in a flinch. All she had said was that he hadn't picked her up. But he knew deep down, he knew. It was a silent way of her telling that whatever had happened wouldn't have happened if he had just picked her up. It was his fault. He knew it. His wolf knew it. She knew it. "I'm sorry." He sat up and pulled her into his arms once more. "I am so sorry." Paul waited. Waited for her to pull away. Yell at him. Tell him it was all his fault.

Loveless shrugged but melted into the hug anyway. "It's okay . . . Just. . ." She chewed on her lower lip. He hadn't really promised.

Paul heaved a small sigh and cupped her cheek with one hand. He wasn't entirely willing to release her completely - the other arm tightening around her waist. "I'm sorry. I should have been there. I told you I would."

"It's okay . . . Jacob had said it was a meeting of the tribal leaders." She chewed on her lower lip - and no she wouldn't admit to the fact that he was fully holding her up."

Paul snorted. "I would have rather been sitting in each and every class with you." He rolled his shoulders. "So damn boring." He smiled slightly and shifted, pulling them to sit at the edge of the bed. "I will pick you up from school today." Paul stared directly into her oceanic blue eyes. I promise."

Her breathing hitched. He'd physically promised this time. Loveless nodded slowly. "Okay." And suddenly she was beside herself. She blinked stupidly at the wide, breathtaking smile that covered Paul's lips. Beautiful.

Paul stood slowly. Loveless still trapped in his arms. "I'm going to go and take a quick shower, and I'll be right back to take you to school."

"Okay." Loveless whispered as she stood from the bed. Completely content with leaning against him until he made a move to leave.

. . .

"So?"

Loveless blinked innocently as she looked up. "Yes?"

"You didn't call last night." James inched closer, crowding her. Worry coloring his voice and features. "Everything okay?" He smiled sweetly and plucked at one of the cork-screw curls. "You okay Lovely?"

She blushed softly. "I - I . . ." She trailed off as her brows furrowed. "I'm not sure. Something weird happened." Her nose scrunched in thought. Loveless shook her head. "I'm not sure what really happened." She heaved a small sigh. A headache was beginning to form as she tried to recall the events of last night.

"Well, I know you were unhappy when Paul didn't pick you up."

Loveless nodded. It was true. "He wasn't at home. The idiots," Jacob, Quil, and Embry - as she had affectionately dubbed them. "They would stop nagging and making little snide comments."

Vic frowned. 'I'm going to have to teach a little mutt his place.' He wrapped an arm protectively around Loveless and steered her towards class.

"I went for a walk on the beach." She hunched over slightly, curling into Vic's embrace. "Something . . . someone. . ." She huffed out a frustrated breath. "I felt like someone was trying to protect me."

"Protect you?"

Loveless nodded. "She kept telling me to turn back. That I wasn't ready." Her nose scrunched. "There was something out there. Someone with me that she was trying to protect me from."

Vic glanced at James over the top of the other's head. "Someone was with you?"

"I honestly don't know. I got this feeling . . . But I blacked out." Loveless glanced at Vic. "I came to in my bedroom."

Vic's breath caught in his throat. It was beginning. 'She heard her mother, didn't she?'

'Possible, we will need to contact our spirits tonight.' James ran a soothing hand up and down Loveless' back. "It's okay Lovely."

"Thanks." She whispered while stepping into the classroom. She smiled at Angela and took her seat beside the brunette.

"Did you hear?" Angela's eyes sparkled as she drew the brunette into a conversation.

Loveless arched and eyebrow and slowly shook her head. She wasn't one for school gossip. She waited for Angela to tell her. By the time Angela was telling Loveless the newest gossip all of the lies and impossible anomalies had been removed. "No, do tell."

"New people!" She wiggled her fingers and cackled slightly. "They look better than the Cullens." She heaved a small dreamy sigh. "Though, no one beats Jacob." A slight flush covered her cheeks in a rosy hue. "He texted me yesterday." She bounced happily in her seat.

Loveless giggled. "I know." She smiled. "He looked like he was high as a kite while texting you." She wiggled in her seat slightly, getting comfortable as leaned forward. Her elbow rested on the desk as she used her hand as a prop. "So the new people?"

"Three sisters, though the eldest seems to be attending Forks Community College - the youngest two are seniors with us." Angela leaned in closer. "They are very pretty. I saw them all in the office getting everything settles." She made a motion of fanning her face.

Loveless leaned in closer. "Hot enough to turn James straight?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Maybe!" Angela exclaimed before laughing.

. . .

"There are vermin here." Alexia hissed out. Her nose scrunched unhappily. "And these contacts!" A pout marred her lips. "This dull brown does nothing for my inviting complexion."

Annette rolled her eyes. "Well, you have the teenage bickering and whining down to an art."

"I believe it is your personality that makes them run." Aeries commented flippantly. She heaved a small sigh. "Now, remember the Cullens are here - be mindful of the Seer and the Reader." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't want them getting in the way. There is a one percent probability that they know what she is."

Alexia frowned. "Are they that stupid?"

"The human lovers were never bright." Aeries muttered. She twisted to the male standing next to her quietly. "Dear brother." Her lips pulled back in a wide smile catching the boy next to her off guard. "Tell you girlfriend Jane to try harder." She linked arms with Alexia. "I believe, you - brother, have a different homeroom class."

Annette moved closer to the stunned male. "Aeries is not fond of surprises or Jane's underhanded stupidity." She grinned widely and handed the male a class schedule. "I expect you to have a good day little brother." Her smile was wide and predatory.

.

"How did you know?" Alexia whispered as she let Aeries pull her in whatever direction. To pull away would only anger and sour the younger's current mood. If Aeries was not trying to kill anyone . . . It was a good day, well a good few minutes. Her patience towards others was very thin.

Aeries shrugged. "He is Damon. Devon's twin." A slight smirk marred her lips. "This will be very interesting." A manic glee filled her. "A Pheorian, a Vampire, and a Were all in one place." She chuckled softly. "Aro has not changed. I wonder if our dear little Pheorian is feeling better."

"I do hope so." Alexia smirked. "It was such a pity we did not get to greet her." She smoothed out her flowy above the knee skirt. "Very rude."

Aeries nodded. "We shall have to make sure to greet her here." She hummed softly and blinked slowly.

"I can't get the blink-y thing down." Alexia pouted. She made a show of trying to blink - fake and disruptive. "It's hard enough trying to act like I'm breathing." She shook her head. Blonde hair flowed around her as she swayed softly. "Such trivial things to have to mess with constantly."

Aeries was tempted to play the human and roll her eyes. Very tempted. "Count to five - not too fast, not too slow." Aeries came to a quick stop in front of a wooden door with a rectangular window off to the left side above the door knob. She glanced at Alexia once more. "Remember." After the elder gave a short jerky nod, Aeries knocked on the door.

"Hello?"

Aeries blinked once while letting her elder sister smile brightly. "We're new." She wasn't one for such childish pleasantries. Straight to the point was more of her style. There was no proverbial bush to beat around where she was concerned. She held out the two passes and waited.

The teacher smiled brightly. "We have two more new students joining us!" She clapped her hands happily. "I do believe Ms Wickers was a good luck charm!" She ushered the two girls inside. "This is Alexia and Aeries Devereaux - French?"

"Yes, our father was a Frenchman." Alexia smiled whimsically. Many centuries ago. "Bonjour à tous." She waved in greeting. Her ruby colored lips pulled back to reveal crisp white teeth as she tucked a strand of strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. It was pin-like straight with a soft sheen of red. She had side bangs that covered her left eye, while the rest was sleek and long - resting at her lower back. "Mon nom est Alexia."

Aeries stayed quiet as she surveyed the room. These vermin were all below her. She saw no sense in degrading herself by subjecting herself to their rules. It was below her, where it would stay. Her eyes cut towards her sister at the slight - vampiric - jab to her side. "Aeries."

"There are two seats over there." The teacher smiled sweetly and pointed to the two empty seat behind Loveless.

Aeries hid her smile. Perfect. She took the lead towards the offered desk and chairs. She took her seat with an air of practice - she had many years to perfect sitting like vermin.

"Hey," Alexia whispered, gaining her sister's attention. She pointed down at the piece of notebook paper she was sliding towards Aeries. 'Do you think they know?' She pointed at the two sitting on each side of Loveless.

Aeries nodded. If they were Pheorian Protectors . . . They knew the moment they stepped out of the cars exactly what the two new students were. 'Yes, the question is how stupid are the Cullens?'

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Aeries blinked humanly. "Yes." She didn't like people stopping in front of her. She didn't like getting close. If she wanted to be touched in anyway, she would initiate it.

"Greetings!"

Aeries blinked again, bored. There had to be a reason the Seer thought she needed to personally speak with her. She didn't like meeting new people.

"Carlisle Cullen would like to formally extend an invite to join us for a small get-together." She beamed brightly. Supernatural hazel orbs shimmered under the false lighting.

Aeries cocked her head to the side. "Did you actually see me accepting that invite?"

"We have things that need discussing." Her voice stayed light and happy. Head tilted to the side as she blinked like a human.

She shook her head. "No, I don't believe we do. However, you are going to want to have a word with your dear brother - Devon." She smiled brightly, enigmatically. "I've never liked animals." She watched with calculating eyes as the Seer flinched for a mere second before gaining control once more. "I have never been stupid. There is a reason Aro has never asked me to join him, but has always treasured me as a gift." The side of her lip curled for a nanosecond before evening out.

"My name is Alice Cullen." Her hair fluttered around her. Jittery - was that a part of being a Seer or was it the fact she was having diluted blood for dinner. Maybe this was a side effect. The vampiric example of a junki. The good fix: human blood. The cheap fix: animal blood.

Aeries waved her off. "I've never cared for such pleasantries. Meaningless and time consuming." She flashed a predatory smile before moving around the other at a human speed. Petty.

"Join us at free period then?" The Seer spoke, too fast for human ears.

The blonde blinked at human speed. "You seem to be grasping for straws, Seer." Her voice low, too low. She smiled widely and flashed a set of pearl white teeth. "Be careful. Hastiness is not an appealing quality to Aro." Aeries continued to walk, sending a smile to the Seer's brothers - of sorts - as she made her way to a waiting Alexia.

"We have free period now." Alexia smiled. She knew better than to discuss their mission in public - let alone with a leech near. Her nose crinkled. "I don't like them."

Aeries nodded. "No one seems too. Except for the brown haired puppet." Her head turned towards her sister as she smirked. "She seems to be controlling the Reader though."

"Really?" Alexia laughed. "A mere human controlling him?" She shook her head. "Aro will laugh at that." She glanced at the glaring Cullens. "We might have to tell Aro, put the poor boy out of his misery."

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Loveless groaned. "I don't feel good." A whimper lodged in the back of her throat. She swallowed hard, forcing it down.

"I'm sorry," Vic cooed while pulling the woman into his embrace. 'There are too many vampires here.' Vic soothed their Princess to the best of his abilities. Heat flared in his chest as he pulled her closer. He let his energy flow out and into the woman in his arms. "It'll be okay."

'The Cullens do not know them.'

Vic held back a snort. 'Aro sent them. No doubt one of his little leeches smelled our Princess.' He crooned in the back of his throat and pulled her tighter in his embrace. 'We need to have another talk with Paul.'

James nodded and placed hand on Loveless' shoulder. His energy flowed out touching the girl they had survived to protect. "It's okay Lovely."

"I'm starting to feel a little better." Loveless whispered. Her body hummed, an energy she didn't recognize - yet somehow knew - was swimming through her veins. It soothed her. Did little to warm her, but it felt protective and loving. Paul would make it all better. She turned away from her own vindictive mind. She didn't want to think of him. A flush stole her cheeks as images of that morning rolled through her mind.

Vic kept his arm firmly around her shoulders. "Come, it's free period."

(I was going to stop here. I really was. And then I realized I owe you a longer chapter for making you wait so long for an update. EnJOY!)

"Good," Loveless whispered. "I could use a nap." Her lower lip jutted out. No, she was not pouting. Paul could make it better. She flinched softly and burrowed closer to Vic. She pulled her lower lip between her teeth and worried it. I might have a problem on my hands. Loveless swallowed quietly. She didn't need to let this go any deeper. It would hurt both of them. Her brows furrowed. Loveless cared about not hurting him - more so than she cared about getting away.

Vic ran his hand comforting up and down her arm. "You can take a nap in free period." He tugged her closer as he steered her towards the library. "It should be quiet."

"If the Cullens leave me the hell alone." Loveless muttered softly.

James smirked and patted her back. "I'll keep them away." He sent a wink in Vic's direction. He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

"Sit here." Vic whispered while placing her in between James and himself.

It wasn't long before the others surrounded them at their usual table for free period. It was a table that was a little towards the back - away from the more rowdy crowd. The librarian never really had a calm with them - they mostly stayed quiet. So they were left to their own devices.

Angela smiled slightly as she softly put the books on the table in front of her. "Did I tell you how much I dislike AP Calc?" Her nose scrunched unhappily as she heaved a sigh and flopped down in the chair across from Loveless. "I think I'm going to play stupid."

"Really?" Clair snickered quietly. "You have to play?"

Angela faked a glare. "Hey!" She crumpled up a blank sheet of paper - that she snatched from Eric's notebook - and tossed at Claire. "I will tell Quil all of your secrets." Her eyes shimmered brightly. "Every single one of them."

"No!" Claire gasped. "I'll tell Jacob what happened last summer!"

Angela's eyes widened. "You said you didn't see anything!"

Claire blinked sweetly and shrugged innocently. "I do not know what you are talking about." Both girls giggled softly and turned towards the other. "You okay." Claire questioned gently.

Loveless swallowed softly. She pushed herself up into a sitting position. She gave the girls across from her a half shrug. "Not sure." Her nose scrunched unhappily. "I think I'm going to call it a day and go home." Her hands cradled her stomach gently. "Probably just a stomach bug or something."

"Come on," James coaxed. "i'll take her to the nurse." Her grabbed he books while wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Not feeling well?"

Loveless didn't bother to answer right away. "Tummy feels funny - off." Her voice was gentle like a feather. She sniffed lightly. "Don't feel good."

"You are probably still not feeling well after blacking-out yesterday." James squeezed her shoulders and steered her towards the nurses office. "I knew you should have just stayed home and rested." He heaved a small quiet sigh. "I don't like when you push yourself."

Loveless smiled softly. "I thought I was okay this morning." A soft sigh fell from her lips. "I thought I was okay." Her brows furrowed as she chewed on her lower lip. Or did I think I was okay because I was with Paul? She closed her eyes - complete faith that James would keep her safe. I need to stop. I can't do this to either of us.

Stay strong my little firefly.

A warmth curled in her lower belly as the voice from last night surged through her mind once more. I'm going crazy. There was no other way to describe the warm and secure feeling that wrapped around her when the voice spoke through her mind. It was the same feelings she got when James and Vic were with her. A deep seeded love and protection. It was the same with Paul . . . Stop! She didn't need to think about him. "We are still planning to go to Paris and Korea and Ireland, and all those other places . . .right?"

"Of course . . ." James trailed off slowly. "As long as that is what you want." He smiled reassuringly. "You will finish school before your birthday." He glanced down at the brunette in his arms. A soft loving smile covered his lips. "I do like the curls baby."

Loveless nodded. Paul likes them too. She held back a flinch. "I do want to travel after I turn eighteen." She bit her lip at the sharp pain. No, I'm not lying to myself.

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"Oh deary, is everyone okay?" Her soft and soothing voice washed over the couple as they stepped into the Nurse's Room. "How can I help?"

James smiled. "She hasn't been feeling good since she got to school. It's our free period. I wanted to make sure she got her fine."

The elderly nurse smiled. "Very sweet of you. Come on darling." She ushered Loveless forward and towards one of the sick rooms. "Would you like to lay down for a little while and then see how you feel?" She rubbed a soothing hand up and down the younger's back. "Or would you like me to call one of your parents."

"My parents." Loveless whispered.

The woman smiled sweetly. "Okay, I'll go call and see who can come and pick you up."

A cold line shot up Loveless' spine. And that was when she knew something was considerably wrong. She had told the woman okay. Was going to let her call her brother - assuming it was her father and she said nothing. Loveless blinked a few times. She had to be sick.

"Okay darling, your father should be here in a few."

Loveless' brows furrowed. Her father? Did she mean her brother? Sam. Was Sam coming to get her? She groaned at the lukewarm feeling that settled over her. Why did she feel so run down.

"Just take a sit down on that little cot over there, okay?" She soothed gently while helping Loveless. "You just close your eyes and drown everything out."

Loveless nodded slowly. Fast movement made her dizzy. What the hell was going? Her head throbbed low and deep like a steady base drum. Her skin felt on fire and submerged under water all at the same time. Millions of tiny little pinpricks walked across her skin - not painful just enough to be uncomfortable. She swallowed hard and focused on the ocean at La Push - letting it pull her away.

"Nicole?"

Her brows furrowed. A slight whimper lodged in the back of her throat as she shifted on the cot like bed.

"Sweetheart?"

She flinched as a searing heat came into contact with her skin. Loveless forced her eyes open - blurry vision. She blinked repeatedly.

"Don't strain yourself darling." The elder woman cooed. "She had to have a young man help her to the Nurse's Room." She smiled softly. "You might have to carry her - which shouldn't be much trouble. You do seem a bit young to be her father, Mr. Uley."

Sam coughed slightly and jerked his hand away from Loveless' forehead. He needed to get her to Paul. It seemed to be part imprint connection and something else. Something to do with what she was on her mother's side. "I'm her brother." Sam grimaced out a smile.

"Oh Deary! I am so sorry!" A soft blush stole the elder woman's cheeks. "Forgive me. I said I would call her father and she said okay." She smiled. "Sorry about that sweetheart."

Sam smiled softly. "It's no problem." He bobbed his head slightly and leaned down to pick her up. Sam cradled her in his arms. His wolf purred softly - a deep vibration settling in his chest as he held Loveless. His wolf was trying to sooth the imprint of his Alpha. It was trying to soothe his little sister. Sam heaved a small sigh and looked up at the elder woman. "Do I need to sign anything", He really should have thought of that before lifting her.

"Oh no no." The elder woman smiled sweetly. "You just take your little sister home and make sure she gets plenty of rest and stays hydrated."

Sam nodded in understanding. "thank you, she won't be at school tomorrow."

"That is fine, just get her better." The elderly lady smiled sweetly ass he held the door open for the two. "Have a good rest of the day."

Okay?