Note | Alpha Order | Inne Wolf | 'Talking in Mind Link'
Chapter Thirty | Start Falling
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Loveless groaned and bit her lower lip to keep from whimpering as she jerked every few seconds. She'd had to switched directions to keep from hitting her head against the glass card window. She wrapped her arms around herself. Loveless couldn't get warm for anything. It wasn't fair at this point.
Sam glared at the road ahead of him to keep from growling. His wolf had - very easily, almost too easily - become very protective over his little sister. And Sam didn't believe for one minute the affection and protection that he wanted to give her had anything to do with Loveless being the Alpha's Mate. He was to blame in the long run. He was the reason she was scarred - mentally, emotionally, and physically. Sam swallowed hard as his vision blurred for a moment.
Loveless whimpered once more and curled up away from the window. Cold. It was very cold.
"I know. I'm sorry . . ." Sam wanted to say her name. Give her a real reason not to hate that unfortunate name her mother had given her. Wanted to let her know, that just because her name meant one thing did not for one second mean she had to fellow that order. She could be anyone. And by God's Grace, she was loved. By Him.
Paul loved her too, would make sure she knew how much . . . given time.
"How much longer?" Loveless whispered about the hum of the engine.
Sam winced. "Not much Honey." He chewed on his lower lip. He let his hand hesitate in the air for a few before finally placing the hand over her shoulders. He dragged her against his side. Sam's shoulders tightened as he waited for the other to push him away. Nothing happened.
"Thanks." She shoved out as she did her best not to cuddle against his warmth. He was hot . . . Not Paul hot, but it was better than feeling as numb as she currently did.
Sam rubbed his free hand up and down her arm. "Emmy, she, made you some soup. Potato soup." He licked his lips nervously. He didn't know how to act around her. "It's not special or anything. She some water, potatoes, salt and pepper . . . maybe a little butter." Sam rubbed her arm once more. "But it should help settle your stomach."
"Okay." She felt small. Insignificant almost. A speck in the ginormous world. Nothing real special. She didn't like that feeling. She curled herself tighter towards Sam and breathed in slowly. He smelled like Paul. Fresh water, warm soil and the forest. She groaned quietly, Loveless twitched at the dark tempting heat that curled around her.
"Come on Honey," He cooed softly. "Let's get you inside." Sam whispered. A tingle shot up his spine at the cold touch from Loveless. She was too cold. How could she possibly have the native genes in her. Sam heaved a small sigh and hugged her tighter. He needed to get a hold of Paul.
Paul. Loveless heaved a soft breath and curled against the male picking her up. She wanted Paul. She pushed her cold nose against his thick neck. Where was Paul. Loveless held back a whimper and pushed herself closer. Why couldn't she get warm? Where was Paul?
"Emmy," Sam murmured softly as he walked through the door.
She came to a jolting stop before him. Her eyes wide and fretful. "Sam! I have that appointment." Her hands cradled her stomach. Emily chewed on her lower lip.
"Crap." Sam's shoulders sagged. They'd been trying for so long. He looked down at the girl in his arms. "I-"
"I'll take her." Paul announced as he came through the not completely closed door. He held out his arms. "You have an appointment with the doc and your husband has one with a realtor in Port." His dark eyes connected with Sam's. "We could all use the money." He held his arms out once more. "Hand over the imprint and get the hell out of here." Paul smirked. "Both of you."
Emily smiled. She clutched his bicep as she leaned up - Paul leaning down - to place a chaste kiss on his cheek. "You're a good alpha." She winked. "I have soup for her already made. . ." She twisted around to glance at Paul once more. "Are you staying here?"
"I . . ." He grimaced. "I have a couple things that I need to finish in the office. "She'll come with me."
Emily smiled. "Okay, maybe it will get you moving on fixing the rest of the house." She winked once more. Emily laughed softly while grabbing her purse. "Let's go Sam. You can drop me off."
"I'll have one of the other's come by and get the food - and anything else she might need. Between now and then." Paul spoke softly and he stared down at the beautiful woman in his arms. He pulled her closer and nuzzled against her cheek. His heart stuttered in his chest, thudding to a stop. She wasn't supposed to get sick.
Paul was holding her. Loveless heaved a small sigh and nestled closer. She searched for her energy. Loveless didn't need a lot. Just enough for her to wind her arms around his shoulders. She needed to be closer. As close as he would let her. A sigh fell from her supple lips as her nose flattened against his neck. Perfect.
"Hey baby." He mumbled against her ear as he felt her shifting closer. A smile broke out across his lips. He was hopeless. Paul moved slowly as he left the Uley Residence and moved towards his own house at the end of cul-de-sac. He'd call for Embry or Quil later. At this very moment, Loveless was all that mattered. "You okay?"
She puffed out a soft breath. "Feeling a little better." Her nose scrunched cutely. "I didn't feel good at school." Loveless let her muscles relax. He'd keep her safe. She was going to ignore the better than Vic or James could that seemed to silently be tact at the end. Ignoring, she said. "Where did Mom go?" Her voice soft and almost undecipherable.
"Mom?" Paul questioned, confusion laced in voice. His brows furrowed. Was she sick? Delusional? He couldn't tell. His temperature ran to high. He wouldn't be able to tell. Maybe he needed to call Seth instead and get Sue to come with him.
Loveless let her cheek rub against his shoulder as she nodded. "Said she made potato soup." Voice slurring as she closed her eyes. She needed to sleep a little bit more. So warm.
"Sou . . ." Paul stopped mid stride up the pathway to his house. She made soup? She's talking about Emily. A soft smile covered his lips. She did like both Sam and Emily - just too scared to show it. "Yeah, Mom made you some potato soup." His chest rumbled softly against her side. "I'll get one of the guys to get some for you."
"Okay . . .Later." She sniffled. "Want to sleep." She curled herself tightly around him and breathed in. He smelled good. Pine needles, rain, and sun. How as it possible to smell like the sun? And spice. There was a spice that seemed hidden under the earthy smell - that had to be Paul's, his personal scent.
. . .
Paul stared down at the tiny woman curled up on his couch. He needed to get a bed. And pillows. Sheets. Blankets. And whatever else that was needed to make a bed comfortable to sleep in. Not that he thought she'd ever stay in his house again. But God . . . a man could dream. Dream of waking to her sleeping face on the bed beside him. Curled against him, protectively hidden under his arm.
He swallowed hard and turned from the scene that the images were taunting him with. A life he might never have. She seemed hell bent on leaving La Push. Paul's hands curled into fists. He couldn't. Yes, Paul would let Loveless leave. Never tell her of their connection. Never cement their connection so that she could walk away and live her life. Even if it killed him. He breathed out a shaky breath. He was willing to weaken, pass the alpha to Jacob, or Jared, or Sam. Let it go and fade into an omega to make her happy.
Paul breathed in deeply, taking in how her scent. She calmed his wolf. Calmed him. It had been a very long time since he had last felt the anger that coiled within him from childhood. Paul had never been able to let it go, and it seemed to grow more with each passing day. And he knew being an alpha wolf didn't help. Didn't hinder either . . . though.
He moved quickly up the stairs and towards the back corner and into the office and grabbed the papers, binders, pens, and calculator he needed. Paul stepped quietly - keeping his usually booming thuds to a dull thud - as he walked back into the living room. He grunted quietly as he lowered himself onto the ground in front of the couch - if he twisted tot he right, Paul could stare at Loveless. Not that he would. He needed to crunch numbers and make sure that everyone got paid on time.
He wasn't broke. Not by any means. The man his mother had married - in between the marriage to his father and the re-marriage to the bastard for a second time - had been abundantly rich. Paul and laughed so hard that day. His mother had been under the impression she was going to get all of his money when the man finally croaked. It had surprised Paul - immensely - that everything had been left to him. Apparently the man knew what kind of mother and wife she really was. She'd turned more than just abusive after than.
Paul shook his head. He didn't need those memories - nightmares. He heaved a small sigh before breathing in deeply. He let his imprints scent wash over him and take the tension from his shoulders. Paul spread the papers out in front of him and began to work quietly.
. . .
Loveless groaned as she twisted around. She blinked softly before letting her eyes fall shut once more. Did she have to wake up? She felt safe and warm. And it smelled really good. Her brows furrowed as she twisted to her right, letting her shoulder and hip keep her from tipping backwards or forwards. Loveless opened her eyes once more and blinked. Paul?
Her brows furrowed more as she tried to focus. Why was she with Paul again? Loveless' eyes widened. Had she really called Emily Mom? She breathed out, finding it hard to breath back in. Her vision blurred once more before she focused on Paul. He didn't know she was awake. A slow smile curved on her lips as she watched him.
All she could catch as a profile. But he looked damn adorable. He was hunched over the papers - on the low rise coffee table in front of him. His right hand held a pen and his other seemed to be tapping lightly on a - calculator?- she couldn't tell over his shoulder. His lower lip was pushed out slightly as he moved closer to the papers. Damn adorable.
Loveless cleared her throat as she shifted once more. A shiver tingled down her spine as their eyes connected. His eyes were such a beautiful brown. "Hi." She whispered into the silent room.
"Are you feeling better?" Paul rushed out as he twisted to face her. "Hungry?" His brows furrowed. "Do you need a glass of water?" Paul studied the woman. "Are you nauseous? Do you need a doctor?" He didn't know what to ask, so he asked it all. He'd never had to deal with this. His little sister never got sick - at least from what he knew. And if Paul was being honest, she still lived with their grandparents - so he didn't really know.
He was totally babbling. Loveless tamped down the part of her that wanted to squeal like a fan girl. "I'm okay." She pushed herself of and tried above all else to ignore the hands that hovered around her shoulders. Loveless didn't know what was worse - ignoring the hands or doing her best not to fall into them. The later was more tempting. "Bathroom?"
"Yeah . . ." Paul grimaced and stood. "Please remember I don't have women in the house."
A part of her, that had been restless since she met Paul settled. He doesn't have women over . . . She liked that idea. Really liked that idea. Loveless giggled softly as she let the giddy feeling take over. "Okay." The smile stayed in place as Paul took her hand and walked her towards the bathroom - guiding her.
"Okay, I'll be in the living room if you need me." Paul smiled and walked away. He hurried into the kitchen and moved towards the stove. He'd kept of the eye on low - as Emily had instructed. Cutting it off he set it to the side to let them both cool. Paul pulled a bowl from the only cabinet that housed dishes - two plates, three bowl, and maybe five cups . . . He hadn't really counted lately. He set the bowl on the counter and grabbed one of only two spoons that he had. Paul wanted to be ready encase she was hungry.
Loveless breathed out a soft sigh as she walked back into the living room. She was feeling better. A soft smile covered her lips as she saw Paul, once again hunched over the low rise coffee table. "Wouldn't it be easier to work at the kitchen table?" Her brows furrowed. He seemed too big of a man to be sitting at what she - and everyone else - would consider a kiddy table.
"Don't have one." Paul muttered as he finished writing out the numbers for this month's end quota.
She blinked. "Oh . . . Sorry."
"Don't be." Paul forced a smile. He already knew his house was inadequate in every way, there was no need to make her feel uncomfortable. "It's just me." He supplied as a reason. "I never saw a real reason to furnish it." Until now.
Loveless nodded. That was understandable. "Is it a big house?" Yes. Loveless Nicole Uley was making small tal- Uley? She blinked a few timed - stupidly. Had she really just referred to herself as a Uley?
"I guess." Paul frowned. "I'm not sure." Paul knew the house was shit. "It's kinda shit." His eyes widened. "Sorry!" Paul held back a whimper. What if she didn't like cursing. What if she was offended. What if she never wanted to see him again. What if-
She giggled softly and waved him off. "It's fine." Her dark blue eyes sparkled. "I've said worse."
"Yeah?" Paul laughed. He could feel another round of 2o questions coming. He shrugged. "But really." He grimaced once more. "It is. I haven't taken care of it like I should."
It was true. It was a two story run-down house. It wasn't even an old house. They had built all of the houses together. The only difference being . . . the other wolves had taken care of theirs.
Yeah, he could have done the repairs. Paul did work in full time construction. Fixed it up and made it look the best. But he didn't feel the need. Who was he trying to impress? No one. So, therefore, there was absolutely no need to fix up the house. The others had offered to help, Paul refused.
The porch was a fall-through waiting to happen. So, essentially, it was a good thing that Loveless was out when he brought her here. Picking her up mid stride and walking up the stairs would have been entertaining and hard to explain. Though, the look of the house might have kept her out altogether. The railing for the front and back porch was a complete joke.
The flooring in the living room and kitchen were starting to warp - to was real wood, that he hadn't taken care of - not beyond repair but damn near close. The stairs leading to the upstairs were going to start sagging in all places if he didn't reinforce them soon. They had to be taken three at a time - which was no problem for Paul, however, if anyone else wanted to climb them . . . They were fucked. All of the wooden floors needed to be treated, sanded, and waxed.
The guestroom on the ground floor was empty and spider worthy, if they hadn't created a colony already. It was basic, a nice size. All wooden floor with a soft pale white and a - what could be - nice bay window. The second and third guestrooms on the second floor were atrocious at best. He hadn't stepped foot in those since they finished making the house. And the master bedroom - second floor - was a paradise from hell.
The bathroom of the ground floor was simple. A walk-in tiled - Paul wasn't the type of guy to have a shower/bath combo -shower with a blurry frosted glass slide door. A simple white toilet and a white single held up by dark wooden cabinets. There was a built in closet that was bare - maybe a towel or two. The guest bathrooms on the second floor were the same. The master bathroom wasn't completed. He hadn't known what he wanted in there when they started, so it was left unfinished. There was a full bathroom - located in the guest bedroom, and a half bath that connected with the laundry room.
Paul usually didn't go further than the frumpy - but beyond cozy - leather couch in the living room. A living room equipped with a 60" Samsung - LCD - Smart - HDTV - flat screen TV - which was mounted on the wall and encase in shelves. The shelves were a deep honeyed brown - he'd built the set to match the one he'd seen in the IKEA magazine at Sam's.
Emily had been looking though furniture for her and Sam's house .
It was from the BILLY collection. A bookcase combination included with TV bench. But since it had been made personally, the bottom bench had been built up a little. It was used to house the Blue-Ray player, Xbox 360 with live connect, Wii, and surround sound box - all cords done through the wall and up to hook into the TV giving it a clean look. The shelves on either sides of the TV housed all DVD's, CD's, and games.
It was his area. His man cave as Emily called it.
But other than that - the house was shit.
He slept on the couch. The kitchen was connected to the living room in an open concept, and there was a bathroom down stairs - therefore going on the second floor was . . . Unneeded. Unless he needed to go into the office. He still couldn't understand what had made him think an office on the second floor was a good idea . . . Paul still didn't understand.
So in conclusion, the house was shit. All except the living.
He shrugged as he thought about the floor plan he had used to construct the house - with the help of the other wolves of course. "There are three guest rooms and a master room. Five full baths and a half bath." Paul's brows furrowed as he shrugged. "The living room and kitchen - I wanted an open concept."
"Wow."
He swallowed and licked his dry lips. "There is a laundry room - connected with the half bath and the door for out-back." His nose twitched lightly. Paul grimaced out another smile. "The stairs by the front door lead upstairs. The master bedroom and two guestrooms are there. Plus the library and the office - two in one."
"This place is huge." She whispered while following him towards the kitchen.
Paul nodded. There was a part of him at one time . . . "I had wanted my little sister to live here with me." His voice was petal soft as he stared at the white ceramic bowl in his hands. Paul reached for the spoon and began to fill the bowl.
"Why . . ." She trailed off. Was it okay to ask that question?
Paul breathed out slowly and let the tension drain from him. "I realised though . . . She was better with our grandparents." His nose twitched as he fought back a whine. "They were able to give her everything she would need to grow up with love and affection." Paul let out a slow breath. "I was still very angry."
"It's okay." Loveless moved closer and placed her hands on his back. A shock trembled through her system at the sudden zing of warmth. "You did what was right for her." Her voice was gentle and soothing. "You paid more attention to what she needed than your own selfish needs." A sad smile covered her lips. If only her parents had done that. "A child could not ask for a better brother."
Paul turned slowly, bowl in one hand - spoon in the other. "Really?" He swallowed hard and fought the lump that stuck in his throat. He'd never been told that before. Guaranteed, he still called her every other night and they texted constantly. "I guess." He brushed it off. "I still talk to her - all the time."
"That's good." Loveless smiled and wiggled her fingers. She was a little hungry, Loveless could eat. "It would have been bad if you didn't."
Paul chuckled. "I don't believe I would have been able too." His dark chocolate eyes sparkled. "I have a deep seeded feeling that Erica would have tracked me down." He laughed this time.
"Erica?" She hedged while moving to sit at the low rise coffee table in the living room. "Is that your sister's name?" She blinked slowly and held back a moan as the heated soup slid down her throat. Damn, this is good. There was a big chance she could live off of this soup and apple pie.
He nodded and ran a hand through his short hair. "Yeah." He smiled widely and moved towards the entertainment center. He wasn't sentimental. He never had a reason to be. But that didn't mean he didn't have pictures. Though, there was only two. Picked up one and brought it closer as Paul lowered himself down onto the floor beside her. "Shew as the spitting image of mom."
"Beautiful." She whispered as she took the picture frame. "I never would have picture a blonde though." A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "You would have been an ugly blonde." A giggle slipped past her lips.
Paul snorted. Now that he agreed with. He glanced at the picture once more. Her face was soft and somewhat heart shaped. Dark and long curly blond hair gathered around her - much like a halo. Her eyes were large and doe shaped - dark chocolate. And bow shaped somewhat supple lips. She was tall - not as tall as him.
"I bet she's a knock out." Loveless hedged. She wanted to know more. "Heart breaker? Just like her brother?"
Paul chuckled softly while shaking her head. "I . . ." There was no way to lie - not to his imprint. "I used to be."
"Not any more." There was something very self satisfying about that. Loveless looked down at her nearly empty bowl. "That's good," she muttered softly - hoping against hope he wouldn't hear her.
Paul coughed as he stood to hide the smirk that split his lips. "Yep, cleaned up my act around the time Sam and I really got into construction." He ran a hand through his hair. "Not that my house . . ."
"Can I see the house?" Her eyes were wide as she stared up at him. He was so tall, worse from this angle. "I know you told me it's not finished but . . ." Loveless bit her lower lip. Why did she feel the need to know everything about him?
Okay? What did you think. I have atleast 4,000 words here as an apology for taking so long.