*DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the Twilight Saga and it's characters. This is purely artistic fiction drawn in inspiration from Stephenie Meyer's words.
*WARNING: Mentions of alcohol abuse/alcoholism/brief mature content (non-sexual) and mature language! Readers proceed at your own caution!
*Otherwise, enjoy! This was a fun one to make. : )
Jake placed his hand on Embry's left shoulder, freeing him from the vicious cycle of his thoughts.
"Hey man," he uttered, squeezing his trapezius muscle, "you gonna be alright?"
"Not really, Jake." A frustrated sigh tumbled from Embry's parted lips. "I feel like it's my fault. If I hadn't spent less and less time at home, she mi—"
—"Bry. Stop. Don't blame yourself." Quil laced his fingers with Embry's and squeezed, leaning his head on his other shoulder. "We know mom, and this isn't her. The drinking isn't because of you."
"Quil's right. Tiff has her own reasons, I'm sure, but she wouldn't have chose this path if she wasn't suffering," Jake added. "Sue's an amazing nurse and Joy will keep her company while she detoxes. She's gonna get better."
Embry still didn't seem convinced; lost behind his eyes, captive to his anxiety, shackled in its merciless hold.
"Y-yeah, I s'pose." His eyebrows knitted together while he sucked his bottom lip under his top front teeth, thoughtfully nibbling it. Scattered memories of his childhood dwelled underneath the surface of his emotion riddled mask.
His mom, tucking him into bed, petting his raven hair, kissing his forehead, and singing goodnight by Makah lullaby. His mom, attending every little league soccer game he had, insanely proud of her shy little boy. His mom, pinning every straight A report card to the fridge, bragging to everyone within ear shot.
He remembered seeing her standing over a sink full of salmon, de-boning and stripping the meat off them, the pungent smell of fish and cut lemon permeating the air, singing with him to classic rock songs on the radio next to the window ledge. The way she'd chase him barefoot down the hall and tickle him before tucking him in for bedtime.
Tiffany Call, not defined by the addiction that plagued her, but instead, defined by her love for her son. Even now, as alcoholism ravaged her mind and body, eroded it, destroyed it—she cared more about Embry than herself.
She was almost never home between driving over an hour both ways, picking up overtime shifts, and taking on temporary odd jobs. As a mom, she did everything she could to put food on the table. Over the years, she only maintained her full time job as a waitress. Tiff started working at a restaurant called Bob's just outside of Port Angeles when she was eighteen.
Eighteen. Everything changed in the summer of 1990; Tiffany had a routine of hopping multiple bars that night, partying it up after a Deaf Cat concert. She went home with a handsome stranger, crashing on their couch like usual. Back then, her drinking was solely under the guise of having fun. It was fun. She was young, naive, and wild with her heels, leather pants, and cropped band tees.
Eighteen—when she got knocked up—easy prey to a smooth-talkin' man in his late thirties with beautiful eyes. The long lashes that encircled his burnt cedar and honey flecked irises held her in a trance. He introduced himself as Joshua. It wasn't until he skipped town weeks later, unknowingly carrying his unborn baby, that she heard the truth. Someone in passing mentioned his reputation; Joshua Uley was a man-whore. He had kids everywhere across the Olympic peninsula.
Tiffany Call, unphased by the news of being a single mother or what her child's father was, was floored to learn Embry had a half brother in La Push. She tried to reach out to Sam Uley's mother, Allison, but that woman didn't want to deal with her child let alone knowing there were another. She up and bolted, abandoning Sam to fend for himself when he was fifteen. Years later, after Embry phased, Quil Ateara III explained to Tiffany that Joshua Uley had died, suspecting he was Embry's sire.
Her world came crashing down. Embry would never know his father. She'd tried sending letters over the years, but they always got forwarded back in the mail. Tiffany once hoped he would contact her, in the hopes to know his son. No amount of preparation would help him come to terms with an absent, dead-beat father, and he was dead, too? No closure? That notion burned in the white hot fire of the car-wreck Joshua Uley died in.
In Tiffany's eyes, she failed her son. To him, father was just another word, it held no meaning and never would. The dad who never showed up on birthdays, holidays, or every day in between. The nonexistent dad, the sperm donor. Tiffany was his mother and his father. She was everything.
He never wanted to talk about his father, though, and she'd never pry. So she drank to fill the hole in her chest, to avoid telling Embry his dad died, and ignore the strange pang in her heart about the stranger she met all those years ago. It snowballed from there.
Tiffany Call was—is a good mother.
"You're doing the right thing. You're saving her life." Jake assured him, "do you want to patrol with me tonight? It'll help keep your mind off things."
Embry gazed up at him, the worry lines across his forehead smoothing, "and put up with Paul's smelly ass? No, thanks."
The three barked a laugh, severing the somber moment.
"I try to ignore it." Jake chuckled, "breathing through my mouth around him helps."
"Be for real, Jake. Paul is addicted to ThrowingAxe body spray. He smells like a preteen boy who's afraid of soap and water." Quil grimaced. "I don't think he knows what conditioner or body wash is, either. Probably uses 14-in-1 shampoo... and the scent is obnoxious, like 'gunpowder', 'lumberjack', anything that screams man."
"Probably." Jake agreed, suddenly feeling self conscious about his own bathroom products. "You two get out of here, I'll give you some alone time."
"Ooh, alone time, he says." Quil waggled his eyebrows. "So can I order Mean Teenage Girls on your hoolahoop account? And bake a lemon meringue pie, and rearrange your DVD coll—"
Embry stifled a laugh; Jake tried to reign in his mild irritation, the disapproving frown on his face melted into a crooked smile.
"One movie," Jake caved, scrubbing a hand down his face, "then bed. Err... couch. I'll start work on the spare bedroom Sunday. There are extra blankets in the closet near the mud room."
"Did you hear that, babe? He said 'one' movie. Does it count as more than one if you don't take any breaks in between?" Quil giggled. He and Embry started toward the spot his bags were hidden under foliage.
"I heard that, Ateara. One." Jake bellowed. "Don't stay up too late. We're helping Bella tomorrow."
"With what?" Quil replied, stopping in his tracks.
"I'll tell you in the morning." Jake groaned.
"G'night, Jake." Embry and Quil quietly called in unison.
"Night, guys."
Jake stared up at the waning gibbous that was sailing further north within the nighttime sky. He counted the few stars, their pale, shimmering light becoming stronger each moment. The tiny dots spread apart, littering the ebony-colored sheet of velvet above him, a relaxed exhale leaving his full lips.
You didn't say we were patrolling outside of Swan's house.
The lighter of the two wolves snorted in defiance, shaking out its two-toned mane, sandy blonde underbelly and dark silver muted by shadow.
Paul, I'm only gonna say this once. Shut your big mouth. Jake growled in warning. I'm not kidding around. I'll bite you. Hard.
The russet wolf continued its leisurely pace along the half-shell of trees surrounding Charlie Swan's house, watchful rust-colored eyes never wavering from their indirect view of Bella's window.
Calm yer ass, Alpha, Paul grumbled. It's not like I said anything mean.
The silver wolf laid down in the tall grass, bright ochre eyes flitting to the ground in total apathy.
You know not to try that shit with me, Lahote. What's got your tail in a knot? Thought we nipped this in the bud earlier, Jake replied flippantly. Bella never hurt you... If anything, the only problem here is her being too nice to you. What's your beef?
The russet wolf sat down beside the lighter one, narrowing its cunning eyes.
Never said I had beef with her.
Okay, well spill it, before I beat your ass.I already told you, man. I'm skeptical about the whole thing.Aren't you worried Mr. Undead-Richy-Rich isn't gonna take no for an answer? Like... what if he takes a page outta fire-crotch's book? What if he decides to show up with a newborn army once day, waves his disco-ball infused hand like the Dracula wannabe he is, and Bella leaves with him under his shitty vamp hoo-doo spell?
The larger wolf's hackles raised, protective instinct transforming into unforgiving fury. It clamped its muzzle shut once with a commanding snap, each muscle in its body tensing in defiance, low, vicious snarl emanating from its body. The loud sound reverberated off the heavy tree trunks around them, effectively dampened by the dense thicket.
I'd like to see the bastard try. I'll tear his micropenis off, shove it down his throat, and then shred him into dust if he even thinks of setting foot on our land, Jake seethed. He's never coming near Bella ever again. Not while I live and breathe—not while I can still end his miserable un-life.
The thought of that monster within a hundred yards of Bella made Jake's skin crawl. Paul shuddered, a menacing rumble coming from the silver wolf's massive chest.
Sorry, bro. Didn't mean to set you off, Paul murmured. Everything's different now that you... imprinted on her.
The two-toned wolf lifted its head and gazed up toward the second-story window on the west side of the Swan residence.
A lot of things are different. I used to worry he'd bite her, change her, k-kill her... I'd have nightmares about seeing her like a porcelain doll. All perfect, no freckles, no blemishes, no blush... It was sick, Jake Paused. Now that she's back home, and safe, I'm more worried about other things, he whispered. I'm not scared she'll walk away from me. She wouldn't have left in the first place if that was the case. Bella chose to come back, to get away from him... I trust her.
The smaller wolf set its muzzle at the russet wolf's feet in solidarity.
I guess so. You haven't fucked up anything so far. Better than Sam's paranoid, controlling ass.
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Lahote. Jake relaxed, the russet wolf's bushy tail swished idly back and forth, similar to wagging. Sam's not so bad. You guys just don't like how disciplined he is.Anyway,I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow. Bella wants to have a bonfire at my place, to talk to the whole pack—clear the air.
The silver wolf tilted its head, hot breath rolling off the deep lavender tongue that lolled out of its mouth.
What? She wants to make peace with us? Since when?
Yeah, she does, Jake huffed. Since now, numb-nuts.She's thinks everyone hates her. Bella says, 'everyone sees me as 'the vamp girl'.
Well... if the shoe fits, Paul joked.
Jake did not laugh.
Paul, he growled under his breath, copper wolf flashing its teeth in caution.
Okay, okay! Fuck, man. I was messin'. She spent four years up their ass, what'd she expect?
Yeah, well, you'll feel the same way about your imprint whenever that happens.Soon, I hope. Tired of watching everybody else get their rocks off and I'm stuck here with blue balls.
Bro, it's not just about sex, Jake retorted. The larger wolf shook its mane, a chuffing sound bubbled up deep from its throat.
Easy for you to say, Jake. You've been in love with Swan since you were wearing diapers. Every girl I've gone on a date with sucked ass with a capital S. Boring, conceited, rude... no brain cells to be seen.
It's not my fault you have bad taste in women.Fucker—I do not have bad taste in women. They're hot as shit, but once they open their mouth, it's game over. Anyway, shut the hell up. You're getting laid and I'm not.
No... I'm giving her time, Jake whispered. The russet wolf bowed its head with a whine, tail tucking between its legs. That leech really messed her up.
Wait. Don't tell me—Paul growled—he didn't hurt her that way, did he? 'Cuz I'll kill him myself for that bullshit. That's fucked up.
The silver wolf vibrated with wrath, lax body shifting into an offensive crouch.
I don't know. I'll never ask. It's not my business and I wouldn't risk hurting her by bringing it all back up. A shrill howl escaped the copper-colored wolf and the silver one joined in, their voices creating a multi-tone harmony.
Bella startled, gaze darting up from her copy of The Pitcher and the Rye Bread. The dual, melodous howls let her know she was well protected; wherever Jake was, it sounded close. She dropped her frayed book onto her nightstand and crept to the windowsill, tiptoeing to not wake Charlie. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the stark contrast between the soft glow of her lamp and pitch blackness outside.
Although she couldn't see Jake, she was filled with a quiet contentment knowing he was near by. It eased her weary mind. Bella gazed into the distance, up over the vast emerald canvas of pines, sparse leafless oaks, and fiery sugar maples, eyes lingering on the dispersing rays of alabaster moonlight.
Even though Renee wasn't mother of the year, especially not the last decade for that matter, Bella couldn't fathom having to send her to rehab. Albeit childish and severely lacking in the parenting department, Renee did her part sometimes. Sometimes. Bella empathized with Embry, her heart ached for him. At least she had her dad to lean on when it came to her flakey, disappointment of a mom. Embry didn't have that, just a hollow spot for his no-name, absent father. Bella hoped his mom could come back from the edge. Tiff was good to her when she'd visited Forks growing up.
"Goodnight, Jake." Bella whispered.
She touched her warm fingertips to the window, leaving a brief halo of foggy condensation on the cold pane. Bella closed the curtains, flicked off her light, and shimmied back under the confides of her pale violet comforter. Jake fought against the inescapable pull inside his beating heart to walk directly onto Charlie's lawn and show himself to her. He wouldn't risk revealing himself, unless it was necessary.
The rest of the night flew by, moon being replaced by the guiding, coral-tinged sun. Some time after 6AM, Jake and Paul traded off with Jared, separating for the time being. Sleep wasn't far behind for him. However, it wasn't long or restful. He wanted to rise early to help Bella plan for the bonfire.
"Hey," Jake's husky voice murmured through the phone, "how'd you sleep, Bells?"
"I slept okay. How's Embry?" Bella cut to the chase. "Is he okay?"
A light shuffling sound came from the background on Jake's end, followed by a quiet yawn. "He's as good as he can be right now. Staying here will keep him preoccupied, everything is taken care of."
"I'll have to gift him something, to cheer him up. What's his favorite cake? I could make him cookies."
"I... uhh, honestly don't know. I'd have to ask Quil. Embry's still sleeping."
"He deserves to." Silence enveloped Bella, and she fixated on what dishes she wanted to cook for the bonfire. Would everyone even want to eat her food?
"You ok, honey? You're awful quiet."
"Just thinkin'. I wrote a list of food I wanted to cook. We'll need to go to the store for more ingredients. Only if... if you're okay with it."
"Of course. You don't need permission. I can always send Quil and Embry. They like doing domestic stuff together." Jake said, "gives us more time to cook."
"Us, huh?" Bella grinned.
"Yeah," Jake protested, "I catch on fast, Bells. I boiled those noodles just fine for the lasagna. I'll be your sous chef."
"I think I like that idea. So, should I head over there soon?"
"In the Chevy?" His voice cracked. "No, that's okay. I'll come pick you up."
"Jacob. I like my truck," she pouted, "it's not even in bad condition."
"It may not be, but it still needs a tune up, an oil change, and probably some new tires." Jake replied. "I promise I'm not taking it away. I know how much you love it. I'll make sure it's ok to drive long term."
"Sweet. Thanks, Jake."
Bella held her breath, waves of anxiety swallowed her. Her cloudy thoughts slowly churned inside her brain; the time Edward severed the wires in her truck so it wouldn't start came to mind. Another time, he'd completely disassembled the engine to prevent her from driving. She stilled, a silent puff of air squeezing through her lips.
He sensed her discomfort, "I'll bring my tool kit and look at the truck before we come back here to start prep."
Bella didn't answer immediately, her response delayed. "O-okay, sounds good."
"Give me 10 minutes, Bells." Jake's sunshine soaked smile wormed itself through the receiver and she couldn't help but to smile, too. "See ya soon."
"Bye, Jake."
Click. Dial tone. He must have been in a rush.
Bella leaned against the clean counter top in the kitchen, red and black flannel sleeves rolled up, one that she stole from Jake's dryer. She took inventory of the food spread out on the island and dining table. Under Quil's careful guidance, Jake grilled barbecue ribs, chicken thighs and wings, smoked corn on the cob, brats, and hamburgers for the pack. They included roasted veggies in tinfoil for the girls, Bella preferred vegetarian options.
She spent a few hours assembling potato salad, deviled eggs, four-cheese mac n' cheese, house salad, and cornbread. For dessert, Bella baked cherry pie and a plate of snickerdoodle cookies for Embry. Quil also helped her with the baking, adding an apple and brown-butter pecan pie with dark chocolate garnish. The pies Quil made the ones on Bake it Off! look like child's play. Once everything had been covered up, she checked the time on her phone clock. The rest of the pack was expected to trickle in any minute.
Jake came up behind her, coiling his arms around her center. "Don't worry. Everything looks and tastes awesome. It's gonna be a good time, honey."
The back door swung open and Paul sauntered inside, black, sleeveless hoodie hanging off his corded physique, complete with grey Bermuda shorts and dirty skate shoes. Under one arm, two packs of lite beer were tucked into the space between his biceps and ribs, in the other massive hand he held two cardboard carriers of glass bottle beer.
"Yo. Parties here, kiddies. Dry your tears of boredom." Paul set his beer down by the door.
"You could try having manners and not breaking the door off the hinges, Lahote," Quil quipped, glaring daggers at him.
"What? Like it's your house, Ateara. I didn't have any open hands." Paul spat, his face crumpled in anger.
"Easy, easy, you two. The door's fine. Settle." Jake asserted.
"Thanks, daddy. Do you have a cooler for these brewskis?" Paul flipped switches, leaning onto the counter and trying to steal a deviled egg.
Bella scooted the plate a few inches away from his probing hand. "Wait until the rest of the pack is here, please."
"Everyone knows the one unspoken rule: if you're late and don't eat, then it's your own fault." Paul sneered, but straightened from Jake's growl in response. "I'll wait. Watching my macros."
"Riiight." Embry snickered, rolling his eyes. "You're afraid of Bella."
"More like I'm afraid of Brutus behind her." Paul shrugged, already opening a can of beer. "Even I know not to anger the big, bad alpha wolf."
"Bells, I'm gonna get the fire started out back. Keep an eye on the troublemakers while I'm gone." Jake said, ignoring Paul. He pressed a kiss to Bella's forehead, and her cheeks lit up like a roma tomato.
"O-okay." She mumbled, shrinking inward on herself. Quil elbowed her with a goofy smirk.
Jake slipped out the back door, flipping the bird to Paul, "you better behave and apologize, jackass. That's an order."
Paul mocked him, sticking out his tongue before he faced Bella. "So, Swan, is he treating you right?"
"Huh?" Bella's eyebrows furled in question. Did he really care?
"Is he... ya' know? Being a good boyfriend? Sweet and tender? All that sorta lovey-dovey shit?"
"Uh... Not sure if I should be having this conversation with you, but yeah, he's great. Jake has always been good to me."
"Good. Lemme know if he's being a prick and I'll knock him into next week. Also sorry, I don't mean to be a prick. It just kinda happens." Paul took an absentminded swig of beer. "Speaking of lovey-dovey, how are my favorite pair of boyfriends' doing?"
He wrapped one arm around Quil's neck and the other around Embry's shoulders.
"We—we're fine, Paul. Get the fuck off, man. You stink." Quil protested with a gag.
"Stink? I took a shower yesterday. I don't smell." He let both of them go, indirectly sniffing his armpit. "Smells like manly man to me. Somethin' you skirts wouldn't know about." He grinned.
"Paul, ThrowingAxe body spray is not a substitute for soap, water, and cologne." Embry replied.
"Cologne? Isn't that fancy stuff? Like French wine?"
"No, idiot, it's like perfume but for men." Quil mocked.
"I don't need smelly stuff like that. I like smelling like 'musky forest' and 'swagger'."
"Man, the only thing you smell like is body odor and desperation." Quil grimaced.
"Shut the fuck up—
Paul's jab was disrupted by Jared and Kim entering through the back door. Over the sounds of greetings and squabbling between Quil and Paul, Bella knew this was where she belonged. Right here, with her found family.
"You gonna finish that, Swan?" Paul asked, hovering over her almost full plate like a hawk.
Leah kicked the leg of his chair, making him jolt sideways away from Bella and swiftly stand up. "You don't need any more food, asshole. You've had four plates."
"Lay off, bitch." He snapped, grin pulling the corners of his mouth up one one side.
"Yeah, in case you forgot, it's head bitch." Leah scoffed, icy vitriol lacing her tone. "Leave the girl be."
"Yeah, used to be. You stepped down as beta." Paul declared, "now you're just a bitch."
"Takes one to know one, Lahote."
"Nah, I ain't no bitch, sweetheart."
"Oh? So you're a dick then? They say you are what you eat."
That comment alone earned a fit of laughter from the entire group. Paul seemed impressed but feigned annoyance, and he sulked to the far end of the bonfire.
Wow. Leah Clearwater was defending Bella Swan? In what universe...
"You tell 'em, baby." Leah's girlfriend, Sunny, rubbed her shoulders. Leah was sitting cross-legged in front of her, leaning against her open legs as she sat on the sanded down, cedar log beside the steel fire pit.
Almost everyone had finished eating a long time ago aside from Bella, but Jake and Leah wouldn't let anyone say otherwise. The group was spread out in a rough circle around the pile of flames, some in folding chairs, others on metal patio ones with padding. Sunny and Seth were the only ones on the modified stump.
"Thanks Lee," Jake commended her, "glad you're advocating for her."
"Someone's gotta. I'm just glad she doesn't reek of leech anymore." Leah nodded, grasping her imprints dainty hands in hers. "'Bout time you kicked that sick fuck to the curb, B."
"Yeah, I'm a little stupid." Bella responded. Jake squeezed her thigh.
"No, you were just brainwashed." Jared chimed in.
"I second that," Quil said, his voice muffled by Embry's shoulder. They were snuggled up on a patio loveseat.
"Third, or whatever." Embry mumbled.
Jake took the opportunity to speak since it was silent, swirling around the last sip at the bottom his beer bottle. "So Bells, what did you wanna say to everybody?" He asked.
Bella set down her fork, anxiety delving her stomach into knots. She fidgeted in her chair but stilled once Jake held her hand with his warm, massive hand.
"I uhh... have some things I'd like to say, if that's alright. Stuff about me, and stuff that you guys seem to think about me."
"Go on. We're listening, honey." Jake assured her, and she stood from her spot, turning around to face the four couples, Seth, and Paul. Collin and Brady were patrolling tonight so they could gather.
"I'm gonna try to be honest, even though what I'm about to say is hard." Bella began, "everyone makes jokes about me and E-Edward and I get it. I used to be the vampire girl. Part of this weird, supernatural rivalry thing. But in reality I was a 17 year old girl, trapped under a predator's control. He... he hurt me in a lot of ways, but p-pulled my strings like I was a dancing puppet. He was really good at manipulating me—at manipulating everyone.
She paused, trying to push back the sting of tears.
"I finally had enough. So I left. He's somewhere in Alaska and I don't give a fuck what him or his 'family' are doing now. I'm sorry for the insurmountable grief I caused all of you. I'm sorry for ignoring your hardships while I was wearing rose tinted glasses. I'm sorry that I disrespected your beliefs, your history, and more importantly—I'm sorry for having you risk your lives to protect me from my own choices," she croaked, finding a small piece of solace to continue. "It's their fault you all phased against your will. It ruined your lives, took away your freedom and future. I'm not the vampire girl anymore. I'm 'the wolf girl'... as long as you'll have me."
Jake steadied her with his hand on her lower back, the color washed from his face. His other hand was trembling, he was trying to compose himself. He was mad that she thought any of it was her fault, but mostly he was angry toward the bloodsucker that ruined her fragile psyche not once but twice.
"Hell yeah, girl." Seth piped up, pumping his fist in the air. "You're awesome. Always have been."
"Thanks, Seth." A tiny smile formed on Bella's rosy lips.
"You know how we feel, babe." Quil sat up. "You're stuck with us. You're in a class of your own and we love you."
Emily, who was abnormally quiet, probably in part due to her pregnancy and Leah's close proximity, spoke next. They still struggled with Sam imprinting on Emily despite Leah's decision to break up banking on the realization she was gay. He phased the day after because he thought she abandoned him. Leah never was good with words and Emily blamed herself.
"I would like someone to bake and talk with. It's hard keeping up with all these heathens to feed. Our home is your home. Glad to see you're growing up, hon'. I missed you."
Sam followed suit, "although we might not have seen eye to eye before, and if you'll excuse the pun... There's no bad blood between us. You're an imprint. We care about and respect you, Bella."
"Yeah, you're a part of this fucked up family now." Kim chuckled.
"Fucked up, but fierce and loyal." Paul added.
"Speak for yourself, Paul. Me and Sunny are perfect. You're good, B." Leah replied. "I'll give you my number so we can go kick boxing sometime. It'll do you some good."
"I'll take you up on that offer, Leah." Bella agreed.
Jake had simmered by now. The way his pack came together just then made his heart swell.
"Well put guys." His eyes brows raised in surprise. "Definitely though there was gonna be a fight I'd have to br—
The sound of the back door closing alerted him and Paul, who both stood in one fluid motion, eyes flitting to the house.
"Who's out there?" Paul barked, puffing his chest.
A person walked closer, backlit by the flickering glow of the fire.
"Rachel," the voice hissed, "since when do I need an invitation to visit my little brother?"
Paul's eyes went wide and down he went to his knees. Jared rushed forward and gingerly shook his right shoulder.
"Dude! You ok?"
Rachel jogged the rest of the distance and put her chilly fingertips to his forehead, waist-length onyx hair fluttering behind her. "Goddamnit. Why does work always follow me home?"
The rest of the pack watched Paul, completely blank face remain mute, staring into Rachel Black's face like she was an Angel sent from Heaven.
"Hey, big guy, can you hear me?" She asked, waving her phone flash light in a line from left to right to check his reflexes.
"Loud and clear, beautiful."
Not another one. Sam and Jake exchanged glances. Only one pack member had yet to imprint.
Seth Clearwater was next...
*Whatcha all think? I stuck to canon with Paul imprinting on Rach'. : )
*Poor "baby" Seth is next! :o
*Next chapter's focus is all about JxB and we get some more vulnerability along with some spiiiice!~ ; )
*I'll be posting again sometime next two weeks hopefully or the following one. This was a longer chapter than normal and I just did 11 last week.
*Please leave a review/heart while you're here! They really mean the world to me and I appreciate every single one of you whether you do or don't. :D Stay tuned for the next chapter.