Tears stung my eyes as they spoke. I couldn't deny my heart any longer. My eyes didn't need to search to find the eyes in the audience I needed. Sam's gaze was intense and burning, like he was a man dying in the desert and I was the one thing he needed. My legs shook slightly under his eyes. My body felt the need to get to him. I only needed to fight the need for a few more minutes. I lost track of the ceremony as I drank in the sight of Sam in a suit.
Even sitting, the material pulled at his body, giving more then a hint at his Adonis body beneath. My mouth watered at the memory of touching his body. I had enjoyed it in all its glory last night.
I felt a pressure against the wall I put between us. Looking at Sam's eyes, I saw the need from him. He needed to feel my emotions, to know that I am feeling okay. If I'm not, he needed to know that so he could fix it.
Dropping my walls I felt the now familiar presence of Sam. The feeling spread across my body almost electrifying as our souls reconnected.
Chapter 32: Elders Chess
As Always Happy Reading :)
I watched through tears as Charlie and Sue walked down the aisle to a euphoric crowd. Seth squeezed my hand, pulling me down the aisle. I could feel his joy radiating off him.
It was infectious, before we reached the end of the aisle I was smiling harder then I had in my life. This is not what I had expected when Charlie invited me to his wedding. Truthfully, I was looking forward to the escape that this event provided. For two weeks I would not have to worry about food, money, or school. It seemed to be the ideal teenage escape.
Now that I was here, I had found people I would not have dared hope to find. Warm arms wrapped around me. I couldn't help but melt into Sam. My heart would break soon, but, It did not need to start now.
The flame of anger I felt toward the pack for talking about me still tingled alight under my skin. I would need the mad to stay burning, because when I boarded the plane home I would need a distraction. Pain would help me survive the separation.
Turning in his arms, I wasted no time reaching for his lips. His met mine, breaking apart with a smile. I would never get over Sam's joyous love.
"You look amazing"
"Thanks. You clean up very nicely as well" I pulled on his suit jacket. If I had any say, this would be strewn on his bedroom floor when the night is over.
Sam bent low his lips touching my ear. "If you continue undressing me with your eyes, you will miss your father's wedding reception"
A shiver traveled up my spine. I debated taking him up on that. The last few parties had been exhausting enough. Charlie wouldn't blame me if I blended into the background. He might, however, be slightly disappointed if I couldn't keep my hands off my boyfriend at his wedding.
I tried to quiet the need I had for Sam. It went from a roar to a constant electrical buzz. That is better then I thought I would be able to do.
Sam kissed my cheek, righting himself and guiding me towards the reception. The meadow was decorated with millions of twinkling lights. The space was illuminated with a light glow, as the sun fully set the stars were visible above the canopy of trees.
I watched as the people mingled and the pack blended in. If anyone didn't know that they turned into giant wolves, they would never had guessed. Although humans never really engage in wolf like behaviour, outside of some kinks.
My body felt rigid as I tried and felt like I was failing to appear like the perfect daughter. Charlie deserved that much. If this was Renee's wedding, I would have known exactly how to behave.
It would have been as simple as being on the lookout. Alerting everyone if the police came, or a narc was upset about the coke on the tables. Not that Renee would openly invite someone she didn't party with.
Her tight circle of friends hardly ever, if ever, included someone who she and her on again off again boyfriend haven't engaged in risky behaviours with. This is why the second part of being Renee's perfect daughter involved leaving her reception early. I wouldn't want to be stuck holding the closet door closed as it inevitably turned into an orgy.
It was easy to be her daughter. I had done it my entire life. Now, in a crowed of happy smiles, friendly mingling and unabashed laughter, I felt out of place. I felt my feet preparing to leave early, wouldn't want to be stuck around drunk adults. That was never safe. Yet, here ,it was safe. If anyone went over their personal limit, they would be helped to their home. It was a guarantee here that I wouldn't wake up to banging on the locked bedroom door, as adult men tried to enter.
Sam held me closer, almost like he could hear my thoughts. I relaxed with his contact. Glad that he didn't ask what I was thinking. He didn't need to worry about me when I was back with Renee. I was smart. I had a system in Phoenix. It was not as good as the family I was promised here, though, the betraying thought echoed in my mind.
The night began to feel like it was a stressful blur. People swarmed, congregating me on Charlie's wedding. Telling me I gained some amazing siblings. One man told me I would love having a mom finally. Rude.
Sam thankfully pulled me away from the congratulating crowd. The bond must have told him that I needed to escape for a minute. It was true. Especially as people attempted to congratulate me on the life I wished I could keep. I could feel my heart slowly breaking apart. I wanted this life in Forks more then I could let myself admit. If I could, I would grab it with both hands and stay.
Even if the pack talked about my eating. I took a deep breath trying to propitiate my soul. I needed my soul to know why we need to return to Renee. It was useless, my very being belonged to the man who held me.
Focusing back on the party, I watched people's mouths move as they took turns standing in front of a microphone. I heard the smooth deep voice of Sam in my ear. He let go of me and moved to join the line of people waiting for the mic. The last thing I desired was to practice my public speaking here. It would be important for Sam to say something, as this was a pack wedding.
I felt my heart speed up. Closing my eyes, I tried to steady it, Sam needed me to be stable enough for him to complete his obligations. My feet felt unstable. Looking around I tried to remember where we had been seated. My mind was blank overwhelmed with the standing crowd.
Unfamiliar hands steadied my stance, holding comfortably tight to my hips. The hands guided me out of the crowd, towards a forgotten refreshment table. Most of the glasses and appetizers here had been left untouched. I wish I could have been this table, present but left alone.
A cupcake was placed in my hand. I mechanically ate it, slowly feeling more normal as the sugar entered my bloodstream. Looking around the room I found the majority of people I must have met in passing and currently did not recognize. This could have been a strangers wedding for all the people I could identify. Those whose interactions I did remember, I wished I had never met.
Sitting at one of the tables in the far left of the space was the old man from the BBQ. My skin itched uncomfortably at the memory. I still wanted to know why he desired to have Embry, Kyle and I together. I know Sam was told that we have the same descendent, whomever Frank Rivers was. My eyes stung, I didn't want anyone but Charlie to be my father. Scanning the crowd, I unhappily recognized another party guest. Her boobs were inappropriately popped, almost like her nipples had been safety pinned to just below the plunging neckline of her red dress. It was extremely revealing, almost like the human was trying to be Jessica Rabbit, and failing miserably. Hopefully she wouldn't accuse me of stealing Sam from her like she did at the BBQ.
"Why are you giving Emily your attention?" An unfamiliar voice snorted beside me.
Looking I saw the person who supported me out of the crowd. It was the girl that had been sitting beside Rebecca in the ceremony. Swallowing hard I tried to put on my best "I'm happy my father got married today" face.
"You don't need to do that. I won't tell anyone that you needed a moment, this is a lot. Don't get me wrong it is nice, just a bit overwhelming. That's why Beck asked me to come with her." The teenage girl spoke.
I tried to focus on the girl. She looked like she fit the part. As if she was fated to be here tonight. The way she held herself reminded me of casual grace. Almost like she had been trained for this life. Even the way her copper hair was pinned, lent itself to any activity. Graceful enough for this wedding, it would also not be out of place at a pack dinner. She must have noticed my uncomfortable staring.
"You okay?" She asked, kindness radiating from her tone.
"Yeah. Im good." I took a big breath that faltered mid-inhale. "I just found out my friends talk about me behind my back. I am trying to not panic at my father's wedding. Also, my mother has been blowing up my phone since I arrived and I am too scared to read the majority of her messages" I word vomited.
My body became stiff. Why would I tell this kind stranger all the flaws in my current life? These would have been non-issues back in Phoenix. I did not have a list of people trying to kill my mom here. I did not have to worry about when my next meal was coming. Yet, these problems buried themselves under my skin deeper then any of the Phoenix problems could have ever.
"How do you know your friends are talking about you? The groups here seem to be pretty tight knit. Not that I am a part of any of them." The girl asked. She seemed to genuinely want to help.
"The hairstylist that did my hair told me I needed to eat more. I hadn't always had access to food." I paused. This was a stranger. I shouldn't have talked about it at all. In the least to someone I didn't fucking know.
"Oh. Um. Nutrition effects hair. Whomever did your hair probably just noticed that. They had a seminar at the library in Forks about the warning signs of eating disorders." The girl spoke, holding up her hands in a don't-shoot-the-messenger gesture. "The hairstylist was probably thinking they where trying to give you some support."
"Oh" Was all I could choke out.
"I also don't know your friends. If you are friends with Emily, then maybe she was being a total bitch. Also, I am totally all about free will. Making your own decision and all that shit, but, if you are being friends with Emily, I would probably re-evaluate." I could hear the warning in the girls tone.
She didn't look at me as she spoke. It reminded me of a spy in movies, ensuring there was no threat present. Even though I didn't know this girl, I found myself relaxing beside her.
"I am not Emily's friend. She accused me of stealing her boyfriend" I admitted.
A small laugh sounded from the girl. The noise made me like her more.
"How could you steal her man? Was he not into the potential of public nip-slips at every turn?" The disdain for Emily dripped in the girls tone.
"Well, maybe not. She claimed Sam was her boyfriend."
"Sam. Like, the Adonis of a man who seems to have a pack of almost nearly all the time shirtless equally attractive men as friends?"
I let out a genuine relaxed laugh at her words. My mind started to work out how I could get her to spend more time with me. The easiest way was to have her imprint into the pack. Then I could hang out with her at every pack event. We could experience all our milestones together. Rachel and Leah had welcomed me into the pack with open arms, but I was still new to the pack life. If this girl joined after me, we would be at a similar stage of understanding pack life.
"Are you seeing anyone?" I couldn't help the question.
My mind scolded me. I knew I wasn't staying. Still, I wanted to do right by the pack if I could. Maybe I could find someone to imprint on this girl, who was observant and kind enough to sneak me out of an overwhelming crowd.
"Not currently. My life wasn't really stable enough for me to consider dating." The girl flexed her shoulders as if she was trying to shuck off a bad memory. "Beck is trying to convince me to give the guys around here a chance."
I nodded. Trying and failing to convince myself that if the imprint was meant to happen it would in its own time. I only had a little bit longer here with the pack. Maybe, I could have her fill in my missing spot.
My stomach pitched at the thought of being replaced. It wasn't like I was going to offer this girl to Sam. No. Sam would always be mine, my soul knew it. Though maybe I could ease my departure by knowing one of the pack men had found their other half.
Some of the pack men dotted the crowd. I knew if it was fate any of the single ones could imprint on her, and I would have no control over who. Yet, I couldn't see her with half the single pack men. From her very stance this girl gave off too much dominate energy for some of the remaining men. If she did end up imprinting, I couldn't see her wanting a romantic interest with men that wouldn't let her be herself.
Shaking my head, I tried to ignore my desire to have her imprint. I had just met the girl. For all I knew she could have been a vampire. Probably not, though, Sam had explained that vampires usually were cold to the touch. When she guided me through the crowd her hands did not feel cold. Still though, I didn't know her more then thinking she was a kind girl.
"Oh. One second Bella, looks like Beck is stuck in a conversation. I better go save her." The girl spoke as she moved.
I watched her almost dance with how gracefully she weaved through the people. She ended her dance beside Beck, who now that I saw her did look like she was desperate to get out of that conversation.
"How are you holding up?"
I jumped. Not expecting anyone to come to my forgotten oasis. Turning from the girl and Beck I saw Embry had joined me. The glass of punch in his hand let me know I had been oblivious, he must have been standing here longer then I realized.
"You okay?" Embry asked. Genuine concern on his face.
"Yeah. Sorry. I was just taking to the girl that came here with Beck. I didn't see you come up." I put on my best smile.
"You didn't get her name by chance did you?" Embry asked. His eyes on the girl who was now pulling Beck to the dance floor.
"No. Why?" I smiled at Embry.
Embry shrugged, I could see the forced nature of it. This was nothing like the Embry that I had come to know over the past week. He seemed tense.
"What?" Embry questioned my starring at him.
"Nothing. I was just wondering if you might have imprinted?" I whispered.
Didn't want anyone that wasn't in the know to hear me talking. Embry gave me a small hopeful smile.
"Not yet. The girl you were talking too, I did feel a pull towards her." Embry's eyes danced with fiery hope.
"What are you doing over here then! Go to her, she might be your other half!" I scream whispered at him, pushing him towards the dance floor.
Embry laughed but didn't protest. Handing me his now empty cup, he started to walk towards her. I was practically vibrating watching Embry weave through the people standing like sentinels around the dance floor.
I let out an impatient grown as Billy blocked Embry's path. I knew he wouldn't want to be rude to his Chief. It took all of me not to walk over there and give him the escape he needed. I had such a strong feeling about the two of them being fated.
"Hi my love" Sam embraced me from behind.
"Hi" I squeaked the sound emanating from a place of both surprise and impatience.
"What are you plotting?" Sam whispered low in my ear.
The register of his voice did delicious things to my body. I melted against him, wanting nothing more but to bath in the sound of his voice. I wanted to feel his mouth everywhere. Twisting in his arms I pulled his lips to mine.
Ever the gentleman he pulled our lips apart, before our public display became inappropriate. Sam still held me closer then publicly acceptable, at least for humans that had known each other for the same amount of time. Sam took the empty cup from my hand, tossing it gracefully into the trashcan near the table.
I checked Embry's progress, hoping that I didn't miss the moment he imprinted. I bit back a groan, he had progressed past Billy but, was now engaged in a conversation with Old Quil.
"Why so focused on Embry my love?"
Focusing on Sam I didn't mask the anticipation on my face. Warring internally I wanted to tell Sam but, in the same moment, I didn't know if this was acceptable behaviour. Was it okay, to set imprints up?
"Don't judge me?" I asked for reassurance.
"Never. It would be impossible to not give you the highest score." Sam kissed the top of my head.
"I think Embry is going to imprint." I blurted out before I lost my nerve.
Sam raised his eyebrows, smirking slightly as he found Embry in the crowd.
"Bella, Embry has met Old Quil before. They would have imprinted before now." Sam's voice held a light quality as he teased me.
"Not Old Quil. Do you see the girl dancing with Rebecca?" I questioned.
Sam scanned the crowd finding the two girls in question he nodded. "Embry said he felt a pull towards the girl."
"What's her name?" Sam asked.
"I don't know, I didn't get it. Wish I had but, if they are fated we would know it soon" I bounced excitedly between the balls and heals of my feet.
"That is if the Elders don't stop playing interference." Sam sounded mildly annoyed.
"What do you mean?" I looked at the crowd. Embry was indeed being held up.
"Sam. I need you to make an alpha order" Billy rolled up to us, the demanding look on his face was something new to me.
"Billy, you know I don't make orders like that." I could hear the Alpha in Sam's voice.
"You will" Billy's face grew red as he tried to impose his will.
"No. There is no reason why I would need to prevent fate. There is a reason that I am not in line to be Chief. I refuse to meddle in the lives of the pack, as if they are a game." Sam held his ground.
"She seemed really nice Billy. I don't see why she couldn't imprint if the fates desired it." I couldn't hold back my opinion.
Billy turned his steely glare at me. Sam growled pulling me protectively into his side.
"Billy, I suggest you go find the future Chief if you want your will imposed on the pack. It will not be happening from me." Sam's face looked colder then I had ever seen it.
Billy flashed us one last glare, before wheeling away.
"Quick, go get the girl. I will get Embry" Sam's eyes flashed with wild instinct.
I couldn't contain a mischievous giggle that escaped my lips as I bee-lined for the girl. Rebecca flashed me a questioning glance as I reached for the two of them.
"This is going to sound crazy, but I have a friend you need to meet." I quickly explained to the girl.
She eyed me questioningly.
"Is this the whole imprint, true love, once upon a time bullshit?" The girl whispered in my ear.
I blanched. Not expecting the girl to know what I was talking about until her imprint explained it.
"I don't think the elders are truly happy with the idea of me joining the status of imprinted mate." The girl pointed around the crowd.
Looking I saw the majority of the Elders blocking the un-imprinted men from the dance floor. Confusion overwhelmed me.
"Don't take this the wrong way, I like the idea. I am, however, not worth the breakdown of a pack. You are very sweet for attempting though." The girl flashed a smile.
"Ugh" Rebecca huffed, she had been lost in the music, not truly paying attention to our conversation. "Why do they need to be such dicks, you are my friend" Rebecca complained to the two of us.
"Becks, I am your friend. Not many people would understand why. It was nice of them to let me witness the wedding ceremony and have a dance. They could have barred me from even touching the land." The girl looked sympathetically at Rebecca.
"Why?" I attempted to ask politely but my frustration turned it into a demand.
"Because the Elders know I am already claimed, signed, all but sold. It isn't uncommon for Alphas to sell their children to other Alphas. How do you think I met Beck?" The girl whispered almost too low, even with wolf hearing the music would have drowned out the words.
"I'm not going to let them cut this night short. Weddings are meant to be free of political manipulation." Rebecca spoke in a huff.
"Becks, the world is never free of political manipulation. Not where I am concerned, anyways. Thanks for the fun night Bella, please do congratulate the happy couple for me." The girl flashed me a stunning smile. Turning to Rebecca she added "If you want to stay you can. Your vampire boyfriend is more dramatic then a bee in a bonnet, but I am willing to convince him you are okay. Although the look in your Dad's eyes tells me he will try to force an imprint if you don't leave with me."
"Fuck me" Rebecca swore under her breath.
The girl laughed "No thanks. I am willing to deal with your dramatic boyfriend, I still have no desire to fight him."
My world was spinning, what did the girl mean about being sold? I had lived in Phoenix long enough to know that human trafficking was a huge risk, was that happening within the pack? Was there other packs out there other then this one? I was so new to this world I had not thought to ask.
"What's your name?" I asked the girl as she turned away from me.
"That is a dangerous question. Are you sure you want to know it?" The girl gave me a half smile.
"Yes." I breathed.
"My friends call me Flic" Flic smiled as if she was letting me in on a joke.
"Come on Flic, I have no desire to be an imprint. Also, Rosalie promised to do full facials when we got home." Rebecca pulled her away.
I watched Rebecca and Flic make their way through the crowd. Rebecca kept her eyes down, not making eye contact with anyone they passed. Flic guided them out of the room, almost daring people to meet her gaze.
Warm arms wrapped around me. I could feel the silent anger in Sam's touch. It didn't scare me, it was the same anger he held when he had found out that the Dad's had taken me onto the misty lake. Turning into him I dropped my silent vigil of the girls leaving the party early. Sam gathered me against him, and we began to dance.
Authors Note: Hi Friends! I had so much fun writing this Chapter. I would really love some feedback on what you are thinking about this story. Anyone have any ideas on who Rebecca is dating?! Also why do you think Flic knows so much about wolf life? I will try to update soon. Please let me know if you would like more frequent updates that are shorter or are you okay waiting a bit longer for longer updates. Much Love - Meg.