A chair pulled up beside me, Seth looked just as wrecked as I did. His neat appearance during the ceremony now in tatters. The suit shirt was crumpled and pulled loose from his suit pants that were caked with mud. On his left foot his sock clung caked to his skin. The rest of his footwear was not currently on his person. Seth's hair looked like he had just taken a hard math exam, reaching over I pulled a sizeable twig from his hair. He didn't notice the gesture, hauntingly looking out over the water.

I debated falling into the dangerous surf, its not like the tribe would actually give a shit. Seth reached over, holding my hand, or maybe I was holding his. Either way, the contact planted both of us safely into our seats. Neither of us said anything aloud, both in our own private but connected hells.

My mind wouldn't stop wondering - what if I had ignored everyone, and looked into her eyes?


Chapter 34: Trusting Perspectives

As Always Happy Reading


POV: Sam

I held Bella closer as the order cemented over the pack. Yet, it didn't make sense. Jacob was clearly told the same thing I was by his father. If I would have made the order, I would have worded it more specifically for Embry.

This order was for the entire pack, Jacob and I included. My mind wouldn't stop picturing the girl like Cyclops from the X-men. As if she would look one of us in the eyes, and lasers would shoot out of hers.

Looking down at Bella, sadness for Embry erupted in my heart. I knew what it was like to be single within the pack. It sucked, to say the least. Every bonfire, council meeting, pack dinner, and patrol are almost haunted with the mention of imprints.

I tried to convince myself that imprints meant entrapment, giving your soul to another was insane. At least, those were the lies I told myself before I looked into Bella's eyes.

Looking down at her now, I could see the slight worry that rested between her eyebrows. I knew it was for Embry. Bella wanted to go to him, almost in a desperate capacity. I knew Embry, he wouldn't lose control, but I also couldn't risk it. His emotions were too high right now.

Bella moved in perfect harmony with me. Dancing is primal communication, Mom would tell me growing up not to commit to someone without a dance.

I realized Mom was right, watching some of the other imprints dance around us I did not see harmony. Quil and Claire danced like a shipwreck, all melded bodies, but no grace. Jared and Kim had a dance of submission, the hold Jared held on Kim looked so demanding it was almost painful to watch. Jacob and Leah looked to be locked in a battle, trying to one up each other during every spin.

Brady and his new imprint looked to be sex on fire. Without missing a beat, I found Paul in the crowd. With Rachel pregnant, he had become a bit more protective then he was before. Meeting my eyes, he nodded. I watched as Paul weaved through the dancers, to whisper in Brady's ear.

When the dance ended, Brady pulled his imprint with him off the dance floor. The Alpha in me, didn't like to see him manhandling his imprint in any way. I would talk to him about that later. I saw that Jacob and Leah hadn't noticed anything amiss.

"Would you like to dance again?" I asked Bella.

Maybe I could teach the younger pups how to treat their mates, by demonstrating properly with Bella.

"I want to find Embry" her eyes glowed with unshed tears.

"I have to talk to Jake about something. Can I meet you back here in ten?" I asked.

The two of them had been fast friends since she arrived. I knew I couldn't hold her back from helping Embry with his pain. In the same breath, I wanted to be there for her, just in case it got out of hand.

She nodded. Reaching up to kiss me. I felt my heart restart at the contact of our lips. Each brush of her skin against mine acted like a plasma ball. I let her lead me off the dance floor, she made quick work of finding Kyle.

The kid looked like he belonged in this fancy setting. It made sense, his parents had been very worried about their appearance, so of course they trained their son to behave properly. Maybe he could run a seminar for the rest of the pack. I mentally laughed, thinking about Brady taking notes from Kyle.

"Hey guys" Kyle beamed at us.

I spied two cupcakes in his hands. Okay so maybe he wasn't the most proper person here after all. It was nice to see him behave more his age, sneaking desserts from the table.

"Hey buddy. I missed you" Bella dropped my hand, hugging Kyle tightly.

It had been over 12 hours since they had seen each other. My wolf internally purred seeing our mate care for the pack pup. Bella will make a great mom someday… if she wants that.

I'm fine if we have kids or don't. I get a new son every few months when another wolf phases in. As long as Bella is happy I will be overjoyed to go along with anything she has planned. If we do have kids though, I have a note on my phone of names I have heard over the years and liked.

"What was that order about?" Kyle asked

Bella looked mad. Turning to me, I could see the pain on her face.

Raising my hands up in surrender I quickly spoke "I didn't make the order."

Bella let out a frustrated laugh "I know you didn't."

Pulling her into my side, I waited for her to relax. It took longer then usual.

"Orders are a frustrating part of being in the pack. I want to say there is a reason behind this one. We just don't know it yet." I stroked Bella's back as I talked to both of them.

"Is that why you want to talk to Jake?" Bella asked.

She reached for Kyle's second cupcake. He gave it to her without protest. My eyes almost bugged out of my face. Normally, new wolves were like toddlers, needing to learn to share all over again. Especially food. Maybe it's because Bella is an Alpha's mate, or because Kyle views Bella as a maternal figure. Either way, I loved the sight.

"Yeah. It was weirdly worded. You will be okay here?" I checked.

Kyle stood slightly taller, as if he was trying to prove himself. I rested a hand on his shoulder. He didn't need to prove himself. I knew he would do right by Bella always. Heck, he might be more loyal to her then he was to either of his Alphas.

"Hurry back to me, you hold my heart" Bella whispered to me.

"You hold mine" I whispered back.

Kyle made a gagging noise low enough so only I could hear. I smiled at the boy. Letting go of Bella, the faster I found Jake, the faster I could be back in her arms.

Jacob was easy to spot. Alphas being taller then all the wolves had its benefits. I was slightly shocked that he looked like he was trying to find me, the same way I was finding him. I gestured to the trees. Jacob nodded from across the party.

Walking deep enough into the forest, I took a deep breath. Being co-Alphas was best for the pack, and yet, it wasn't always easy.

"What the hell man?" Jacob looked pissed.

I didn't respond. Jacob was never the best at having tact.

"Your chief asked you to alpha order." Jacob demanded.

I nodded. He wasn't wrong. Billy did ask me to put out an order.

"Why didn't you? Do you realize the shit that could have hit the fan!" Jacob growled.

"Wolves imprint all the time." I reminded him

"What?" Jacob questioned

"Wolves. Imprint. All. The. Time" I repeated each word slower.

"This wasn't about imprinting" Jacob sounded exasperated. I stared at him, knowing it was about imprinting. He continued "okay, at the core it is about imprinting."

"Then why did you meddle?" I couldn't hold the question back.

"I - Here's the thing. It's not that I didn't want Seth to imprint-" Jacob started.

I interrupted "Seth?"

"Yeah. Seth. Dad said if he looked the girl in the eyes it would have been a false imprint. I couldn't let my little future bro-in-law have a false imprint." Jacob sounded sincere.

"If the order was only about Seth why did you include all the wolves?"

"Dad told me to. So I prevented the imprint, sorry if Bella wanted to be friends with her. It just wasn't in the cards dude."

"You think I am upset because Bella made friends with the girl?" I questioned

"Well, yeah. Seth has been single long enough to know the routine. He will be okay. Why else would you be mad?"

"Billy didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Jacob looked exasperated.

"Embry felt a pull to the girl" I growled "the order came out as Old Quil was preventing him from going to her. After Billy held him hostage in conversation, to stop the imprint from happening." I tried to keep the growls out of my voice.

"Embry? What! Dad didn't mention him. Just that we wouldn't want the girl in the pack. Especially if it's a false imprint. Which Dad insisted it was." Jacob looked confused.

"Have you ever heard of a false imprint?" I questioned.

Jacob nodded.

I was taken aback. If there was a story of false imprinting it wasn't shared with me.

"Is there a false imprint in our pack?" My gut turned.

"Yeah" Jacob choked out.

"Who?" I begged for the information. Not caring that I was as Alpha in this pack. I needed the information.

Jacob shook his head. I could see the pain in his eyes.

"You can't tell me, can you" I asked.

Jacob nodded.

"Who commanded you to hold this information to yourself?" I asked.

"The council" Jacob growled "I can't even tell Leah. If I start the words, my body feels like it is burning from the inside out. Listen I'm sorry man. I just…. I couldn't have another imprinted pair that I would be forced… compelled to know they are a false imprinted pair." Jacob sounded pained.

"How do you know if someone is falsely imprinted?" I asked.

Jacob pointed to his nose.

"They smell bitter?" I took a shot in the dark.

Jacob smiled and nodded.

"Fuck, it's freeing to have someone guess correctly." I watched the weight leave Jacob's shoulders "that's why they take them on the lake. It burns false imprints."

"Can we break a false imprint?" I asked.

"Not without the wolf wanting to break it. Dad said they sometimes break naturally, when the wolf meets who they are actually meant to be with." Jacob spilled all the information beaming like a kid on Christmas.

"Why did they not tell me?" I felt untrusted.

"It is normally the chief who tests the imprints. Sorry man, I just found out about the mist on the lake now. I tried to argue for Seth to have a happily ever after. Especially since I don't know how Dad knew it would be a false imprint before they imprinted." Jacob shrugged, not seeming as bothered with the information as I was.

"Two wolves being drawn to one girl. You don't think…" I looked around, like someone might be eavesdropping.

We were far enough into the forest that the majority of the elders would consider too treacherous to venture. Also unless someone was watching Jacob and I, they wouldn't have thought we were meeting in the woods. We entered the tree-line at two separate entrances.

"You don't think what?" Jacob asked.

"Did Molly ever tell you of the story of a double imprint?" I asked.

Jacob nodded.

"The council wasn't overly happy it happened in the story." I reminded Jacob.

"But… Seth and Embry? Do they even swing that way?" Jacob looked like his mind had been blown.

"I don't think so. In the story, the male wolves didn't either. They just shared the same imprint. We need to figure this out" I told him.

"We will. But, not tonight. We need to be good boyfriends tonight. Its our girl's parent's wedding. Wait! Dude! We are going to be bros-in-law someday! How dope!" Jacob cheered.

He started his way back to the party. My mind was spinning, I had noticed the difference in scent. Had talked to Embry about it when he came to my place mad, after Billy told him not to ask questions. What could the solution be? Kim knew about the wolves, if she was no longer an imprint that is dangerous. Nothing would be connecting her to the pack, she could out our secrets.

I ventured back to the party, deciding I wouldn't be able to solve anything tonight. Jacob was right, I needed to be the perfect boyfriend tonight. Bella was on edge enough worrying about Embry, once she knew Seth was also hurting, I knew she would be in pain for them.

I scented for my mate, needing to feel her against me. The distance, even for a short time was too much. I needed her like I needed the air in my lungs.

Weaving through the crowd I was moving only on instinct. Not paying attention to any threats in the crowd. There was enough wolves here for the space to be safe. I would know if there was a threat. No need for me to be on surveillance, we had a tight perimeter of wolves ensuring no supernatural threat, became a surprise wedding guest.

I relaxed fully when Bella's eyes found mine. Looking across the space, I felt my body start to walk faster to her. Right into flesh. I looked down, apologizing but not registering who I bumped into. I sidestepped the person, who now reached up to my face. Looking across the space at Bella I saw horror on her face.

I froze trying to understand what had scared her. When I felt lips on mine.

POV: BELLA

I tried to ignore the creepy old man. He was beaming looking at Kyle and I. Potential grandfather or not, it was still weird.

Apparently, us not moving away from him gave him the approval he was looking for. I watched tensely as he made his way over to us.

"You both clean up very nice" he smiled at us.

Truthfully, he did share some characteristics like Kyle and Embry. Maybe he was Frank Rivers' dad. I still didn't like the idea that I wasn't Charlie's daughter.

"Thanks" Kyle responded for us.

I could see Kyle analyzing the man, trying to find something that made him feel connected.

My heart hurt for the boy. I wanted to be able to be the safe familial place for him to land. Being able to provide that for the boy would be worth my genetic world being examined.

"What's your name?" I blurted. Needing to know if Sam's theory was on the right path.

"Sebastian Rivers" the old man spoke.

"Sam was right, then" Kyle spoke my thoughts aloud.

"If we are Frank Rivers' children, that is" I pointed out.

I didn't want Kyle to get false hope over a potential new family. Even if Frank Rivers was our dad, that didn't mean he got a pass into our lives. Why wasn't he here, wouldn't it make more sense for him to break this news? Not his dad.

"Bella's right, Kyle. We should double check with a non-biased DNA test. Though here is not the place to talk of such things. I do want to be in your lives, when it's appropriate for me to fill the role. I did a bit of research about your mothers families, I know I am your last remaining Grandparent. I don't hold that responsibility lightly, I do want to do right by my grandchildren. That's why I want to tell you the truth, even if the council doesn't want you to know." Sebastian spoke in a low tone.

"Why would the council not want us to know?" Kyle whispered. Almost like talking bad of the council was unheard of.

"Not here son. I promise everything will come to light soon. Then maybe we could do weekly dinners. I know your grandmother is trying to not get her hopes up to high. Though she already loves all of you" Sebastian smiled.

When he smiled he didn't look like a creepy old man. Instead he looked like a kind grandfather, like potentially my grandfather.

Sebastian made his leave. I waited patiently for Sam to come back with Kyle. Playing a game that we decided based on wedding attire if they knew about the wolves or not. Kyle had me in stitches as his response to any girls his age was 'they might not be, but they could be soon'.

"You don't need to worry about imprinting any time soon. I don't really want to have to worry about you becoming a teenage pregnancy statistic" I warned him.

"Bella… I am not just going to throw myself at the first girl I see" Kyle rolled his eyes.

A girl his age passed, Kyle ensured they had at least a moment of eye contact if not more.

"Whatever, Casanova. I know teenage boys, you are a teenage boy." I reminded him.

"Yeah well, I wouldn't want to disappoint you and Sam like that."

"Kyle, we aren't like your parents. It would take a lot for us to be disappointed in you" I told him.

I know I would only be disappointed in him if he turned his back on his imprint. Not that I needed to worry, everyone has me convinced that imprinted men only have eyes for their imprints.

My eyes were drawn to Sam emerging from the tree-line. I couldn't help but eat him in with my eyes. With Embry's imprint not happening today, I realized how lucky I am to have been allowed to find my other half. Maybe Renee didn't need me at home. I could plan a trip with Sam, see her, pack the rest of my things, and move here permanently. Coach already gave me an out from the team, I am sure she would get transcripts for me if I asked.

The look in his eyes had my entire soul light on fire. I needed him. If my arms didn't entwine with his soon, I would simply burn alive. Happiness radiated off me as I watched him making his way over to me.

Tonight I would text Renee that I would not be coming home to live with her. When the threats around here died down, I would go with Sam to check on her. I could get my friends to check on Renee in the meantime. Norine offered to tell Renee for me, if she was too fucked up to answer the phone, that would be a good enough option.

I wouldn't have to work three jobs to make ends meet. Dad could get me transferred into school here. Instead of not having any friends, I would be surrounded by them. Not being known as the poor charity case would be a unique schooling experience for me.

This would be my home. Sam would be my home.

I watched my home burn. Emily lips crushed down on Sam's. Kyle said something but I couldn't hear him. I was stuck watching Emily push her body against Sam. Her tongue darted into his open mouth. He fucking opened his mouth for her to gain better access.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. I wasn't home here. This was a fake home. Not even my imprint loved me. Renee was right when she was high and told me to not expect more out of life. This is what I get for thinking I am good enough, good enough for something as magical as Sam to be mine.

"Where's Seth?" I didn't recognize my own voice.

Kyle grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the party. I saw Embry and Seth sitting watching the waves. I needed to get out of here. Seth is now my brother, and I don't care if he judged me, but, I didn't know anyone else that would help me leave.

"Help" I cried.

Both men were on their feet walking towards me.

"I need to borrow a car. I am leaving." My voice grew monotoned.

"Why?" Embry cupped my face in his hands, wiping away the tears.

The tears continued to fall, attempting to put out the inferno my body had become. I was currently living fire, standing here surrounded by friends I let the flames consume me.

"Sam was making out with Emily." Kyle growled.

The men joined the pup in the growl. I was hoisted in the air, I didn't pay attention to who was holding me. Only that I was getting exactly what I deserved. To be sent back to Renee. Maybe the break here would be enough for me to appreciate my life back home. It was hell, never enough food, water or love, but, at least it was honest.

I was numb. Only thawing when I moved some of my belongings to my open suitcase. My energy died fast, I wanted to cry, alone in a room.

I guess the plane will have to suffice.

Charlie had hugged me, I vaguely remember his embrace. If I was in my right mind, I might have been worried he would shoot Sam.

Sam.

My knees buckled. I accepted that I would be hitting the floor. I welcomed the impact, at least I would feel something.

Warm hands righted me before I made contact with the floor. I wanted to scream at them, to just let me fall.

A small voice in my mind reminded me 'they are our friends. Just trying to help'

I kept my anger to myself, knowing I would need it to fuel me. No longer would I be quiet and nice, that would not help me survive this.

Anger and mistrust would be the rope to my salvation, or downfall. Either way, I would be doing it on my own.

The bright lights of Seattle illuminated the car. Who's car? I couldn't tell. I didn't care to look for identifiers.

Who's driving?

I looked to the front of the vehicle. Tears lined the drivers face. Like a steady stream of moisture, with no end in sight.

I wanted to wipe away the tears, tell the owner of them not to worry.

How could I do that when I couldn't focus enough to know who it was?

I let my eyes wander, surprise hit me when I saw I wasn't alone with the driver. Another figure sat in the passenger seat. They raked hands through their hair, over and over again. Like silent torment.

Fingers brushed over my face, wiping away tears. I flinched. Not expecting the hands to come from the back seat with me.

I relaxed when I recognized Kyle's sad face. I didn't want him to be sad. I tried, and miserably failed, to plaster a smile on my face. Kyle ran his fingers soothingly through my hair. I let myself feel cared for, even if it wasn't genuine.

The car stopped. I picked up that the men in the car were using soothing tones. Not that I had the energy to listen to what they were saying.

Kyle held my hand as we walked into the bright room. He walked with me and had me stop often. It was like we had to zigzag instead of walking normally.

It made me upset, like the men were prolonging our closeness. I needed escape. That escape could only be found in Phoenix.

Arms wrapped around me three times before I was lowered into a movable seat. I floated through the airport, only having to stand to board the plane.


Authors Note: Hi Friends! The plot bunnies are jumping like crazy! If you have any questions about the story please don't hesitate to ask. I will either message you, or make sure the answer is in the following chapter, if it can be fit in organically. Thank you for all your love for this story. It sounds cliché, but your reviews really do motivate my writing. Hope you are enjoying the story so far. Oh.. Also.. Sorry...