A/N: So maybe I'm not on any posting schedule currently... I hope you all had Happy Holidays if you celebrate!
I don't own Twilight...
Thank you to lovely beta, GoOasis726! Any remaining errors are my own!
Also, there have been some formatting errors... I'm looking it over again, and hope that the formatting remains how it should be!
The two journals Old Quil had given them at the meeting proved beneficial in more ways than one. The first one detailed imprinting specifically. It talked about the wolf's desire to be near the imprint and how the bond allowed them to experience the other's emotions.
Sam made it difficult for Bella to focus. As he read the journals and Bella typed, he used his free hand to trace patterns on her thigh, which drove her crazy.
"Don't type this part yet. Let me read it to you." Sam stilled her hands on the keyboard and smirked at her.
Bella was a little afraid of what the journal would say next. She tightened her hands into fists and stretched her arms toward the sky. She knew it was unreasonable to feel that way, to fear what an old book might say, but it could change the trajectory of her life. The legends coming to life in Sam had already completely changed his life. Bracing herself internally, she inhaled and nodded at Sam to continue.
"'Kay, this basically says that the imprint becomes solidified–sealed, whatever you want to call it–when the wolf and imprint…"
Sam paused, and Bella watched as the tips of his ears turned scarlet. "When they…"
Bella encouraged him to continue with a whisper, "When they what, Sam?"
Sam cleared his throat, his ears still red, and choked out, "When they are intimate. It says we have to…" He hesitated again before clarifying, "We need to have sex to seal it."
Sam shoved a hand through his hair, lightly pulling. Bella wanted to reach over and soothe him, but then his words sunk into her mind, flooding her with heat as she blushed. But before she could question him, Sam continued, "And that it will push us toward that by heightening our desire for each other."
Bella tried to speak, but all that came out was a squeak. Clearing her throat, she attempted words again, surprising herself with the raspy sound. "So, the Fates, or Spirits, whatever you call them, picked me for you, and now they want us to have… t-to h-have s-sex?" Embarrassed, she hid behind the curtain of her hair.
She closed her eyes when Sam lifted her face to his, unable to face whatever she might see there. This information was too much. They'd known each other for such a short time. And while it was true that she was drawn to him and felt as though she'd known Sam her entire life, she didn't feel ready to give all of herself to him.
"Bella?" Sam pleaded as he pulled her into his side and ran his hand down her arm. "Please, look at me. Please?" When she refused to open her eyes, he rained light kisses over her cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. "Bella, please?"
Bella knew that, just like he had trouble denying her things, the same was true of her. She felt an almost desperate need to open her eyes for him. It may not have been long, but she was already tired of fighting against it.
He said, "I know what this says and means, but I will never do anything you don't want me to."
"That's what scares me most," she whispered.
Sounding curious and somewhat confused, Sam asked, "What's that mean, Bella?"
"Well, you weren't supposed to hear that," she said with a wry smile. "But, I'll explain… You said you won't do anything I don't want you to, but I don't think you understand how hard it is to stop things from going further every time you touch me. It can be the lightest touch of your hand against mine. Sounds innocent, but it sends shock waves through me, Sam." Her eyes closed again as she melted into his side, thinking about how good he felt next to her. "And I don't think you understand how much I like it. How much farther I want it to go, even if I'm not ready."
"If you like that part, you'll love this part. It talks about some wolves marking their imprint with a bite."
"So you want to bite me? Use me as a chew toy?"
"Well, I don't think so. At least, I haven't yet. I don't know. Maybe it's not something every wolf feels compelled to do. Or maybe this guy just had a biting fetish?" Sam seemed as skeptical as Bella did about the new information.
She definitely didn't know how to feel about letting Sam bite her like that. It's one thing to nibble here and there and leave marks that fade, but this marking bite sounded permanent.
Aloud, she wondered, "What's the purpose of this wolf bite?".
Sam quickly scanned the pages before looking back up at her. "It says that it infuses my scent with yours and lets other supernatural creatures know you are mine."
"Seems misogynistic to me," she said without thought.
"I get it," Sam said diplomatically. "On the one hand, it could keep you safe. Letting others know they will face retribution if harm comes to you. On the other hand, it could paint a target on you. I think we both need to think about that." He hesitated before adding, "I don't want you to think it takes away from what you mean to me, but I don't feel the need to bite you right now."
"Well, Sam," Bella said with an air of laissez-faire, "I don't really want wolf teeth marks on my neck or shoulder, anyway. I'm not offended. And frankly, I think we like each other more than enough, considering we can't stop touching each other." She winked at him and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
Laughing, Sam pulled the laptop from her hands and moved it to the floor beside the couch. She let him pull her into his lap and kissed him, her hands delving into his black locks.
They were just pulling apart when Sam's phone rang. His responding growl made Bella giggle.
Sam answered with a curt, "Hello?"
Bella couldn't make out the caller's words, so she sat quietly, picking at the cuticle of her right thumb.
Sam growled, "How'd you get this number?"
His terseness startled a squeak out of Bella. Sam immediately caressed her arm with his free hand, and she relaxed into his touch.
What little comfort she felt instantly disappeared as he hissed, "I will not cater to your demands. If you want to meet, then meet me at the treaty line. Alone."
There was a tension-filled moment of silence from Sam, and Bella fought the urge to rub his shoulders. He was strung tight, like a bow with an arrow ready for release. Instead, she covered his hand with hers and rubbed soothing circles on the back of his palm.
"You can meet me at twilight. I'll know if you aren't alone. And if you aren't, there will be hell to pay." Sam slammed the phone on the counter, and Bella feared he had shattered it.
She pulled his hand from it and turned it palm up so she could inspect it. Finding no injury, she placed a gentle kiss in the middle of his palm, then wrapped Sam in her embrace. Bella held him as tightly as she could, letting his breathing even out and his body relax before pulling back. Meeting his eyes, she whispered, "Are you okay now?"
His response was to kiss her breathless. Their mouths melded together, and she let him dominate the kiss, knowing in that moment, he needed it. Even with the outpouring of passion in the kiss, he was careful not to hurt her.
She felt his hands ghost up her arms, stopping the ascent to cradle her face in his hands. Bella relaxed deeper into him, pouting when he pulled back. But the feel of his thumb tracing her bottom lip made her smile. "Are you really going to meet a vampire alone somewhere?"
Sam hesitated to answer, appearing concerned. "I have to make sure that thing stays out of your room. It has no claim to you, and I want to know what they plan to do with him."
Feeling her body tighten with worry, she tried to be reasonable. Sam was the only wolf. There was no one to go with him if he needed backup. The thought of him being alone with the vampires terrified her.
Sounding frightened, she whispered, "I just need you to be safe, Sam."
Bella rested her forehead against his and let herself inhale his scent. Even though she knew this was something that Sam had to do, it was hard to imagine sending him anywhere alone to meet his enemy.
Bella wanted to wait out the meeting at Sam's house, despite knowing Charlie would ground her until she was forty-seven if he ever found out. Sam had insisted on not leaving her alone. After calling Billy and letting him know what was happening, he took Bella to the Chief's house.
Attempting to ignore her anxiety, Bella cleaned Billy's kitchen until it sparkled. She eventually sat down at Billy's insistence.
"I can read from the journals for you if you'd like, Bella. Will that help take your mind off of what's happening?"
"I appreciate the offer, but I just can't focus, Uncle Billy." Bella wrung her hands together, clenching and unclenching the muscles in her body as she tried to shake off the foreboding feeling.
Billy rested his hand on her forearm from his spot in his chair beside the couch. "I know this isn't easy. But if you…"
As Bella unintentionally focused her energy more deeply on Sam, she felt her body go slack and her vision glaze over, once again transported.
The forest was eerily silent. Sam sniffed the air, testing it for the sickeningly sweet stench that indicated vampires were nearby. The faint sound of leaves rustling and the wind whipping through the trees met his ears before the accompanying smell.
He took a few steps closer to the treaty line. His teeth bared, almost foaming at the mouth with his anger at the leeches that had put Bella in danger.
"Hello, Alpha. Thank you for coming."
Sam felt the fur on his neck stand up at the bell-like sound of the monster before him. When it went to take another step closer to him, Sam growled loudly, unable to help it. It took everything within to allow this one to live as it was. He wanted to rip into his flesh and destroy him. Rip him limb from limb.
"Perhaps this conversation would be easier if you were in your human form?"
With an answering growl, Sam shook his head. He scented the air again, growling lowly in his throat. Whether it was intentional or not on the blonde vampire's part, there was another leech in the trees nearby.
Sam already expected the shock of bronze hair when it stepped into the clearing. He recognized the scent of this one. After finding it in Bella's room, Sam had determined if it ever came near her again, it would die a painful death.
At the blonde's sigh, Sam turned his attention back to him, still listening for the movement of the other one. "Edward… I told you to stay at home."
"I'm sorry, Carlisle. I had to come and try to explain myself to the dog."
Carlisle pinched the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and thumb. "You are doing more harm than good. Go home, Son. I will do my best to assuage this. But you must trust me to handle this."
Despite his discomfort with their proximity and his nudity, Sam decided it would be best to discuss this as men. Keeping his eyes on the duo, he let the phase flow over his skin.
Bella gripped her chest with a gasp and sat upright, panting. As she forced herself to breathe evenly, Billy patted her arm again. She looked his way and cocked her brow, silently inviting him to speak.
Billy's voice was quiet, almost reverential, yet nervous as he spoke, "Where did you go, Bella?"
Bella shook her head to clear it a little more. "I don't understand it myself, Uncle Billy. That's the second time. It feels like I'm being sucked into Sam's mind when I think about it too hard."
"Have you read the legend of Orenda yet?"
"That one was next. But Sam got the phone call to meet the leader before we started it."
Billy's brows wrinkled over his eyes as he thought. "I believe you are experiencing the same as she did. When her wolf faced great peril or worrisome times, she could transport her mind into the wolf's, or she was so connected to him that she could see through his eyes."
"But, Uncle Billy, I'm just Bella. I don't understand why I would have such a strong tie. I'm not even Quileute."
"Hush, child. The spirits chose you. And while your bloodline may not be all Quileute, there remains some inside of you." Billy smoothed his hand down his face and asked, "Do you remember Old Quil telling you about being from his line?" At her nod, he continued, " Care to guess who one of his ancestors is?"
"Orenda?"
"Correct. Supposedly, the women of Orenda's line can see visions and dreams that are almost prophetic. They can sometimes change the outcome, but not always."
I'm connected to Sam and his wolf and may have visions. What the hell? How is that even possible? Bella pushed her hand through her hair in agitation. How are vampires and werewolves real? Her mind was spinning almost too fast. I can sometimes change the outcome of the visions… Oh my God! The creepy vampire that calls me Poppet. Are those dreams or visions?!
Her thoughts were screaming inside her head, and she opened her mouth to speak.
Holding up his hand, Billy silenced Bella's intent to interrupt. "You should talk more to Old Quil about this. He may be able to help you more than I."
As Billy continued talking, relief washed over her body, and she deeply relaxed into the corner of the chair. "He's coming back, now, Billy. Sam is coming home."
Sam
His paws dug into the ground as Sam pushed himself to the edge of the Quileute reservation. When he was a dozen yards from the treaty line, he slowed his pace and inhaled deeply. The silence echoed through the forest, all of the animals taking shelter from the predators in their midst.
Breathing in again, he tried to discern if they were already there, waiting for him, but he found nothing. When the faint sound of leaves rustling and the wind whipping through the trees sounded nearby, the disgusting scent of decay surrounded him.
Stepping closer to the treaty line, Sam bared his teeth, enraged at the leeches that had put Bella in danger.
A blonde marble statue slid to a stop in front of him. His voice sounded like bells when he said, "Hello, Alpha. Thank you for coming."
Sam fought his every instinct against ripping this one apart. It lifted its foot as though to come closer, and Sam growled his warning, his intention clear. It took everything within to allow this one to live as it was. He wanted to rip into his flesh and destroy him. Rip him limb from limb.
"Perhaps this conversation would be easier if you were in your human form?"
Growling his response, Sam shook his head.
Whether it was intentional or not on the blonde vampire's part, there was another leech in the trees nearby. Sam could smell the slight difference between the two bloodsuckers, and the redhead should feel blessed that Sam let him live.
At the blonde's sigh, Sam turned his attention back to him, still listening for the movement of the other one, ready to defend himself if needed. "Edward… I told you to stay at home."
"I'm sorry, Carlisle. I had to come and try to explain myself to the dog."
Carlisle pinched the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and thumb. "You are doing more harm than good. Go home, Son. I will do my best to assuage this. But you must trust me to handle this."
Despite his discomfort with their proximity and his nudity, Sam decided it would be best to discuss this as men. Keeping his eyes on the duo, he let the phase flow over his skin. Both vampires averted their eyes, looking toward the treetops.
Shoulders set and head high, Sam refused to reveal his discomfort, laughing over their embarrassment instead. "You'll have to excuse the lack of modesty. My clothes don't phase with me."
The one called Edward said, "It's quite alright. We are equally uncomfortable, and will do our utmost to ensure that we do not make this worse for you than it already is."
Having not spoken aloud, Sam stepped back in surprise. Could this vampire read minds? This new knowledge made the situation at hand feel even more ominous.
Scoffing, Edward replied to his thoughts again, "You don't need to worry. It isn't you…" he trailed off, looking to the ground.
Sam's eyes flew to the blonde one, Carlisle?, at that moment, it didn't matter what its name was. Sam was busy gauging his reaction. His face remained passive, void of emotion altogether.
"I'm not the one you want. I already know that. What other reason could you possibly have to be in a teenager's bedroom, watching her sleep? Stalking her every movement? Don't think I haven't noticed your scent lingering everywhere hers is."
Sam could feel his anger growing, burning like white-hot fire through his veins, and it took everything he had inside to remain human. Possessively, Sam threatened, "She is mine. She belongs with me. You have no claim on her. Have I made myself clear? I don't care if you can read my mind. If you come near her again, I will rip you apart and enjoy every second. I'll make you watch while I prolong your agony and burn each piece, one by one."
Sam's eyes snapped to Carlisle's when he moved to protest. "You can try to save him. But you will meet the same fate as him if you interfere. It is my right to protect my mate. Just the same as it is yours."
Edward fell to his knees, an agonized cry pulled from his throat. "She can't be yours. Alice saw it. We were happy together."
Sam stood poised to fight should they force his hand. It might be unfair, but he was ready.
Carlisle moved to stand over Edward and held his hand out, offering support to his companion. "Edward," he sighed, "You know Alice's visions are subjective. They change with people's decisions. It is obvious that Bella is not your mate. The Alpha has claimed her."
"But…What do I do?" The younger vampire sounded lost, his voice taking on the tone of a whining child. "Carlisle, she can't be his."
Sam growled again, his form blurring as he continued to fight his wolf's need to assert itself. I know what you need. I'm sorry. I can't give you his head yet. He could hear the wolf complain in his mind, even as he felt the animal's acceptance.
"She is. Edward, I think maybe you should visit our family in Alaska. Go spend time with the Denali's."
Edward looked as though he were going to cry. With a deep but unnecessary breath, he sped away from the meeting place.
Carlisle watched him go, then turned back to Sam. "I'm very sorry. He forgets himself. It is hard living an eternity alone."
Sam supposed he could understand. Loneliness could drive anyone crazy, but when you were alone eternally… that would be much worse. Insanity must be fairly common among vampires. He said, "It is no excuse for his behavior. He will leave Bella alone. It was not an idle threat."
Carlisle frowned, saddened by the circumstances. He said, "I know. But he's my son. I am responsible for him. I do apologize for his behavior and know that it solves nothing. He will go to Denali and visit our cousins there. Hopefully, that will set his head right."
"It had better. I will not give another warning."
"I expect no less, Alpha. I am sorry this meeting couldn't have been under better circumstances. Please accept my apologies. Also, please know that if there is ever a time we can ever assist your pack, all you need do is call." Without waiting for a reply, he sped away into the forest.
Sam's mind spun with the knowledge he had gained. He needed to add it to the journal he had started at Bella's insistence, but he also needed to alert the council. These were no ordinary vampires. They had gifts. He wondered if that was common–did all vampires have a special ability? Or was it kind of a random thing? Some were gifted but others were not?
Shaking his head, Sam looked around. Not taking any chances, he phased, letting his wolf out, and circled the rez, ensuring the security of his tribe and imprint.
When satisfied it was safe, he made a beeline for his girl.