Breathe In Union
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 18
Bella pulled up and parked in front of the cozy looking bungalow style home and checked the numbers on the small scrap of paper in her hand yet again to be sure she had it right. She did, and so she opened the door and hopped down before turning back to grab Paul's phone. Just as she closed the door of the truck, she heard a screen door open and bang shut. "Hi," a feminine voice greeted her. "You must be Bella?"
She looked up at the smiling woman and returned the greeting gratefully, relieved she wouldn't have to knock on a stranger's door. "Hi, yeah, that's me. Are you Emily?"
The woman's smile brightened. "Yep." She beckoned forward with a hand. "Come on in. I've been anxious to meet you. So has Kim."
Bella moved to the back of the truck and grabbed the bags of ice before climbing the few steps of the porch where Emily took one of the bags. "The soda is still in the truck," she said with a small smile and Emily chuckled.
"God, that's right. I forgot you guys were bringing this stuff in all the excitement. I'll send Embry out for it," she said as she pulled the screen open and stepped in.
Bella followed her into the house and into a bright, open kitchen filled with pans and trays and platters of food. Her eyes widened at the sight and another girl seated at the breakfast bar chuckled. "They eat a lot," she stated with a grin as Emily took the bag of ice she was holding and placed it in the sink.
Bella chuckled as she dried her hands on a towel and looked around with a nod. "I hope so, 'cause you have enough here to feed a small army."
Kim grinned. "Well, technically that's what they are…"
Emily wiped her hands on a towel and rolled her eyes. "Four, now maybe five guys, an army?" She looked dubious. "What I do know is that they eat like one. Thank god Sam's business is doing so well, otherwise our food bill would break us. God know's the tribal stipend for the pack doesn't cover it."
"Tribal stipend?" Bella questioned.
The girl at the bar took a drink from her glass and nodded. "Yeah, they call themselves being supportive by providing a meager monthly check to the pack and also to each wolf." She smirked at Bella. "Just think, you have that to look forward to."
"Well, it's better than nothing," Emily said with a shrug. "This is Kim, Jared's mate by the way. Kim, meet Bella, Paul's mate."
They smiled and shook hands while Emily got out a glass and filled it with ice. "What would you like to drink Bella?"
"A soda would be great."
Emily set the glass next to her and called out, "Embry!"
"Yeah?" they all heard from the direction of the living room and Emily rolled her eyes.
"Can you go get the case of soda from the back of the red truck outside?"
The sound of the screen door slamming was their only answer as Emily turned toward Bella. "You haven't met Embry yet have you Bella?"
She shook her head and grabbed a carrot to munch from the veggie tray. "No, not yet."
Embry walked in with the soda, stopped and looked around. "Where ya want it?"
Emily pointed to the back porch. "There's a cooler filled with ice out back. Can you load it up for me?"
He walked through and nodded on the way. "Sure, I live to serve," he mumbled.
Emily shot Bella an apologetic look. "He's not usually like this. He's still trying to adjust…"
Bella held up a hand. "I get it, believe me I do. Speaking of…" she trailed off and looked at the clock. "How much longer do you think they'll be out there?"
Kim chuckled and plucked a cherry tomato from the tray. "No telling. Not only are they dealing with the one you called about, but Jared had to go over to the Black's. Seems like Jacob might be joining them next."
Emily nodded and took a drink from her glass just as Embry sat a soda next to Bella's glass with a smirk as he opened his own. "Heard you wanted one of those." He stuck out his hand. "I'm Embry, by the way."
She shook it. "Thanks and I'm Bella Swan and Paul's my wolf," she replied with a smirk.
He smiled softly and took a seat at the table facing her. "Nice…not afraid to claim the wolf…I like it."
Bella glanced at the other two girls who looked a bit shamed and her brows rose in silent question.
Emily sighed. "When I met Sam and he imprinted on me, he explained things and…well, I wasn't all that receptive at first." She met Bella's eyes. "To be honest, he scared the shit out of me -among other things- and he still does at times. I give him a wide berth whenever his emotions run strong."
Kim was nodding and looked up with fear in her eyes. "Yeah, same here with Jared. I mean, I love him, don't get me wrong, but the wolf thing…" She trailed off and looked away.
Bella's mouth was now open as she stared between the two women. "You mean neither of you have connected with your wolves? Have you even been around them when they're phased?"
Both women shook their heads and Bella looked at Embry who shrugged and took another pull from his drink.
She didn't know why the concept was so strange to her. After all, being afraid of a giant wolf was the more normal human response to have, but she just couldn't fathom not being close to her silver wolf. He was as much a part of her as Paul the man was and she would feel like a vital part was missing if she didn't have him too.
"Have you tried?"
They both shook their heads as Bella opened her soda and poured it in the glass absently. "Huh," she said as she took a sip. "Why not…I mean, other than the obvious issue of fear? It's not like their souls are different. It's still them."
The two women simply stared at her and her brows rose. "You both have a fear, one that you either try to conquer or you live with. These are your mates we're talking about here… Wouldn't you rather get over it and have a complete bond with them?"
They both looked puzzled. "Complete bond?" Kim questioned.
Bella nodded and pulled her hair and the collar of her shirt to the side. "Yes," she said at their gasps of surprise. "A complete bond."
"Is that…?" Emily trailed off as she stepped closer to see.
Kim finished the thought. "A wolf's bite mark?"
Bella let her hair and shirt go. "Yeah, it is. My wolf marked me before I even knew it was Paul." She shrugged at their shocked looks. "I saw him in the woods and felt the connection. To be fair, the old woman and her cryptic words might have helped with that. Maybe the bracelet did too, I'm not sure," she rambled with a creased brow. "I've always felt something from it since putting it on."
"Bracelet?" Kim asked and Bella held out her arm and told them the story of it. The whole story, including what took place at the council with Billy Black her first day here.
"Wow," Emily said as she dropped into a chair next to Embry. "Sam didn't tell me any of this. He just said that Paul was a wolf, but not under his alpha command. I didn't really ask him about it, and he didn't volunteer any more than that. God," she murmured as her eyes filled with tears and she looked up at Bella. "A war? Seriously?"
Bella was now feeling pretty guilty and uncertain. She took a deep breath. What's done was done. "Yeah," she said as she searched for words to try to make the situation better as she glanced between the two terrified women and Embry. "I probably should have waited until everyone was here to bring it up, but I really thought you'd know about all this by now. I'm sorry."
"Know about what?" Jared questioned as he walked in with an exhausted looking Jacob Black trailing him.
"Jared!" Kim cried out as she jumped from her chair to wrap herself around him. His brow furrowed as he held her close.
"Hey," he soothed as she cried against him. He looked at the others. "What the hell happened? Why is she crying?"
Bella felt like crap and met his eyes briefly. "I told them about the prophecy."
He growled and she rushed ahead. "I had no idea you guys hadn't told them yet!"
His jaw clenched as he stared at her and she got a little pissed. What right did he have to get mad at her? "Look," she gritted out. "I'd be pissed as hell if Paul kept something like that from me, and so far, he's been completely upfront with me, so don't go getting your undies bunched just because I assumed you guys actually communicate with your mates! They're grown women for god's sake and they have every right to know."
Kim pulled back and wiped her eyes. "You know, you're right Bella and I'm sorry for falling apart like I did. It was just the shock of the news, ya know?" She looked at Jared. "I'm fine now, really."
"You sure?" he asked as he took a seat at the table and pulled her into his lap.
"Yeah," she breathed shakily as she looked around at all the food. "I think I'll be much better after a meal. I'm starving."
Emily jumped up and went to the oven. "We might as well start. I don't know how long Sam might be." She pulled out trays and dishes from the warm oven as she continued. "Have you heard from him Jared?"
Jared swallowed the chip he was eating with a nod. "Yeah, they should be here any time now. Paul's cousin finally managed to phase back. Took him a little longer than Black, but he did it. Think it was the shock of it all, but then it usually is. There's just no easy way to phase the first time."
"Speaking of…" Emily said with a glare in Jared's direction. "Shouldn't you make the introductions?"
"Wha…?" he said with a dip-laden chip suspended half-way to his mouth. He put it down on a plate. "Oh, yeah, shit." He turned to Jacob who was sitting silently as he watched everyone. "Sorry man, forgot all about you when Kim was freaking."
Jacob waved him off, stood and held his hand out to Emily. "Jacob Black," he murmured.
She smiled softly in sympathy. He really did look like a whipped pup at the moment. "I'm Emily," she nodded toward the others in the room and introduced them. "That's Kim and that's Bella."
He greeted them and sent Bella a little wave as Embry clapped him on the back. "Welcome to insanity bro."
He rubbed his face and eyed his friend. "So this is why you ditched us?"
Embry nodded. "Pretty much." He gave Jake a lazy punch to the arm. "At least you didn't take long to join me."
Jacob scowled. "Yeah, not that I'm not glad to see ya Em, but this is one secret club I could'a done without."
Embry shook his head. "I don't think any of us would'a signed up voluntarily man."
Bella looked at the two despondent teens and took a deep breath before she stood with her hands on her hips. Time to break up the pity-party. "It is what it is guys, it's not a death sentence and we're all in this together. Now, grab a plate and get some food. Jacob, what do you want to drink? I'll get it for you."
They stared at her with open mouths for a moment before she arched a brow. That seemed to snap them out of it, and Jacob smiled as he stood. "Just a coke if ya got it?"
She nodded. "Embry, you need another? Jared, what would you like while I'm at it?"
They all lined up for food and told her what they wanted to drink and she went out to get it. When she made it back into the kitchen, Sam, Paul and an ashen looking Rudy were walking in. She gave out the drinks and went straight to Paul who wrapped her in his arms. "Hi Shorty," he breathed into the crook of her neck.
"Hi baby," she greeted back before pulling away to wrap Rudy in a hug. "Hey D," was all she said as he clung to her like a drowning man.
"Bella," he choked. "What am I gonna do?" he whispered as she held him tightly.
"You're gonna be fine, D, you'll see," she soothed.
"It was bad enough when it was Paulie going through this." He chuckled bitterly. "I even thought I could help him, ya know? But now…"
She pulled back to look in his eyes as she cupped his face. "And you will. You guys will help and be there for each other and I'll be there for you too. We're all gonna get through this together, you hear?"
He studied her for a moment before he gave her a nod and pulled her into another hug. "Thanks B," he murmured.
"I meant what I said earlier. We're family. You're stuck with me D."
He chuckled and broke the hug as she smirked at him. "That's not a bad thing…yet," he said. "I might rethink it when you and Paulie start poppin' out kids though."
Paul looked over and went a little pale as he froze in the middle of loading his plate. "Who said anything about kids?" He looked at Bella with fear in his eyes and Rudy mustered up a smirk. "You're still on that shot, right Shorty? Fuck, please tell me…"
She covered his lips to stop his babbling. "Yes, I'm still on the shot. Don't worry. You're safe."
He sagged in relief and then shot a dark look at his amused cousin as he pointed his fork at him. "Shit ain't funny fucker."
Rudy's grin widened and he grabbed a plate.
When they were through with dinner and the cleanup, they all gathered in the living room where Paul pulled Bella into his lap as he lounged on a cushion with Rudy sitting next to them.
Sam got everyone's attention when he stood and turned off the TV. "Uh, Emily and I want to thank you all for coming tonight. Dinner was great hun," he said as he smiled at Emily and everyone nodded and murmured agreement. "I think there are some things we need to talk about. A couple of new members to get to know. I want to talk about who I think will be joining us next and how we can help them through it and then we can all call it a night." He looked around and Jared gave him a lazy wave. "Yeah Jared?"
"Well, I'm just wondering," he looked over at Paul and Rudy. "How is it that Paul's cousin phased? I thought the gene only ran in the Quileute line."
Sam nodded and took a deep breath as everyone stared at him. "It does," he answered unequivocally as he stared at Rudy and Paul.
Paul scowled. "That's gotta be wrong. Our mothers are sisters and they're Navajo, not Quileute. His father isn't Quileute."
Sam stared the two down as the tension in the room skyrocketed. "You sure about that?" he finally questioned in a low tone.
Paul handed Bella off to Rudy and shot to his feet. He was in Sam's face in the next second. "What the fuck do you mean by that?" he growled as his eyes flashed amber.
Sam remained calm despite the volatile male confronting him. He took a second to silently thank the Spirits for the time he'd had to learn control before speaking. "I mean nothing personal by my question Lahote, but I know what I know. No other line but Quileute carries the spirit-wolf gene."
Bella stood from Rudy's hold and went to Paul. She rubbed his back and shoulder as she spoke. "Baby, maybe we should go back home and work this out with Rudy? Maybe he could call and speak to his mother?"
Paul looked down at her for a moment as a muscle twitched in his jaw. Then he looked at his cousin who nodded. "I think that's a good idea Cuz," Rudy murmured while looking a bit sick at the prospect.
Paul huffed and backed off as he pulled Bella into his arms. "Fine," he said as he looked back at Sam who watched on patiently. "That's what we'll do then."
Bella went over and hugged Emily and Kim. "It was nice finally meeting you two. Thanks for having us.
"Don't be a stranger Bella," Emily said with a smile. "We need to stick together."
Bella nodded and walked out with a wave to everyone else. "Good night guys," she called out as she walked to Paul's truck where he held the door for her.
When they were finally on the road, Paul looked over at Rudy. "You gonna call Aunt Linda?"
Rudy scowled and looked out the window as his fists clenched. "Yeah Cuz, I need to know, ya know?"
Paul nodded and took Bella's hand. "Yeah man. I get it."
They were quiet the rest of the ride home and all the way into the house where they found Lisa and Charlie curled up together on the couch watching TV which Charlie paused when they all sat down.
"Hey guys!" Lisa chirped with a smile that melted into a frown when she saw their somber faces.
Charlie, it seemed had caught on a little quicker. "What's happened?" he questioned as he straightened in his seat.
Bella and Paul looked to Rudy who blew out a breath before taking out his phone. "I turned into a wolf today," he said as Lisa covered her mouth in shock.
"Oh god, you too? Rudy, I don't know what to say except that we're here for you. I hope you know that? This is your home now too and you can stay as long as you want or need."
He smiled wanly. "Thanks Aunt Lisa, I appreciate that."
"There's more isn't there?" she asked as they all stayed quiet and Rudy nodded.
"Yeah, I need to talk to my mom. You see, it seems the gene only runs in the Quileute line…"
Lisa went pale and Charlie wrapped an arm around her. "But that would mean…"
Rudy nodded. "Yeah, that would mean one or both of my parents aren't my biological parents."
Lisa shook her head. "I was with your mom when you were born Rudy. I was the first to hold you, after the doctor and nurses of course. She's your mother baby."
His eyes glittered as he looked at her. "Well, that narrows it down somewhat anyway."
Lisa's brow pinched. "Frank was there too though, through the whole pregnancy. There was never a question…"
Paul clapped Rudy on the shoulder. "There's only one person who has an answer for you Cuz. We could spend all night here talking…"
Rudy nodded and unlocked his phone. "I'm gonna put it on speaker if that's all right? I just…I just don't wanna confront her on my own." He looked at his aunt. "Maybe it'll help if she knows you're here."
Lisa nodded. "Of course baby, I'll help in any way I can."
He dialed and set the phone on the coffee table. She picked up on the second ring. "Rudy?"
"Hi Mom," he muttered.
"What's going on Rudy? It's kind of late and I was about to go to bed."
"I need to talk to you Mom. It's kind of important. Aunt Lisa's here with me and you're on speaker."
"Hi Linda," Lisa called out. "Sorry for the late hour, but bear with us for just a few, yeah?"
"Lisa. Yeah, okay, but this is kinda strange…"
Rudy cut her off by getting to the point. She was never one to show him much patience after all, and he needed to know. He didn't want her hanging up. "I need to know who my father really is Mom," he blurted in a tone loud enough to stop any protests.
There was a beat of absolute silence broken only by an indrawn breath before she spoke. "What?" she asked weakly.
Rudy straightened and scowled at the phone. "He's Quileute, I know that much for sure, now who is he?"
"How…how do you know that?" she hissed. "Who told you?"
Rudy's hands clenched on his knees. "Does it matter? Just tell me! I have a right to know!"
Bitter laughter filtered through the tiny device. "You have a right, do you? Well okay then, I'll tell you. Your father is Jimmy Lahote and he raped me when your aunt brought him here to meet her family. He raped me and threatened to kill me if I said anything. Swore Lisa would never believe me and I believed him too since Lisa was so blindly in love with the bastard at the time."
Years of anger and hate seeped from the speaker as she delivered her closing line before disconnecting. "So there, that's the truth. I've lived with it all these years. Now you live with it."
Bella pulled up and parked in front of the cozy looking bungalow style home and checked the numbers on the small scrap of paper in her hand yet again to be sure she had it right. She did, and so she opened the door and hopped down before turning back to grab Paul's phone. Just as she closed the door of the truck, she heard a screen door open and bang shut. "Hi," a feminine voice greeted her. "You must be Bella?"
She looked up at the smiling woman and returned the greeting gratefully, relieved she wouldn't have to knock on a stranger's door. "Hi, yeah, that's me. Are you Emily?"
The woman's smile brightened. "Yep." She beckoned forward with a hand. "Come on in. I've been anxious to meet you. So has Kim."
Bella moved to the back of the truck and grabbed the bags of ice before climbing the few steps of the porch where Emily took one of the bags. "The soda is still in the truck," she said with a small smile and Emily chuckled.
"God, that's right. I forgot you guys were bringing this stuff in all the excitement. I'll send Embry out for it," she said as she pulled the screen open and stepped in.
Bella followed her into the house and into a bright, open kitchen filled with pans and trays and platters of food. Her eyes widened at the sight and another girl seated at the breakfast bar chuckled. "They eat a lot," she stated with a grin as Emily took the bag of ice she was holding and placed it in the sink.
Bella chuckled as she dried her hands on a towel and looked around with a nod. "I hope so, 'cause you have enough here to feed a small army."
Kim grinned. "Well, technically that's what they are…"
Emily wiped her hands on a towel and rolled her eyes. "Four, now maybe five guys, an army?" She looked dubious. "What I do know is that they eat like one. Thank god Sam's business is doing so well, otherwise our food bill would break us. God know's the tribal stipend for the pack doesn't cover it."
"Tribal stipend?" Bella questioned.
The girl at the bar took a drink from her glass and nodded. "Yeah, they call themselves being supportive by providing a meager monthly check to the pack and also to each wolf." She smirked at Bella. "Just think, you have that to look forward to."
"Well, it's better than nothing," Emily said with a shrug. "This is Kim, Jared's mate by the way. Kim, meet Bella, Paul's mate."
They smiled and shook hands while Emily got out a glass and filled it with ice. "What would you like to drink Bella?"
"A soda would be great."
Emily set the glass next to her and called out, "Embry!"
"Yeah?" they all heard from the direction of the living room and Emily rolled her eyes.
"Can you go get the case of soda from the back of the red truck outside?"
The sound of the screen door slamming was their only answer as Emily turned toward Bella. "You haven't met Embry yet have you Bella?"
She shook her head and grabbed a carrot to munch from the veggie tray. "No, not yet."
Embry walked in with the soda, stopped and looked around. "Where ya want it?"
Emily pointed to the back porch. "There's a cooler filled with ice out back. Can you load it up for me?"
He walked through and nodded on the way. "Sure, I live to serve," he mumbled.
Emily shot Bella an apologetic look. "He's not usually like this. He's still trying to adjust…"
Bella held up a hand. "I get it, believe me I do. Speaking of…" she trailed off and looked at the clock. "How much longer do you think they'll be out there?"
Kim chuckled and plucked a cherry tomato from the tray. "No telling. Not only are they dealing with the one you called about, but Jared had to go over to the Black's. Seems like Jacob might be joining them next."
Emily nodded and took a drink from her glass just as Embry sat a soda next to Bella's glass with a smirk as he opened his own. "Heard you wanted one of those." He stuck out his hand. "I'm Embry, by the way."
She shook it. "Thanks and I'm Bella Swan and Paul's my wolf," she replied with a smirk.
He smiled softly and took a seat at the table facing her. "Nice…not afraid to claim the wolf…I like it."
Bella glanced at the other two girls who looked a bit shamed and her brows rose in silent question.
Emily sighed. "When I met Sam and he imprinted on me, he explained things and…well, I wasn't all that receptive at first." She met Bella's eyes. "To be honest, he scared the shit out of me -among other things- and he still does at times. I give him a wide berth whenever his emotions run strong."
Kim was nodding and looked up with fear in her eyes. "Yeah, same here with Jared. I mean, I love him, don't get me wrong, but the wolf thing…" She trailed off and looked away.
Bella's mouth was now open as she stared between the two women. "You mean neither of you have connected with your wolves? Have you even been around them when they're phased?"
Both women shook their heads and Bella looked at Embry who shrugged and took another pull from his drink.
She didn't know why the concept was so strange to her. After all, being afraid of a giant wolf was the more normal human response to have, but she just couldn't fathom not being close to her silver wolf. He was as much a part of her as Paul the man was and she would feel like a vital part was missing if she didn't have him too.
"Have you tried?"
They both shook their heads as Bella opened her soda and poured it in the glass absently. "Huh," she said as she took a sip. "Why not…I mean, other than the obvious issue of fear? It's not like their souls are different. It's still them."
The two women simply stared at her and her brows rose. "You both have a fear, one that you either try to conquer or you live with. These are your mates we're talking about here… Wouldn't you rather get over it and have a complete bond with them?"
They both looked puzzled. "Complete bond?" Kim questioned.
Bella nodded and pulled her hair and the collar of her shirt to the side. "Yes," she said at their gasps of surprise. "A complete bond."
"Is that…?" Emily trailed off as she stepped closer to see.
Kim finished the thought. "A wolf's bite mark?"
Bella let her hair and shirt go. "Yeah, it is. My wolf marked me before I even knew it was Paul." She shrugged at their shocked looks. "I saw him in the woods and felt the connection. To be fair, the old woman and her cryptic words might have helped with that. Maybe the bracelet did too, I'm not sure," she rambled with a creased brow. "I've always felt something from it since putting it on."
"Bracelet?" Kim asked and Bella held out her arm and told them the story of it. The whole story, including what took place at the council with Billy Black her first day here.
"Wow," Emily said as she dropped into a chair next to Embry. "Sam didn't tell me any of this. He just said that Paul was a wolf, but not under his alpha command. I didn't really ask him about it, and he didn't volunteer any more than that. God," she murmured as her eyes filled with tears and she looked up at Bella. "A war? Seriously?"
Bella was now feeling pretty guilty and uncertain. She took a deep breath. What's done was done. "Yeah," she said as she searched for words to try to make the situation better as she glanced between the two terrified women and Embry. "I probably should have waited until everyone was here to bring it up, but I really thought you'd know about all this by now. I'm sorry."
"Know about what?" Jared questioned as he walked in with an exhausted looking Jacob Black trailing him.
"Jared!" Kim cried out as she jumped from her chair to wrap herself around him. His brow furrowed as he held her close.
"Hey," he soothed as she cried against him. He looked at the others. "What the hell happened? Why is she crying?"
Bella felt like crap and met his eyes briefly. "I told them about the prophecy."
He growled and she rushed ahead. "I had no idea you guys hadn't told them yet!"
His jaw clenched as he stared at her and she got a little pissed. What right did he have to get mad at her? "Look," she gritted out. "I'd be pissed as hell if Paul kept something like that from me, and so far, he's been completely upfront with me, so don't go getting your undies bunched just because I assumed you guys actually communicate with your mates! They're grown women for god's sake and they have every right to know."
Kim pulled back and wiped her eyes. "You know, you're right Bella and I'm sorry for falling apart like I did. It was just the shock of the news, ya know?" She looked at Jared. "I'm fine now, really."
"You sure?" he asked as he took a seat at the table and pulled her into his lap.
"Yeah," she breathed shakily as she looked around at all the food. "I think I'll be much better after a meal. I'm starving."
Emily jumped up and went to the oven. "We might as well start. I don't know how long Sam might be." She pulled out trays and dishes from the warm oven as she continued. "Have you heard from him Jared?"
Jared swallowed the chip he was eating with a nod. "Yeah, they should be here any time now. Paul's cousin finally managed to phase back. Took him a little longer than Black, but he did it. Think it was the shock of it all, but then it usually is. There's just no easy way to phase the first time."
"Speaking of…" Emily said with a glare in Jared's direction. "Shouldn't you make the introductions?"
"Wha…?" he said with a dip-laden chip suspended half-way to his mouth. He put it down on a plate. "Oh, yeah, shit." He turned to Jacob who was sitting silently as he watched everyone. "Sorry man, forgot all about you when Kim was freaking."
Jacob waved him off, stood and held his hand out to Emily. "Jacob Black," he murmured.
She smiled softly in sympathy. He really did look like a whipped pup at the moment. "I'm Emily," she nodded toward the others in the room and introduced them. "That's Kim and that's Bella."
He greeted them and sent Bella a little wave as Embry clapped him on the back. "Welcome to insanity bro."
He rubbed his face and eyed his friend. "So this is why you ditched us?"
Embry nodded. "Pretty much." He gave Jake a lazy punch to the arm. "At least you didn't take long to join me."
Jacob scowled. "Yeah, not that I'm not glad to see ya Em, but this is one secret club I could'a done without."
Embry shook his head. "I don't think any of us would'a signed up voluntarily man."
Bella looked at the two despondent teens and took a deep breath before she stood with her hands on her hips. Time to break up the pity-party. "It is what it is guys, it's not a death sentence and we're all in this together. Now, grab a plate and get some food. Jacob, what do you want to drink? I'll get it for you."
They stared at her with open mouths for a moment before she arched a brow. That seemed to snap them out of it, and Jacob smiled as he stood. "Just a coke if ya got it?"
She nodded. "Embry, you need another? Jared, what would you like while I'm at it?"
They all lined up for food and told her what they wanted to drink and she went out to get it. When she made it back into the kitchen, Sam, Paul and an ashen looking Rudy were walking in. She gave out the drinks and went straight to Paul who wrapped her in his arms. "Hi Shorty," he breathed into the crook of her neck.
"Hi baby," she greeted back before pulling away to wrap Rudy in a hug. "Hey D," was all she said as he clung to her like a drowning man.
"Bella," he choked. "What am I gonna do?" he whispered as she held him tightly.
"You're gonna be fine, D, you'll see," she soothed.
"It was bad enough when it was Paulie going through this." He chuckled bitterly. "I even thought I could help him, ya know? But now…"
She pulled back to look in his eyes as she cupped his face. "And you will. You guys will help and be there for each other and I'll be there for you too. We're all gonna get through this together, you hear?"
He studied her for a moment before he gave her a nod and pulled her into another hug. "Thanks B," he murmured.
"I meant what I said earlier. We're family. You're stuck with me D."
He chuckled and broke the hug as she smirked at him. "That's not a bad thing…yet," he said. "I might rethink it when you and Paulie start poppin' out kids though."
Paul looked over and went a little pale as he froze in the middle of loading his plate. "Who said anything about kids?" He looked at Bella with fear in his eyes and Rudy mustered up a smirk. "You're still on that shot, right Shorty? Fuck, please tell me…"
She covered his lips to stop his babbling. "Yes, I'm still on the shot. Don't worry. You're safe."
He sagged in relief and then shot a dark look at his amused cousin as he pointed his fork at him. "Shit ain't funny fucker."
Rudy's grin widened and he grabbed a plate.
When they were through with dinner and the cleanup, they all gathered in the living room where Paul pulled Bella into his lap as he lounged on a cushion with Rudy sitting next to them.
Sam got everyone's attention when he stood and turned off the TV. "Uh, Emily and I want to thank you all for coming tonight. Dinner was great hun," he said as he smiled at Emily and everyone nodded and murmured agreement. "I think there are some things we need to talk about. A couple of new members to get to know. I want to talk about who I think will be joining us next and how we can help them through it and then we can all call it a night." He looked around and Jared gave him a lazy wave. "Yeah Jared?"
"Well, I'm just wondering," he looked over at Paul and Rudy. "How is it that Paul's cousin phased? I thought the gene only ran in the Quileute line."
Sam nodded and took a deep breath as everyone stared at him. "It does," he answered unequivocally as he stared at Rudy and Paul.
Paul scowled. "That's gotta be wrong. Our mothers are sisters and they're Navajo, not Quileute. His father isn't Quileute."
Sam stared the two down as the tension in the room skyrocketed. "You sure about that?" he finally questioned in a low tone.
Paul handed Bella off to Rudy and shot to his feet. He was in Sam's face in the next second. "What the fuck do you mean by that?" he growled as his eyes flashed amber.
Sam remained calm despite the volatile male confronting him. He took a second to silently thank the Spirits for the time he'd had to learn control before speaking. "I mean nothing personal by my question Lahote, but I know what I know. No other line but Quileute carries the spirit-wolf gene."
Bella stood from Rudy's hold and went to Paul. She rubbed his back and shoulder as she spoke. "Baby, maybe we should go back home and work this out with Rudy? Maybe he could call and speak to his mother?"
Paul looked down at her for a moment as a muscle twitched in his jaw. Then he looked at his cousin who nodded. "I think that's a good idea Cuz," Rudy murmured while looking a bit sick at the prospect.
Paul huffed and backed off as he pulled Bella into his arms. "Fine," he said as he looked back at Sam who watched on patiently. "That's what we'll do then."
Bella went over and hugged Emily and Kim. "It was nice finally meeting you two. Thanks for having us.
"Don't be a stranger Bella," Emily said with a smile. "We need to stick together."
Bella nodded and walked out with a wave to everyone else. "Good night guys," she called out as she walked to Paul's truck where he held the door for her.
When they were finally on the road, Paul looked over at Rudy. "You gonna call Aunt Linda?"
Rudy scowled and looked out the window as his fists clenched. "Yeah Cuz, I need to know, ya know?"
Paul nodded and took Bella's hand. "Yeah man. I get it."
They were quiet the rest of the ride home and all the way into the house where they found Lisa and Charlie curled up together on the couch watching TV which Charlie paused when they all sat down.
"Hey guys!" Lisa chirped with a smile that melted into a frown when she saw their somber faces.
Charlie, it seemed had caught on a little quicker. "What's happened?" he questioned as he straightened in his seat.
Bella and Paul looked to Rudy who blew out a breath before taking out his phone. "I turned into a wolf today," he said as Lisa covered her mouth in shock.
"Oh god, you too? Rudy, I don't know what to say except that we're here for you. I hope you know that? This is your home now too and you can stay as long as you want or need."
He smiled wanly. "Thanks Aunt Lisa, I appreciate that."
"There's more isn't there?" she asked as they all stayed quiet and Rudy nodded.
"Yeah, I need to talk to my mom. You see, it seems the gene only runs in the Quileute line…"
Lisa went pale and Charlie wrapped an arm around her. "But that would mean…"
Rudy nodded. "Yeah, that would mean one or both of my parents aren't my biological parents."
Lisa shook her head. "I was with your mom when you were born Rudy. I was the first to hold you, after the doctor and nurses of course. She's your mother baby."
His eyes glittered as he looked at her. "Well, that narrows it down somewhat anyway."
Lisa's brow pinched. "Frank was there too though, through the whole pregnancy. There was never a question…"
Paul clapped Rudy on the shoulder. "There's only one person who has an answer for you Cuz. We could spend all night here talking…"
Rudy nodded and unlocked his phone. "I'm gonna put it on speaker if that's all right? I just…I just don't wanna confront her on my own." He looked at his aunt. "Maybe it'll help if she knows you're here."
Lisa nodded. "Of course baby, I'll help in any way I can."
He dialed and set the phone on the coffee table. She picked up on the second ring. "Rudy?"
"Hi Mom," he muttered.
"What's going on Rudy? It's kind of late and I was about to go to bed."
"I need to talk to you Mom. It's kind of important. Aunt Lisa's here with me and you're on speaker."
"Hi Linda," Lisa called out. "Sorry for the late hour, but bear with us for just a few, yeah?"
"Lisa. Yeah, okay, but this is kinda strange…"
Rudy cut her off by getting to the point. She was never one to show him much patience after all, and he needed to know. He didn't want her hanging up. "I need to know who my father really is Mom," he blurted in a tone loud enough to stop any protests.
There was a beat of absolute silence broken only by an indrawn breath before she spoke. "What?" she asked weakly.
Rudy straightened and scowled at the phone. "He's Quileute, I know that much for sure, now who is he?"
"How…how do you know that?" she hissed. "Who told you?"
Rudy's hands clenched on his knees. "Does it matter? Just tell me! I have a right to know!"
Bitter laughter filtered through the tiny device. "You have a right, do you? Well okay then, I'll tell you. Your father is Jimmy Lahote and he raped me when your aunt brought him here to meet her family. He raped me and threatened to kill me if I said anything. Swore Lisa would never believe me and I believed him too since Lisa was so blindly in love with the bastard at the time."
Years of anger and hate seeped from the speaker as she delivered her closing line before disconnecting. "So there, that's the truth. I've lived with it all these years. Now you live with it."
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.