Protecting the Black Wolf's Mate
by wizardtho
Chapter 16:
Bella's POV
I heard Sam and Charlie talking about the bedroom furniture being brought in, along with the distraction we caused to keep it secret. I burrowed into him further as I whispered, "Well, how else was I supposed to get it in the house without you knowing, with all your super senses? We regular humans have to work with what we’ve got."
Sam laughed as he gently picked me up to straddle his waist, “Oh, my sweet Angel, it was a very good surprise.”
Charlie chuckled as I nuzzled Sam’s neck, "Yeah, and I didn’t even catch on. Usually, I can catch your distractions from a mile away."
I pouted to Charlie, “You should be happy I’m getting on so well with Sue, Dad.”
Charlie immediately said, "Bells, I’m ecstatic that you two are comfortable with each other. We just think you get along so well that Sam and I may be in for trouble. Who knows what you two could get up to when you put your minds to it."
Just then, Emily walked in with a smile on her face and a shake in her hand, "Shit… Emily, I’m so sorry. I’m being a horrible host tonight…"
She scowled, "Bella, I won’t hear it. I’m more than pleased about you sleeping. Now stop the fuss, and drink some of your shake. I want that completely gone by the time dinner is over. Sue will teach Sam and Charlie how to make these for you before bed tonight."
I nodded, then took a long sip from the straw. It was thick and creamy, so I ended up moaning, "Oh, wow. Peanut butter cups? Awesome."
Sam chuckled, then Charlie explained, “Sue and I got your favorite candies to mix in with your shakes for lunch and dinner, and extracts and fruits to put in your breakfast ones.”
I grinned in reply, "Thanks. At least they won’t get boring that way. This is really good… almost like a DQ Blizzard, and you know how much I loved those."
Charlie nodded, "That’s where Sue got the idea from. I happened to mention you liked them while we were trying to figure out what to do. Sue got a huge smile on her face as she drug me to the candy aisle."
I laughed as I called out, "Thanks, Sue. This is awesome."
I took another long sip, then heard Sue call back, "Anytime, Dear. I’m glad you like it. Dinner will be ready soon."
I looked back to Charlie, “How did the hardwood find go?”
Charlie looked like the epitome of the cat that ate the canary as he said, "We officially have hardwood in the kitchen. The square I did extends passed the natural line into the kitchen, and there was hardwood under the whole patch."
I let a breath out, "Wow, that’s incredible. Can it be salvaged easily?"
Sam nodded into my neck, "Yes, Jared thinks the solution we use will be able to get the glue up without having to scrape and sand the floor. We can’t use it with you in the house, though, so we’ll set Charlie and the boys up to do it the day you go take your GED test. Maybe Thursday or Friday, if you can get it scheduled for then. Tomorrow and Wednesday you are on rest orders. You can do any studying for the test or research you want for the next two days."
I nodded, "M'kay. That sounds good. I’ll call the principal in the morning. Is there a way I can find out what to study?"
Charlie smiled, "He gave me a web link thing for you to look at. He said if you felt comfortable with what you saw on there, then you were ready for the actual test."
I hummed in thought, "I’ll take a look at that tonight before bed, then, so I can have an idea of when to set the test up for. Do you know how long the test is?"
He smiled, “A good few hours, but you'll get a break between sections.”
Just then I thought of something, "Oh, no. Has anyone been getting pictures of the rooms before any work was done? Quil said he needed before and after pictures, plus I know you need them for the state."
Charlie chuckled, "The kids have been taking care of it. All of the pictures are on their phones. You can download them to your laptop, from what Kim said. Each room we've done anything in has three pictures from before. One from each end of the room, and one showing the ceiling."
I let a breath out, "Thank God. For a second there, I thought I already screwed this whole restoration."
Sam shook his head as he kissed my mark, "Never, Angel. The girls have been keeping things in line for you ever since you asked them to help."
I hummed, melting into Sam’s embrace, "I’ll have to thank them. Maybe I’ll make them a special treat over the weekend, and we can have a girl night… though, it wouldn’t hurt for you to spend some time with the boys, either. If I can get the furniture ordered, maybe we could have everyone stay over here. We can do movies that night."
Sam smiled against my shoulder, "That would be nice, Sweetheart, but there’s no rush. Please don’t work yourself too hard."
I shook my head, "I won’t. I’m thinking about doing whatever shopping I can online, then just having it delivered. I know it might cost a little extra, but I won’t have to worry about all the hours in stores trying to find what I’m looking for, especially with the security risk."
Charlie nodded in agreement, "I think it’s a good idea. It’s not really safe for you to be out running around right now, anyway. I think online is the way to go."
Emily smiled, saying, "Which will help keep you off those feet. Think of it this way… the more you stay off your feet, the quicker we’ll be able to get that weight you lost back on you, because you won’t be burning near as many calories."
She had a very good point, so I joked, “I guess I get to be waited on then.”
Sam chuckled as he nuzzled against me, "Always, Isabella. You just have to ask, and it’ll be done."
I smacked him playfully in the shoulder, then took another few sips of my shake. Billy showed up a few minutes later, with dinner being ready soon after.
Dinner went by with all of us talking and laughing together. It felt so good to finally be able to laugh freely. Sam caught the tenor of my feelings as dinner ended, smiling as he said, “And it’ll always be that way, from now on, Sweetheart.”
Jared questioned, "Always be what way? I didn’t hear her say anything."
That made Quil chuckle happily. He called attention by saying, "And that leads me to why I wanted all of you here. As I was touring the house with Charlie, Bella, and Sam earlier, I noticed the same thing Jared just did. Normally with wolves, what I’m about to speak of doesn’t happen until well after the human marriage takes place between the protector and his imprint. It seems that Sam and Isabella share a truly unique connection with each other, as they have already established it."
Sam coughed, then said, "Umm… twice, Quil. The same thing happened today."
Quil smiled widely, then continued, "When a wolf and his imprint naturally make love without any words being spoken, from connection to release... when their feelings do all the speaking for them… their souls merge. They truly become a part of each other, and are able to sense what the other is feeling. Bella, what were you just feeling that Sam commented on, if you don’t mind sharing?"
I smiled, “I was just thinking about how it was nice to finally be able to laugh freely, and it felt really good… to be able to share all of this with you guys.”
Quil beamed, "Sam is right, Bella. It will be this way from now on. You will always have that, now that you are where you belong."
Billy and Sue both looked at us in awe, then Billy whispered, “So soon… are they… do you think, Quil?”
Sue's head immediately snapped to Quil, who nodded. "None of you know of this legend, as it has only been kept between current elders. I am telling you now, only because I believe it speaks of Sam and Bella. There is a legend that goes back many, many generations, which was foretold by a medicine man on one of his spiritual journeys. It was said that a wolf leader would merge with his soulmate before a human ceremony was held, and that this wolf and his chosen would lead the largest pack known to our tribe. The chosen would not be of our descent, but would give our tribe much to be proud of, and carry on the line with multiple successful pregnancies. The reason for the large pack, is because a great threat to our people would descend on our lands."
I clutched at Sam, whispering, "Victoria. She’s getting help… or making it. Shit."
I looked at him in fear, "Sam… Victoria… I heard a story once, from the Cullens. It was about vampires in the south fighting over feeding territories. Vampires are strongest just after they’re turned. For the first year -since they still have their own human blood in their tissues- they are stronger, faster, and a fuck-ton more volatile than an older vampire. They're called newborns because they generally go on rampages and have no control over their blood lust, if they aren't guided and taught control. The vampires in the south? They were known for making newborn armies to fight and win territory. The only thing they were taught, was how to use their blood lust in the fights, to give them an edge. If Victoria found out through conversations that we were moving here, she could be making her own army… an army of newborns… all to take you out to get to me."
I heard three very menacing growls, but my focus was on Sam, who was shaking with his eyes closed. Instantly, I planted myself in his lap against everyone’s advice, then took his face in my hands. "Sam... Honey, look at me. Sam, I'm right here in your lap. Look at me, please."
I placed his hands on my hips, then he slowly opened his eyes. His growl immediately quieted, while his shaking stopped completely. Everyone in the room gasped, but I concentrated solely on my mate. He nuzzled into my neck, wrapping me securely in his arms as he choked out, "I won’t let her. She can’t have you… not now, not ever. I’ll see her tortured and burned before she gets anywhere near you."
I ran my fingers through his short hair as I whispered, "You’ll keep me safe. I know you will. Are you alright now?"
He nodded as he let out a breath, but Charlie scolded, "You should never have done that, Bella. He could have phased right then, and what would have happened to you?"
I leveled my voice at him, "I was going with my instinct on what my mate needed. Did you ever take into consideration that he can't hurt me? I am his true mate. Our souls have merged... more than once, I might add… so hurting me would truly be hurting himself. A wolf can never hurt their imprint."
Quil smiled softly, "It has never been acknowledged that way, but you are completely right, Bella. I have been told by Paul and Jared that it angers them more when their imprints back away from them, when they lose control as Sam just did. It’s just always been told to the imprints to stay back and give the wolf enough room to phase without being harmed."
I nodded, "They get angrier because their first instinct is to protect their imprint, over all else. If the imprint were to go with their instincts like I just did, it would calm the wolf, knowing his imprint is safe in his arms. I can guarantee, without even having to ask, that it kills Kim and Leah to back away from their wolves when they're upset."
Kim and Leah both nodded their agreement just as Sam offered, "As soon as I saw her sitting on my lap, I immediately started calming, Quil. Knowing she was safe - that I could hold her- made my wolf back down.”
The elders nodded in acceptance, then Sam continued, “As for Victoria and any help she may be getting or making, we need to start looking for suspicious disappearances in surrounding cities. She’ll be looking for larger cities to pick from if she’s making newborns. Anyone with a wolf bloodline needs to be watched for signs of the gene being triggered. If our pack is going to have new members, I want one of us to be there when it occurs… I don’t want any scared wolves running off because they’re confused. Paul, I know you still want the place, but are you willing to give the extra rooms to pack members that need to crash? We don’t know how many will be phasing at once, and we can’t take more than one or two here for a while."
Paul nodded after Sam gave him a significant look, thinking out loud almost, saying, "Of course, Boss. I’ll set two beds up in each room. The two spare queens that Jared and I use from your house can go in our rooms here, and Bella? Can I take the fulls from the rooms here? I can set them up in the spare rooms at the house."
I immediately agreed, "Of course, Paul. Mine can be put in the room down here, then you can take the one that’s in there now, along with the three from upstairs. I’ll be buying new linens for the house, so you can take the sheets and comforters that go along with them. I’ll buy two more fulls to put on the third floor, when that’s ready to be used."
He smiled, “Thanks, Bella.”
I nodded, then looked at Quil to ask, "What else, Quil? You said a threat descends on the people... what else?"
Quil smiled softly as he explained, “The chosen and the alpha will train this pack in all ways. After a great battle, the threat is no more, and a time of peace reigns over our people for many years.”
I nodded, "Peace? That’s good news… battle? Not so good. Train the pack? How am I supposed to help? I don’t have any super mojo like the wolves do."
Sue came to sit next to me, patting my leg while saying, "What do you think explaining what you heard about the armies does? It helps train and prepare them for what to expect. Plus, Quil said ‘in all ways’. The mandate of picking up after themselves, as well as making sure that they have manners befitting the protectors of this tribe, is also training them. Helping them make sure their grades stay up is part of training them. So many things you instinctively want to do for them or help them with is, too, Bella. Don’t you see? Sam may train them to be the best wolf they can be, but you will round them out, training them to be the best Quileute they can be. You and Sam will be raising this pack together, just like you will your children."
I gasped, "Shit… Quil said multiple. As in more than just one or two… meaning at least 3 kids, possibly more. Shit… Sam?"
I was scared shitless now, but Sam hugged me to him, "We can handle anything as long as we're together, Angel. I know we can do this. I'll be with you every step of the way."
Just then I heard Emily mumble, “Well that accounts for the extra couple of points in her temp.”
Sam gasped as I choked out, "What?! What do you mean?"
Emily smiled softly, "Please don’t get your hopes up. The word multiple got me thinking. There is a good possibility that more than one egg has been fertilized. I was expecting your temp to still be at 99.2, but the extra couple of points makes me think that one egg was fertilized before the other. Fraternal twins. I don’t think they’ve implanted yet, so you must stay calm. It's a good thing I ordered the rest earlier. The more stressed out you are, the less likely your body is to accept the implantation of a second baby if one makes it there before the other."
Sam immediately started stroking my spine, causing me to sigh as I melted into him. Emily offered cautiously, "Bella, we don’t even know if the pregnancy will take. So many things could happen to make your body reject the babies right now, but we would never know that you actually were, because it would be just like your normal cycle. No more coffee, but you can have tea. Caffeine-free soda only. No shellfish, but you can eat all the salmon and such that you can handle. Only whole milk… don’t drink 2% or low fat. Make absolutely sure you drink those shakes three times a day, and rest, rest, rest. I’ll leave a list of specific no-no’s in the kitchen on the fridge, so you don’t have to memorize it all. I won’t ban you from sex, but if you do, think slow and gentle for at least the next 2 days. I’ll check your temp again tomorrow morning, then see you again Wednesday to make the call on resting. Quil, what are we looking at as far as pregnancy is concerned?"
Quil looked at her questioningly, so Sam said, "This will be the first pregnancy for an active wolf’s imprint since your generation was born. Are there any differences we should be made aware of?"
Quil said smiling, "Ah, I see. You’re wondering if your active wolf gene will make the pregnancy any different from Sarah’s or Sue’s?"
I knew Sarah was Billy’s wife before she passed, so I listened as Sam nodded. Quil explained, "The babies were strong in the womb. Not deadly, but they will have stronger movements than a normal pregnancy. She must listen to her instincts. They will guide her. If she normally loves a certain food, but she doesn’t like the smell or taste of something now, do not ask her to consume it. There’s a reason for her dislike of it. If she tells you to stay home or get home for some reason, don’t argue. Same with the rest of you. She will become very protective of all of you, and her instincts will give her a feeling if one of you is in danger. Don’t question it… listen to it. If Bella is carrying more than one, she will not carry to 40 weeks. An active wolf single pregnancy only lasted 38 weeks from the last cycle. I assume a little sooner for a mother with wolf twins, but am not sure."
Bella's POV
I heard Sam and Charlie talking about the bedroom furniture being brought in, along with the distraction we caused to keep it secret. I burrowed into him further as I whispered, "Well, how else was I supposed to get it in the house without you knowing, with all your super senses? We regular humans have to work with what we’ve got."
Sam laughed as he gently picked me up to straddle his waist, “Oh, my sweet Angel, it was a very good surprise.”
Charlie chuckled as I nuzzled Sam’s neck, "Yeah, and I didn’t even catch on. Usually, I can catch your distractions from a mile away."
I pouted to Charlie, “You should be happy I’m getting on so well with Sue, Dad.”
Charlie immediately said, "Bells, I’m ecstatic that you two are comfortable with each other. We just think you get along so well that Sam and I may be in for trouble. Who knows what you two could get up to when you put your minds to it."
Just then, Emily walked in with a smile on her face and a shake in her hand, "Shit… Emily, I’m so sorry. I’m being a horrible host tonight…"
She scowled, "Bella, I won’t hear it. I’m more than pleased about you sleeping. Now stop the fuss, and drink some of your shake. I want that completely gone by the time dinner is over. Sue will teach Sam and Charlie how to make these for you before bed tonight."
I nodded, then took a long sip from the straw. It was thick and creamy, so I ended up moaning, "Oh, wow. Peanut butter cups? Awesome."
Sam chuckled, then Charlie explained, “Sue and I got your favorite candies to mix in with your shakes for lunch and dinner, and extracts and fruits to put in your breakfast ones.”
I grinned in reply, "Thanks. At least they won’t get boring that way. This is really good… almost like a DQ Blizzard, and you know how much I loved those."
Charlie nodded, "That’s where Sue got the idea from. I happened to mention you liked them while we were trying to figure out what to do. Sue got a huge smile on her face as she drug me to the candy aisle."
I laughed as I called out, "Thanks, Sue. This is awesome."
I took another long sip, then heard Sue call back, "Anytime, Dear. I’m glad you like it. Dinner will be ready soon."
I looked back to Charlie, “How did the hardwood find go?”
Charlie looked like the epitome of the cat that ate the canary as he said, "We officially have hardwood in the kitchen. The square I did extends passed the natural line into the kitchen, and there was hardwood under the whole patch."
I let a breath out, "Wow, that’s incredible. Can it be salvaged easily?"
Sam nodded into my neck, "Yes, Jared thinks the solution we use will be able to get the glue up without having to scrape and sand the floor. We can’t use it with you in the house, though, so we’ll set Charlie and the boys up to do it the day you go take your GED test. Maybe Thursday or Friday, if you can get it scheduled for then. Tomorrow and Wednesday you are on rest orders. You can do any studying for the test or research you want for the next two days."
I nodded, "M'kay. That sounds good. I’ll call the principal in the morning. Is there a way I can find out what to study?"
Charlie smiled, "He gave me a web link thing for you to look at. He said if you felt comfortable with what you saw on there, then you were ready for the actual test."
I hummed in thought, "I’ll take a look at that tonight before bed, then, so I can have an idea of when to set the test up for. Do you know how long the test is?"
He smiled, “A good few hours, but you'll get a break between sections.”
Just then I thought of something, "Oh, no. Has anyone been getting pictures of the rooms before any work was done? Quil said he needed before and after pictures, plus I know you need them for the state."
Charlie chuckled, "The kids have been taking care of it. All of the pictures are on their phones. You can download them to your laptop, from what Kim said. Each room we've done anything in has three pictures from before. One from each end of the room, and one showing the ceiling."
I let a breath out, "Thank God. For a second there, I thought I already screwed this whole restoration."
Sam shook his head as he kissed my mark, "Never, Angel. The girls have been keeping things in line for you ever since you asked them to help."
I hummed, melting into Sam’s embrace, "I’ll have to thank them. Maybe I’ll make them a special treat over the weekend, and we can have a girl night… though, it wouldn’t hurt for you to spend some time with the boys, either. If I can get the furniture ordered, maybe we could have everyone stay over here. We can do movies that night."
Sam smiled against my shoulder, "That would be nice, Sweetheart, but there’s no rush. Please don’t work yourself too hard."
I shook my head, "I won’t. I’m thinking about doing whatever shopping I can online, then just having it delivered. I know it might cost a little extra, but I won’t have to worry about all the hours in stores trying to find what I’m looking for, especially with the security risk."
Charlie nodded in agreement, "I think it’s a good idea. It’s not really safe for you to be out running around right now, anyway. I think online is the way to go."
Emily smiled, saying, "Which will help keep you off those feet. Think of it this way… the more you stay off your feet, the quicker we’ll be able to get that weight you lost back on you, because you won’t be burning near as many calories."
She had a very good point, so I joked, “I guess I get to be waited on then.”
Sam chuckled as he nuzzled against me, "Always, Isabella. You just have to ask, and it’ll be done."
I smacked him playfully in the shoulder, then took another few sips of my shake. Billy showed up a few minutes later, with dinner being ready soon after.
Dinner went by with all of us talking and laughing together. It felt so good to finally be able to laugh freely. Sam caught the tenor of my feelings as dinner ended, smiling as he said, “And it’ll always be that way, from now on, Sweetheart.”
Jared questioned, "Always be what way? I didn’t hear her say anything."
That made Quil chuckle happily. He called attention by saying, "And that leads me to why I wanted all of you here. As I was touring the house with Charlie, Bella, and Sam earlier, I noticed the same thing Jared just did. Normally with wolves, what I’m about to speak of doesn’t happen until well after the human marriage takes place between the protector and his imprint. It seems that Sam and Isabella share a truly unique connection with each other, as they have already established it."
Sam coughed, then said, "Umm… twice, Quil. The same thing happened today."
Quil smiled widely, then continued, "When a wolf and his imprint naturally make love without any words being spoken, from connection to release... when their feelings do all the speaking for them… their souls merge. They truly become a part of each other, and are able to sense what the other is feeling. Bella, what were you just feeling that Sam commented on, if you don’t mind sharing?"
I smiled, “I was just thinking about how it was nice to finally be able to laugh freely, and it felt really good… to be able to share all of this with you guys.”
Quil beamed, "Sam is right, Bella. It will be this way from now on. You will always have that, now that you are where you belong."
Billy and Sue both looked at us in awe, then Billy whispered, “So soon… are they… do you think, Quil?”
Sue's head immediately snapped to Quil, who nodded. "None of you know of this legend, as it has only been kept between current elders. I am telling you now, only because I believe it speaks of Sam and Bella. There is a legend that goes back many, many generations, which was foretold by a medicine man on one of his spiritual journeys. It was said that a wolf leader would merge with his soulmate before a human ceremony was held, and that this wolf and his chosen would lead the largest pack known to our tribe. The chosen would not be of our descent, but would give our tribe much to be proud of, and carry on the line with multiple successful pregnancies. The reason for the large pack, is because a great threat to our people would descend on our lands."
I clutched at Sam, whispering, "Victoria. She’s getting help… or making it. Shit."
I looked at him in fear, "Sam… Victoria… I heard a story once, from the Cullens. It was about vampires in the south fighting over feeding territories. Vampires are strongest just after they’re turned. For the first year -since they still have their own human blood in their tissues- they are stronger, faster, and a fuck-ton more volatile than an older vampire. They're called newborns because they generally go on rampages and have no control over their blood lust, if they aren't guided and taught control. The vampires in the south? They were known for making newborn armies to fight and win territory. The only thing they were taught, was how to use their blood lust in the fights, to give them an edge. If Victoria found out through conversations that we were moving here, she could be making her own army… an army of newborns… all to take you out to get to me."
I heard three very menacing growls, but my focus was on Sam, who was shaking with his eyes closed. Instantly, I planted myself in his lap against everyone’s advice, then took his face in my hands. "Sam... Honey, look at me. Sam, I'm right here in your lap. Look at me, please."
I placed his hands on my hips, then he slowly opened his eyes. His growl immediately quieted, while his shaking stopped completely. Everyone in the room gasped, but I concentrated solely on my mate. He nuzzled into my neck, wrapping me securely in his arms as he choked out, "I won’t let her. She can’t have you… not now, not ever. I’ll see her tortured and burned before she gets anywhere near you."
I ran my fingers through his short hair as I whispered, "You’ll keep me safe. I know you will. Are you alright now?"
He nodded as he let out a breath, but Charlie scolded, "You should never have done that, Bella. He could have phased right then, and what would have happened to you?"
I leveled my voice at him, "I was going with my instinct on what my mate needed. Did you ever take into consideration that he can't hurt me? I am his true mate. Our souls have merged... more than once, I might add… so hurting me would truly be hurting himself. A wolf can never hurt their imprint."
Quil smiled softly, "It has never been acknowledged that way, but you are completely right, Bella. I have been told by Paul and Jared that it angers them more when their imprints back away from them, when they lose control as Sam just did. It’s just always been told to the imprints to stay back and give the wolf enough room to phase without being harmed."
I nodded, "They get angrier because their first instinct is to protect their imprint, over all else. If the imprint were to go with their instincts like I just did, it would calm the wolf, knowing his imprint is safe in his arms. I can guarantee, without even having to ask, that it kills Kim and Leah to back away from their wolves when they're upset."
Kim and Leah both nodded their agreement just as Sam offered, "As soon as I saw her sitting on my lap, I immediately started calming, Quil. Knowing she was safe - that I could hold her- made my wolf back down.”
The elders nodded in acceptance, then Sam continued, “As for Victoria and any help she may be getting or making, we need to start looking for suspicious disappearances in surrounding cities. She’ll be looking for larger cities to pick from if she’s making newborns. Anyone with a wolf bloodline needs to be watched for signs of the gene being triggered. If our pack is going to have new members, I want one of us to be there when it occurs… I don’t want any scared wolves running off because they’re confused. Paul, I know you still want the place, but are you willing to give the extra rooms to pack members that need to crash? We don’t know how many will be phasing at once, and we can’t take more than one or two here for a while."
Paul nodded after Sam gave him a significant look, thinking out loud almost, saying, "Of course, Boss. I’ll set two beds up in each room. The two spare queens that Jared and I use from your house can go in our rooms here, and Bella? Can I take the fulls from the rooms here? I can set them up in the spare rooms at the house."
I immediately agreed, "Of course, Paul. Mine can be put in the room down here, then you can take the one that’s in there now, along with the three from upstairs. I’ll be buying new linens for the house, so you can take the sheets and comforters that go along with them. I’ll buy two more fulls to put on the third floor, when that’s ready to be used."
He smiled, “Thanks, Bella.”
I nodded, then looked at Quil to ask, "What else, Quil? You said a threat descends on the people... what else?"
Quil smiled softly as he explained, “The chosen and the alpha will train this pack in all ways. After a great battle, the threat is no more, and a time of peace reigns over our people for many years.”
I nodded, "Peace? That’s good news… battle? Not so good. Train the pack? How am I supposed to help? I don’t have any super mojo like the wolves do."
Sue came to sit next to me, patting my leg while saying, "What do you think explaining what you heard about the armies does? It helps train and prepare them for what to expect. Plus, Quil said ‘in all ways’. The mandate of picking up after themselves, as well as making sure that they have manners befitting the protectors of this tribe, is also training them. Helping them make sure their grades stay up is part of training them. So many things you instinctively want to do for them or help them with is, too, Bella. Don’t you see? Sam may train them to be the best wolf they can be, but you will round them out, training them to be the best Quileute they can be. You and Sam will be raising this pack together, just like you will your children."
I gasped, "Shit… Quil said multiple. As in more than just one or two… meaning at least 3 kids, possibly more. Shit… Sam?"
I was scared shitless now, but Sam hugged me to him, "We can handle anything as long as we're together, Angel. I know we can do this. I'll be with you every step of the way."
Just then I heard Emily mumble, “Well that accounts for the extra couple of points in her temp.”
Sam gasped as I choked out, "What?! What do you mean?"
Emily smiled softly, "Please don’t get your hopes up. The word multiple got me thinking. There is a good possibility that more than one egg has been fertilized. I was expecting your temp to still be at 99.2, but the extra couple of points makes me think that one egg was fertilized before the other. Fraternal twins. I don’t think they’ve implanted yet, so you must stay calm. It's a good thing I ordered the rest earlier. The more stressed out you are, the less likely your body is to accept the implantation of a second baby if one makes it there before the other."
Sam immediately started stroking my spine, causing me to sigh as I melted into him. Emily offered cautiously, "Bella, we don’t even know if the pregnancy will take. So many things could happen to make your body reject the babies right now, but we would never know that you actually were, because it would be just like your normal cycle. No more coffee, but you can have tea. Caffeine-free soda only. No shellfish, but you can eat all the salmon and such that you can handle. Only whole milk… don’t drink 2% or low fat. Make absolutely sure you drink those shakes three times a day, and rest, rest, rest. I’ll leave a list of specific no-no’s in the kitchen on the fridge, so you don’t have to memorize it all. I won’t ban you from sex, but if you do, think slow and gentle for at least the next 2 days. I’ll check your temp again tomorrow morning, then see you again Wednesday to make the call on resting. Quil, what are we looking at as far as pregnancy is concerned?"
Quil looked at her questioningly, so Sam said, "This will be the first pregnancy for an active wolf’s imprint since your generation was born. Are there any differences we should be made aware of?"
Quil said smiling, "Ah, I see. You’re wondering if your active wolf gene will make the pregnancy any different from Sarah’s or Sue’s?"
I knew Sarah was Billy’s wife before she passed, so I listened as Sam nodded. Quil explained, "The babies were strong in the womb. Not deadly, but they will have stronger movements than a normal pregnancy. She must listen to her instincts. They will guide her. If she normally loves a certain food, but she doesn’t like the smell or taste of something now, do not ask her to consume it. There’s a reason for her dislike of it. If she tells you to stay home or get home for some reason, don’t argue. Same with the rest of you. She will become very protective of all of you, and her instincts will give her a feeling if one of you is in danger. Don’t question it… listen to it. If Bella is carrying more than one, she will not carry to 40 weeks. An active wolf single pregnancy only lasted 38 weeks from the last cycle. I assume a little sooner for a mother with wolf twins, but am not sure."