Protecting the Black Wolf's Mate
by wizardtho
Chapter 5:
Bella's POV
Once I was comfortable, Sam held me close for a minute. When he spoke, he said, "There are a few things I'd like you to know about me before everyone gets here. You already know that I'm a wolf, along with being on the council of elders, but I'm the lead wolf of our pack. I'm the alpha. When in our wolf form, we communicate with thoughts. The others can't hide anything from me or each other, but with me being alpha, only the thoughts I direct at them are heard. That means that our private time will always stay private. I may not be able to help thinking about it, but it will never be directed to the others. Anything we do intimately will stay between you and me. Do you understand?"
I nodded, "So if Jared mentions sex in his thoughts, then Paul hears it, causing him to think about his imprint... all of you will see the intimate things he did with his imprint?"
Sam nodded sadly, "Unfortunately, but I've given an alpha command for the privacy of the imprints, meaning no comments can be made to -or around- an imprint about what a wolf has seen in thoughts. When I give a command, it has to be obeyed. They physically can not refuse to obey it."
I nodded, "That's good. I'd hate to be in one of the other imprints' positions, having somebody make a joke about what they saw. That would be horrible. What else?"
He smiled while cupping my cheek, "You're so understanding, my little Beauty. I know how old you are, as well as a lot of basic things about you, but you haven't had the chance to learn anything about me yet. I wanted to tell you myself."
I smiled widely, "That sounds really nice."
He nodded with a smile, then stroked my cheek before explaining, "Well, I'm 22, and have my own house. I own the construction company in La Push, but I volunteer when I can at the rez community center. My mom raised me by herself, ever since my Dad ran out when I was small. He was not an upstanding man, though my mom tried to teach me the difference between what my father did and what a father should do. I make time to visit her once a week. She knows about my wolf because I accidentally phased in front of her. I was the first of our pack to phase when a stray vamp wandered into our territory four years ago, just after high school graduation.”
He shook his head, let out a breath, then said, “I didn't know what was happening to me. I was so freaked out, that I wasn't able to phase back until almost a month later, when Old Quill found me. He's the only living tribe member who was alive at the time of the last pack. Ever since he found me in my wolf form, he's been training me to take over as chief of our tribe when he passes. As long as I keep phasing, I will not age. If you choose to be intimate with me at some point, once the bond is cemented and you bear my mark, you will not age until I do. You will still have all your normal functions, but your looks and health will generally stay at the point of when the bond was cemented. If you have a cold when the bond is cemented, you won't always have a cold until I stop phasing, though. From what I've learned, most chose to stop phasing when their imprint became pregnant, so they could be a true father and husband to their family."
I nodded in understanding, "That makes sense in a way, but I can also see where one would want to continue phasing, to help guide the next generation of wolves. If there had been someone still phasing when you did for the first time, you may not have had nearly as hard a time as you did. The other wolf could have guided you the moment they heard your thoughts."
He nodded sadly. "I'm just glad I was able to guide Jared and Paul. Paul phased a few days before Jared, when the Cullens came back to town 2 ½ years ago. I've been documenting everything I can about the old legends, the things we've learned about our wolf selves, imprinting... you name it, and I've been trying to keep track. It's been so hard with everything else on my plate, that sometimes that falls through the cracks. I have notes strung all over my home office, but most of it isn't fully documented yet."
I cupped his cheek, not liking that he was burdened by all of this. "If you want, maybe I can help with some of it... lighten the load a bit."
He smiled, "I'd like that, but it'll have to wait until you are settled in La Push. Is there anything specific you'd like to ask?"
I snuggled into him, then said, "We can play the standard 20 questions later. I'd like to cook for you when I'm allowed to be on my feet again. Oh, umm... when it comes to me being your imprint, what do I need to know? I don't want to mess up with something important."
He smiled as he kissed me lightly on the neck, "Hmm... well let's see. I rotate patrols with the other two wolves unless there is a scent found. Then we all go, and the imprints are placed in one spot together. They need to stay there until the three of us come back, so we can make sure they are safe. It calms our wolves to know that we can come back to them. A wolf can not harm another wolf's imprint, as the loss of an imprint affects the whole pack. It's immediate death to the one who kills a brother wolf's imprint. For that reason, you'll see both Kim and Jared keeping an eye on you when you're in school. It's hard-wired in us to keep all imprints safe. I would feel your loss so intently, that it would affect the whole pack if something were to happen to you. Most of the other stuff is about if we were to become intimate."
I nodded, "Stay with Kim and Leah wherever you designate until you come back, don't get pissed at the others for looking out for me, and no stupid maneuvers because it won't just hurt me, but everyone. Got it. Now, what about the other stuff?"
He looked at me warily, so I raised an eyebrow, "Let's have it."
He chuckled, "Alright, my feisty little kitten. If we decide to be intimate, we'll need to use both condoms and birth control pills or condoms and shots, until we decide on starting a family. Apparently wolves have super-sperm or something; if one method fails, the other isn't going to be enough on its own. That means if you need antibiotics that render your birth control useless, I can't penetrate you until they become effective again. If we do become intimate, eventually deciding to start a family down the road, it will most likely happen within the first few months of trying."
I fiddled with my nails as I said, "So basically don't get sick, don't miss a pill, plus make sure you're wrapped, or it's hello little bambino. I'm already on the pill, by the way. Have been since my 13th birthday. Renee insisted I be prepared, even though I was nowhere near ready for that with anyone."
Sam nodded, "Good to know. As for the physical aspect, wolves tend to be larger than average with stamina from hell. If we decide to become intimate, we'll want to keep a mini-fridge of drinks and a box of protein bars in both our rooms. There was an issue with passing out from lack of energy and dehydration before."
I chuckled, not able to stifle my reaction, "My. God. Let me guess. The imprint had been busy that day, didn't eat or drink enough, then expected to go three or four rounds with a wolf in bed."
Sam chuckled, "Yeah, it was pretty bad. Now the mini-fridge and protein bars are standard necessities for imprints to have."
I nodded, then said, "Well, I think before that happens, I want to get back to my pre-Forks weight. I have a feeling I'm gonna want a little bit more meat on my bones before we go that far. I actually had curves then... unlike now. All that health shit I let them feed me made me lose 15 pounds or better. Most of it was boobs, hips, and ass, too. That sucked. But anyhow, is there anything else I should know?"
Sam choked out a laugh, then got serious again. "The first time we make love... if we do... it'll cement our bond. I'll feel the need to mark you as my life mate. Once I do that, Isabella, there's no turning back. You need to be sure you want it all with me before you tell me you're ready. For me, from the moment I imprinted, there will never be another. Even if you choose never to be with me intimately, I will never be with anyone else. I don't have it in me when I know I was meant for you. You, though... you can be with anyone you deem worthy until the bond is cemented. Once I mark you, you will never want for another, so you must be sure it's what you want."
I nodded, then asked softly, "Do you mind telling me... you don't have to, I'm just curious... when was the last time you were with anyone physically?"
He kissed my lips softly, "Before my first phase. When Old Quil told me about what I had become, as well as what imprints were, I could never see getting into a relationship with someone when I could meet my soulmate at any given time. I couldn't see hurting someone like that... breaking a heart just to find my own... so it's been over five years."
Wow... he waited for five years to find me, never once seeking intimacy with anyone.
I could tell he wasn’t joking. I could see the absolute sincerity in his eyes, so I whispered, "You waited all that time for me?"
He beamed at me while nodding, "I did, Isabella… I would have waited another 50 years if that's what it took. I wouldn't have stopped phasing until sometime after I found you, my soulmate."
I moved to straddle his lap, wrapped myself around him, then brought his lips to mine, whispering against them, "Whatever the reason, thank you for waiting for me. I can't tell you what it means to know that there aren't going to be any jealous exes... that it's just you and me… that we can make our relationship what we want it to be without interference."
He nodded, then whispered as he ran his fingers through my hair, "How are you really doing with everything that happened?"
I shrugged slightly, then looked straight in his eyes as I whispered, "I'm angry. I’m hurt that they would do that, that he would do that, but I'm over him. I realized that he wasn't the person I thought he was. I think his dazzling had something to do with why I let him make all those decisions for me; it seems like everything is much clearer now. He's not the Edward he made me believe he was, and now all that's left is anger. I hate that I feel that way. I don't like being angry, but I don't think it will go away until I'm able to tell him to his face. I don't know that I ever want to speak to him again, though. Does that make sense?"
He nodded, "It makes perfect sense, actually. You're still healing from all that they put you through. It will take time to finish healing… hopefully, the anger will fade with that time. Maybe try writing down what you feel, put down on paper what you would say if you did have the chance to tell him."
I smiled. That was a really good idea. Even though he would never read it, I could vent all of the anger onto the paper. "I think I might just do that. I need journals, though, so it'll have to wait until I can order some online. I don't think I'll be making any shopping trips to Port Angeles anytime soon."
He smiled, "Thank you. I wish you wouldn't, unless one of the pack is with you when you go."
I nodded, "I know. That's why I'll just order them online, then have them shipped to the new house."
Sam leaned back against the lounger, then pulled his feet up onto the end, settling my blanket over me better. I laid my head down on his chest as I rested my hands on his shoulders, then he wrapped his arms around me as he whispered, "I like this. I like holding you in my arms like this."
I nodded and hummed, settling further into his chest. Soon I was dozing lightly as he stroked his fingers up and down my back over the thin blanket. I faintly heard Charlie whisper, "Is she asleep again? She looks so peaceful. I haven't seen her this peaceful since her first night in Forks."
I mumbled softly, "Not sleeping... dozing. Sam's really comfortable, plus he turns me to mush when he rubs my back like that. I can't help it... he's better than warm milk, a fluffy bed, lullabies, and counting sheep put together when he does that."
Charlie chuckled, "Well, I'm glad you're comfortable, Bells. It's a good thing. Sue just got here, so I'm going to light the grill then start the fire in the pit. Everyone else should be arriving soon. Here's a bottle of water. Figured you might want one soon."
I nodded while holding my hand out, but didn't move my body otherwise, "Thanks."
They both chuckled, then I heard a giggle coming closer, saying, "She looks like Leah when Paul holds her. He turned you to jello, didn't he?"
My giggle soon joined as I agreed, so she said, "Yep, that's how Leah described it to me. It's a wolf/imprint thing, Honey. They instinctively know just how to calm their mate or make them feel better. They are made for their imprint, just as their imprint is made for them. You'll find that you can tell what Sam needs as time goes on if you listen to your instincts."
I smiled as I offered in gratitude, "Thanks, Sue. Hope I'm not being rude, but I really can't find it in me to move right now."
She chuckled, "Nonsense, Bella. You're where you're supposed to be right now. I hear Dr. Gerandy said to stay off your feet, anyhow. You just stay right there in Sam's arms; I can deal with the rest."
I nodded, "M'kay," then stifled a yawn. I felt two kisses to my forehead, then heard two sets of footsteps heading in opposite directions.
Sam whispered, "Rest, my little beauty. Do you want me to wake you when everyone gets here?"
I whispered, "Please," then inhaled his scent as I settled further into him. He started stroking my back again, which was the last thing I registered.
Sam's POV
I couldn't help but smile when Isabella fell asleep less than two minutes after she asked, "Please." I was happy to know that my imprint reacted so well to my touch. Charlie finished lighting the fire in the pit, then came back over to sit next to me. I whispered, "She's asleep already."
Charlie nodded with a grin, "I used to do that same thing when she was fussy and just days old. It's nice to know some things never change."
I chuckled, "Are you ready for the reveal?"
He smirked in return, asking, "And which of the three are you talking about? They all wrap up into one somehow or another, don't they?"
I nodded, "That they do, Charlie. You know she's gonna shit a brick, right? I wouldn't be surprised if she thinks about calling the doc to check your head."
He stifled a laugh behind his hands, so he wouldn't wake my sleeping angel, then whispered, "That sounds like her, but once we explain it, I think she'll understand. I wanted to do it before I found out you imprinted on her, but that cemented it for me. Her bond to you, along with her ties to the pack, will have her wanting to keep you all well fed and crashing there when you have the chance. Your place is just too small, plus the pack will still need a place to hold meetings and bonfires. It all makes sense, really."
I nodded, "Have you told the station yet?"
Charlie beamed at me, "Yep. Everything's set."
I nodded, kissing the top of my Bella's head, then Charlie whispered, "It won't be long before you're a permanent in the new house... you know that, right?"
I smiled softly as I whispered, "It's all up to her, Charlie. I'm just thankful that she's giving me a chance."
He chuckled, "I can clearly see the chemistry between the two of you when you look at each other. If it's as explosive as it looks, you'd better prepare her for what to expect."
I smiled, "That's part of what we already talked about. She told me Renee's had her on the pill since she was 13, even though she was nowhere near ready to be physical with anyone. I explained that she needed to be 100% sure before she told me she was ready for that, because of the marking and cementing of the bond. She also knows that until then, she can choose anyone she wants, but if she chooses to be intimate with me, she's choosing me for her life mate. I made sure to tell her that there's no going back for her afterward."
Charlie patted my shoulder, "Good, Son. I'm glad you're being upfront with her about all of it. Did you tell her about Spring Fever?"
My eyes went wide. How could I have missed something that important? "Shit... I completely forgot about that. She knows about the mini-fridge and protein bars, though. I'll have to tell her about Spring Fever later. She laughed when I told her about one of the girls passing out. She knew exactly what happened without me even telling her. She has a good understanding of it, even saying she hoped to be back at her pre-Forks weight before we decided to be intimate."
Charlie let out a breath in relief, "Good. She's so small compared to you... I can't help but worry. I know you can't hurt her, but I would feel better if she gained the weight back. She looked much healthier when she walked off that plane than she does now, and I know they had something to do with it."
I nodded as I held her tighter, "She said that he kept feeding her health shit... like she needed to lose weight or something. I bet if anything, she probably could have still gained a few pounds. She said most of what she lost wasn't even in her stomach."
Charlie shook his head, "She looked like a woman getting off that plane, Sam. Now she looks like my Bells from a few summers ago. It almost seems like with the weight she lost, she lost a few years in maturity. She was so confident and feisty when she got off the plane -a grown woman in her own right. Now she's this meek little thing, like she's 14 again. Just bring back the real Bells, Sam. I'll be glad to see the woman she's supposed to be again. I know a father never wants their daughter to grow up, but when you see the deterioration first hand, you'd give anything for her to be that woman again."
I kissed her head again as she sighed in her sleep, then whispered, "I'll bring her back, Charlie. I think she's already on her way to being her old self again, though."
He looked at me questioningly as I chuckled, so I continued, "Let's just say she's gotten feisty with me more than once already."
He shook his head with a laugh, "I'm going to be glad my room is on the other end of the house, aren't I?"
I just nodded with a smirk, so he left it at that. I whispered, "I take it you haven't told her about you and Sue yet?"
His eyes went wide, "We're already dropping a lot of bombs on her in a short time period. Let's leave that one for another time, please."
I shook my head, "You know I can't lie to her if she sees the two of you and asks me, Charlie. You either have to let her see you together, or if you don't want her to know, you'll have to stay clear of each other."
Charlie ran his fingers through his hair, then sighed, explaining, "I just don't know how she'll take it. If things go further with Sue, she won't want to live in the house with all the chaos. She'll want to stay in her little house -which is fine- but I don't want Bells to think that I'm just going to dump all this on her, only to split to Sue's. She's had to grow up too quickly, with Renee and all. Being your imprint is putting a lot of responsibility on her, especially with you training to become chief. Are you prepared to give up your house? To move in when the time comes?"
I looked him straight in the eyes, offering truthfully, "In a heartbeat. I already don't want to be without her, Charlie. It's going to kill me to go on patrol tonight. I don't want the boys to think I'm going to slack off, now that I found my imprint, though."
He shook his head, eying me seriously as he said, "You gave both of those boys a full week when they imprinted. I think they both will expect you to do the same, to take a week to settle into a routine with her."
I never thought about it like that. "I'll see what the boys think when they get here. Are you sure you're alright with all of this?"
Charlie hummed as if he was thinking about how to word something, then seemed to decide on how to word his thoughts. "I'm doing what I can as her father, to make sure her future is as burden-free and happy as I can, with the house. She's loved that house ever since I first took her there when she was six... yet she didn't even know it's true purpose then. It's a huge relief to me to know that you can't hurt her, Sam... that you'll always do everything you can to make her happy. I have no qualms about you two being physical, as long as I don't have to hear it, because I know you won't leave her or use her for your gain.”
He smiled softly, then said seriously to me, “Sam, I'm not taking the master bedroom in the new house. I'm giving it to Bells because I want you two to have enough space. I don't want a fancy tub or any of those things. Bells likes her baths, and with you being so big, the larger shower will work better for you. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you stay in the house permanently after this first week; I'm good with that. I'm not saying I think she'll want to be physical by then, just that I know she sleeps easier when she's in your arms, plus she's happier when she's awake and you're near her. From the moment I learned all about imprinting, I hoped that one day one of you would imprint on her. I always thought it would be Jake with his lineage. He hasn't phased, though, and she's never seen him as anything other than a brother. You're a better fit for her, from what I can see."
I smiled as I really took in what he was saying, then said sincerely, "Thanks, Charlie. It means a lot to me that you're okay with this. As I said, it's all up to her... but it helps to know that I have your approval if she does want me to stay. I'm just going to let her be the guide in all of this. I think you should make it clear to her that you approve of me staying, though. She seems to think you'll throw me out at the first chance you get."
He chuckled, "That's probably because I purposely never called the mind-reader by his given name, plus I always tried to rush him out of the house. I'll take her aside to talk to her about it."
Bella's POV
Once I was comfortable, Sam held me close for a minute. When he spoke, he said, "There are a few things I'd like you to know about me before everyone gets here. You already know that I'm a wolf, along with being on the council of elders, but I'm the lead wolf of our pack. I'm the alpha. When in our wolf form, we communicate with thoughts. The others can't hide anything from me or each other, but with me being alpha, only the thoughts I direct at them are heard. That means that our private time will always stay private. I may not be able to help thinking about it, but it will never be directed to the others. Anything we do intimately will stay between you and me. Do you understand?"
I nodded, "So if Jared mentions sex in his thoughts, then Paul hears it, causing him to think about his imprint... all of you will see the intimate things he did with his imprint?"
Sam nodded sadly, "Unfortunately, but I've given an alpha command for the privacy of the imprints, meaning no comments can be made to -or around- an imprint about what a wolf has seen in thoughts. When I give a command, it has to be obeyed. They physically can not refuse to obey it."
I nodded, "That's good. I'd hate to be in one of the other imprints' positions, having somebody make a joke about what they saw. That would be horrible. What else?"
He smiled while cupping my cheek, "You're so understanding, my little Beauty. I know how old you are, as well as a lot of basic things about you, but you haven't had the chance to learn anything about me yet. I wanted to tell you myself."
I smiled widely, "That sounds really nice."
He nodded with a smile, then stroked my cheek before explaining, "Well, I'm 22, and have my own house. I own the construction company in La Push, but I volunteer when I can at the rez community center. My mom raised me by herself, ever since my Dad ran out when I was small. He was not an upstanding man, though my mom tried to teach me the difference between what my father did and what a father should do. I make time to visit her once a week. She knows about my wolf because I accidentally phased in front of her. I was the first of our pack to phase when a stray vamp wandered into our territory four years ago, just after high school graduation.”
He shook his head, let out a breath, then said, “I didn't know what was happening to me. I was so freaked out, that I wasn't able to phase back until almost a month later, when Old Quill found me. He's the only living tribe member who was alive at the time of the last pack. Ever since he found me in my wolf form, he's been training me to take over as chief of our tribe when he passes. As long as I keep phasing, I will not age. If you choose to be intimate with me at some point, once the bond is cemented and you bear my mark, you will not age until I do. You will still have all your normal functions, but your looks and health will generally stay at the point of when the bond was cemented. If you have a cold when the bond is cemented, you won't always have a cold until I stop phasing, though. From what I've learned, most chose to stop phasing when their imprint became pregnant, so they could be a true father and husband to their family."
I nodded in understanding, "That makes sense in a way, but I can also see where one would want to continue phasing, to help guide the next generation of wolves. If there had been someone still phasing when you did for the first time, you may not have had nearly as hard a time as you did. The other wolf could have guided you the moment they heard your thoughts."
He nodded sadly. "I'm just glad I was able to guide Jared and Paul. Paul phased a few days before Jared, when the Cullens came back to town 2 ½ years ago. I've been documenting everything I can about the old legends, the things we've learned about our wolf selves, imprinting... you name it, and I've been trying to keep track. It's been so hard with everything else on my plate, that sometimes that falls through the cracks. I have notes strung all over my home office, but most of it isn't fully documented yet."
I cupped his cheek, not liking that he was burdened by all of this. "If you want, maybe I can help with some of it... lighten the load a bit."
He smiled, "I'd like that, but it'll have to wait until you are settled in La Push. Is there anything specific you'd like to ask?"
I snuggled into him, then said, "We can play the standard 20 questions later. I'd like to cook for you when I'm allowed to be on my feet again. Oh, umm... when it comes to me being your imprint, what do I need to know? I don't want to mess up with something important."
He smiled as he kissed me lightly on the neck, "Hmm... well let's see. I rotate patrols with the other two wolves unless there is a scent found. Then we all go, and the imprints are placed in one spot together. They need to stay there until the three of us come back, so we can make sure they are safe. It calms our wolves to know that we can come back to them. A wolf can not harm another wolf's imprint, as the loss of an imprint affects the whole pack. It's immediate death to the one who kills a brother wolf's imprint. For that reason, you'll see both Kim and Jared keeping an eye on you when you're in school. It's hard-wired in us to keep all imprints safe. I would feel your loss so intently, that it would affect the whole pack if something were to happen to you. Most of the other stuff is about if we were to become intimate."
I nodded, "Stay with Kim and Leah wherever you designate until you come back, don't get pissed at the others for looking out for me, and no stupid maneuvers because it won't just hurt me, but everyone. Got it. Now, what about the other stuff?"
He looked at me warily, so I raised an eyebrow, "Let's have it."
He chuckled, "Alright, my feisty little kitten. If we decide to be intimate, we'll need to use both condoms and birth control pills or condoms and shots, until we decide on starting a family. Apparently wolves have super-sperm or something; if one method fails, the other isn't going to be enough on its own. That means if you need antibiotics that render your birth control useless, I can't penetrate you until they become effective again. If we do become intimate, eventually deciding to start a family down the road, it will most likely happen within the first few months of trying."
I fiddled with my nails as I said, "So basically don't get sick, don't miss a pill, plus make sure you're wrapped, or it's hello little bambino. I'm already on the pill, by the way. Have been since my 13th birthday. Renee insisted I be prepared, even though I was nowhere near ready for that with anyone."
Sam nodded, "Good to know. As for the physical aspect, wolves tend to be larger than average with stamina from hell. If we decide to become intimate, we'll want to keep a mini-fridge of drinks and a box of protein bars in both our rooms. There was an issue with passing out from lack of energy and dehydration before."
I chuckled, not able to stifle my reaction, "My. God. Let me guess. The imprint had been busy that day, didn't eat or drink enough, then expected to go three or four rounds with a wolf in bed."
Sam chuckled, "Yeah, it was pretty bad. Now the mini-fridge and protein bars are standard necessities for imprints to have."
I nodded, then said, "Well, I think before that happens, I want to get back to my pre-Forks weight. I have a feeling I'm gonna want a little bit more meat on my bones before we go that far. I actually had curves then... unlike now. All that health shit I let them feed me made me lose 15 pounds or better. Most of it was boobs, hips, and ass, too. That sucked. But anyhow, is there anything else I should know?"
Sam choked out a laugh, then got serious again. "The first time we make love... if we do... it'll cement our bond. I'll feel the need to mark you as my life mate. Once I do that, Isabella, there's no turning back. You need to be sure you want it all with me before you tell me you're ready. For me, from the moment I imprinted, there will never be another. Even if you choose never to be with me intimately, I will never be with anyone else. I don't have it in me when I know I was meant for you. You, though... you can be with anyone you deem worthy until the bond is cemented. Once I mark you, you will never want for another, so you must be sure it's what you want."
I nodded, then asked softly, "Do you mind telling me... you don't have to, I'm just curious... when was the last time you were with anyone physically?"
He kissed my lips softly, "Before my first phase. When Old Quil told me about what I had become, as well as what imprints were, I could never see getting into a relationship with someone when I could meet my soulmate at any given time. I couldn't see hurting someone like that... breaking a heart just to find my own... so it's been over five years."
Wow... he waited for five years to find me, never once seeking intimacy with anyone.
I could tell he wasn’t joking. I could see the absolute sincerity in his eyes, so I whispered, "You waited all that time for me?"
He beamed at me while nodding, "I did, Isabella… I would have waited another 50 years if that's what it took. I wouldn't have stopped phasing until sometime after I found you, my soulmate."
I moved to straddle his lap, wrapped myself around him, then brought his lips to mine, whispering against them, "Whatever the reason, thank you for waiting for me. I can't tell you what it means to know that there aren't going to be any jealous exes... that it's just you and me… that we can make our relationship what we want it to be without interference."
He nodded, then whispered as he ran his fingers through my hair, "How are you really doing with everything that happened?"
I shrugged slightly, then looked straight in his eyes as I whispered, "I'm angry. I’m hurt that they would do that, that he would do that, but I'm over him. I realized that he wasn't the person I thought he was. I think his dazzling had something to do with why I let him make all those decisions for me; it seems like everything is much clearer now. He's not the Edward he made me believe he was, and now all that's left is anger. I hate that I feel that way. I don't like being angry, but I don't think it will go away until I'm able to tell him to his face. I don't know that I ever want to speak to him again, though. Does that make sense?"
He nodded, "It makes perfect sense, actually. You're still healing from all that they put you through. It will take time to finish healing… hopefully, the anger will fade with that time. Maybe try writing down what you feel, put down on paper what you would say if you did have the chance to tell him."
I smiled. That was a really good idea. Even though he would never read it, I could vent all of the anger onto the paper. "I think I might just do that. I need journals, though, so it'll have to wait until I can order some online. I don't think I'll be making any shopping trips to Port Angeles anytime soon."
He smiled, "Thank you. I wish you wouldn't, unless one of the pack is with you when you go."
I nodded, "I know. That's why I'll just order them online, then have them shipped to the new house."
Sam leaned back against the lounger, then pulled his feet up onto the end, settling my blanket over me better. I laid my head down on his chest as I rested my hands on his shoulders, then he wrapped his arms around me as he whispered, "I like this. I like holding you in my arms like this."
I nodded and hummed, settling further into his chest. Soon I was dozing lightly as he stroked his fingers up and down my back over the thin blanket. I faintly heard Charlie whisper, "Is she asleep again? She looks so peaceful. I haven't seen her this peaceful since her first night in Forks."
I mumbled softly, "Not sleeping... dozing. Sam's really comfortable, plus he turns me to mush when he rubs my back like that. I can't help it... he's better than warm milk, a fluffy bed, lullabies, and counting sheep put together when he does that."
Charlie chuckled, "Well, I'm glad you're comfortable, Bells. It's a good thing. Sue just got here, so I'm going to light the grill then start the fire in the pit. Everyone else should be arriving soon. Here's a bottle of water. Figured you might want one soon."
I nodded while holding my hand out, but didn't move my body otherwise, "Thanks."
They both chuckled, then I heard a giggle coming closer, saying, "She looks like Leah when Paul holds her. He turned you to jello, didn't he?"
My giggle soon joined as I agreed, so she said, "Yep, that's how Leah described it to me. It's a wolf/imprint thing, Honey. They instinctively know just how to calm their mate or make them feel better. They are made for their imprint, just as their imprint is made for them. You'll find that you can tell what Sam needs as time goes on if you listen to your instincts."
I smiled as I offered in gratitude, "Thanks, Sue. Hope I'm not being rude, but I really can't find it in me to move right now."
She chuckled, "Nonsense, Bella. You're where you're supposed to be right now. I hear Dr. Gerandy said to stay off your feet, anyhow. You just stay right there in Sam's arms; I can deal with the rest."
I nodded, "M'kay," then stifled a yawn. I felt two kisses to my forehead, then heard two sets of footsteps heading in opposite directions.
Sam whispered, "Rest, my little beauty. Do you want me to wake you when everyone gets here?"
I whispered, "Please," then inhaled his scent as I settled further into him. He started stroking my back again, which was the last thing I registered.
Sam's POV
I couldn't help but smile when Isabella fell asleep less than two minutes after she asked, "Please." I was happy to know that my imprint reacted so well to my touch. Charlie finished lighting the fire in the pit, then came back over to sit next to me. I whispered, "She's asleep already."
Charlie nodded with a grin, "I used to do that same thing when she was fussy and just days old. It's nice to know some things never change."
I chuckled, "Are you ready for the reveal?"
He smirked in return, asking, "And which of the three are you talking about? They all wrap up into one somehow or another, don't they?"
I nodded, "That they do, Charlie. You know she's gonna shit a brick, right? I wouldn't be surprised if she thinks about calling the doc to check your head."
He stifled a laugh behind his hands, so he wouldn't wake my sleeping angel, then whispered, "That sounds like her, but once we explain it, I think she'll understand. I wanted to do it before I found out you imprinted on her, but that cemented it for me. Her bond to you, along with her ties to the pack, will have her wanting to keep you all well fed and crashing there when you have the chance. Your place is just too small, plus the pack will still need a place to hold meetings and bonfires. It all makes sense, really."
I nodded, "Have you told the station yet?"
Charlie beamed at me, "Yep. Everything's set."
I nodded, kissing the top of my Bella's head, then Charlie whispered, "It won't be long before you're a permanent in the new house... you know that, right?"
I smiled softly as I whispered, "It's all up to her, Charlie. I'm just thankful that she's giving me a chance."
He chuckled, "I can clearly see the chemistry between the two of you when you look at each other. If it's as explosive as it looks, you'd better prepare her for what to expect."
I smiled, "That's part of what we already talked about. She told me Renee's had her on the pill since she was 13, even though she was nowhere near ready to be physical with anyone. I explained that she needed to be 100% sure before she told me she was ready for that, because of the marking and cementing of the bond. She also knows that until then, she can choose anyone she wants, but if she chooses to be intimate with me, she's choosing me for her life mate. I made sure to tell her that there's no going back for her afterward."
Charlie patted my shoulder, "Good, Son. I'm glad you're being upfront with her about all of it. Did you tell her about Spring Fever?"
My eyes went wide. How could I have missed something that important? "Shit... I completely forgot about that. She knows about the mini-fridge and protein bars, though. I'll have to tell her about Spring Fever later. She laughed when I told her about one of the girls passing out. She knew exactly what happened without me even telling her. She has a good understanding of it, even saying she hoped to be back at her pre-Forks weight before we decided to be intimate."
Charlie let out a breath in relief, "Good. She's so small compared to you... I can't help but worry. I know you can't hurt her, but I would feel better if she gained the weight back. She looked much healthier when she walked off that plane than she does now, and I know they had something to do with it."
I nodded as I held her tighter, "She said that he kept feeding her health shit... like she needed to lose weight or something. I bet if anything, she probably could have still gained a few pounds. She said most of what she lost wasn't even in her stomach."
Charlie shook his head, "She looked like a woman getting off that plane, Sam. Now she looks like my Bells from a few summers ago. It almost seems like with the weight she lost, she lost a few years in maturity. She was so confident and feisty when she got off the plane -a grown woman in her own right. Now she's this meek little thing, like she's 14 again. Just bring back the real Bells, Sam. I'll be glad to see the woman she's supposed to be again. I know a father never wants their daughter to grow up, but when you see the deterioration first hand, you'd give anything for her to be that woman again."
I kissed her head again as she sighed in her sleep, then whispered, "I'll bring her back, Charlie. I think she's already on her way to being her old self again, though."
He looked at me questioningly as I chuckled, so I continued, "Let's just say she's gotten feisty with me more than once already."
He shook his head with a laugh, "I'm going to be glad my room is on the other end of the house, aren't I?"
I just nodded with a smirk, so he left it at that. I whispered, "I take it you haven't told her about you and Sue yet?"
His eyes went wide, "We're already dropping a lot of bombs on her in a short time period. Let's leave that one for another time, please."
I shook my head, "You know I can't lie to her if she sees the two of you and asks me, Charlie. You either have to let her see you together, or if you don't want her to know, you'll have to stay clear of each other."
Charlie ran his fingers through his hair, then sighed, explaining, "I just don't know how she'll take it. If things go further with Sue, she won't want to live in the house with all the chaos. She'll want to stay in her little house -which is fine- but I don't want Bells to think that I'm just going to dump all this on her, only to split to Sue's. She's had to grow up too quickly, with Renee and all. Being your imprint is putting a lot of responsibility on her, especially with you training to become chief. Are you prepared to give up your house? To move in when the time comes?"
I looked him straight in the eyes, offering truthfully, "In a heartbeat. I already don't want to be without her, Charlie. It's going to kill me to go on patrol tonight. I don't want the boys to think I'm going to slack off, now that I found my imprint, though."
He shook his head, eying me seriously as he said, "You gave both of those boys a full week when they imprinted. I think they both will expect you to do the same, to take a week to settle into a routine with her."
I never thought about it like that. "I'll see what the boys think when they get here. Are you sure you're alright with all of this?"
Charlie hummed as if he was thinking about how to word something, then seemed to decide on how to word his thoughts. "I'm doing what I can as her father, to make sure her future is as burden-free and happy as I can, with the house. She's loved that house ever since I first took her there when she was six... yet she didn't even know it's true purpose then. It's a huge relief to me to know that you can't hurt her, Sam... that you'll always do everything you can to make her happy. I have no qualms about you two being physical, as long as I don't have to hear it, because I know you won't leave her or use her for your gain.”
He smiled softly, then said seriously to me, “Sam, I'm not taking the master bedroom in the new house. I'm giving it to Bells because I want you two to have enough space. I don't want a fancy tub or any of those things. Bells likes her baths, and with you being so big, the larger shower will work better for you. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you stay in the house permanently after this first week; I'm good with that. I'm not saying I think she'll want to be physical by then, just that I know she sleeps easier when she's in your arms, plus she's happier when she's awake and you're near her. From the moment I learned all about imprinting, I hoped that one day one of you would imprint on her. I always thought it would be Jake with his lineage. He hasn't phased, though, and she's never seen him as anything other than a brother. You're a better fit for her, from what I can see."
I smiled as I really took in what he was saying, then said sincerely, "Thanks, Charlie. It means a lot to me that you're okay with this. As I said, it's all up to her... but it helps to know that I have your approval if she does want me to stay. I'm just going to let her be the guide in all of this. I think you should make it clear to her that you approve of me staying, though. She seems to think you'll throw me out at the first chance you get."
He chuckled, "That's probably because I purposely never called the mind-reader by his given name, plus I always tried to rush him out of the house. I'll take her aside to talk to her about it."