The Heat of You
by Wizardtho
Chapter 27:
Over the next month, I threw myself into training so much that I barely had time to remember my name. Training meant I didn’t need to think… not about the Cullens, my growing feelings for Paul, or especially about my mri results from Dr. Brown. Everything became instinctive, and the motions flowed together seamlessly.
Nearing the end of my first month as a wolf, Paul and I were on patrol near the Cullen lands, and I caught something strange on the breeze. I stopped and tried to hone in on it, asking in my mind, “Do you… what is that smell?”
After a few seconds, it became stronger, and I gagged as I growled loudly in my mind, “Fuck! Vampire… close!”
Paul whipped around as my body coiled to run, “Shit. Go, Bella. Follow it! I’m right behind you.”
I gagged again at the stench of whiskey and stale cigarettes, knowing instantly who it belonged to.
James.
I dashed off in the direction that the scent got stronger. Soon we ended up on the trail that led from the Cullen’s to Charlie’s. I growled loudly as I realized his destination, pushing myself to run faster.
Paul picked up the pace, too, and I heard Sam howl from the rez as he called through the link, “On my way. Be careful, and Bella? Remember your training; use your size and speed to your advantage.”
I acknowledged him through the mind link, then we slowed near Dad’s backyard. We went quiet as we crept the last 100 ft inside the treeline. James was trying to peer into the house from the windows, so I offered to Paul through the link, “I don’t want my scent to reach him before we make our move. I’m going to circle around to the other side of him, so he has less of a chance to run.”
As soon as I was in position near the woodshed, Paul gave me the signal, and we both leaped into the yard with loud snarls. James whipped around, his face showing fear for only a second before he sneered, “Should’ve known you fleabags would be involved. Where is she?” He looked between us before Paul prowled a few feet closer with a growl vibrating out from his chest.
James let out a sinister laugh, then smirked at Paul, “Ah, so you’re the one! I can smell her all over you. It’s going to be so much fun to kill you, then to find and play with her. What will she say when I tell her I killed you? Or wait, maybe I’ll rip your head from your body, so I can show it to her before I use her the way I was promised.”
I made the mistake of snapping my teeth at him while growling loudly, drawing his attention to me instead of Paul. James casually walked a few feet in my direction, then inhaled my scent… tentatively at first, but quickly his eyes seemed to roll as he inhaled deeply, “Fuck. Now I really get to play. Hello, Pet. Miss me?”
Knowing he would chase me, I ran my thoughts through my head so Paul could coordinate, then quickly dashed toward the woods. James was hot on my tail, but my speed allowed me to put a few feet between us.
A few minutes into the chase, I quickly made a long air leap toward a large tree base, then pushed with my hind legs to flip off it and land with my jaws clamped on his shoulder.
He let out a gowl, then ripped me off him with a loud hiss. I snarled as I landed several feet away, and this time, it was him that ran. Paul and I were both quick to follow, him in a wider arc than me.
Back and forth, James loved to play games, and he seemed to think he would be the victor, no matter what. It took about an hour, but I finally was able to gain enough speed to make my move.
I took James down from behind, my jaws locked down tight on his left shoulder. With a growl so deep that my whole frame vibrated, I shook my head hard, and there was a loud metal screech sound before there was suddenly no resistance.
James let out a scream of pain and tried to scramble away from me, but Paul chomped down on his right leg like a chew toy. James snarled, but he was no match physically for the both of us, and his underestimation of me is what gave us the upper hand.
James’ left arm and right leg were completely detached before Sam slid to a stop in the woods near us. Without any hesitation, he shifted back, slid his shorts on, and started a fire just inside the yard near the treeline. Paul happily carried the detached limbs to the fire while I continued to tear James apart.
When I finally separated his head from his shoulders with another loud metallic screeching sound, I looked up to see Dad leaning against a tree with a big grin on his face.
I tilted my head in confusion, so Dad chuckled, “I’m so damn proud of you, Bells. From what Sam just told me, this is the one you thought was dead already?”
I nodded my wolfy head, and Dad continued, “Instead letting fear take hold, you lured him into running after you. You faced someone who hurt you… violently assaulted you… and made damn sure he could never do it again.”
I let that roll around in my head for a second before my entire body flooded with relief. Never again. James was dead. I did that.
One down. Seven to go.
Paul’s pride and love wrapped around me through the link, feeling like a comforting blanket.
I watched as the last evidence of James' body went up in purple smoke. A single tear fell down my left cheek for the pain he’d caused before I could stop it. My new mantra was quick to follow.
I am not that little girl anymore. I’m not some weak wallflower. I am a strong and capable wolf. Tears have no place in this hunt.
Over the next month, I threw myself into training so much that I barely had time to remember my name. Training meant I didn’t need to think… not about the Cullens, my growing feelings for Paul, or especially about my mri results from Dr. Brown. Everything became instinctive, and the motions flowed together seamlessly.
Nearing the end of my first month as a wolf, Paul and I were on patrol near the Cullen lands, and I caught something strange on the breeze. I stopped and tried to hone in on it, asking in my mind, “Do you… what is that smell?”
After a few seconds, it became stronger, and I gagged as I growled loudly in my mind, “Fuck! Vampire… close!”
Paul whipped around as my body coiled to run, “Shit. Go, Bella. Follow it! I’m right behind you.”
I gagged again at the stench of whiskey and stale cigarettes, knowing instantly who it belonged to.
James.
I dashed off in the direction that the scent got stronger. Soon we ended up on the trail that led from the Cullen’s to Charlie’s. I growled loudly as I realized his destination, pushing myself to run faster.
Paul picked up the pace, too, and I heard Sam howl from the rez as he called through the link, “On my way. Be careful, and Bella? Remember your training; use your size and speed to your advantage.”
I acknowledged him through the mind link, then we slowed near Dad’s backyard. We went quiet as we crept the last 100 ft inside the treeline. James was trying to peer into the house from the windows, so I offered to Paul through the link, “I don’t want my scent to reach him before we make our move. I’m going to circle around to the other side of him, so he has less of a chance to run.”
As soon as I was in position near the woodshed, Paul gave me the signal, and we both leaped into the yard with loud snarls. James whipped around, his face showing fear for only a second before he sneered, “Should’ve known you fleabags would be involved. Where is she?” He looked between us before Paul prowled a few feet closer with a growl vibrating out from his chest.
James let out a sinister laugh, then smirked at Paul, “Ah, so you’re the one! I can smell her all over you. It’s going to be so much fun to kill you, then to find and play with her. What will she say when I tell her I killed you? Or wait, maybe I’ll rip your head from your body, so I can show it to her before I use her the way I was promised.”
I made the mistake of snapping my teeth at him while growling loudly, drawing his attention to me instead of Paul. James casually walked a few feet in my direction, then inhaled my scent… tentatively at first, but quickly his eyes seemed to roll as he inhaled deeply, “Fuck. Now I really get to play. Hello, Pet. Miss me?”
Knowing he would chase me, I ran my thoughts through my head so Paul could coordinate, then quickly dashed toward the woods. James was hot on my tail, but my speed allowed me to put a few feet between us.
A few minutes into the chase, I quickly made a long air leap toward a large tree base, then pushed with my hind legs to flip off it and land with my jaws clamped on his shoulder.
He let out a gowl, then ripped me off him with a loud hiss. I snarled as I landed several feet away, and this time, it was him that ran. Paul and I were both quick to follow, him in a wider arc than me.
Back and forth, James loved to play games, and he seemed to think he would be the victor, no matter what. It took about an hour, but I finally was able to gain enough speed to make my move.
I took James down from behind, my jaws locked down tight on his left shoulder. With a growl so deep that my whole frame vibrated, I shook my head hard, and there was a loud metal screech sound before there was suddenly no resistance.
James let out a scream of pain and tried to scramble away from me, but Paul chomped down on his right leg like a chew toy. James snarled, but he was no match physically for the both of us, and his underestimation of me is what gave us the upper hand.
James’ left arm and right leg were completely detached before Sam slid to a stop in the woods near us. Without any hesitation, he shifted back, slid his shorts on, and started a fire just inside the yard near the treeline. Paul happily carried the detached limbs to the fire while I continued to tear James apart.
When I finally separated his head from his shoulders with another loud metallic screeching sound, I looked up to see Dad leaning against a tree with a big grin on his face.
I tilted my head in confusion, so Dad chuckled, “I’m so damn proud of you, Bells. From what Sam just told me, this is the one you thought was dead already?”
I nodded my wolfy head, and Dad continued, “Instead letting fear take hold, you lured him into running after you. You faced someone who hurt you… violently assaulted you… and made damn sure he could never do it again.”
I let that roll around in my head for a second before my entire body flooded with relief. Never again. James was dead. I did that.
One down. Seven to go.
Paul’s pride and love wrapped around me through the link, feeling like a comforting blanket.
I watched as the last evidence of James' body went up in purple smoke. A single tear fell down my left cheek for the pain he’d caused before I could stop it. My new mantra was quick to follow.
I am not that little girl anymore. I’m not some weak wallflower. I am a strong and capable wolf. Tears have no place in this hunt.