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akariamai · 7 months

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Romeo & Juliet [Part 1]

Pairing: Jacob Black x OC!Swan

Word Count: 1953

Part 2 Part 3

Sloan Swan detested the assigned reading she was given. It bothers her that the widely accepted portrayal of Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet It was a narrative of blind lust for a stranger rather than an epic love story of two tragic lovers torn apart by their warring families.

“They loved each other.” Bella, her twin sister, argued as she drove them to school. In contrast to Sloan, Bella was enamored with the notion of love and disregarded the glaring red warning signs it left in its wake. Romeo’s lovely, meaningless words blinded her, just like they did so many others.

She criticized, “Romeo was literally ‘in love’ with Juliet’s cousin, Rosaline, and when she didn’t return his feeling, he went looking elsewhere. When he tells his friends about his ‘feelings’ for Juliet, they assume he’s talking about Rosaline.”

“That’s not true.” Her sister shakes her head in disbelief.

Sloan ruffles through her backpack, searching for the school’s copy of the play and flipping through the tagged pages.

“Page 32 to 33. Benvolio says to Romeo, ‘At this same ancient feast of Capulet’s, Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves,’ and later in the same page Romeo replies, ‘One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun, Ne’er saw her match since first the world begun.’ Romeo meets Juliet around page 53. Do I need to read more?”

Bella remained quiet as her perception of Romeo and Juliet was uprooted. The heartbreaking reality was silently placed in front of her, bursting a love she had equated her and Edwards to and a raging loathing emerged for her twin sister.

“And not to mention, Romeo only married Juliet to sleep with her. That’s not love.”

Bella gritted her teeth. “What do you know about love?”

“More than you, apparently.” She shot back. It was true she never had a boyfriend, but she was born with logic, and she’d be damned to ignore red flags when she saw them.

“Why do you hate love stories?”

“I don’t hate love stories.” Sloan clarified, “I hate toxic relationships disguised as love stories. There’s a difference.”

Juliet was a naive girl with rose petal shades shielding her from the truth. She was in love with the idea of love and fallen for the first boy to entice her. Her false sense of love drove her to follow him in death. Her end was tragic as she never once felt true love, only the lust of a boy impatient to bed her.

“I pity Juliet. Romeo used her and would’ve abandoned her when a new beauty caught his eye.” She sniffled out a yawn. “He plucked her from the sky and clipped her wings, locking her in a golden cage, and once he got bored of her song, he freed her but left her flightless. That would’ve been the ending of their story if they had lived.”

Bella remained silent, reeling in her fragmented view on Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, her hatred for her sister burning twice as much. The silhouette of the school could not appear fast enough as Bella hurriedly searched for a parking spot.

Her arms trembling as she parked her truck, unable to comprehend Sloan’s point of view on her favorite Shakespeare play, and needed some space to clear her mind. Sloan had zipped her backpack up; infuriating Bella. How can Sloan act as if she hadn’t disrupted her entire world. She slams her door shut as she frantically searches for Edward, her lifeline.

“Wherefore art thou, Bella? Sloan?” Mike calls out as he, Eric, Angela, and Jessica approach the two twins. “You finish the Shakespeare assignment?”

Jessica pitched in, “He means will you finish his assignment?”

“No, I don’t—okay I do.” He admits.

“I can help you with it — but first —” She pulls out her new camera, a birthday gift from her father that she was gifted earlier today. “I need a picture. My mom’s expecting a scrapbook full of memories.”

Angela holds out her own camera and says, “I take ‘em; I don’t pose for ‘em.”

“You do today.” Bella lightly pushed Angela towards the rest of the group as they arranged themselves.

“I can take the picture, Bella,” Sloan says while holding out a hand. “Go stand with your friends.” Bella reluctantly hands it over before awkwardly walking towards them as the group rearrange themselves for Bella to be in the center.

“You’ll photoshop my nose if it looks big, right?” The question was aimed at Bella.

“Don’t worry, I’m in the picture; no one will be looking at you guys.” Eric proclaimed confidently.

Jessica scoffs at his joke as the group decided on their final poses. Angela, incorporating her love for photography, points the camera at Sloan; Mike and Eric joust, and Bella stands in the center of their delightfully carefree selves stiffly. The clicks of the camera shutters as it freezes them in a moment in time and archives it forever.

Sloan lowers the camera before noticing their playful smiles dissipates except for Bella’s. The timid smile she faked grew into a real one as she had obviously spotted Edward, her boyfriend.

Although her friends did not mind the male, they did not appreciate how quickly she discarded them for him. When Bella and Edward started dating, they became placeholders for when he wasn’t around.

“Oh good. Cullen’s here.” Mike noticed the way Edward stared at Bella; it was not out of love but something more nefarious. At first, he chalked it up to jealously. His feelings for Bella were still ever-present, but he genuinely cared for her well-being. He believed, with all that he’s seen, that Edward did not love Bella the way she loves him. It was only a matter of time before he hurt her, and he prayed to be wrong for her sake.

Jessica’s response was even drier. “Yay.” Once upon a time, she had feelings for Edward, but the second he became unavailable, she pushed those feelings aside. Bella was her friend, even if she didn’t act like it most of the time, and she would never stand in the way of her friend’s happiness. However, she had noticed Bella’s co-dependency on Edward, following him around like a lost puppy craving his attention. It wasn’t healthy. Not one bit, but she had no right to say anything.

Sloan, too, did not like the relationship her sister had with Edward. Edward had stripped Bella away from her independent lifestyle. There was never a moment away from Edward. Bella would choose him over everyone, and the realization of this truth stung. She missed the days when the two of them would read together; although both were silent during this time, the conversations that happened afterwards were fun. Those days were gone, now filled with an empty chair and an untouched book, and Sloan having no one to talk to. She never thought she would become familiar with loneliness.

“Check ya, later.” Eric replied, sensing the uncomfortable atmosphere, and lead his friends away.

Bella hadn’t responded, nor did she notice; her attention solely remained on Edward, who approached her figure, his eyes never leaving hers. This was the moment when Sloan decided to leave, her absence going unnoticed by both her twin and the vampire. She preferred to be in her English class going over Romeo and Juliet than forced to watch her sister pine about her boyfriend.

From across the parking lot, someone shouted. “Sloan!” She turned her attention to the person, Jacob Black, her friend from the nearby reservation. His presence brought a smile onto her face as her worries vanished in an instant.

“Jake!” Her excitement could not be contained. It has been a while since the two of them hung out; both busy with school work and other responsibilities. “You grew.” She noticed. His muscles were more refined than the last time she saw him, he was now a head taller than her.

He laughed, “And you didn’t.” Now he can hold the television control over her head like she had done to him in their childhood. Sweet, sweet revenge.

She pouted, “Not my fault I’m bite-sized.” By no means was she short, not was she unusually tall. She was average, yet compared to the massive monster known as Jacob, it would appear so.

His glee was energizing, her thoughts on Edward and Bella fading into the foreground of her mind, acting as a life jacket keeping her from drowning in her thoughts and worries.

“Happy birthday.” He offers her a warm hug before reaching into his pocket, pulling out a small hand-woven bracelet. “It’s not much, I know, but.” He drops it in the palm of her hand, eyeing the marvel embedded in her chestnut eyes. “I hope you like it.”

“I love it!” She exclaimed, “You didn’t have to get me anything.” It was a thoughtful gift—something she’ll treasure forever. She quickly slips it on and makes a silent vow to never take it off. She won’t, however, except when she bathes or swims. She does not want his hard work to be ruined by water.

“I’m glad you like it.” He looks around for the other birthday girl, seeing her in a quiet conversation with her boyfriend. “I’m going to give your sister her gift.”

Sloan nods. Class is going to start soon, and she needed to get to class. “Bye Jacob.”

“Bye.” He rushed towards her sister, yelling her name to get her attention, managing to break up the couple for a few moments.

~~~

Bella quietly dropped off her sister at home before rushing away to her boyfriend’s house. Apparently, his family were throwing her a small party for their family only—the Cullens and the birthday girl—and no one else. Leaving Sloan and her father to celebrate the twins birthday alone.

The two didn’t plan much but it was just right for them. Both Bella and Sloan weren’t the party type, they preferred the quiet hums of their home, a homemade dinner with their father, and a hushed evening filled with television and soft conversation.

Sloan spent the day prepping for their meal, spicy honey garlic chicken with garlic Parmesan fries. It was a favorite she and her father shared. Bella’s absence remained a constant in their conversations. They spent their evening watching her favorite movies: Legally Blonde, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scream, and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.

Charlie loved the days when he and his daughters would sit together and watch TV. Bella would hide under the covers whenever a horror sequence became too much, opting to stay under until the danger passed. Sloan would mindlessly make comments under her breath throughout the movie, only audible to the person sitting next to her. He enjoyed days like this, as they were a small snippet of the past, his daughters reminding him of their younger selves, and now they were all grown up.

Wrapped up in one of her blankets, she laid her head on her father’s shoulders, her eyes drooping. It was late, and Bella still hadn’t arrived. Their birthday was already over and not a single second of the three of them had celebrated as a family. It truly broke her heart.

She didn’t know when, but her father carried her to her bedroom and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before tucking her in. He was going to miss moments like this. His children are adults now, and soon they will be leaving the nest. He never prepared himself for this day, always believing he had more time with them, but he guessed every parent came to the same realization when the time finally arrived.

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arrthurpendragon · 1 year

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Check out @nixdragon ‘s Twilight series on wattpad!

Book 1: She Will Be Loved

Book 2: Howling at the Moon

Book 3: Every Happy Moment

#ocappreciation #oc: genevieve swan #fd: twilight #jacob black x oc #poster #story cover #wattpad #oc fanfiction #oc fanfic

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since0202 · 2 years

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Taking Time—Forty Seven

The ties that bind

Word count: 9,921

You know that on edge feeling you get when you do something you’re totally not supposed to be doing? As if at any moment someone will round the corner, catch you, and that will be the end of it? You’ll stand there, flushed and caught, with whatever it is you’ve done wrong and expect…mercy. Forgiveness. Understanding. But do I deserve any of that? After everything I’ve done?

Paul pressed a rough kiss to Maya’s forehead when he dropped her off at Becks’ next the day. His body language was stiff and he was clearly still upset about yesterday. But Maya was too preoccupied with her short conversation with Becks from last night to pay him too much attention.

Paul barely said anything to her except, “Stay put,” before he rubbed her arm, pulled her to him for a quick hug, and headed out. Maya operated on autopilot, but she was filled with so much anxiety, enough to corner Becks and ask her what she meant last night when she had asked her about seeing the Cullens. Well, one specific Cullen.

“What’s that about?” Quil asked between bites of muffin as he stood at the expansive kitchen island. Maya shoved her hands in her back pockets and gave him a tight lipped smile.

“Nothing,” she said too quickly.

“Uh huh,” Quil said around a mouthful of muffin, “Go easy on him, would you? He’s an absolute nightmare when he’s stressed about you.”

“I didn’t do anything to him,” Maya said trying to hide the irritation laid plain in her voice as she ducked around him to pour herself some coffee.

“Uh huh,” Quil replied skeptically again. Maya rolled her eyes and took the steaming cup over to the couch before plopping down on it and attending to the massive pile of freshly laundered baby clothes that were heaped upon the ottoman. Maya let her eyes coast up the massive pile of unfolded onesies and tiny loose socks and let out a long sigh.

Coordinating this without being found out was going to be the biggest hurdle. But Maya still couldn’t believe that she agreed to it in the first place. She nearly blurted it out to Paul on their way over this morning, but something had kept her quiet.

Maybe it was the constant rounds, or the fact that Paul was being so weird, or her growing need to prove that the Cullens weren’t a threat despite not knowing much else about them, but she had been quick to agree when Becks told her that this was something she had to do before the baby was born.

Becks was convinced it would be safer that way. Whether that was true or not, Maya wasn’t sure, but before Becks had abruptly ended their phone call the night before, she had said something that rang true and convinced Maya that they had to do this:

“There’s something Jacob isn’t telling me. And he’s going to learn very quickly that if he shuts me out, I’ll figure it out on my own. Maybe it’s the hormones, but I’m sick of watching him kill himself for an enemy that I get the feeling is not the real enemy at all.”

Maya sipped her coffee as the rain started to come down heavily. In the garden, the flowers they had planted for Becks’ baby shower were flourishing and nearly taking over every inch of the plot.

“You want some help?” Quil sank down onto the plush couch next to her and leaned forward to grab a onesie covered in ducks. His massive hands deftly maneuvered the tiny piece of clothing as he began folding. Maya smiled and leaned forward to help.

“Thanks,” she said softly before digging into the pile herself.

“It’s going to be okay, Maya,” Quil said gently, not looking at her as he focused on pairing tiny socks together. Maya paused and looked at him, her heart hammering in her chest for a moment before she reminded herself to calm down.

“You all keep saying that,” she replied harshly. But the words felt wrong in her mouth and she refused to look at him as she sipped her coffee.

Over the next couple of weeks, Maya and Becks found a way to converse in private without one of the wolves overhearing. They’d sit next to each other on the couch and pull up a co-op word puzzle game and in the chat feature, they’d discuss their plans. Whenever one of the pack walked by, they would simply ‘x’ out of the small chat box and pretend to be playing the word game inatead. It was kind of perfect.

Wolfgirl232: So, how was it?

MSunRun: It was fine. He cooked me dinner. We fucked. And I managed to finish another application after he passed out.

WG: That bad?

They were talking about Maya’s birthday. It had passed by in relative quiet. As Maya had predicted, Paul refused to leave the rez with the wolves being so preoccupied with increased rounds. There wasn’t even a collective pack dinner for her like Emily usually organized for imprints. She had gotten plenty of “Happy Birthday” texts and saw her parents that day who celebrated her in a way only they could, but Maya would be lying if she said she hadn't been a little disappointed at the lack of fanfare this year.

M: His heart’s not in it.

WG: Into you? That’s not true and you know it.

M: No, I mean. He’s just not there half the time and even when he is there, he’s…far away.

WG: I’m sorry, My. He does love you. You know that.

M: I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Your move.

Becks shot her a sad look and then readjusted herself on the couch. After the initial phone call that fateful evening, Becks and Maya had been trying to come up with a way to effectively sneak out of the house to rendezvous with The Bella Cullen.

Maya had had so many questions for Becks on that first day when they had figured out how to converse in private via the word game:

M: How did you even come up with this?!

WG: I just reached out to her.

M: Who!?

WG: Bella.

M: How?! When?!

WG: The same week we got the baby present. I just went through Jacob’s phone when he was in the shower, found her number and texted her.

M: You’re fucking nuts. What did she say?!

WG: That she was glad I reached out and asked if there was any possible way we all could meet up to talk.

M: So…like she wants to see you and Jacob?

WG: I guess. She sounded pretty nice though. Normal.

M: We can only hope.

Beyond that, Becks continued to emphasize the importance of sneaking away to see Bella before the baby was born. She was adamant that it was their safest option, but that put a very fast approaching deadline onto their plan.

M: Okay, but you’re literally about to fucking burst any day now.

WG: My due date isn’t until the 13th of July. We have like almost three weeks.

M: Becks.

WG: Maya.

M: Okay, well I know you said we can’t involve anyone else, but if we’re going to shake your guard, we’re going to need a distraction.

WG: What did you have in mind?

So far, they hadn’t involved Keye in their plan, which Maya thought was a mistake. Scheming, expert sneaking, and pulling off a good escape was Keye’s forte. So when Maya offered Becks a plan one night that involved Keye as they both tried to stay awake on the couch, Becks was quick to agree. Maybe it was her impending due date or the urgency of getting this meeting out of the way and finding out once and for all what Jacob was hiding, but whatever it was—Becks was ready.

That was why Maya had come up with a plan that would throw them into motion fairly quickly when the time came. And when Colin was assigned to be on watch one overly cloudy Thursday afternoon, Maya knew it was time.

If all went according to plan, Maya and Becks would be tucked away upstairs in Becks’ room. Maya would leave the shower running to make it seem like she was helping Becks bathe as she often needed help with now and when Keye arrived, she would leave her car running for them. Colin would unsuspectingly get the brunt of some massive argument that Keye was sure to come up with, and drag him outside in the backyard while Maya and Becks would make their getaway in Keye’s car.

From there, they would make their way swiftly off the rez, with Becks laying down in the front seat, Maya’s hair tucked up under Keye’s bucket hat and their scent masked by the heap of clean clothes Keye piled in the backseat. Easy.

She texted Keye that the plan was a go on the way to Becks and Jacob's place once it was confirmed that it would be Colin standing guard that day. Here goes nothing, she thought.

Paul ushered her through the front door a little impatiently and Maya swallowed the grimace forming on her face. When he leaned down beside her to kiss her though, she held onto his face for just a bit longer than she normally would. He obliged instantly, his hands sliding from her lower back to her waist and pulling her flush against his tall frame. And there it was: the imprint thrummed, she audibly sighed into his mouth, and her belly exploded with butterflies. His other hand came up to gently cup the side of her face and Maya lost herself for just a moment in that embrace as his lips worked gently over hers, his tongue sliding softly through her mouth and pressing against her tongue. She lost her breath and clung to his neck as her knees quite literally wobbled beneath her. His hand tightened on her waist in response and she couldn’t help but relish in the feeling of him, even though the guilt of what they were about to do hung just beneath it.

Maya had volleyed between telling Paul that Becks had contacted Bella Cullen and keeping it a secret for the past two weeks. He was worried, they all were, about this so-called threat. And Maya would be lying if she said she wasn’t at least a little scared about the prospect of meeting an unknown vampire alone, friendly or not. Even now, the secret hung heavy in her belly and when he pulled free from their embrace, his eyes warm and kind with that soft look of love that made her ache, she wanted to tell him. She could just tell him.

Her mouth hung open, belabored by the kiss and half hoping to speak, but just as she croaked out, “Paul, I need to—,” Jacob burst through the backdoor, drenched in rain.

“Paul!” he said loudly. Maya jumped at the sound breaking through her reverie and Paul pulled her tighter against him protectively, his eyes flitting across her worried face for a moment before looking at Jake stomping toward him. He kept his hold on Maya, her face still cradled by one of his hands as he grimaced at Jacob, “We picked up a scent.” Jacob said firmly.

Maya felt Paul’s body tense and her heartbeat slammed in her chest. This was it. It had to be the Cullens or at the very least, Bella, coming to meet Becks and Maya.

“Here?” Paul said incredulously.

“No, not on rez. I ran up to the border last night, just to see if maybe they were lurking, or laying in wait and I picked something up. It’s faint, but seems fairly fresh.”

“Could be anyone then. I thought we were sticking local? It’s a better area to cover and we have no obligation to protect anyone other than who’s on our own turf, remember?” Paul questioned, his voice showing a hint of exhaustion. Maya’s heart panged in her chest and she rubbed the stubble that persisted on his jaw, the uneven shaves he’d been trying to keep up on were definitely forgone in recent days.

“If they’re close, I need to know. Becks might go into labor soon and I don’t want any possibility of them slipping through our lines when we’re distracted,” Jacob was stone, immovable, focused. He truly believed that finding and chasing off the Cullens was the only way to keep them all safe. The tension in his shoulders was so tight Maya was amazed he didn’t snap in two from sheer stress.

Jacob looked over his shoulder at Colin who was by the backdoor texting someone—Keye already laying the groundwork for our plan, Maya thought—and said, “No one leaves the house today, understood?” Colin’s face snapped up from his phone as he nodded quickly.

Paul sighed heavily and nodded too, his eyes now painted over with duty and cold resignation to the task at hand, that honey look of love stamped clean out. Maya had to suppress a small sob gathering in her throat as her hand fell to grip his wrist. She pleaded with him with her eyes as if to say, Don’t do this. But instead he leaned down and kissed her forehead with as much tenderness as he could muster when he was wound this tight and murmured,

“Stay put,” for the millionth time.

Maya shut her eyes tight as the irritation at his command bristled through her, leaving hot pinpricks of pain in the palms of her hand and tips of her fingers. Her mouth formed a tight line as she clenched her fists and nodded. He kissed the top of her head one more time and followed Jacob out the door, disappearing down the drive and into the forest in just a few seconds.

Maya blew out a slow breath and shook her head. This was it. No turning back now. When she turned back into the house, she noticed Colin typing distractedly on his phone, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion and irritation.

“Where’s Becks?” Maya asked nonchalantly, swallowing her anxiety. Collin motioned toward the staircase and Maya took the stairs two at a time before walking quickly down the long hallway toward their owner’s suite. Maya knocked softly on the ajar bedroom door before she was called in by Becks’ soft, upbeat voice.

Maya found her in the middle of her giant king sized bed, laundry and baby bibs strewn about. She thumbed over her shoulder and smiled conspiratorially at Becks before saying casually,

“Colin’s downstairs. Seems like he and Keye might be at it again.” With well trained ears in the house, it was crucial to play it safe. Becks sighed dramatically, her round belly heaving with effort as she said,

“Not again. Can’t those two ever give it a rest?” she feigned. Maya chuckled and sprang onto the bed to help start folding.

“I give her ten minutes before she’s speeding over here to give him a piece of her mind,” Maya confirmed, already having seen a text from Keye that stated that exact timeline.

They folded clothes in relative silence for the next few minutes before Maya heard her phone vibrate.

Keye: Get ready for the hurricane.

Maya showed the text to Becks who nodded. The plan was in motion. Maya got up and crossed to the bedroom door, leaning out to shout:

“Colin?” After a beat she heard:

“What’s up, My?” from the bottom of the stairs.

“I’m going to help Becks take a shower, okay?” It should perturb her how easy it came to lie, but instead, she waited calmly for his response.

“Yeah, okay!” He said somewhat frazzled. Maya couldn’t help but giggle quietly as she left the door ajar and jogged to the ensuite bathroom to turn on the shower. She sure as hell wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of Keye’s wrath. Becks slipped into her slides as Maya came out, tying up her hair in a low bun.

“Ready?” she asked. Becks stood and nodded silently, her eyes focused and charged. Outside, Maya heard the distinct shriek of Keye’s brakes and a car door slam. Seconds later, the front door banged open. Maya and Becks made their way quietly down the hall as Keye’s bellowing began.

“YOU’RE SUCH A FUCKING JERK, COLIN! DO YOU KNOW THAT? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF A JERK YOU ARE?” Keye waved her arms dramatically.

“Calm the fuck down, please!” Colin scoffed. “I don’t even get why you’re mad about this!”

“HOW FUCKING DARE YOU! NOW I’M NOT SUPPOSED TO GET MAD ABOUT MY BOYFRIEND FORGETTING SOMETHING SO MONUMENTALLY IMPORTANT? YOU KNOW WHAT COLIN? I’VE HAD ENOUGH. FUCK YOU!” Keye swung the back door open and stomped down short steps into the backyard.

“KEYE! God damnit, Keye wait!” Colin called after her as he jogged out into the backyard.

And that was their moment—Maya helped Becks carefully down the stairs and they slipped hurriedly outside the front door that Keye had left open and into her still running car. Maya slid into the driver’s seat and shoved Keye’s bucket hat onto her head along with a pair of sunglasses as Becks tipped the front seat back so she could lay prone.

With that, they were off. As soon as Maya made it down the driveway, she gunned it when they hit cement toward Forks. With any luck, they’d make it off the reservation unnoticed and to Chief Swan’s house in ten or fifteen minutes.

Maya couldn't help her eyes flitting to the treeline to look for any sign of the wolves. Every shake of a tree or wind blowing through the leaves made her panic as she thought she saw fur between the limbs ready to head them off as they neared the reservation line.

After driving in tense silence for a while, Maya saw the familiar landmarks that signaled they nearing the end of reservation.

“We’re getting close,” Maya said softly. She glanced over at Becks who had closed her eyes and was taking deep, careful breaths.

“Are you okay?” Maya asked, noticing Becks wince slightly.

“Yes,” Becks let go of a long breath, “Just drive, okay?”

“Oh my god, Becks, are you—?” Maya said somewhat panicked as her eyes darted from the road to her very pregnant best friend.

“Just drive, Maya!” Becks demanded. “We’ve got one shot at this.”

Maya suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over her. While she knew Becks had her reasons for wanting to confront Bella, she was also aware that, in part, she was doing this for her too, which made the guilt that much worse. Maya pursed her lips and drove on, not totally convinced that this was the right way to go about this. But they’d gotten this far.

When Maya pulled into the unfamiliar driveway, parking Keye’s beat up Corolla next to Charlie Swan’s squad car, she let out a long breath before turning to Becks.

“You’re sure about this?” Maya squinted, completely doubting the safety of their plan. Becks was in obvious discomfort and had slid down quite a bit in the passenger seat as if to find some angle her body would appreciate and relieve her of the significant pain clear on your face. Becks swallowed and pulled herself upright, unsnapping her seatbelt.

“Of course, My,” she said matter of factly, as if there couldn’t possibly be any other answer. Determined, Becks was always determined. And Maya should see that tenacity as a strength, a marker that this was going to work out. Right?

Becks was waddling up the driveway as Maya quickly shut off the car and jogged to meet her, putting an arm around her back and helping her to slowly ascend the short and broken cement steps that lead to the Swan’s front door. Maya leaned forward and knocked as Becks took some calming breaths and gave her a tight smile.

After just a few seconds, the door was wrenched open and a gray-haired Charlie stood there with a warm smile. His eyes lighting up at just the sight of Becks standing there. Maya swallowed and let her gaze drift from the kind face of the man to her friend who was shifting from foot to foot ever so slightly.

“Wow, wow! You look ready to pop, Becks!” Charlie exclaimed.

“Thanks, Charlie,” Becks replied, the irritation in her voice from the pain buried under the sweet and ever cheerful attitude she embodied. “This is my best friend, Maya,” She held onto her lower back and shuffled over the threshold of the door as Charlie moved aside and beckoned her in with Maya close behind. Maya had one hand in her pocket on her phone and one hand outstretched as if to assist Becks if she fell or buckled from the pain.

“We’ve met,” Maya said kindly nodding to Charlie who gave her a soft look.

“Indeed we have. I hope you’re still keeping Lahote on his toes. Lord knows that boy needs it,” Charlie joked. Maya smiled in response and after a beat, Charlie slapped his hands together, “Well! I'm headed out to see Billy and Sue, but don’t be a stranger, Becks. And don’t forget to bring that baby by once you’ve…you know,” he gestured vaguely to her and Becks chuckled, nodding her head lazily. “Good to see you, Maya.” He concluded before heading out the front door.

The house seemed eerily quiet to Maya, but since it was her first time there, she chalked it up to maybe it always being this way. It seemed like no one had been there but Charlie when they walked in, and Maya wondered if this plan had all been a spectacular waste of time.

She could see into the kitchen from their place in the living room entryway and noticed the window over the sink was cracked open, and beyond, birds were chirping peacefully in the cool morning air.

Becks leaned up against the back of the couch, a wince coming across her face. Maya’s panic grew. If Becks was in labor, they were definitely too far from the reservation hospital to get her there in time.

“Okay, you know what, we should go,” Maya said impatiently as she watched her friend’s head bow as she tried to focus on her breathing and ignore the pain. But then there was a soft whoosh and the hair on the back of Maya's neck prickled.

She looked over into the entryway and saw a woman coming down the stairs, her hand draped gently over the banister. The sunlight hit just the tips of her fingers and glitter erupted across the painted green foyer walls as the light bounced off of her marble-like skin. When she rounded the bottom of the stairs to face the living room, Maya held her breath. The woman was petite, dark chocolate brown hair reaching below her shoulders in elegant soft waves and her eyes were a pleasing golden color. She was dressed in a loose fitting, long sleeved shirt and dark wash jeans. Black converse adorned her feet. The woman smiled hesitantly and put her hands in her back pockets.

Maya let her eyes zero in on every minute feature she could make out from her place in the living room. She was a little disappointed; aside from the pale, somewhat luminescent skin that caught the late afternoon light, and golden eyes, this woman looked…fairly normal.

Becks pushed herself up straight from the back of the couch and Maya could hear the breath catch in her throat for a moment.

“You must be…Rebecca,” the woman said, her voice had a pleasing and gentle rasp to it.

“And you’re…Bella,” Becks confirmed. Bella’s eyes dropped to Becks’ stomach and a look of fondness washed over her stonelike features. Her eyes quickly darted back up to Becks’ face.

“Thank you for seeing me. Jake refuses…I mean, he doesn’t want to see me and I—”

“Yeah, I gathered as much,” Becks cut her off, her tone a little harsher than usual. Bella pursed her lips and nodded and Maya thought how strange it was to see such seemingly familiar human mannerisms in someone who was basically considered undead. “Look, whatever happened between you and him and your family is still raw and he needs time to heal. He’s trying to heal,” Becks emphasized. Maya watched her best friend’s face morph into one of distinct pain and she placed a hand on her arm.

“I know.” Bella said, looking down at her shoes, hesitantly. “But that’s not why I’m here…”

“What do you mean?” Becks asked, her breathing coming fast and labored now. Bella’s golden eyes flickered ever so slightly to Maya as she took her in in under a millisecond. Maya kept her face even, her lips pursed as she watched Bella carefully, trying to parse out what seemed so familiar about her. Maybe it was just this home and seeing her in it, like a ghost not so recently gone, that felt familiar. The hair on Maya’s arm prickled and she looked to Becks who was still breathing heavily, one hand over her stomach as if she was bracing herself. Maya’s hand gripped her phone tightly and pulled it out from her pocket on reflex. Something was wrong.

“There is a threat that the wolves are chasing,” Bella said calmly, “But it’s not us. We would never…Jake...and the others need to know what’s coming," she continued, "And we want to help.”

Maya raised an eyebrow at her. “If there is a threat, what do they want?” Maya asked sternly. She’d had enough of secrets and cryptic conversations. Bella watched her carefully and Maya thought she saw something there. An answer that she didn’t want.

But in the next moment, Becks winced and cried out in pain. Maya withdrew her hand, shock and fear taking over for a moment before Becks slid down the back of the couch with a tight whine. “Ow! Jeez!”

“Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. Becks?!” Maya screeched. Maya dropped to her knees next to Becks, her hands hovering over her, afraid to touch her in case it caused her more pain. She could feel the heat radiating off of her body. Bella suddenly appeared, a blur one moment and kneeling on Becks’ other side the next. She placed her hand over Becks’ stomach and one on her shoulder as if to reassure her and Becks whimpered, shutting her eyes tight against the pain.

Maya’s eyes were glued to Becks’ face contorted in pain as regret swirled in her stomach. What had they been thinking? Coming all the way out here into what they’ve been led to believe is enemy territory with Becks about to burst? Maya suddenly felt so stupid for putting her friend in such obvious danger and her brain immediately switched into protection mode.

“Becks, we need to—,” Maya tried, but Becks was groaning in pain, sharp cries leaving her every now and then as the sweat poured from her face.

“Edward,” Bella suddenly said, in a normal tone as if he was standing right next to her.

“Wha—?” Becks only had the chance to utter before another contraction overtook her and she squeezed her eyes shut. It didn’t matter though, the mystery man appeared next to Bella, leaning down as his eyes roamed over Becks’ in her pained state.

“We should get her to Carlisle. He’s closer and we won’t make it to the hospital or the reservation in time. Her contractions are too close together,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Shouldn’t we let Rosalie handle this one? It is her area,” Bella said looking over her shoulder at Edward. He met her gaze and then gave a short nod.

“You’re right,” he conceded before standing and taking his cell phone out of his pocket.

“Who? What’s happening? We need to get her to a hospital!” Maya said, her eyes wide. “I need to call—”

“We are. Rosalie’s been an OB off and on for the past 70 years. She can handle this. Let’s get you up,” Bella said gently as she wrapped her arm around Becks’ back and pulled her slowly to feet with no effort.

“They’ll be ready for us,” Edward said, coming back over and putting his phone back in his pocket. “May I?” he asked Becks with arms outstretched. Becks, in a wholly different state of pain and delirium, nodded and suddenly she was scooped into Edward’s arms easily. She rested her head against his cold frame and let out an involuntary sigh at the cool relief it provided her searing body at the moment.

“I—I need to call…Paul. Jacob,” Maya stuttered, as she watched Becks get swooped up and carried out the door.

“We’ll call him at the house. We need to get Becks to Rosalie ASAP to ensure she can get this baby out safely,” Bella placated. “Come on.” She steered Maya calmly toward the door and when they were halfway down the drive, she saw Edward tucking Becks into the front seat carefully, buckling her in and in a blur he was around to the driver’s side. Maya slid into the backseat with Bella who had her arm slung around her. Edward zipped them down the small deserted street at too smooth of a clip as fast as he was driving.

She didn’t complain about the speed though as Becks began to wail in obvious discomfort as her contractions intensified.

“Where are we going?” Maya said breathlessly as Edward weaved effortlessly down the sun dappled street flanked by tall trees.

“FUUUUUUuu—” Becks screamed and threw her head back.

“Ahhh, okay, okay, it’s okay!” Maya tried to placate as she placed her hands on Becks’ shoulders from behind. “It’s okay right?” she looked over her shoulder at Bella who nodded reassuringly.

“We’re heading to our old house here. It doesn’t have everything, but she’ll be okay,” Bella said, her eyes flitting to the back of Edward’s head as he raced around the bend.

In a matter of minutes, they were there—the Cullen’s home was a beautiful modern marvel in the center of the woods, complemented with an exceptional amount of glass that made the home shimmer in the morning light. Maya’s jaw dropped—this home was fancier than anything within a 50 mile radius she was sure.

Maya was snapped from her reverie though when the panic came flooding back in as Becks let out an ungodly scream. If the wolves didn’t know where they were before, they would now.

Edward was already pulling her gently out of the car as two blonde, eerily calm strangers descended the stairway from the front door.

“How far apart?” the young man asked, his eyes the same crisp golden of Edward and Bella’s.

“Six minutes,” Edward stated simply.

“My study is prepped,” he gestured. The beautiful blonde woman behind him smiled serenely, genuinely and Maya’s heart flipped in what she hoped was reassurance and not dread. In a beat they were gone and Maya was standing by the car breathing heavily.

“I’m Carlisle,” the man said, holding his hand out to her. Maya sucked in a sharp breath when she heard Becks wail again and stepped forward to shake his ice cold hand. “Welcome to our home.”

“I should stay with her,” Maya said, her voice suddenly even and strong as if realizing what monumental danger they might be in if this were to go south.

“Of course. I do want to warn you though, we weren’t prepared to deliver a baby today so she’ll have a completely natural birth,” Carlisle said with a light smile, “Things might get quite loud.”

Upstairs Becks shrieked and Maya’s head snapped up toward the sound. “Lead the way,” Maya said.

The scene before Maya was terrifying. Her best friend was partially reclined on a hospital bed, an IV off in the corner waiting as the blonde, Rosalie she assumed, bent at the waist before Becks to check her. Becks was in shambles, tears coasting down her warm brown cheeks as another contraction overtook her. Maya swallowed hard and marched over to her.

“She’s about 9 centimeters. Got there pretty fast,” Rosalie said gently, looking up at Becks. Maya was by Becks now, threading her arm tightly with hers and grasping her hand. “You’ll need to push soon Rebecca. With everything you have. Understand?”

Becks threw head back and wailed in response. Maya’s mouth was set in a hard line and she pulled Becks face down to look at her.

“Look at me!” Maya said firmly, “Becks! Look at me!” Becks’ eyes focused in and out as she looked at Maya through wet eyes. “You can do this. Do you hear me? You can fucking do this. You are the strongest person I know and you can have this baby, no problem. You’ve been waiting for this. Now it’s time, so let’s go. Let’s do this.” Maya hoped her voice was coming out stronger than she felt right now.

Becks whimpered, her lower lip shuddering and Maya wiped the tears away from her face that had been falling and wetting her hairline. “Ja-Jacob,” she cried, “I need..Jacob,” a fresh groan pulled through her and Rosalie looked up making eye contact with Maya.

“I know. And he’s coming, but right now, you need to push. With all you’ve got, you have to push. Becks? Okay? Say okay,” Maya was urging. Becks nodded weakly and Maya braced her up.

“Okay, Becks, the next big contraction should be coming shortly. Then you’ll need to start pushing,” Rosalie said calmly. Carlisle was beside her, supplies at the ready.

“Okay,” Becks whimpered weakly, her face covered in a sheen of sweat. Already she looked exhausted and Maya could have kicked herself for putting them both in this position.

“You can do this, right?” Maya said to Rosalie now. The blonde woman’s mouth quirked into another odd smile as she rolled her eyes.

“What do you think?” she replied with an edge of humor. Maya bit the inside of her cheek and knew that answer would have to be good enough. “Okay, Rebecca. Time to push. Give me everything you’ve got!”

Becks grit her teeth and groaned, which quickly turned into a scream. Maya held tight to her hand as she nearly crushed it and tried her best to keep her on track. Becks was determined but this was uncharted waters. Already Maya could see blood and she kept her gaze focused on Becks’ face as she ushered her on with praise: “You can do this. You’ve got this. Keep pushing. One, two, three, four, five, six…”

“Again, Rebecca!’ Rosalie urged and Maya’s head started to swim. The lights in the study weren’t bright enough and yet Maya felt herself squinting in concentration, overly stimulated by every sound, every wail, every fast movement of Rosalie or Carlisle’s hands.

If you had asked Maya two months ago what she thought would happen when Becks went into labor, it sure as hell wouldn’t have been “give birth to a baby in the middle of nowhere with two vampires as your delivery doctors.”

She was losing track of time, how often Becks cried as she pushed, how many times Rosalie delicately fiddled with a tool or a towel or a clamp between Becks’ thighs to assist her, or how many times Maya felt like she was going to pass out as the overwhelming smell of blood and sweat infiltrated her senses. She was probably over-exaggerating that part, but the heightened danger of two vampires very close to Becks’ blood made her hyper aware of the fact that she was indeed bleeding everywhere.

“Push!” Carlisle urged, “She’s coming!” Maya’s heart fluttered and her eyes went back to Becks who was letting her head loll to the side, exhaustion draining the color from her face.

“Keep going, Becks. You’re almost there!” Maya said nudging her friend gently. Becks let out a weakened sob and Maya narrowed her eyes, “Becks! You can do this. I’m right here! Let’s do this!” She pulled on her arm to sit her up better, “Look down, can you see him coming?” Maya said. Becks opened her eyes wider and suddenly seemed to regain some strength at the possibility of seeing her baby. “Go! Push! One more!” Maya nearly shouted.

Becks let out a death curdling scream, shutting her eyes tight as the sweat poured down her fast and squeezed the absolute shit out of Maya’s hand. Maya let her mouth fall open in a silent scream as she watched her friend and then heard a startling sound come from where Rosalie and Carlisle sat. Rosalie was rubbing the baby earnestly and suddenly, roaring to life was this tiny baby wailing and shrieking. That sound seemed to spark something deep in Becks who immediately reached out, tears cascading down her pale cheeks. Rosalie stood quickly to come around, half wrapping the baby and handing off to Becks who instantly cradled her baby into her chest. Carlisle was still working, his hands moving so fast that Maya couldn’t tell what he was doing, but at this point she didn’t care.

“A boy,” Rosalie said softly, her face painted with a mixture of sadness and admiration.

“Oh,” Becks said, her voice thick with tears as she gently stroked the top of his soft head. The baby quieted almost instantly and Becks gave a soft chuckle.

“Maya? Can you come with us?” Bella’s voice was tinged with worry. Maya looked over her shoulder quickly and met Bella’s eyes. She leaned down to brush Becks’ hair away from her face and kissed the side of her best friend’s head, whispering, “He’s beautiful, Becks. You did it…”

“Jacob,” Becks breathed, somewhat delirious in her newborn haze.

“I’ll get him,” Maya promised before quickly heading to the door and down the stairs with Bella.

“It would be better if you came outside to intercept the pack…we don’t want them to think that we…” Bella hesitated here and Maya nodded, understanding immediately.

Just as they reached the front door, there was a crash that sounded outside startling both women. Maya’s eyes went wide. Metal crunching metal. Bella ripped the door open to see Edward pinned in the center of his now crumpled car with the auburn wolf she knew so well to be Jacob’s form on top of him snarling. The other wolves were behind him in a semi-circle growling and waiting for the kill.

“Fuck!” Maya shouted. The dark silver wolf amongst the pack, Paul, perked up immediately at the sound of her voice and broke the formation to sprint toward her.

“Jacob! Stop!” Bella yelled as she hurdled toward the car. Edward was holding off his snapping jaws with just one arm, the other pinned behind him. The other wolves closed ranks around Jacob as Bella came to Edward’s aid and Maya, terrified, ran down the stairs two at a time toward the demolished car to try and stop it.

Just as she reached the bottom step and lunged toward the car as if to clamber over the crumpled hood and put her body in between the two supernatural beings, she was snatched around the middle by a strong, firm arm and rocked backwards against a searing hot, naked frame.

“Paul! You have to stop him, he’s going to kill them!” Maya screamed as she fought against his ironclad grasp.

“What the fuck were you thinking!?” Paul roared over her protests as he easily spun her body and pinned her against him to look at her face. His eyes frantically searched her for any sign of injury but Maya was twisting away from him, still trying to get to the wreckage.

Bella had made it to Edward and pried Jacob off of him, grabbing him around the middle and hauling him backwards. They tumbled like boulders onto the dirt driveway and Jacob writhed in Bella’s hold. The snapping and howling of the wolves around them made Maya’s stomach drop.

“Jacob stop!” Maya yelled, squirming in Paul’s grasp to his grunts and annoyed bursts of: “Maya stop! For fucks sake!”

“Becks and the baby! She wants to see you!” she said out loud finally, lost of breath.

That got his attention. The howling silenced abruptly and Jacob stilled. Bella let him go as if on cue and he snapped up and to attention. Paul was frowning down at Maya, still holding her tightly against him, confusion and disappointment laid plain on his face. But Maya didn’t care about that right now. As Edward unfolded himself from the wreckage of the car with a groan, Jacob sprinted toward the door, phasing halfway up the stairs and pulling on his shorts tied to his leg before he disappeared into the house.

Maya let out a sigh of relief and Bella stood and walked toward Edward with extended arms. They pressed their foreheads against one another, eyes closed, as if checking in with one another quietly. The sheer intimacy of it raised the hairs on Maya’s arm as she hung in Paul’s grasp. Paul finally loosened his hold on her and pulled on his shorts. Maya was panting, completely out of breath as the adrenaline coursed through her.

Paul signaled to the wolves above Maya’s head and they dispersed quickly, no doubt to spread out around the perimeter of the Cullen’s home and wait for further instruction. Maya was finally able to tear her eyes away from Bella and Edward who were still embracing in the driveway and turned to Paul.

His face darkened with not so subtle anger and his mouth was turned down in a disappointed frown.

“I know what you’re going to say,” Maya said breathlessly, running a hand through her sweaty mess of hair. She must have looked crazy to him at this point. “But I wasn’t going to let her go alone.” Paul gritted his teeth hard at that and looked over her shoulder for a minute. The pain was evident on his face and Maya knew that what she had done was considered a small betrayal.

He took a minute to steady himself, the trembling of his body subsiding before he let his gaze fall back onto her and took a step toward her. Maya stayed still, her eyes fierce and persistent, despite the mess her and Becks had made with their plan.

He cupped the back of her neck with his broad, too hot hand to hold her steady too. Maya hadn't realized she had been trembling.

“Are you okay?” he managed, his voice rough, gravelly as if he’d been swallowing his anger for the past hour as he searched for her. Maya waited, holding her breath before nodding her head slowly, her eyes never leaving the intensity of his. He squeezed the back of her neck momentarily before bringing his lips down to press a firm, hard kiss to her forehead. Maya nearly gasped as she braced her hands on either side of his abdomen. She was lost trying to figure out if he was angry or not anymore. She lifted her head up to see his eyes again, hoping to find the answer, but they were terrifying, wild, sad.

“Yes,” she whispered, holding tightly to his sides now. He hold on her suddenly tightened as he pulled her closer.

“The next time you rendezvous with bloodsuckers, you take me, understand?” He was serious, his voice still wavering with too much emotion. Maya managed to scoff in disbelief and she instantly felt his body tighten.

“You would have stopped us,” she replied dismissively.

“You. Take. Me. Do you hear me?” His voice was almost desperate, and his face was wrought with the pain of too much emotion at once, as he held her chin between his thumb and forefinger to keep her eyes on him.

“Okay.” Maya replied, barely above a whisper, her eyes wide and wet.

“I need to get you out of here,” he said in a low voice, as if suddenly realizing where they were.

“I’m not leaving her, not now,” Maya said firmly. A low rumble sounded in Paul’s chest as if he was fighting back the urge to groan and he looked over his shoulder toward the house. He looked to Maya carefully as if to make sure she was serious and then his eyes gravitated toward the couple coming toward them—Edward and Bella.

“Fine,” Paul stated, resigned. Bella chuckled as she passed with Edward and Maya followed, tugging Paul gently along with her.

Upstairs, it was relatively quiet, except for the calming low voice of Carlisle, filtering down the stairs. The foursome made their way quietly up to the makeshift delivery room and when Maya and Paul peeked in, Maya was delighted to see Jacob sidled up next to Becks in the bed, his arms cradling her arms that held the carefully bundled baby. Becks looked up when Maya walked in, her cheeks warm and red, her eyes bright and filled with tears. Jacob’s eyes were glued to the baby cradled in Becks’ arms, completely enamored.

Carlisle smiled gently from where he stood across the room and Rosalie leaned against the wall comfortably, her arms crossed gracefully over her chest as she smiled down at the besotted couple.

“Maya, isn’t he beautiful?” Becks said, her voice wet with tears. Maya nodded her head quickly, her own voice stolen by the well of emotion building up in her chest. Paul held onto her waist and tugged her toward him protectively, but he was focused on the scene before him and completely softened by it.

“She’s doing well, minimal tearing, and we stitched her up. I would just advise that she rest up here at least until tomorrow morning before we move her,” Carlisle relayed gently, “And Rose would like very much to keep a close eye on the two of them for the next twelve hours too, just to ensure everyone continues to do well.” He gestured to Rose who hadn’t moved.

“Becks? Is that alright with you?” Maya asked, her voice thick with emotion.

“Yeah, yes. Yes, I don’t want to leave until Rosalie checks him later this evening too,” she replied. Becks leaned into Jacob’s side and rested her head on his shoulder, “That’s alright, right Jacob?”

“Yeah,” he replied, completely in a daze as he looked down on his newborn son, running his broad hand over his son’s small head covered in a tuft of dark hair. Jacob’s eyes were wet with unshed tears as he gazed at the small being laid in Becks’ arms. He was filled with so much love in that moment, he’d probably agree to anything if it meant he got to stay there, next to Becks, and peering down at his son. Their son.

It wasn’t until a few hours later after Edward had stripped the couch of its white dust cloth and Paul and Maya had settled into the living room that Jacob came down the stairs, closely followed by Bella.

“Jake, if you just give me a second to explain,” Bella begged.

Edward looked toward them as they came into the living room, setting down a book he was perusing but not really reading. Maya perked up after having dozed off into Paul’s side.

“Did it not get through when I left the first time? I don’t want anything to do with you anymore,” his gaze focused on Bella and the hurt there was clear.

“Yeah, I got that,” Bella replied begrudgingly.

“This involves your family,” Edward said plainly. Jacob stood to his full height at that.

“And what about them?” Jacob spat, clearly no love lost between the two men. Edward’s gaze faltered over Maya’s form pressed into Paul’s side ever and Jacob caught on. He snapped his head to look at Maya who looked back between the two men, confusion painted clearly in her wide eyes now.

“Her?” Jacob said derisively, his lips curling in obvious anger. He was still livid with Maya. That was clear enough in the vitral way he said her name. Paul’s grip on her waist cinched to a bruising degree.

“Not just her, but an incident that involved her and a packmate of yours. About a year ago, a scout from the Volturri was sent to survey the area around Seattle, looking for….us, we think…and you,” Edward said in a slow and methodical tone, nodding toward Jacob. “What he found was…”

“Jeremy,” Maya breathed barely audible, but every supernatural pair of ears in the room perked up.

“The night that Maya got hurt, that was a Volturri scout?” Paul said, anger simmering.

“He was hunting and the young wolf stopped him—” Carlisle said, coming into view now, but Jacob interjected.

“So the Volturri, who were looking for your lot at the time, happened to stumble upon my family and when we stopped them they got pissed? Am I getting that right?” Jacob shot back.

“The Volturri respect tradition, the law, and by extension the original treaty between us, but that area was not considered protected ground,” Edward concluded simply.

“She is my family, she is protected by extension,” Jacob said between gritted teeth. Maya warmed at that—the fact that Jacob was willing to reiterate that she was indeed a part of this pack family even if she endangered his pregnant/actively in labor girlfriend/fiancé for dubious reasons was reassuring. At the very least, Maya was starting to feel like she wouldn't be banished from pack life after this.

“The Volturri, unfortunately, do not see it that way. They see it as an active attack on our kind on free and clear hunting grounds,” Carlisle continued carefully, “Which is why we were careful coming down here to warn you.”

“And to protect you if they—” Bella interjected.

“Try to come and kill us again?” Paul interrupted, the anger laced clearly in his voice. His arms tightened around her, and the truth of it all started to dawn on her. They’d killed a Volturri scout who had tried to kill her, and now maybe her whole family, the entire tribe even, was at risk of retaliation from an ancient, powerful coven.

“I don’t think there is cause for alarm just yet. The Volturri don’t have the same concept of time as we do. They may never show. Or they might send more scouts. We’re just taking…extra precautions, to keep everyone safe,” Carlisle’s kind smile landed on Maya. She nodded in appreciation, even as she trembled from the unnatural cold of the home or fear, she wasn’t sure.

Paul turned rigid and Maya looked up at him curiously, but his eyes were unreadable and trained to the trio of vampires before him. What had he meant by kill us again? Was he referring to the almost-war that broke out nearly ten years ago now? Maya realized now that she had never understood the real reason for said war. If the Cullen’s had been friendly all along what had been the reason for the Volturri coming?

The words Becks had said weeks earlier suddenly rang loud and clear in Maya’s head: There’s something Jacob isn’t telling me.

Maya was getting the feeling that whatever Jacob wasn’t telling Becks might be much bigger than what any of them were thinking.

It wasn’t until much later that evening that Jacob demanded Paul go home and get some rest, knowing that staying in this house wouldn’t lend him much sleep. Paul had obliged and Maya went with him. Seth stumbled through the Cullens’ front door to change guard and was greeted with a warm smile from Edward and a hug from Bella. That put Maya at ease.

They took Maya’s car that Seth had driven over for them back to their house. On the way home, that ease that had settled in her stomach at just how well the day had worked out for them started to subside.

Anxiety rolled off of Paul in waves and the air in the car felt heavy with his anger or malcontent. Maya shivered in the passenger seat even though the warm summer air pushed through her hair from the open window. Paul’s eyes were trained forward on the dark road, focused and black. Maya had never seen him so taut with emotion. It almost scared her. But this was Paul. Her Paul, and she was never afraid of anything when she was with him.

So why did she get the feeling something was very wrong?

When they arrived home, Maya breathed a sigh of relief, popping open the passenger door and clambering out of the stuffy interior, nearly jogging toward the front door. Maybe once inside, she’d feel better, she thought.

She unlocked the door with Paul hot and simmering behind her and pushed over the threshold. Another sigh broke past her lips as she breathed in the smell of home. But she didn’t have much time to revel in her relief.

Maya didn’t protest when Paul tugged her upstairs and toward the bed, slotting her between his legs as he sat on the edge and she stood in front of him. Her heart hammered painfully in her chest as she ran her hand down his cheek softly. He undressed her quietly, his eyes unreadable but the pain evident in each line and frown on his face. When she was completely naked, he pressed one long kiss to the center of her chest before taking off his shirt and placing it over her naked torso.

He pulled her into bed without a word. Maya was exhausted and didn’t mind that he wasn’t raking her over the coals just yet. So she'd sleep now and fight later if that’s what he wanted. She hoped that wasn’t what he wanted though.

As Maya settled into his warm embrace, she thought about how she just wanted things to be normal. But they had never been normal, not for them at least. She wracked her brain to try and think of ways to make things easier. In the middle of this though, she fell asleep on Paul’s chest, warm and safe.

Maya woke up the next morning to an empty bed to her surprise. But when she sat up in the afternoon light of the room, she spotted Paul sitting in a low leather slingback chair in just his sweats. He rested his face against his hand as his fingers covered his mouth and stared intently at her. The anger was back, just there she could see it, and Maya narrowed her gaze before she tried tentatively:

“Come back to bed, babe,” Her throat felt dry. Paul watched her for a long moment, the filtered light casting odd shadows over his worn features before he shook his head slowly. Maya let out a sigh, readying herself for the onslaught, the fight she hoped wasn’t coming.

“I know you’re mad at me. And I understand. I was…reckless and it was somewhat dangerous even though it kind of worked out. But I am sorry,” she said genuinely into the quiet space. If she didn’t trust Paul through and through she might have been afraid by his stock still silence. “Paul?” she coaxed after a few silent minutes stretched between them. “Babe, I’m sorry, I couldn’t let her go on her own and things were just getting worse with these rounds and I—”

“We need to talk about next semester,” he said firmly, with no emotion coloring his voice despite the anger rolling off of him. It was palpable and she sucked in a sharp breath at the change in his demeanor. Maya sat up straighter and raised an eyebrow at the sudden topic change.

“Oh?” she asked.

“You need to contact UW and see if what you’ve accrued so far can be transferred,” he said it all so matter of factly, as if it was a to-do list. Maya’s heart fell to the bottom of her stomach and a flash of anger rushed through her.

“What are you talking about?” Maya broached hesitantly, unwanted tears gathering in her eyes.

“I need you to stay on the rez next semester—”

“No.” She interrupted firmly, an unyielding statement.

“And UW is the closest accredited campus that we can manage for protection detail, so you need to call your advisor—” he pressed on as if she hadn’t spoken.

“No, this is fucking crazy. Paul!”

“Get things squared away in time so it doesn’t interrupt your progress—”

“No! No! Fuck you! Do you hear yourself?!” She was yelling now, her heart thumping loudly, sweat forming along her hairline. He wanted her to stay here? She couldn’t. She had her classes and her internships, the networking within her department, not to mention the STEM fellows dinner in October. Maya couldn’t leave all of that behind, stop her entire life, just for the possibility of some vampires showing up. No way.

“I know it’s not what you want but I can’t keep—”

“Stop!” Maya was on her knees now on the center of the bed, her voice angry and pleading as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks, her hand held up in front of her as if she could physically make him stop talking. This wasn’t happening. She wouldn’t let this happen, “Paul please, stop. This is ridiculous I—”

“It’s for one semester Maya, I think you can handle one semester here,” he said, his voice still cold and angry. But the anxiety was clear in the way he bounced his knee quickly, watching her fall apart and having everything to do with it. It was tearing him apart.

“I have to go back to school, Paul. I am going back to school in the fall! And you can tell Jacob that I don’t listen to fucking alpha orders—” she bellowed, but something inside Paul snapped and he stood abruptly, his form trembling and pointing a finger at her as if she was some insolent child.

“LISTEN TO ME! I need you to stay on this fucking reservation until I can make sure you’re safe! So DON’T fucking tell ME what you’ll be doing. And for your fucking information, Jacob didn’t set this order, I DID.” His face was contorted in the most painful grimace as he shouted at her. Maya fought back the urge to throw something, anything in his direction as she watched the man she loved try to box her in. All in the name of protecting her.

After a long pause where they both panted as if having just run a marathon, Maya said quietly, “I’m not staying. And you can’t make me.”

Paul shook his head, a painful smile running across his face as he peered at the ground for a moment, running a hand down his face, “You’re right, baby. I can’t make you stay. But if you leave, we can’t protect you. I can’t protect you. And I won’t leave my home when it’s on the verge of fucking war. So you either choose this place, choose me for one fucking semester,” he paused, both of their eyes flooded with venom and stubbornness, “Or you leave and endanger all of us. Your family, this pack, me, everyone.” He said it with such finality as if she was sentencing them all to death by going back to school. Maya’s mouth hung open in shock and anger.

Her heart felt like it was about to push from her ribcage and fall right through the floor. She shook her head, her mouth closed in a tight line as angry tears fell down her cheeks and dotted the bed. Maya was standing on her knees in the center of the bed, his t-shirt hanging limply around her frame, her fists clenched at her sides, all anger and fury.

“I’m not losing you, My,” his voice shook dangerously and Maya tried to quell what she hoped wasn’t hatred boiling in her stomach. She could never hate him, the imprint wouldn’t allow it, but this visceral feeling was attempting to rip her to shreds. His eyes were wild with unsung grief at the thought of it and his entire body trembled with anger and frustration.

“I won’t fucking lose you.”

Next > >

Edited 8/6/22

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monty-gaytor-apologist · 9 months

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...

what the fuck??

#Why is it meta!???#jacob black #Jacob black x oc #Fluff???#maybe idk #character.ai #c.ai shenanigans

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missmellowinyellow · 2 years

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Rescuer

Chapter One

🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Jacob Black x O.C.

🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Warnings: Implied attempted sexual assault, crying, mentions of blood

Word count: 449

🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Jacob runs to the sound of pure, unmistakable horror. Sprinting around trees in the pale moonlight to the voice he hears screaming for help. He could hear the sound for miles with his enhanced hearing. He could make out only a few words in between loud, sobbing screams. “Please! Anything but this! Whatever you want just please don’t do this to me!” The voice was a woman, young. He only hears her, but he fears what is inevitably happening to her. His stomach turns, and he swallows hard. He wonders if he’s prepared for what he’s about to find. He knows he’s approaching, as her wails only grow louder. He makes a quick effort to shift back, as to not upset her any further. He sprints the rest of the way as human, only thinking about using the wolf as a last resort. He passes what feels like a thousand more trees before he sees her. A woman, upon closer inspection, a teenager, pinned up against a tree by a much larger boy. She screamed for so long that all she could let out now were small cries. Jacob grew closer, the difference in sizes between the girl and her attacker made her look like a child in comparison. It made Jacob even sicker to his stomach. He ran up behind the victimizer quietly, so as to not scare him and let him get away. Jacob wanted him to drag him to jail. The girl caught a glimpse of Jacob and gasped, causing the boy to break his attention on her and whip his head around. Jacob yelled at him.“Let go of her!” The boy slammed the girl into the tree he had her up against before sprinting away. She hit the back of her head and it knocked her unconscious, causing her body to go limp and crash to the ground. Jacob became overwhelmed with concern for her, and was too distracted to chase the boy down. Jacob stepped closer to the girl, noticing that her clothes had been taken off, all but her underwear. Her shirt was on the ground, ripped to the point of it being worthless to put on her. Jacob dresses her quickly, taking her jacket and zipping it up to conceal her nearly bare torso. He picks her up gently, trying to be careful around her head. In the dim light that the moon gives off he can faintly see some blood in her hair. He puts his head near her chest, trying to listen to her breathing. It seems steady enough to him, so he runs as quickly as he can without hurting her, in the direction of the Forks hospital. 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺 This chapter will most likely be the shortest of the series. Yes, I realize this is 2022 and we are no longer in our twilight fazes, but I am ok?? Anyway, I take requests for character x reader fanfics if you’re into that. Chapter two coming soon!!

#jacob black #jacob black x female reader #jacob black x oc #jacob black fanfiction #twilight fanfiction #twilight fandom

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belladcmum · 2 years

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Obsessed with the cover of this song lately. And I’ve been thinking about the story Jacob Black deserved. And I just keep imagining what it would have been like if he hadn’t imprinted on Rubella and what healing from everything would have actually looked like. Maybe he gets really into helping the tribe and his pack. And sure it started out as a way to exorcise his demons but it became something more. It became being the leader his pack needed. It became being the leader his tribe needed. And through learning to be the kind of leader that his dad could be proud of and helping his people and falling in love with his culture all over again, he truly finds himself.

And though he learns to be whole all in his own, it’s still hard to come home to an empty house. It’s still hard to see how happy the imprinted couples are. He’s proud of the community he’s helping to build but he longs to share it with something. Longs for someone he hasn’t met yet.

I can’t get passed that feeling of wanting and needing someone to share your life with to see how he meets his imprint. But I imagine she’s amazing. Strong enough to be her own person with her own personality but with the same longing for her other half.

IDK. I’ll never write it. Lol.

#Jacob black #pro Jacob black #jacob black deserved better writing #twilight saga #Jacob black x oc

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kristamagness · 1 year

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Twilight OC, Kuri Hikawa, vampyre priestess, High Priestess of the Quiluetes (sp?)

#twilight saga #twilight saga oc #twilight saga fanart #original character #fanart #Jacob black x oc

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atlas-of-a-human-soul · 1 year

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Wildest dreams, part 18

Summary: Waking up, Y/N expected to find herself in Paul’s arms. Instead, she found herself clinging to bed sheets and an empty bed.

Warnings: fluff, angst, sexual content, swearing

Wildest Dreams Masterlist

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Paul promised he’d be there when her eyes opened. She remembers his words clearly, that wasn’t a dream. They made love, he drove her to the brink of madness and back and then he promised to be there when she wakes, so where the hell is he now?

A lump forms at the back of Y/N’s throat as she sits up, clinging to the bed sheets carrying his scent. It’s unmistakable – his promise is broken. Paul isn’t by her side, he’s not even in the room.

Inhaling sharply, her chest shudders. Closing her eyes she licks her lower lip before catching it between her teeth. Part of her wishes she could stop time and stay in that moment he held her so close that nothing stood between them – not even air could penetrate the tight bond between their bodies as they surrendered every atom of their beings to each other.

But she can’t stop time and he’s gone.

Why?

Where?

Swallowing thickly, she throws the sheets aside and stands. It doesn’t make sense. If he wanted to run, he could have done so sooner. He wouldn’t do it to her now. She refuses to believe he’d do it on purpose. Something must have happened.

Putting on her clothes, she shivers. Cold always finds her, sinking its hooks in her skin, spreading underneath violently until her muscles tremble in an effort to generate some warmth to battle the ice in her veins. Paul keeps the cold away, but without him it’s like falling through the ice into the freezing water below.

Checking her phone, she finds no new messages. Not from Paul at least.

Jacob sent dozens of texts. Embry had sent a few as well, and even Emily tried calling. She remembers her phone vibrating last night but in that moment the world could have been coming to an end and she’d refuse to acknowledge it because being with Paul was enough for her. If it was the end, she was already with the only person she’d watch it all burn to nothingness.

Huffing, she dials Paul.

From nowhere came the sound of a cellphone ringing, a classical cover of “Stay with me” by Sam Smith echoing the room. It’s on the nightstand on Paul’s side of the bed, her photo flashing on the screen.

Her heart quickens, eyebrows furrowing. He didn’t just leave, he wouldn’t have left his phone or her. Not after last night.

Rushing downstairs, she pops into the kitchen first. “Paul?”

He’s not here.

“Paul?!” She calls out, her heart dropping as the silence continues. “Fuck”, her hands begin to shake as she opens Jacob’s messages first.

“Is everything k?”

“Call me if u wanna talk”

“If u don’t wanna talk, just text me back, pls. Just so I knw ure home.”

“I’m getting worried”

“I’ll call ur dad. If you dnt text me back, I will.”

“Y/N wtf, I called ur dad and he says ure not home. Call me ASAP!”

“Paul’s not answering either and I’m seriously starting to panic”

“I’ll stop by his house to check on him and then I’ll look 4 u”

“I heard enough to traumatize me for the rest of my life. Glad you’re ok.”

Rolling her eyes, she chews on her bottom lip. She hoped to get a “We had an emergency, sorry to steal your man so early in the morning” text, something that would pacify her, but she’s never been quite good at finding herself in situations that had no answers when her mind would jump to worse case scenarios.

“I’m not paying for therapy. Just wanted to check if you guys had patrol or some vampires to chase this morning?”

Dropping back on the couch, she stares up at the ceiling. Who would have known she’d find herself falling for the biggest playboy she’s ever met, that he’d turn out to be her cosmic love and that she’d go from wishing never to see him again to wishing never to lose him? It’s incredible how unpredictable life can be – one moment can change it irreversibly, one person can make it so you never look at anything you’ve known the same way.

“No. Sam’s out with the pups. Why?”

Shaking her head, she bounces her right foot on the floor. Something’s not right. He wouldn’t just leave her like this – no note, no text, hell, his phone’s still in the bedroom.

“I can’t find Paul”

“What do you mean you can’t find him?!”

She snorts at the way Jacob’s text become proper and grammatically correct whenever he’s angry, same as it used to be. He used to teach her slang and how to shorten words to make texting easier back when each text cost and they had character limits. She’s never quite liked it, finding ways to shape her thoughts in a different manner rather than using Jacob’s ridiculous one letter words.

“He said he’d be here and he’s not and his phone’s in the room”, she grimaces before walking to the window. Pulling the curtain aside, she sees his Jeep in the driveway. “His car is here too.”

It took less than a second after the Seen for Y/N’s phone to ring, Jacob’s name plastered over her screen.

“Tell me everything”, Jacob says, his breathing almost ragged.

“I doubt you want to heart everything”, Y/N reminds him.

“I didn’t mean the part where you two fucked, I mean after”, his voice is low, still raspy. He must have woken up because of her text.

“Before we fell asleep, he promised me he’d be here when I woke up. He wasn’t. I called his phone and it frickin’ rang in the fucking room. I looked around the house and he’s not here. His stupid fucking Jeep is in the driveway and I’m starting to freak out because there’s no way in hell he’d just leave the house without anything on him.”

“Look, don’t go anywhere. I’ll be there soon and we’ll figure it out together. Okay?”

“Jake”, she pauses.

“Don’t tell me not to come. I know we still have a long way to go before we get back to that friendship we had growing up, but I care about you and you’re upset and despite common sense, I care about Paul too. So, stay there. I’m on my way.”

Hanging up, Jacob immediately called Embry.

“What do you want”, Embry grumbles.

“Better wake up Mr. Sunshine, because we might have a situation on our hands.”

“What kind of a situation?”

“Paul’s gone.”

“Gone? Gone how?”

Rolling his eyes, Jacob grabs his helmet and heads to his old bike. “That’s what I’m not sure about. Y/N called and she can’t find him.”

“He’s probably off somewhere licking his wounds from last night. Remember when he found out Y/N moved away for college? He went into the woods for weeks and never spoke of her after he came home. And that’s BEFORE he imprinted on her.”

“I remember it just fine”, Jacob sighs.

“They fought and he’s imprinted on her, so I’m not worried. He’ll come back soon.”

“But they didn’t fight”, Jacob interrupts, “quite the opposite.”

“Huh?”

“I wanted to check on him last night and…those weren’t the sounds of a couple fighting.”

“What are you….oh….OH!”

“Exactly the sound she made last night. Several times.” Jacob grimaces. The last thing he needed was to hear his best friend moaning as she was getting frisky with Paul Lahote. If there’s something his younger self would never believe, it’s that Y/N would ever let Paul’s penis anywhere near her and yet it was quite literally attached to her last night and his stomach churns at the thought.

“Where the fuck is he then?!” Embry raises his voice and Jacob sighs.

“That’s why I’m calling you now. Shift and see if you can find him. I’ll go to his house and find Y/N before she spirals.”

“Be careful about it”, Embry warns.

“What are you trying to imply?”

“I know what goes through your head when Y/N is involved. I knew back then and I know now.”

“She’s in love with Paul. I’ve imprinted on another. I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

“I really wish I could believe you.”

“Get going, Em. Paul might be in some deep shit and I don’t want to look her in the eye and say we couldn’t help him because we spent too long talking about things that will never happen.”

“I’ll call if I find anything.”

Inhaling sharply, Jacob pockets his phone and puts his helmet on. He’s not delusional to think he would ever be a viable option to Y/N, nor would she ever be a choice he could embrace with his own imprint being out there in the world.

What Jacob does know is that Paul adores the ground Y/N walks on, has been since before any of them truly knew it. She’s in safe hands with Paul. For now, at least. While he’s gone, for whatever reason it may be, Jacob will step in and make sure the fate Paul saw while imprinting doesn’t befall her in his absence.

It didn’t take long for him to drive up to Paul’s house. Taking a good whiff, Jacob frowns. There are no unfamiliar scents lingering around. If a vampire came close, half the reservation would reek for hours. All of the wolves would be out, tracking down the source. But there are no vampires here. It smells distinctively of Paul and Y/N.

It’s painstakingly obvious they’re imprints based off their smell alone. Paul has a woody smell of pine clinging to him from his work in the lumberyard and all the time he spends in the woods as he patrols, while Y/N has a floral scent – a mixture of lilacs and lilies. Woody and floral – complementary in every possible way.

Shaking his head, his jaw clenches. She’s his best friend, she’s always been his favorite human being, the only one who could see who he is through all the bullshit walls he’s built over the years. Y/N has always understood him at his core, supported him when he needed her without even having to ask for it, pushed him to be better when all he wanted was to avoid the world and when he left her after shifting, it felt like he was taken apart with every passing day.

When they told him he’s never to talk to her again, Jacob accepted his fate but he would follow her home, terrified of something happening to her. He was always there, sun, rain or snow, Jacob was following her from the tree line, ready to step in. Y/N didn’t know, but he would have done anything to ensure she’d live a long life, even if it meant she’d hate him longer.

It’s depressing it took so many years for her to finally find out the truth. He’s been away, tied to his imprint instead of his best friend ever since Bella gave birth. In a way, he’s resented Renesmee for taking him away from his home…from Y/N. He never asked to imprint, if he could choose not to, he wouldn’t have an imprint.

For years, Jacob’s tried figuring out the purpose of him imprinting on a vampire hybrid baby that he felt no true romantic affection for. He’s felt duty, he’s felt protective after watching her grow up before his eyes. Despite what most imprints feel, Jacob only ever felt like a parental figure. He loves her, he does, but he’s not in love with her and he doesn’t see that changing. Ever.

Unlike Renesmee, Jacob’s loved Y/N his whole life and yes, there are dormant feelings always lingering somewhere inside. She was his first friend, the first person he danced with, his first kiss. She was the first person he could be vulnerable with, the first person he could act stupid around and the only person he could come to with his hands bloody and know he would face no judgment.

Making his way to the door, Jacob smiles when the door open wide before he even reaches them. Y/N’s standing in the doorway, her lips pressed in a thin line, her arms opening immediately and without a second thought, Jacob allows her to wrap those loving arms around his neck.

Holding her close, he breathes through his mouth in an attempt to ignore how strongly Paul’s scent clings to her, overpowering the freshness of her own scent Jacob was once addicted to.

“It’s gonna be okay”, Jacob whispers in her hair, closing his eyes as his grip on Y/N tightens. And that was a promise. One way or another, Paul will come back and Jacob will watch from the sidelines how in love his best friend is with the very man she once detested. He’ll watch and he’ll witness their ups and console her when they’re at their lows, but he’ll never let her see the pain it will bring him. She’ll never see the worry in his eye whenever he’s not around her for he never knows when it’ll happen.

It’s inevitable, Jacob of all people knows.

When he imprinted, Jacob saw his life with Renesmee. He saw himself by her side as she grew, taking her to school, taking photos of her and her prom date, waiting up for her when she snuck out to a party. It all came true. He saw himself walking her down the aisle with Edward, babysitting her son, growing older while she remains younger. That’s yet to happen, but it will. At some point in his life, he will give up shifting and he will age and one day, he’ll be free of this life for good.

If his visions were true, if every other wolf’s visions happened just as they did, so will Paul’s.

Jacob will do everything in his power to make sure it doesn’t, but in his heart he knows his time with Y/N is limited, therefore too precious to ever tell her his heart is like sand in which her footprints will never be erased by waves of the ocean of time.

_______________________

Tags: @the-chaotic-cow @xxxjaexxx @captainrogers-19 @bexloxl @llovergirlll @adaydreamaway08 @sunsetevergreen @volturiwolf @twihard08 @galacticstxrdust @sorrow-and-bliss @ireadthensuetheauthors @missxmarvelous @locokoca @unstablekay @makhaia @venusdelaroix @avadakadabra93 @tearsforhan @a-marie-a @lendeluxe @seagulls-corner @jdbxws @kitabestboy @rottenstyx @itsmytimetoodream @dreamerwasfound@convolutings @rachelccollier @prvncessvibes @thingfromlove @jennyamanda8 @havecourage-darling @luvr-exe @alittlejudgemental @turningtoclown @vikingsheart12 @emptydoorsandpaintedwindows @marvelmenarebeautiful @bringmethe-world@alitaar @sugasthreedollarkookie @chloe-skywalker @heyheyheyggg @feral-ratatattat-king @pillowjj

PART 19

#paul lahote #paul lahote x reader #paul lahote series #twilight saga #Twilight series #twilight fanfiction #twilight #twilight fandom #paul lahote x oc #jacob black #jacob black x reader #embry call

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moonliteve · 11 months

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tfw you're sent to stop a doomsday cult but you are not immune to four very charming and sexy people

#my silly deputy milo's debut!!!#he's scared and confused all the time 😭 save him #far cry 5 #far cry 5 fanart #fc5 #joseph seed #john seed #jacob seed #faith seed #jess black #nick rye #joseph seed x deputy #john seed x deputy #jacob seed x deputy #faith seed x deputy #i want fc5 mutuals………cries #pls be my friend im very harmless #oc: miroslav radojevic #my art

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wolfpackss · 7 days

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HELLO EVERYONE!

I’m so sorry for not giving an update sooner but a lot of things have happened in the time I’ve been away..

So I’ve been at rehabilitation for my leg, that after the accident wasn’t willing to work for a full hundred percent so I’ve been working on that..

Butttttt while I was there I found out I was pregnant and I gave birth to a healthy happy little girl who’s made my entire life with her bubbly personality.

I’m fully committed to go back to writing and finishing requests!

Please send some requests to get me going..

I’m also adding people to write for! So stay tuned for that!

Thank you all for the well wishess and again I’m so sorry for not responding sooner!

Love, Liara!

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graceloveswolves · 2 years

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Never in a million years would I ever think I’d live to see Daryl Dixon put his knife to Paul Lahote’s throat…

This is like a random dream my brain makes up after writing a Paul lahote one shot while watching the walking dead.

#TWD #twilight #Paul lahote #Daryl Dixon #Paul lahote x reader #paul lahote preferences #Jacob black #wolfpack #Daryl Dixon x reader #daryl dixon angst #daryl dixon fluff #Rick grimes #twilight imagines #twilight x reader #twilight wolf pack #the walking dead #Daryl TWD #paul lahote x y/n #paul lahote x oc

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ashcal99 · 6 months

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Golden Hour : Rosalie Hale~

Prologue

"She's got glitter for skin, my radiant beam in the night. I don't need no light to see you shine. You slow down time in your golden hour."

Summary: By the young age of twenty years old, Grayson Cly had been through his fair share of trauma. Trauma that had left him a single father. Trauma that only grew more complicated when he joined his cousin Sam Uley as a shape shifting wolf. But, what happens when he imprints on the one thing he was born to protect the world from? Can he stick to his instincts when it comes to that protection, or will the persistence of that imprint derail his life even more?

Warnings: Eventual smut (18+ only), mentions of death, depression, violence, general angst, slow burn

Words: 1.2k

A/N: Not sure how many parts this will be but yahhhh. Comment if I missed any warning or anything plz. Lmk if you'd like to be added to the tag list thnx.

Soundtrack

Series Masterlist

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Grayson had always been mature for his age, taking every shocking thing that came his way with stride. So, when his girlfriend, Evelyn, of three years became pregnant with his child the beginning of their senior year, he promised himself he would be a better father than his had been for him. A father that their child deserved. His life had of course grown more complicated given the baby that grew more and more day by day, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Of course he was terrified. Terrified of not being enough, terrified of what this meant for not only his future, but Evelyn’s as well. That didn’t stop him from being excited at the end of the day. Deep down, he knew that this was what he was made for, the instinct of being a parent seemingly being born inside of him. So, when the day came that the contractions started, he had felt as prepared as possible, despite the butterflies filling his stomach. He had held her hand throughout the entire labor, her squeezing so hard that he was sure she would end up braking something.

The cry of his son as he entered the world made him the happiest he had ever been in his life. And then everything else shattered around him. Everything was seemingly fine, until the bleeding wouldn’t stop. So much blood. Something was horribly wrong, that much was obvious, and the panic began to set in. There was nothing he could do, but sit back and pray to whatever god there was that the doctor would be able to save her. In the end, his prayers weren’t enough, and what had been the happiest day of his life had quickly also become the worst.

So as he sat there, on the plush worn out cushions of his mother’s couch, just days after loosing the love of his life, he stared into the beautiful eyes of his child. The same eyes that he had gotten from his mother, and he allowed himself to feel the pain of her loss. The pain that left a gaping hole in his chest. Tears pricked at his eyes as he attempted to blink them away, but if there was one thing that he knew now to be true of grief is that it demanded to be felt.

Despite the help his mother had been giving him in his time of need, the same mother who had raised him single handedly, he felt utterly alone in that moment. His heart ached so badly his whole body was sore as he realized that the beautiful child in his arms would never know just how wonderful his own mother had been. He would never feel the warmth of his mothers embrace, never feel the touch of her kiss on his forehead, and the thought sent his brimming tears over the edge.

The big blue eyes of his son blinked up at him curiously as he eyed his father. Footsteps trailed into the room, a soft hand landing on his shoulder, flinching back as she felt the heat radiating off of his skin. “Why don’t you get some fresh air, Gray? You seem a little overheated.” She suggested, concern coating her voice as she gently took the baby from his arms, ushering him towards the back door.

Grayson nodded, sniffling slightly as he moved forward, attempting to wipe the tears away as he pushed his body numbly to the door. A cool summer breeze blew through his hair as he shut the door behind himself, sucking in a shaky breath. The grief stabbed him in the chest, finally having been by himself long enough to feel all of the emotions he had been bottling up since her death. How was he expected to do this alone? Why her? She didn’t deserve to die, why was this world so cruel as to take her away from him?

An agonizing sob left his lips, the memory of her smile running through his mind. A smile he would only ever see again on their son. Sudden anger flooded his heart, anger at whoever had taken the woman he had loved so dearly. Red hot pain seared through every inch of his being as something ripped inside of him. Fire raced across his skin, muscles tearing and growing back together all at once in a moment in time. Seconds morphed into hours of unbearable obliterating pain, before, almost like nothing happened at all, the pain vanished. It had taken a moment to realize anything had actually changed as his eyes trailed down to the ground that was occupied by a very large pair of paws nestled in the tall grass surrounding him, the white fur a stark contrast in the dark green landscape. The anger he had felt just moments ago vanished as it was quickly replaced by shock.

“Don’t panic.” A voice rung through his mind. A voice he recognized. His eyes shot up to the large black wolf in front of him, knowing almost instantly who the figure was. Memories of the Quileute legends rushed through his mind as he realized that despite having learned the stories himself, the memories had been coming from the other wolf, seeing himself as a child within those memories.

Suddenly everything was clear. It was all real, everything, and Sam was right there in front of him, explaining it all. They had grown up together, cousins on his mother’s side, spending hours upon hours together as children, so when the words had come from him, it had fairly quickly calmed the panic that had previously held a tight grip on his chest.

So much had changed in so little time, it was almost as if he had reached his peek. So many emotions had been filling his heart in the past weeks that hearing that the legends were not only real, but included him didn’t set his world on its’ side like it should have. Vampires were real and the fact should have terrified him, but instead, knowing it gave him a sense of purpose. It was his job now to protect his child from the cold blooded monsters and he would be damned if he didn’t put every ounce of effort into doing so.

As the months went on, the pack grew, along with the danger of the blood suckers around them. His newly found brothers created the strongly knit support system that he needed to cope through Evelyn’s death, and even though he knew he would never truly get over the loss that had left a gaping hole in his heart, he would try his best to be okay. To be the father that his son needed. To be the protection that he needed from the evil in this world, because there was no way in hell that he would ever let anything harm him.

Next Chapter -coming soon

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armad1ld0 · 10 months

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Jakeward

Some gremlin Love being a menace to society as per usual👍

I covered Ed's face cuz I have art block and it sucked.

#batman #batman oc #love #oc #my ocs #my art blog #my art <3 #my artwork #my art #sketch #jakeward #jacob x edward #edward x jacob #jacob black #edward cullen #twilight #twilight saga #art block

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since0202 · 2 years

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Taking Time—Forty Five

Yours isn't the only way

It’s easy to be a better version of yourself when the path is clear in front of you. But for most people, you’re never really sure where you’re heading. Or your direction suddenly changes course and you’ve ended up in a completely different place than where you originally intended. You think light will help you see, a compass will keep you straight, and confidence will help keep you moving. But the light just shows more cracks along the way, and your compass turns out to be nothing more than crudely drawn arrows on your palm. And that confidence? Evaporated before the morning dew. Suddenly there are more shadows flitting in and out of your periphery in the trees and the path you thought you were on is not a path at all, just grass and twigs patched over in haphazard patterns from the chaos and misdirection of so many others before. So where do I go from here?

Maya woke in the late morning light alone. She turned her head to look at the empty spot where Paul usually occupied and ran her hand across the flat sheets. Last night had been one of their least shiny moments to date, she had to admit. Maya replayed the look on his face as he turned to leave and swallowed hard.

Bad. It had been all around bad. She let out a sigh that turned into a loud groan as she laid on her back and stared up at the ceiling. He hadn’t come home last night, and after absently checking her phone, she noticed he hadn’t texted her either.

“Definitely mad,” she whispered aloud to herself as she rubbed her forehead. Sometime after Paul had stormed out, Maya had tired herself out pacing in anger. The anger had ebbed but the sour feeling at leaving something unresolved. Maya sat up and tied her hair back with the loose hair tie on her wrist before scooping Paul’s shirt off the floor and tugging it onto her body. She snatched her phone off the bed and headed downstairs to make some coffee, trying to sort out how she was going to fix all of this.

The worst part of it all was that she didn’t fully understand why Paul was this mad. Sure, maybe Noah was into her, but did he really trust her that little to think that she would mess around? Maya pursed her lips as she watched the coffee pot slowly fill. Instead of waiting for her own mind to formulate some answer, she picked up her phone and navigated through her contacts.

The phone rang a few times before she heard the groggy answer on the other line:

“What now?” Keye groaned.

“What did you mean when you said I know what I do to guys? Including Paul?” Maya said quickly, her eyes trained to one specific spot on the backsplash above the kitchen sink.

“My, it’s like 8 in the morning,” Keye yawned halfway through her sentence and when Maya didn’t answer, she sighed, “Uuugh, My I don’t know okay? I was hungover as fuck. Still am, what the hell did we even do!?”

“Keye.” Maya said. “You said I wouldn’t have done half the shit I did if Paul was there. What did you mean? Did I do something with Noah that I blacked out? Should I feel worse about this?” She asked seriously.

“No. Maya, you really shouldn’t. I said that because you were your same normal you and there’s nothing wrong with that. Were you flirty as fuck? Hell yes. Did you cross a line? Not in my opinion. But if Paul had been there he might have ripped Noah’s throat out.”

Maya squeaked a little in aggravation, pulling a coffee mug down and filling it to the brim.

“Yeah, you’re going to have to squash that shit quick if you don’t want Paul’s possessiveness to run your relationship, babe” Keye said. Maya scrunched up her face at that. “Just saying.” Keye responded through a yawn as if she could see Maya’s face.

“He’s on edge.” she replied tersely.

“They’re always on fucking edge,” Keye quipped. Maya snorted a laugh before taking a sip of her coffee. “Set him straight, My. Remember when Becks was dating Tommy Saban? And he told her they weren’t going to the summer revival dance unless she promised to blow him after?”

“So fucking gross,” Maya said under her breath.

“Yeah. So she took him to the lookout point and got him caught with his pants down in front of the entire girls swim team.” Keye was laughing now.

“She’s such a bad bitch,” Maya said with a smile. She missed her—her Becks. They had only had short phone conversations this spring as they had both focused on their finals—Becks being doubly preoccupied managing her pregnancy and Jacob’s helicoptering.

“She really is. Point is, as much as you think Paul might be the one steering the ship, it��s actually you babe. I meant it when I said when all of this shit started that it’s terrifying the things he’ll do for you. Make him remember that.” Keye concluded. Maya sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“You’re right,” she breathed. “He freaked out about this Noah shit and I just…Ugh, why are we so fucking out of sync all the time?” She knew the answer but didn’t want to voice it.

“The distance thing really does seem to fuck with the imprint. Keeps Paul on edge more, plus he’s got that wicked anger from his past. Nothing you can’t handle, babe. Just make sure you do,” Keye continued after a breath, “Handle it.”

Maya nodded and quickly said goodbye before pulling up Paul’s location on her phone. Ten minutes later, she was parked in front of Becks’ and Jacob’s brand new home. They were due to come in this afternoon and Maya was sure Jacob was eager to show her the progress on the house.

Maya hopped down from her Jeep and shut the driver side door with a clack. She ran a hand through her roughly brushed out hair and took a deep breath before heading into the house. Most of the pack was there working as Jacob and Becks were due back that afternoon. She passed Colin who was working on the landscaping in the front yard.

“Well, well, well, look who decided to show up,” he teased with a warm smile on his face. Maya rolled her eyes and gently nudged his shoulder as she walked by and into the house.

Paul was in the backyard sanding cabinets down. He was shirtless and had his white t-shirt slung over his shoulder.

“Can I talk to you?” Maya asked, slipping her hands into her back pockets. Paul didn’t look at her but took out a rag to wipe the residual sawdust off. Maya sighed and looked down at her feet, “Paul, come on. This is so stupid,” she tried to keep the annoyed edge out of her voice. If she was going to apologize, she needed to do this right.

“No, Maya. What you did was stupid,” he said nonchalantly, carrying on with his work and not meeting her eyes. Maya shut her eyes tightly and took a deep breath.

“Stop.” she said firmly before opening her eyes and looking at Paul. Even now when she was so annoyed with him for the things he had said to her last night before taking off, she couldn’t help but be pulled to him. The hard lines of his body made Maya’s eyes race over each peck, each perfectly formed muscle. He was as beautiful as he was infuriatingly stubborn.

Paul stopped what he was doing as if subtly commanded to and his face fixed into a deep frown as he turned to look at her, pulling the gloves from his hands.

“I’m sorry that what I did hurt you, Paul. But, it was also an accident, a mistake. I am allowed to make those mistakes. Just like you’re allowed to,” she said knowingly. Maya knew she could bring up the stuff with Rachel and all the ways he had hurt her too, but she wouldn’t. Instead, she took a step toward him, closing the distance as she placed a hand on his bare chest and gazed up at him. Paul pulled in a stiff breath and kept his lips pursed in a firm line. Maya had to stifle a giggle at his determination to be mad when he was clearly crumbling, “But I am very sorry that I hurt you. Very, very sorry Paul.” Maya said, her voice cracking lightly. That caught his attention and his eyes immediately darted to her mouth, “I’ve been looking forward to this summer with you. Please….please let’s not start it this way,” she pleaded with a small smile on her face as she watched his face morph into one of softness. She cupped his cheek in her other hand and he leaned into it slightly, unable to stop himself from wrapping an arm around her back and tugging her closer to him.

After a beat, he said, “I’m sorry I freaked out. I didn’t mean to and the shit I said…” he sighed clearly irritated with himself, “Aside from those idiots in there,” he gestured with his glove toward the house where raucous laughter was booming out from the back door, “You are the only thing that matters to me. This shit is intense and you being so far away is…I don’t know, we don’t have to talk about all of that now, I just missed you and I freaked out. I’m sorry, too.” He conceded and Maya beamed now and he brought his face down to kiss her forehead.

“Okay.” She let out a small laugh as he let her hand rub lightly across his jaw and rest at the nape of his neck. “Wow, it’s really that easy to get you to cave, huh?” He threaded his arm around her back and pulled her flush against his chest before lowering his lips down and hovering them teasingly across hers before saying in a low, gentle voice.

“But you have tell them,” his eyes were alight with mischief as they danced around her face watching her confusion tick into suspicion.

“Tell them? Tell them what?” Maya asked, confused, her heart hammering in her chest in anticipation for Paul to seal his kiss. His other hand rubbed along her forearm that she had draped over his shoulder sending goosebumps down her arm.

“I’m not going to be able to keep this to myself on rounds, so you tell them,” Paul said, nodding and brushing his nose against hers. Maya’s eyes went wide in annoyance.

“Unbeliev—,” she squeaked out before Paul brought his lips crashing down on hers and swallowed the rest of the word up in an earth shattering kiss that made her dizzy. Maya couldn’t help a soft moan from escaping her mouth and spreading into his as he anchored her so firmly, so confidently against him before pulling his mouth softly off of hers and then kissing her once more gently, with a featherlight touch that took her off guard for the size and strength of the this man that held her heart. When he finally stood straight and let her move from his grasp a little she narrowed her eyes. He gave her butt a couple of playful pats as she settled more firmly onto her feet and grabbed his safety glasses off the table before turning back to his work.

Maya groaned and rolled her eyes before she pulled out of his grasp completely to walk back toward the back screen door. She looked over her shoulder and shot back:

“You’re raking me over the coals because you’re embarrassed? Really?!” A small smile played at Paul’s lips and she could feel the heat rise to her face. “You’re an asshole,” she said before turning back toward the house and stomping up the back porch steps.

“Hey!” she yelled as she crossed the threshold and clattered down the hallway. “Can you guys come here please?” She yelled. Quil was hand sanding the stair railing and looked at her with confused worry.

“Everything okay?” he asked, glancing around her to see Paul still in the backyard, getting back to his sanding.

“Yes,” Maya said between gritted teeth. “Hello?! Wolfpack!? I need all of you down here in the living room! For a very important announcement. NOW.” Her eye ticked in annoyance as she waited for them all to gather around her in the wide and empty living room. She stood by the bay window and even with most of them in the room, it felt close to bursting from their massive bodies.

“What’s up? You okay?” Seth asked. Jared crossed his arms and waited expectantly. The only ones not there were Jacob and Sam and Jeremy.

“Everything’s fine,” Maya said trying to relax her jaw, “Paul wants me to tell you all why I was late. Because he doesn’t want you to find out from him.” The wolves glanced at each other with confused looks on their face but Jared smirked and shook his head. He’d known Paul the longest in the pack, next to Sam.

“Okay,” Embry said slowly. “Why were you late?” Maya took a deep breath and rolled her eyes.

“Keye came out to New York on my last night and we went out with a bunch of people from my cohort. One friend in particular, Noah, who Paul does not like and says is very much ‘into me’ also came. We got really drunk. Like really drunk,” Maya said. Seth’s eyes went wide at this expecting the worst but she pushed ahead. This was so stupid, “And Keye and I got so drunk that I guess we decided to spend the night at Noah’s.”

A few of them blew out low whistles. Jared let out a short barking laugh and Maya bristled a little. “Nothing. Happened.” She snapped, “We all fell asleep and I woke up at 9 the next morning and missed my flight. That’s IT. Totally innocent.”

The pack collective nodded at one another, some stared at their feet, and some mumbled in mild confusion as Maya looked around the group.

“Any questions?” she snapped again, daring one of them to say something. The wolves looked around at one another again, their faces reserved, uncertain until—

They all burst into booming laughter, throwing their heads back in absolute glee. Maya’s eyes went wide in surprise and then she clenched her jaw. Jared clutched his stomach and Collin, Embry, Brady, and Quil were buckling over and bumping into one another in their shared glee. Maya let out a huff of annoyance waiting for them to calm down. Seth was covering his eyes and leaning against the banister trying to get it together.

“Damn, didn’t realize you were such a stone cold player,” Collin wheezed with laughter.

“Yeah, who said you could be such a heartbreaker with your “platonic” sleepovers?” Quil emphasized the word platonic before continuing to buckle over.

“Out of all the things you could have done,” Jared managed, “You chose a sleepover with some math nerd and your best friend to tell us about?” Jared howled with laughter, clutching his stomach.

“We knew you liked to push Paul’s buttons, but this..this Maya,” Embry shook as tried to stifle his giggling, “Is a new height for you,” he chastised sarcastically. Maya was clenching her fists at her sides and the heat was slowly rising to her face.

“How could you?” Seth said, shaking his head in mock seriousness as tears of laughter twinkled in his eyes before Brady bumped into him.

“Watch out everyone, we got a baddie out here breaking hearts and taking names,” Collin quipped. Maya was starting to bristle.

“Okay, it’s not that fucking funny,” she quipped, but that only set them alight into new fits of laughter. Maya’s eyes widened, her annoyance starting to brim dangerously close to anger and she swatted at Quil who stumbled as he wiped tears from his eyes.

“Alright, that’s enough,” a warm voice sounded from the back of the house and Maya could see Paul leaning against the doorframe of the back door with his arms crossed over his chest. His shoulders were shaking gently in laughter and Maya warmed at the sight. The pack dispersed, still tittering with laughter. Seth patted her shoulder as he walked past and got back to work to sanding and staining the bannister. Maya’s eyes were glued to Paul as he watched her wiping his hands off with a damp towel. He smiled at her softly and it sent her heart hammering in her chest again. She tried to hold back her smile but it broke through anyway and she shook her head at him.

“I love you,” she mouthed at him.

“Love you too,” he mouthed back.

“Asshole,” she mouthed. Paul closed his eyes in gentle laughter before nodding his head and turning around to walk back to his project, giving her a wave over his shoulder. Maya rolled her eyes and turned around. There was enough to get done today without her sticking around for more ribbing from the pack anyway.

“Bye, Seth,” she waved and he waved back. Just as Maya clomped down the front porch stairs, she nearly ran into Emily who was heading up the pathway.

“Oh, Maya!” Emily’s eyes brightened with surprise as she juggled the bags of food. Maya immediately grabbed two off of her shoulder and heaved them onto her own. “Thanks,” Emily breathed a sigh of relief. “Here, come set these down,” she said as she walked into the house and toward the kitchen. Maya deposited the bags on the counter and started unpacking. “Thought I’d bring the boys some lunch since they’re almost done.” Maya nodded and started laying out sandwiches on the paper plates she brought.

“Oh, that reminds me!” she said turning and starting to fill up cups with lemonade, “Becks’ baby shower.”

“Oh,” Maya halted and went wide-eyed in surprise. “I…didn’t even think about that.” She felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up her neck as she internally berated herself for not even thinking about throwing her best friend a baby shower.

“It’s okay,” Emily waved her hand, “We’ve still got time. She’s not due until July, but I’m thinking we should throw it as a surprise?” Maya nodded a little more enthusiastically.

“Absolutely. Here?”

“Yeah, I think she’d like that. So how about the end of May? Does the 25th sound okay to you?” Emily asked nonchalantly as she passed a plate to Embry piled high with two sandwiches, chips, quinoa salad, and some chopped vegetables.

“Yeah, a week should be good to put something together for her. Thanks, Em,” Maya said, taking a bite of a chip.

“Good. You okay?” she asked in that softly maternal, non-intrusive tone of hers. It made Maya warm just hearing it.

“Absolutely,” she replied on an exhale. “Just getting back into the swing of things,” Maya motioned around herself and Emily let out a small laugh.

“I’m sure it’s a pretty sharp contrast to what you’ve been used to, but we’re glad to have you home,” she said as she came around the counter to envelope her in a hug. Maya relaxed into it and hugged her back.

“It’s fine really. I’m happy to be home. It just always just takes a second to adjust,” Maya laid her head on Emily’s shoulder as she gave her an extra squeeze before releasing her. Emily put both of her small hands on Maya’s cheek and beamed at her.

“You’re doing something none of us have ever done. It’s bound to have its ups and downs. You’ll figure it out,” Emily said before dropping her hands from Maya’s face. Maya let out a slow breath before nodding. “And for everything else, we’ve got you. Anywho, I’ll send you a list of some party ideas and we can divvy up some tasks, gather decorations, all that good stuff, yeah?”

“Sure thing, I’ll make a group chat.”

“Oh, perfect!” Emily said as if she hadn’t thought of that just yet. Maya already pulled out her phone and quickly added Keye, Kim, Sadie, and Emily before shooting a text to them.

With another quick goodbye and a wave, Maya was out the door and feeling a little lighter than she had coming in. Becks and Jacob would be back in a matter of hours and Maya still had a lot to do prior to their homecoming. And now with the baby shower to plan, she was already beginning to feel a little bit back to normal.

“Are we almost there?” Becks said, trying to tame the excitement in her voice. Jacob laughed lightly next to her in the driver's seat.

“Almost, honey,” he replied. Becks felt them pull off from the smooth concrete highway to a somewhat bumpier dirt road.

“Okay, good. Because I have gotta pee,” she smiled and touched the makeshift blindfold covering her eyes as she heard him chuckle warmly in response. She let her hand fall to rest absently on top of her stomach. Becks was rounding out seven months and felt it. Her doctor in Chicago had been pleased with her progress throughout the semester, tracking the baby at a little bit larger than usual into her third trimester, but overall she had managed it well.

There were a couple of times during the spring semester that her doctor had told her to minimize her stress as much as she could, but with being pregnant, away from home, and dealing with school, that was a long shot. Jacob had increased his time out in Chicago after Becks had laughed over the phone about her doctor’s recommendation. He had already been out there a ton—staying three out of the five days usually—but by the end of the semester, he was only checking in at the rez every couple of days and not straying too far.

Becks didn’t want to admit it, but it had helped having him there and having a place to go that wasn’t her dorm. Her roommate had been less than pleased to find out she’d be sharing a room with a pregnant teen this semester—something about cramping her style or head game Becks thought. When she’d left in January, she was determined to do this as much on her own as she could. She understood that now that Jake had decided to take over his rightful role as alpha, his attention would need to be divided.

But still, that didn’t stop Becks from calling him late at night just to hear his voice, or beaming from ear to ear and choking back a sob when he’d show up the next day to ferry her from class to the tiny apartment where he’d run her a bath and rub her feet and ask about her classes. He was just always there exactly when she needed him.

The little apartment just off campus that Jacob had secured for them was perfect. By the time spring break had rolled around, Becks had decided to stay there pretty much full-time, enjoying the relative quiet and shorter trip to the bathroom it afforded her.

The car rolled to a gentle stop and Becks couldn’t help but smile. “Ready?” Jacob said. She nodded enthusiastically and he popped open his drivers side door. The familiar smell of home washed over Becks momentarily, giving her goosebumps—evergreens, wet earth, a hint of salt, and warm pine. Jacob was there in a flash, opening her door and holding both of her arms as he helped her out down from the car. Once on her feet, he wrapped his arm down around her back, and steered her slowly forward.

Jacob had told her early on that he was building a home for both of them, but he’d kept the details pretty secret. Becks had been thrilled and overjoyed at the idea of a small little place to call their own. He’d told her she’d get to pick out some things once it was finished and had only asked her cryptically to choose between a few colors a couple of times. Whenever she tried to weasel more information though, he’d just give her his signature megawatt small and lean down to kiss her, sweeping most worries from her mind and temporarily making her head spin.

“Soon,” he’d say, cupping her cheeks warmly between his large, soft hands.

Now he’d positioned her ever so carefully on what Becks could feel was a stone walkway. Her breath hitched her throat in anticipation and she felt the baby shift inside her in response to her increased heart rate.

“Okay,” Jacob breathed, positioning himself behind her, his hands on either side of her stomach. She could hear a hint of nervousness in his voice. “Welcome home, babe.” He pulled the blindfold off in one gentle moment and Becks eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight.

This was…not the little shack in the woods she was expecting. The big beautiful two story home could have been sparkling in the low light of the the late May sun, wide windows stretching across whole swaths of the house. Becks gasped and took an automatic step forward, tears already welling in her eyes.

“Jacob!” she managed to gasp out with a squeak. “How did you—? When did you—?!” She was at a loss for words. Every little detail was accounted for, the small stone pathway dotted with flowers and ferns and garden lights leading up to wide, flat steps to an expansive poured concrete porch. A giant porch swing hung off to the right, it’s deep seat the size of a nearly a full bed and padded with a large linen cushion that could have been mistaken for a mattress.

The large bright wood door stood out beautifully against the dark blue of the home, with dark iron accents that matched the address numbers displayed next to the front door. The home was nestled nicely against the tree line, giving it a cozy, protected feel and Becks was overcome with just how beautiful it was. If the outside of the house looked this nice, she could only imagine how beautiful the inside would look.

“It took a lot of time, but I had a lot of help,” he said softly behind her, encasing her in his arms and splaying his hands across her belly as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. Becks automatically raised her hand to cup his cheek, her eyes still glued to the sight before her as tears clearly streamed down her round cheeks.

“Jacob, I–” she hiccuped and felt him gently rub his large hands soothingly across her belly. “This is so beautiful. No one has ever done anything close to something like this before.”

“I hope not, because I’d have to kick their butt,” he chuckled in her ear, that warm pleasing laugh that set her heart stuttering again.

“You built me a house,” she said breathless, her eyes still roving over the place she’d get to call home from now on.

“I did,” he said casually. “It was the least I could do, considering you’re building me a baby.” He stooped a little behind her to gather his hands underneath her belly and lifted gently, relieving some of the weight off of her lower back. Becks’ eyes fluttered closed momentarily and she let out an involuntary moan of relief before giggling. She loved it when he did that.

“Do you want to see the rest?” he said low in her ear, making her shiver. She turned her head to meet his eyes, the warm chocolate brown of his irises instantly setting her at ease. Becks nodded slowly and he smiled before kissing the tip of her nose. “Come on then.”

He led her forward, taking her hand and keeping his pace a little slower so she could keep up. Becks felt like a kid in a candy store. As she looked down at their joined hands, moving toward their house he had built for their family, she was nearly overcome. How had she gotten so lucky with destiny to be gifted this man (and this baby, even if the timing was a little off) so early in life? The imprint had been nothing short of a surprise, but she was so thankful for it everyday that she got to be with Jacob. And although she knew that some people around her thought she was giving up her dreams, Becks knew how she felt.

And there was nowhere else she’d rather be.

Maya and Paul had driven up to Seattle so he could take care of a few things in jumpstarting timelines for projects he would pick up from his hiatus. Maya had also wanted to get a few things for the baby shower, seeing as the limited stock in Forks and even Port Angeles wasn’t going to cut the party prowess she was going for.

They had arrived at the Bellevue shopping center around four and Maya had split off from Paul to go to a little baby boutique in search of the perfect gift for Becks. Paul had cited needing to talk to a shop owner here about some pieces he had commissioned and Maya had nodded distractedly before bounding off in search of the shop.

Now as she rounded the inside of the little shop for the tenth, filled with unique toys and gorgeous handwoven blankets, she smiled. It was all starting to feel real—this baby she means—and the thought didn’t even terrify her anymore.

When Becks and Jacob had showed up that evening after visiting the house, Becks had been absolutely aglow with excitement. Maya had squeezed her a tight hug before kneeling down to hug around her belly, squishing her cheek to the warm globe. Becks had laughed and Paul couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he watched Maya. When she had finally stood back up, Becks began to gush about the house and Jacob and Maya swelled with so much happiness she felt like she would burst. They had spent the rest of the evening tucked on the couch, online shopping for furniture, bedding, and cozy pillows before Jacob had ushered her upstairs to finally get some rest.

Maya scanned the back wall of the baby boutique store, trying to hone in on the exact right thing to get Becks. She was distracted to say the least with her hands on her hips and her eyes analyzing each and every item to determine if it screamed “Baby Becks” to her or not.

Just as she got to the end of her initial scan of items, she took a haphazard step back, still distracted by her utter concentration and bumped into a hard body.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” Maya said gently, her eyes not fully connecting with the person she had bumped into before her eyes landed on the perfect bassinet. “Oh,” she said softly. The woman she bumped into waved her off politely and moved down onto another section, unperturbed and allowing Maya to fully indulge in the item before her.

The bassinet was a gorgeously woven basket affixed to sturdy, dark wood cherry legs. The basket was dark blue and white, woven with intricate patterns that reminded her of the quilts her mother made her growing up. The handles were expertly sown dark leather and the bassinet could easily be turned into a carrying basket if needed.

“Perfect,” she said to herself with a wide smile. She knew Becks would love it and just as she went to lean down and grab the large box it came in, a warm hand snaked around her waist. Maya glanced up quickly and smiled at Paul.

“Hey,” he said almost a little breathless, his shoulders tense.

“Hey, look at this! Isn’t it perfect?” Maya pointed to the bassinet as Paul tugged her a little closer to him before looking at the bassinet and nodded his head.

“Yeah, it’s great. Are you ready?” his eyes darted around the store and Maya quirked an eyebrow at him.

“You okay?” she said with a small laugh. Paul squeezed her hip gently and gave a weak smile.

“Yeah, just ready to get you home,” he said softly. “You want to get that for her then?” he nodded to the bassinet.

“Yes! I have a few other things behind the counter already too,” Maya said with excitement. She wasn’t sure why he was so tense but it didn’t dampen her mood. He leaned forward to grab the box with one hand while slipping his other hand into hers. Paul tugged her toward the checkout counter, his eyes glancing around at the customers. Maya watched as he let his eyes rest on an infant in a stroller just ahead of them in line, a nervous grimace settling on his face. Maya swallowed a giggle and bit her lip. He looked positively blanched and uncomfortable.

After checking out with a small fortune of baby gifts and decorations, Paul helped haul it to the car with Maya in tow. Safely tucked into the front seat, Paul shut his door and let out a long breath.

“I’ve never seen you like that,” Maya teased. He looked over at her, his face confused before she continued, “Do babies make you nervous or something?” Maya let out a little laugh and Paul closed his eyes tight and grinned broadly before turning the key over in the ignition. He let out a relaxed laugh as they pulled onto the main road before saying:

“Yeah, I forgot to mention, kids actually freak me out a little,” he glanced over at her, his eyes twinkling with mischief, “The sticky hands and pudgy fingers and toes. All those rolls?”

“Totally logical fear, I get it,” Maya said, nodding and looking out the window. Paul put a hand on Maya’s thigh and squeezed. She looked over at him and smiled.

“Hey, how about we take a trip?” Paul suggested.

“Hmm?” Maya’s eyes widened in excitement.

“Yeah, you and me, off the rez for a little bit, and somewhere new. Just for a week and maybe around your birthday?” his smile was growing wide and warm. Maya’s heart fluttered.

“Do you think that’d be okay? I mean Becks is due in July, that might be cutting it kind of close,” Maya pondered. Paul shook his head and continued:

“Becks will be fine and we’ll go in enough time so we won’t miss anything. What do you think? Just you and me?” he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss. Maya nodded enthusiastically and gave an excited squeal.

A week-long getaway for her birthday with the man of her dreams? Absolutely. Maya’s mind already began turning over with ideas of where they could reasonably go for a week and get as far away from the rez as possible.

Maya loved her home, but she also loved the way her and Paul were more easily able to relax completely into the imprint when they weren’t there. Paul, always stressed with rounds, new threats, council demands, or helping guide his brothers was always a staple in their relationship. But outside of the rez, without the demands and the constant need to check in through the link, Paul was able to be more himself with Maya—the semi-stable, high-end carpenter that had plans and dreams and a life filled with love to lead.

The absence of Maya during the school year only laid bare how the stress of everything on the rez was taking its toll on him. Maya put her hand over his and squeezed it before smiling at him.

“Just us,” she said softly. Because there wouldn’t always be a “just them” in the future. Whether it was their family, the pack, or whatever other demands destiny wrought upon them—Maya would forever lunge at the chance to seek some small aspect of normal in their increasingly abnormal life. Even just for a week.

Maya was putting the finishing touches on the mantel as Becks finished getting ready upstairs with Keye when the doorbell rang. Excitedly, Maya bounded toward the front door of Becks and Jacob’s home, her long light off the shoulder blue sundress, dotted with white flowers and a dreamy slit edged with lace that ended mid thigh billowed out around her. When she pulled the heavy wooden door open, she beamed. Emily, her four beautiful children in tow, Kim, and Sadie greeted her happily. Emily touched the delicate baby’s breath carefully placed in Maya’s half updo and smiled.

It was not long after that that the house was brimming and bustling with excited chatter from tons of friends and family mulling around the house and exclaiming at the woodwork as Becks proudly showed them around.

The house was a little more furnished after Becks had settled into full on nesting mode. But Maya had made sure to bring over extra chairs and seating from the council meeting house since the rest of the furniture wouldn’t arrive before the baby shower. Maya had wonderfully decorated with cuttings from the ferns and evergreens that swathed the backyard in gloriously green filtered light. She hung simple streamers, hanging stars, and twinkle lights to give the home a cozy, bright feel.

Before the pack had left for cliff diving that morning, at Maya’s direction, they had freshly tilled a fresh ring of dirt in the backyard and lined it carefully with garden rocks, driftwood, and a few garden lanterns. Maya had set out cartons of dahlia’s, wildflowers, poppies, and lilacs for guests to plant while they were there as a collective house/baby gift to Becks.

After a couple of hours, the gifts were piled high on the foyer table from the pack, Becks’ family, the council, and friends. Becks sat pride of place in the high backed rattan rocking chair Paul had made for her that week. Maya excused herself to the kitchen to put together more snacks and watched happily as Becks laughed with friends and family gathered around her, a hand placed lovingly over her stomach. After refilling snacks in the living room in front of Becks and making sure she had enough water, Maya took a break from the chaos in the open-facing kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine.

She leaned against the kitchen counter watching the festivities unfold as a group of women popped celebratory poppers in the backyard to the delighted squeals of Emily’s kids, while others were crouched around the garden beds carefully planting the flowers. Keye sauntered in and hopped up on the counter before popping some blueberries into her mouth from a glass bowl.

“It’s wild huh?” Keye said. “Our best friend is about to have a baby. We’re still babies.” She said in a far off voice. Maya hummed her agreement and shook her head.

“It’s bound to keep happening. I’ve found that the longer I worry about change happening, the faster it tends to come. It’s probably easier if we just,” she looked over her shoulder at Keye, “Roll with it.”

Over the past week leading up to the baby shower, Maya couldn’t shake some sense of nervousness, like the other shoe was about to drop but there wasn’t anything to indicate something bad was actually about to happen. On the contrary, things were going exceedingly well. She’d spent a whole day with her mother off the reservation—something they hadn’t done in a long time together—and Maya had treated her to a shopping spree courtesy of Paul’s black card. They’d met up with her dad for dinner and things had felt more normal than they’d ever been, considering the previous rift.

Maya and Paul had fallen back into a good rhythm, his mood evening out the longer she was there. Even his packmates–Seth in particular—had admitted to Maya how much happier Paul was just knowing she was back at home waiting for him after rounds. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, her proximity was intimately tied to Paul’s wellbeing.

Each time he came home from rounds or deliveries or even just working out in his workshop in the backyard, he’d wrap Maya up in a warm hug, his large arms dwarfing her and making her feel delicate. He’d lower his head to his favorite spot in the crook of her neck and inhale, breathing her in. Or, he’d take a moment to kiss the top of her head and just hold her there as if he was still surprised she was standing in front of him. Maya would revel in these moments, placing both of her hands on the back of his neck and kiss from the side of his face to his neck, whispering lovingly into his ear.

Still, something within her stayed on alert. She chalked it up to paranoia or the impending birth of her best friend’s baby that would change everything. But still, that nagging feeling wouldn’t dissipate. She took another sip of wine, her eyes flitting toward the sound of Becks’ twinkling laughter. She looked so happy—happier than maybe Maya had ever seen her. Her heart swelled with emotion just at the sight. How could she be anything but overwhelmingly happy for her best friend? Becks was the kindest, bravest, and sweetest person she knew. She deserved everything happy and right in this world that they shared. Maya made a mental note to never doubt her best friend ever again—no matter the situation.

“How’s Jake been through all of this?” Miranda, one of Maya’s mother’s friends asked Becks in the living room. A group of them had been gathered around Becks sharing firstborn tips and advice for the past hour. Maya perked up at the question and walked over to stand just outside the circle of chairs, wine glass filling her hand.

Becks let out a happy sigh and closed her eyes for a moment, “He’s honestly been incredible. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this semester without him,” she said to the “awws” and tuts of approval around her, “He was out there every week. He even rented a little apartment just outside of the city that I could stay at on the weekends and sometimes during the week when he was there. It was such a relief to get a break from campus sometimes.”

“I’m surprised he was even willing to let you go in the first place,” Elder Mila interjected. Maya grimaced and quickly swallowed a gulp of wine. Becks smiled gently at Elder Mila before saying:

“He respected what was important to me at the time…And we made it work. I honestly think he would have been out there with me more if his responsibilities here weren’t so important. But even since we got back to the rez, he’s been very attentive,” she laughed a little at this. “I can’t even reach up to get a glass in the cupboard without him reaching around me and getting it for me,” she joked. The women around her smiled as if remembering some similar memory they all shared, “Still, it’s very very sweet.” She ran a hand over her belly. “We’re lucky he’s ours.” Becks said to her stomach.

“Gosh, I remember how Sam was with our first, too. He was everywhere all of the time. I thought he was going to have a heart attack every time I tried to climb the stairs by myself,” Emily giggled. Becks smiled so wide.

“Exactly! I might as well be made of glass. Sometimes, he just scoops me up and carries me up the stairs anyway. Which, honestly, I do not mind the break for my feet,” Becks said sweetly. Maya smiled around her glass of wine.

The party wound down naturally over the next hour or so and Maya and Keye began cleaning up just as the pack showed up. They descended on the leftover snacks, hoovering up the remaining sandwiches, meats and cheese, and fruit. They all smelled like damp earth and sea salt, their bodies already having evaporated any moisture.

Paul popped a grape into his mouth and patted Maya’s hip as Brady continued to regale them all with their cliff diving stories. Kim and Sadie were laughing as they took down some of the decorations and placed them neatly into a storage container.

Becks sat at one of the high-backed stools facing the kitchen island as Maya washed off some dishes in the sink, handing them to Keye who slotted them into the new dishwasher. The room was buzzing with warmth and happiness and Maya watched as Jacob leaned down to kiss the side of Becks’ head and whisper something in her ear that made her smile, her eyes closed in delight. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and held onto her stomach gently. They were the picture of happiness and Maya’s heart stuttered a little bit.

“Can we open presents now?” Luca whined as he and his younger brother picked through the pile of presents on the low foyer table in the front hall. Emily shifted her son Arlo higher up on her hip.

“Those are Aunt Becks’ presents, Luca. She’ll open them when she’s ready. We need to get home and start bedtime soon, anyway,” she chided. Sam sauntered over and scooped up the younger of the two into his arms as he squealed in delight. Luca let out a long whine in protest and Becks turned from her seat in the kitchen.

“How about I open just one and you get to pick it out?” she offered. Luca immediately brightened and set to work deciding on the best one. “Thank you so much again for putting this on for me,” Becks said.

“Emily was the one who reminded me that this was something you do,” Maya admitted bashfully.

“But you’re the one who put this whole thing together in under a week,” Emily replied.

“Regardless, thank you all so much, this means the world and I just—,” Becks choked up a little and had to pause. Jacob was smiling and chuckled a little. He’d watched her mood swings up close and personal for the past 6 months so this was nothing new, “Sorry,” Becks said as she swallowed hard as Jacob wipes the tears from her cheeks.

Maya couldn’t help but laugh a little and shake her head, “Of course, Becks. We love you. What are friends for, babe?”

“This one!” Luca appeared next to Becks holding a carefully and beautifully wrapped gift. It was expertly wrapped with silver wrapping paper, embossed with intricate patterns that glittered as you rolled it in the light. The exquisitely soft ribbon was like silver liquid.

“Wow,” Becks said.

“Who’s that from?” Maya was drying her hands off on a dish towel, her brow furrowed. She didn’t remember seeing such an expensive looking gift amongst the pile of homemade wrapping paper and bags overflowing with warm colored tissue paper. Paul was standing next to Maya, his hand on her lower back as he leaned on his elbow on the counter, his eyes also looking at the package curiously.

“I dunno,” Becks said as she carefully unwrapped the gift. Jacob was just as curious as Becks at this point. Once the ribbon fell away, the package nearly unwrapped itself in one beautiful unsheathing motion.

Becks opened the rectangular box to reveal a beautiful dark leather bound photo album, embossed with the gold lettering: The Black Family. Becks gasped. The leather album was beautiful and felt like butter in her hands. She ran her hand across the cover and carefully opened it. There was a small envelope tucked inside and Becks was quick to open it.

“Who—” She began, but then she read the delicate lettering, inked in careful script:

"Congratulations. We are so incredibly happy for you. In every stage of life, one often looks back before moving forward. See you soon."

The color instantly drained from Jacob’s face as he listened to Becks read the note, already knowing by the intricate family crest that graced the front of the card who it was from: the Cullens. His hand gripped the back of Becks’ chair so hard that he cracked the wood, causing Becks to jump and look at him with a concerned look.

“What is it?” she said in a soft voice.

“No way,” Jared said, his voice tinged in anger. Jacob was trying very hard not to see red at this moment. The space around them suddenly felt too open, too exposed and Jacob wanted to shield Becks with his large frame.

“Jacob,” she said, bringing a hand to his cheek. He had been looking at her the whole time but not focused on her face, a flash of sadness moved over his eyes before he snapped back to it, standing straight.

“I did pick up a scent in Seattle earlier this week when Maya and I were there,” Paul said firmly, arms crossed over his chest.

“What?” Maya replied incredulously. Paul glanced at her quickly, his face unreadable stone before training his eyes back to Jacob.

“How many?” Jacob asked, between gritted teeth. Paul shrugged.

“Hard to say considering how many people were around, but more than one I’d guess,” Paul confirmed.

“Was that why you wanted to get out of there so quickly?” Maya asked, but Quil interjected over her:

“Do you really think it’s them coming to town?”

“Or moving back,” Embry stated.

“They’ve barely been away long enough to have everyone forget them. It can’t just be because of Jacob can it?” Jared asked, confused.

“The card doesn’t necessarily mean they’re coming back for good,” Maya said, her eyes glued to Becks who was staring down at the card again, her face a mask of confusion.

“What exactly do you think ‘See you soon’ means?” Jacob’s voice was thick with sarcasm. Maya bristled at that but swallowed her angry retort.

“It means maybe they just want to see you and Becks…and the baby,” A low growl sounded in Jacob’s chest. “You said they were friendly, right? And you were close to Bella—”

“That doesn’t mean they don’t want something from me! From all of us. And I get to choose who is a part of my family’s life. They’re not owed it,” Jacob’s voice rose and Maya turned to stone.

“Hey,” Paul said, “Take it easy. Maya’s probably right. They’re probably just curious.”

“They’re not setting foot near my family!” Jacob seethed now. Embry put a hand on his shoulder to help calm him but his breath was coming in fast now and Maya automatically took a step back. Paul took a small step in front of her instinctually.

“We won’t let them. You know that,” Paul said in a low, calm voice. Jacob shut his eyes tight and nodded before steadying himself.

“I want to up our rounds, and pull round the clock watch on our perimeter until further notice,” Jacob said looking at each of his brothers. They all nodded as if they had a choice, but still they looked determined. Paul’s eyes met Maya’s and he looked tired. She gave him a sad, but reassuring smile and nodded at him.

More rounds meant less time together for the foreseeable future and that was already enough of a hurdle during the school year. But she was home, so at least the physical distance wouldn’t affect Paul as much. At least she hoped.

“Jacob,” Becks said gently. His mouth was set in a hard line and his eyes were almost black with anger. He cupped her face in his wide hands and swiped his thumbs across her cheeks.

“I’ll keep you safe,” he said gently. She shook her head at him almost imperceptibly, but as she opened her mouth to speak, he looked over her head and at his packmates. “Jared, Quil, and Embry, can you take the northeast perimeter? Seth, take the others along the northwest. Paul,” he dropped his hands from Becks face and turned toward him, “Can you do a sweep of the south corners this evening? I’ll join you in about an hour,” he said firmly.

Paul nodded curtly, “I want to get her home first, is that okay?” He nodded toward Maya.

“Of course,” Jacob confirmed. “Come on, honey.” He said to Becks as he gently tugged her down out of the chair. Jared, Seth, and the others were confabbing with Sam as Emily rubbed her eyes tiredly and started shuffling her kids toward the door. Sadie and Kim kissed Becks on the cheek as Jacob walked her toward the stairs and waved sadly at Maya as they helped Emily out the door.

“I don’t need an escort, babe. You can go,” Maya said as Paul blew out a low breath and took a step toward her. He wound his hands down onto her hips and tugged her close, pressing his chest against hers as he kissed her forehead.

“Noted, let’s go,” he motioned toward the front door.

“Keye, you coming?” Maya said as she looked over her shoulder. Keye was looking at her phone.

“Nah, my presence has been requested here,” she pointed toward the stairs. “Baby watch.” Maya smiled tightly and said,

“Call me if you need anything.” Paul shuffled her out the door and toward her Jeep. Maya went along with him, placing her hand over his that held tightly to her hip. He guided her protectively toward the car as if something would jump out at any moment and snatch her.

Once she was safely tucked in the car and on the short 10-minute drive home, Maya broached the topic carefully:

“Is this really bad? The Cullens coming back?” she said softly. Paul’s face looked worn and tired, his eyes trained to the road and darting at the tree line.

“Depends,” he said cryptically.

“On what?” Maya probed.

“The last time they were here a war almost broke out. It depends on if they’re actually coming back and for how long,” he said slowly, “But that’s not even the worst part.” Maya waited patiently for him to continue, “More vampires in the area means the potential for more kids phasing.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel. “The need to protect the tribe will be triggered. And the last thing we need is more kids getting drawn into this and having their lives changed forever.”

Maya could see the anger tensing his shoulders, the vein pulsing in his neck. “Let’s take it one step at a time,” Maya soothed.

Paul pulled into their driveway soon after and shut the car off. He didn’t immediately get out though and Maya’s hand hesitated over the door handle as she looked over at him.

“What is it?” she asked, a nervous tinge to her voice.

“I need you to listen to me,” he said in a low voice.

“What do you—” she began but he cut over her, turning sideways to look upon her full force.

“I need you to listen to me when I ask you stay put or go to Emily’s or watch over Becks. I need to keep you safe and I can only do that if you listen to me,” he was nearly pleading with her, but the demand was clear in his tone. The fire was alight in his eyes and Maya’s mouth parted in subtle surprise. “Do you understand?”

Maya watched him carefully for a moment. He looked…terrified. As if this was the first time he truly had something to lose. She nodded slowly.

“Maya,” he said firmly, prompting her to answer.

“Yes, babe, I hear you. I’ll listen,” she reached over and grabbed his hand. He squeezed her hand and nodded.

“Let’s go inside, I’ll need to leave pretty quick but I want to make sure everything’s good before I go.” He popped open the door and Maya followed, bundling her dress up into her hand to help her quickly make her way to the front door.

Once inside, he kissed the side of her head and said “Wait here” before he hurried off toward the backyard, flipping on lights as he went and glancing around as if an intruder would pop out from behind the couch. Maya blew out a breath and put her purse on the entryway table before pulling her phone out.

A new text from Becks was waiting and Maya opened it, glancing up to make sure Paul was still preoccupied with his sweep of the house.

From: Becks–7:42 p.m.Are you on lockdown?

From: Maya–7:55 p.m.What do you think?

B: Jesus, I’m sorry. Jacob is being really intense about this.

M: Paul said something about a war last time the Cullens were in town. Do you know anything about that?

B: A war? No. He hasn’t mentioned anything. But he’s really shaken up and I don’t want to push it. Do you think Paul would let you come over tomorrow?

M: Yeah, the protection around your place is probably going to be the highest anyway. I’ll ask, but we’re safest on the rez so I’m sure he’s not going to care.

B: Thanks. I’m just…a little worried and wanted to run something by you.

M:Sure. You okay?

B: Yeah, absolutely, just would rather talk about it in person. Thank you for today though, it was amazing.

M: You’re welcome babes. I’ll see you tomorrow. Tell Keye I said goodnight.

Maya looked up as she heard Paul clamber down the stairs toward her. He reached around her and locked the front door.

“All clear?” Maya teased. Paul gave her a firm look and pulled her closer.

“Stay put tonight,” he reminded, brushing some hair away from her face. She nodded.

“Got it. Hey, Becks just texted me and asked if I could come keep her company tomorrow. That’s okay, right?” she placed a hand on his chest and leaned forward to kiss her mouth softly before saying,

“Of course. You can be over there as much as you want. I’ll swing by to take you in the morning.”

“I think I can make it over there fine, Paul,” she said gently, but heaved a sigh when she saw the look on his face.

“I’d feel better taking you,” the look in his eye told her it was easiest to just say yes. Plus, she knew she’d get limited time with him this week with the increased rounds, so any excuse to spend more time with him was worth it.

“Fine, I’ll be ready by 9 tomorrow, okay?” she looped her arms up around his neck and he responded by dipping his head down to more easily connect his mouth with hers, flooding her nose with his warm, musky scent and making her squeeze her thighs together. When he pulled back, she said dreamily, “Can you stay for just 20 more minutes?”

He raised his eyebrows and laughed, that half hooded look of lust in his eyes as well. “I wish I could, but I’m already late as it is. I would have loved to peel this little sundress off of you though.” His index finger traced under the thin spaghetti strap and pushed it down her arm to kiss along her shoulder. Maya huffed out a wanting breath. She could already feel the ache between her legs growing. But all too quickly, he stood straight and pushed a small millimeter of space between them. “I gotta go,” he said in a gruff tone. Maya whined and flopped her head onto his chest. “I’ll see you in the morning, baby.” he rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head before he took a step back and helped her stand up straight. “Remember—”

“Stay put, I got it Paul,” she groaned. He smiled and kissed her one last time before turning to leave out of the backdoor. Maya crossed her arms and watched him disappear down the dark path and into the forest.

So much for getting back to normal. She thought.

Next chapter > >

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