Broken - Jacob Black Love Story {Book 3}

{17}

Billy was waiting for them as soon as they stepped out from under the trees. Amelie figured he had been sitting outside waiting all day for them to return to him safe and sound. They weren't too far away when Billy recognized that it was his son that was being carried home. Amelie knew that she would never forget the look on his face. The look of pure agony she was sure would haunt her forever.

Sam jogged forward to reach him before they did. He leaned down and told Billy what had happened but Billy's eyes never left his son's floating body. They brought him inside and gently laid him on his bed. Billy rolled himself to his son's bedside table and sat there just looking at him. Sam and Amelie hovered by the doorway for a moment before leaving Billy alone with his son who had passed out from the pain somewhere on the journey.

Amelie's tears had not stopped the whole time but she busied herself making a pot of coffee and tea for everyone to have while they waited. Her wands shook as she filled the pots with water. Sam's hand reached out from behind her and shut of the water before taking the pots from her. Amelie rested her hands over the edge of the sink and leaned forward trying to control her breathing.

Sam's gentle hands turned her around by her shoulders and pulled her into a giant hug. The moment she collided with his chest, Amelie choked out a sob. She cried and cried into Sam's chest without any sign of stopping. She knew that the pack outside could hear her, but at the moment, she didn't care. Sam never said anything, he just ran his hand up and down her back trying to soothe her.

"It hurts," she cried, "It hurts to fucking bad."

"I know. He'll be okay, he'll be okay," Sam whispered.

After a few minutes, Amelie pulled away from him and wiped her tears away. She looked around the room and went back to making tea and coffee. Her tears hadn't stopped but she ignored them trying to get ahold of herself. Sam said nothing for a while before going outside with a sigh.

She tiptoed to the back of the house with two mugs in her hand but stopped in the doorway to see Billy grasping his son's hand in his own. Another tear fell down Amelie's face at the sight.

"I brought you some tea," she whispered.

Billy turned his head to look at her before nodding to her. She walked over and handed him the mug which he took gratefully. Amelie pulled up a chair and curled into herself on top of it.

"Thankyou," Billy told her.

"I figured we could use a cup while we wait for Carlisle," she sniffed.

Billy shook his head, "For bringing him home."

"It's all my fault. He got hurt because of me. If it wasn't for me and Bella this stupid battle wouldn't have happened. Jacob wouldn't be laying here."

"Don't say that," Billy snapped startling Amelie, "It's not your fault. Jacob would fight everyday to protect you."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"Would you do the same for him?"

"Of course," Amelie answered without hesitation.

"That's what love is. Putting them before yourself," Amelie gave Billy a small smile and he put his free hand on her knee, "If it wasn't for you, my son wouldn't be as happy as he is. Until you came into his life, well, I don't think I ever saw him smile that much. Even before the imprint."

Amelie looked over at Jacob's sleeping face and frowned once more.

"Billy, I killed people today," she whispered.

She felt acid drop into her stomach and she almost threw up right then and there. In the moment, she hadn't thought about it. It was just another target, but now... Amelie had the sudden urge to wash her hands as if it would take off all the blood that now stained her soul. She started wringing her hands together and Billy grabbed them to stop her.

"You did what you had to in order to protect yourself," he answered gently.

"They were people."

"They were vampires who wanted to kill you and your family."

"They had lives of their own, Billy, and I just ended them."

He sighed, "There is nothing you can do to give them their lives back, Amelie. They chose to threaten your family. They chose to harm humans. They chose to harm the innocent. You didn't. Don't destroy yourself over the decisions of others."

"But I killed them."

"They would have killed you if you and I prefer it this way. If you're alright, I'll leave you with him for a moment. I need to speak with Sam," Billy told her before leaving the room.

She sat there for a moment not moving and just looking at Jacob. She watched as his chest moved up and down reminding her that he was alive and he wasn't going to die. She set down her mug and took Jacob's hand in both of hers. She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles.

"You're going to be okay. You still owe me a date," she smiled.

She looked at him a little longer before tears started down her face again. She wanted nothing more than to hug him but she didn't want to cause him any more pain. She lay her head down on his hand and cried.

"I'm so sorry.... I couldn't protect you. That's my fucking job, right? I can't even do that... I'm so. so sorry..."

The power of the imprint was taking its toll on Amelie. She felt drained and weak as Jacob lay there before her.

"I love you," she whispered to him.

Wiping her tears away once more, she quietly left the room and made her way outside where the rest of the pack was. When she opened the door and stepped outside, all of them fell silent and no one moved. They all just looked at her as if she was about to fall to pieces.

Out of the corner of her eye, Amelie saw someone finally move and turned just in time to see Emily right before she was engulfed in a hug.

"He'll be okay," Emily whispered in her ear.

Amelie nodded against Emily's shoulder not trusting her voice. She pulled away from the woman and gave her a small smile before looking at the pack. She gave them a small smile as well and they all seemed to relax. Her eyes flitted over their faces but stopped when she saw Embrey's. He looked almost as distraught as her and Billy. Seeing his best friend laying there in the grass must have taken a toll on him.

She made her way over to where he sat by Jacob's bike and she sat in the dirt next to him. She took his hand in his and laid her head on his shoulder. His head moved on top of hers and he gave her hand a small squeeze.

"It could have been any of us," he whispered to her.

Amelie shook her head, "I'm glad it wasn't you."

"I'm just glad you got the leech off him in time. Who knows what would have happened?"

"Don't."

"Right, imprint. Sorry," he gave her hand a squeeze.

She heard the thumping feet and felt Paul sit on her other side. As time dragged on the pack sat there in silence with the occasional murmured conversation but mostly, everyone just wanted Carlisle to arrive so Jacob could get better. When he did arrive, the sun had set.

"Where is he?" Carlisle asked Billy.

Billy nodded his head inside and lead Carlisle to Jacob's room. Amelie jumped up and followed the two of them inside. In his room, Jacob was still sleeping off the pain. Carlisle made his way to his bed and knelt down beside Jacob.

"Amelie, you shouldn't be here. I don't want him distracted and trying to get to you when I'm doing this. It'll only make it hurt worse. You too, Billy," he told them.

Amelie nodded her head and made to go outside but Carlisle stopped her, "Could you ask Sam to come inside? I'll need someone to hold him down."

Together, Billy and Amelie went outside to wait. She once again sat down between Embrey and Paul, and they were all silent. The dirt shifted as Paul grabbed her hand and she rested against him.

They were silent for about fifteen minutes before it started. Jacob's pained howls of agony ripped through the night as Carlisle was re-breaking each individual bone, multiple times. Amelie jumped and closed her eyes trying to ignore the sound of his screaming.