Charlotte || Jacob Black & Paul Lahote

Thirteen: Running with Wolves

As promised, I did go home and sob. I crawled into my nest, burrowed into wolfie and sobbed. I vaguely remembered Bella coming in my room at one point to tell me something, realising the state I was in and wandering back out. 

The only comfort that came was a howl in the middle of the night.

---

"Phone for you," Bella waltzed into my room, shaking me awake. I mumbled a thanks and made my way downstairs blearily.

"Hi Charl, you coming to the rez today?" Jacob's cheery tone entered my ears.

"If you want. I'm surprised Bella handed me the phone, didn't just keep talking away to you," I yawned back.

"She tried, and then Paul told her to fuck off," Jake explained.

"Paul's with you?"

"We're at Sam's. I'll come pick you up in an hour?"

"Cya then Jake," and I hung up, giggling to myself like a school girl. It felt odd, I had two men interested in me and they were both mine, universe prescribed. I bolted upstairs, barging into the bathroom and jumping into the shower. I came out fifteen minutes later, smelling of honey. I dried my hair, pulling it into a half up/half down style, adding a red bow. The bow matched my top and converse, also opting  for my usual black jeans.

"Where are you going?" Bella asked, watching as I sat on the bottom step waiting for Jacob.

"Emily's house."

"Can I come?"

"I mean Jacob invited me, and Paul."

"Your new boyfriends, bit of a slut having both don't you think?"

"No you can't come to Emily's then."

She simply huffed and walked off, retreating to the kitchen. I already couldn't wait to find out what Emily had cooked up. A beep interrupted my thoughts and I left the sad little house. Jake was already stood outside the door, I almost walked right into him.

"Hi Charl," he beamed, grabbing my wrist and tugging me towards his little car.

"Hello Jake, was it you outside my house last night?" Weird question Charlotte. 

"No, it was Paul. I was up towards Canada last night, have you put your seatbelt on?" He asked, as he started to drive off. I nodded, then realised what he'd said,

"Canada?"

"I really shouldn't be telling you this, but we've been chasing this red headed chick, she keeps hanging around."

"Why?" 

"We don't know," Jacob looked frustrated, and worried, and tired. This vampire was clearly stressing him out, and he was overworking himself.

"Wait, was she friends with the other vampire? The one that you saved me and Bella from?"

"Yeah."

"I remember Bella saying something bout her, or the other vampire said anything. I don't remember, but I think her name is Victoria? And I think she's after Bella."

I think Jacob nearly crashed the car when I said that.

"What?" His head snapped towards me and he slammed the brakes harshly, he looked terrified truly. I sort of just hummed and shrugged, I don't really understand his upset.

He carried on driving, his knuckles whitening and his frustration seeping out of him. But luckily, we soon arrived at Emily's house. I trailed in behind Jacob, smiling at Emily when she greeted me. The rest of the 'pack' were hoovering pancakes.

"Charl, tell Sam what you told me," Jacob commanded.

"Don't be so fucking rude," Paul snapped, glaring at Jacob. Okay. That was hot.

"It's fine," I muttered, it was hot but like please don't fight.

"No, Charlotte he's being rude."

"Paul, it's important."

"I don't give a shit."

"No need to be a dick to MY imprint."

"You fucking arseho-"

"Boys," Sam snapped, "What is it Jacob?" He just motioned for me to go on.

"The red head vampire. Her name's Victoria, and she's kind of after Bella."

"Does your sister ever stay out of shit," Jared retorted as a deep growl filled the room. It was definitely Paul. Because it turned me on a little. (A lot.)

"Do you know why?" Sam asked, as Jacob ushered me into a seat between himself and Paul. Almost instantly, the grumpier of the two men had a warm hand resting on my leg and the other still had a hold of my hand. Calm down Charlotte, they can smell slut.

"I don't know, they just mentioned something about the Cullens. Bella was saying they're still around, so they know them. That's the most I've got, I'm sorry."

"No that's plenty, that's more than enough," Sam soothed, before quickly turning into pack leader, "Pack perimeters have changed. Jacob, Paul, I know you'll already be outside the Swan residence, but until we catch the leech it's part of perimeters. So any of the pack may be there when them two are off duty."

"Is it not safer for Charl to stay here? Or at mine?" Jacob questioned. He's asking the real questions.

"No, we only brush past those areas when we do perimeter. It's safer for Charlotte to be at her house, where a wolf will almost always be stationed." Jacob looked almost upset at that, frowning into his pancakes.

"Enough wolf talk, I'm about to fall asleep," Emily cut in. Sam may be the pack's alpha,  but she's his alpha. Eurgh. That thought was gross, and I found myself giggling quietly to myself.

"What are you giggling at?" Paul muttered, moving his mouth closer to my ear. Make out with me. Please.

"Nothing," I mumbled, my cheeks and ears turning red.

"You sure honey, you're awful red," he teased, prompting the red to deepen.

"Fuck off," I muttered, pushing his face away with my hand lightly.

"What are we doing today Charl?" Jake asked.

"No, me and Charlotte are spending time together today. You've already known her for years," Paul butted in.

"How about we go to the beach? The weather's nice, ish," I suggested, and the two looked confused, "all three of us." The boys looked defeated, but still happy.

And so, after a breakfast with the pack, we left, heading for La Push beach. The tension at first was stifling, the two men sending glares at each other and constant snide comments. 

"Whys your sister such a dick?" Paul asked as he lay his shirt down for me to sit on.

"Bella is, she's still hurting from her breakup with the Cullen," I explained. I still loved her, and didn't want to completely disrespect her, so went with a simple explanation.

"That was months ago," Jacob butted in, sitting behind me. He pulled on my shoulders, leaning me into his chest. He was so warm. A quiet growl emerged from Paul, but settled as I stretched my legs out and he took a seat on the sand opposite us. He ran his thumb over the small slither of skin between my jeans and converse, his warm hands so gentle. 

"I don't know. Maybe leeches have a imprint thing," I replied.

"It's hot how much you hate vampires," Paul butted in, Jacob humming in agreement.

"I reckon the Cullens will come back," I mumbled, "I mean you two wouldn't leave me, well, I hope. I don't think Edward will be able to leave Bella alone. She wanted to be just like him."

"Why?" Jake asked.

"Love."