Charlotte || Jacob Black & Paul Lahote

Twenty-four: A Clean Break

I sat in Emily's kitchen, sulking. Both of us were quiet, fear stinging at our hearts. I hadn't spoke to Jake since I'd ran out of his car last night; and when I'd arrived this morning, Emily had told me that the entire pack had already gone, training with the vampires.

"I asked Jake to sit out," I mumbled, nursing a cup of coffee in my hand. A lone blueberry muffin sat on a plate in front of me, but I didn't have the appetite for it.  

"I thought about asking Sam, but it's their jobs. I understand your fear, but they've got to be there to protect each other. It's safer for everyone that way," Emily comforted, her tone sympathetic. She'd understand my fear better than anyone. It was selfish to say that I didn't care about the pack, because I really truly did. But I was terrified of Jake or Paul not coming back. 

"You guys have a nice day?" Emily called, her tone faux cheery as the pack walked in. I remained in my place at the dining table, not even bothering to meet the eyes of any of the pack. Pack Link. All of them would've seen my fight with Jake, and the guilt emanated from them.

"We didn't do much fighting, so everyone should still be fine for patrol tonight," Sam called, only to be met with groans.

"Oh? What did you do then?" Emily asked as she moved to grab the plate of muffins she'd made.

"You not eating Lots," Embry asked as he took a seat next to me. I'd purposely sat myself on the end of the table, to avoid being sandwiched by my two wolves. I just shook my head, sliding my plate over to him.

"I'm not your imprints. You can't puppy dog eye me out of this, eat" Embry ordered, sliding the plate back over to me. I knew my imprints were here, each of them sulking at the other end of the table, Jake especially. I hadn't actually looked up to see them there, I could just sense it.

"I'm not hungry," I snapped back.

"Liar, I can hear your stomach," Embry spoke matter-of-factly, "I'll force feed you if I have to."

I knew he wasn't lying, and so started picking at the muffin. 

"Good job," he teased, ruffling my hair. He then helped himself to his own muffin. The plate was already nearly clear, with the rest of the pack immediately having wolfed them down.

"Will you take me home?" I asked him not long later. It was only around 4, but I just wanted to get in my bed. 

"I will," Paul piped up, "Jake give me your keys."

I heard the jingle of keys and sighed. Embry just offered me an apologetic look, as I trailed past him. I mumbled bye to Emily and Sam, Emily pulling me into a tight hug. I followed Paul out the door and settled into the passenger side of Jake's rabbit. The car started, and he still hadn't spoke to me.

"I assume you saw mine and Jake's argument," I muttered, picking at my fingers.

"Yeah, he's real upset about it. You should talk to him Lottie," Paul spoke softly. 

"And you're not gonna sit out either are you?" I asked, but I knew the answer.

"I don't know Lots." 

"Why?"

"I'm terrified of not coming back to you, but what terrifies me more is me not fighting, a leech gets past and I come back to no you."

"But they'll be fine. A whole pack, and all the leeches, it'll be fine."

"I couldn't live with myself though, if one did get through."

"But you'd be with me, you'd stop it."

"Lots, it's safer for you if I stay with the pack. That's final."

It was like a repeat of last night. I stepped out of the car as Paul pulled up where Charlie usually parks his cruiser, slamming the door behind me and not bothering to look back. I made my way inside, heading straight to my room to lock my window and pull down the blinds. I am not allowing any wolves into my room.

I came back out my room, bumping straight into Bella and Edward.

"What's up with you?" Bella snapped, taking in my pout and tear-tracked cheeks. 

"Maybe the fact I'm watching my boyfriends go fight in some stupid battle."

"I told them not to," Bella answered.

"I know, but how can they not fight? If your vampires don't succeed, then guess where the new-borns go next? Forks. And then the wolves have to step in," I snapped. 

"Why are you getting angry with me? It's not my fault," Bella snapped back.

"It is!" I almost screamed.

"How!"

"Why are they coming here? For you! It's always you!"

"I didn't ask for this!" She snapped, her hands and face twitching with rage.

"But this is the consequences of it" I argued, gesturing towards the leech behind her. I'm glad dad wasn't here to listen to this.

"How is it any different to you falling for wolves!"

"They don't kill people. They protect them."

"Mine don't kill!"

"But their kind do! Since getting with Edward, you've been chased and followed by vampires. You almost got me killed when Laurent showed up! And who's chasing them away? THE WOLVES."

"I didn't ask them to."

"I don't see your leeches doing shit, they're fucking usele-" I was cut off by Bella's hand to my face. It smacked with a sting.

I didn't even think before I raised my own, but it never met. A cold hand wrapped around my wrist, lightning fast. The force of it smashing against my fragile bones and snapping it.

I heard it.

I heard it snap.

I yanked my hand back, cradling it to my chest, eyes watering as the pain registered.

"Carlisle. Get here. Now," Edward had barked down his cell, his face even paler than normal. He looked horrified. So did Bella. They both escorted me downstairs, forcing me down on the couch. They retreated to the hallway, speaking in hushed whispers.

"Charlotte," Dr Cullens soft voice called out. That didn't take long. I didn't answer him, just simply looked up at the doctor.

He took my wrist gently into his hands, the cold comforting my aching wrist. 

"It's a clean break, you'll just need a cast," he explained, teeth pearly as he offered a smile. He searched through his bag, and begun to wrap my arm in bandages.

"You guys are so fucked," I mumbled, loud enough so that I knew Edward could hear from his position in the hallway. Carlisle sighed. He knew I was right. The vampires had not only attacked a human, but they'd attacked an imprint. That'd start an all out war.

"You're lucky I don't want them dead. I won't tell them, but keep that fucking leech and his bitch away from me," I snapped at Carlisle as he finished bandaging my arm. 

"Thank you Charlotte. I shall respect your wishes, and will try to keep Edward away from you, although that will be hard with Bella remaining here," Carlisle spoke. He was understanding, but also understanding that there was only so much he could do in regards to where Edward went.

I heard him go out into the hallway. I heard him tell Edward that he'd have to keep his distance. I heard Edward argue, but Carlisle pointed out that I was protecting them, by not telling the wolves. He pointed out that Edward had intervened in a human affair and attacked me, that I had every right to start a war. Edward still argued. 

They are really lucky I value Jake and Paul's life above everything.