Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Intensity

By Mama4Dukes

Chapter 35:

Paul’s POV

Watching Eric Yorkie plug codes into his computer, I realized the guy was a genius. It was probably why he was Leah’s imprint. She didn’t need a guy who could defend her. She could do all the defending herself. What she needed was someone who was quick, intelligent, and who could keep up with her in a conversation because Leah was as smart as a whip.

“Okay, this should do it,” Eric stated tentatively. “Now, let’s see what his password is.”

“How the hell are we going to figure out what his password is?” Jeff asked the question which was on my mind, too.

“EZMoney. There we go. What an idiot!” Eric chuckled.

“You figured out his password, just like that?”

“Yes, I did.”

“But how?”

“There’s an algorithm to it.”

“Oh, sure, and then there are the rest of us bozos who can’t even think one up to make online orders,” Jeff griped.

Personally, I agreed with Jeff’s take on passwords. It took me almost twenty tries to think one up for the Uber App the other day in Las Vegas.

“Jesus Christ!” Eric yelled with a horrified expression as he stared at the monitor.

“What is it?” I peered at the monitor. “Aaaaack!” I cried, repulsed at the disturbing image I had just seen.

“Oh, gross! Why the hell are we watching really bad porn? And why does the guy have plastic fangs on his teeth?” Jeff asked.

“It’s not porn. It’s Fuller having sex with Angela.”

“Ooh, Tony. I love it when you pretend to be a vampire. Take me,” Angela cooed on the video. “Bite me. Lick me all over!”

“That’s a screwed-up fetish, man!” I shook my head. I was going to have to bleach my brain several times over to get rid of that stomach-churning image.

Eric quickly switched the video off. He had a look of sheer disgust on his face.

“You mean we have to add filming himself having sex to his depravities? Can the guy get any worse?” I asked.

“Yeah, he can.” Eric turned to us with a look of disbelief on his face. “I just found his private financial files. According to this, his bank account contains over five million dollars.”

“Five million dollars?” Jeff asked, completely stunned. “With the exception of Paul, not one of us has even a million dollars.”

“We’ll have to compare these files with the ones you collected from the tribal computers. I suspect he’s been lifting funds from the tribal budget.”

Jeff turned to Eric and sighed. “I’m going to have to subpoena his personal computer and bring you on board as a specialist if it’s okay with you. You’ll be paid, of course.”

“Of course it’s okay,” Eric stated. “I want to bring him down as much as you do, Jeff. And you don’t have to pay me.”

“You’re getting paid and that’s that! You have a wife and children to support.”

“Yeah, but I make enough money to support us comfortably.”

“Then take Leah on vacation or something.”

“Okay, you win. My wife deserves a vacation. Thanks, Jeff.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I watched as Eric scrolled through his files and found something interesting. “Hey, Eric, can you click on this? It says ‘La Push, NPO’ on it.” It would be just like the cretin to run a company under the guise of it being a Non-Profit Organization.

“Sure, not a problem.”

“It looks like the Cullens took a loss on their property-a 4000 square foot home sitting on 23 acres of prime land. They sold it to La Push, NPO for eight hundred ninety-nine thousand dollars in cash.”

“At least we have a name now-La Push, NPO. What else is there under La Push, NPO?”

“Holy crap!” Eric exclaimed. “Look at this! I think we might have just hit the jackpot.”

“What is it?”

“I clicked back onto his financial statements and he’s been receiving monthly infusions of cash dating back from when we were in elementary school until today. They ranged from a couple of thousand dollars to over a hundred thousand dollars. No wonder he felt it imperative his computer be repaired. All of his criminal activity is on it.”

“What is his education?” I asked. “He seems to be pretty knowledgeable about finances.”

“Let me click on his resume and verify the information,” Eric stated. He did some fiddling with the keyboard and connected to a background checking site. “Impressive. He has a BS in Accounting from Seattle University, and ooh… He also has an MBA from Stanford.”

“What an asshole! He has all of this education, which he could have used for the good of the tribe, and he used it for criminal activity instead.”

“Shit!” Jeff griped, “I’m never going to get to go on vacay because of this asshole. Eric, as of next week, you are officially hired as an outside contractor working for me on this investigation. I need you to temporarily move to Phoenix, with Leah’s permission, of course.”

“Okay, I already said I would, but can we begin this in two to three weeks or maybe even a month from now? I have a big job in Spokane I have to finish up first.”

“A month from now is perfect. We’re going to nail this jerk so he never sees the light of day again.” Jeff stood up. “Now let’s go and get hammered. Having to see Angela and Fuller doing the deed on tape has given me the heebie-jeebies.”

“Same here. Let’s go to Blakeslees for some beer,” I agreed.

After Eric locked up the precious evidence in his safe, we took off for the bar. We all needed a drink after what we’d just witnessed.

Three weeks later …

Paul’s POV

Now that the packs were combined, Billy and Christian, as chiefs of their tribes, felt it was imperative that all mated couples go through both the Quileute and Wa-Ya binding ceremonies. This is what we were doing now. We wolves were going to be officially inducted into the Wa-Ya Brotherhood.

It was Saturday and my entire pack was in Arizona at the Wa-Ya Reservation. Those in Washington had flown in for the weekend with their families. They were staying at the hotel attached to the casino on the Wa-Ya Reservation because my house was currently undergoing repairs and no one-including us-was staying there. The repairs had morphed into a major renovation because when our closest neighbor put his house on the market, we decided to buy it so we would have more privacy. We were tearing his house down and expanding ours, enlarging the kitchen, adding a home fitness center, and a tennis court. I had to convince Bella that the latter was a good idea considering the amount of time she spent working on her serves at the country club with that Swedish tennis coach of hers. Of course, this all backfired on me because she told me her tennis instructor also gave private lessons outside of the club. I told her that under no circumstances was that guy coming to our house to give her lessons. I told her she had to continue going to the club for those. When she asked why, I was honest and upfront with her and told her it was because I was a jealous fucker. She had the audacity to laugh, and tell me she just wanted to hear it from my lips. So, I kissed her lips, and it turned into one of the wildest lovemaking sessions we’ve ever had.

We had just gone through the Wa-Ya mating ceremony and it was now time for our tattoos, which ran down the side of our hip. The problem was that Bella had just found out the process involved homemade tattoo ink made out of the combined blood of the wolf and his or her imprint.

“Um, no! First of all, you aren’t slicing me with a dirty knife to get my blood. I don’t care if it is tradition. I refuse to let you slice me with a knife! Second, don’t you think it’s unsanitary to mix blood and whatever else you use to make the tattoo ink?”

“These are ancient herbs. The recipe has been handed down from generation to generation by our ancestors.”

“Ancestors? That was a long time ago. Standards have changed.”

“Isabella, come here!” Billy ordered. Josh and he were the only two elders here from our reservation. Sue needed to remain in La Push with the baby, and Old Quil was on Fuller duty.

She sighed and walked over to him. “Yes, Billy?”

“Sweetheart, it’s tradition. Every tribe has its own traditions. You remember the ceremony on our reservation, don’t you? It was full of traditions.”

“Yes, traditions which didn’t involve blood. Blood, Billy! These guys want my blood! The last people who wanted my blood were vampires!”

“And Dr. Kayani and Dr. Kele both seem to think it’s okay so I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Billy, I don’t want anyone slicing into my skin!”

“The knife is sterilized after each use, Bella. It’s been passed down for generations. It’s said to be magical,” Christian informed her.

“If I faint because of this, it’s on you.”

“You will not faint. You’re a nurse practitioner and you’re accustomed to handling blood. Besides, Paul and you will be the last to go because he is the alpha of the pack; otherwise, we will go in order of age-the youngest to the oldest.”

We turned to Collin who looked absolutely terrified. When I thought about it, he had bawled like a baby when Sam had given him his tattoo. Then again, at thirteen years old, he had practically been a baby when he had first phased.

“Prepare for your imminent destruction,” Linda drawled followed by a high-pitched cackle. She grinned at her wolf. Seriously, this girl was hilarious.

“Really? You’re going to joke now, Linda?”

“Of course, I am. I love seeing you all bent out of shape.”

“Linda, as my imprint you’re supposed to be supporting me.”

“Aww… Would itty, bitty Collin like it if I held his hand?”

“Yesss,” he hissed as Christian sliced his palm with the knife. He dripped a few drops of blood into a very ancient looking bowl. He sliced Linda’s palm next. She didn’t flinch at all; she simply winked at her wolf as he stared at her in awe of her bravery.

Christian passed the bowl on to Kwatoko Whitefoot, the elder shaman of the tribe, who blessed the bowl using herbs while he mixed the tattoo ink. He passed the bowl onto Jeff’s father who was going to do the actual inking.

Of course, this was my pack, so nothing ever went smoothly. Collin started shaking in fear when Jeff’s father approached him, and in a blink of an eye, he had phased and started running for his life. Manny and Brady phased and went after him. They brought him back fifteen minutes later in human form. Jeff’s father moved toward him when my wife interfered.

“Hey, Collin, I’m just going to give you a little Lidocaine to numb the area where you’ll be receiving your tattoo, okay?”

“Bella, you’re my savior.” He pulled my wife into his arms to hug her.

“Wait a second! Is this even allowed? And Bella, where the hell did you get the Lidocaine?” Randy asked.

“From your medical bag.” She grinned at him as she administered the injection into Collin’s thigh. She turned to the elders. “If Crispy was given morphine, then a little Lidocaine shouldn’t be a problem.” She promptly returned to sit by my side.

Collin was cooperative after receiving the injection. Brady was next, he opted not to receive the anesthetic while Seth, Quil, and Jake opted for receiving it. Jared opted against, but Sam and Leah, surprisingly, chose to have Bella give them the medication.

It was now our turn. Christian swiftly sliced my palm and dripped a few drops of my blood into the bowl. He turned to Bella next.

“Hold on, I just need a couple more minutes for the Lidocaine to kick in.”

“Seriously, Bella? You injected yourself?”

“You know I don’t like pain, Paul.” She poked herself with something sharp from Randy’s medical bag. She turned to Christian. “Okay, I’m ready. Cut me.”

Christian sliced Bella’s palm and added her blood to mine. He passed the bowl to Kwatoko who mixed the tattoo ink. The shaman’s face took on an odd countenance as he was blessing it. He spoke to the gods in the native Cina Ahuwipi tongue, and as he did, the skies darkened around us. He took the knife Christian had used and started dancing around Bella and me while chanting some sort of prayer. The elder coyotes joined him while the younger ones and my wolves stared at them dumbstruck and confused. Suddenly, Kwatoko threw the knife. It impaled into the ground standing straight up in front of Bella and me. That’s when the unbelievable happened, lightning struck in Arizona and hit the knife, knocking my imprint unconscious.

I rushed to assist her, as did Jake and Randy, but we were stopped by Kwatoko. “She’ll be okay, the gods are speaking to her.”

“The gods are speaking to her? Are you insane, old man? She just got struck by lightning!” Randy reminded him.

“Bells!” Jake cried. “Bellsy, wake up! You can’t leave me! You’re my best friend! I just got you back!”

“Jacob, sit down!” Billy ordered. “Just like we have magic, so do the Wa-Ya. Now, sit down, son. Bella is okay. Taha Aki won’t let you down.”

“She was just struck by lightning, Dad!”

“No, the knife was struck by lightning; Isabella was not. She will be fine,” Kwatoko stated.

“How do you know she’ll be fine?” I shook my wife. “Bella! Bella, wake up! Bella!”

“Paul, stop!” I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. “Look at me, son. Stop!”

I looked up at Josh Uley’s face. Like Joe Cameron, he had taken me in because my parents had been so negligent in their parental duties. He cupped my chin with his hand so I would have to look into his eyes. It brought back memories of when I was a reckless teenager. For some reason, whenever I got into trouble, the school would call Josh instead of my mother. Instead of punishing me, he’d give me words of wisdom so I’d have to think about my actions.

“Do you remember when you first phased?” he asked me.

“I do.”

“Tell me how you felt.”

How I felt when I first phased? God, that was so long ago. I recalled being scared to death. I had no idea what had happened. All I knew was that I was no longer human. Truth be told, I thought, somehow, I had managed to die and come back a wookie like Chewbacca in Star Wars.

“I was frightened.”

“Why were you frightened?”

“Fear of the unknown. I had just transformed into some sort of a creature. I had no idea what I was.”

“You had no warning, Paul. And to make matters worse, you had no idea that Quileute magic was even a possibility. Your parents were irresponsible. They never passed our legends on to you. Unlike the other boys, you were hit with your new power out of the blue.”

“Why are we rehashing this now, Josh? My wife…”

“Magic, Paul. This is magic. Look at Bella. Does she seem distressed to you in any way?”

I turned my attention to my imprint who appeared to be resting comfortably. I shook my head.

“She’s fine and you know it. It’s magic like the shaman has told you. Now, it’s time for your tattoo.”

“Yeah, but what’s wrong with Bella?”

“Don’t question it, just have faith. She’ll be fine.” Josh gave me a reassuring pat on my shoulder

I nodded my head slowly. It appeared Kwatoko, himself, was going to do the actual inking for me. I hissed as he etched into my skin. He continuously murmured some chants as he proceeded. This tattoo hurt much more than the first one. Oh, hell… It feels like fire. God damn!

I cried out in agony as the burning began. It felt as if he was carving into my skin with red-hot pokers.

“What the hell is wrong with him?” Randy asked, worried. “He shouldn’t be in this much pain!”

“Leave him, boy!” Roy, Jeff’s great-grandfather yelled, towering over Randy when he tried to help.

“But…”

“Your medical mamby-pamby isn’t going to help him here.”

“Medical mamby-pamby? But, you’re a physician, too,” Randy argued.

“I am aware of that, but medical knowledge isn’t going to help here. Like Josh explained to Paul, this is ancient, tribal magic, my boy-more ancient than any of us here. We are venturing into uncharted territory, but don’t be frightened-have faith in the spirits.”

“Dad! Is Paul okay?” Sam, questioned, worriedly.

“The spirits will not steer us wrong, son,” Josh reassured in his calm voice.

“Yeah? Well, if that’s the case, how do you explain Angela?” Jacob questioned, making an excellent point. “Paul? Paul? Are you okay?”

“Hell no, I’m not okay! This crap hurts!”

“Oh, Taha Aki, make the pain stop!” I pleaded mentally while continuing to scream in horror. My voice was becoming hoarse and I honestly thought I was going to die. My thigh was burning hot, as if it were being raked over flaming coals.

I glanced around and noticed the worried faces of my pack members. I tried my best to remain brave and stoic, but then a searing pain, more intense than any preceding it, ripped right through me. I felt as if my innards were being run through a food processor.

“Food processor? Damn! My wife has really made an impression on me,” was the last thought I had before a pain unlike any other tore through my insides, and I passed out cold.