Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Intensity

By Mama4Dukes

Chapter 48:

Jeff’s POV

It took four days after meeting with Jason Jenks for me to get approval to fly to Washington to deal with the Fuller case. I was given leave by the higher-ups to handle the case as I saw fit but told in no uncertain terms that the issue must be resolved and the perpetrators be made to pay restitution.

Carlisle Cullen had sent two of his family members to find Malcolm Blackcrow and report back to us. Jason Jenks, meanwhile, was holed up with Eric Yorkie in a cabin at the Oceanside Resort, trying to make sense of new files seized from Tony Fuller’s home and office by my team.

Currently, I was at the Forks Police Department, deep in discussions with Chief Swan. We needed to combine what we had discovered in our individual investigations and decide how we wanted to proceed with the case. We knew we’d have to involve the feds and the DEA at some point, but we were holding off as long as possible. Our first concern was to sort this out for the Quileute people because other agencies would make them their last priority. Once they had financial restitution, everyone else could have Fuller because we were determined that he would die surrounded by three walls and steel bars.

“So, assault and battery, attempted murder, coercion, drug dealing, multiple rapes, threats, and violence on top of stealing from the Quileute Nation. Can this man get any worse?” I asked.

Charlie shook his head. “Nothing about Fuller surprises me anymore, but he’s staying silent. A plea of ‘not guilty’ was entered for him by a court-appointed attorney because he invoked the Fifth Amendment. He is, at this point, refusing to talk or sign anything. He made one phone call, and one only.

“To whom?”

“Malcolm Blackcrow”

“Isn’t that Paul’s uncle-his mother’s brother?”

“Oh, yes. His one phone call was to Blackcrow. We have records of every outgoing call, so I jotted down his number to try and ascertain his whereabouts, but it was to a burner phone. I suspect there will be movement on his end soon.

“It sounds like it. What information do you have on Malcolm Blackcrow?”

“Not much. He left the reservation over thirty years ago. No arrests, if you can believe it.”

“Jenks mentioned he completed drug rehab, and proved his loyalty to Tony Fuller by doing him a favor.”

“Johnny Lahote told me all about the favor. Blackcrow let Fuller rape his sister while Johnny was forced to watch.”

“Spirits help us. Blackcrow’s behavior is heinous.” I couldn’t believe anyone could be so vile as to sell his own sister.

“There’s more.”

“What more could there be?”

“Fuller wanted to pimp out Paul when he was a kid. Johnny and Paulina Lahote protected him the only way they knew how. They fostered him out to another reservation family so they could keep him safe and then entered a rehabilitation facility. There are documents backing up his story.”

“Does Paul know?”

“No. I haven’t told him.” Charlie shook his head. “I don’t think it’s my story to tell. Here’s the thing. I am not a fan of Johnny Lahote by any stretch; however, the man served his time, and I believe in second chances. I think Paul needs to have a long overdue talk with his father when this is all over.”

“You’re probably correct. But, in the meantime, I suppose it’s up to us to resolve this case and ensure the villains are made to serve their time.”

“Exactly.” Charlie glanced at his wristwatch and stood up. “Let’s get some lunch at the diner. We have a long day ahead of us.”

The following morning…

Frantic knocking at my door startled me awake. I looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand. It was ten minutes before four am and still pitch-black outside. Assuming it was urgent, I rushed to the door of the cabin. Collin, Jacob, Leah, and Seth stood out in the nude. I immediately let them inside.

“Are you all okay? Why are you naked?” I knew the wolfpack was wild, but not to this extent. I didn’t know we’d be partying in the nude. I don’t think I’ve ever done that. Well, there was that one time during spring break in Daytona during college. God, I hope no one got me on film.

“Get naked, Jeff. You need to phase immediately. There’s a bloodsucker on the loose on the reservation,” Jacob said. “We did a quick perimeter check and came up with nothing, but we’re hoping an additional nose will bring us better luck.”

“I’m not surprised there are mosquitos. We’re right by the ocean. If there’s an infestation, you should just call an exterminator. Unfortunately, I don’t know how I can possibly help you. I have insect repellent, though. My wife packed it for me. Would you like me to get it for you?”

All four of them stared at me with aghast expressions on their faces.

“We’re not talking about insects. A vampire was on the reservation!” Jacob explained.

“Oh, well, they’re harmless.” I laughed and brushed away their concerns. “We have friends who are vampires. In fact, the Wanagi are a tribe in Oklahoma that are all vampires. They’re really friendly.”

“Jeff, it’s the bad kind. Not the golden-eyed vampires, the red-eyed ones who eat humans,” Leah informed me.

I scratched the back of my neck. “What do you want me to do?”

“You need to help us find him.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Oh, sure. I’ll help. Let me just use the restroom.”

I used the bathroom, washed my hands, and brushed my teeth. I even slicked my hair back with some gel. How does one prepare for a vampire chase anyway? Seth, Collin, and Leah had already taken off by the time I returned to the living room. Jacob was the only one waiting for me.

“What the heck were you doing? Getting ready for a party?” He sighed.

“How am I supposed to know? I’ve never had to look for a vampire before. All the vampires I know are really nice.”

“Well, come on. Let’s go outside and phase.”

“What am I supposed to do with the cabin key?”

Jake took it and slid it under the welcome mat before phasing. I immediately changed into coyote form and ran alongside Jacob while he explained the situation to me via telepathy.

“About a half-hour ago, I received a call from Chief Swan. Neighbors reported hearing screaming at one of the neighborhood homes. When police arrived to investigate, all the residents in the home were found dead under suspicious circumstances. There was no forced entry into the home. The bodies had no visible wounds except for bite marks on their inner wrists, and even more peculiar-they appeared drained of all their blood.”

“How many people died in all?”

“Four-including one toddler, two twenty-year-olds, and a woman in her forties. They were Marcus Cedro’s wife, a son, the son’s girlfriend, and their child.”

“Oh, my God. Is this related to Tony Fuller?”

“That’s what Charlie suspects. Anyway, do you smell that bleach-like scent?” Jacob asked.

“I do. I was wondering what it was? It’s atrocious.”

“That’s the scent of the vampire we’re seeking.”

“Funny, Carlisle Cullen doesn’t smell that way, nor does the Wanagi.”

“Well, I think that’s our DNA evolving because the Cullens used to smell that way to us before our packs aligned. So maybe we can now distinguish between good vampires and bad ones. My pack brothers in Arizona said Carlisle no longer smells bleachy to them.”

“So, what are we supposed to do once we find the vampire?”

“Well, we have to behead it and burn it.”

“And how exactly are we supposed to do that?”

“Yeah, how do you behead a vampire, Jake?” Collin asked, jumping into the conversation.

“Well, that’s the thing. Paul and Sam are the only ones who have ever ripped apart a vampire. We’ve all only had a little visual training. And by visual, I mean we watched what Paul and Sam did through our mind link.”

“I haven’t. I was considered too young.”

“Oh, yeah. I was a really shitty alpha,” Jacob recalled. “Paul is way more suited to the role, and so is Sam. What I was taught is that we have to clamp our teeth onto its neck and tug.”

“Really, Jake? Is that all you’re going to do to teach them?” Paul asked, jumping in from Arizona. “Anyway, what happened? Why did we all get the freaky Wa-Ya danger warning in the middle of the night? Everyone is on standby. Do you need us to run up there?”

“Hey, what’s going on? I had a weird compulsion to wolf out,” Jared stated. It looked like he was in his garage.

“Didn’t you get my text message, Jared?” Paul asked.

“No. I turn my phone off at night, so I can sleep.” Jared scanned our thoughts. “No way? Cedro’s family is dead?”

“Not his whole family, but everybody in the house was killed,” Jacob informed him. “The vampire is long gone, though. His trail stops at the forest’s edge in the parking lot between Second and Third Beach. It looks like he drove here because we can’t follow his scent anymore.”

“We doubled back and did another perimeter check. But, again, the scent leads straight from Cedro’s house to here and stops abruptly,” Seth confirmed.

“So, it’s a vampire who has access to a vehicle, and I’m assuming to technology because, somehow, Fuller or one of his goons was able to get in touch with him,” Paul concluded.

“I think you should consult with Carlisle. He might have ideas,” I suggested to the alpha.

“Excellent idea. How are you holding up there?”

“Geez! Did you really gel your hair to chase after a vampire?” Jared asked, laughing like a loon.

“Well, I wasn’t sure how to prepare for a vampire chase. I’ve never actually been on one.”

“It might explain why your fur is slicked back between your ears.”

“Hey, would you look at that? Jared is right; your fur looks tight.” Leah giggled, prompting the other wolves to chuckle along with her.

“Speaking of which, Paul. We’re pretty unprepared here. Except for Sam and you, not one of us has ever destroyed a vampire,” Seth informed us. “We know what to do in essentials, but not how to execute it. Jeff and Collin have never learned.”

“We’ll figure out a way to get you trained. If Fuller has vampire contacts, we all need to be prepared. I will update the rest of the pack about what’s going on. Keep me informed.”

We all returned to our human forms. “We need to figure out how to keep our imprints and children safe.” Seth threw his shorts back on. “I really don’t like the idea of a vampire brazenly driving onto La Push and murdering a whole family. Think about it. He knew exactly where to park and what house to go to. It was planned.”

The fact that my mate Lisa was home alone in Arizona didn’t sit well with me. Maybe she could stay with one of my pack brothers while I’m away. But, no, that won’t go over well with her. With all the traveling she does for work, she cherishes the times she can stay home. I’ll have to call Paul and discuss it with him later. A vampire taking orders from Tony Fuller was definitely not a good situation.

Paul’s POV

After informing the pack in Arizona that we had an emergency meeting after work, I walked back into the bedroom. Bella was sitting up with the lights on, wringing her hands, looking anxious and worried. “Is everything okay? I woke up, and you were gone.”

I sat down on the bed and put my arm around her. While I would love to spare her from the bad news, withholding the truth from her would be dishonorable. I also knew she would worry even more over something she had no control over, and I wished, I truly desired, I didn’t have to tell her, but I had to.

“Paul?”

I kissed her on the lips and pulled her close to me.

“No, everything is not okay. There was a vampire attack in La Push.”

“In La Push? But vampires are not allowed in La Push. I know this. There’s a treaty!”

“Honey, the treaty was with the Cullens only. You are aware of this.” I tipped her chin up so her eyes would meet mine. “The attack wasn’t random. It was targeted, and the target was Marcus Cedro’s family. It was Cedro’s wife, one of his sons, the son’s girlfriend, and their child-a toddler. They were all dead and drained. The vampire drove onto the reservation, parked in the lot between Second and Third Beach, and did the job.”

“It was Fuller who ordered the attack, wasn’t it?”

“That’s the assumption, but Charlie won’t be able to bring it up in a court of law. They would think he’s lost his marbles.”

“If Fuller can send a vampire to assassinate the Cedros, he could send one after all our loved ones in La Push. And if the vampire can drive, he has cash assets.” Bella balled her fists up and tucked them under her chin. She had a contemplative expression on her face. “Paul, why would a vampire with a car park between Second and Third Beach instead of driving straight to Cedro’s house?”

She’s right. Why wouldn’t the vampire drive straight to Cedro’s house?

“Paul, is it possible he parked in the parking lot over a mile away to distract the wolves?” Bella questioned wisely. “And there were four dead humans. So exactly how much blood can a single vampire ingest? Because I don’t think a single vampire can consume so much blood.”

I reached for my phone and called Charlie immediately, but he replied with a text message stating that he was tied up at work and would get back to me. I couldn’t text Bella’s hypothesis to him, so the only thing I could do was wait patiently. I was deeply concerned. With half the pack in Arizona, La Push was extremely under-protected. I needed to send one or two of the more experienced wolves home, but that would mean either Jared, Sam, or me, and we all had careers. I honestly couldn’t ask Jared or Sam at this point, which meant the responsibility would fall to me. If I went, Bella would insist on tagging along, but bringing her back to Washington would put her closer to whatever danger lurked there. I would give the situation more consideration tomorrow, but I needed to get a couple more hours of sleep now. I had a feeling a few sleepless nights were forthcoming in our immediate future.

The following morning…

At 5:40 am, before the sun had risen, the phone buzzed while Bella and I were working out in the gym. Seeing that it was Charlie, I stopped running on the treadmill to take the call. “Hi, Dad,” I answered, a bit breathless.

“Don’t you two ever give sex a rest? Seriously, I’d have a slipped disc if I did it as much as the two of you do. It’s bad enough I have to take Motrin the day after Susie and I get it on. You should take care of your body more; give it some TLC.”

“Dad! Bella and I were not having sex. I’ll have you know we’re working out in the gym before work.”

Rubbing my temples because I felt a headache coming on, I sat down on one of the workout benches. I swear it’s too early to listen to this shit. I loved my father-in-law, but sometimes, his brain went off on strange tangents.

Clearly, my wife took after him. She was currently circuit training while watching Paula Deen make fried chicken. Who the heck works out to a cooking show? How in hell is that even motivating? But, that fried chicken does look good. I wonder if she’ll make some for me?

“Anyway, Paul, I got your phone call last night. This is the first chance I got to call you back. I also have news for you.”

“Oh, yeah. What’s up?”

“We went through Johnson’s desk drawer and hit a goldmine-quite literally. He had about one hundred grand in cash inside. There was also a notebook with pertinent info. The notebook was nearly full and went back a few years. Names, current addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers are listed. We assume they are either drug dealers, drug users, or both. Anyway, you would recognize many of the names. I certainly did. Your father’s name was also listed with all his former addresses and ‘current whereabouts unknown’ written in red ink next to his name. But the biggest find was several bottles of a chemically manufactured drug and syringes. They’re currently being analyzed at a drug lab.”

“Holy crap! The guy was in it deep.”

“Yeah, he was, but I still think he was a minor player in this. Disposable, if you will. We need to figure out who the big players are. I know your uncle is one of them, but there has to be more in an operation like this.” Charlie paused for a second before querying, “Hey, can you use that funky new tracking skill of yours to find your uncle?”

“No, I tried, but I can’t. I need to have a more recent essence of him. The last time I saw him was when I was in grade school. Besides, I’m still a newbie at this, and it’s difficult to sort through these gifts. Carlisle thinks I need to be trained up more when I have time.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it. We’ll find him. Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Bella had a few theories about the Cedro family murders worth considering, Dad.”

“And what theories were they?”

“She feels it’s impossible that the murders were committed by just one vampire. They had to be committed by two vampires, especially if the bodies were completely drained of their blood. She surmised that each vampire would only be able to consume the blood of one, possibly two at the most, human beings because of the amount of blood contained in a body. Bella surmised that a vampire can only take in as much body as he or she needs, just like humans can only take in a certain amount of food.”

“Shit. So now we have more than one vampire to worry about. What else can you tell me?”

“Well, these vampires have access to money and technology because most vampires are not wealthy like the Cullens. Most vampires are nomads and stay awake all day and night, simply walking around the world and stopping to feed. But the vampires who killed the Cedros were able to drive into La Push, park in the public lot, and then ran on foot to the home where the murders took place.”

“Which means they know the lay of the land. Damn it,” Charlie swore. “Alright, is that it?”

“For now, yeah.” There was more I needed to speak to him about but face-to-face. So, I decided to change the subject. “How are Jeff and Jenks doing?”

“The lawyers? They’re great! I’m going to the driving range with them later.”

For the love of ever-loving-fuck! What the hell? My father-in-law is golfing with Jeff and Jason?

“They’re both working hard. We all are. Anyway, we’re going to the driving range to discuss the case privately, away from prying ears.”

“So, it’s like a working golf session?”

“Exactly. I’m networking, and you’re the one who taught this method to me,” Charlie replied. “Now, listen to me, Paul. You need to relax more and stop working all the time. You have too many responsibilities.”

“Pot. Kettle. Black,” I responded.

“Yeah, I know, but at least I’m throwing in some golf. Perhaps, you should do the same. Or is Bella still kicking your ass, and you’re too embarrassed to get out there. At least that’s what Jeff told me,” Charlie chuckled.

I growled. My wife beating me during the last six rounds of golf was a major sore spot for me. It wasn’t fair! She still took golf and tennis lessons! And I thought building a tennis court would at least stop the lessons, but no, the instructor is coming to our house now. And she still goes to the country club for her private golf lessons. I didn’t give a damn about the bill. I just didn’t want to be the laughingstock of Phoenix because my wife was besting me at both golf and tennis!

“How are Mom and Geoffrey?” I asked to change the subject.

“Susie is doing great, and Geoff is a chip off the old block. He’s driving Susie and I nuts with his crying. I just want to know why he’s a total angel with Bella.”

“Bella has the magic touch with babies, mainly because she doesn’t have to bring them home.”

“Oh, just wait. One day, Susie and I will go on vacay and leave Geoffrey with you to babysit.”

“Aw, hell no. You’ve got plenty of babysitters in Forks. Seth and Leah both have nurseries set up there.”

“Yeah, but they see him all the time. Geoff loves his big sister the most. She reminds him of me since she takes after her daddy and all. That Swan blood runs strong through her veins. Consider all those theories about the Cedro family murders she just gave us. Thankfully, my baby girl only has a smidgen of Renee’s crazy blood.”

“Oh, yeah? Then how come she’s sitting out on the lawn, lighting up incense, and meditating under the sun right now?” I asked my father. It was her new thing. She went on a weekend retreat in Sedona with Babs and came back raving about meditation. Apparently, they had both spoken with a guru who told Babs she needed to center herself because she was short-tempered. Bella was doing it because she thought it was a good idea. Crispy couldn’t stop laughing at me. Babs would have nothing to do with the meditation and chewed out the guru, but Bella ate his advice like it was chicken soup for the soul. She meditated every morning in order to center herself. It was cutting into my nooky time, damn it!

“Listen to me, Paul. You have to nip that shit right in the bud. Soon she’ll be talking all sorts of New Age voodoo nonsense just like her mother.”

“Dad, Renee is a good woman.”

“Yeah, you keep thinking that. She’s insane, I tell you. Cuckoo.”

“But she loves Bella.”

“I give her that. My ex-wife may be missing a few marbles, but she’s got plenty of love for Bella and her twins.”

“That she does.”

“Geoff is crying, and it’s my turn to feed him. I’ll talk to you soon and keep you updated.”

“Thanks, Dad. I love you.”

“Love you, too, son.”

When the call ended, I let out a heavy sigh. The trouble in La Push was worsening and seemed almost insurmountable. Vampires were now involved-evil, human-feeding vampires who apparently took orders from Tony Fuller. On top of that, considering the incriminating evidence in Johnson’s desk-particularly the notebook-it would appear Fuller had a stranglehold on many citizens in the Olympic Peninsula.

I glanced outside at my wife, who was still meditating on our lawn as dawn broke on the horizon. She looked so serene and beautiful as she sat cross-legged on the grass facing the mountain in search of momentary inner peace.

This peace was something I strived for.

I always wanted it for my wife. I always wanted it for my people.

Sadly, I knew that peace was fleeting for now. As long as the Fuller crisis remained unsolved, respite would always be brief. I was more determined than ever to handle the situation once and for all.

For now, however, I wanted to hold my wife. I needed to feel inner peace with her in my arms.

I walked outside and approached her. Sitting behind her, I wrapped her in my arms, burying my nose in her hair. Her intoxicating scent filled me with desire. An urge-a desperate need for her.

“Paul, you’re distracting my meditation.”

“Mmm… I know.” I placed several kisses on her neck, tilting her chin towards me so I could kiss her full lips. “Maybe I just want to be one with you.”

She shifted to sit on my lap, returning my kiss. “I suppose I’ll have to meditate on you,” she whispered.

“Excellent idea,” I stated, sliding her sports bra off. I moved quickly to taste her nipple as it pebbled between my lips. She moaned, arching into me in pleasure as I caressed her other breast with my hand. Slowly, my hand stroked her soft skin, following the line to her flat stomach, stopping at the waistband of her leggings.

Suddenly, our movements became desperate as we quickly shrugged off our clothes until we were both nude. I drank in the sight of my wife’s beautiful body, shamelessly admiring her. Finally, my eyes landed on the barely visible scar on the side of her body where she had been shot when she selflessly jumped in front of a bullet to save my life. I was so lucky to have her.

Bella was my life. My everything.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Nothing. I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have you,” I told her.

“Absolutely. You’re definitely lucky to have me, Lahote.” Her eyes glistened with mischief. Naughty girl. I knew she was joking because she continued with a giggle, “But I’m just as lucky to have you.” Her playful side was something I adored about her.

Simultaneously, we reached for each other. Our lips met, and the troubles of the world seemed to melt away at our touch. They weren’t our current focus. We were. We snuggled closer together, relishing in the feel of our skin-to-skin contact.

Bella’s soft hands stroked my back, filling my body with warmth as I relaxed into her touch. I shifted slightly, positioning myself while she lowered herself onto me, inhaling sharply at the feeling of euphoria when I was fully seated inside her. To be connected like this felt right. It was where I needed to be right now.

Slowly, our bodies rocked together in rhythm as we moved as one. Time stopped as we concentrated on loving each other. Then, our gentle rocking increased in speed. Soon, we were in a frenzy, desperate to bring each other to completion.

My breath caught as I gazed into my wife’s beautiful, soulful eyes right before she arched her back, exposing her beautiful breasts to me. I trailed my hand down her gorgeous body and suckled on her nipple, teasing it with my tongue, making it pebble. Then, lowering her to the ground, I slid in and out of her, slowly and deliberately, immersing myself in the feeling of being one with my imprint.

Bella wrapped her legs around my waist, and her movements became frantic. I accelerated my pace, penetrating deeper, faster, and harder as a new urgency overcame me. Sweat poured down our bodies as we burned with heat for each other. Our breathing became labored, and I could hear my wife’s heart almost pounding out of her chest. Then, she gazed straight into my eyes as her thighs gripped me like a vise as she clenched and quivered on my length. Her gasp of pleasure sent me into overdrive as I continued to thrust, keeping our connection.

As I nipped at her neck, I took in her scent, and a familiar stirring tingled deep within me, my core tightened, and a feeling of euphoria shot straight to my shaft. My imprint tilted her head back, allowing me access to that special spot as my wolf took over. I sunk my teeth into her flesh and claimed my mate, infusing her with my scent, rocking until our pleasure reached a crescendo and shuddering together in an explosive orgasm.

Gasping for air, I fixed my eyes on Bella and cradled her securely in my arms, smiling contentedly as a feeling of peace and love enveloped me, and I fell asleep.