A/N: yeah yeah I know this isn't the second part but I wanted to at least put up the first part so long since the second chapter is taking longer than I'd planned.
Patience is a virtue, which I don't have but that's beside the point. It'll be up soon I hope.
In the mean time, plus this way those who haven't read Fault won't be left in the dark. For those not in the know, this was originally a one shot I did in one of my other stories but now I've decided to put it up on it's own. There'll be two chapters most likely, maybe three but that's a huge maybe.
Apologies spelling grammar and OOCness
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of it's characters, that right goes to Stephanie Meyer.
t was a cold winter night.
Edward let his head fall back as the ice cold chill blew passed his face and left tiny ice crystals clinging to his hair, as he wondered for what surely wouldn't be the last time how the freezing cold air would feel if he still had warmth underneath his skin and he let out a sigh as his eyes scanned the somewhat empty streets of Forks.
It's been nearly four months since they moved to the cloudy little town and Edward had to admit that it was one of his favourite places to live. The people mostly kept to themselves and the seemingly endless forest held more than enough privacy for him and his family. Esme absolutely adored the house and even Rosalie seemed to be a bit calmer in Forks than in any other place they've lived in so far and that much was a miracle all its own.
Unfortunately they're leaving the next day.
Not because they wanted to but because they had to.
The move to Forks had revealed an unwelcome surprise for the Olympic coven, one they never thought they'd encounter despite the many legends that Carlisle had heard.
The quileute wolves and their oh so tricky treaty that states if any of the Cullens should slip and bite a human, it would be war.
Of course, the natives didn't seem all that threatening but Edward had seen in the mind of their leader that they would soon become very threatening if they stayed in Forks any longer and with Rosalie not being quite used to the vegetarian lifestyle just yet, the chances of her slipping and starting a war were too large to be ignored
The street lights illuminated the snow covered steets, while a few people appeared here and there. Edward was out for one more walk around the quiet streets of Forks when he suddenly caught a scent that made him stop dead in his tracks.
It was revolting.
A heavy scent of dirty wet fur clung to the air and Edward had to pull his coat a little tighter against his body, as he fought against the sudden angry tremors that thrummed throughout his body. The vampire's eyes snapped up as they quickly darted about around him. Never before has the urge to kill been so strong in his body, yet for some reason Edward refused to leave until he found out exactly what that was.
He didn't know why but something propelled him to seek out the source, like something important was waiting on the other side of that scent.
The telepath looked up to find himself standing in front of a bar at the edge of town and he frowned wondering how he didn't realised that he had walked that far.
Edward took a deep breath and had to suppress a hiss as the scent hit him square in the face, whatever that smell was it was coming from inside the bar. The vampire stared at the open sign on the tinted glass door and narrowed his eyes and against his better judgement he walked inside, careful not to arouse any suspicion.
It was 1935 after all, seeing a supposed seventeen year old walk into a bar would attract attention that Edward really didn't want to attract on his last night in town.
Thankfully the inside of the bar was dimly lit, so it was too dark for anyone to recognise him.
Edward looked around and noticed that it was practically empty, not surprising since it was nearing midnight and the bar would most likely be closing very soon. However the large room still reeked of the human flesh that had crowded it just hours before along with the scent of alcohol and cigarettes.
As well as that God awful smell that made him feel like ripping the nearest body apart.
The gold eyes continued to scan their surroundings in search of whatever was making that smell when they landed on a figure sitting in a booth in the far left corner near the back of the bar and Edward's eyes widened in surprise.
Ephraim Black sat alone in the booth with a bottle of whiskey on his left and a half empty glass of the amber liquid on his right only he didn't look quite right.
The man's hair went down to his back like it was the first time that Carlisle and Edward had met him near the treaty line only this time it somehow looked much longer and darker and the smooth texture of the hair was clearly visibly by the way the locks fell around his shoulders in thick waves. His skin was now a richer colour of russet brown, no longer wrinkled and less dulled than Edward had seen it. His frame was longer and obviously more toned than it had been the last time they met, while the high cheek bones, stronger jaw and neck made the fierce black eyes of the quileute stand out so much more than they had before.
Ephraim was simply beautiful.
Edward frowned in confusion as he stared at the man, wondering when and exactly how he could have changed in such a short space of time, when he took an involuntary breath and he frowned even more.
That disgusting scent was coming from him?
Why? He didn't smell that way before.
Edwards eyes narrowed a bit more as he stared at the man and he noticed how the muscle's in Ephraim's arms seemed to have flexed and his hands clenched into fists, while his facial muscles had gone tight and his eyes narrowed down at the table. Tension just vibrate off of the man's frame and Edward couldn't help but wonder why when those fierce black eyes snapped up to lock onto his and he glared with barely restrained rage.
'Vampire'
Edward almost stepped back in surprise as could hear not only Ephaim's voice hiss in his head but also another one. There was an angry growl that Edward could hear in the background and against his better judgement and the still stirring feeling of anger that lingered in his body, the telepath walked right up to the man in the back of the bar and stood in front of him. All the while ignoring his body's instinct to fight and the growling that just kept getting louder the closer he got to the quileute's mind.
Once Edward was standing in front of the booth he was silent as he tried to will his body to calm down while it looked and sounded like Ephraim was doing the same thing until the man spoke.
"Cullen."
"Mr. Black." Edward said politely and he stopped breathing in order to avoid inhaling any more of that horrible scent and the feeling of anger seemed to start fading. "It's late shouldn't you be getting back home?"
The man gave a snort as he forced his hand to un-clench as he lifted the glass of whiskey up to his lips and drank down the whole thing in one gulp. The man seemed to cringe for a second before setting the glass down and pouring himself a new glass full.
"Shouldn't you be rotting away in a grave somewhere?"
Edward glared at the man as the insult cut a little deeper than he'd anticipated when he saw a flash of a memory flit through Ephraim's mind.
It was a woman, a quileute from the looks of it, standing in the door of a little house as she held a small crying child maybe five years old against her chest. The woman seemed to be glaring at Ephraim who stood a few feet away outside while she tried to calm the child down before turning back inside and slamming the door behind her.
The vampire's eyes softened only just seeing the sorrow that burned underneath all that anger in his eyes. Ephraim's jacket was slung back over his chair and Edward could see a small bag behind it, probably filled with some clothes.
It would seem that the tribal leader had his own issues to deal with and it probably would have been better if Edward had just left but instead, the telepath slid into the seat on the opposite side making Ephraim's eyes snap up to glare at him.
"I do not remember giving you permission to sit down."
"I don't remember asking for it." Edward said simply and the man stared at him for a moment before he spoke.
"Exactly what are you here for Cullen?"
Edward shrugged and fought against the urge to give a sigh as he was suddenly surrounded by warmth. For some reason the quileute in front of him simply radiated heat that seemed to warm through his skin, the feeling was absolutely lovely and Edward didn't want to ruin it by breathing in the man's terrible scent. "I was out for a walk when I wandered in here."
The quileute scoffed, "You just happened to be walking by and decided to walk into a bar?"
"Well, yes and no." Edward started carefully, trying to find the right words so as to not offend the man sitting in front of him. "I caught a scent and-"
"You were hunting?" The man's expression immediately darkened and his arms began to shake with tremors.
'Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill the vampire! Murderer!'
Edward blinked at the sound of the growling voice screaming inside of Ephraim's head and this time Edward could see the image of a fierce russet wolf growling and barking angrily.
"No, I wasn't hunting." The vampire said as calmly as he could manage despite the vibrations he could still see in the other man's frame. "Just going for one last walk around Forks before we leave tomorrow."
Ephraim seemed to calm down a bit and he took a deep breath when his nose suddenly scrunched up in disgust and he flinched away. Edward watched the man take shallow breaths through his mouth and his head tilted to the side with interest.
"It would seem that you're not the only one who smells bad."
"Excuse me?"
"The scent that made me wander in here, it's disgusting and I was very surprised to find that it was coming from you." Edward explained as he stared at the man in deep thought. "But appearantly I don't smell all that pleasant to you either, why is that?"
Ephraim stayed silent for a moment as he took a gulp of the amber liquid in his glass before looking up at Edward, "Because we are enemies. We are meant to stay far away from each other, that is why you smell like sickeningly sweet honey comb. My nose feels like it's burning just from the mere smell."
Edward's eyebrows furrowed in thought even as he spoke, "Yes well sitting with someone that smells like wet dog isn't exactly relaxing either."
To the telepath's surprise the man let out a loud laugh as he finished the liquid in his glass, "The scent of the great spirits, you should consider yourself to be honoured Cullen very few get to bask in that stench and live to tell the tale."
Edward frowned, "You're drunk."
"Yes," Ephraim gave a sad smile, "So drunk that this is the seventh bottle I will finish this night and yet I feel nothing."
Edward blinked in surprise and his mouth fell open in a gape as he stared at the bottle which looked to be about at least a gallon. "Seven? How is that possible?"
"Just as I may be cut and yet never have a wound." Ephraim's smile fell and he stared at the table with no expression on his face. "I have been gifted by the gods, chosen to be the protector of our land."
The man's words suddenly clicked and Edward stared, "That's why you're different. You're a werewolf now?"
"Shape shifter." The man corrected as he refilled his glass yet again. "I do not need the moon in order to change. All I need is my anger."
Another memory passed through the man's mind. The image of the same child that Edward had seen with the woman before only the child was scrambling back against a tree staring in horror at the massive wolf that stood growling in front of him.
"Your son."
"What?"
"Why aren't you home with your wife and children, won't they be worried?" Edward said quickly as he pulled from the man's thoughts.
Telling Ephraim that he could read mind's seemed like a very bad idea right now, there's no telling how the other man would react and Edward really didn't want to upset him.
Apart from the fact that the quileute getting upset could lead to the man transforming right there in the bar and all hell breaking loose, Edward found himself desperately wanting to hold on to Ephraim's company.
As much as Edward loves his family, the telepath was still painfully lonely. Although Carlisle had turned Rosalie with the hopes of her becoming Edwards mate, things between them never really worked out the way they should have. And Edward usually tried to avoid making friends with the humans since he'd probably outlive anyone he got close to and the telepath really didn't want to deal with that kind of heartache.
So now sitting here in front of a warm body he didn't feel compelled to drain dry, that knew what he was and at the very least tolerated him. Edward felt some of that loneliness fade a bit, it was a feeling he wanted to hold onto even if it was only temporary.
Ephraim looked away and let his eyes sweep over the bar as he leaned back in his chair. "I could ask you the same thing. Won't your mate be upset with you for staying away so long."
Edwards eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "My mate?"
"The blonde one."
The vampire let out a chuckle as he reached out to take the bottle on the table to read the label, "Rosalie isn't my mate."
"Not?"
"No."
Ephraim moved his attention back to Edward and watched the vampire closely as he spoke, "She is beautiful, she seems very cunning and very strong."
"You do remember that she did nothing but insult you the last time we met."
The quileute smiled as he took a gulp from his glass, "She is angry, I can tell. The girl's existence was filled with more pain than most creatures would be able to stand and yet she was able to stand there in front of her natural enemy and call him a decrepit old codger. She might have a sharp tongue and little restraint but the girl has incredible strength."
Edward stared at the man in slight wonder. Very few tolerated Rosalie since her vain and self-centered attitude tended to ward them off and so very few really got to know her. Yet somehow this shapeshifter seemed to understand her perfectly after meeting her only once.
Ephraim raked a hand through his hair to brush back the long strands that fell in his face. "I am curious though. Is it not odd for a vampire to exist without a mate? Why not take 'Rosalie' as your mate?"
"Rosalie and I aren't meant to be." Edward swallowed as he set the bottle down and started sliding it from one hand to another across the table top. "When a vampire meets his mate, he'll know almost immediately. Carlisle told me, that when he met Esme he knew that she was meant to be his. But at the time Esme seemed happy, so he left her in her human life because he wouldn't dream of sending her to the same fate as his if she could live a real life with someone else. A few years later, he saw her again and this time she was miserable. Her husband treated her terribly so Carlisle took her away and made her his mate. They love each other more than anything else in this world and can't be apart for too long before they need to be near each other again."
Ephraim frowned, 'It sounds like imprinting'
Edward wanted to ask what imprinting was, but knowing that he'd expose himself if he commented on the man's thought, he just kept talking.
"Carlisle knew the moment he met her that they were meant to be. I didn't feel that with Rosalie and it wouldn't be fair to make her my mate when her true mate could be out there waiting for her."
The man looked down at his glass and found it to be empty, so he reached over to the bottle that Edward was still fiddling with to pour himself another glass.
"So loneliness follows the immortals as well." Ephraim said as he took the bottle from the vampire and Edward froze momentarily when the quileute's fingers brushed against his.
A shiver went down Edwards spine and a warm electric spark shot up his arm, when Ephraim's hand made contact as the man's surprisingly hot skin brushed against his cold. The shifter didn't seem to feel anything though, or at least he didn't show it.
The telepath swallowed the thick lump that had suddenly formed in his throat and stared up at the man as he spoke, seeming to have momentarily lost control of his vampire intellect as the words Ephraim spoke didn't quite register in his brain.
"Loneliness?"
"It's right there in your eyes and in the way you speak about your... parents." Ephraim grimaced at the last word before looking back at Edward and set the bottle back down. "You envy them because they have something you desperately desire. So tell me... Edward, how long have you been alone?"
The vampire felt an odd sensation travel down his spine as Ephraim said his name and stared right back into the man's eyes almost trying to see down into those endless orbs. "Too long."
Ephraim blinked at the look in Edwards eyes and his eyebrows furrowed in thought, making Edward snap out of his momentary haze to sit up a little more and clear his throat.
"Since I was turned, about eighteen years."
"How old were you when you were turned?"
"Seventeen." The telepath answered before he took a deep breath and almost looked down at the table as the wet dog smell was starting to fade and Edward could smell some of the scent that used to linger around Ephraim before.
The quileute laughed and Edward looked up to find a warm smile on the man's face that made his own lips quirk up slightly as well.
"Even with the years added after your death, you are still young. There is still plenty of time for you to find the one you are meant to be with."
The vampire gave an unnecessary sigh, "How long will I have to wait?"
Ephraim stared at the vampire for a moment before setting his glass down and reached over the table to place his hand on top of Edwards head. The telepath tensed at the sudden touch but made no movement, when Ephraim's face was suddenly right in front of him before he spoke in a language Edward couldn't quite place.
"May the spirits guide you to everlasting love and may you're soulmate be blessed with the gift of life."
And before Edward could blink Ephraim suddenly moved forward to place a kiss on the vampire's forehead, before pulling back and settling into his seat.
Edward resisted the urge to touch the spot where the wolf's heat still somehow burned through his skin, suddenly thankful that he couldn't blush since he's sure he would've been bright red right at that moment.
"What was that?"
"A blessing." The man shrugged as he lifted his glass again, "Think of it as your parting gift."
The vampire gave a nod as he stayed staring at the man, "Do blessings work on the damned?"
Ephraim gave a snort, "What makes you think you have been damned?"
"I died eighteen years ago, I'm cursed to walk the earth for all eternity with no rest and I have to feed on living creatures to survive. How am I not damned?"
"Child, you are no more damned than I am." The quileute said making Edward tilt his head at the oddness of the word. No one that actually knew what he was has ever called him a child before, but hearing it said with such sincerity Edward decided that he liked it.
"Unlike me you can leave whenever you choose, you have a freedom that I can only dream of. Those with the gift of freedom cannot be damned."
There was a tone of regret in Ephraim's voice and Edward knew that somehow the man felt trapped, not surprising since being the tribe's protector meant that he had to be there at all times so he never had to option to never leave.
But still...
"You don't have to kill to survive."
"True." Ephraim said as he looked up into space and his eyebrows furrowed for a moment until he smiled and looked back down at the vampire. "Well then, if a blessing does not suffice, then I will make you a wager."
"A wager?"
"Yes," the older man grinned as he looked back towards the bar and made a random gesture with his hand. "I have finished seven bottles of this poison and I am yet to feel a thing."
An old man carrying two more bottles of whiskey walked over to them and silently set down an extra glass as well before he walked away just as silently.
Edward raised an eyebrow at the extra glass and Ephraim smirked, "He knows what I am and what you are as well."
Gold eyes went wide, "How-"
"Your family is not as subtle as they think." Ephraim interrupted as he reached up to open both bottles, "Now listen closely, as you've already said you're damned so you need all the help you can get."
Edward rolled his eyes at the man but listened none the less, "What is your name?"
The vampire frowned, "Edward Cullen?"
Ephraim gave a sigh, "I mean your full name, is it only Edward Cullen?"
"No," Edward started as he stared at the man with suspicion, "It's Edward Anthony Mason Cullen."
Ephraim smiled, "Am I correct in assuming that cold ones cannot consume normal food and drink?"
The vampire gave a nod and Ephraim continued, "Good, here is the wager I propose. If you can finish seven bottles of this whiskey just as I have, if you manage to finish them all then you win."
Edward frowned since there was obviously no way he'd be able to win this bet. Just one sip of water makes his teeth ache and his stomach turn viciously until he throws up, how the hell is he supposed to finish seven bottles of whiskey?
Exactly what is this wolf up to?
"What do I get if I win?"
"Your sire said that you will return sometime from now correct."
"Yes."
"If you win, when you return you will have the full right to claim the hand of last born through my bloodline."
Edward almost gaped, "You are drunk, aren't you?"
"We both know that isn't possible."
"Then this is some kind of joke."
"It is not." The man smirked as he placed a hand over his heart, "You have my word."
The telepath stared at the man for what seemed like forever and read his thoughts for what must have been at least two minutes, but there didn't seem to be any sign that the man might be joking and or out of his mind.
Gold eyes moved down to the two open bottles in front of him and Edward silently cursed himself for what he was about to do, before lifting his hand and grabbing a bottle.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Many many many years had passed since then and Edward still thought of his last night in Forks as the best he's ever had. Even if he spent the rest of the following thirty minutes throwing up in the alley behind the bar while Ephraim laughed at his torment.
It was humiliating.
But still humiliation or no humiliation, Edward still won.
And he has the mark to prove it.
When Edward got back home he was greeted by a frowning Rosalie and a concerned Esme both of whom had pulled faces at the horrid smell that seemed to cling to him. Things only got worse when he started puking for three hours straight as his body reacted violently to the alcohol he'd forced down his throat.
Both Carlisle and Esme had reprimanded him for doing something as reckless as consuming food and Rosalie had called him an idiot for getting drawn in by a human.
It wasn't till Edward told them which human he was with that they changed.
Carlisle had listened in complete rapture as Edward told him about Ephraim's transformation and the telepath could see the doctor make mental notes at all the details Edward described about the shifters temperature and sudden physical rejuvenation. Esme was pleased that Edward had actually managed to have a civil conversation with someone from the reservation although she couldn't say she approved of someone coaxing Edward into doing something that might be dangerous for him and Rosalie...
Well Rosalie has never like the natives anyway so she didn't really seem to have a change of heart.
Carlisle had spent nearly two hours inspecting the bite mark on Edwards left arm, but for the life of him he couldn't understand why the mark didn't heal.
Of course Edward didn't tell them why Ephraim had bitten him in his wolf form. After all there's no reason to involve his family in that, it's not like he's planning on actually laying claim to some poor kid because of a bet their ancestor made a hundred years ago.
So why tell them about something that makes no impact in their lives whatsoever.
It's his secret to keep.
His and Ephraim's.
If Edward was being completely honest with himself he'd admit that the shifter has been on his mind since that last night in Forks. No matter where they moved to, who they met or where they lived Edwards mind would always go back to him.
It was a small inconsequential little infatuation that developed somewhere between the time that he felt the wolf's temperature from across the table and the moment he'd kissed Edward's forehead to bless him.
It was a teensy tiny little part of him that wondered what would have happened if they had stayed in Forks. Would they have just gone back to being natural enemies or would he and the shifter become friends or would they perhaps have been something more?
At that last part Edward would almost immediately feel like shit since the man was married with children and the only reason he wasn't at home with his family that night is because the vampires in Forks had forced his ability to phase and he couldn't go home until they either left or he learned to control his anger.
They are the reason Ephraim almost attacked his son, so Edward was somewhat relieved to be leaving.
But still sometimes he'd forget himself and let his mind wander into some strange little thoughts like, what would it be like if Ephraim was his mate. How would it feel if he could touch more of that unnaturally warm skin or run his hand through the beautiful and wise man's dark hair.
Then of course one of his siblings would interrupt his little fantasy and Edward would yet again feel like shit for perving after a man who was only trying to be nice to him who was also a married man with children, meant to be his natural enemy and was probably dead by now and really didn't deserve to be perved after by his natural enemy in the form of a very hormonal seventeen year old whose loneliness knew no bounds and apparently had no shame in perving after the beautiful and wise.
Edward almost sighed as he stood in the place where he first met Ephraim all those years ago. The vampire took a deep breath almost hoping that the quileute's scent had somehow been preserved over the years but it wasn't. All the telepath could pick up was that disgusting scent of wet dog but even that somehow had his heart aching in sadness.
"Edward is something wrong?"
Edward looked up to find Jasper staring at him with concern while Alice stood by his side biting her lip the way she always did when she knew something was about to happen. But they were there to meet with the wolves and tell them of their return so Edward didn't think much of it at the time.
"I'm fine Jasper."
Alice and Jasper joined their family a few years ago, making them the newest addition of the Cullen kids. It didn't take long for Edward to accept Alice as his newest sister since the pixie's enthusiasm and and bright personality could make anyone fall in love with her on the spot. While Jasper and Edward had an odd sort of understanding, where the two could simply be in the same room for hours without saying a word and Edward would still find it to be the best company in the world.
You know, other than Ephraim's.
Jasper gave a nod when Rosalie suddenly spoke and Edward almost groaned.
"No he's not, Edward is still pining after that long dead mutt of his."
"He wasn't a mutt Rosalie." Edward snapped at the blonde only serving to make her smirk.
"Wow, seventy years and still so touchy when it come's to 'him'." The vampire drawled as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Who knows, maybe his great great grand-kid will be here today and you'll get a second chance with a brand new dog."
Now there's a thought.
Despite the obvious insult that Rosalie used Edward can't deny that the thought has been on his mind ever since Carlisle announced that they were moving back to Forks.
Of course Edward wasn't planning on invoking the right that Ephraim had given him all those years ago, he still had just the slightest bit of hope that he might form some sort of relationship with the man's heirs.
In all honesty it was a terrible and slightly creepy thought, but Edward really hoped that he could have some kind of a connection with them. That they could become friends, or at least be civil with each other, because the telepath knew that nothing would break his heart more than if 'his' legacy became his enemy.
"Rosalie, that's enough!" Esme scolded making her daughter huff as she turned towards Emmett who's expression was twisted in confusion.
"Hey bro, how come he bit you if all you did was talk."
As predicted, Rosalie did find her own mate and Edward could admit that Emmett suited Rosalie much more than he ever could. Although its true that Emmett always makes sure that Rosalie doesn't go off the rails completely too often, it's also true that that the blonde could do no wrong in Emmett's eyes.
She was his angel.
Yet again all those around him were happy with those they were meant to spend eternity with while he remained alone.
Exactly when is Ephraim's blessing supposed to kick in?
"No reason," Edward shrugged, "I made him angry and he accidentally changed."
"Exactly," Carisle said as he looked over his children, "That's why it's important for all of you to behave and not upset any of them."
"It could be that, or it could be that things got a little out of hand between him and Edward and he tried to bite Edward somewhere else but missed."
The telepath's eyes went wide and his mouth fell open in a slight gape as he stared at his sister. Deep harrowing unimaginably scorching embarrassment surged through him, because admittedly he's thought about that too.
Jasper who was aware of Edward's deep embarrassment smirked as he watched his brother when Alice suddenly pulled away from Jasper and appeared right in front of Edward.
"Rosalie, I think it's best if you don't say anything when the wolves arrive." Carlisle said calmly and Rosalie frowned.
"But-"
"No buts."
"Edward."
Edward finally seemed to snap out of his shock and he looked down to find the pixie wringing her hands together nervously before she looked up at him and spoke.
"Edward no matter what happens, you need to keep yourself calm."
Edward frowned at his sister, "What?"
"Just stay calm."
"Alice what are you-"
Alice didn't answer him as she quickly went back to Jasper's side. Edward was about to go ask her what she meant when a loud howl broke through the air and the vampire's all tensed as the heavy scent of shifter filled the air.
Edward took a deep breath and almost gasped when he was hit with his scent, only this time it was so much more than what it was before.
It was richer, sweeter so much stronger than it was all those years ago when Edward could mostly smell the shifter's horrible wolf scent.
"Damn Edward, you were right. They do reek like wet dog." Rosalie sneered as she swallowed and immediately stopped herself from breathing.
"Rosalie, remember what I said." Carlisle warned as he glanced at his daughter.
Although Edward was much too preoccupied to give too much to what Rosalie was saying. The vampire's thoughts were riddled with all kinds of thoughts running through his mind all at once.
But one thought was very clear.
'Mate'
At that Edward's head snapped back to Alice and the girls words came back to him. So the vampire took a deep breath in an effort to calm his nerves but all that served to do was fill his lungs with that absolutely delicious scent so Edward stopped breathing all together.
A wave of calm suddenly washed over him and Edward felt his muscles relax before looking over towards Jasper and gifting his brother a grateful nod.
"Here they come."
Carlisle said as he stepped forward and before anything else could be said a large black wolf appeared from the tree's followed by six others all growling and snarling angrily.
Edward's eyes went wide and a breath forced itself in through his nose when his eyes fell on a large wolf with russet brown fur.
Ephraim's wolf.
The same one that had bitten him all those years ago. The scar on Edward's arm started to burn.
The wolves came to a stop just behind their half of the treaty line and after a sharp bark from the black wolf up front the others fell silent.
"Sam Uley am I correct?"
The wolf's head gave a subtle dip and Carlisle smiled making the wolf's eyes narrow in suspicion.
"I am Carlisle Cullen, would it possible for you to change back to your human forms so we'd be able to understand each other better?"
Sam's mind was filled with mistrust, the wolf had no desire to be vulnerable and without protection in his human form, but nonetheless he relented and looked back towards the russet wolf beside him and they both disappeared into the tree's before they came back and Edward's world came to a stand still.
The man beside the boy cleared his throat as he folded his arms over his chest, while the other wolves kept glaring at the olympic coven.
"I am Sam Uley and this is Jacob Black my beta."
Jacob.
He was perfect, similar to Ephraim but also so different.
Long thick raven hair went down to his shoulders while the boy's (because he really couldn't be older than sixteen) round puppy like face made him look absolutely adorable. Deep russet skin stretched across his frame and the most beautiful pair of deep brown eyes stared back at Edward, so different than Ephraim's fierce black ones but they still somehow held the same warmth and slight heartache.
What Edward wouldn't do to take that heartache away.
The scar on Edwards arm started burning even more and Jacob stumbled and almost fell when Sam caught him as he quickly shook his head.
'Woah, what was that?'
"Jacob are you alright?"
"Yeah I'm-Argh!" The shifter fell again and Edward moved to step forward when the wolves growled and he was forced to stay back.
The scar on Edward's arm began to throb painfully and the telepath let out a hiss as he pulled it up against his chest, when Carlisle was suddenly standing beside him.
"Edward what's wrong?"
"It's-"
"AHHH! FUCK!" Edward looked back up and saw Jacob writhing on the floor while Sam crouched down beside him.
"Jake, Jacob what's wrong?!"
Edward's scar became even more painful and the vampire hissed loudly making some of the wolves look back at him while his own family suddenly gathered around him.
"Edward, son what's wrong?" Esme asked as she stood right beside him. Rosalie looked from Edward back to the shifters suspiciously.
"It's that scar isn't it? The one 'he' gave you."
Carlisle locked eyes with Edward at Rosalie's words, another throb of pain came and this time Edward's knees buckled beneath him before Emmett caught him and held him upright.
"Edward exactly what happened the night Ephraim bit you?" The doctor asked and at that Sam froze before looking back at the Cullens all of whom had gathered around one that seemed to be in a great deal of pain.
"You are Edward Cullen?" Shifters all looked up at where Sam was staring and Edward gave a nod even though his body was starting to crumble under the pain his arm was forcing on him.
The alpha shut his eyes and gave a heavy sigh before he started cursing under his breath. Jacob let out another bone chilling scream and one of the wolves started to whimper as the boy writhed on the ground when Sam suddenly slipped his hands underneath him and lifted him up off the ground.
The wolves could only watch as Sam stood up and walked right across the treaty. Carlisle blinked in surprise as the wolf carried Jacob right over to them, before he stopped and glared down at Edward. The alpha seemed to ignore the questioning gazes around him completely as his attention focused solely on the vampire.
"Ah." Jacob let out a soft gasp and his body started to still before he fell unconscious, somehow making Sam curse even more.
"Our archives tell us, that many years ago you met Ephraim Black and he gave you a mark on your arm."
Edward took a deep breath as the pain started to fade a little, "Yes."
Sam looked up at Emmett who was still holding Edward up before he spoke, "Let him go."
Emmett frowned and looked up at Carlisle who gave a nod and Emmett set his brother down on the ground. Edward stumbled a bit until he regained his footing and Sam looked down at the sleeping shifter in his arms before stepping forward and stretching out his arms towards Edward and the vampire cradled Jacob's unconscious and slightly larger body in his arms.
A sudden wave of overwhelming calm flowed through him and Edward felt warmth rise up through his chest and spread right through his body.
Jacob seemed to move in his sleep and the wolf moved closer into Edward's embrace when Carlisle suddenly spoke.
"Sam what's going on?"
Sam took a deep breath and spoke in as steady a voice he could manage. "By order of the bargain struck by Ephraim Black. I Samuel Uley hereby give Jacob Ephraim Black to Edward Anthony Mason Cullen as his right of claim to the Black legacy."
All the wolves simultaneously growled and snarled and barked while the vampire's could only gape at the alpha's word's.
All except for Emmett who quite elegantly asked,
"Well what the fuck does that mean?"
Edward, who had yet to tear his eyes away from Jacob's sleeping form answered.
"It means he's mine."
A/N: again next chapter should be up soon
But you can review if you want.