GENERAL DISCLAIMERS:
I do not own the Twilight universe nor anything related to the Twilight universe. If we did, I do not think that I would be struggling through college now. Any resemblance to ideas, names, thoughts, theories or situations in another story written on FFN is purely coincidental.
Chapter 4
At the edge of the reservation the Cullens caught up with the other coven. Their little caravan was joined by a black Cadillac with tinted windows. Driving through the reservation they parked in front of a nondescript white, clapboard building with a green door. Bella and Jacob slipped off of their bikes and set their helmets on the seats before removing their jackets. As they approached the door to the building the wolves and Bella's coven stopped on the porch and pulled clean shoes from individual bags that were in a box on the front porch. The door opened and a tall Quileute girl walked out with a basket. She was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, a black tank top, and black knee boots. Her hair was twisted up on the back of her head out of the way; on her bicep was a tattoo of a dagger with a howling wolf's head behind it.
"I figured that none of you would have proper shoes, so here. The bags are labeled with your name. At the end of the night put these shoes back in the bag and put them in the box with everyone else's." She pointed to the large box that people were tossing shoes into. "Hey Bella! How are you today? I haven't been on patrol in so long." Leah whined, rolling her eyes.
"We're good, but you already knew that. Drag mum by sometime. I have a new killer recipe for spaghetti that I am dying to try out."
"Of course we will, as soon as Sam stops trying to lead two packs." Her eyes glazed over for a second. "They are ready for you." Leah led them into dimly lit building.
"Jasper," Bella whispered as she stepped beside him. "Do you want a shield?"
"Not at the moment. I think that I can handle it."
"If you are sure you will be okay. Have one of my coven members get in mental contact with me if you need one. I'll try to pay attention to you bit I can't keep track of everyone all night." He nodded. Leah stopped everyone between two doors.
"Jacob, Bella, you know what to do. Please take Carlisle with you. I'll bring the others in when we have the full go ahead." Embry said, pulling Daphne to him one last time before stepping away from her and pulling his green button down off. He was also wearing all black; from his combat boots and jeans to the black wife beater that showed his dagger tattoo with a leaping wolf behind it.
'Fashion statement?' Rosalie thought, eying the full black ensembles of the two wolves.
'They hold themselves in a warrior's stance.' Jasper commented, always the strategic thinker.
'Where did Bella take Carlisle?' Esme thought, looking for any signs of an upcoming problem.
'I hate not being able to see!' Alice pouted and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Edward's head filled with the thoughts of his family, but the minds of Bella's coven were all oddly silent.
'Are they scared' Leah projected to Embry through the pack mind.
'The Cullens seem nervous, a little put off with not having any information. Oh well.' Embry gave a mental snort and went back to staring straight ahead, arms crossed, muscles tightly wound, as if her could pounce in any direction with less than a seconds notice. A barking laugh came from behind the closed doors.
'We're ready for you guys.' A voice echoed in the minds of the wolves and Edward. Leah and Embry ushered the vampires into the room before standing on either side of the door frame, blocking the only visible exit. The pack was seated along the back wall, the imprints spread out among the wolves, and the Swan Coven sat down in the chairs that were left in the last two rows. Michael and Serena sitting with Sam's imprint Emily and Seth Clearwater. While Daphne sat in the chair on the end near Embry's post. The Cullens sat in the remaining chairs on the second row. A member of each family then entered from a hidden door on the far left side of the room and sat in the front row. Arrayed in a half circle facing those gathered in the chairs were the Elders of the Tribe. Edward noticed Bella and Carlisle sitting on the far left of the arch.
"For those that haven't been to council in a while I will present the members to my right are Sire Carlisle of the Olympic or Cullen Coven, Sire Isabella of the Sangue Misto Coven-pack, Jacob Beta of the La Push Pack, Sam Alpha of the La Push pack, Andrew of House Call and on my left are Sue of House Clearwater-Swan, Marnie of Breakers Island, Isaac, Ashton and Harrison of Breakers Island." Everyone inclined their heads slightly to the room as Billy introduced them from his chair at the apex of the arch.
"There are many reasons to call a meeting of the Tribal Council; celebrations, mourning, news, planning, announcements. Guests of our People, the Elders before you say welcome. Edward, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper and Alice welcome to your first of hopefully many meetings." Andrew said from his chair, his genuine smile surprised the large coven.
"This Council has ruled the Quileute Tribe for many generations. With this duty comes many responsibilities. We take these responsibilities very seriously and changes are few and far between. Twelve years ago Sam was the first of us to receive the reawaken powers of our ancestors. Many of our first sons have joined him since them, honoring their families with their unspoken, heartfelt vows of protection. Our first daughter has also joined the cause; Leah Clearwater-Swan has given up her womanly duties and wants in order to protect the reservation." Billy paused, most of Edward's family turned to look at Leah with questioning eyes.
"Nine and one half years ago we were too late to save one of our own from the Cold Ones. We took her in, saved her, cared for her, taught her our secrets while we learned hers. Isabella has grown, matured and aged into a wonderful woman and an amazing asset to this council." Sue continued looking at her daughter-in-law and the leader of the pack her children belonged to.
"Now, on this day we come together to mark another historic day." There was a pause throughout the room. Many of the gathered tribe members tried to figure out what was going on. Sam stood, his eyes studying all those in the room.
"For three generations we have maintained a strong boundary between our lands and the lands of the Cullen Coven. One summer shy of a decade ago, we convened in this very room to welcome the first of many changes to our way of life." Sam paused and smiled as Bella stood and moved beside him. "Now, another decision must be made. As your Elders we bring two propositions to the combined and convened coven-pack. You see before you Carlisle Cullen, Sire and Father of the Olympic Coven. We seek on his behalf and without his knowledge to include their coven in our proceedings out of the fairness that they live here as well."
"Does anyone wish to speak, freely, on this matter?"
"Bella, do you vouch for the Cullens, their way of life, their membership?"
"Aye, the entirety of Sangue Misto Coven-pack vouches for the Cullen Coven. They are good people, despite their human flaws." Bella answered with a clear and strong voice that made you feel like she was not to be reckoned with.
"You vouch for them? On pain of death? You risk your packs very lives over foolishness!" One of the family leaders from Breakers Island said, shaking his head and glaring at her.
"No, we risk our own." Leah said from her post at the door. "We know the stakes, accept them fully, but we also know that the benefits of having them as allies outweigh having them as enemies."
"If Bella vouches for them then there is no need for further discussion. All those in favor of joining a more permanent alliance with the Cullens?" Everyone sitting in the half circle and the first row raised their hands.
'Not an unexpected vote, wonder who pushed more? Sam or Bella?' Edward heard Seth's voice as he scoffed at the vote.
'We've done it for years with Bella, and she was a newborn.' Embry's mental voice added, Edward was having trouble telling if the private conversations of the wolves from their thoughts.
'Why do they even bother voting? We all know the results. We've spoken and drawn up a new treaty already.' Serena's voice echoed oddly, like she was only partially within the safety of Bella's shields.
'Does anyone else get a vote?'
'Why do they limit who has the chance to vote?'
'This is so odd.'
'Wow, they have really changed since we left.'
'Bella looks so comfortable up there.'
"Now, that the measure has passed… the packs would like to put forth another motion." Dead silence filled the room; this was not something that they had been warned about. "We propose that the Cullens be extended the same courtesy that the Swans are." There was instant uproar, Edward felt his head pounding and Jasper struggled with the uncontrolled anger that was bouncing around the room. They both breathed a small sigh of relief when Bella enveloped both of their minds in the warmth of her shield, the voices and feelings became echoes to them.
"You want to throw away the treaty!" A wrinkled old man proclaimed, slamming his cane on the floor.
"You'll sacrifice the innocents both here and in Forks!" A hotheaded man in his mid forties in a business suit said.
"No one is talking about sacrificing any innocents. We would like to delete the boundary line. Nothing changes about dietary rules or secrecy." Grumbles from amongst the Breakers Island representatives were audible to everyone in the room.
"The coven-pack of the Sangue Misto gives their answer in the affirmative." Bella said contempt for those that were against the proposal evident in her voice.
"The La Push pack gives their answer in the affirmative." Sam said verbally backing up Bella.
"The non-pack Elders of La Push give their answer in the affirmative." Billy said with a smile, startling the gathered Cullens, he had been the most adamant person against them the last time they were in town.
"With much regret and great annoyance the Elders of Breakers Island give their cautious answer in the affirmative." Marnie White said, not bothering to hide her contempt and disagreement with the decision. Jacob produced a long roll of parchment.
"This new treaty reads that the boundary line located two miles east of the reservation is erased. Also as long as the Cullens and Swans are have fed they are welcome to the Reservation, including First Beach." He unrolled the scroll. "If the signatory Elders would sign here please." Carlisle, Bella, Billy and Sam signed the paper with a fountain pen. Marnie signed below Billy, Jacob below Sam, Leah stepped forward from her post and signed below Bella.
'Edward, come sign below Carlisle, quickly.' Bella pushed the thought towards him. Edward stood and joined the others on the platform. He signed below Carlisle's name before returning to his seat in the back. The comforting feeling of Bella's shields left him.
"Now that this is settled, let us carry on with business. Isabella, you had a topic for tonight." Billy said, waving his hand towards her and then towards the group seated in the room.
"Not twenty four hours have passed since a basket was left on my porch. A letter attached to the basket explained to me that the contents were a born vampire. A baby vampire, just a few days old. It is our belied that this baby will be an edger, a better version of me and Michael." Bella sat.
"Honored Elders, are we sure about the parentage of said child?"
"Aye, Seth. The letter said that she has a vampire father and a mortal mother." Jacob said. 'At least you couldn't have gotten pregnant.' He thought to Bella.
'Well, I'm not sure it would have happened without being able to imprint. Sometimes, I just wish that I could have a baby of my own.'
'Bells, you'll figure it out. Why else would you have started Blending?'
"Isabella, Jacob, if you two are quite finished." Billy said smiling as they squirmed.
"Sorry Elder Black." The pair said together.
"The coven-pack would like to submit our theory that this child is the proof of a new era of evolution." Bella said.
"What does the Prophetess say?" Isaac asked while Marnie whispered in his ear. The Cullen's eyes shot to Alice, she shook her head, and she was getting no visions with so many werewolves in the room.
"Elder Isaac, I'm not…" Carlisle began after catching Alice's eyes.
"Not Alice, Sire Carlisle. My seer, Serena." Bella interrupted. Serena stood and walked towards the half circle of chairs, she kneeled on a cushion on the floor in front of the Elders. Bowing her head she spoke in soft tones.
"What is it you wish to see dear Elders Council?"
"Prophetess, is this a new evolution or an oddity?" Sue Clearwater-Swan asked.
"Aye, Council, I shall look." Serena paused her eyes staring blankly at the floor. The Cullens were startled when her eyes turned white. "New evolution, scientific break through, news of tribe leaks out, new shifters seek help. La push grows. A new generation of children will walk the lines. End of Hiding. Daphne with a baby. Peace." Michael reached her as she collapsed on the ground. Pulling her to him, he carried her back to their seats and snuggled her next to Seth. The Council was quiet for a few minutes digesting the pictures that Bella had pulled from Serena's mind as she looked for the future.
"Are her visions possibilities?" Alice asked her mind racing to a thousand different possibilities and outcomes of millions of choices.
"No fortune teller, she tells the future as it is already written in the great book. Very seldom do the big things change… as you know the little things change all of the time." Michael defended his mate; she stirred against him, a smile on her face.
"Leave her be, she cannot see the timelines. It rare enough to be able to see the future. I'm the true seeing freak. She's normal. Hush now." Serena muttered as she faded in and out of consciousness. "Daphne we must talk later." Daphne smiled as Embry pulled her from her chair and to him for a hug before allowing her to sit again.
"The Council has decided to allow nature to take its course. As this meeting is drawing to a close are there any announcements or does anyone else have business?" Billy said. Embry stood, back straight against the door frame with his hand raised. "Guard Embry?"
"I have imprinted."
"Who is the lucky young lady?"
"Daphne Carrington of the Sangue Misto coven-pack." His face swelled with pride as she rose from her chair, stood beside him and grabbed his hand in hers.
"What say you, Sire Isabella? She is your sister." Sam and Bella sunk into a private conversation behind her shield, with devilish grins they stood. Jacob quickly stood behind them, followed by Serena.
"We agree, on the condition that for this momentous first we create a new ceremony. One that will hold legitimacy in all three worlds." Sam announced with a smile on his face that lit up the room. The pack let out a collective sigh.
"We agree. Though the coven poses a few questions to the happy couple. Embry would you give up your mortality, the ability to father blood children, would you watch all those here leave this world while you stay forever young?" Embry nodded, pulling Daphne closer to him. "Daphne would you give up your immortality, would you suffer blood children, grow old and die while your family never can?"
"With all that I have sister dear. All that I have."
"Then is acceptable to the coven-pack." Sam and Bella said in an off putting dual voice. Everyone sat down
"As joyous as this day is I do have a request for the coven-pack." Bella did something odd; she kneeled on the cushion facing the Elders. "I come in supplication." She took a deep breath and pulled her hair over her shoulder before placing both hands flat on the floor in front of her. A sign of weakness and submission for werewolves and vampires alike. "I come for not realizing before that there is more danger for our people with me being here. Even tonight two guards from the vampire Royalty waltzed into town, unannounced and we only knew moments before. I shall leave should it be requested."
Sam stepped to her side, Edward bit back a growl, Michael and Serena tensed in their seats. Sam pushed Jacob to the ground beside her. Suddenly Bella's shields dropped and Edward and Jasper were faced with the full force of everything swirling around the room.
'Aww crap. She feels guilty.'
'Bella didn't do anything wrong.'
'She is allowed to be distracted over that leech.'
'Sam better do what's right.'
'I never thought that I would see a vampire before the council beg for forgiveness.'
'She has been a beacon of light these last few years.'
'The change gave her purpose that I'm not sure she would have had without it.'
'I can't believe Sam is making Jacob do this.'
'Jacob couldn't kill Bella even if the Council demanded it. She is as close to an imprint as he has.' Edward heard the tension building in people's thoughts, he was not completely sure what was about to happen. He felt that he needed to protect Bella from whatever is coming. More than one wolf was thinking about defending her to the council.
Jacob pulled her hands from the floor and placed them on his knees. He slid his hands up her arms and into her hair and with a quick pull yanked her head to the side. Bella hissed at the sudden movement but kept her eyes down. Jacob looked up at Sam with pleading eyes. Sam only nodded at him and the whole room tensed. Jacob slipped his right hand around her neck and squeezed once before leaning forward and kissing her bite mark.
Bella sat back on her knees, tears glistening on her cheeks at their forgiveness. She pulled Jacob's hands to her and kissed both of his palms. He backed away and Sam stepped forward and Bella kissed his palms as well. Sam pulled her to her feet. While the coven and the pack seemed to relax the Cullen's were reeling. They had never before seen a vampire willingly offer their neck, let alone their bite mark to someone else. Edward scanned the minds of those around him once again.
'Jacob's feelings were so conflicted. That was just mean of Sam.'
'Bella should know that there was nothing to worry about, we love her too much.'
'Edward did you notice that they occasionally speak of the coven-pack?' He nodded to Rosalie.
'I wonder what else Serena saw?'
'Poor Bella, its so hard having to do that with your old lover up there as her superior. Not sure I would be able to handle it if it was me before Sam.' Leah thought a faint flush on her cheeks. She was also angry that they had not brought it to the gathered coven-pack. Billy and Sam had made the decision. Edward bit back a growl and venom filled his mouth. Jasper and Emmett had each discreetly grabbed his arms. That was his Bella they were talking about. How could she have been with that wolf?
"Blessings of the Moon are on you." Billy intoned and everyone echoed it. The meeting was over, the pack and the two covens began mingling, congrats were given to Daphne and Embry. Bella, Jacob and Sam disappeared through a side door.
"Carlisle, what's through there?" he asked seeing that no one was looking towards the door.
"A few small meeting rooms and a sick bay." Edward nodded and leaned towards the door, when no one was looking her slid through the door and into the hallway. He could hear voices coming from a cracked door on his right.
"Are you sure that this is okay?"
"Jake, I can control the venom, you know that. Now calm down before I make this cut too deep."
"Get over it Jake. No more complaints."
"Aye Alpha."
"Can you handle both of us at once?"
"If it will help his nerves. Human or wolf first?"
"Human." The two boys answered together. Edward's eyes widened. 'What are they in there doing?'
"Bella why does this feel so good?" Jacob asked.
"Hush Jake. Just sit back and let me do this my way."
"Bella he is right this feels really good."
"Hush Sam." Edward couldn't take it anymore; he stuck his head around the door and peered inside. Lying side by side on matching couches were Sam and Jacob, facing away from the door. Bella sat between them with her back to the door. She leaned over Jacob's arm and ran her tongue over the cut on his arm to seal it before turning and sealing the cut on Sam's arm. Once they could stand without feeling woozy the three of them put the furniture back where it had began. 'Either come in or leave either way please shut the door.' Bella pushed that message through her shield.
"Bella do you think that is a good idea?" Jacob asked as Edward stepped into the room despite the glares of the wolves.
"It's alright Jacob. He may be over a hundred but he still hasn't figured it out." She smirked at him."Ready boys?" Both boys nodded and then looked at Edward. "You might want to close your eyes."
"Why?" Sam and Jacob quickly stripped and phased into their wolf forms. To show off a little Jacob bowled Bella over and licked her face before curling up in her lap. Sam sat in front of them hackles raised in warning to Edward. "Bella what are you doing?"
"What I need to do." Bella pulled two more vials from her purse, already labeled with Sam and Jacob's names. The wolf in her arms sat very still as she dug her fingernails into his neck. Once the blood was flowing into the vials she kissed his neck and sealed the cut. She repeated the process with Sam. "Edward, I hope that you don't mind."
"Mind what?" Edward was once again surrounded by a very naked Jacob and Sam. Bella giggled and pulled him from the room.
"You done with him?" Emily said when she saw them leave the room.
"Yep. He is really horny, take him home and have your way with him." Emily and Bella laughed again.
"Want me to tell Jacob that you need a roll when he gets done with patrol?"
"Maybe, it's been a little long. Isn't he supposed to be looking for his imprint?" Bella questioned.
"Yeah, it is a little odd having a mateless Beta. Speaking of mates, shouldn't you be looking for yours?"
"Lets not get into that right now Emily. I'll swing by for dinner sometime this week while the boys are patrolling." Emily nodded and stepped into the room. Edward grabbed Bella's arm and pushed her into an empty room.
"What the hell is going on Bella?"
"Nothing for you to be concerned about Edward. Its business as usual for me."
"You slept with that dog?"
"Yep. You told me to move on and forget you. Didn't you!" Bella could feel both covens closing in on them.
"You can't be serious Bella. He is dangerous."
"That's funny he said the same thing about you. Right before you left, saying not only did you not love nor want me but neither did your family."
"Bella you can't…"
"Shut up! You lost the privilege of keeping me safe or telling me what to do when you walked away and left me in the forest." Bella pulled the door open, frustration evident on her face. "I'm going home. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable Jasper. Will I see you and Alice tomorrow?"
"Sure, what time would you prefer? How does nine sound?"
"Sounds good." Bella saw Jacob reenter the hallway.
'Hey Jake, wanna come over for some fun?'
'Sure Bells be there in a little bit.' Bella had purposefully dragged Edward into her shield for this little conversation. Unconsciously both Bella and Jake had replayed thoughts of their past rendezvous. Edward looked angry and dejected as Bella pushed him back out of the shield. She laughed and walked away, followed by her coven.
"Don't worry Cullens Jacob and Embry will escort you back. We took the long way in just in case the treaties weren't changed." Edward growled at Jacob and lunged for him, only to be grabbed by Emmett. Jacob's only reaction was to smirk.
"What is wrong with you today Edward?" Emmett growled in his ear.
"He's been with Bella."
"Been with?" Jasper questioned.
"They are in a relationship." Edward growled, wrenching his arms away from his brothers.
"We are not currently involved. You must have gotten her wound up if she is calling for me." Jacob said with a laugh at the face Edward was making. Jasper and Emmett both grabbed Edward and held him still.
"I haven't done anything wrong."
"Really now. So you apologized for all your lies, for abandoning her. You left her in the woods, told her you no longer loved her. It took us six hours to find her in the cold and the rain. She was broken so very broken and lost. I helped put her back together. To find herself again. We helped her become the new Bella." Jacob growled out before Sam placed a hand on his shoulder.
"But." Edward stammered.
"Not buts, not from you. You get no claims over what you threw out." Sam said, ending the conversation. The wolves left the same door that Bella had walked out of. Before Emmett could release Edward Seth bounced around the corner.
"Embry and Jacob are almost ready to escort you from the reservation." He smiled and scampered off. The Cullens dragged Edward down the hall and stuffed him into passenger seat of his own car. The ride out of the reservation was oddly silent. As soon as they had settled in the car Alice's eyes had glazed over and her thoughts along with Jasper's disappeared. Jacob and Embry continued on to Bella's when the Cullens turned left to go back to their own house.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Alice's Vision
The room swirled by, they were in a ballroom surrounded by hundreds of other dancers. The arms around her did not feel like Jasper's. Blood red eyes swam into view. She saw Emmett and Rosalie swirl past her. Jasper approached and the man holding her bowed and stepped away.
"I missed you, Love."
"Missed you as well. Where were you?"
"Calming Bella down. Tanya tried to fight her again."
"Why would she try again?"
"Because of our dear Brother."
