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Chapter Six
Repercussions
We walked slowly down the beach purposely, so by the time we reached my street the sun had set and porch lights had come on. I didn't even have to try to hear Sam's voice still freaking out in my house; it filled the night air. Everyone was trying to calm him down, telling him to have faith that I knew what I was doing and I'd be back soon. Seth, Leah and my parents were obviously concerned, they just knew me and tried to keep what little peace was left.
"You said she'd be home before dark!" Sam yelled at someone.
"Sam, she's fine, you know her better than I do and I know that." Jacob told him in return
So it was Jacob taking the wrath of Sam. I was surprised he was even allowed to come here.
"Has Jacob been here all day?" I asked Mason as we still walked arm in arm
"Yeah, he came and told Charlie and Sue before anyone else. My dad told me to stay away from him, so naturally the first thing I did was go talk to the guy. He's actually a cool dude. If I didn't know better, I would say he believes in your decisions more than your own parents. My dad told him to leave but Charlie said he should stay, so he did. He and Billy have been catching up all day. I don't think I've seen Billy so happy before in my life." Mason admitted
"Good, Billy needed this. I just hope it's not because I guilted him into it…" I said recalling what I had told him about Billy in the Cullen house.
"Whatever you did, it doesn't matter. Billy needed this, before, well you know…" Mase said
I knew what he meant all too well. Billy may not have been exceptionally old, only a couple of years older than my dad, but his health is failing. His diabetes is getting the better of him and everyone knew it, including Billy. He has been grooming Sam to take over the position of tribal leader for the past few months now, even giving me lessons every once in a while. Telling us about the people, what to do if this was something was to happen, what was expected of us, how to deal with outsider issues. Stuff that we, mainly Sam needed to know. Old man Quil died almost five years ago, leaving Billy as the last major tribal elder. Sure others had taken the places of the deceased, but they didn't know as much as the originals.
The doctors said Billy only had a year, maybe two left, then again they told us that three years ago. I always had the hunch that he was waiting for something, and he was not going to let himself die before that something happened. Maybe that certain thing was reuniting with Jacob, maybe it was me turning into a wolf. I didn't know for sure, but no one knew when he would pass, although when he did, it would be a tragedy in the community, not just a few families. Billy was known and loved by everyone.
Unfortunately, we had finally made it to my house. We dropped our arms as Mase went to the door.
"You want me to go first?" Mase asked anticipating what was going to happen
"No, this is another thing I need to face myself…" I said, walking up to my small wood porch.
Mason opened the door, all the people in the house seemed to stop and stare to see who would walk in. Finally I crept in slowly, head held high, waiting for someone to yell at me. To my surprise and delight, no one did.
"Oh Lizzy!" My mom ran from the kitchen to come and hug me. "Are you injured, are you okay, can I get you anything?" My mom started asking her rapid fire questions like she always did when she was relived, it made me smile to see the familiarity.
"No Mom, I'm fine, really. I had to go and think for myself, that's all." I insisted, escaping her clutches
"That's what Jake told us, but honey that didn't stop us from worrying, the last time we saw you was when they carried you home unconscious. Don't you think that would worry us?" Dad came over from his chair.
"Jake said that Alec was already gone, it was one of the reasons why I was okay with it. But you're right, I didn't think about you guys worrying until I actually got out there, I'm sorry." I admitted to him
Then it was Dad's turn to come over and smother me.
"As long as you're okay, I'm fine with it." He said in my ear, not being a very sentimental person, he let go after that.
"Did you work everything out?" Leah asked me from the couch
"Yes did you?" Sam snapped, I could tell from those three words he was furious
"Not everything, but there was no way I could work it all out. I don't know the whole truth. Alice said there was still a lot she wanted to tell me and because you four busted in she never had a chance." I told everyone nodding to Jared, Quil, Seth and Sam who were all in the same general area.
Jared and Seth just looked at the ground, Quil the ceiling, while Sam clenched his fists and looked at the wall across the room.
"Omigoodness you haven't eaten yet today have you?!" Emily suddenly realized "I'll make your favorite!"
"I'll help you Emily!" My mom added hurrying into the kitchen after her. My dad also followed them not really wanting to be part of the conversation that was about to happen.
"Mason, go help your mother in the kitchen." Sam told him as he got up from his spot leaning against the wall to come in the middle of the room to look at me
"No." Mase said flatly.
"What did you say?" Sam grew angry and was shocked at his own son's disobedience.
"I said no." He came over and intertwined his fingers with mine. "I won't go."
Sam's already short fuse was beginning to burn faster.
"Mason. I gave you an order. If you're going to be a wolf you have to listen to me. If not as your father, then as your alpha." Sam said trying to keep himself under control.
"Sam, he already knows everything, there's no reason for him not to stay." Jared came and whispered in Sam's ear as to not embarrass him. Apparently it worked because he turned his attention to me, and solely to me.
"You can't yell at her." Leah announced stopping Sam before he could start
"And why not?" Sam asked his voice becoming louder
"Simple, the neighbors are still up and they can hear you. On top of that you're angry and may say something you'll regret tomorrow, and furthermore, you're not her father." Leah told him.
"I am her alpha!" Sam started to yell, Mason even flinched, never seeing his dad like this before
"For now, but you won't be forever." Jacob piped in; I sincerely wished he hadn't said anything.
"This has NOTHING to do with you! How dare you even talk in the conversation!" Sam said going over to Jacob, looking like he was going to hit him.
"Since when is a conversation you yelling at everyone Sam?" I asked diverting Sam's rage from Jake. Sam wouldn't mind killing Jake, me, he wouldn't touch.
"Since I became alpha thirty years ago that's when! You may end up being alpha but you're not now. Who knows if you'll even still be a wolf by the time you grow up enough!" He said lowering his voice, but everyone in the house could still hear him.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked stepping forward toward Sam
"Those damn bloodsuckers are still after you! How do I know they won't find you and catch you when you run off like you just did? Or even worse than that you could fall in love with that new leach like they think you will!" He yelled quietly at me
"You think so little of me?" I asked flatly, hiding my hurt
"I think even less of you then I do Bella." He said quietly enough for only the hand full of wolves around us could hear.
I didn't gasp. I didn't yell back. I didn't cry. I kept my composure and held my head high. I was not going to let anyone know how cruel that was and how it affected me. I knew how little he thought of Bella after what she did fifteen years ago. Coming from Sam this was one of the lowest things he could have done. Our eyes were locked when he said it, making me believe he meant it full force. I may have found my strength, but this was a blow I could not handle. I was the first to look away; Leah had her hand over her mouth to hide her dropped jaw. Seth, Jared and Quil didn't hide it; they stared at Sam with gaping mouths. Paul and Embry were trying to figure out what he had said; while Jacob stood leaning against the wall, his eyes narrowed in on Sam as if he wanted to attack him. Mason squeezed my hand harder, only understanding the insult in a superficial level, but reading the hurt in my eyes when I looked at him. Practically steaming, he pushed past his father, pulling me by our locked hands with him and led me to my room where he took me in his embrace as I allowed my breathing to deteriorate and a dozen tears to fall.
A few silent minutes passed before I heard Jacob talk.
"You know for someone who was so worried about her joining my pack, you're sure not doing a good job to convince her to stay in yours."
I heard the door to my room open again and I could smell Jacob in the room. I looked up from Mason's shoulder to see I was correct. His eyes were understanding; he knew how hurt I was and why, but I still shook off the tears and emotion as quickly as I could.
"What he said was totally uncalled for; you should never be talked to like that; as an alpha or as a human being. You don't deserve that." He said brushing a tear from my face.
"Thank you." I told him calming myself down further
"I'm need to go home, make sure everyone knows you're safe. Call me or come over whenever you want, we would love to have you any time, you know that. I'll try and stop by tomorrow okay?" He told me, all I could do was nod to tell him I understood. "It looks like you're in good hands. Mase, don't be shy yourself. If you want to come over with Liz, you're free to." He added
"Thanks, I'll come next time she does." Mase agreed
"Good. Look at me Lizzy," Jake said using his one finger to turn my head directly up at him "I love you, and I hate to see you hurt like this because of someone you love. You don't deserve to be treated like you just were. Just know that I'm always here for you okay?"
"Okay." I said quietly
"I'll see you two tomorrow." Jake said then jumped out the window like he had this morning.
I took a few deep breaths to get my breathing back on track. I stepped back from Mason to gather myself before going back out.
"You okay?" Mase said grabbing my shoulders
"Yes." I told him getting my composure back.
We walked back into the living room to see half the people gone. Paul and Embry had taken Billy home. Leah went down the street to a friend's house and Sam had left, leaving Emily and Mason with us. Seth was watching T.V on the couch and Mom was still in the kitchen with Emily and Dad.
My mom had been too worried too eat all day so she sat and ate the dinner Emily made along with Mason who skipped dinner to go to the beach and Seth who would never pass up a meal. No one asked me about what I thought about or any of my injuries. My mom asked about what I thought of the house and I told her. It was cute, like text book suburbia, which made her laugh.
For about an hour it felt like I was an innocent unknowing kid again. Not a care in the world but to get a good grade on the physics test. It was nice to feel normal again, if only for a few hours.
Knowing that I had worried my parents the day before, I decided to try and make it up to them by cooking breakfast the next morning. Having three days off, they both had to go back to work today, leaving me with Billy as usual. The chain of sunny days had broken. The typical glum of Washington State returned with the rain and haze of the morning.
I woke up early to beat my parents to the cooking. I didn't bother changing out of my pajamas; I just crept out of my room as quietly as possible to get to the kitchen. I decided to make scrambled eggs, my mom's favorite turkey bacon, and blueberry pancakes that my dad loved so much. Watching Emily cook for the pack my entire life, I learned a thing of two about good home cooking. It didn't take long for my parents to smell the bacon and pancakes cooking and for them to wander into the kitchen to see what was happening. I was busy scrambling an egg, when I heard a floor board creak. Turns out both my parents were curious as to who was doing something in the kitchen besides eating. I turned around just in time to see their faces, my mom, happily surprised; my dad had his smirk that usually meant a combination of impression that would be met with sarcasm.
"Good morning!" I told them as I poured the egg into the skillet.
"What is all this Lizzy?" My mom asked coming into the kitchen to see all I had done.
I already had a stack of blueberry pancakes, butter and syrup on the table, and a plate of turkey bacon on the counter.
"Just a way to make it up to you guys for yesterday. I still feel bad I worried you." I told her placing the scrambled eggs on the table along with salt and pepper. I had already set their places with a white placemat, and the robin's egg blue ceramic plates that we used during the spring and summer time.
"Oh honey, you did not need to do this." My mom said with a gracious smile
"I know, but I wanted to. I just wish Emily could be here to see my good work. She'd be over the moon to find out she rubbed off on me." I said jokingly placing the last of breakfast on the table for them.
"You bet she would, but she'll just have to take our word for it." Dad said sitting himself at the table and filling his plate.
"Thank you Baby, this is very sweet of you." My mom said kissing the top of my head and helping herself as well.
"Well if you guys don't mind I'm going to go read before Billy comes over." I said excusing myself
"Actually Honey Billy won't be here today, he may not even be here tomorrow, but Leah will be here any minute." My dad caught me before I could leave
"Why? He's okay right?" I asked curiously
Instead of answering, my dad just looked down at his eggs and my mom had to answer for him.
"He has another doctor's appointment." Even though it was vague I didn't need to know anything else, nor did I really want to know. I just nodded and made my way back to my room.
"Oh and Liz," I poked my head past the wall again "Sam asked us to tell you not to stop by and talk to…them anymore. Or at least for a while.
"'Them' is the Cullens Mom, and I know neither of you like them for reasons I completely understand, but they know things that I need to know." I tried to tell them gently
"We understand that Hun, and we're not telling you to stay away from them forever, just until later today actually." Dad started
"Sam plans on having a meeting around noon so you can tell everyone what they've told you, I wanted to be there but I can't just leave in the middle of tourist hours." Mom told me
So Sam wanted to question my in front of the pack, like I was in trial for something.
"Is Mason going?" I asked intently.
"Darling, he's not a part of the pack yet, I would think not." Mom said taking a bite of turkey bacon
"What about Jacob?" I asked catching my mom off guard a little bit
"Sweetie, he's not exactly part of the pack either." She tried to put it lightly.
"He may not be a part of Sam's pack, but I'm a part of his." Now my words really caught her off guard
"W-what do you mean?" She asked, both my parents paying full attention now
"I can hear him in the pack mind, all his thoughts, and not just ones he chooses to show me. It's like there's Sam's pack and Jake's pack, but I can control both. It's complicated; you guys just eat your breakfast and don't worry about it. I'm going to go read now, enjoy!" I explained terribly, than just ran out of the room before they could stop me again.
It was difficult to explain, the connection I had to both Sam and Jacob. They technically were still a part of their own packs, but I could hear every thought they had and I could hear everyone else, like a normal, whole pack. I couldn't help but think about what it would have been like to have one single pack, like they used to. To fix all the ranks and just have one alpha with everyone else following them, no renegades or omegas. The thought of it gave me a twinkle of hope; maybe one day when I am alpha, maybe, just maybe I can bring everyone back together. To have a singular, almighty pack, that no vampire could get through. For now it was just a dream, but if anyone could make it a reality, it would be me.
My parents finished their breakfasts and got ready for work. They were out the door by seven as always, promising to be home no later than six. Leah walked in as they walked out. She checked on me every half hour to make sure I was still in my room, and hadn't run off out the window again. I finally decided to get dressed around nine. Mase would be over soon and Sam as well I assumed. Billy typically watched the pair of us while Emily watched Jackson. Jack still couldn't really stand the pair of us, so Emily took care of him almost every day, but she would usually try to be over by lunchtime. She gave up on Jack getting along with us years ago and now just goes with whatever happens.
It was chilly today, the fall winds finally bowing in turning the summer rains cool. I threw on a pair of jeans, slip on flats, topped off with a loose fitting quarter length sleeve t-shirt which was a periwinkle color. I let my hair hang in its loose wavy glory. Looking in the mirror I saw how I looked like I was seventeen. Hard to believe I was only turning thirteen in a week and not eighteen.
After sitting down and reading a little bit longer I heard a car pull in the driveway. It was only nine thirty, Billy wasn't coming, and Sam and Mason just walked, no one drives to my house. Not being able to see the drive way from my window, I went into the living room to see who had driven up. Looking out the front, I could see a black Mercedes sitting in the driveway with none other than Carlisle, Alice and Jacob getting out. I was already getting grilled as it was; I really didn't want to add anything to the furry that was Sam. Leah seemed to still be eating at the kitchen table, out of sight from the door. I knew better than to pretend I wasn't there, so I figured might as well meet it head on.
Before Carlisle could knock on the door I opened it so that I stood in the way.
"Is there something you guys need?" I asked swiftly. I felt bad treating them like this after they had been so nice, but I didn't want them to feel welcomed, Sam would be here any minute and seeing me talk to them would be the opposite of good.
"We were wondering if we could talk to you. We didn't have the chance yesterday, and Alice strongly believes you should know about what she has seen. May we come in?" Carlisle asked politely.
"I'm sorry, but our house has terrible ventilation and Sam already plans on grilling me today in front of the pack, the last thing I need is 'ode da vampire' in the living room when he's going to be here any minute." I told them a little warmer this time
"Well is there a place we can talk? Maybe the beach…" Jacob tried to think of places in La Push we could go.
"No, Sam and Mase will be here any minute and I've been told not to talk to any Cullen or Jacob and not to leave the house until Sam gets his answers." I confessed, crossing my arms and leaning against the door frame
"Since when do you take orders from Sam?" Jacob asked seeming confused
"Since my parents asked me to. There's really no other reason, after what he said last night." I said mainly to myself, remembering how much trust Sam had lost.
"We would like to finish talking, not just the three of us, but as a family. If it would be easier for you, we can talk to Sam as well." Alice put us back on subject.
"It's the least we can do if he's making your life hell because of us." Jake added
Leah had been creeping up once I had opened the door; she took the knob and opened the door the rest of the way to revile herself.
"We're holding a bonfire tonight," Leah told them "no tribal leaders just the pack. That way everyone will know everything, no one has to be filled in, there will be no secrets. Have your coven come as soon as the sun is completely set. We don't want people seeing things they shouldn't."
"We will be there." Carlisle agreed
When Leah spoke she spoke only to Jacob
"You better go; Sam and Mason are on their way. You should leave before things get more complicated for Liz." Leah reiterated
"What, I'm not allowed to come to this little pack meeting?" Jake asked stepping slightly forward and seeming irritated
"It's not your place anymore Jacob. You gave that up the day you left. This is our pack, you have your own." Leah told him wanting to shut the door completely; however I was in the way
"One single wolf is not a pack." I said looking down, then looked up as I started again "Besides, he's not alone. He has me; he's in my pack." I said, Leah's head snapping to look at me
"Liz you're not old enough to be an alpha. You don't have your own pack; you're a part of Sam's." Leah whispered quickly in my ear
"Then why can I hear all of you, including Jake. Besides as of now, I trust Jacob more than Sam, so wouldn't that mean I was a part of Jake's pack?" I asked quieter but I was sure everyone could hear.
"Liz, stop saying things you don't mean. Sam hurt you last night but he didn't mean it. He was mad all day because he was worried about you. He was reacting the way a father would if his daughter ran away." Leah met my tone of voice
"Leah, you know more than anyone what it feels like to be hurt by Sam. You and I both know he means every word he says angry or not." I told her going to her most vulnerable spot, her break up with Sam.
"Furthermore, Sam is not her father, he had no right to react the way he did, fom what Jacob and Edward told us anyway." Alice added
"Excuse me leach, this has nothing to do with you." Leah became enraged at Alice supporting me.
"Leah, go to the kitchen." I told her, she eventually did a double take when she realized she had done what I commanded immediately and without protest.
"I'm sorry, you guys really should go." I turned back to the two vampires and a wolf on my doorstep. "We will talk later tonight I promise, and Jake, I don't know where we're going but if you can pick up my scent around noon come to the pack meeting. I need someone on my side." I whispered the last part in Jake's ear to make sure Leah couldn't hear from the kitchen. The last thing I needed was Leah telling Sam Jacob would show up.
Jake nodded, while Carlisle and Alice said goodbye and walked to the car. Jake stayed back a second to give me another one of his big embraces, once again I felt like I was safe, like no one in the world could hurt me.
"I'm here for you always Lizzy, you know that." He said, and then released me to look at my face.
"I know." I told him with a half-smile.
"I'll see you tonight." He told me with a wink which only made me roll my eyes and laugh to myself.
They drove off down the road; once they turned to corner I finally shut the door and went into the kitchen to talk to Leah.
"I'm sorry Leah, I didn't want there to be a totally pointless fight and-" I started but Leah cut me off
"It's okay Lizzy, I know, and I'm glad you stopped me. That's the bloodsucker that knows everything; it would be a bad idea to kill her." She said with a smile
"Yeah, potentially problematic." I joked along
"So I guess we're having a bonfire tonight." Leah teased
"We sure are now." I said back
"What do you think Sam will have to say about it?" Leah asked wondering what I would say back
"Quite frankly I don't care. I know Sam loves me, but Jake was right in what he said yesterday. He's not helping himself by yelling and being over protective. He of all people should know that I have things I have to do by myself sometimes. I'm not a porcine doll, I don't break that easily." I told Leah sitting at the table and crossing my arms.
"You know, it still amazes me how good you are with words. Everything you say is like a poem." Leah said trying to change the subject
"Lee, do you hear all my thoughts in the pack mind? Like do they automatically come to you or do you have to dig to find them?" I asked branching off from the pack subject
"Normally, we can hear any given thought that runs through another's mind. It's kind of like subtitles, except they're being read out loud. The memory flashes are kind of self-explanatory. One person thinks it, the others see it." Leah tried to explain
"With so many people it must be hard to keep them straight." I inquired out loud
"It was at first, then you get to know everyone's specific voice and certain subjects that are relevant to the person, it became clearer. There are no secrets in the pack. Everyone knows everything by the second week of being a wolf. And after a while, you just stop trying to hide it from everyone, because you know you can't." Leah seemed saddened at the loss of privacy, and as a girl I could understand. There was something you just didn't want a bunch of guys to know.
"How did it all happen? The double alpha, weird pack mind thing?" I asked bringing Leah back out of her thoughts
"Now that is complicated, especially with you thrown into the picture. At first it was totally simple. Sam earned his place as alpha; however Jacob was born with it. Being born alpha, means you will become alpha no matter who had been it before, because it is your birth right. While Jacob was growing into being a wolf, Sam would show him the ins and outs and how to be alpha, then Sam would step down and be his beta or second in command, that is how it should've went. Jake was still a scared teenager and didn't want to fully accept his new life as a wolf, so he never became alpha. When Sam ordered to kill Bella and her unborn baby because he saw them as a threat, Jake wouldn't do it, bringing out his alpha status. Sam wouldn't step down so the pack split, and is still split to this day." Leah said remembering
"It isn't really 'split' though is it? I mean yeah there's Jake but it's just him, everyone else is with Sam, right?" I asked confused
After all, no one was in Jake's pack, well, no one but me. Was I really in his pack though? Or was he in mine?
"Yes and no," Leah started "You see, for two years, we really were split. Sam had Jared, Paul, Collin and Brady while Jacob had Embry, Quil, Seth and I. We co-existed for those two years, never really mending the tear we had created. During that time the two packs could not communicate between each other in the pack mind. We couldn't hear Sam's pack, they couldn't hear us. Only Jake and Sam could communicate and they could pick and choose what the other could hear.
Then a few days before Jacob left with those things, he told us all to go back to Sam. He had no reason, he just told us to go back. When we didn't he had to use his alpha voice to make us go, otherwise we would still be with him today. That's why Sam is on edge lately, he's afraid we'll go back to Jake, creating the split again. He's even more afraid you'll go with him, and bring everyone over to Jacob's pack, including those who have always been loyal to Sam. You're the first threat to his status as alpha since Jacob was sixteen." Leah told me.
"So he's afraid that he'll lose his power because of something I do?" I asked baffled. It was hard for me to comprehend that Sam, the person I've seen as an authority figure my entire life is in some way scared or threatened by me. Could I possibly be this important to anyone or anything?
"Something you do, or become." Leah clarified "Sam is getting old, he may not look it but he is, and he has Emily. Soon he's going to have to stop being a wolf so he can age again and keep up with her. Wolves can live forever, but we never want to. We know when our time has come and when we need the next group of wolves to take over. Personally, I think that next group will start with you."
"What are you talking about?" I asked confused
"Liz, how old do I look?" Leah asked sitting back in her chair, letting me get a good look at her
Obviously she was older than me; however she didn't look too much older. My parents were not expecting me to come around and Leah had been in her early twenties when I was born. Her eyes weren't sunken into her head; she still had the Quileute radiance you would find on any given girl in La Push. No wrinkles seemed to be present, only small creases, hints as to where they would one day be. In all honestly, Leah could probably pass for a woman still in her early twenties.
"Twenty five at the latest." I told her after contemplating it, still knowing she was older than that
"Exactly, Lizzy I am much older than that. I wanted to stop a long time ago, with you around though, it was harder than I thought. As soon as I knew vampires had an interest in you, I couldn't stand by knowing that if you were hurt I could have done something to prevent it. Now that you're a wolf, maybe I can try getting on with my life again. Find a nice guy, maybe adopt some kids, it's as close to a normal life as I can get now and after fifteen years of this stuff, normal sounds amazing." Leah confessed, letting me into another side of being a wolf, the side that was a burden
"I never even thought about it like that." I said mainly to myself, but also to Leah.
Kids at school would bring up the fact the people in the pack seemed young still, even though they knew how long they'd been around. Even if you didn't know them personally, you knew who the people the pack were. You didn't know their secrets, but you knew they weren't to be messed with, and that they were in charge.
"I wouldn't expect you to. You may be smart Liz, that doesn't mean you'll think of every question and get every answer. I don't know if the Cullens will be around long enough for all the children to phase, however I have a hunch they'll be here long enough for Mason. I don't think Sarah will end up a wolf; she just has a certain air about her ya know? Honestly I think Jackson will be after Mason and it might end up just being the three of you, like it used to be, none of this ten person pack crap. The Ateara line has stalled because of Quil and Clair, but those are the original there. Who really knows though?" Leah asked letting her thoughts out.
"Not even Alice knows for sure." I told her in a matter of fact sort of way.
"Everyone knows you kids are the future of this tribe, especially the ones born to members of the pack." Leah added
Generally, no one knew why the people in the pack were so important, only that they were. If you were a kid of one of the pack members, everyone knew who you were too. Mason and I are tied for being the most well-known and "famous" of the pack children. Followed by Jackson, who was also my age and Sam and Emily's second son, then you have Jared and Kim's nine year old son Max and five year old daughter Brynn. Paul and Rachel's fourteen year old daughter Sarah, named after Rachel, Rebecca and Jacob's mom (everyone thought she and Mase would end up together at first, but then they came to strongly dislike each other so that theory went out the door) along with Paul and Rachel's 10 year old son William (Billy) Black III and their other son seven year old Joseph. The rest of the pack had had girl friends that came and went, but never any children. Quil has Claire, his girlfriend of basically forever. Claire is six years older than myself and is Emily's niece. Now that she'd finally turn eighteen she and Quil are getting married next summer. Her parents are not thrilled about it in the least, but they don't know about the wolf thing; all they know is that Quil is considerably older than her. Like thirteen years older, just as the rest of the pack however, he doesn't look it.
"A pack of only Mason, Jack and myself… that does not sound like fun." I told her remembering how Jack still strongly disliked us.
"Hey, it may only be you and Mason, how does that sound?" She asked teasing me. Like I said, it wasn't a secret. I just scowled at her coldly
"Thank you oh so much for that uproarious comment, it was truly mirthful." I told her knowing she hated when I used words she didn't understand.
"You're SO welcome!" She replied back anyway, taking another bite of her cereal as I rolled my eyes
"Is Sam going to be malicious like yesterday? Because if he is I'd rather not go to the meeting and just go to the Cullen's." I told Leah truthfully. She dropped her spoon and looked me in the eyes.
"Liz, I understand he was harsh, but that was because he cared. He didn't want to leave you vulnerable again. I don't think you see how much he loves you. The only difference between Sam and Charlie is the fact you don't live with Sam and that's about it. Emily and Sam wanted a boy to take over as alpha, but they wanted a baby girl so badly. When Jackson came instead, they turned to you as their surrogate daughter. If something happens to Charlie and Sue, you're left to Emily and Sam not Seth, not me and not Jacob.
I know Sam; he says things he doesn't really mean when he's angry. Things that he hopes will get under people's skin so they'll stay in their place. It's okay when he does it to us, but I think he forgot your age because you were acting way beyond your years. Sometimes even I forget how little you actually are. You're basically about to be a sophomore in high school, again, and you look the part of a seventeen year old. With age normally being forgotten with us, it's all too easy to forget it with you." Leah said, letting her sensitive side come out.
"He didn't falter; he looked me right in the eye when he said it. He meant it. Even if he feels bad and apologizes, I could see it in his eyes. I can tell when you all lie to me, you all have a certain tell. Seth looks at walls when he lies. Mom can't look me in the eye, you rub your nose and Sam looks at the ground just before and or after he says it. Which he did not do yesterday." I informed her
"Do I really do that?" She asked rubbing her nose wondering
"Yes, every time." I told her with a small chuckle.
"I never noticed!" She announced still rubbing her nose
Laughing I said "You probably don't, it's a psychological thing, you could call it a reflex."
"Oh and what's your tell?" She asked matter of factly
"See, you only get tells if you feel like you're lying. I simply don't see it that way; I see it as acting or withholding, storytelling even. Or even simpler, I just tell the truth. If there's no reason to lie, I don't." I told her
"So you don't lie? I find that extremely hard to believe." She announced in skeptically
I had to think back again, did I lie? To my parents, Seth, Leah, Sam? Besides when Mase and I were eavesdropping when we weren't supposed to, I couldn't really think of a time when I had done anything that would be considered blatantly lying. I didn't have to lie about grades or school in particularly. Even with the bullying, I never lied to my parents about it, I may have downgraded it and that was only because I felt I could handle it myself, which I did. Besides, even at a young age I was an extremely private person, only letting people in on rare occasions. School had been my focus for so long that I really didn't have personal issues that would make me lie.
My main friends were Mason and the other pack kids, I hung out with school friends sometimes, but I didn't go partying with them or anything. The girls I played sports with were my friends, and their guy friends became my guy friends, however how much I looked their age I never hung out with them outside of school unless it was a school event, which I rarely went to in the first place because they knew my real age. I never lied about anything we did because there was nothing to lie about.
"I honestly can't think of a time I deliberately lied. I know of times I didn't say the whole truth but never have I flat out lied. Not like you or Seth or Mom or Sam anyway." I told her honestly
She just shook her head and looked at me.
"And this will be the second time you go through high school? How pathetic! You're such a goodie goodie! You have to go out and live for once! Stop worrying so much about your future and live in the present!" Leah preached
"So you want me to go out, get drunk at a party and do some drugs? Would that be any better?" I joked. I was not gullible enough to do anything like that. I saw no point in it; yeah you would have a good time in that minute, but then what?
"No, but I am saying, when you're at Forks, it wouldn't kill you to make some friends. Go to the mall with them, see a movie, go bowling, something! The sophomores are only two years older than you; some may even be only a year older. Try and find some friends besides Mason. Hell! Even go out on a group date or something! Just because you're so close to Mason doesn't mean you belong to him. My freshman year I went out with a senior, that's three years difference." Leah suggested
"Lee I don't want new friends, I'm good with the ones I have." I told her honestly
"Lizzy, I don't want you to end up like I did. If you do eventually fall for Mason and then have him imprint on someone else… I know from personal experience it sucks. Even if you don't fall for him and he still imprints on another girl, your friendship will be basically out the door. She would always come first. It could never just be the two of you again. You need friends besides Mason, one day he may not be there for you." She warned. Even after fifteen years, I could still feel the hurt she felt from when Sam broke her heart. Just like she warned, he couldn't be there for Leah anymore because Emily came first, and she always would.
"If that does happen, I could always give William a shot." I couldn't help but joke to myself out loud remembering yesterday's conversation
"That is not funny." She said blankly with a straight face
"Really I found the whole idea pretty comical." I told her with a smile, letting her know I took it as a joke in the first place, allowing her to crack a smile
"So one of them really said that whichever guy you fall in love with will be the family you stick with? What century was he born in?!" Leah continued on the topic
"That's one of the reasons I became so mad yesterday. They think I'm going to be like Bella and have like this epic decision to choice between the two. I don't even know this guy! Quite frankly I don't even know how long he's been around which creeps me out." I told Leah point blank
"Do they really think they can get you to fall in love with that leech in a few years when you've known Mase your whole life?" Leah asked putting her elbows on the table
"I guess, however from what they've said, it would be like three or four years. For me to fall in love, be changed, and run away together. Three things I find completely absurd." I told her crossing my arms, regaining some of the anger from the day before
"I thought Jacob said the Volturi wants you when you're sixteen?" Leah asked confused
"They want to change me before the Volturi has a chance." I told her still becoming angrier
"Over my dead, cold body." Leah said flatly
"I thought you would say that. Besides as it stands I'll be out of high school by fourteen and hopefully off to college I shall go, a full wolf so no vampires will follow me." I told her.
"Um, er, about that college thing Lizzy, when you were in a coma for those three days, we had some time to talk about your safety… and your chances of going off to a university." Leah informed me with a grimace on her face
"What do you mean 'my chances', I can go anywhere I want. Most schools have promised full rides if I choose them when I'm older." I said to her, narrowing my eyes to catch any sign of hesitation from her
Leah began fidgeting with any little thing she could find. She obviously did not want to be the one to tell me something bad pertaining to college. They all knew how much I wanted to go out and study something I was interested in and was at my level of education. Going to high school for a second time was just something to keep my mind occupied for the next two to three years. Forks would be a place for slightly higher learning; everyone knew it was just a place holder though. Something to make sure I wasn't rusty come time I was accepted into a major university. Not many kids from La Push went to school farther than the nearest university. Rarely ever did they go out of the state for it. They loved home too much and those with bad home situations couldn't afford to get out even if they wanted to. I, on the other hand, had been a different story form the beginning. I loved my family and everyone in La Push; however I wanted to see beyond the one square mile that was the Quileute reservation and surrounding area. Especially now seeing as though I would have to become alpha eventually, I wanted to see and experience as much as possible before I had to come back and fulfill my 'birth right' to lead the pack, and the tribe.
Before Leah could answer me, there was a knock at the door
"Thank god!" Leah with a sigh, leaping from her seat to get the door
I was not going to let this topic die easily. It would be brought up either at this meeting thing, or tonight.
Once Leah opened the door, not even seeing him, I could smell Sam at the door. It was only ten thirty, and the meeting wasn't supposed to happen until noon. Mason hadn't been with him, and I didn't want to have to listen to anything he had to say. Along with loosing trust, he also lost some of the respect I use to give him unconditionally.
Not even trying to, I heard the hushed, quick conversation Sam and Leah had at the door.
"Is she here?" Sam asked first
"Yeah but I'm telling you now, she is not happy with you." Leah warned
"Where is she?" Sam asked again, stepping into the living room.
"Kitchen, but Sam, are you here to apologize or what?" She said stopping him
"Why would I apologize when she knows I was angry? I still am." He told her, trying to move past
"Because" She started grabbing Sam "she knows how little you think of Bella. If she thinks you meant what you said, and she does, you basically just made her choice for her."
"What choice?" Sam asked
"She trusts and respects Jacob more than you now you idiot. And I'm telling you in advance, when she goes with Jacob, I'm going with her. So are Seth, and Quil and Embry, and Collin and Brady, maybe even Jared. You know all too well that even your own son will choose her over you when his time comes. Then when she's alpha, whosever is left will join her, leaving you all by yourself."
"What is your point Leah?" Sam asked angrily
"She is not just another wolf you can order around Sam. You can't degrade her like you did last night. She is your alpha just as much as you are hers. You two are equals right now; you are no better than she is." Leah told him
"Need I remind you? She's twelve." Sam said trying to push past again, but in vain
"Yes, but she already has more control, speed, intelligence, skill, and pride than you and Jacob put together. She'll figure out how to be a leader within a year with or without your help. You love her, start treating her like it again, because lately you've lost that, and you're losing her." Leah gave one last warning, and then finally let a wordless Sam come into the kitchen
I sat at the table with my arms crossed, trying to keep relaxed. Sam tried to keep his expression blank, when he saw me there however; his composure wavered, showing a flash of nervousness. When he came to sit across the table, I clenched my jaw and looked away at the floor. Playing what he had said over and over in my head, the sadness I had felt initially was gone, replaced with anger and disgust that he could have said such a thing in the first place. It seemed like the longest time before he would talk.
"Will you at least look at me Lizzy?" Sam asked, sorrow in his voice
It may have seemed immature for me to give Sam the cold shoulder, however even if I just so much as looked at him, I didn't know what I would do. Feeling such extreme anger toward him, and having to control my temper now, I didn't know how things may end. I remained quiet, and did not look at him.
"Fine, I'll just say what I came here to say. You deliberately disobeyed me yesterday, on multiple occasions. You need to learn that you cannot do that. I'm sorry if you took what I said the wrong way, but something needed to be said to remind you of your place." Sam tried to explain
I actually laughed out loud when he finished
"Sam how could I take what you said in a good way?" I started, looking him in the eye. "You tried to put me in my place? Right now my place is second in command only because I don't know how to lead this pack yet I am practically your equal. What you said degraded me to an omega." I told him
"Liz, you needed to be disciplined." He informed me
"You don't get to make those decisions Sam. I am not just another wolf in your pack. Did you treat Jacob like this when he first phased? No, you treated his with respect and trust, things a future alpha deserves. What any person deserves. You are not my dad." I told him
"Liz you scared me so badly yesterday. The last time you ran away from me like that you got bit by a vampire and nearly died. I thought I lost you. For those three days I was a complete mess waiting and wondering what you'll wake up as. If it happened again I don't know what I'd do. I can't bear losing my daughter." Sam opened up.
Sam's composure was a thing of the past at this point. The hurt and worry shown everywhere, exuding from his every move.
"Sam. You are losing me. And until you treat me decently, and give me the respect I deserve as a person, you will lose me completely. You may have thought you were teaching me a lesson, but you're actually driving me into Jake's pack." I told him honestly
"Tell me what I can do to prevent that." He said
"I just did. Honestly, you can't change the fact that Jake and I already seem so close even after I just met him a day ago. It took a life time for you and me to develop to same amount of trust and what you said last night ruined it for you. It takes years to build trust but seconds for it to be taken away. You screwed yourself over Sam, now it's time for you to deal with it." I told him getting up and heading for the back door.
"Liz wait, I came here for you to understand my side and to settle this!" He yelled attempting to make me stop
"You know for someone so worried about me joining Jacob, you're not doing a good job to convince me to stay with you." I recalled the last words Jacob had told him last night before walking out the door.
AN: Angst, angst angst. Liz is still a teenager; she is melodramatic, she takes things personally, especially from those she loves as most teenagers do. I didn't want her life to be lolly pops and gumdrops because that's not realistic (yeah supernatural powers arn't either, but that doesn't count!)
I believe Liz needs to explore her other worlds; her other options. That's why I have her taking a beat and thinking things out. Sometimes when everything in your life seems overwhelming even thinking about it can cause anxiety (as i am well versed) and, for me at least, being alone with my own thoughts in a peaceful environment (i.e. a room with no technology or a secluded outdoors location) is a great way to sort things out.
SO MUCH MORE to come! Stay tuned for the next chapter in a few days!
Start a conversation with me about you ideas or questions through personal messaging, I'd love to hear what you're thinking in regards to Liz and her story.
THANK YOU!