Good evening everyone! I am sorry that I'm not updating until now. In addition to computer troubles I have somewhat struggled with this chapter. However, today I got my new laptop so I can get back on track with steady updates, and the chapter started to come together so I'm hoping that you enjoy it. Even though a couple of crazy things have already happened, but don't get complacent as some interesting twists are still yet to come, As always I greatly appreciate those of you reading, following, and reviewing my stories; and I welcome your feedback and comments.
A/N: I don't own Twilight we know this. Blah, blah, blah.
Chapter 7: The Council's Verdict
Charlie POV:
I hadn't expected to be invited here; in all of the years that I had known both Billy Black and Harry Clearwater I had never been included within tribal matters. Yet here I sat being stared down by all each one of them until I felt as if it was my own trial which was about to begin. No one would explain to me the reason that I'd been called there and as the silence stretched on, I found myself caught up in the rhythms created by the old box fan in the window. After about ten minutes, I was more than grateful to hear the door open; that was until I turned and saw who it was that entered. Jacob stepped inside, nodding at me grimly, and then he stepped aside and revealed Bella looking as frightened as I've ever seen her. I stood up, rushing to her and wrapping my arms around her. "Bella honey, what's wrong? Why are we here?" Her mouth dropped open and she froze, without a word hiding behind Jacob's shoulder.
"Charles Swan, Isabella Swan, and Jacob Black, please come forward and take your seats." Billy's eyes were shrouded in secrecy and glaring sharply at all three of us. His expression alone kept me from arguing and we walked slowly to the front of the room where three wooden chairs awaited us. After we settled in, Billy began again. "We have summoned you three here to discuss an unprecedented moment in our tribal histories. The phasing and induction of Bella Swan as a child of the moon, therefore she has joined in totality with our current pack of protectors."
"Wait a second here, I need to stop you right there." I stood as I spoke; failing my attempt to cover the nervous tremble in my voice. "What do you mean Bella is child of the moon? Are you talking about the pack that I think you're talking about, because that would mean that Bella is a…a um…"
"A werewolf?" Bella stood up next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Yes, dad, that is what they're saying. It was really unexpected and no one really knows what to do with this, but yes I phased this afternoon. That's why we're here; we're trying to figure this out." Her eyes were wide, her expression mirrored my own; full of doubt and fear. With a million thoughts running through my head, I couldn't seem to formulate a single word. Billy cleared his throat and we all returned to our chairs.
"Yes Charlie, we know this quite a shock. We were all very surprised as well, to say the least, but still the situation is irreversible. And while it is completely unorthodox according to what we thought we knew about our histories, this does make the notion of Bella as our alpha's mate much easier to swallow."
He gave Bella a small apologetic small to soften the blow but his words still stung for me. Yet he continued further, "Now, we have called the three of you here to aid us in the discovery of an explanation as to how this occurred at all. As the histories indicate that only one who possesses Quileute blood can transform into one of our shape shifters, so we must determine where that blood line intermingled with Bella's lineage. We have to assume that it would be with Bella's generation, as symptoms have not manifested to our knowledge prior to now."
Jacob stood, apparently catching something that I somehow missed, and he looked irritated, angry even. "Whoa now, we all know that the shape shifters gene can skip a generation on occasion. Who's to say that this transgression didn't occur in a prior generation? You cannot mean to imply that Renee…or Charlie would…"
All of the eyes in the room fell upon me and it he didn't have to finish his question, I finally understood. Wait a second, Bella is an only child. They're actually insinuating that…there was no way that these implications could be true! Before I could blink I was jumping to my feet, furiously, leaving my chair to loudly scrape along the floor behind me. I could barely force the words between my clenched teeth. "There is no way that Renee cheated on me! I mean just look at Bella, she is practically my own damned spitting image!" Even through my rage, Billy remained unfazed by my outburst.
"Now Charlie, while we realize that there are other possibilities, we have to entertain all of the options until we know differently. We are only seeking the truth."
True to form, Bella stood as well as she too realized, albeit delayed, the council's assumption. "Oh hell no, my mother has never cheated on my dad; how can you even say that?
I noticed her body spontaneously begin to shake, a growl rumbling deep within her chest. Jacob leaned into her ear, at first bristled up against whatever he had sad to her, but then he whispered again and she quietly followed him outside. I know it had to be my old eyes deceiving me, but it appeared as if her entire form was blurred. Then I realized that this was because she was because she was likely to lose her temper quickly if she stayed. I knew of the stories and Jacob had even phased for me once. I knew their stories of new wolves and their lack of control, how unstable it made them. And as much as I wanted to believe that Bella wouldn't hurt me, I also knew the real life story that Sam and Emily lived each day. He loves her so much, she is his wife and they're evening expecting their first child next month. But even with his love for her she was too close when he lost control and now she was scarred for life. I was suddenly grateful that Jacob had escorted her outside. My head was spinning with this fresh onslaught on news. First my only child is a werewolf and now my wife is apparently cheating on me. This was just so much to take in. All of the sudden spots began to form in from of my eyes and my chest grew tight. Sharp pains began to streak down my left arm and I gripped it tightly, sure I had been injured. The last thing I remember is a whirlwind of faces, all glaring at me from behind their tall wooden bench; then the dingy linoleum floor rising up to meet me.
Bella POV:
After that ludicrous accusation my entire body began to shake uncontrollably. Jake was quick to take notice of it and he leaned in to whisper, "Let's go outside for a minute," With a small tug on my shirt sleeve. I resisted, focused only on the beet red hue of my father's face. Had I ever seen him so red? He leaned in again, this time his whisper was more urgent. "Honey, we need to go outside so that you can calm down. If you were to lose control and faze in here someone, possibly Charlie, could be injured seriously." With that sudden reality bringing some perspective to my line of thoughts, I quietly followed him outside. I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath until the door closed behind us. At once I felt restless to the point that heavy shudders racked my entire body. My eyes frantically scoured everything around us, really unsure of what they were searching for until they landed up Jacob. His eyes caught mine and he nodded in understanding.
"Don't think about it, don't try to figure it out; let your instincts take over, let's run."
I allowed the wolf inside of me take over and we bolted into the woods, exploding out of our clothes mid faze; leaving them in shards on the ground. As we broke through the trees I could not suppress a triumphant howl that escaped my lips as we ran.
Yeah, this is exactly what I needed right now.
Okay I know this one is short but it's late and I have work tomorrow, not to mention the hubby is feeling neglected. I'll try to update again before Friday but if not, not later than then I promise. Scout's honor! Good night all!
