Good evening! Welcome to Chapter 8 of The Dilemma! I want to thank everyone who is sticking with this story, slow though it may be. I believed in the beginning that I was going to dive deep into the romance and make this a story of medium-length, but it appears that the plot just isn't going to develop that way. I want Emma and her relationship with the tribe and the Cullens to deepen before she meets Jacob. I think it's necessary to her character and to the ultimate end of this story. I have always felt that some fics move way too quickly through this important exposition.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. You get to see a little bit of Jacob and a whole lot of Cullen. Happy Reading!
Disclaimer: Stephanie's stuff isn't mine. Never will be. Original stuff, yes. Moving on now!
"How did people do this - swallow all their fears and trust someone else so implicitly with every imperfection and fear they had..."
-Stephanie Meyer, Breaking Dawn
Ch. 8: The Awakening
Sunlight.
Warmth.
Whisper.
Gently, the boughs of great pines rustled from the late afternoon breeze, bringing with them the scent of blossoming wildflowers. Grunting softly, he shifted from one side to the other, pressing his russet fur as close as possible to the large expanse of rock he lay upon. The Canadian summer had just begun and the weather still threatened the possibility of frozen mornings. The rock provided the only lasting warmth of the day as the sun made its descent into the blue mountainous horizon beyond the expanse of dense forest.
As he overlooked the endless rolling fields, their willowy golden grasses waving at the sky and stout evergreens staunchly gripping the earth, he felt at peace. He felt as though he was the King of the World and this was his kingdom. A place where only the thrill of the hunt and the satiety of the kill reigned.
Out here amongst only nature's wild creatures, he was strong and powerful. A God. The weeks which he denied ever counting had softened his anger and hatred towards Bella. He realized he had allowed his emotions to blind his senses, dull his better judgment, and make him weak. Now, the wild had brought forth the true essence of his being, his spirit and leadership.
But it was not yet time to return. For a little while longer, he would forget his responsibilities at home. He would forget the longing in his heart for his childhood love. He would forget the self-loathing and depression of rejection.
He would forget his lost chance at happiness.
Emily didn't answer the phone.
No one answered the phone.
Emma sank down into one of the soft burgundy cushions of the sofa. Her head bowed as she tried to stop the burning tears from slipping down her cheeks. She was scared. Beyond scared. She had let her emotions cloud her judgement and now she was paying the price for it.
Paul's actions could not be forgiven. Not really. He had allowed his anger to lash out at her and was unable to control himself even after the damage had been done. Out of anyone she had befriended in Forks, he of all people should know the treacherous waters she treaded, keeping Amelia in her custody at nineteen. All it would take was one wrong phone call. One wrong email to Child Protective Services and she would lose the only family she had left.
She couldn't allow that to happen.
Paul was unpredictable and that made him a threat.
She was too stupid to realize it through the haze of her lust.
Damn it.
Emma's hand still throbbed from his harsh touch and she mechanically stood up to get some ice for it. With a grimace, she placed the ice onto her wrapped hand and returned to her seat. As the ice numbed her pain, she allowed the tension to fade away from her body. Her shoulders slackened and she eased her head back against the cushions. More than anything, she wanted to simply forget the entire encounter.
She wanted to forget the pain of his grip. She wanted to forget the overwhelming rage. She wanted to forget the insanity that poured from his mouth.
She wanted to forget the reasons why she needed to cut herself off from the world once more.
But she couldn't do it.
Exhaling slowly, she picked up the phone and dialed.
"Ms. Lahote?"
"Emma! What can I do for you? Does Amelia need an after-practice meal again?"
"No, it's not that. Do you by chance have Bella Swan's number?"
Silence.
"Why would you need her number?"
"I need to talk to her as soon as possible."
"I apologize if this seems strange to you…"
"No not at all," Bella assured Emma," Trust me, I've had stranger calls and meetings in less nice coffee shops…"
Emma wrapped her hands around her warm coffee cup. Her thumbs repeatedly rubbed the back of the cup, feeling its smooth paper texture. She still felt anxious about discussing Paul's behavior with this woman, but she needed answers.
"Do you know Paul Lahote?"
"Um, yeah. He's a member of the La Push reservation." Bella replied, "Why do you ask?"
Emma sighed, "He helped my little sister and I settle into our new home. Actually, he and I got a little close because of it," She admitted, "But we had a fight this morning after I returned home from the grocery store."
"Over what?"
"You."
She heard Bella's sharp intake of breath, "Really…"
"Yeah. Somehow he knew that you and I had met this morning. He also called you many…" Emma paused, "insulting names…" she said more quietly.
Bella's chair squeaked as she pulled herself as close to the table as possible. Emma felt her warm body heat as the woman leaned in close, "What did he call me?" She asked softly.
"A whore. He said…" Emma breathed deeply, "He said you chose the dead over the living. He called your family leeches. I don't understand any of it. It sounds ridiculous and strange and I'm just so worried about him." She blinked back tears.
"What do you know about the Quilhote tribe?" Bella asked.
"Um…they're an Indian tribe? They're usually nice and friendly? I mean what else is there to know?"
"Have you been feeling an intense attraction to Paul? Like you need to constantly be around him?"
Emma shook her head firmly, "No. I like him, but nothing like that. I've just never seen him react like that! He hurt me Bella. He grabbed my hand and I thought for certain he was going to break it again. I have never felt frightened of him before, but I don't know what to think now."
"He hurt you? Again?" She asked worriedly.
"The first time was my fault. It's a long story. But yes, he hurt me. He just went into this all-consuming rage when he said smelt your scent on the spinach. Who can smell another person on an object? A dog?!"
"Yes," Bella muttered.
"Well he definitely acted like one today!" Emma said angrily. She downed the rest of her coffee, relishing the bitter flavor.
"Emma," Bella said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"I think I know what's going on here, but I'm not sure if it's my place to talk about it."
"I can't risk losing my sister Bella. It's not every day the government allows a 19-year-old custody of a 14-year-old girl. I just made friends with these people. If something's wrong with Paul or with the tribe…" She shook her head, "I will cut myself off from them if necessary."
"Then come with me."
"Where are we going?"
"To my boyfriend's house. His family is a part of this and can help me explain everything better."
Emma leaned back against the leather car seat and allowed herself to relax. Part of her trusted Bella implicitly, but something kept telling her to be on her guard. She just couldn't put her finger on it. Stop thinking about this, she told herself. Her mind wandered instead to focus on the soft piano music filling the car.
"We're here."
Emma stepped out of the car and was bombarded with a swift hug.
"It's so nice to finally meet you!" A high-pitched female voice squealed.
Her arms awkwardly came around to hug the woman's small frame, "You too?" She said hesitantly.
"Alice! Let her be. She needs to meet the rest of the family."
"Yeah sorry!" The woman released her, "I'll help you into the house. Wouldn't want you missing the steps!"
Emma was taken aback by the woman's forthright nature. She wasn't quite sure how Alice knew she was blind, but she assumed Bella had told the family.
As Alice led her into the house, she instantly felt the temperature change and breathed a sigh of relief. The days were growing warmer and air-conditioning was always appreciated.
"Everyone, this is Emma Danielson. She moved to Forks a little more than a month ago with her little sister." Bella said.
A warm hand grasped hers, "I'm Edward Cullen and this is my family. You've already met Alice, but there is also my parents, Carlisle and Esme. My father is the head surgeon at the hospital in town."
She shook their hands, "Pleasure."
"And this is Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper. My siblings."
"Glad to meet you, Emma," Emmett said and grasped her hand. She nodded shyly and shook hands with the other two. She hadn't expected to meet everyone when Bella suggested they talk with the family. Normally, she was fairly confident with herself, but these people put her on edge. This was a far different meeting than the dinner with the Quilhote tribe a few short weeks ago.
"Why don't we sit in the living room? I made some lemonade and cookies if anyone is interested." Esme suggested brightly.
Emma allowed herself to be moved once more to the other room and sat down on the couch. The others seated themselves around her accordingly and though she couldn't see them, she felt boxed in. If she had hackles, she thought, they would have risen by now.
"Bella told me you have answers about Paul and the Quilhote tribe. I want to know why Paul said the things he said about Bella this morning. Please be honest with me." She asked.
The question seemed to hang in the air. For a moment, she thought they were not going to answer, but then Carlisle spoke, "What we are about to tell you, Emma, is something that is kept secret by our family and by the tribe. We ask that you not disclose this information to anyone. Normally, we would not tell anyone uninvolved this, but it seems that you have become entangled in our affairs."
"The tribe have a long history with Spirit Warriors. Men who could turn into animals at will. They— "
"Billy told me about them. They were have said to guard the tribe, yes?" Emma interrupted.
"That is correct. These guardians are stronger, faster, and more agile than any normal man. They have the ability to crush bone with their bare hands."
"What are you implying Mr. Cullen?" Emma asked warily.
"Paul and the rest of his tribe are these guardians, Emma. They are, essentially, werewolves."
Emma sucked in a breath, "You are insane."
"No, I'm not," Carlisle refuted gently, "I know that you have noticed the frequency of wolves in the area. I know that you and your sister saw one for yourselves. It was large, grey, and watched you with far more intelligence than any wolf could."
Emma stood up, "I can't listen to this. I apologize for putting you through the trouble of bringing me here, Bella, but I need to leave now."
"Emma, hear me out," Alice rushed over and grabbed her by the shoulders, "Paul hurt you with just his hands. His body is built with solid muscle. He can smell things other men can't. It all adds up!"
She rolled her eyes, "Sure he's ripped, but that doesn't mean he's a fucking supernatural creature from horror films!"
"You are all very nice people, I'm sure," Emma said, "I am leaving now and if you try to stop me, I will call the police."
"Emma— "
"Open up Cullen! I know she's in there! Where have you taken her?!" A rapid pounding shook the door.
Emma's head shot towards the sound, "Paul? But how did he…"
Bella laid a hand on her arm, "He's a werewolf, Emma. He tracked your scent here."
"No way…" She breathed.
Esme opened the door and a furious, shirtless Paul barged in.
"Just because we have a treaty, Cullen, does not mean you get to kidnap people without consequences," Paul hissed and grasped Edward by the arm.
"If you would calm yourself, Lahote, you would realize that Emma is here of her own free will. She wanted answers and we gave them to her when your people wouldn't."
Paul's head whipped over to Emma who stood there in shock and awe, "Emma," He said brokenly, "I thought something had happened to you."
"You did," Emma said softly, "You hurt me and left. What else was I going to do? Sit around and wait for you to return?"
He said nothing.
"That's what I thought," She whispered, "Is it true, Paul? Are you…not human?"
"You told her?!" Paul snapped at Carlisle.
"Of course. She needed to know."
"It is our right to tell her!"
"You relinquished that right when you left her hurt and confused." Carlisle replied.
"Emma," Paul said and took her hand, "Let's go home and I'll explain everything."
She shook her head, "No Paul. I have heard enough and I want a simple yes or no answer. Are you, or are you not, a werewolf?"
He sighed, "I am a werewolf."
She felt like she had been punched in the gut, "When were you going to tell me this? Before or after you kissed me? Before or after you introduced me to your werewolf family?"
"It's not like that. We had to know for sure you were going to protect our secret."
Emma was beyond pissed, "You endangered my family. What am I going to tell Amelia? Did you ever think about that, huh?! She's 14 and the only thing she should have to worry about is school! Not you or your family's skeletons in the closet!"
"Well if I had known this is how you'd react then I would never have told you!" Paul roared.
"You should have let us be!"
"And left you to these leeches? How are they any better?" He yelled.
"What are you talking about?!" She asked confusedly.
"We didn't finish telling you the whole story, Emma," Bella said.
"What is it?"
"We're vampires." Emmett said gruffly.
Emma's hand flew up to her mouth, "Oh my god." She started to back away slowly from the group.
"Emma, are you alright? Would you like a glass of water or something?" Esme asked worriedly.
"No, no please. Just leave me alone. I need to…I need to leave now…" She kept walking backwards, bumping into the furniture as she went.
"Emma, I know what you're thinking right now, and you need to calm down," Edward stated.
She ran. Her hands stayed outstretched as she fled for the door. Strong arms caught her about the waist and her feet left the floor. Angrily, she tried to pry the hands off of her and kicked backwards wildly, "Get off of me!"
"You need to calm down." Paul said gently.
"LET ME GO!" She screamed as he carried her to the couch. Unceremoniously, he dumped her onto the cushions and sat down beside her. She immediately tried to get up but he reached over and grabbed the waistline of her jeans. He pulled back onto the couch like an unruly toddler and held on.
"You will listen to me and to them as much as I hate this." He said firmly.
Emma bit her lip in frustration and fear. Tears rolled down her face.
"We do not want to hurt you or Amelia. I don't know about them," He gestured to the Cullens, "but the tribe cares about you. Billy and everybody can tell you more about all of this, but you have to trust us. Trust me."
"Why did you hurt me? How can I trust you when you let your anger get the best of you?" She whispered.
His hand cupped her cheek, "I never meant to hurt you. It was out of fear that you would be hurt by these people that I…reacted like that."
"We're good people too, Emma." Alice knelt down in front of her, "We may be…technically dead, but we don't drink human blood. Only animal's."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Emma asked dryly. She reached up and brushed the tears from her eyes. Edward handed her a tissue and she muttered quiet thank you.
"Let me take her home." Paul said to the others. Carlisle nodded in consent.
"Let's go, Knuckles," He said, helping her up from the couch. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She debated pushing it off, but she was too emotionally drained to worry about it.
XXX
They began the long walk back to La Push in silence. Emma wrapped her arms around herself and tried to ease her mind, but she failed miserably. With a sigh, she resigned herself to discussing the matter.
"So you can change on command?"
A pause. "Yes."
She stopped walking, "Would you show me?"
He turned to her, "Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"Yes."
A rustle told her that he had begun to remove his clothing. And then the most horrific sound she had ever heard, bone-breaking and creaking as his body bended into its new shape. It died away and the sound of heavy breathing filled the air. Panting.
Two footsteps and warm air whooshed past her face. Slowly, she reached up a hand and met soft fur. Her hands traced the contours of a head, a wolf's head. Fingers curled around pointed ears and scratched hesitantly. She was rewarded with a gentle growl of pleasure. Emma couldn't help but smile. A puppy at heart, she thought amusedly.
Her hands began to wander down the neck and across the back. They waded through the fur and over hardened muscle. Her mind marveled at the sheer size of Paul's new form. Overall, she thought, he was magnificent.
"This is incredible," She breathed.
The soft fur disappeared from her touch as he shifted back. He quickly redressed himself and turned to face her.
"Are you still scared of me?"
She nodded slowly, "Yes, but I think I understand you better now. It's going to take time to trust you again, Paul."
He sighed, "I figured."
"Let's go home."
