More Questions than Answers

Tess POV

The newcomer was tall and handsome. He had short black hair and was very muscular. He had what looked like a tribal tattoo on his right shoulder. Even though he was very attractive I kept feeling this weird pull toward the other wolves.

You feel it too? Nick asked. The pull? I've felt it since we walked into the clearing. Or well I guess you can call it a yard. What do you think it means?

Nick, I have no idea. Maybe it's because we're the same species as them. I really wish Alee would change back so we knew if she felt the pull as well.

Tess, she's the older one. She opted to be the one to change because Mom and Dad will protect her if necessary. In our wolf forms, we can handle ourselves.

She's only older by two minutes! I snapped. Nick tried to be the voice of reason but sometimes he was just irritating. He was too happy all the time. Always trying to make the best of it.

I didn't know you felt that way Tess. I'm sorry.

Crap! Ugh! Now look at me. I had gone and offended my only brother. Why did I always do that?! Sometimes I was just so upset that I spoke, or in this case thought, without thinking.

I am the one that's sorry Nick. What I thought was uncalled for. I'm just frustrated by all these new things that have been revealed.

It's alright Tess. Besides, I think Edward knows the newcomer.

Edward's the redhead?

Yep.

As the newcomer walked closer, Edward started to speak.

Edward POV

"Sam what are you doing here?" I asked. Sam hadn't been to our house since the day he had delivered the note from Alice saying she and Jasper were leaving us forever two years ago. At the time we didn't know it was a ruse. Of course that had been hers and Jasper's plan all along.

"I smelled the new vampires. And the wolves," he replied. "Paul said he could hear their thoughts."

Edward, let Sam know I intend to offer the newbies a choice. Obviously their parents have ties to you guys and if Sam forces the young ones to go with him, they will be separated from their parents. And I am pretty sure that would end badly for all parties involved. Jacob told me. Sometimes, like now, it really was a gift that I could read minds. Other times it was just annoying.

"What did you come here for Sam?" Bella asked. She had never been too fond of him.

"I came to collect the three new members of my pack."

"Collect?" Elyse asked with narrowed eyes.

"Yes. I am the Alpha of the main wolf pack. Our job is to protect the people of our tribe as well as the humans of Forks. Since Paul could hear their thoughts, they belong to me and my pack."

"We don't belong to anyone!" Alee spat. "Least of all you!"

All of the wolves gathered growled in response.

Edward, try to get through to him. Remind him what happened last time he tried to force someone to do what he wanted. Jacob told me.

"Sam…" I started but he cut me off.

"Edward nothing you say will change my mind. These three are coming with me. The packs were never meant to be separated. Jacob messed all that up when he decided that he was too good for us and left. I could have overlooked that but then he somehow managed to coerce Seth, Leah, Quil and Embry to join him. Now we can't fight as efficiently against the likes of you!"

At his words Elyse stepped protectively in front of Alee and leaned into her hunting crouch. Alex stepped next to Nick and Tessa. Being in their wolf forms they didn't need as much protection as Alee.

"Do. Not. Even. Think. About. Touching. My. Children." Elyse growled as she said each word.

"You know what? I do not care what kind of sick and twisted relationship you think you have over these wolves but it ends today. I came here to free them from whatever servitude you have them bound in. They are no longer you slaves." Sam replied.

"You think I treat them as slaves?! How dare you!" By this point Elyse was shaking with rage. I didn't think it would be long before she tore into Sam. And based off of the looks Jacob was throwing my way, I didn't think he would try to stop her unless she went to bite him.

"You will leave now and never return. Otherwise you will not like what happens next." Alex spoke up.

Edward, I am going to phase back. Ness doesn't need my protection right now. It's Sam I'm worried about. Jacob told me. Because he left, he didn't see what happened next.

Nessie POV

I hadn't seen a vampire so angry since my mom had tried to attack Jacob when she found out he imprinted on me. No one in my family even got that angry when the Volturi came a few months after that. Or at least if they did I didn't see it. Elyse was downright pissed off that Sam wanted to take her children. As Sam made a move toward Alee, Elyse growled even louder and Sam went flying backwards and smashed into a tree fifty feet away... Everyone stared in shock, except Elyse. Grandpa looked like he either wanted to help Sam but at the same time he looked as if Sam had gotten what he deserved. He didn't like seeing people get hurt but at the same time he didn't like people trying to force others to bend to their will. Like when Aunt Alice saw the Volturi forcing her to join them and Grandpa and Uncle Jasper died because of it. Of course Aro was able to foresee that his choice would also result in his death so he didn't force Aunt Alice to go with him. Which is good because I can't imagine life without Aunt Alice.

While I was dwelling on my thoughts and memories Jacob had come back and Sam had gotten up and he looked angrier than I had ever seen him.

Jacob POV

As I came around the corner of the house I saw Sam on the ground fifty feet from where he'd been standing when I left. He started to get up and he looked pissed. As he started toward Elyse, I dashed toward the Cullen's trying to get there first. I succeeded.

"Sam stop! I don't know what just happened but you don't want to start something that the rest of your pack will have to finish. You told me the same thing once. Remember? I wanted to kill Edward the night of his wedding? Do you remember that?"

Sam stopped. "Yes I remember. But she attacked me first!" he yelled, pointing toward Elyse. Now I really felt out of the loop.

"Ok what happened while I was phasing back? When I left you were standing there arguing and when I got back, you were on the ground over there against the trees."

"I don't know! All of a sudden I was here then there was this huge force shoving me back and I hit the tree. She had a smug look on her face so I assumed she had something to do with it," he said, again pointing to Elyse.

"Let me get this straight. You were standing here then there was a force pushing you back and when you got up she had a smug look so you think she had something to do with it? Sam do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?"

"It was me," Elyse said very quietly.