Chapter 9

Seeing the sun glare from the middle of the sky into the tiny window, it finally dawned on me how long we had really been here. I relaxed into Edward's arms, thinking about all the information I had just gained.

Jacob had told us how, shortly after I had left Forks, he decided to take a break from the rest of the pack and visit another group of wolves somewhere in Canada. He met another wolf there, Imogen, who he imprinted on. Imogen was the grey wolf who had spoken earlier, when Jake wouldn't believe I was Bella. He said that he had never forgotten me, but as promised, his feelings for Imogen soon surpassed any regret he had for losing me. I felt mildly jealous, but I was happier that my friend had found his true soulmate. Imogen left her pack in Canada to join his own in Forks.

Intrigued for my friend's wellbeing, I asked how he could be sure Imogen would never leave him. After all, even though he had imprinted on her, she hadn't imprinted on him too, had she? Imogen laughed, amused at my concern for Jacob, but gently revealed that her 'soulmate' had died before she met Jacob. He healed her wounds, as she healed his, and they were planning on marrying. Their ceremony had had to be postponed after Rushmore approached the pack, though. The pack had to change their whole life for Rushmore's proposal: they had to move to England, and forget all their own needs to care for his. I also asked about his reason for agreeing to protecting Rushmore, to which he gave a vague description about how Imogen was used as bait to make Jacob agree. I looked at Imogen sympathetically, but she was still beaming at me. She seemed like a very optimistic person.

After some prompting, he revealed how he had become pack leader. I felt bad afterwards for making him speak of something that obviously hurt him, but perhaps I was just too curious for my own good. Until a couple of months ago, Sam was still the 'alpha' of their pack, but one day he came across a small group of Pegasi. Refusing to call for any other wolves, for fear he might endanger them, he tried to take them all himself, and ended up being killed. Emily was left completely devastated, and went back home to Forks. She was currently staying with Charlie, who still lived in the same house and therefore had a spare room for her.

As Jacob was supposed to be the leader originally, he assumed the role of pack leader without any questions raised. He rose to the challenge spectacularly, Imogen added, and Leah laughed sarcastically. I struggled to hide a smile myself.

I also managed to ask Jake a question that had been bothering me for a little while; I thought that, after the vampires had left Forks, the werewolves would eventually stop phasing, become human again, and start ageing like a normal person. So why was it that Jacob looked almost exactly the same as when I'd seen him last, except for the fact that half the bones in his body weren't broken anymore? He hinted that not all the vampires left Forks when we did: there were several visits from the Volturi (looking for us, probably), and a couple of other covens who had smelled that we had been in the area and wanted to investigate. I had no idea that the Cullens would leave such a mark on Forks, even after we had left.

After Jacob had enlightened me about the past twelve years of his life, I told him about my own. Edward, Carlisle and Alice all jumped in at points, adding things that I had forgotten or been too shy to mention, and Jacob's emotions ranged from laughing out loud when Alice had so nicely mentioned that yes, I did trip over when walking down the aisle at my own wedding, to feeling sad that he hadn't been there for some of the great (and not so great) moments of my life.

As if to conclude the 'meeting' we had all taken part in, Carlisle rose to his feet.

"Jacob. I would like to make a proposition to you, and your whole pack, if you wouldn't mind," he started politely. Edward looked at Carlisle for a second, skimming his thoughts, and then settled back down next to me, holding my hand a little tighter than normal. I had a feeling that what Carlisle was about to say could be a little controversial.

"Of course, Carlisle," Jacob replied, also politely. I wondered if twelve years had made him shake off some of his immature notions about vampires.

"I don't know the full extent of your 'deal' with Rushmore, but I do think something needs to be done about these Pegasi. They're out of control, to say the least," Carlisle put forward. Jacob nodded, a little hesitantly.

"So, my proposition is this, if you're up for it: my family can team up with your pack, and together, we can work on taking down some of the more dangerous creatures Rushmore let loose. All of them, if necessary," he said, adding the last part on quickly as if it was an afterthought. "I understand if your pack doesn't want to get involved, we don't want to be the cause of any trouble to you."

Jacob placed his arms behind him, and sat back, thinking. "You're right, I certainly don't want to get into any trouble with Rushmore," he began, looking pointedly at Imogen. "However, I agree that it's time something was done about these creatures. Also, it'll be exactly the opposite of what Rushmore expects: wolves and vampires teaming up together against the Pegasi, instead of teaming against each other."

Carlisle nodded, along with the rest of the Cullens, and Imogen. Esme decided to add: "Besides, we've worked together before, when Victoria's group came to Forks. I'm sure we're able to do it again." Ever the optimist, she brightened up the situation.

"Well then, it's decided," Jacob declared, smiling a little. "We may be putting a lot on the line, but I certainly think it will be worth it. Especially if we get these strange creatures abolished, and to be honest, we probably will with your help," he said, gesturing to the eight of us.

"We should go and inform the rest of the pack," Imogen decided, "And get some rest too."

"We'll meet you back here at sundown," Carlisle said, reaching out an icy cold hand towards Jacob's fever-like warm one. Jacob took it, and shook it meaningfully. The wolves left in human form, I suspected they phased as soon as they were out of human view.

"Well, that was unexpected," Emmett said with his eyebrows raised. Tactful, as always.

Edward looked my way, still concerned to see if I was alright seeing Jacob again, especially now that so much had changed. "I'm okay," I whispered, not really meaning it. But I hoped I could mean it soon.