A/N: Here we go people I'm updating the next chapter!
It took me two days to finish this one coz I had to get it just right.
I'm not aware of exactly what happens in Imprinting and how the bond of mates between vampires works
but I'm making up my own rules as I go. So if something isn't as it normally is please excuse me.
Thank you to everyone following the story! You guys are Awesome!
Enjoy and please review.
Chapter 9 – The Truce
Sam waited outside the door of Carlisle's office. He was sure that the vampire knew of his presence, but he was giving him
a few moments to prepare himself. Sure enough, the doors flew open and Carlisle stepped through. He had just come out of
surgery. His scrubs stained with blood. He motioned for Sam to follow him inside his office. Sam waited while Carlisle went to
change. After a minute Carlisle stepped back in his office looking immaculate. Vampire speed had its pluses.
"Sam. This is unexpected. Please, have a seat. Can I ask why you're here?" Carlisle questioned.
Sam drew a deep breathe. He wasn't sure how to begin. The tribe elders were placing a lot of faith in the sense of goodness or
justice of the vampires with their decision. He wasn't so optimistic. Even thought he respected Carlisle he was still apprehensive
about the whole plan.
Carlisle waited patiently for Sam to gather his thoughts. It seemed he was going through some kind of internal struggle and he
didn't want to interrupt. Sam sighed heavily reaching the conclusion that he needed to get this over with. It was perhaps better
that Carlisle was the one he had to talk to, not Edward. Sam felt anger rush at him when he thought of Edwards's reaction. Calming
himself he spoke
"There's been a development you should know about."
Carlisle nodded for Sam to go on. "Do you know what imprinting is?" Sam asked.
Carlisle shook his head "I have a vague idea, it's a ritual similar to marriage?"
Sam shook his head, "Imprinting is a way for the shape shifters to find their soul mate. The imprint is supposed to be the best person
for them to spend their lives with. The person who will make them whole, who will complete them by making up for all the shortcomings
they have. It's like finding your perfect other half. When werewolves imprint, they become completely and solely devoted to their imprint.
The desire to protect, love and please the imprint comes before anything else in the world. For this reason most times when a wolf imprints,
the imprint becomes their mate/life partner/spouse, one could use different terms for it."
Sam paused watching Carlisle mull over what he had heard and then continued "Imprinting isn't something the wolf can choose.
It's s something that is fated to happen. Not every wolf can imprint.
As I said before it's not a choice.
Try as they might the wolf can't deny the pull of the imprint. No matter what relationships the wolf has had before they imprinted, the imprint would inevitably become the center of their universe and their whole life would revolve around them. The wolf will do everything in their power to please the imprint. The choice to accept or deny the wolf lies with the imprint. Always." Again Sam paused making sure to let his words sink in.
"The wolf will mould themselves to suit whatever bond the imprint allows them to have – friend, guardian, brother, lover, companion, mate.
If the imprint asks the wolf to stay away from them, the wolf will have to obey. Distance from the imprint is agonizing for the wolf as it will
experience both physical and emotional pain at staying away, yet it would still do whatever it takes to please the imprint."
Sam stopped again to make sure that Carlisle was following everything that he said. It was difficult to
put words to the emotion of imprinting. No one could truly understand unless they experienced it firsthand.
"Fascinating... It's so similar to the vampires finding their mates… except we could never be anything but mates to those whom we
identify as a mate….but why are you telling me all this?" responded Carlisle.
Okay, time to rock n roll. Sam waited a beat before answering
"Because a member of my pack has imprinted on one of yours. Jacob has imprinted on Edward."
Not many things surprised Carlisle, having lived as long as he had, but at this point he was speechless.
There were a hundred thoughts racing in his mind at the moment. He threw his mind back to the events of the last month.
So many things made sense all of a sudden and it had all started with a single incident. Edward had brought Jacob home when he
was injured.
"When exactly did this happen?" he asked Sam, he needed to confirm his theory first.
"Three weeks ago."
"Three weeks…does Edward know?" Carlisle asked although he already knew.
It would explain Edward's behavior in the last three weeks. His mood swings, his irritation, the faraway look oh his face. He looked
angry and confused as if struggling with some inner commotion.
"Yes... he knows, he ordered Jacob to stay away and Jacob is in pain…a lot of pain" Sam couldn't keep the bitterness he felt out his tone.
Then he took a deep breathe and spoke "I understand the reaction, I don't like it but I understand it…. This is why I've tried to explain imprinting
to you as best I can. The elders have sent a proposal for you"
Sam quickly outlined for him the rest of the events following the imprinting. Carlisle listened in concentration.
"The council wanted me to convey the proposal to you since you are the head of your clan."
Sam said stiffly after he had explained the entire situation.
Comprehension dawned on Carlisle as Sam spoke of the suggestions made by the council of the elders.
He needed to speak with Edward. Immediately.
"Sam…you will have to excuse me… I need to speak with Edward."
Sam nodded tersely and turned to leave. He reached the door and was about to walk out when Carlisle called his name.
As Sam turned towards the vampire, their eyes met. Carlisle saw the anxiety, distrustmingled with a faint gleam of hope
directed at him.
"I cannot promise you anything yet, this will need to be Edward's decision; but I will ensure that I explain in the best way about the
consequences his actions have on Jacob and his well being."
"He has two days to reach a decision." The soft click of the door was loud in the silent corridor.
There was a sense of finality about it; Carlisle who had lived for many many years had a sense of premonition. Things were going to change.
They had already been set in motion and now all he could do was watch. He was worried for his son.
Carlisle left the hospital and drove towards the Cullen residence. The council had given their ultimatum. It was a thinly veiled threat.
Carlislerealized that even with their combined powers, a fight with the pack was not something he wanted to contemplate about.
They hadn't asked for anything too drastic to be done. Edward needed to maintain a friendship with Jacob. That was a small price to pay for
avoiding all the bloodshed and unrest that would follow in the wake of Edward's refusal. In Carlisle's opinion that wouldn't be very difficult to
accomplish.
Even though Edward would never admit it, he didn't hate the werewolf. Carlisle wasn't sure what Edward felt towards him but he definitely
felt something. There were so many things which gave him away. Little tell tale signs that were invisible to all others but Carlisle.
He knew Edward better than anyone in the family. Edward wasn't someone who spoke about his feelings a lot, having always been a quiet
person. He preferred observing. He liked his secrets. He liked the mystery that surrounded him, being obvious wasn't appealing to him at all.
While he didn't open up to people outside his family, he was insatiably curious about everyone else. Perhaps it was this curiosity and his acute
observation which had given him his powers of mind reading. Edward Cullen couldn't resist a mystery. It was what drew him to Bella, and it was
what was drawing him to Jacob. Carlisle didn't know exactly what had made him curious about the werewolf. The attraction however was there
and it was undeniable.
He had seen evidence when Edward had rushed in with Jacob in his arms. Edward had been calling for him in a voice that held panic for some
odd reason. At first Carlisle had thought something had happened to one of the family.
Edward didn't let his emotions surface through his usually composed demeanor. His eyes hadn't left Jacob throughout the whole time the
doctor tended to him. The look on his face had been intent and tense, he stood still as if any movement would disturb Jacob.
His behavior in the last three weeks had been erratic to say the least. Edward tended to be moody and melancholy by habit but the last three
weeks he had been even more so. He would stay locked in his room for hours. When he was with the others he was pre occupied. He needed
answers, and the only person who had them was Edward.
Carlisle stepped into his study and Edward was waiting for him.
"Edward-"
"Carlisle-"
Well, looked like his son had something to discuss with him also. Carlisle detected the faint smell of the wolves surrounding both of them.
They both were surprised at this and again spoke at the same time
"Were you around the wolves-?"
"Did you meet the wolves-?"
Both stopped short. Edward waited for Carlisle to make the first move. Carlisle was watching him carefully. Edward knew he ought to be wary of that particular look. Carlisle had something on his mind. He was going to ask questions. He wasn't sure, what was going on and wanted to test waters before he said anything. His father was an extremely intelligent man. Carlisle words broke the silence.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked quietly.
Edward gasped. He knew. How was it possible? What had given him away?
"Sam Uley came to see me at the hospital today. I know about the imprinting. Edward, why didn't you tell me?"
Edward lowered his gaze avoiding Carlisle's eyes. He had heard the undercurrent of hurt in his father's voice. He was looking at Edward with a
confused expression. Carlisle was no doubt upset that Edward hadn't shared this with him, and now he had found out through Sam.
Edward couldn't bear to let Carlisle down and right now it felt like he had.
"I …I'm sorry… it doesn't matter. It's nothing. You don't have to worry.. I'll sort this out… I promise I'll figure out how to make it go away"
He averted his face unable to meet Carlisle's stare. He turned to leave on his heel when Carlisle's voice stopped him "Edward you have to know something…"
"NO. No. No. No. NO" Edward screamed mentally in his head. He clenched his hands into fist to keep them from shaking or breaking some of the priceless china vases that stood in Carlisle's study.How. Dare. They. They had no right.
Did they think they could actually scare him? His family was an extremely strong group of vampires. What made them think they would win if a war did break out? They had some nerve sending Sam Uley to Carlisle.
What made them think that their threats would have him running into Jacob's arms?
Suddenly the image flashed in Edward's mind. Jacob and him in each others arms….pulled flush against one another ….pale skin on top of caramel…
He gasped in surprise. Where had that come from? Since when did he fantasize about the wolf? Shit. This was not happening to him. Shit. Shit. Shit.
"Edward, please calm down… you didn't let me finish" Edward returned to the present on hearing Carlisle. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Son, all they want is that you develop a civil relationship with Jacob. They know you're still in love with Bella. They don't expect or want you to be
anything but a friend to Jacob. Your behavior towards him affects him deeply. Not having seen you for three weeks has caused him both physical
and emotional trauma….Sam said he's in a lot of pain. Just think of it as a way of helping Jacob through an illness."
Edward turned to have his back facing Carlisle. His face became rigid. Jacob was hurt. He was in pain. It shouldn't have brought a tight feeling in his chest.
It shouldn't have made him feel so small, so guilty. It shouldn't have made him want to run all the way to the reservation right up to the house that belonged to Jacob to check on him. It shouldn't have made him feel pain and unrest…but it did. Those words made him feel all of this.
Then another thought struck him. Carlisle said friendship. They didn't want him to be Jacob's mate, they wanted him to friends. They wanted a
civil platonic relationship. Why friends? What he wasn't he good enough to be his mate? Whaaaat? What am I thinking? The last thought had him
question his sanity.
He should be happy about this. He could try to be friends with the wolf. It would be the perfect opportunity to find out more about him.
This way he could be around the wolf but everyone would just think it was because Jacob needed the physical proximity. He ignored the
warmth that he felt at the thought.
Carlisle wanted him to agree. He saw this as an opportunity to avoid fighting and also build trust with the wolves. But that wasn't the only
reason Carlisle wanted him to agree. He was worried about Jacob. Carlisle truly had chosen his profession fittingly.
Edward had seen the worry in his eyes as he spoke about the boy. He didn't want to cause any more harm than had already been done.
He was looking at Edward to fix the damage done. He wouldn't say it in so many words, but he would feel disappointed if Edward were to
say no. And Edward could never disappoint Carlisle. Ever. His thoughts were interrupted by Carlisle's phone ringing.
" Sam…I'm still speaking to Edward …
"Carlisle… I hope Edward has a good explanation for why he came asking for Jacob looking like he wanted to shred him to bits!"
"I'm not sure what you're talking about"
Oh no…groaned Edward mentally. This was going from bad to worse.
"I got back to the Rez to have Leah and Paul report to me that Edward came running towards the Rez, almost crossed the border, and asked
to speak to Jacob… while I was at the hospital with you… I don't think it was a social call, they told me he was seething …Why was he here?"
Sam was breathing heavily on the other end of the line trying to calm down his anger. They heard a woman's voice in the background.
"Sam …honey … you need to relax …give me the phone…okay, that's good."
"Carlisle… this is Emily, Sam's fiancée…given the situation if there's anything Edward needs to discuss with Jacob he is welcome to come
to the Reservation, at any time. I will make sure that no one stops him. But given his reaction this evening there will be rules.
The meetings will be chaperoned till such time we are comfortable in leaving them both alone. I understand this must be very confusing and
stressful for Edward …but please try to remember that Jacob's life hangs in balance…he needs to come and see Jacob."
Carlisle felt a rush of air coming from the window indicating Edward's departure the minute the words "Jacob's life hangs in balance" had left
Emily's mouth. Carlisle watched the open window and the scene outside and replied
"Thank you Emily …for being so gracious…Edward will be there in 20 minutes." Indeed, things were going to change. He just hoped his son
wouldn't end up hurt in the process.
Edward was stricken with guilt and an irrational fear when he heard the words "Jacob's life hangs in the balance" He hadn't waited to say
a word to Carlisle or explain his actions. He simply needed to reassure himself that Jacob was okay.
He was blurring through trees at breakneck speed and still he pummeled himself to go faster. He reached the border in 15 minutes flat.
He wasn't going to wait at the border this time. If they wanted to fight him, they could. He would take on anyone who tried to get in his
way right now. Fortunately no one was in sight and no one stopped him as he crossed. After a few more meters he skidded to a stop.
He was in but he didn't know where to go … it wasn't like he knew where Jacob's house was. He could always walk up to one of the
houses and ask, but what if they didn't know about the situation and raised a hue and cry over him being on the Rez.
He tried to use his sense of smell to track down Jacob's scent but it was nowhere to be found. He was loosing precious time.
Jacob would be getting worse by the minute and he was no where closer to figuring out where Jacob's house was…
"This way" a voice came out of the darkness. He jerked around to see the same girl who had stopped him earlier. He could see that she
was panting ….She must've run all the way from her patrol post. She led him across the reservation and they crossed various houses.
She led him to a small house with a porch. They walked around towards the back of the house. The yard at the back had been converted
to a beautiful garden. Edward could see yellow light filtering our through the back windows of the kitchen. The smell of steak and backed
potatoes was filtering through the air. He could hear someone humming pleasantly inside.
Leah stopped a few paces outside the door and spoke
"This is Sam and Emily's place. You'll be meeting Jacob here whenever you visit. She's waiting for you." With those words Leah turned to
leave but stopped at the last moment leaving a parting shot "Don't stare."
Huh? What did she mean by that ….Edward was still mulling over Leah's words when he heard the door being opened behind him.
A lilting voice said "Never thought I'd see this day …Come on in…"
