Jacob(Pov)
"All right then, we'll leave tomorrow morning." I would have asked why we were being summoned, but I got a feeling I already knew the answer. They wanted to discuss the Romanian situation as well as have a look at Percy and Jimmy's special abilities.
"Don't worry about defending your land. Azarel is sending several members of the guard down to lend assistance," Josh informed us before I could ask.
"They'll be here by the time we leave tomorrow morning." It was as if it he could read my mind in human form.
"Josh, sir, no offense, but Percy and Jimmy are completely defenseless against vampires," Sam protested
"Yeah, why are you asking them to come?" Quil asked (as if he was going to defy a direct order from the council, which is something, you did not do). I gave him a look as if to say, dude what are you thinking?
Josh looked around and announced proudly and sincerely, "That's a perfectly legitimate question. We wish to see them because of the apparent special abilities they have developed. They'll be safe with all of you, plus you'll have me traveling with you as an added bonus."
Jared was concerned about the separation. "It's going to be painful to be away from Kim like that, and I know it will be for Mike and Sam to be away from Jessica and Emily."
"Yes, Jared, you are correct—it is painful to be apart from your imprint, but talking via a cell phone can keep the pain from becoming too unbearable."
"You can call me each night, Sam," Emily said as she kissed him.
"I promise, my love," Sam said, returning the kiss.
"Where are you sleeping tonight, Josh?" I inquired, ignoring Sam and Emily's intimate moment.
"I had not given that much consideration. I don't want to impose on any of you," Josh remarked. How could he think he was imposing? Did he honestly think we'd be that inhospitable? He was a member of our world's leadership body.
"Josh, don't be absurd. You're welcome to stay overnight at our house," Bella offered.
Nodding his head slightly, he replied, "Thank you, Bella. That's very kind of you."
"How should I explain to my son and brother where we're going? I can't tell them what you are and about the Werewolf High Council. It would be a violation of rule one," Jared asked. His face was laced with concern.
"Tell them you're taking them on a very special camping trip," Josh explained.
"Jimmy will believe that and I don't think Jonathon has ever been camping before," Jared answered satisfied.
"You all should head to bed early. We should leave shortly after breakfast," Josh said.
"I'll inform Paul and Seth that they've been summoned to the council," Embry interjected.
"Thanks, man. I appreciate it," I replied.
'No problem, Jake," Embry said in response.
"Let's all meet at the meadow in the morning," I suggested.
Quil stood up, ready to leave. "Sounds good, Jake."
I said goodbye to my friends and headed home to drop off Bella and Josh. I know that sounded like a weird thing to do but I trusted Josh. He was after all, from the Victorian era and had amazing etiquette and manners. As soon as we got home the kids noticed him.
"Who's this muscular dude?" Percy inquired.
"I'm Joshua Thunderbolt. I'm an old friend of your parents. You can call me, Josh. You must be the famous Perseus."
"My name is Percy."
"My sincere apologies, Percy. I forget that you prefer to be addressed by your nickname. It's an honor to meet you." He shook Percy's hand.
"You've got a strong grip like my dad," Percy responded.
"You have got quite a strong one yourself, sir."
"You talk weird," Diego blurted rudely.
"Hey, Diego, That's uncalled for." I corrected him in my authoritative fatherly voice.
"I can be a bit formal in my speech," Josh said.
"I'm sorry, Josh," Diego replied.
"It's okay, don't worry about it. I like the name Diego," Josh told my son.
"I'm named after Zorro," Diego replied bobbling his head.
"That's makes sense. Zorro's real name is Don Diego De La Vega," Josh said in response. I sort of expected Josh to say that. He's very well versed in the arts.
"I think you're cool. I like how you talk. It's different," Percy said. I was wondering how we we're going to explain to them where we were going, but Diego said something that took care of that.
"Dad, how come Percy gets to go on a camping trip and I don't?" How could he have possibly known that? Did Bella or Josh tell him?
Both Josh and Bella shook their heads. "Diego how did you know that? Did mom or Josh tell you?" I asked.
"Diego, what am I thinking?" Josh asked.
Diego correctly answered him. "About how you have the scent of the forest and your backpack is brown."
"I think he should come along as well," Josh replied turning to Bella and me.
Percy looked up at me with wonder in his brown eyes. "Where are we going, Dad?"
Bella jumped in. "Your Dad and I are taking you guys on a camping trip for a few days and we're going to meet some awesome people. Uncle Embry, Quil, Seth, Jared, Paul and Sam are coming as well. And so is Jimmy."
"We wanted to surprise the two of you," I said.
"That sounds like fun. Is Josh coming too?" Percy asked.
"Yeah he is," Bella replied.
"Who are these people?" Diego asked.
"Cool guys, like your uncles. One of them is named Azarel," I answered.
"That's a cool name. What does he look like?" Percy wondered.
"I'll tell you later guys. Enough questions. We need to get up early tomorrow," Bella said, authority in her voice. Bella fixed up the bed in the guest bedroom for Josh and he immediately went to sleep. He looked exhausted. Despite having tremendous stamina, the guy had a several day hike, so I couldn't blame him for being worn out. While Bella was doing that, I helped Percy and Diego pack a small backpack for our trip. I also called Leah to tell her she'd be in charge while the rest of us were away.
Upon my entrance into the room, Percy spoke. "Dad, Uncle Jared's brother is really cool."
"How do you know about Jonathon?" I asked, shocked.
"Why are you acting so shocked dad? Uncle Jared brought him by Grandpa's house," Percy conveyed to me.
"Oh right, I knew he would, Mr. Black," I said imitating Alan Rickman.
Percy approved of my comment. "You are so weird, Dad, but you do a great impression of Rickman."
With great feelings of fatherly love, I gave my son a kiss and told him,"Goodnight, Percy. I love you."
"I love you too, Dad," Percy said as I turned off his light and went to Diego's room.
Diego put his arms around me. "Dad, I'm sorry if I was rude."
"Buddy, it's alright. I'm not mad at you," I said giving my son a hug.
When he gets clingy I know something is worrying him."Something's on your mind isn't it?"
It all came tumbling out. "Dad, I'm worried about going up into the mountains. I'm afraid I'll get lost or some scary man is going to hurt me," he whined.
I held Diego tightly, as I reassured him."Diego, that is not going to happen. Your uncles and I would never let anything happen to you. You and your brother mean everything to your mother and I.
"I got something to cheer you up. Here's a joke for you. If Mississippi gave Missouri her New Jersey what would Delaware?"
"No idea," Diego said.
"I don't know either, but Alaska." I kept a straight face while my son laughed.
"Good one, Dad. Isn't Alaska were the Eskimos live? I saw a show on the Discovery Channel about Alaska. It looks like a cool place, especially the capital, Juneau. Can we go there some day? Plus the Native Alaskans are really cool." Diego talked a mile a minute like a typical nine year old boy.
"We'll see about going to Alaska, buddy. How about you have a nice dream about Alaska's capital city then? Imagine yourself eating salmon with Alaska's hot governor." I grinned while having a fantasy myself about Alaska's gorgeous governor. I was thinking about going fishing with her and how beautiful she was.
Diego fussed. ''Awww! Daaad. I was thinking the same thing, but why are you thinking about somebody other than mom? '' I realized at that moment the magnitude of having a son with my cousins gift. Quil may have to give him lessons on how to use his power responsibly if he does indeed have a similar power.
''Buddy, I was just trying to give you ideas for your dreams. Your mother is more beautiful than Alaska's governor. I love your mother very much—as much as I love you. Alaska isn't exactly on my top ten list of places to go. I much prefer sunny places like the beaches of Florida and the Caribbean. That way I don't have to wear a shirt, right?'
"You can be so silly sometimes," Diego said, laughing.
I got up from the bed. "Thanks for the compliment. Now go to sleep, Senor Zorro."
"I love you, Diego," I said as a turned off the light and gave him a kiss.
"Love you too, Dad."
I went into the bathroom and took a shower. I didn't ever bother to set the water temperature because cold water didn't bother me. After my shower I got in bed with my beautiful Bella wearing only my black striped satin boxers. The soap Bella used had a slight flowery scent. It smelled wonderful.
"You smell nice, dear." I said as put my arm around her.
"I like your woodsy scent better.
"Jake, I was thinking, before we leave tomorrow we should tell the Cullens where we are going. It seems only fair they should know. They did gather a lot of information for us. Also, who's going to be in charge while we're up in the mountains?"
"I suppose you're right and—Leah will be in charge. Colin and Brady are too inexperienced to be trusted with the responsibility."
Bella gave the Cullens a ring to inform them we'd be coming over in the morning. They gladly accepted. Even though I hate all vampires, I have to admit I respect the Cullens. Bella and I wouldn't be together if it hadn't been for the alliance we formed to defeat Victoria's army, if Carlisle hadn't rebroken my bones so they'd set properly, and if Edward hadn't gone with us to the leech capital.
"Now get some sleep we have a big day tomorrow," I told Bella as she closed her eyes.
In the morning when I got up, I put only my shorts and hiking boots on. I did however, put a spare shirt in my backpack just in case. Josh informed me that the council guard members that had been sent down to lend assistance had arrived and Sam was filling them in.
After a very tasty and enjoyable breakfast, I had Seth come over to bring the kids to the meadow with Josh where we'd be leaving from to start our hike to the Sam, Embry, Quil and I headed over to the Cullens for a brief chat. My friends and I all put sleeveless shirts on so we weren't half naked in the Cullens house. Bella rang the doorbell and Edward answered the door.
"Bella, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you, Jacob and part of the wolf gang here?" Edward asked.
"You invited us over remember? Bella called the house last night," Quil reminded him.
"Oh right, I forgot you were coming by. Come on in," Edward said, playing dumb as he closed the door behind us.
"Jacob, Bella, so nice to see you. I hope you're hungry," Rosalie said with smile. I noticed the whole family was hard at work cooking. I found this weird, as they didn't eat normal food. I also noticed they had the Habanera from the opera Carmen playing. What is it with vampires and listening to opera? That's a connection I will never understand.
"But you guys don't eat," Quil yelped in surprise.
"You guys do though. It gives us an opportunity to use the kitchen," Carlisle said happily.
"They already ate though,'' Edward commented, reading our thoughts.
''That's okay, being werewolves we're always hungry,'' Quil touted.
"That's good because I was about to crush this plate," Esme said slightly irritated.
"Cookware and plates can get expensive. I wouldn't do that," Quil joked.
"What are you making?"
"Tea, croissants and bacon and some hash browns," Esme told us.
"Thanks, that's an interesting combination," I said.
"Well we don't really know what you guys like to eat. So we decided to make a multitude of things. What do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Alice said.
Sam laid out the facts. "The werewolf royalty has asked us come see them. We'll be gone for a few days. Colin, Brady and Leah are the only ones who haven't been summoned."
The food was done being prepared and Bella and I started eating.
"Thanks for cooking for us," Quil mumbled with his mouth full.
"It's not a problem, guys. You're like family to Bella, and we consider you our friends but—you're very welcome." Carlisle said.
"Is that all you wanted to tell us?" Edward asked, getting into my head, which I hated.
"No. I'd like to know why the Romanian Coven is causing things like train wrecks?"
"Vladimir is likely trying to instill fear in the Romanian people, but it's not working. The Romanian government is dealing with the situation quite well," Emmett added.
Rosalie then chimed in. "He's likely planning something big, but we still have not been able to figure out what that is."
"There also haven't been any incidents for the last few days. It likely has to do with the presidential election in a few days. Prince Vlad wouldn't dare disrupt that, as it would be a clear violation of the rule of not making spectacles of ourselves," Edward told us.
Bella was confused. "I still don't understand how the Volturi remain unaware of what's going on. How did you guys gather so much information?''
"We went to Romania to investigate on our own and kept a low profile as to not be discovered. We have to wait to tell the Volturi at the proper time because right now Prince Vlad and the Romanian coven are not technically breaking vampire law,'' Carlisle explained.
"It is unwise to give incomplete evidence or defy the Volturi. Right now we do not have definitive proof Vlad is staging a rebellion, nor do we know what precisely he is after,'' Edward said.
"By the way, considering Jacob is Alpha now, who's second in command? Or as you guys call it—Beta?'' Edward asked.
"I am. Quil, as Delta was in line for it but turned it down, saying he didn't want the responsibility, so Jacob asked me to take the position," Sam explained.
"I see. Eat guys. You've got a big hike ahead of you,'' Rosalie urged them.
We kept talking for a little while more about things, such as what we'd been up to the last ten years, while at the same time enjoying the delicious breakfast the Cullens prepared for us. When we were done eating, we thanked the Cullens again, and headed off to the meadow. Before we left however, Sam had one more thing to say.
"If we find out anything that could be of help from the council we will let you know," he told the Cullens as we left.
"You can do that?" Alice asked with complete shock on her face.
"Alliances with vampires are not against werewolf law. You're our friends and Dracula poses a potential threat to both our worlds. The Council is much wiser and older than any of us," Sam replied.
''Whatever you find out would be great, as we don't want to see Prince Vlad return to power or acquire what he seeks,'' Carlisle affirmed.
"We'll definitely let you know what we find out,'' Embry told the Cullens.
My friends and I took our shirts off and put them in our backpacks. We reached the meadow where Jared, Paul, Seth, and Josh were waiting for us—Jonathon too. They were all shirtless as well. I saw his black dragon tattoo on his left bicep I'd been meaning to ask him what it meant or where he got it.
I thought about my kids. Even though werewolves were fearless I was concerned about bringing my kids up to the council. Being my sons they were a little stronger, muscular and more durable than kids their age, however, that didnn't protect them from leeches. I had to think of something to ensure they we were completely safe. I then thought of the perfect idea.
"I brought some guidebooks for the kids so they don't get bored," Jonathon informed us just as I was about to speak.
"Good thinking, Jonathon, to bring up some books," Jared said with approval.
"No problem."
"Percy, Diego and Jimmy, you guys have everything including a change of clothes?"
"Yes," the kids replied in unison.
"All right, kids, there are a few ground rules while we're up there. We are going to have a buddy system. Percy you're with Uncle Quil; Diego you're with Uncle Embry. Jonathon, I'd like you to stay close to Josh. Bella you're with me." Jimmy would obviously be staying with his father. The kids got in front of who we told them to.
"As if I would be anywhere else?" Bella asked trying to start a flirty game.
"Dear, not right now," I told her.
"Listen up, Percy and Diego," Bella said in a motherly tone.
"You are not to leave our sight for any reason. If you get lost, stay where you are and we'll come get you. Also, if any of us tells you do to something, don't question it. It's for your protection. The mountains can be unsafe, but as long as you stay with your buddy you'll stay safe—understood?" I sounded like my father and Sam combined. I never thought I would sound like my dad; it was really freaky sometimes.
"Yes," the kids replied in unison once more.
"I don't have to stay right next to Josh, right? I'm quite capable of defending myself," Jonathon said softly to Jared.
"No you don't, but just to be absolutely safe, please stay nearby him. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you," Jared replied to his brother.
"I will, Jared," Jonathon said.
"Off we go then," I said as we started our hike into the mountains. I was worried about bringing the kids but the council summoned them, so we had no choice. They were safe with us though. The three-day trek to the council would be just as interesting as the last time I hiked up there—if not more so.