Chapter 12
Alpha

Author's Note: This chapter begins the night of Jake becoming Alpha, and then continues on the next day. The beginning of this chapter is before he gets Bella's phone call.

(Jacob's PoV)

Ever since I had found out I was the true Alpha of the Quileute wolf pack, my life had taken an eventful turn. At first, I wasn't going to believe that I was the Alpha of the pack. It wasn't in my nature to be a leader. I was the follower.

But something had sparked inside me when my father told me about Bella. The Alpha inside of me took control. I was infuriated at the bloodsuckers. I had warned Bella not to get too involved with her new husband on their honeymoon, but she didn't listen to me. The rumor was that Bella was now in Atlanta, Georgia in the Center for Disease Control, but I knew different. Bella's bloodsucker of a husband had gone too far with her. He probably killed her and was just trying to make excuses.

I was finally going to do what I had been wanting to do for months. I was finally going to get my hand on the bloodsuckers.

A few minutes after I had learned about Bella's fate, I called for tribal council that evening. My father, one of the Elders, said he could make it happen.

That night, we held a bonfire at my house. Many of my pack mates were there as well as a few of the elders, including my father, Quil Ateara, Sr., and Sue Clearwater. Sue had replaced her husband, Harry, when he had died of a heart attack. Sam was also considered an elder of the tribe, but I wasn't too sure about his place there now.

"I called for this tribal council tonight," I began, "because some things have come to my attention that I feel need to be explained to the tribe as a whole. First of all: for those who do not know yet, the title of Alpha has been passed onto me."

A few of my pack mates gave me quiet congratulations and silent smiles, but I saw at least one had a look of confusion and dislike at the news.

"Why is Jacob given the title of Alpha?" Paul asked, "If Sam no longer feels that -"

"Paul, this is not about me, anymore," Sam said.

"Well, that's fine," Paul said, "But why does Jacob get the title of Alpha when it is obvious that I have more experience than he does."

Before I could retort, my father spoke up.

"Experience does not play a key role in this choice, Paul," Billy said. "Jacob was always meant to be the Alpha of the pack. It was his right, passed down through generations. But because Sam imprinted first, the elders and myself believed that there would be more of you to come, and we were right, of course. So we made Sam the Alpha. But that was only temporary. Now I believe it is perfect time for Jacob to be the Alpha of the pack."

I looked at Sam, who seemed to want to speak up, but he seemed a little hesitant to ask. It was still strange to see him afraid of me. Was it because he was not sure what an Alpha command would do when set upon him, or was it something else?

"If I may ask, Jacob," he said, speaking a little slowly and cautiously, "I was wondering why you have welcomed the Alpha role so quickly. Earlier today, you seemed to repel the very thought of it."

"That is true, Sam," I said. "At first, I did not like the thought of becoming Alpha. I never thought of myself as a leader. Like Paul suggested, I might not have as much experience as some of you do. But that all changed in a split-second, and I will tell you why."

I looked at Billy, though I knew I didn't need permission for what I was about to say. He smiled back at me. I turned to the others.

"Earlier this morning," I continued. "My father got a call from Charlie Swan. Charlie had been on the phone with the leader of the Cullens: the doctor, Carlisle. The doctor had told him some very grave news. He said that while Bella and her husband were on their honeymoon, Bella caught some sort of rare South American disease. Charlie believes that Bella is in the Center for Disease Control."

"Hold on a moment, Jacob," Leah said. "You say he 'believes' she is at the CDC?"

"It is what the doctor told him," I said, "But I believe something different. Everyone here knows that Bella's husband is the -" I bit back the nickname for the Cullens. Name-calling was not important tonight. "- vampire Edward Cullen, right?"

Everyone nodded.

"At Bella's wedding," I continued, "I talked to her, and from what we discussed that night, I have come to this conclusion. I believe Edward lost control with Bella on their honeymoon and -"

"Wait a second," Sam interrupted. "You're not saying you think he killed her, do you?"

I sighed and looked at my father. Even he looked surprised at my opinion.

"That is exactly what I am saying," I said.

"Jacob," Sam said, "Unfortunately, I have to disagree with you."

I rolled my eyes. I suddenly wondered if his recent caution toward me had only been a ploy.

"I may not like the Cullens," Sam continued. "But I know that Edward cares for the daughter of the Police Chief. He would never kill her."

I scoffed.

"Jacob," my father spoke up, "I have to agree with Sam here."

"Well, I think Jacob has a point!" Paul said, standing up. "We all know what the Cullens are capable of. They are bloodsuckers, after all! This is exactly why the treaty was put into place, isn't it? Because it was believed that the Cullens could snap at any time, and the Quileutes could not let that happen. And it looks like it has happened."

Quil Ateara, Sr. stood up beside Billy.

"I, too, agree with Jacob," he said.

Billy and Sam looked shocked at the old man's decision. It seems the Elders were at a standstill right now.

"The elders have always believed that the Cullens could break the treaty," Quil, Sr. said. "Recently when it became aware to us that Bella Swan was close to becoming like the Cullens, it sparked a great discussion between the Elders. Billy, I know you believe that we should have respected Bella's decision, but we were also aware of your feelings in the matter. She is, after all, the daughter of your best friend. We believe that clouded your judgment. Your own father would have frowned at the fact that you were supporting Bella's decision, given that it would break the treaty that's been between us and the Cullens for so long."

"But we do not know what exactly has happened to Bella, yet, Quil!" Billy retorted, "We could be wrong."

"Billy, you know our laws," Quil, Sr. said, "As a pack, we are governed by the word of the Elders, but also of the Alpha."

I raised a surprised eyebrow. It seemed I had more power than I thought I did.

"If the majority of the Elders agree with the Alpha in a decision," Quil, Sr. said, "Then it is passed."

He turned to me.

"Jacob," he said, "What is your decision on this matter? Do you believe that the treaty has been breached?"

I didn't need to think long about it. I had already come to a decision. Bella had not listened to me about the Cullens, and I had believed it had sealed her fate. The Cullens had crossed the line and Bella had paid for it.

"Yes," I said, "I do."

"I do, as well," Quil Sr. said, before looking at Billy once again, "Billy? Do you still stand by your decision?"

"Yes, Quil," Billy said, "I do not support this."

Quil, Sr. turned to Sue who hadn't spoken up all night.

"Sue?" he asked her.

"I have to agree with Jacob," Sue said, "If it was one of my own children, I wouldn't be able to stand it. I do believe the treaty has been breached."

"Well, I do not support this," Sam said.

"Sam Uley," Quil, Sr. said, "You do not have any say in this."

Many of my pack-mates were surprised at the elder Quil's statement.

"But -" Sam started, "I -"

"You are not Alpha anymore, Sam," Quil, Sr. said, "As such, you are not a part of the Elder council. The majority of the vote is two to one in favor of the Alpha's decision. The treaty has been breached. From now on, we will focus on one thing: the banishment and/or destruction of the Cullen vampires."

It was very quiet after Quil, Sr. had made his statement. Sam looked downtrodden at the fact that he had no more say in his pack.

"Jacob?" Quil, Sr. said, "If that is all..."

"Yes," I said, "The meeting is adjourned."

"All right," Quil, Sr. said, "Jacob, from this day forward, you will focus your pack on training for our future confrontation against the Cullens. They will need to be ready for a fight for I do not believe that Cullens will not take banishment with ease."

"You heard him," I said, to my pack, "Rest tonight. Tomorrow we begin extensive training."

Most of the pack and the elders started to get up and leave. The Clearwaters stayed behind.

"Billy?" Sue asked. "Can I talk to you?"

Billy nodded, though he was silent. I knew he was still grumpy over the fact that Sue had decided against him. Harry and Sue had been great friends of Billy's for a long time.

"Take care of the fire, you three," Billy said to me, Leah and Seth.

Sue wheeled Billy into the house. I turned to look at Leah and Seth. Both looked a little windswept from the decisions that had been made.

"You two support me in this decision, right?" I asked.

"We kinda have to, Jake," Seth said, "You are the Alpha."

I cringed. I hated how much power I had over some of my pack.

"And if I wasn't the Alpha?" I asked, "If Sam -"

"If you weren't the Alpha," Leah said, "we wouldn't be in this situation. Sam would have been the Alpha and the majority would have gone his way."

"Do you support my decision because I am the Alpha?" I asked, "Or do you think I am actually right?"

Seth sighed.

"I have to be honest, Jake," Seth said, "I like the Cullens. I was there, too, at their wedding. Edward was very happy with Bella. I could see that. I don't think he would ever hurt her."

Before I could retort, I heard Sue's raised voice from inside the house.

"Billy, she's the daughter of your best friend!" she said, "If something did happen, could you live with it?"

"I have my doubts that something has happened to her, Sue," Billy said.

"Well, I don't," Sue said. "I was over at Charlie's house today. He had called me as well to tell me about the news, and I went over there to support him. I know you didn't go over there because I would have seen you. You didn't see the look on Charlie's face. He feels he has lost her, Billy. It's depressing. I know, because it's the same thing I went through when I lost my Harry."

"Mom's really emotional about this," Seth said.

"She cares for Charlie," Leah said, with a scoff. "And I guess she cares for Bella as well."

Sue walked out of the house, and I saw Billy in the doorway.

"You think about this, Billy Black," Sue said. "You think long and hard. What would your father do? Because it seems you are the only one in the Elder council against all of this. And you're against the decision of your son, the new Alpha."

"Because I know what it is right, Sue," Billy said, "You will see that too."

Sue scoffed.

"Come on, kids," she said, "We're leaving."

"Bye Jake," Seth said.

"Good night," I said, "Be ready for tomorrow."

"Sure," Seth said.

Seth and Leah followed their mother to the car.

"Why isn't the fire out yet, Jake?" Billy asked, "You're going to burn down the yard!"

"I'm getting to it!" I retorted.

My father cringed at the sound of my voice.

"Jake, I know you're upset with me," he said. "But I stand by what I say. I think there is more to this than we know. You're too angry to see it."

I rolled my eyes. I knew my father was trying to be the voice of reason. But I couldn't see it. All I could see is what was going through my mind. I had lost Bella forever because of those damned bloodsuckers!

The next morning I was up early and in my wolf-form by seven a.m. I was ready for my first full day as the Alpha, though I knew many were against me. And by the time the whole pack of wolves were near my side, I could tell I was right.

Heath and Daniel, the two newest, and youngest, wolves in the pack did not like me very much. I thought it was because they were used to Sam as their leader, but then Leah explained the real reason and it became obvious to me. I hadn't made a very good first impression on them. When we first met, I was supposed to do some training with them, and I had run off from them to talk to the Cullens.

Seth was against me, but only because, as he had said the night before, he had began to like the Cullens. I couldn't understand that at all.

Embry was also against me, but for more personal reasons, according to Leah. She explained to me that Embry believed I was trying to steal her from him and he was extremely jealous. I tried my very best to avoid Leah and Embry after that. It wasn't working out very well, because Leah seemed to like the fact that I was the new Alpha of the pack.

Besides Leah, I had a few supporters. Paul was with me, but that was obvious when he voiced his opinion on how dangerous the Cullens were. Quil supported his father in his decision, and was also with me. Jared said he was with me, but I had a feeling it was only because I was Alpha. He had always liked Sam better than me.

Sam, on the other hand, was still acting strange. He was always to kind to lead and not to follow, so it was all very new to him. I was careful to order him around (even though it did feel very good!), and I had given him some leading opportunities to train those who were against me in my decisions.

After a couple hours of training, Emily had come by with a couple baskets of muffins for us, so I had called for a break.

I phased back and changed into my shorts. As soon as I started walking back toward the house, I felt my cell-phone vibrate in my pocket. I opened it and looked at the Caller ID. It said Bella Swan.

My eyes went wide. I couldn't believe it. Could it really be here? Or was it a trick. Perhaps it was Edward Cullen calling me to apologize for what he had done to Bella. I decided to answer it. I would love to give him my opinion.

"Hello?" I said, my voice angry.

I wanted Cullen to know just how I felt.

"Who is it?" I asked, "Is it you, Cullen?"

I waited for him to answer. I wondered if he could sense through the phone just how mad I was at him. No answer came.

"If you're calling me on Bella's phone to apologize to me," I said, "You are too late! You're going to pay for what you did. Do you hear me?"

Ha. I wondered how he would take that.

"Jake," a voice gasped.

My eyes went wide. That voice was familiar. Very familiar. Though I couldn't believe it.

"It's me, Bella!" the voice said.

"Bella?" I asked, not believing, "No, it can't be. You're okay?"

"I'm still human," Bella said, with a sigh. "For now."

"B-but you're okay?" I asked.

She clearly didn't know what the rumor was going on around town about her.

"Last time, I checked," Bella said, "Yeah!"

"B-but," I stammered, "Charlie – my father – said..."

"You've been talking to my father, haven't you?" Bella asked. "Jake, everything my father believes about my condition is a lie. I'm not in Atlanta. I don't have some rare South American disease."

I didn't know what to say.

"Oh," was all I could say.

"Jacob," Bella said, "I'm okay."

I sighed. Everything seemed to collapse around me.

"Jacob?" Bella asked. "What's wrong?"

"I-I think I did something wrong," I said.

"What did you do?" Bella asked.

"You must understand, Bella," I said. "I thought you were dead. I thought that bloodsucker had done something to you."

"Jacob," Bella said, and I could tell she was afraid, "What did you do?"

I was suddenly scared.

"I messed up," I said, admitting it more to myself than her, "It's been hectic over here, Bella. Long story short, I'm the Alpha."

"Well... congratulations!" Bella said.

"Bella, you don't understand!" I said, "I messed up! I thought you were gone. I-I gave the okay for the Elders to put the treaty into action."

"Jacob," Bella whispered. "You didn't."

"I'm sorry, Bella," Jacob said, "The Cullens and the Quileutes are now at war."

I heard a click as Bella snapped the phone shut. I closed my eyes. What had I done? Bella was alive? I had overreacted and it had turned everything against me. She would never forgive me now... unless I did something. I had to fix this. This was my mistake.

I walked up to the house. Everyone there was laughing and talking with each other.

"Emily, these are wonderful!" Heath said.

"Thank you, Heath?" Emily said, with a smile.

Emily looked at me, and noticed the frown on my face.

"Jacob?" she asked. "What's wrong?"

I tried to speak, but my voice seemed stuck.

"You must be hungry," Emily said. "Come sit and eat."

"Bella's okay," I said, suddenly.

Suddenly the atmosphere at the table had changed significantly. Everyone looked up at me.

"I just got off the phone with her," I said, trying to continue, "She's fine. She has no disease, and she is alive and well. Everything we did last night was for nothing."

"Could this override the Elder's decision?" Seth asked.

"I don't think so, Seth," Sam said.

I closed my eyes. I couldn't deal with this right now. I had just sentenced the Cullens to death for nothing.

"No!" I snarled.

I had to go find Bella. I had to let her know what was going on. The Cullens had to know as well.

"Jacob," Sam said, "I can see what you are planning. The Elders would never allow it. You'd be going against their decision."

"I'm the Alpha!" I said, "It's my decision!"

"Jake, you must understand," Sam said, "It is never your decision. They don't listen to you. As the Alpha, you are basically the executioner of their decisions."

"Well, then I don't want to be Alpha!" I said, "Not now! Not after this!"

"Jacob," Sam said.

"No!" I said, "I'm not a part of their decision anymore."

"If you visit the Cullens," Sam said, "The elders will banish you as well."

I sighed and closed my eyes. I was about to make a life-altering decision.

"Then so be it!" I snarled.

I phased and ran off into the forest. I could hear Sam and the others trying to call me back. But I wasn't going back now. I had messed up... and I was going to have to fix it.

-
Cliffhanger!Whew! I loved this chapter! Who will support Jacob in his banishment? What will Jacob do now, especially when he realizes what has happened to Bella?

More to come! Next is Edward's PoV.

Feedback will be welcomed, as usual!