Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer but the plot is all mine!
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews and support for this story. I promise to try and reply to you all! Big shout out to Serenity1006 and YankeeGirlNJ love you! Twin268 hope you enjoy and its worth the wait!
Now the story continues…
Chapter 25 - Vampires Thrall
As his home came into view Charlie yawned it had been a long night and the fuss at the Town Hall had been the icing on the cake as far as he was concerned "Wolves the size of horses" he muttered to himself under his breath "Whatever would they come up with next?" Even after all these years as a cop Joe Public never ceased to amaze him. He turned the car up onto his drive what he needed now was something to eat a hot shower and bed. He turned off the engine and that's when he heard it…
Screaming…hysterical screaming…Bella…
Charlie was out of the cruiser like a man possessed and opened the front door to his house where it would seem all hell was breaking loose…
"Police freeze…" Charlie yelled at the top of his voice gun drawn looking for intruders until he saw who it was that was causing the commotion…
Seth Clearwater and Edward Cullen were fighting on the stairs the sound of inhuman growling and hissing filled the air and to Charlies horror Bella was stood at the top of the stair case looking as if she were about to faint. The stair banister disintegrated and wood splintered in all directions as the pair battled before landing with a thump on the hall way floor.
None of the sounds they made were even vaguely human and from where Charlie was standing with his back against the wall he watched with wide eyes as Cullen seemed to flip and somersault upright his limbs acting in a way no human body should. But Seth had not fared so well he had landed badly and his right ankle seemed to be at an odd angle. It didn't deter him from attacking the vampire again. Driven on by an over whelming instinct to destroy leeches and above all protect his Alpha's mate he lunged at Edward knocking him sideways into the kitchen where they both landed heavily on the floor.
Within seconds they were struggling again but it was starting to become clear that Seth was not going to be able to keep Cullen at bay for much longer who snapped sharp venom coated teeth closer to his throat and he knew he couldn't phase with Charlie so close.
Edward on the other hand didn't give a fuck...driven on by complete fury at being thwarted in his attempts to take Bella away he had dropped all trace of his carefully cultivated human façade but Charlie's sudden arrival brought a semblance of sanity back. He pushed off the floor and glanced at Charlie his face full of fury before lunging again at Seth.
Charlie didn't know what the fuck was going on but one thing for sure he'd never liked Cullen he was a creep as far as he was concerned and he must have done something to Bella for mild mannered Seth to fight. His eyes momentarily dropped to Seth who lay panting on the floor, the boy must have been defending her Charlie decided as he pointed his gun at Edward motioning for him to move away from Seth… his finger was on the trigger when Cullen suddenly dropped into a hunting crouch his hands claw like as he bared his gleaming white teeth and hissed…
The sound of the gun firing seemed to echo around the small house…but the vampire still advanced on Charlie who took another shot only to once again be astonished his heart beating wildly, as the bullet ricochet off the young man's body
"Edward no!" Bella screamed from the hall way. The vampire froze he glanced at her with a look of pure longing then his eyes jet black and full of hate returned to Charlie who staggered back from the kitchen doorway with a gasp as he watched Cullen move with supernatural speed running straight through the back door, the sound of splintering wood and glass filling the air in his wake.
Ever the cop Charlie ran after Edward and he was just in time to witness a huge silver wolf leap from the forest onto his back lawn jaws snapping at Cullen as he swerved diving into the undergrowth. He lifted his gun again to take aim at the creature when a large hand grabbed his own and the gun fired up into the sky. He tried to struggle but found himself face down on the grass the silver wolf disappeared into the forest as a familiar voice spoke close to his ear…
"Stay calm Chief its okay" Jacob's tone was deep and commanding. Charlie struggled little but he held him in place.
"Bella…" Charlie managed to gasp as he desperately tried to make sense of what was happening around him
"She's okay" Sam stood in front of him as Jake let Charlie go "Come on I'll help you up and we can go see her" Charlie accepted Sam's outstretched hand but he wasn't finished with Jake not by a long shot, just who did he think he was pushing him down into the dirt. He caught up with the retreating back of Jacob just as he was entering the kitchen. He pulled at him sharply and Jacob turned to face him but what Charlie saw there made him instantly let go of the young man's arm.
Jacob was furious and the wolf was very evident in his eyes as he looked Charlie up and down with borderline contempt. Right this minute his priority as Alpha was the safety of his mate and pack. He simply wasn't in the mood for Charlie.
This was not the boy he knew Charlie thought as he felt compelled to lower his eyes. In his place stood a man who oozed power and authority who quite frankly right this minute looked lethal. He swallowed hard something weird was going down and he vowed to get to the bottom of it. He opened his mouth to say just that when a small whimper took both Charlie and Jacobs attention away from each other…at least for the time being
Bella was sat on the kitchen floor rocking to and fro with Seth's head cradled in her lap. He was slipping in and out of consciousness groaning as the pain of his ankle started to kick in and his adrenaline rush wore off. She looked up at Jacob but her eyes didn't seem to focus, her lips moved as if she were whispering to herself and that strange whimpering noise caught in her throat.
The way she looked scared Jacob something was dreadfully wrong…
"Jared" Jake thundered in full Alpha mode "Get Seth out of here and to the Rez clinic now!" He slowly knelt down next to Bella who hung onto Seth not wanting to give him up to Jared. Jacob gently eased her fingers from the boy's clothes
"It's ok Bells" he crooned Seth's gonna be alright you did well both of you did" As tears started to roll down her face Charlie chose that moment to intervene red faced the vein on his brow throbbing.
"Bella!" he cried he lunged towards his daughter but Sam restrained him knowing only too well what Jakes reaction would be to any one getting too close to Bella, her father included. Frustrated Charlie bellowed "What the fuck is going on Jacob? " He looked around and didn't miss how many young shirtless men were stood in his kitchen or how huge they all were… his cop instincts prickled and his jaw ticked with tension.
Jacob shook his head and picking Bella up he stood turning to face Charlie who was still struggling against Sam's hold
"I haven't got time to explain Charlie" Jacob began "But I'm taking Bella with me"
"Oh I think you do have time to explain! That's my daughter you have there and no one takes her anywhere without my permission!" Charlie spat he was getting angry now. Somehow he just knew that everybody but him knew exactly what was going on. Jacob took a deep breath then ignoring Charlie growled a stream of orders in Quileute
"Jared get Seth out of here now and let Sue know you're going straight to the Rez clinic. The wolf healing process has begun and from the looks of it that ankle will need to be broken and reset" he glanced down at Bella "I'm taking her to my home no way can she be left here Cullen has made that clear it's too dangerous" then turning to Sam added "Did you stop Paul?". Sam nodded
"He's outside" then he smiled a little ruefully "Can't come in ripped his clothes to shreds during the phase to get at Cullen." Then Sam added "Charlie saw Paul's wolf" Jacob nodded in response.
"We'll have to think of something to tell Charlie put him off the scent but I think he's seen too much" He sighed loudly
"I hate to tell you this son…" Charlie began as all eyes in the room turned towards him. He took a deep breath "But whatever you come up with had better be good"
Jacob frowned a little he and Sam had spoken only in Quileute.
"I understand your language Jacob" Jake looked astonished for a moment before the Alpha mask slipped back down in place.
"You forget…" Charlie continued "I grew up with Billy and Harry spent most of my childhood on the Rez being looked after by my Aunt Molly whilst my parents worked. He smiled his eyes crinkled slightly at the memories. "I either learnt pretty fast or be the butt of those two's jokes "The tension in the air seemed to ease slightly…
He pushed his dark hair back from where it had flopped over one eye "I just don't publicise the fact." Jacob nodded it made sense but he still gave orders in Quileute he didn't want to upset Bella any more than she already was
"Sam take Bell's truck with Jared and Seth straight to the hospital" He began
"I'll take them in the cruiser" Charlie interrupted struggling against Sam who still kept him on one side of the kitchen well away from Jake. "Get there faster with the sirens" Jacob nodded then motioned to Sam to let Charlie go
"Ok…Jake huffed "In that case I'll take Bella with me in her truck straight to the Rez" He turned to Paul "You can ride with me too. With so many hunters around at the moment I'm not prepared to risk any of the pack running wolf. Tell Colin and Brady they can ride in the back"
So Charlie thought as his attention returned to Bella there's more of them. He wouldn't press Jacob for now but later he was having words with Billy and his son. Jacob noticed him assessing Bella and pulled her closer to his broad chest the wolf was a jealous son of a bitch. His dark eyes caught Charlie's
"I'll take care of her Charlie I swear" Jacob began
"Is she in danger from all of the Cullen's?" Charlie asked half hoping it was only Edward who was crazy then added "Are they all…?" he didn't say anymore he didn't know what the fuck they were but they weren't human that's for sure. Jacob nodded
"Later Charlie I promise you me and dad we'll explain everything" Jake carefully rearranged Bella in his arms "But I need to get Bella away from here and now" He looked a little apologetic and for the first time since he had laid eyes on him Charlie saw the Jake he knew. Besides Jacob couldn't exactly say the place reeked of leech and was most likely the reason why Bella was so dazed. Harsh truth was all of the wolves needed to leave; the kitchen was beginning to become unbearable it burned their throats and eyes. Charlie stepped forward slightly and Jacob turned Bella to face her father.
"Dad?" she managed to whisper but her eyes were dreamlike and unfocused. Charlie was shocked by her appearance she looked just like she did when they brought her home after the incident at the cliffs. Damn fucking Cullen… if she went downhill again…he thought I'll kill him …that's if I knew what did the job as bullets obviously didn't have any effect. He closed his eyes and shook his head then…
"Do what you have to do son" Charlie sighed "But you look after my little girl okay" he choked then looking Jake in the eye he added "Or you'll answer to me and my gun." Jacob nodded a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth before the wolf took control once more and he stalked out of the house followed by Paul. True to his word Charlie left moments later with Sam, Jared and Seth, the cruiser sirens screeching as they rushed to the Rez clinic
000
Paul drove Bella's truck whilst Jake held her tight she absolutely reeked of leech but opening the windows wasn't an option the girl was so cold. His heart sank a little she looked the same way as she had the day he dragged her out of the sea after her infamous cliff fall. Something about this girl attracted danger and he truly couldn't understand why. He caught Jakes eyes.
"Bella still cold Jake?" he asked as he fiddled again with the old heater, it whined like the old truck engine pushed to the maximum it had nothing more to give. His Alpha gravely nodded
"I can't seem to warm her up Paul" he replied as Bella pulled him closer to her frigid skin. She looked up him but her eyes were still unfocused and dreamy but there was nothing dreamy about the situation it was fast becoming a nightmare. It was then that Jake made his decision
"Take us to Old Quil's place Paul I don't think I can help her on my own." Jacob tightened his hold on her and whispered how much he loved her but she was still unresponsive like she was drugged. He began to wonder if that was indeed the case and that Cullen had in fact drugged her to get her to leave with him "If that son of a bitch has drugged her" he growled out "I'll make him pay with his miserable life"
Paul parked up around the back of the rez shop that the Ateara family owned. He jumped down from the cab and ran around to the passenger side to help Jacob with Bella. As they went inside Paul jogged home he was dog tired. The pull to Bella today was particularly bad but that was most likely due to the danger she had been in. In fact it had been the pull of the imprint that had taken him back to Bella in the first place. Now he needed the comfort of his mate and Leah was waiting at home…
Old Quil was sat quietly reading when the door to his room opened and Jacob carrying Bella strode purposefully in with Joy running behind them all in a fluster
"I'm sorry Dad…" she huffed "Jacob wouldn't wait until I asked you if they could come in" Old Quil looked up at the young Alpha who was clearly distressed about something and from the look of his mate it was all to do with her, such a scenario could make an Alpha very dangerous indeed.
"It's ok daughter." He smiled a little whilst at the same time dismissing her with a flick of his hand "Must be mighty important to bring our young Alpha calling and in such a rush too" Joy backed out but not before throwing Jake a scowl. In her eyes he was still Quil's childhood friend. Old Quil motioned to the empty chair opposite his own
"Sit her down" was all he uttered. Jacob placed Bella in the chair and stood behind it his worried face turned to the old man
"Cullen…" Was all Jacob said. The old man nodded. This was something he had been dreading the return of that family and the effect it would have on Bella Swan despite Jacob claiming her as his mate. He knew she had been deep under the vampires thrall her will power almost broken when fortunately Edward suddenly upped and left her. It had taken months for the influence to wear off and Old Quil wasn't sure how she'd react if they returned and now it would seem they had.
He turned towards Bella who kept her eyes on the floor as she fiddled with her sweatshirt.
"Bella my dear" he began "How are you feeling? She looked up at him with unfocused eyes drawing up her bottom lip she began to nibble on it
"I…I…don't know…"She replied "I feel strange…where am I?" Bella looked around the room seeming to not recognise Old Quil's room despite the number of times she had been there recently. Then a little frown appeared on her pretty face "Jacob…?" She asked her voice shaky. Old Quil reached out for her hands this was worse than he ever imagined but he knew what was wrong…vampire thrall… but why it taken effect again so quickly and so deeply eluded him, Bella appeared to be fighting a losing battle…
"Jacob is here Bella" he soothed as he motioned to Jacob to step around the chair and into Bella's line of sight. She relaxed a little as soon as he lightly stroked the side of her face and whispered her name.Old Quil looked down at the white hands he held in his own he really didn't like how unnaturally cold they felt. Turning her hands palm upwards he rubbed his thumbs over her wrists when…he sat back in his chair with a gasp still holding Bella's left wrist his eyes darted to Jacob then back to the girls pale translucent skin
He didn't want to believe it but there was the undeniable evidence before him Bella Swan had been bitten by a vampire but for some reason she hadn't changed. He ran a finger over the raised silver crescents and noticed the way they shimmered in the light. He gently placed Bella's hand back into her lap and glanced at Jacob. Dread filled Old Quil's heart now he understood why Edwards thrall was so strong. The scar looked like it still held venom and if it did Bella might never be free
"Cullen?" He murmured. Jacob shook his head then glancing at Bella replied
"Another" The old man took a deep breath.
"Take Bella into the kitchen and tell Joy to get her warm, tell her to brew my special tea and make sure Bella drinks all of it" Jacob nodded as he lifted Bella into his arms again "Then come back in here Jacob I need to talk to you alone"
Having settled Bella with Joy Jacob reluctantly left her to return a few moments later. Old Quil motioned to the chair
"Sit young Alpha I have a few questions" The old man sat back in his chair as he waited for Jacob to sit down. "Bella will be fine once she warms up and drinks my tea" he smiled rather wearily "The bite on her wrist you indicated this was not Cullen?" Jacob nodded
"A nomad by the name of James" Jacob began "Some sort of power game, he bit her to torment Edward and the Cullen's destroyed him"
"They did something right at least…"The old man muttered to himself then turning to Jacob added "Bella would have been under this James control, having sired her she would have obeyed his every command you know "The old man sat deep in thought then asked "So why didn't Bella turn…? Legend says the bitten victim either becomes vampire or dies once it begins the process cannot be stopped"
"Edward…" Jacob ground out the vampire's name "He sucked the venom from her blood until it was clean and before the venom had a chance to do its worst" His wolf gnashed his teeth at the thought of Cullen drinking Bella's blood. Old Quil looked even more alarmed as he processed what Jacob had said
"I'm surprised he found the will power to stop drinking her blood" He took a deep breath "But this gives us even more problems young Alpha. There are two important factors at play. From what I could see the scar tissue is vampire" he paused as his eyes met Jacob's "I'm sorry but there is no doubt the process of turning had begun even though Cullen eventually stopped it"
Jacob who had been pacing the floor looked startled for a few moments this was something he had not expected to hear but he couldn't deny what Old Quil had said he had touched the scar tissue himself and it was always cold to the touch…
"The second important factor…" Old Quil continued "Is I believe venom still exists in Bella's body maybe within the scar tissue itself or in her blood stream either way it's not good" Jacob sat down with a thump this was grave news
"Can she still turn?" He asked. The old man shook his head much to Jake's relief
"Not enough venom for that thank the spirits and I have to emphasise it's only a theory Jacob" The old man closed his eyes for a few moments "But I believe it's still there because it explains why the vampires are so attracted to her and why she has fallen so deeply and easily under Cullen's thrall again." Jacob rubbed a large hand across his face as the old man continued this was indeed a fucking nightmare… when would they ever get a break? He thought
"But the venom is not the only problem" Old Quil huffed "All vampires are attracted to the living and not just to feast on their blood" Jacob looked puzzled "They seek the spark of life young Alpha, something they no longer possess, something we call a soul…" The old man sighed loudly "That and the fact he has tasted her blood makes Cullen extremely dangerous. He will never leave her alone until he makes her his" A blood curdling snarl ripped through Jacobs body and he struggled to keep the wolf under control
"I'll kill him before he touches a hair on her head" He growled as he looked at Old Quil "Is there anything we can do to cure her… please there must be something?"
"I believe you have two choices Young Alpha" the Old man replied "Destroy Cullen but Bella will always remain vulnerable to vampires or…" He hesitated the wolf could clearly be seen in Jacobs eyes "Claim Bella"
"I already have…" Jacob sighed "She is my chosen mate"
"Mark her Jacob it's the only way" Old Quil sat back in his chair
"No I will not do that!" Jacob roared "It's barbaric and dangerous!" Jacob's eyes were lupine now the wolf desperately wanting the man to listen to Old Quil he was an old spirit and he knew what the old man said was true. "Besides" Jacob continued "It's a practice that is banned…taboo…you of all people know this" He took a deep steading breath as watched the old man's reaction
"It's not allowed because it's powerful magic Jacob. You have claimed your mate now the wolf must claim her too." Jacob shifted in his seat he wasn't happy with this advice Jeez hadn't Bella suffered enough without having him hurt her more he thought
"But the council" Jacob began "They imposed the ban and I doubt they would give permission Bella is not tribe"
"You are Alpha and one day you will be Chief" Old Quil replied "You tell them what to do not the other way around besides when you claimed Bella as your mate you effectively married her" He smiled at Jacob "That makes her tribe Jacob" Jake sat back in his seat his hand pushing his long hair out of his eyes
"I still don't like it" He huffed "There must have been a good reason for the Council to ban marking it hasn't been done in a long while"
"True…" Old Quil replied "It is dangerous Jacob and I will not lie to you for Bella it holds even more danger especially with venom in her body" Jacob stood again and began pacing the room his hand raked through his hair…
"I can't believe you would have me do something that could bring her harm!" Jacob looked incredulously at the old man "Are you saying she could die?" he held his breath please don't let that be the case he thought
"Yes there is a chance" The old man sighed "But if you do not take action Jacob Bella's future maybe sealed, vampires will always find her, she is in grave danger from Cullen and one day he may succeed in turning her" The old man's answer cut Jacob to the core. His wolf howled in response…for the first time since becoming Alpha Jacob didn't have a clue what to do…
AN: So the wolfs out the bag and Charlie knows, Seth is at the clinic and Bella is safe for now…but what is Jacob going to do that is the big question?
Till next time xoxo