Chapter Twenty Six

Charlie

I was stunned by Jasper's words, he'd been responsible for the transformation or death of thousands? Peter smiled at me,

"He's turned over a new leaf Charlie. Bella's the first human he's changed since he left Maria."

"Maria?"

Bella took a seat beside me as he told me his story and I guess as it unfolded I started to feel sorry for this young man who had joined up to fight for what he believed was right and ended up as a monster moulded by his creator. How he'd broken away I had no idea but I guessed it had taken nerves of steel and an iron determination.

"And now you only hunt animals?"

"Yes, it's easier for me."

"Don't you crave human blood any longer?"

"Every day Charlie, but its the price I pay each time I kill a human that's the overriding incentive to stick to animals."

When he'd finished explaining his gift to me I wondered that he had survived the torture, it also gave me something else to consider, how overwhelming the urge to feed on human blood might be. Bella explained that she coped fine on animal blood but as Peter pointed out that was because she had never tasted human blood or felt the satisfaction of a thirsty quenched as a result of it. They were quite open about everything, talking of human versus animal blood as if comparing cuts of meat in a butchers window.

Bella

I wasn't sure what Charlie would decide but least he wasn't missing from my life. When he flew back to Forks I missed him and selfishly I hoped he would choose to join us. Peter meanwhile was more concerned about the Quileutes,

"Bella they wont like the idea of Charlie even considering becoming a vampire. If he gives them the slightest hint that's what's on his mind they may act to stop him."

"You mean hold him hostage?"

"No, I mean kill him. To them it would be preferable to him becoming a vampire."

I worried about this so much that in the end Jasper offered to take me back to Forks to check on him, guard him if necessary, but Peter pointed out that if they saw me it would be like a red rag to a bull so he and Charlotte volunteered to go instead. I felt happier once they'd left despite talking to my dad every day. He told me Harry and Billy had asked him for another meeting and he'd agreed as it might be the last time he ever saw them, it sounded like he had more or less made his mind up to join us.

"Are you sure its a good idea to meet them dad? Please don't tell them what you are thinking about."

"Bells I won't. I'm not a complete idiot, besides I've got Peter on my tail all day."

Peter

Like Bella I wasn't happy about this meeting but Charlie was all grown up and made his own decisions. I did point out that I couldn't protect him while he was on the Res and he accepted that but then he'd known them since they were all small, they'd grown up together and Billy and Harry were his best friends. I went as far as the boundary with him,

"I'll be here waiting when you come back, be careful Charlie. Don't tell them anything if you can avoid it."

He nodded with a smile and I knew he didn't realize how dangerous this visit could turn out to be. As soon as he was out of sight I found a comfortable perch in the trees where I could see the road again almost into the village watching his cruiser disappear. I had a bad feeling about this so I took out my phone and rang The Major.

"Peter? What's wrong?"

"Nothing yet, but my radar is pinging off the scale"

"Where's Charlie?"

"Just gone to the Res"

"Do you think something's going to happen to him?"

"Fucked if I know, but there's trouble for someone and its coming fast."

"You're in place, do whatever you think is best but Peter..."

"Yeah?"

"Don't put yourself or Charlotte in danger"

"I hear you Major"

As I cut the connection I was glad I'd sent Charlotte to hunt, if there was going to be trouble I didn't want her in the middle of it, especially if the wolves were involved.

Charlie

I pulled up outside Billy's and got out cautiously, I could feel eyes on me and I was more spooked here than I had been at Peters. I looked around but I couldn't see anyone so shrugging the feeling off I went to the door and knocked.

"Come in Charlie."

I went in and found Billy wasn't alone, not that I thought he would be but I wasn't prepared for the sight that met my eyes. The full council of elders had squeezed into the small cabin along with Sam and Jake. I turned round to shut the door and found my back covered by four huge wolves, so I'd been right I had been watched.

"Sit down Charlie. You know everyone here so I don't need to perform any introductions"

I nodded to him and sat down in the only vacant chair which was a little removed from the rest of the circle and I felt like I was in a court room as the accused.

Billy sat back in his chair very straight-faced and I knew they were aware of something, but what? Did they know Bella had become a vampire? Or were they concerned I was thinking about joining her? I wouldn't say anything, let them tell me what was going on.

"Charlie we have heard a disturbing rumour"

"Really, so that's why the full council is here?"

"Yes Charlie. This is a very serious matter involving our greatest enemies, the cold ones."

"You mean the Cullens?"

"In part. Our very existence is bound up with the cold ones. Our young men only phase into wolves because the cold ones are around. We protect the tribe and to an extent the humans. It is our intervention that has stopped the human population around here from being attacked."

"Really? The Cullens would be hunting humans if not for the wolves?"

"Not exactly but we do insist on the treaty being adhered to and we think it has been broken."

So this was about Bella!

"Meaning what?"

"One of the Cullens has bitten a human"

"Which one?"

"Jasper Hale, one of Carlisle Cullen's foster children"

"I see, and why are you telling me about this? It's not something the law could do anything about."

"Are you telling us you aren't aware of what has been done to Bella? Your own daughter?"