Bella's POV

I was cuddled up with Edward on the floor of his bedroom. He didn't have a bed, so this was the best we could do. I didn't mind. The last thing I was worried about right now was the physical comfort of a bed.

I had calmed quite a bit since leaving Billy's. I was no longer in danger of phasing. Edward had that effect on me. He was the thing that always kept me the most calm. But that didn't mean I wasn't still really upset by everything that had happened tonight. Actually, make that everything that had happened in the last few days.

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong, Love? I know something must have happened for Sam to free you from his order tonight?" Edward said. I hadn't told him yet what happened.

I took a deep breath and released it. "There was a meeting tonight with the council."

Edward frowned. "Why weren't Alice and I called?"

"We decided that imprints wouldn't go to this meeting. We were all really angry, especially Jake and me. Sam and I both worried that something might happen. We didn't wanna chance it. The elders weren't thrilled, but we didn't really care. It's a good thing we didn't let any of you come. It got heated," I told him.

"What happened?" Edward asked.

"Well, Billy decided he was going to tell everyone about the connection between the two of us and then to try to explain away keeping silent about it. I was not moved by it and neither was Jacob. Actually, the whole Pack regarded Billy coldly. Harry and Old Quil weren't thrilled either. Harry was angry at Billy's betrayal of Charlie," I said. I actually appreciated that. I was glad that my father still had Harry as a loyal friend. "Old Quil was pissed at Billy for creating me. He basically accused me of being a plague on the tribe."

Edward released a low growl, expressing his displeasure for what Old Quil had to say. "You were right, Bella. It is a good thing I did not attend."

"Yeah. No one else was happy either. Sam had to stop the others from attacking Quil. Even Paul was ready to phase and take a bite out of him." Paul's defense of me still unnerved me. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate it. It was just kind of weird coming from him, and honestly, I missed the relationship we used to have. Yes, our relationship was volatile a lot of the time, but other than when he was calling Edward names, I enjoyed it. It was just the way we were with each other.

"Paul cares about you, even if he won't admit it. I'd say that the two of you have the kind of relationship that Rosalie and I have. Most of the time we want to kill each other, but we would both tear apart anyone who hurt the other," Edward said.

I nodded after a minute. "Yeah. If anyone hurt Paul, I would kill them. Anyway, Sam managed to stop them from attacking, though he leveled his own threat at the old man."

"Well, I can see why you are so upset," Edward said.

I laughed humorlessly. "Oh, no, Edward. That's not why I'm so upset. It certainly didn't help any, but it got worse from there. Apparently Billy decided to go from one extreme to another."

"What do you mean?" Edward asked.

"He wants me to take Sam's spot in the Pack. He wants me to be Alpha," I told him.

"What?" Edward asked surprised.

"Yeah. You know that Jacob was supposed to become Alpha after he phased and was ready to take on the role. Well, Billy's saying that it's not Jacob's after all. He says that because I'm older, it belongs to me. Old Quil then got involved again. Needless to say, he doesn't want me to become Alpha. By then, I was seconds from phasing. Sam told me to go and lifted his order for the night," I explained.

Edward huffed angrily. "Billy should not have put this on you so soon."

"Billy doesn't give a damn about me, Edward. He kept me his dirty little secret so he could save his marriage. He wouldn't even have told me if it weren't for you. Hell, he didn't tell me. He probably would've tried to find a way to put you off again after Jacob phased. But now that the secret's out, he wants me to be Alpha because it's good for the tribe. Nothing he's done my entire life has been about me," I said bitterly. I couldn't help it. I loved Charlie very much and he'd always be my dad, but I couldn't help but feel hurt that Billy had showed so little regard for me my entire life.

"Well, it doesn't matter what Billy wants. What do you want? Do you want to be Alpha?" Edward asked.

"No. I'm very well aware of the burden Sam carries by being Alpha. That's not something I want. I'm barely eighteen. I've only been a wolf for a few months. But Sam had no time. He didn't have anyone to lead him until he was ready. He had to be Alpha right away," I said. I felt bad for Sam. He hadn't asked for this anymore than the rest of us had. It was forced on him, as was being Alpha. It wouldn't be forced on me. I knew that. Billy and Old Quil could fight all they wanted, but I didn't have to comply. Sam would see to that. He would make it clear that it was my choice. But it seemed unfair to make him do that. The responsibility was naturally mine. It wasn't fair for me to make Sam keep it.

"You are considering doing this for Sam," Edward said. It wasn't a question.

"It's not Sam's. He doesn't deserve to have to carry the responsibility forever. He should be able to stop phasing and settle down with Emily when and if he chooses. He shouldn't have to take on my obligations," I said. I didn't wanna be Alpha. I didn't want that responsibility. Not to mention that by taking it, I would be acknowledging the Blacks as my family and I didn't want Billy for my family.

"It's not your obligation, Bella," Edward said.

"Yeah, it is. Maybe it shouldn't be, but it is. It makes more sense for me to take it anyway. I'll never stop phasing," I said. Edward would live forever. I wanted to live forever with him.

"Bella, do not make this decision tonight. You need to talk to Sam. He may not see it the way you do," Edward said.

"Yes, he does. He'll never say it because he won't want me take it on for him, but he does. But I will talk to Sam. I'll talk to him tomorrow. Right now I just want to sleep here with you," I said as I cuddled up further into his arms.

Nothing else was said between us. Edward enclosed his arms around me and soon I began to drift off.