Back to the Beginning
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews.
Part Thirty Five
Bella held onto Jacob's hand tightly as they faced Victoria and Riley. Amy's body had already been removed from the scene. Her final death mask had been a sickening sight to behold. Even in death her face still registered hatred. The wolf pack surrounded their leader and his mate. Just because the vampires had helped end their joint nemesis, it didn't mean that the two cold ones were now considered friends. They would always remain an enemy and a threat to the human race as a whole. Jacob mulled over what to do. He didn't want to attack Riley, especially. The newborn had been nothing but helpful to his cause. Victoria was another matter altogether, her sordid history spoke for itself. But despite this Jacob couldn't discount what she had done. It was a conundrum that was proving difficult to fix. It wasn't as if he could negotiate a treaty with them. He doubted Victoria would comply and agree to change her ways.
"It seems we all got we wanted." Victoria stated clearly as a sly smile crossed her face.
"So it seems." Jacob replied carefully. "But the question is what you plan to do now."
Victoria's eyes flicked to Bella, who thus far had remained silent. Her expression became thoughtful, calculating. "That is none of your business."
"I think it is." Jacob's voice became hard. He stepped defensively in front of Bella, shielding her from the red head's view. "I don't like you. I don't like what you are. Everything about you sickens me. You are selfish to the core. You only helped us to get what you wanted. You had no compunction in risking Bella's life over and over to achieve your aims. In this life you didn't go as far as sacrificing innocents to get what you wanted, but that was only because of Bella. We all know how far you would have gone to save your lover."
Victoria hissed. She hunkered down, her arms braced as if she was going to attack. Jacob's words had angered her. Almost immediately Riley placed a gentle hand on Victoria's shoulder. "Easy now, my darling." He soothed her. Victoria's top lip curled backwards but she listened to Riley and stood down. "You owe us, Jacob Black." Riley pointed out easily. "You owe us free passage off your lands."
"Yes, but how long until you return." Jacob retorted. He had to admit Riley impressed him. For a newborn vampire he had exemplary control. More so than his wild mate. Riley also seemed to have control over Victoria. The more feral vampire respected her lover enough to take heed of his advice. In the long run who knew how much influence that Riley could exert over the impetuous red head? But still, this didn't negate the fact that they were both killers.
"We promise to avoid these lands." Riley continued nonchalantly as if it was no big deal.
"Your word is not good enough." Jacob growled.
"I have nothing else to offer you." Riley hushed Victoria, who was getting riled up again. "This area was once my home. My family still resides here. My sister…." Pain crossed Riley's face. It made him look more human. "My memories have faded, but I still remember Sophie. I still remember the feelings of love I held for her before…." He sighed heavily as he noticed Victoria scowling. "I don't regret what I am now." He was saying that to reassure his mate more than anything else. "But I won't risk being around the place where she still lives. I don't want any harm to come to her." He stood resolute. His eyes locked with Victoria's. "I will never come back to this area and neither will she. Will you my darling?" Riley stroked Victoria's face lovingly. She gave a subtle shake of her head as she continued to gaze into his eyes.
Jacob glanced at Bella and then behind him at his pack. This was ultimately his decision. He was wavering. He could tell that Bella was swayed by Riley's sweet words. The vampire had never done anything to directly harm Bella, unlike his mate. But Riley did seem to have an extraordinary amount of control over Victoria. She loved him. Maybe that was what Jacob had to trust in. He would never be able to change their natures. They were what they were. He felt Bella squeeze his fingers, showing her silent support. He returned the pressure gently showing he understood. "You can go." He said eventually, he was directing his words to Riley. "But if I get the smallest hint that you've double crossed me and been within a hairs breadth of my lands, then I'll not hesitate to kill you."
Victoria snarled at Jacob, but Riley quietened her. "It will never happen." He said quietly.
"My pack will escort you off the reservation. I suggest you run, and run fast." Jacob commanded. He motioned for the gathered wolves to begin the chase. Almost at once Riley and Victoria sped off, their forms a blur. The wolf pack was hot on their heels. Soon they disappeared within the trees and were out of sight.
"Are you okay?" Bella asked in concern. She could sense that Jacob was conflicted about his decision.
"Did I do the right thing?" Jacob questioned. His handsome face was troubled.
Bella reached up and cupped his face between her hands. She drew his head closer to hers. "Yes." She stated firmly so that the lingering doubt was extinguished in his mind. "You did the right thing."
Jacob smiled in relief. "I love you, so much."
"Love you more." Bella returned his smile before closing her eyes and kissing him.
Two months later;
Life was certainly a lot quieter over the intervening months. The stresses and strains of the previous weeks were replaced with different ones. Now the threat of Amy was gone, life returned to normal. Or what could be described as normal if you discounted the supernatural element. Jacob and Bella were forced to deal with the mundane issue of their education. Neither was willing to sacrifice much of their free time sitting in front of their computers doing endless assignments. Charlie and Billy were adamant though. In order to secure their future, both of them needed to graduate. It wasn't only them who were forced back to school. Seth had to return to mainstream education, much to his chagrin. Being the youngest shifter put him at a disadvantage. The other members of the wolf pack were doing similar courses as Bella and Jacob in order to graduate. They had missed too much schooling to return to the tribal school like Seth. Patrolling at odd hours took up too much of their time.
Bella found a part time job at the diner to supplement her income, while Jacob had begun to fix up old cars. He bought them at cost price, fixed them up, and then moved them on. He made a small profit each time and he began to save. He still spent each night with Bella. Billy certainly knew when Bella stayed over, but he refrained from commenting. Charlie on the other hand didn't know when Jacob snuck in his house at night. Or at least he pretended not to. Sometimes Bella was certain he wasn't as ignorant as led her to believe if the disapproving looks he gave Jacob occasionally weren't evidence enough. It was obvious how close they were. In fact the Chief's house had become like a second base for the wolf pack. Often Charlie would come home from a long day at work to find his kitchen overrun by Jacob and his buddies. His daughter would be presiding over the chaos going on in his kitchen with ease, as if feeding a group of humungous guys, plus Leah Clearwater, came naturally.
Despite huffing about it on occasion, Charlie didn't really mind. He could see the change in his daughter. It was like she had adopted an unruly bunch of boys and was trying to nurture them. He had to concede that coming home to find his house packed to the rafters gave it life. Often Billy was in the midst of the chaos, Harry too. And wherever his two best friends were, you could guarantee Charlie would be by their sides. So as eclectic as it sounded, this mishmash of people began to morph into what could be described as the perfect family unit. It was odd to be sure, but for them it worked. And Bella thrived on it.
One night Jacob and Bella were returning from a night out. As they often did these days they had been on a double date with Leah and Sam. The four of them were a tight knit unit. They had been to see a live band in Port Angeles. It was quite late. Everyone was staying over at the Black's. With Emily still firmly entrenched at the Clearwater's, none of them wanted to risk Sam crossing her path. It was still a sad indictment of the fear that still resided in all of them about imprinting. Sam was still unwilling to test whether Jacob's theory was correct, that now he was Alpha, Sam's latent imprint with Emily would be nullified.
Quil had texted Jacob letting him know that he and Embry would meet up with them. As Sam drove his truck down the dirt track leading to the Black's, they saw Jacob's wingmen waiting on the front porch. Sam parked up and they all climbed out. Jacob hailed his best friends, grinning. Bella laughed as she watched the man she loved bomb toward his best friends and engage in a mock fight with them. It was times like these that served to remind her how young they all still were. Sam strolled behind Bella, his arm around Leah. He shook his head at his brother's antics. Leah just smirked. She had seen this so many times before.
They were all so preoccupied having fun that none of them heard another vehicle coming down the dirt track. Jacob and his friends were making so much noise as they fought in his front yard that they were creating quite a racket. Billy had come outside to yell at his son to keep the noise levels down. It was only as the lights of the vehicle flashed around the bend in the dirt track that everyone turned around to look. Leah immediately froze as she recognised the car. It was Emily's. She felt a lump lodge in her throat as she stared at her cousin. Emily had parked the car and was in the midst of climbing out. She wasn't alone. She had her sister and niece with her.
"Oh, shit." Jacob cursed. His eyes sought Bella's. They looked at each for a long moment before they both sprang into action. Jacob hurried over to Sam, who seemed rooted to the spot. He was like a rabbit caught in the headlights of an approaching car. Leah was practically hyperventilating. "Sam, move." Jacob snapped at his beta.
Sam was startled into life. He whipped around, trying to avoid looking in Emily's direction. Emily was calling out a greeting to her cousin, eager to introduce her sister to the others present. Little Claire was crying, obviously overtired because it was so late. "I've been waiting for ages to show my niece off. You're always out, Lee." She scolded her cousin. Her tone didn't hide the hurt. "Well I've tracked you down now."
Leah couldn't form words. All her nightmares were coming into play all at once. She felt sick. She leaned against Bella for support. Jacob was trying to steer Sam out of harm's way. Uley wasn't the only problem. Quil was nearby. What if he made eye contact with the bawling youngster? Claire had her long hair done up in two long braids. Her chubby cheeks glistened with tears.
"Perhaps you should take her inside the house." Bella suggested desperately. She wanted to get Emily and her relatives out of the sight of Sam and Quil. But Emily wouldn't be swayed. She was still trying to get her cousin's attention and was pouting now.
Quil decided to make a run for it. With his head down so he wouldn't make eye contact with anyone he charged forward. But in his haste he barrelled right into Sam. They both staggered, bumping into Emily who was standing in front of Leah. Sam jolted away from Emily as if he had been electrocuted. He inadvertently raised his eyes to look toward Leah, but made eye contact with Emily instead. He stilled, a horrified expression crossing his face as he realised what he had done. Emily was staring back at him, frowning. There was a long moment of silence broken only by a quiet sob from Leah.
Then slowly Emily's gaze slid away from Sam. She turned her attention to Quil. His head was still down. "You stupid ass. Look where you're going. You could have knocked my niece over." Emily bypassed Sam as if he didn't exist and slapped Quil on the arm. He raised his head in surprise, looking directly into Emily's eyes. Emily's mouth snapped shut as she stared back at him, confusion written all over her face.
"Mommy." Claire said loudly, breaking the tense silence. "Why is Auntie Em looking at the silly boy?" She was twirling one of her plaits around her finger. She was no longer crying but gazing at her Aunt with interest.
Leah was breathing easier again. Sam had regained his composure. His face broke out into a relieved smile. It hadn't happened. He had looked into Emily's eyes and he was fine. He ran over to Leah and planted a smacker on her lips, causing everyone to look their way, except for Quil and Emily, who were still gazing at each other as if no one else existed.
A/N-thanks for reading!