A/N: Might not get another chapter out til after the weekend, but then again, getting so many reviews coming through makes me write even faster, so who knows. I love all of the regulars and welcome to new readers and reviewers!
Disclaimer: I make no claims to Twilight, but this crazy plot is my own, and I'm thinking of copyrighting Super Alpha!
"What?" Jake and I said simultaneously.
Billy's face was severe as he turned to us. "We are going to have some company in a bit, can I get some clothes on before this all starts".
Jake and I followed him through to his room and worked in silence to get him organised. My mind was buzzing. Uley…as in Sam Uley? Who was Michael then? What relation to Sam was he? If he was a relation then there was no doubt about it, my instincts were right, he was a wolf, or had been a wolf…oh God, I know that when they change they accelerate their aging, hit their late twenties or so and then stop, was that it, was this guy frozen in time and some hundred year old version? No, tell me he couldn't be…could he be Sam's dad or something gross, had Leah just made out with her ex-boyfriend's dad or something?
As Billy was finishing getting dressed I heard the front door open and went out to the hall. Harry had arrived with an elderly female and another man. I assumed both of them were Elders. Jake and Billy came out and we all moved to the front room. Jake nodded to Harry and greeted the female as Ms Stillwell, I realised this must be the teacher Jake was working with on the history.
As I watched Jake move into the room I realised the difference in him now, when he was around the Elders he stood tall, he looked attentive, professional and quite formidable. The Elders greeted him in a very respectful and traditional manner, as if he was a lot older. I suppose for most purposes other than school he was treated as if he was in his late twenties now. It made me feel very young and naïve in comparison. I sat and listened quietly as he interacted with them.
Jake's voice was stern and powerful when he spoke. "Who is Michael and why is he known to us?"
Harry began slowly, almost apologetically. "As you were informed, the families of the last pack were split by the imprinting and three of the first wives left". Jake nodded, I opened my mouth and then closed it again, wow, ok that was a big bit of history someone hadn't told me about yet.
"Of the children who were removed from the reservation, most of the daughters eventually found themselves back within the tribe often through marriage, although unaware of their history due to their ages when they were taken away and the restriction that was placed on their knowledge of their fathers. They live side by side with their own kin in ignorance. The mothers are our kin but we are forbidden by the agreement to reveal this to them, even though their sons are now aware of their genetic links to the pack".
Jake was nodding his head solemnly. Harry continued "The sons did not return, their children and grandchildren are the 'potentials' we monitor. There were two Uley boys who were taken away, Embry's father and Michael's father".
I sat there trying to work it out and piped up "So Michael is Sam's…cousin?" Family trees had never been my strength and this was extremely complicated.
Ms Stillwell turned to me, "That is correct beloved of Alpha, Michael and Sam have the same grandfather". Her face was stern as she spoke, ok I guess that trying to convince her to call me Bella would be a fruitless exercise.
She continued "Michael and his family lived out of state, when his grandmother, the first wife of Uley, became ill, Michael moved to her reservation to help care for her because of his training. We thought nothing of it as their reservation is quite a way from here, so there was no real chance of exposure. However, he took a few shifts at Forks hospital to help with the bills."
I raised my hand to my mouth "Carlisle!" Ms Stillwell raised her eyebrows and frowned "He was exposed to that Doctor without our knowledge" she placed the emphasis on the 'Doctor' as if she was unhappy that I had used his name. "His Elders summoned us when he began the accelerated growth however they disagreed with some people's proposal to move him here and allow his transformation to take place."
Billy sighed deeply at this point, "Yes Hannah, and the alternative has worked out just splendidly hasn't it!" The hostility in his tone surprised me, but Ms Stillwell merely tutted and resumed speaking.
"The Healer was confident that the transformation could be arrested if he was not exposed again and if he remained unaware of what he was, Michael was prohibited from returning to the hospital and was informed that he had contracted an infectious condition from his grandmother and must remain in isolation with her. They were moved to a remote reservation which had been vacated some years back. Michael underwent a complex set of treatments designed to calm and control him".
Billy cut in again, his face angry and his jaw set "Load of hocus pocus, they drugged him until he was out of it, that's not treatment, it's not a condition that can be cured!"
Jake stood up abruptly and Billy fell silent. He strode across the room and perched on the arm of couch next to me, he took my hand in his. As he did so I realised how much he was shaking. He was furious. I stood up quickly and came around him to stand behind him. I wrapped my arm around him, laying my hand over his heart and pressed myself against his back tucking my head onto his shoulder. With my hand in his I began to rub my thumb gently across the back of his hand.
I felt his breathing slow to match mine and I concentrated on taking slow deep breaths, in and out, 'calm blue ocean' as Renee used to say. When he spoke his voice was clipped and controlled.
"Was Sam aware of this?" around the room heads shook, all eyes were cast down to the floor, the Elders, Billy and Harry included clearly realising how angry they had made their Alpha. I felt a twitch in Jake's body as he uttered "Sam, come here, now".
Nobody spoke, I breathed in and out, feeling Jake match me every time. Sam rushed through the door minutes later. He took in the scene before him, his eyes widening as they met mine. "What happened?" Sam couldn't take his eyes off us. I realised it was the same expression that he had given me when I ordered to leave me with Jake after the attack on Leah. He seemed genuinely uncomfortable with me being in close proximity to Jake when he was upset, didn't he understand that it calmed him?
Jake turned to Sam, his grip on my hand tightening. "We have another brother, one whose transformation was interfered with and who is unaware of who he is. I have never supported a transformation, you have always been the guide".
Ms Stillwell stood up and began shouting "It doesn't have to be this way, leave him alone, let him have a normal life, stop damning him to your existence".
I gasped and gripped Jake with all my might. I felt the ripple run through him and moved round in front of him as Sam came to my side but I wouldn't let him interfere. I gripped Jake's face and locked his eyes "Stay with me baby" I whispered. Jake's eyes focussed on mine, he nodded and took a few deep breaths.
He looked now at the Elders, including this woman who was rapidly wearing my patience. "Would you prefer we left him alone, and then one night at the hospital he gets hit by a drunk, or has to treat a child who has been abused, or a woman that's been beaten by her husband? Would you prefer that we wait until the anger comes over him that no drug can sedate him from and he phases then and there in the hospital? Would you prefer that? This man is no longer alone in the middle of nowhere, he is right here on your doorstep, treating my wife and dating your daughter".
Oh no! I clapped my hand over my mouth as shocked sounds went through the room. Talk about jumping the gun, we are not married yet and Leah's only just met the guy! We really need to have a talk about discussing future concepts using the present tense.
The other man, who hadn't spoken up til now or even introduced himself stood up. "This is no longer a decision for the Elders, nor should anything relating to the potentials be from this day on. The pack will decide and so shall it be. It is time for us to leave Hannah". He gripped the annoying woman's arm and steered her towards the door.
Sam was the one who was shaking now "What are you talking about?"
I stepped between them, "Look, who he might possibly end up dating is not the most important issue at the moment".
Sam was looking fearsome now. "Jake, you have to bind her, keep her away from him, it's not safe".
Jake moved past me, standing directly in front of Sam. "Sam, we bind the new wolves to protect their loved ones from their anger. Leah will be in no more danger from Michael than she is from me or any of the rest of the pack. There will be no bind".
Sam began to shake, at the same moment Paul walked through the door, swinging the keys to my truck. I had completely forgotten that I had left it at his house. It took him just a split second to evaluate what was happening and he dropped the keys and wrapped his arms around Sam from the back.
Paul was looking around the room, trying to understand what the situation was. Jake spoke gravely "Sam, tell me honestly, will you guide our brother as he deserves?"
Sam twisted in Paul's arms as Jake stared at him, Jake's hand was holding Sam's face, locking his eyes. I couldn't help myself "Sam, he's your cousin, you have to help Michael".
Paul's jaw dropped "Nurse dude Michael? From the hospital? Leah's man-candy?" Sam's whole body seemed to collapse. He dropped to the floor. Jake knelt before him.
"Brother, I do not understand your fight, but I will not allow you any further involvement until this has been dealt with. Go home to your imprint and think on your actions tonight". Jake was quiet, but his tone on the word imprint was disapproving and Sam's head hung low.
Sam dragged himself out the door. Everyone in the room was quiet. Jake turned to Paul. "You have spent time with Michael will you come with me in the morning to see him?" I tapped his arm, "What about school?" I said raising my eyebrows.
He kissed me on the forehead "We will both be at your house for tutoring later, won't we Paul?" Paul nodded and shot me a smile. I smiled back. "Just think Paul, if I hadn't fallen off the tree stump today we wouldn't have found a new wolf".
Jake's eyes narrowed "Paul, remind me to talk to you in the morning about letting her fall off tree stumps". Paul looked concerned, then Jake punched him in the shoulder, "Dude, that was just too easy!" Paul looked surprised, then relieved.
Jake turned back to Billy and Harry, his shoulders tensed "No more secrets, are we agreed?" They both nodded but as Jake turned away, I caught a flash of guilt in Billy's eyes. I stared at him, my eyes widening. Surely not…what else was he keeping from Jake? He caught my stare and looked to the floor.
"Jake, I'm going to get Billy settled in before getting home ok?" Jake nodded and turned to Billy but didn't look at him, "I'm going to head up to Bella's with her for a bit. I need a bit of space to deal with all of this". Billy nodded and let me wheel him to his room.
I hissed quietly in his ear "Please God Billy, tell me you are not keeping anything else from him?"
Billy's forehead crumpled "Bella please, not tonight…I'll tell him, when it's time"
"Are you going to hurt him like you did today?" I whispered, I loved Billy, but my allegiance sat firmly with Jake. I was shocked and disappointed with the things I had heard tonight.
Billy shook his head, "It's nothing bad, I promise, I'm not even sure I'm right, it's just a hunch, it's just not the right time to say anything, he'll figure it out for himself if it's the case".
He squeezed my hand as I helped him into bed. "You know Bella, you looked just like my mother in there, holding him like that, you will do him proud".
I gently kissed the top of his head as I pulled the covers up. I know that Jake was disappointed that he had kept this from him, and to a degree so was I, but I was sure that by the morning, everything would look better.
Jake had driven in silence. He seemed so confused, so overwhelmed. We walked without speaking, into the house holding hands. Charlie was watching TV, he clicked it off when he saw Jake's face.
"What's up son?" Charlie asked. Jake sat down on the couch and rubbed his hand through his hair. I went into the kitchen and started pulling together some sandwiches.
"Just had a bit of a disagreement with Dad and the Elders about some Council stuff. I know what you said, but would it be ok for me to be here for a bit, I'd be gone by morning if you wanted?"
I nearly sliced through my hand as I cut the bread. How was it that Jake could talk so easily about things with Charlie? I would have probably collapsed with embarassment if I had asked.
I thought that was it until Jake spoke again. I nearly passed out cold as I heard what he said, "to be honest with you I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep this up". I could hardly get the breath out, keep what up?
"Dad's given her the girl's room, so she can move some stuff in". I put my hand over my mouth. "No, sorry Charlie, that's a lie, he's given US the girl's room". I breathed out again trying to be really quiet.
I heard Charlie twist in his seat. "Don't push me on this Jake. She's still my baby girl, beloved or not". Charlie got out of the chair and walked out to the door. I heard him open and close it then come back to Jake.
"You might as well keep hold of this key though, probably shouldn't keep it over the door anyway, that Jared ate all my chips today."
I walked in and put a plate in front of each of them, my eyes wide as Jake slid the key into the pocket of his shorts. I sat down and grabbed a sandwich from Jake's plate as Charlie clicked the TV back on. I curled up against his side and he wrapped his arm around me. Part of me wanted to say something to these men who seemed quite happy calling me 'wife' and openly discussing my sleeping arrangements, but I had absolutely no idea where to begin. I decided just to watch TV instead, let's leave it for tomorrow.