Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, but Carlisle Cullen owns me.

Run

Carlisle Cullen's Point of View

Edward and Esme showed up at the house a couple of hours after Bella left. I came downstairs to greet them, and Esme wrapped me up in a hard embrace.

"Esme, darling," I murmured, holding her tightly. I pulled back and put a hand to her cheek. "I haven't had a chance to thank you for all you've done to help Bella."

"It was my pleasure," she smiled. "If you need anything at all, you just tell me."

Edward nodded toward the back yard. "Sam's gone," he noted.

"Yes, I heard him leave shortly after Bella did. I hope he takes the time to get some rest."

"He's fascinating, Carlisle," Edward said, moving to the kitchen and holding a chair out for Esme at the table. "He's dropped his guard a little, and I've gotten a look at his mind. He's not as different from Levi as he thinks he is."

"Really? What makes you say that?"

"For one, he has excellent control of his temper. There was a . . . a mishap, I suppose, and he hurt someone he cared about. It seems to have galvanized his self-control."

I nodded slowly. "Levi was always the coolest head of the pack."

Edward laughed drily. "I can't count the number of times he kept Ephraim from ripping your limbs off."

"I miss that man," I murmured nostalgically. "Ephraim Black was like no one I have ever known."

"Jacob seems to have a lot of Ephraim in him. Anyway, I thought so while we were here speaking with Charlie. Bella's lucky to have a friend as good-hearted as he is."

I frowned. I was a little uncomfortable discussing Jacob Black just now, knowing that Bella was spending the day with him instead of me. "Tell me more about Sam."

"He imprinted."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? Already?"

"Her name is Emily Young. As a matter of fact, she's the reason he keeps himself so carefully under control."

"No," I breathed sadly. "He hurt his mate?"

Edward nodded solemnly. "It's been really hard on him. He's the only wolf this generation, at least so far, so there are no steadying influences around him. Our old boy Quil noticed the signs and tried to help him through it, but Sam was pretty shaken."

"Interesting."

"I asked him to show me what it was like when he met Emily. It's . . . jarring. These wolf boys, they get it all at once."

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

He drummed his fingers on the tabletop, trying to figure out how to phrase things. "For most vampires, it seems that we feel that initial jolt fairly strongly, but then over the next few months the bond builds and the relationship matures into one very similar to what the wolves get when they imprint." He furrowed his brow. "Sometimes the connection is slow in coming, like it was with Rose an Emmett, and sometimes it's very powerful and very sudden, like with Alice and Jasper. But I've never seen a Vampire mind where the entire mating process was completed in just the first moments of meeting." He shook his head in bewilderment. "Sam saw Emily, and he was hit so hard I'm surprised the boy managed to stay on his feet. The way he feels about her–it will never change. It will never deepen because it's already fathomless. It will never mature because it's already as old as time. It was complete as soon as it began."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "He willingly showed this to you?"

Edward nodded. "He was bothered by you and Bella. I was trying to explain the way we typically mate, as vampires, and I worried that he wouldn't understand the utter inevitability of it. He wanted me to see that he did."

Esme slipped her hand into Edward's looking worried. "Is he still uncomfortable with the relationship between Carlisle and Bella?"

"A little. But he understands what it's like not to have a choice in the matter. He was in love with another girl when he met Emily."

I nodded soberly. "I see."

"I'm making progress with him, Carlisle. He's wary of us, but the treaty is important to him. He's frustrated with some of the Elders, because it almost seems as though they're hoping we'll break it."

"They don't want us here," I murmured.

"No. They don't."

"Then why would Chief Black have agreed to honor the treaty in the first place?"

"Part of it was our old friend Quil," Edward said. "It made him nostalgic to see us back. As the eldest member of the council, his approval carried a lot of weight with the others."

"But Black is still the Chief, even if not in name."

"Maybe he felt like he didn't have a choice," Esme suggested. "There were no wolves then, unless Quil decided to run again. Maybe he hoped that if he honored the treaty, we would stay away from his tribe."

"But why change their minds now? One wolf–or two, if Quil were to phase . . . that's hardly protection against the seven of us. And if they start trying to expose us, who's to say that everyone won't laugh at them the way Bella did?"

"A little suspicion is all it takes for humans," Esme said sadly. "They frighten easily."

"That's true," Edward nodded. "And it's hard to say whether any of the other boys will phase. I've been looking at birth records from the Reservation, and there will be plenty who carry the gene. Ephraim has a fair number of descendants, as does Levi. Quil has a few–in fact his grandson will probably be old enough to start watching in a couple of years. And Sam's father, Joshua . . . apparently he didn't value fidelity. There could be more out there that we're not prepared for."

"Are there any that are of age now?"

"There are a few, assuming we can still expect them to change somewhere around their eighteenth year."

I rubbed a hand over my jaw. "I wonder which two it will be? If it will be one from each family, or if it might concentrate where the lines have mingled?"

Edward shrugged. "I don't know. But for now, Sam is something of an ally where the tribe is concerned. He wants the treaty to hold. And I think we can count on support from Quil too. It's Black and Clearwater that we need to keep an eye on."

Esme was watching me carefully. "Carlisle, how long has it been since you've hunted?"

"About a week. I'm not due yet."

"It may not be a bad idea for you to start going with Edward every night. Or perhaps every other night. I know the blood doesn't get to you like it does to the rest of us, but it may be a bit more of a challenge if you're physically involved with Bella."

I frowned, not entirely comfortable with the thought of leaving Bella in the house with a wolf just outside.

"The others can look after her for a couple of hours here and there," Edward said. "Even Rosalie would help, if you asked her to."

"How is Rosalie?"

Edward shook his head sadly. "She's . . . very angry with you. She thinks you've changed your mind about changing Bella."

I sighed softly. Poor Rosalie. I hated to see her so unhappy, particularly when she had stood by me when the rest of the family had been against me.

"Have you changed your mind about changing Bella?" Edward pressed.

I shook my head. "No. It may be wrong of me to insinuate myself into her life the way I have, but it's temporary. I'll see to it that she has the opportunity to attend college, and when she leaves Forks, that will be the end."

"And if she doesn't leave?"

"If I give her every opportunity, she'll leave."

Edward shook his head. "You're getting senile in your old age, Carlisle. That girl's not going to willingly go anywhere without you."

"Then I'll let her believe that I have left her," I said softly, my chest aching at the prospect of hurting my girl.

Edward and Esme exchanged looks. "All right," Edward said. "If that's what you think is best."

"You're not going to argue with me?"

He shook his head. "Not this time. I'm glad you're giving her a little happiness before that time comes."

I looked at him skeptically. "But you'll argue with me when it's time to leave her?"

"Oh, most definitely."

Esme laughed musically. "Take the reprieve, Carlisle. He doesn't offer many."

"Come on, old man," he said, clapping me on the arm. "Let's go on a quick hunt while Bella's otherwise occupied.

I consented, and the three of us hit the trees behind the Swan house, searching for game. We had to go several miles to find anything suitable, but after a few hours of leisurely hunting, we were sated and ready to return. I jogged back alongside Esme while Edward searched for Sam's trail and curiously followed his path through the trees. "He's organized," he said. "He's found our regular path here, and he seems to return to it regularly."

"That's surprising for a young wolf with no guidance."

"He's got Quil helping him out," Edward reminded as he ran past. He took a breath to say something else, and then skidded to a stop. "He's back."

Esme and I stopped too, and I took a tentative sniff at the air. Of course, Sam's trail was all over the woods, but I could definitely smell the odor of his body approaching us.

"Just a quick hunt, Sam," Edward said, as if in answer to a question. "We're on our way back now."

"Has Bella returned?" I asked Edward.

He shrugged. "Sam has been meeting with the council. He hasn't had his eye on her."

I heard the sounds of Sam's approach. He wasn't taking care to avoid us, and in fact, it sounded like he was heading straight for us. As he neared us, his steps slowed to a walk, and after a moment he appeared through the trees, padding slowly toward us.

"Good lord," I breathed, staring at him. "He's huge."

Edward and Esme both nodded, gaping at him.

"Sam, you're at least twice the size Levi was," I told him.

There was a low rumble in his throat that could have been a threat or a simple assent.

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you face to face. Edward speaks highly of you."

Edward smiled. "He says he's found our chats enlightening."

"As have we. May I congratulate you, Sam, on finding your mate?"

He snorted softly.

"Thank you," Edward said, translating for Sam. "I'm afraid I can't sincerely offer you the same congratulations."

"I understand your reservations, of course. I have them myself."

Edward snorted with laughter. "You'll pardon me if I clean up your language a little?" he said to the wolf. "There's a lady present, after all." He laughed and turned to me. "He says he didn't think you and Bella sounded very reserved."

My phone rang in my pocket, and I slipped it out. "Excuse me." I opened it up, seeing Bella's name on the display. "Good afternoon, Bella."

"Carlisle?" she said anxiously. "I'm sorry to bother you."

"Sweetheart, you could never bother me. What can I do for you?"

She cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Um . . . Billy's being kind of weird. He wants me to stay here while Charlie's away. Like, he really wants me to."

I felt my stomach clench, and it was suddenly harder to draw breath. "Is that what you want?"

"No," she said in a small voice. "In fact, I was about to go home . . . but he took my keys."

Wild fury erupted inside of me, and it was only with great effort that I kept myself from crushing the phone in my hand. I was aware of Sam dropping into a defensive crouch, just as Edward's hand clamped down on my shoulder.

"Easy, Carlisle," he murmured.

"He took your keys?" I asked, and it was all I could do to keep from snarling in anger.

"Yeah. I hate to ask, but I really don't want to stay here when he's like this. Could you give me a ride home?"

"No!" Edward hissed urgently. "Carlisle, don't. If you're provoked into breaking the treaty, all hell will break loose."

Sam suddenly wheeled and bolted away toward the Reservation. Of course, with trouble brewing, he would fall back and protect his territory.

"Talk to him," Edward said urgently. "Don't let this get out of hand."

"Bella," I said softly, "may I speak with Mr. Black, please?"

"Um . . . yeah. Hang on." I heard her walking through the house, and then her tentative voice. "Billy? It's Carlisle. He wants to talk to you."

After a moment, his voice came on the line. "Hello, Carlisle," he said calmly.

I forced myself to keep my voice low, but my words were clipped. "May I ask why you have decided to hold Bella against her will?"

"You know perfectly well why. You may have Sam fooled, Cullen, but regardless of your excuses, you're still taking advantage of a little girl. I won't stand for it."

"You may use any means you like to persuade her to stay with you," I said, struggling to hold back the anger that coursed through my body. "You may use any words at your disposal to convince her not to return to me. But the moment you take away her will, you make an enemy of me."

"We were enemies long ago."

A snarl ripped from my throat. "I would advise you not to try to keep her from me," I growled. "I'll destroy both you and your wolf if I have to. I will tear through every member of your tribe if that's what it takes to get to her!"

"Where's your legendary pacifism, Stregone Benefici?" he asked. "Where is the unshakable self-control that my grandfather spoke of?"

"You will not keep her from me, Black!" I roared. "If you think my deference to your grandfather will protect you, you're sadly mistaken."

"Would you really risk exposing your secret over a little girl?"

"This is your last warning," I growled, striding through the trees toward the Swan house. "Give her back her keys and send her home, or every building on your land will be burned to ash by sundown."

"It seems the great Carlisle Cullen isn't above destroying innocents after all," he said smugly.

I broke through the trees into the back yard and headed straight for the Mercedes parked out front. "I hope it was worth it to you to prove your point, Billy Black. If it's war you want, it's war you'll get." I snapped my phone closed, crushing it to pieces it in my rage.

Edward was at my side instantly, his hand on my shoulder. "Carlisle, please, let me speak to Sam about this before you go charging in there and razing the place."

"I'm finished with words." I got into the car, forcing myself to move carefully enough not to rip it apart in my anger, and fired the engine. Edward leapt inside as I peeled onto the road. I stomped on the gas pedal, seething in fury as I sped toward the reservation.

"Carlisle, please," Edward begged. "She's not in any danger. Black would never hurt his best friend's daughter; there's no urgency to this situation. Please, just let me work out a peaceful resolution with Sam."

"Sam chose his side," I snapped. "Do you really think his visit to us was anything more than an intimidation tactic? He wanted us to see his size so we would think twice about challenging him."

"Listen to me!" Edward yelled. "I'll help you get her back, but I won't help you hurt innocent people and I won't help you destroy what you built with Ephraim. This treaty is too valuable, both to us and to his tribe."

I had had enough of his talk. Without thinking about what I was doing, I reached across Edward and opened the door, shoving him out of the car. I heard him swear loudly as he collided with the pavement, and I slammed the door closed, leaving him behind.

"God damn it, Carlisle!" he yelled after me. He started running, but he couldn't keep pace with my car, and he was soon far behind me, a speck in the rearview mirror.

I was a little over a mile from the border of the Reservation when I saw the giant black wolf running toward me, straight down the middle of the road. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and clenched my teeth, aiming straight for him. He veered off of his course as he approached me and ran to the side of the road, taking a defensive crouch there.

I slammed on the brakes. Now was as good a time as any to deal with him. I leapt out of the car, ready for his lunge, but he surprised me by phasing into his human form.

"She's on her way," he called to me, his chest heaving and his black eyes intense. "She was maybe three miles beyond the border when I left her."

I growled at him in warning.

"Just wait," he gasped. "Please. She's coming."

"Don't play games with me, boy."

He shook his head, leaning on his knees and gasping for breath. "I swear." He tugged the lace at his ankle and loosened it, pulling off the pair of shorts that were bound around his leg and pulling them on. Apparently he didn't have plans to phase again immediately–or he wanted me to think he didn't.

Edward caught up with us and he stopped beside me, hovering at my shoulder. It looked like he had landed on his back on the pavement, and his shirt was shredded. He stripped it off, glaring at me, and threw it off to the side of the road.

I stood, tense and wary, waiting for Sam's promise to be fulfilled. Before a minute had passed, an old white Lincoln appeared, speeding toward us. I picked out the white hair and wrinkled face of an old friend behind the wheel.

Quil Ateara.

I straightened, eyeing Bella as she sat in the passenger seat. She looked anxious, and a little confused. Quil slowed the car and pulled it off to the side of the road. I ran to the passenger door and opened it, helping Bella out of the car.

"Are you all right?" I asked her urgently, taking her by the shoulders and looking her over quickly. I couldn't smell blood or see any sign of injury.

"I'm fine," she sad, looking confused. "What's going on?"

Relieved, I pulled her against me, careful not to hurt her in my enthusiasm. I held her as tightly as I dared and gently pressed kisses to the top of her head.

Quil folded his arms across his chest, his aged eyes looking at me disapprovingly.

"Bella, sweetheart, why don't you go get in the car," I told her.

She looked around at each of us, our tense stances making it clear to her that things were not friendly among us. "Okay," she said softly. She moved to the car and slipped into the back seat, watching us anxiously.

I turned to Quil. "Thank you, old friend," I said softly.

His sharp eyes bore into mine. "Don't ever threaten my people again."