Chapter Thirty Eight

Jake

Beni and I were ready to leave before the others, he was fully in control now and we'd done a few local sorties just so he could get used to being a wolf and like me he found it exhilarating. To be running through the forest your senses overflowing with information about your surroundings knowing you could outrun and outfight anything nature could throw at you was wonderful. We were bigger than the normal wolves and they kept their distance sensing we were a danger. We were both aware of the French shape shifters following us and watching but although we stayed alert they never came too close.

Jean and Renee were happy that Beni had found a way to enjoy his freedom and both hoped after our extended holiday he'd come back to the château and join the family as a distant nephew whom they would adopt as their own, that way getting him back into the family where he belonged. Bella and Jasper were very close now and I was amazed when Charlie seemed to be cool about that. Especially as I was aware he knew what Jasper Hale really was. I guess I'd known when I accompanied him to France that I was destined to lose Bella but as he made her so happy I couldn't resent it. Bella and I would always be friends whatever happened. After all if she and Jasper got married then it was on the cards that he would change her. My best friend would become my kinds mortal enemy but I'd still love her even so.

I'd spoken to dad a couple of times but he couldn't get past the fact I had asked the vampires for help.

"Dad there was no one else. The pack weren't going to travel to France and find Bella. I used what I had to, the only option you left me with."

"The pack can't leave the people unprotected, they have a duty to keep us safe and there are vampires in Forks you know that."

"Yeah but they aren't a threat to the tribe, you have a treaty I know that. Surely you have a duty to protect our friends too? You didn't even tell Charlie anything, just watched him worry and then grieve."

"Jake your place is back home with your family, with me. When are you coming back?"

"I don't know, not for a while I guess."

I used the loaned cell phone to speak to Sam too, being a wolf had its perks, I could run fast and soon find a spot where I got reasonable reception.

"Billy spoke to me after he rang Harry with your news. You're not coming back to join your brother wolves?"

"I don't want to be part of a pack that can stand by and watch a friend in danger."

"You belong here Jake, its your heritage."

"Well I'm starting a new life, look after Billy for me, after all he is on your list of those you'll help. Bye Sam."

Beni looked at me as of he had something on his mind,

"Well?"

"Shouldn't you go back to your pack, your father Jake?"

"Not after finding out they pick and choose their friends and their enemies. Its you and I Beni, we've started our own pack, unless you want me to go that is?"

He shook his head and phased back to wolf form running off and leaving me to chase him, a new pack with just the two of us but who knew we might pick up others on our travel, there must be nomad wolves just as there were nomad vampires.

Bella

I was going to miss Jake and Beni, they were good companions and I saw them as my two brothers but they promised to stay in touch so I let them go without too many tears. Jasper stood at my side, his arm around my shoulder to comfort me while Renee stood dry-eyed and proud. She thought it was a great ending to an otherwise tragic tale. Maudit had become Beni and the ungovernable shape shifter had become a pack member. It seemed strange my mother waving off a wolf son but then Renee had never seen the world in the same way most people did. She had been more curious than shocked when she found out about Jasper and Darius, asking a lot of questions but not once expressing any concern about me being in such a relationship.

Jean was just happy that things had turned out as well as they had after Darius took him to one side and told him exactly what they knew and how the future would look if he tried any more tricks.

"Let's be fair, you have the château and the money until your death and no legal heir except Renee so things wont change. On the other hand if you continue to try your underhand tricks I'll have to take you for a short walk and show you the error of your ways, and it wont be pleasant I promise you"

He insisted it hadn't been a threat and Jasper and I wouldn't argue with him especially as Jean's attitude changed after that. I think he'd been terrified that I might try to wrest control of his fortune from him but what he failed to see was that if I did that it would hurt my mum too and what would I do with a lot of money? It just wasn't me, I had all I wanted right by my side. Also what no one seemed to take into account was that Renee was the true owner now not me, it would only come to me on her death.

When it came time for us to leave Renee was more tearful but she knew it was what I wanted. I think she was feeling a little under the weather and Jean took her inside before the car drove off. Charlie, Jasper and I were catching a flight to Portland while Darius decided to look up some friends while he was on the continent.

"Don't worry, I'll be looking you up pretty soon. In the meantime you look after The Major for me. He's a disaster on his own".

Charlie and Jasper sat talking about the Civil War while I slept on the flight back, I was still pretty groggy after my ordeal but getting stronger every day. I had everything to look forward too after all, I had Jasper beside me, what else did I need? It had been decided there was no point in my finishing school in Forks, I wouldn't graduate because all my paperwork was in France so Darius as an early birthday present had presented me with a set of graduation papers that were, "As real as you'll ever need Bella. You take it easy, next time I see you I'll expect a glow in those cheeks or I'll want to know why not."

Charlie

Jasper and Darius had explained the danger I was in but all I needed was to keep my mouth shut, after all no one knew what I knew if anything, but it would be hard seeing Billy and Harry in the same friendly light after I found out what hey knew and how they refused to act. It would be an interesting first meeting anyhow. When we got back I checked in with work then sat down for a rest feeling a bit jet-lagged while Jasper drove Bella over to the Cullen house. It seemed strange that she was back here with me after thinking her dead but I knew she wouldn't be here long, she and Jasper were so much in love and he popped the question so I was sure we'd be hearing wedding bells soon. I also knew she wouldn't stay human and that concerned me more but she was old for her years and wise and if he was the one then I wouldn't step in her way. Luckily because I did know the secret I could still see her sometimes. She would be different I knew that but she would still be my Bella and that was all that mattered.