Authors Note: Please let me know what you are all thinking in the reviews or pm me! I would love to read what you think about this situation. As always happy reading!
Chapter 53
POV: Jake
I held Nessie's hand as we drove up the turning rodes. I could feel her anxiety like a pulsing energy through our bond. Stroking her hand with my thumb I tried to soothe her. Nesse's tears are still drying on my shirt. I felt a pang of guilt. I did not want to tell her that we had the tribunal the way that I did.
I had been woken up by the slue of texts coming through my phone. It was a texting conversation through the pack leader group. When the pack was one unit I was Sam's second in command. Then I ran away and dropped my responsibility to the pack because I needed to escape my life. Sam appointed Jarred his second in command when I abandoned the pack. We had decided that with Sam and I being co-alphas it would also make sense for us to both have a second in command.
I surprised myself with my decision. I asked Leah to be my second in command. She was the only one who gave me actual shit for leaving the pack. Everyone else was so accepting of me and did not judge me for my decision of leaving. Though everyone did give me shit for attacking Ness. Which I fully agree they should have.
Leah however was the only one who would call me on my shit. She made me take a second and see another perspective to the information I was judging. When Nessie left I wanted to go. I wanted to find her. The bond was stopping me and I was so frustrated. Now I am more frustrated knowing that Brady tried to use her. She is not something for him to use.
Thankfully I picked an amazing second in command. She was willing and able to give me space and time to drink with my friends. That is why I did not choose Embry or Quil as my second in command. I had been a second in command before. Yes you do spend a lot of time with the alpha but it changes your relationship. I still wanted to have a carefree friendships with my best friends.
The group text between Sam, Jared, Leah and I was blowing up. Conversations regarding the location for the tribunal as well as who will be allowed to attend.
Sam: I agree the traditional location is preferred
Jared: So do you want me to start heading out to set up?
Leah: Who all is attending? Is this something for imprints to come? Or is this a Pack only thing?
Jared: Old Quil said this was a thing for everyone that is connected to the pack to come to. That would include imprints.
Sam: What do you think Jake?
Jake: I think it should be up to the imprint.
Jared: Are we including the vampires?
Leah: Why would we? We would not ask to be there to punish their coven member.
Jake: I think the situation is going to be hard for them to not be in control of.
Sam: Do you think Ren will mind?
Jake: I am not sure. She might want to have the opportunity to tell them herself.
I got up and started getting dressed. Nessie was so cute. She was still fully asleep sprawled out on the bed. I could see her hand searching the bed. I stripped off my pajama pants and picked out a pair of jeans. When she woke up.
I had planned to wake Ness up with hugs and kisses. Knowing that today was going to be hard for her. I wanted to kiss her and make her feel safe and secure. Of course she had to wake up before I was ready.
Ness squeezed my hand pulling me out of my thoughts.
"What?" I asked her.
"I am just feeling like I cant breath." She told me.
We are about a mile away from the tribunal sight. I pulled over to the side of the road. Reaching over Ness unbuckled herself from her seat and climbed into my lap.
I held her tight. Ness buried her head in the knook between my shoulder and neck. She breathed in my scent. It seemed to calm her. I cuddled her until her heart beat slowed to its normal phase.
"I love you." I told her.
"I love you too Jake" She spoke into my neck.
"No. I love you. No matter what happens today. I love you because you are you, not because the things that happen to you" I spoke into her hair. "When today is over we will go home hand in hand. I love you"
She pulled away far enough for me to see her beautiful face. I could spend the rest of my life looking into her eyes. This woman is the only thing I need in my life.
"Jake. I love you" She said. The words held so much emotion in them.
She climbed back into the passenger's seat. Taking a deep breath she spoke "I am ready."
She was no longer the girl who did not look at me the first day of class. She is no longer the girl who cried when Catherine kissed me. Now she is the strongest woman I had ever seen. She looked like she is ready to go to battle. I am glad she has this ability to strengthen herself when going through tough times. Though I am hoping I can help her peel back the armor when she is done needing to be strong. I love Ness and all her forms it would break my heart if she was stuck in this strong form and I never get to see her silly side again.
Holding her hand. We drove to the tribunal. Embry and Paul are standing on the road when we drove up.
"Hey guys. Park over there if you could" Paul pointed over to the location that other cars are lined up.
Embry kissed Ren on the cheek smiling at her. I parked the car. Climbing out I walked over to Nessie's side and opened the door. She was looking at her phone. I had not noticed her texting.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Yes." She said smiling at me. "I just asked mom and dad not to come."
I nodded understanding. Opening her car door I laced my fingers with hers. We walked hand in hand.
The pack had arranged chairs in a half circle. One side of the circle had the elders chairs. Sue, Old Quil and my Dad are already sitting at the head of the circle.
Upon seeing us enter Sue popped up and walked fast to us. Pulling Ness into an embrace. She whispered something into Nessies ear. Kissing her on her head.
Once she let go I pulled Nessie into my side. Feeling that she needed to be sheltered right now.
"Everyone take your places please" Old Quil called.
I looked to see Sam walking to chairs I had not noticed before. He sat in the middle with Jared at his side. Leah sat on Sams other side one chair between them. That is where I was expected to sit. I did not want to leave Ness. Make her sit without support. I hugged her closer to my side.
"Jake you need to go sit over there" Ness whispered in my ear.
"But. I want to support you." I told her.
"You are. Trust me. The tribe needs to see our strength now." She whispered to me. The strength in her voice gave me the courage to let go of her.
I walked to my chair. Leah nodded as I sat. Watching as Ness walked confidently to sit between Seth and Claire. Claire rested her hand on Nessies thigh slowly circling with her thumb. Seth rested his hand on her lower back. Watching her I could see the deep breath she took, the calmness in her rooting into the situation.
The stage was set. Now we all waited for Brady to be escorted in. Quil's truck pulled up. Colin hopped out of the passenger's seat. Quil walked to the back door. Colin opened the trucks door. That is when I saw Brady step out of the truck.
