A/N: I have so much motivation to finish out these stories I have, because I officially have fallen in love with this Seth/OC plot I've cooked up while being quarantined.
If you are readers of my other fics; expect The Truth In Her Eyes to be a short, ten chapter story. Bloodlust will be a twelve chapter story, following with Coming Home to be around twenty chapters, and this fic, is coming to its bittersweet ending in the next tenish chapters. I've had a lot of fun writing these, and it's definitely pushed me to be so much more creative than I have in a long time. My writing is evolving, and I'm working hard to make my words come alive. Please review!
Chapter Twenty-Eight – Something Comforting
and getting made you want more
and hoping made you hurt more
someone tell me
something comforting
- porter robinson, something comforting
oOoOo
I rested my hands on Nessie's delicate shoulders, giving her a comforting squeeze. I knew how anxious she was, I felt it rolling off her in waves. It was important to me to be here for her first, before addressing the room.
The atmosphere was tense, unsurprisingly. It was the first time the new council sat together, as well as Carlisle, Edward and Bella. Bella's presence was pretty unnecessary, but I think she only came to put Charlie at ease. Who, right now, quite frankly looked like he was about to glock someone.
I didn't blame him. Being one of the six humans in a room of supernatural beings, four of which you were blissfully unaware what kind of supernatural, I'd have my hand rested on my gun too.
Sue called for an equal distribution of voices amongst the original families and the first wolves of this generation to be involved in the council, so she suggested Quil to stand along side Old Quil, and involve Takola Fuller, Brady's father, as well as Jared and Paul.
It was the largest council we had ever had in the tribe's history, made up of eight people, including myself.
Takola was recently let in on what his son had been up to the last seven years, and shockingly he wasn't stunned. The most interesting part, was that he was actually pretty open about the Cullen's and their lifestyle. It might have been because he worked with Carlisle at the hospital before they moved, but one thing for sure, I wasn't complaining to have someone else on Nessie's side.
I met the eyes of Bella, who donned brown contacts whenever she was around Charlie, something I regarded highly of her for doing. She was selfless in that way, a trait my beautiful bride to be inherited. I had come a long way since Bella first came to Forks, and it was only then in that moment that I began to piece it all together. Every moment, was shaping me, and leading me to this spot. Standing here, tall and proud before men and women of my tribe and the soon to be extended family I would share with Nessie.
Nessie, who I only had, thanks to Edward Cullen, a man I once hated with every ounce I had within me. I looked at him then, casually, knowing he was reading my every thought, and for once…I was grateful. Grateful that Edward was always one step ahead, grateful he had been a gracious and forgiving man, grateful he had brought me my soul mate.
I had phased as a arrogant, seventeen-year-old who was explosive and rude. And it was only because of the Cullen's…Bella…that I was able to become this man. A man my father was proud of. A man worthy of Renesmee's love. A man worthy of the title Alpha and Chief Jacob Black.
I would no longer feel any shred of self depreciation, masochism…no. Because I envied even myself, for who I was and what I was. I was Jacob Black, the rightful Alpha and Chief to the Quileute people of La Push.
I noticed Edward slyly smile, and lowered his head to hide the expression from an on looking Bella.
"So," I began with a cleared throat, feeling the power of Alpha slip past my teeth. Nessie froze under me, which only made me feel more authoritative. I had this effect of her, and only I. "first of all, I want to start off by thanking Sam for stepping up the last seven years and taking on being Alpha. You have shaped the young men in our pack to be excellent warriors and men."
There were nods and a few words spoken in Quileute, which I noticed Nessie smiled at.
"Thank you, Jacob." Sam said with a bowed head as he crossed his arms.
I inhaled, and with the exhale any shred of nerve dissipated.
I was Alpha now, and to be viewed as a leader amongst the pack was easy for me, but to be respected by the tribe and the council as Chief was another. I had abandoned my tribe for two years, and refused to step up as Alpha for seven. Those kinds of things don't get forgotten easily. But, I would prove to them. I would be the man they needed.
"Second, I want to welcome Takola for graciously accepting his new role. You have taken this all in great stride."
He nodded his head and offered me a smile, which I returned.
Okay, good start Jacob. No ones killing each other yet.
"Third, thank you to Charlie for allowing us to use his home as a neutral ground for us to discuss the new treaty and come to a peaceful agreement. We're all aware why we're here?"
Charlie cleared his throat, and blinked a few times. I glanced over to Edward and eyed his human father-in-law who looked ready to combust.
Should we have him step out?
Edward silently nodded and looked to Bella, who was already one step ahead.
"Dad, uh, do you think you still have all those pictures of me as a baby?"
Charlie's eyes slanted into annoyed slits as he stared me down and twitched his moustache around. "Sure do, Bells."
"You think we could go find them?"
He grunted, and eyed the room, before gruffly standing and storming towards the basement, muttering 'need to know' under his breath. Bella looked over at me sheepishly with her brown contact clad eyes and flitted out of the living room after her father.
I cleared my throat yet again, and glanced down at my beautiful fiancée. She touched my hand with a squeeze and smiled graciously at me.
"Alright, so. I guess, first order of business. As grandson of Ephraim Black, I am to be named Chief by a unified vote amongst the council. Please say 'aye' if you vote yes, and 'nay' for no."
"Hell yeah, Chief Jacob!" Quil exclaimed and fisted the air, which elicited a giggle from Nessie who quickly shut it down after a stern glare from Edward was met.
"Aye. Jake's born for this." Jared commended, tossing a wink at me.
"It would be an honor to see you as our Chief, son." Dad said with a slight bow.
The rest of the council stated their agreements, which gave me another surge of confidence. I smirked towards Edward and couldn't help teasing him.
Hear that Eddie? Your girl gets a Chief.
His eyes narrowed, which told me I was getting under his skin, my favorite pastime.
I nodded my head with a grin, and squeezed my girl's shoulders again. "Going forward, we will have a traditional Quileute ceremony for the tribe to address me as Chief. I want you all to know as Chief Jacob Black, I am first a civil leader for our tribe and will ensure peace and prosperity for the Quileute Nation and all of it's children. I have the right to hereby veto any terms I deem unnecessary or dangerous to the tribe. Please, say 'aye' if you understand this."
A flurry of 'I's were called, along with whooping from my pack brothers.
"I'm sure you all know, Renesmee and I are engaged to be married. This is a first for the Quileute's, per having a strict policy that you may only be born into the tribe, and not married. Of course, things change." I said confidently, stepping away from Nessie to stand in the center of the room.
"As a spirit warrior, I have been given the gift of imprinting on Renesmee. The Quileute magic has brought her to us for reasons higher than us all in this room, and many of the pack understand the bond and devotion that goes into being an imprinted couple. This marriage not only brings the tribe together, with the unity of a Chief and his bride, but also reaches out to uncharted territory in Quileute history. We have been born and bred into spirit warriors, to protect out land and people from Cold Ones. Times have changed, and I believe the spirits and ancestors recognize this when they forged the bond between Renesmee and I. She is our link, to unifying us with the peace the Cullen's bring."
Carlisle smiled kindly at me. "I agree with Chief Jacob Black whole heartedly, as does the rest of my family. We know they have found each other for reasons beyond us."
The elders amongst the council nodded, including Sue.
"I am direct descendent of that original treaty, as is she. A divide was made between our people and the Cullen's, 70 years ago. They came to a peaceful understanding, and I know we can do the same today."
A chorus of agreements were murmured, prompting me to continue.
"For the first term, I'm suggesting a dissolution of that old treaty. Any and all terms of the previous treaty will not be enforced, besides one. Which brings us to the second term." I watched for reactions, and only saw agreement in the eyes of those present.
"The Cullen's will not bite another human. Bella is the last one to be turned at their hands, and that was under her own volition. Any other vampires created will nullify the treaty, and will be destroyed." I stated, eying Edward and Carlisle. They remained calm, which told me they had no issues.
"The third term, Renesmee may go to and from the reservation alone. I have been with her at all times, and when I am not, she is with Billy, or my sister, Rachel, or a pack brother. This has been easy to uphold, but she should feel as if she isn't constantly being watched, and has earned the trust to do so."
Sam cleared his throat and nodded. "I agree with this. We have all come to love and accept Nessie, past the blood she has within her. She's not a threat and brings happiness to my family and others."
I gave him a nod of thanks and continued. "The fourth term, the harsh enforcement of the treaty line is diminished. This means, the Cullen's will be free to travel in and around the peninsula. However, I am suggesting they travel north to hunt, outside of Washington, so patrolling wolves do not get confused or alarmed. We all are aware of a brewing conflict coming, and I think it's important that we solidify that we are allies and not enemies. Do you agree to this?"
"We agree, and thank you for this." Carlisle accepted with a slight bow.
I glanced across the room to look at my Nessie, who sat poised and calm. Her eyes glanced up to meet mine, my lips automatically upturning into a smile at the sight of my beautiful imprint, and soon to be wife.
I knew what I was about to say was going to surprise her, and so I went to her and placed my hand on the nape of her neck soothingly.
"This has been a difficult subject, for many of us present. This is strictly being put on the table due to the inevitability and importance. The Black bloodline is a very strong bloodline, and as Chief and Chieftess, we are expected to uphold the value of family by bringing in the new generation of Quileute. The fifth, and final term is that a child, born to us, would be the first of it's kind, and protected at all costs. His genes, this child will be physical proof of this unity. A child, born of spirit wolf and vampire blood. No harm will ever come to the child, he will be next in line when he phases into a spirit wolf, deeming him Alpha and Chief if and when I step down."
Nessie stiffened beneath me, and I gripped her shoulders tighter with both hands. This was the main reason I hadn't wanted her involved. She didn't know we would be discussing the possibility of our children. I had been so hesitant to even bring up kids around her, let alone mention how our possible future children's genes could effect the tribe. I had no idea what to expect if she was able to get pregnant, would her pregnancy be normal like my sisters, or would it rapidly excel like Bella's? The day she had explained how quickly she grew within Bella, breaking bones and almost killing her in the process…I didn't want to imagine our child doing that to her.
But, the longing was there, despite the fear, for both of us. I saw it in her eyes when she looked at our nephews, I saw it when she held onto Cheveyo and played with him. We didn't have to talk about how much she had grown to love children, or how naturally maternal she was, because I saw it all.
I had thought a lot lately about how Nessie would look with a growing belly, swollen with our child. Naturally progressing, as if she was human with a human pregnancy. She would be beautiful – no, she would be radiant. My thoughts drifted to a little boy, who looked just like me, perched on her hip as she danced around with him. He would be laughing, and he would have her eyes.
"A cold one as successor?" Sue gasped, bringing me out of my thoughts. I glanced up to see her eyes flickering between Nessie and I.
I looked around the room, and noticed Takola's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline. The only one who looked calm were my pack brothers and dad. Even Edward and Carlisle were surprised.
"He would not be full, only partial. Our first born will be Chief one day, despite that, there is no denying his blood given right. He will be given the spirit name, Tahki Dasan." I spoke his spirit name, Cold Chief, in Quileute. I stood tall and stared around the room. I wouldn't back down from this.
"A proud day it will be when he is born." Billy spoke loudly, eying the older council members. "My grandson will be the embodiment of this treaty."
"What if we have a daughter?" Nessie shot as a challenge, looking up at me. My eyes widened, and I considered the possibility that we would have a daughter instead of a son. I had only ever imagined, and dreamed, that we would have a son.
I looked at Nessie, glancing over her face, and let myself imagine her now holding a little girl, stunning and intelligent, with her bronzed and copper curls, big chocolate eyes and my tanned skin.
A daughter…
"Then she will be Tahki Meda, our Cold Princess." Billy answered for me. "Leah, our first female warrior, is born of three spirit bloodlines, so I believe our Tahki Meda will be a spirit warrior, as her father is."
The room fell silent.
"And if she does not shift?" Carlisle then asked. "We do not know if her vampire blood will overpower her bloodlines."
"That begs the question if Jacob is considered half human, seeing as he can shift between forms . . ." Edward questioned out loud and pinched his bridge.
"She walks as woman; her blood is wolf. The child will be a spirit warrior. I have seen it in a dream, a white wolf." Old Quil feebly said. "There should be no fear. She will be our sun and moon Chieftess, the pride of our people."
My mouth dropped open at his testament, and even Quil looked a little shocked at his grandfather's outburst.
"You've seen a daughter?" Nessie gasped. I looked down at her to see her covering her mouth with her hands as tears welled into her eyes.
A sense of pride surged within me seeing her so happy at the idea of a baby. A baby girl. Our baby.
Old Quil adjusted his glasses, "White Wolf." he repeated with a huff.
Nessie smiled brightly, and ran across to old Quil to engulf him in a hug. He chuckled deeply and hugged her back, whispering a Quileute prayer into her ear. "To me, you...you give it back to me, give it back."
I felt the wolf rumble with approval deep within me at the thought of Nessie being the mother of my children. Our daughter, the white wolf. I was bubbling with pride and excitement, but took a deep breath to level myself again. The meeting was far from over, despite how badly I wanted to sweet Nessie up in my arms and take her.
"Now, I'm allowing the opportunity for concerns with any of the terms."
Sue stood, and eyed me gravely. "Vampires should not be allowed on sacred Quileute lands. I reject the fourth term."
"I am not saying all vampires, Sue. I'm saying the Cullen's. They are Renesmee's family, your Chieftess." I reminded her sternly.
Carlisle cleared his throat. "If you do not trust us on your land, let us be chaperoned if that will put you at ease. We will not come to La Push for reasons other than to see Renesmee."
Sue's eyes narrowed. "And what if our tribe sees you, and becomes afraid?"
"There is no reason to be, Sue. We do not partake in a volatile lifestyle." Edward reminded her gently. "We have come together with the wolf pack many times before, we are indebted to them for their acceptance of Renesmee, as well as the protection they give her and have given our family in the past."
She nodded, and looked over to me. "Only if they're escorted when they visit."
"That's a fair compromise." I agreed. "Does anyone else have any qualms?"
A shake of heads, and I beamed around the room.
"I will revise the paper treaty, and all present will sign it."
Whoops and barks flurried the room from my pack brothers, and hands were shaken amongst everyone in congradulations.
Nessie stood and threw herself into my arms, which I happily accepted and kissed her all over her face excitedly. She squealed and shimmied out of my grasp to run over to her father and grandfather, chattering excitedly about the wedding and babies and a million other things at light speed. That was when Bella returned, with armfuls of scrapbooks in tow with Charlie, who still looked less than pleased. She winked at me, and deposited the books onto the coffee table with an exaggerated sigh.
"Good grief, dad. You're quite the hoarder."
He continued to mumble as he sat himself down next to Billy.
Emily and Kim had come into the room, attempting to shuffle everyone into the kitchen for food, while Rachel went over to my Nessie, touching her hair and giggling about the boys being bossed around our little girl one day.
I couldn't help but stand back, and feel as if I was having an out of body experience. I had successfully upheld what it meant to be Chief, and the power was overwhelming.
Edward came over to me, and extended his hand. "You have come a long way, Jacob. I had my doubts, ever since that day you showed up on Bella's birthday. But, you truly have evolved. I'm proud to call you my son-in-law."
I raised my eyebrows and shook his hand with force. "Does this mean I can call you dad?" I joked, which resulted in Edward squeezing my hand tighter.
"Absolutely not."
A/N: What did you think? Did I embody Jacob's transition into Chief well, and what did you think about his surprise mention of their children?
