The Huntress – Chapter 22

I apologize if you run into any errors. I do not own any of the Twilight characters used in this story except for Emery.

Emery POV

After returning to my room from my date with Tanya I gather my sleep clothes and head to the shower. As I told Tanya it was a perfect date for us. This was probably the first occasion that we got to just sit down and have a personal conversation.

I undress quickly and step into the hot stream of water to wash.

Before I close the shower door, I hear Leah make her way into my room after knocking on the door. I peak my head out of the trail of steam when Leah calls for me.

She makes her way to the bathroom entrance and pushes the door open all the way when I acknowledge her.

Leah gestures behind her as she asks "Hey, do you got a minute when your done in there?"

I wanted to catch you before you headed to bed." She pauses for a second and raising her phone. "I just got off a call with my mom and I want to run a few ideas by you."

I nod my head and wave her off. "Yeah that's fine just give me a few minutes and I'll be out."

As I'm soaking my body in the hot water and lathering up. I start to think about how the interworking's of our pride has changed and is continuing to develop with the Denali's. And more personally how things are slowly changing with me and Tanya.

The times that Tanya and I normally spend together are typically focused on the coven and pride. We usually discuss issues together before bringing them to the two merging groups for additional debate. We might be the leaders of each but gathering supplementary information and insight into any decision that would affect all of us is just common sense.

From what Bella told me the Cullen's would have what they called family meetings to deliberate topics such as Bella's turning. But it was mostly dictated by Edward since he took the role of "mate" and therefore was the only one that could make life changing decisions for Bella regardless of the input from these meetings or even Bella's opinion or personal beliefs. Rosalie has given me the impression that those with gifts held more power in the coven than those without. Carlisle often leaned towards Edward and Alice's side of an argument.

Leah had already shared that the actions of Sam's Pack was ultimately decided by Sam. And the only opinions he took into consideration was the Elders to a degree. But I believe he only accepted their input because if he fails to follow there set of laws for the wolves then, he didn't get that biweekly stipend check from the tribe.

You see the tribe had a community fund that they were supposed to use for public services like schools, medical clinics, nature restoration projects and the employees that ran or maintained these projects were paid from this fund. Well the money is actual government money that the tribe was approved for because of their native heritage and land rights. They also get some pretty good tax breaks. The town of Forks is their land that was purchased from the tribe. The state had also rented parcels of tribe acreage for forestry research projects. So, all this money was originally going to these public funds that the Chief and Council were over seeing.

Instead of using this money for the community projects, checks are sent out bi-weekly to members of the pack. The amount you received was based off your rank within the pack. Sam and Jacob received the most and the rest got scraps. The money remaining is either gone because of poor investments or into savings for the day they might ever have to bribe anyone to protect tribe secrets.

None of the members were able to maintain jobs based of the council's decision that it was required to be accessible 24 hours seven days a week. They couldn't leave La Push without approval. Whom you could interact with was based off the Alpha and Elders. If they didn't see a person as family or important to the tribe you were banded from further seeing that person. Apparently, Leah was isolated before she shifted. Her friends were Sam's friends so when they split, they were no longer her friends.

Due to the lack of revenue being produce in La Push the community became poor. And just like any low-income community this caused friction with the people that lived there. Most left La Push striving towards a brighter future. For those that chose to stay a lot of untraditional jobs were based off a barter and trade currency. The other jobs that are available are minimum wage retail positions.

Add on top of that new shifters with attitude problems. This has wreaked havoc in the form of physical altercations with those that are viewed as outsiders. Causing a lot of petty crime to go on. The people fear and loath the wolves to an extent. But to be honest the members of the pack can be intimidating and any possible illegal action they do that is outside of normal state/federal law doesn't have the same consequence that a would befallen a nonmember of the pack. The local police force in La Push look the other way.

Sue has been keeping Leah up to date about the coming and goings of the tribe since we left Forks in secret. Leah's mother has had to cut Seth out of knowing let alone of participating in these weekly chats because of the pack mind link.

Billy has let things go to waste since he's become not only chief but with the involvement of the pack. The tribe has taken a huge hit. He is still pampering the pack and covering up any unsavory activity.

Sue's council seat was taken from her after Leah left. Sam was able to invade Seth's mind and got just enough information to know that Seth and Sue were delaying the discovery and knowledge of Leah's departure. Seth has been running 16-hour patrol shifts causing him to drop out of high school shortly after we left. He is now treated as the lowest rung on the ladder just below any new shifters. Jacob hasn't treated Seth any better due to the departure of Bella. Seeing as Bella left with me and Leah. In his mind if Leah didn't leave then Bella would still be in Forks. Which I don't understand since Bella was with Edwin. So, she was eventually going to leave anyways.

Jacob is still seen as a Beta of Sam's pack because of not wanting the additional Alpha responsibilities. But still expects to be catered too because of his grandfathers' former position as Alpha.

According to Seth the Volturi eventually made a surprise visit with the witch twins presiding over the deliberations. In no uncertain terms the pack now must parley with any vampire passing through the area. The pack can have control over the land of La Push if clearly marked boundaries are set so vampires traveling can avoid their territory. A thick scents trail would have to be set. A vampire that enters must be asked to leave first and told of the no hunting rule for the area before it escalates. The only time that the pack can kill a vampire without question is if a confirmed exposure has taken place. And the Volturi must be informed. The Kings would prefer to hold a trial for said vampire but if no other options were available than an extreme measure was granted approval.

The pack has been periodically and randomly checked to ensure that they are enforcing the approved action plan. Apparently, the Kings weren't happy when they found out most of the inhabitants of La Push knew of vampires at least subconsciously for some. Guidelines had to be set for that as well. Only pack, council and mates could know the tales of wolf transformations and vampire encounters. It was no longer told around a campfire for all to hear. The Elders and Pack fought the changes set upon them to the point Alec took away all the senses of the pack. Meanwhile Jane unleashed her gift to demonstrate to the Elders just how easily it was to take out the wolf pack and leave the entire tribe vulnerable to slaughter. Which was an option if they didn't start abiding by the standard protocol set for them.

Other packs and prides elder's elite governance members usually handle the discipline and teachings of new shifter groups but the Volturi took a special interest since the Quileute wolfs have been killing vampires for centuries with no questions asked.

Just as I finish drying off to dress. I chuckle at the irony of an anti-vampire wolf pack being led on a leash by the oldest vampire coven in the world.

As I come out of the bathroom into my room. I see Leah flipping through the channels on my flat screen.

She huffs and tosses the remote to the side.

"So how was the date?"

"Great. It was a very thoughtful date on Tanya's part. We got to learn a little bit more about each other."

"Yeah you can cut to the good stuff. Irina and Kate would have practically stood on the roof watching you guys return if they could get away with it. The gaggle of them silently squealing tells me that you two did more than talk."

"Every date like the one I had tonight should be rewarded in my book. Tanya was so nervous at the start though. It eventually smoothed out."

And if you must know it was just a goodnight kiss at the end. Nothing more, nothing less."

I sit at the foot of the bed and direct my attention to Leah

"I know that you didn't come up here just to talk about my date with Tanya."

Leah turns off the television and smirks at me. "No but its about time that something started between the two of you. I swear I was going to vomit with the amount of heart eyes and longing coming off Tanya if either of you didn't make a move soon."

I swat her on the knee.

"Like you and Kate are any better. I gag every time I walk into a room full of your combined arousal. It hits everyone in the face the second you are alone together.

Shit, most of the time you guys don't have to be alone.

If anyone is rushing out of a room most likely it's because you and Kate started having eye sex. It's a clear indicator to get the hell out while you can."

That just makes her laugh.

"What can I say? We can't keep our hands off each other. It's like a pulse or a charge connecting us. My wolf always knows where she's at in a room. Its ears are always perked up waiting for any sign that she needs or wants anything. "

Now she's full blown grinning like a loon. "She makes me happy. Her instincts are practically the same as the wolfs when it comes to mating. We'd do almost anything for one another. Her being happy makes me happy."

I groan and shake my head "Well I'm glad that she's making you happy Leah. You deserve it."

She pauses for a minute in thought "It was rocky there for a bit. Nothing earth shattering. But it was hard to balance me and the wolf.

When Kate omitted some truths because she didn't want to upset me or became an asshole. I wanted to be angry and argue. While the wolf wanted to make everything better.

Its normal for everyone to fight in a relationship. So, it was hard to communicate that I was upset with Kate with a wolf whimpering in the background."

I laughed imagining Leah trying to talk while at the same time her wolf crying out to block every word that came out of her mouth while sitting next to each other on the couch.

"Besides our relationship statuses, what else is going on?"

Leah beams and sits back against the headboard.

"Mom had been holding back on me for the last couple of months."

She snorts before informing me that Seth broke his pack bond from the La Push wolves. He just got to the point where he had enough. And the wolf inside of him didn't deem anyone of them worthily of his loyalty or obedience. Sue and Seth moved out of La Push shortly after and purchased a house in Forks with the money Kate and Leah set them up with.

Kate earn a lot of points when as soon as she heard Leah's complete story, she made it her priority to ensure Sue and Seth were also financially provided for since Leah was gone and couldn't help physically. They could afford to have a house anywhere in the world. However, both saw it as gaining freedom for the first time and didn't want to face to many unknowns, so they decided to stay local for now. Sue transferred to Forks hospital and was put on a OR rotation. Seth has enrolled in night classes to get his diploma while working a road construction job during the day. Both have been optimistic since leaving the tribe. Seth has offered his help to the pack if it was needed but stated he didn't want to be in any of its affairs.

"How did Sam and the Elders take them leaving?"

"As you can imagine good ole Sam was livid. And the council was all fire and brim stone for Seth even thinking about leaving. Saying that it was his duty to honor the tribe and his heritage."

Seth pointed out that it was also his right to be treated fairly. And that leaving was the best thing for him. That he couldn't stay in that toxic environment any longer.

But there wasn't a lot Sam or them could do. Seth had the support of my mother and he's over 18. The Elders and Sam can't afford to lose anymore wolves and according to Seth a lot of them don't hold any respect for Sam. At first a lot of the members didn't speak up for Seth but over time and sharing a link with Seth they were forced to experience things from his side. And found Sam's treatment unfair and baseless.

It was easier for Sam to acknowledge the losing of Seth as a pack member and let the bonds die when he realized it was one less negative view of him in the link.

I think he's hoping to gain complete control over the pack again. He started losing traction with them around the time Volturi arrived."

"Is Seth and Sue fearing any retribution from the pack? Because we can protect them if they're afraid of retaliation"

Leah shakes her head "For now they don't think that the wolves will do anything. Seth is still a Quileute wolf so its against tribe law to kill one another. The worse is banishment but that's kind of moot since they no longer live on the reservation. If Sam physically tries to force Seth, then he risks losing more members. He's on a fine line with the pack bond and Jacob isn't adding to strengthen the ties either.

I think Jacob is just sitting back until Sam finally loses the Alpha position and steps in to save the day. But he's in for a rude awakening because the pack almost views him just as negatively as Sam.

He was and still is obsessed with Bella and hopes to find her one day. I mean they never dated and she's not his imprint so the amount of time he dedicates to imagining a future with her and finding her is creepy. Also, he expects to be treated as royalty.

A lot of the tribe is disappointed that Jacob isn't a more mature member to lead the pack to a better future and stabilize things. He's content to watch the struggle of the pack and sits back saying things shouldn't be this way but not doing anything to improve the situation.

The tribes influence in Forks is almost nonexistent since they are troublemakers. So, Seth and Mom moving to Forks is perceived as a logical choice from the locals. Who would want to stay living there?"

"Well monitor things closely going forward. Sue and Seth are family so if they run into any trouble, we'll be there to help them in whatever capacity they need."

After wrapping up our talk Leah proposed a group trip to meet up with Sue and Seth and have a mini vacation. Along with introducing everyone to each other. Leah has wanted to stay close to Seth but was unable to do a lot of things with him since leaving and Seth remaining a member of Sam's pack, but she now can bridge the gap that was created.

I think the idea has merit. And a vacation will be good for everyone.

So, thoughts. Next up we'll delve a little deeper into the Rose/Bella dynamic. I'm playing with the idea of Bella starting to take steps into the relationship kiddy pool so to speak with someone. It will be one of those relationships that you know won't last but it will set a standard for how she wishes to be treated. She'll get something positive out of it regardless of the longevity of the relationship. Because let's be honest, she hasn't had any luck with healthy romantic relationships. And I don't think she's at that stage where she has one-night stands.