Hi Friends! We are friends now right? I mean after 56 chapters you probably know more about my brain than most people. Do me a favour and let me know about you my friend. Let's start with something easy, what is your favourite thing about Twilight? Mine has got to be the development of the story. More specifically that I am able to pull information from the books to support my fanfiction. That and the very real and amazing character of Leah. She was done so dirty in the books. Rereading it, I bleeping love her.

Anyway Happy Sunday! Are you liking the weekly updates?

I am going to let you know this is a shorter chapter for a Sunday. That is because I want to give you time in this moment of the story to sit and understand. This is bleeping scary for the plot. One wrong word and someone will die. Who it is that is potentially on the verge of death might surprise you. Who do you think could die due to the decisions of the tribe?

Sorry for all the questions today. It is probably because I freaking love you my friend, my reader, my holder of secrets. So enjoy this chapter this week. Review so I have motivation to edit and rewrite the tragedy of next week.

As Always Happy Reading.

Music suggestion for the week: Drops of Jupiter live by Taylor Swift.

Chapter 56

POV: Jake

Nessie's hand clung to mine, idly rubbing her thumb against my knuckles. I could feel her anxiety through our bond. She tried to keep it to herself. Little did she know I knew her better than this. Her body was tense in her side, breathing too controlled. She was putting on a brave face and I was infuriated by it. Never did I want her to have to put on a fake face again. I held Nessie's hand with a desperate need as we drove up the turning roads. Nessie'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. If it was up to me I would have not told her at all. I would do anything to redo this morning.

I held her close to my body. Knowing more now than ever that I will never feel right without her touching me. I will never cause her to be in this situation again. Never will she feel the need to hide from me. Hide from the world all you need my love. Next time I am coming with you. My dreams spoke of needing, longing and hatred. I needed to kill him. Without him she would be safe.

Rolling over in bed I was annoyed by the light illuminating and deluminating. Over and over again. Ignoring it I pulled Ness closer to me. My movement had caused a gap to appear. I would not stand for that, not today. I needed her more than ever. I needed her with a burning passion that no one could understand. The separation caused my bond to constrict. It would not relax until the tribunal is over. Maybe not even after that.

Illuminating light again. Looking over to the nightstand I saw my phone lighting up. Painfully, I pulled my arm off her body. Reaching quickly to retrieve my phone from its charging station. I rolled my eyes as I read the text I had missed.

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 be invited to? 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?

Me: 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.

Me: I think the situation is going to be hard for them to not be in control of.

Sam: Do you think Ren will mind?

Me: I am not sure. She might want to have the opportunity to tell them herself.

Leah: Tribunal at 10am.

Jarred: That is less than two hours from now. Are you sure we even need to have this?

Sam: Enough Jarred.

Me: 10 is doable. I will be down to help set up.

Leah: We don't need your help. We got this.

Sam: Jake do what you can. It would be better for you to be in a good headspace.

Jarred: We could postpone. Brady needs time to recover as well.

Leah: Who cares what Brady fucking needs.

Sam: No fighting.

Me: See you all soon

I shut off my phone. My fingers longed to text that I sided with Leah. That I also did not care what the fuck Brady wanted or needed. He brought this on himself. If he was going to die, that would be fine with me. A shiver ran over my body. I needed to move. Needed to get out of bed. I did not want to, it would mean I would be separated from her.

I forced myself to think of other things. The bond pulled at my heart as I untangled myself from her. Thinking of non important things. 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. I rolled my eyes at that thought. Sam appointed Jarred his second in command when I abandoned the pack. We had decided when I returned 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 carefree friendships with my best friends.

Looking over to the bed I was taken aback, 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 can't breath." She told me.

We are about a mile away from the tribunal site. 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 nook 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 have ever seen. She looked like she was 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 in 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 were 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.

Ren rolled down her window. Embry kissed Ren on the cheek smiling at her. I could see my friend was trying to understand how she felt. If only he could feel the emotions swarming me through the bond. I lined my car up beside what I knew to be Leah's. I did not think this spot being open was a coincidence. 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 Sam's 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. I could see his hand holding her hip, ready to pull her away from this situation in a moment's notice. 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 truck door. That is when I saw Brady step out of the truck. Stifling a growl, I prepared for the worst.