Go, Pack, GO!
So I was up to late last night celebrating the victory :) But I have this chapter up now! Thank you so much for the reviews I really appreciate every one. One more chapter until the epilogue! I know, it's a little sad.
There were a lot of guesses as to what the howl was for. Most of you guessed that the Cullens were back, but you forgot to think about who howled. All the pack members are at the bonfire :) Read on!
SM owns Twilight.
Both packs were up in an instant.
"That sounded like-" Sam started to say.
"But why?" Jared cut in.
"We haven't had a new one since the Cullens left." Quil added.
Sam tuned to me, "Whose pack will he be in?"
I shrugged. "Beats me. We should both phase." Sam nodded and ran to the forest to strip down. I turned to a wide eyed Nessie. "Baby, stay here with Seth and Embry. Leah and I will be back soon, ok?"
She nodded and shrank into Seth a little bit.
As soon as I phased in the woods, all I heard was Leah's voice. Guess Sam got the pup. But I suppose you'll inherit him soon enough. Hey, do I still get to be beta when you have a big pack? Because I swear to god, if you demote me-
Don't worry, Leah. You're position is secure. But you cant abuse it. I warned when I saw how she was imagining making Paul suffer.
Fine. You think her family is in town?
Holy shit. I didn't even think about that! New wolves only phase when vampires are around. Shit. I bet they're in Forks. Lets get back.
I rushed back to the fire where everyone except for Sam and Jared were sitting around looking anxious. Nessie looked even more panicked when she saw me coming back.
"Not in your pack, then?" my dad asked.
I shook my head and then went right to Nessie. "Everything's fine." I whispered to her.
She showed me a few texts on her phone:
From: Emmett
Message: You're dad is going to skin that mutt. We're in the old house and there's a very disturbing scent in Carlisle's study. Tell Jacob that if he lays another finger on you, I will break off every single one.
From: Mom
Message: Renesmee Carlie Cullen. If you don't show up at the old house by 10pm, someone will be coming onto the rez to get you. And Jacob will not be coming with us. Running away was irresponsible and you two wont be alone together again until you can both prove yourselves as responsible.
I quickly glanced at the time. 9:50pm. I was about spill to my dad who Carlie really was, But I was interrupted by laughter coming from the woods. A few seconds later, Sam, Jared, and two other guys clad only in shorts appeared and walked towards us.
"Well, I don't know why, but when these two got into a fight over a girl, they both phased." Sam stepped aside to reveal the two fuckers who were checking out Nessie last night. Ethan and Chris.
Both of them looked terrified and about ready to burst out of their skin. Billy smiled kindly. "Welcome to the pack. It is a great honor to be a member of the pack and protect the people of La Push. What are your names?"
"I'm, uh, Ethan Moore, sir." The shorter of the two said.
"And I'm Chris Day."
"You boys are lucky, we have another new member of the pack circle tonight as well." Billy smiled at Nessie.
I didn't anticipate their reaction when Ethan and Chris looked over at Nessie. I thought they'd react the same way the rest of the pack did. But then I remembered my initial reaction to Nessie. I was blinded by the imprint. I just made up excuses for why she didn't eat because I was so fucking happy to have her. Everyone else was the same. They were happy that I was back because I found her.
But the newbies didn't know me. They didn't personally see me suffer for 11 years. They had no bias when it came to her scent or appearance. They picked up on what all of us should have picked up on.
Chris and Ethan growled at her.
My pack reacted quickly, I spun Nessie behind me as Leah took up a defensive position on my right, Embry on my left, and Seth next to his sister. A loud, warning growl erupted from me.
Sam and Jared pushed the kids back with confused looks on their faces. "Whoa! Calm down guys, that's Jacob Black! He's fine. He's the other alpha." Sam said calmly.
"Its not him!" Ethan snapped, "Its her."
"Leah is in Jake's pack she's-" Sam tried to explain.
"No!" Chris snapped this time, "The pale one! She- She looks just like them!"
Fuck. Got right in Chris's face. "I suggest you shut up. Right. Now."
Sam's eyes narrowed and I could tell his thoughts were racing. "Who?" he addressed Chris.
But Ethan answered for him, "We were in Forks today and we saw that family who used to live there. The dad was a doctor and one of his kids married your daughter." He said to Charlie.
"The Cullens are back?" Collin spat out.
Fuck.
"That's enough!" I snapped.
But Ethan kept going, "There was this really bad smell coming off them. She smells like them and she looks exactly like them. Pale skin, bronze hair like that one guy, almost impossibly beautiful and that smell!" he spat.
Everyone was looking at me with wide eyes. Except for Sam, he had his eyes narrowed, looking directly at Nessie. One by one, the pack members stood up, their faces unreadable, with trembling hands.
Sam took a step forwards, toward Nessie. I got in his path and pushed him back. "Walk away, Sam." I warned him.
Fury settled on his features as he stared at me for a second. "You didn't."
He stepped forward another inch. "You touch her and I'll kill you, Sam." I growled.
"Jacob." Nessie soft voice came from behind me. "Don't. You promised me you wouldn't fight. Please, Jacob. Don't do this. I'll go-"
"I never promised." I said evenly without taking my eyes off Sam.
I growled nervously as Sam's pack inched closer to him and Jared. Ethan and Chris were now looking around in confusion while still shaking and being held back by Jared. The elders, imprints, and kids all moved away from our standoff, but still watched.
"You brought a Cullen onto our lands?" Sam snarled. "Into my home? You let her hug my wife and play with my children!"
"I- I'm not dangerous." Nessie said softly.
Sam's eyes left mine to glare at her. "You're a Cullen!" he snapped viciously at her. "You're not allowed here!"
"I brought her here!" I snapped at him. "As the rightful alpha, Ephraim Black's heir, I brought Renesmee Cullen onto La Push land!"
There was a collective gasp from everyone. Both Sam and I both close to letting the wolf out. A low growl escaped Sam's chest. "Leeches and leech lovers aren't allowed here." He told me evenly.
"She's not a leech!" I roared. "She's half human, half vampire!"
"She's just that!" Sam snapped, "A monster! Back down, Jacob!"
His eyes flickered to her as his body gave a giant tremor.
"Renesmee." A familiar voice came from behind everyone. The pack growled more. "Peanut, its time to go." Edward Cullen tried to coax his daughter away from this dangerous situation.
"Daddy…" she said softly. There was another gasp. I suppose her calling Edward Cullen daddy pretty much confirmed who she is.
"Peanut, its not safe. Come with me." He tried again.
"Get off our land!" Sam roared at him.
"Not until I have my daughter, Sam. I don't mean any harm, but my daughter is more important to me than a treaty." Edward said evenly. "Renesmee, come on. We have to go. This is a dangerous situation."
"Jacob, I'm not leaving without you." She said softly.
"I need you to leave, Nessie." I said evenly, still watching Sam's every move.
"Jacob-"
"I can take care of myself. Please leave, Nessie. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Please listen to him, Peanut. We'll stay in Forks until-"
"Like fuck you will!" Sam snapped. "You're leaving tonight!"
"They can stay as long as they want!" I countered.
"Renesmee, we have to go. Your mother will start to worry. I don't want to bring any more stress into this situation than there already is. Jacob doesn't need Bella to show up, too." Edward reasoned.
I took a few steps away from Sam and fell back in with my pack. Nessie wrapped her arms around me and it made me feel slightly more calm. Jacob. Please don't fight them.
"I'm not going to fight you, Sam." I said evenly. "If you don't like who my imprint" Edward hissed, "is, then her and I will leave."
"Jacob!" Nessie snapped at me. "We talked about this-"
"I don't want to make this decision, but if you force me to, I will. We wont come back to La Push if you don't want us to." I delivered to ultimatum.
It was silence except for the crackling or the fire and the waves rolling in. I could barely hear anyone breathing. But, again, Charlie Swan broke the silence. "Jacob Black, you're under arrest for statutory rape. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?" he said as he got up and walked toward me.
"Are you fucking kidding me, Charlie?" I yelled.
"That's Chief Swan to you!" he said sternly back as he held out the cuffs.
"Renesmee, its time to go." Edward said sternly as he approached us. I could tell my pack was holding back growls.
Charlie made sure to give Edward a hate-filled glare.
I leaned down and pressed my lips to Nessie's. I suppose it wasn't the best kind of kiss to give her when her father and grandfather were about three feet from us. But I really didn't give a fuck.
I felt two pairs of hands prying me off, one icy cold, and another human temperature. "Get your paws off my daughter!" Edward hissed, quiet obviously annoyed with me.
"Hands behind your back!" Charlie said as soon as he helped Edward split us apart.
"I love you, Nessie." I told her as Charlie cuffed me.
"I love you, too." She sniffed as Edward lead her away. "I'll be in Forks." She whispered to me before she and I were dragged away by her father and grandfather respectively.
I could tell Charlie was trying to manhandle me into the cruiser, but it didn't go so well for him considering I'm a werewolf. But I went into the cruiser willingly enough and we were on our way. We had just gotten onto the main road when Charlie started. "How long have you known?"
I shrugged. "Like two days."
"She's 10." He huffed.
"I found out two days ago!" I defended myself. "I didn't know! She looks-"
"I'd prefer not to know what you think of my granddaughter." He snapped.
We stayed silent for awhile, so Charlie could probably found the right words to say to Edward and so I could think of the huge mess I just made.
"How much did she know?" he asked quietly. "Did- Did she know about me."
I smiled. "Nope. They didn't tell her anything. In fact, when I told her she has your curls, she demanded that I take her here. I didn't want to because, well, you saw what just happened. But she didn't take no for an answer. She wanted to come find you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked in a sad voice.
I frowned when I thought back to the first time Charlie and Nessie met. "Because you basically said you hate the Cullens when you first met her."
That shut him up for the rest of the ride. When we got to the station, Sam and Quil were standing outside of it. It pissed me off to see Sam. He wanted to kill her just because of who her parents are.
"What do you want?" I snapped as soon as Charlie let me out of the cruiser.
Sam frowned, but kept his cool. "There's a meeting. You're required to go." He said.
"Am I going to listen as you plan how to kill my imprint and her family?" I snapped.
Sam let out a warning growl. "No." he bit out. "We're just discussing things."
"Charlie?" I asked, turning to him. "Will you let me go so I can stop these assholes from killing your daughter and granddaughter?"
Sam rolled his eyes and walked into the forest, "Its at Billy's." he said as he took off.
Quil stuck around. "We aren't going to attack, Jake. I don't think she's dangerous." Quil said quietly as Charlie uncuffed me with a sigh.
"She's not."
Quil and I headed into the forest, phased, and quickly ran to Billy's. When I walked in, there was a clear division. Sam's pack was on one side of the room, while my pack was standing on the other frowning.
"Quiet!" Billy's voice rang out. Everyone stopped talking and gossiping right away. "Jacob is here."
Everyone snapped their heads to me. I saw a wide range of looks in everyone too. I took a deep breath and sat down at the table with Billy, Sue, Old Quil, and Sam. The rest of the packs and imprints stood around us.
No one said anything for a solid minute before I couldn't take the silence anymore. "I don't see why you're all freaking out over this."
"Oh! You don't see how were a little fucking pissed about this?" Sam yelled.
"No! I don't! She's not dangerous!"
"Maybe not to a werewolf! But to a human!" Sam leapt out of his chair and pounded the table.
"She went to school with humans for months!" I also leapt out of my chair. But when I pounded the table, it nearly collapsed.
"Silence!" Billy yelled. We fell silent. "Shouting will get us no where. Now, Jacob, are you one hundred percent sure that Renesmee Cullen is your imprint?"
"What the hell kind of a question is that!" I snapped at my dad. Everyone was pissing me off today. "You didn't ask anyone else that question! Yes! She's my imprint!"
"Calm down, son." He said quietly. "I ask because no one knew it was possible to conceive a half vampire half human child, much less imprint on it."
"Her." I corrected him. "She's just as human as me."
"She's not a wolf, Jake." Paul said, uncharacteristically serious, "Her diet is blood. She is designed to kill-"
"And how would you know!" I snapped. "Have you been living with her six months! I didn't even know! She doesn't drink blood! She gave it up when she moved away from her family!"
"Well you don't know if-"
I interrupted Paul again, "Know if what? If she ever cheated? No! You know how it is Paul! If she wasn't next to me, I was outside of her window! As alpha, I think I would have noticed if humans, or even animals were turning up dead in my territory!"
"She blended in with humans perfectly." Embry added. "Even when someone got a paper cut, she didn't give a reaction. She's not dangerous."
"Even if she's not," Jared started, "she broke the treaty. Cullens aren't allowed in La Push."
"But as Ephraim Black's heir, Jacob can bring her here." Billy said. "She didn't break the treaty when Jake brought her here." Yes! Billy Black was on my side. "However, I can understand Sam's point, the way we found out was terrible. You should have told us."
"Blame these two idiots!" I gestured to the newbies.
"You should have told us as soon as you found out." Billy repeated.
I sighed and sat back down. "I know. I was just- If things wound up like this. With you guys hating her. I just wanted a chance to say goodbye this time. I don't want to. I like being back, but if you make me choose, its going to be her." I told them.
"We're not going to make you choose, Jake." Rachel spoke up for the first time. "She never gave me any hint that she might cause trouble. Yes, its- Its strange to think that she's 10 and half vampire, but she truly seems like a good person and I don't see the problem here either. She makes him happy, he makes her happy."
"Thanks, Rach." I said quietly.
"And don't forget the pack code." Quil said. "When a wolf imprints, his imprint, as well as her family are protected by the pack."
There was a murmur of agreement throughout the room.
"And don't forget about the newborn war." Seth said with a smile. "We kicked ass and worked together with the Cullens."
I could see Sam start to calm down.
"And Sam," Billy said with a smile, "Don't forget about your own theory. Renesmee Cullen will undoubtedly be able to provide strong new wolves for the pack."
Sam took a deep breath and nodded once. "All valid points." He said quietly.
I could feel how uneasy everyone was. I suppose it wasn't easy for them. I was trying to turn around years of hatred and fear of Nessie and her family.
"So…" Sue began, "I think we've determined that Renesmee Cullen is not a threat, is that correct?"
My pack immediately agreed, as did Rachel, Emily, and Quil. The other wolves and imprints nodded their heads a little hesitantly.
"And what of Jacob's ultimatum?" Old Quil spoke up. "It is my understanding that you would like your Cullen imprint-"
"She'll be a Black soon enough." I cut in.
Old Quil ignored me, "to be allowed on our lands with no consequence?"
I shrugged, "Well, yeah. Other imprints who are just as dangerous as her are allowed on our lands." I couldn't help the attitude. They were talking about my Nessie like she was inferior.
"Drop the dramatics, Jacob." Billy rolled his eyes. "Well all know you'd do anything for her, but we need to determine the best path for the tribe."
"That's bull shit, dad!" I scoffed. "You know what the best path is for the tribe. Sam's retiring soon weather you like it or not. Jared and Paul have families and mortal imprints to think about. I'm the rightful alpha. You think I'd be best if Leah ran the pack? No offence." I added to her, she shrugged and glared at Paul. "No. Its me, dad. You know it, I know it, fuck, everyone knows it! Its my birthright to lead this pack and I wont do it with out her with me." I finished.
"How do we know that you're the best man for the job when you ran away from it for 10 years?" Sue asked.
"I didn't run away from it." I said firmly, "I was my own alpha for 3 years and then their alpha for 7." I nodded to my pack.
"He's a better alpha than Sam." Leah said casually. "No offence." She smiled sweetly at him. "Jake was born for it. He was more confident and he never second guessed himself. He never used his alpha command for stupid things, except for when Embry was an asshole to Carlie. And can obviously make good decisions when it comes to his second." She smiled smugly at Embry and Seth. They rolled their eyes.
"What do you think of the Cullens coming onto our lands?" Sean asked.
"I think… That they're ok." I said confidently. I was met my several growls and head shakes. "Have the Cullens ever given us a reason to mistrust them?"
"They killed Bella." Sam stated.
"Bull shit. We all know Bella was a willing victim. She chose that life. The Cullens have been our allies in the past. Like Seth said, we kicked ass with them. Nessie needs her family. She loves them, and I'm not willing to make her suffer just because we cant get over years of irrational hatred. I'm not saying the Cullens can live on the rez or hunt anywhere near it. All I'm saying is that, if they let us know ahead of time, I see no problem with letting them on the rez."
"For selfish reasons." Billy said. "Nessie isn't happy, you're not happy."
"Trust me, you don't want to be in Jake's head when Nessie is mad at him." Embry jumped in. "Its for the sanity of the entire pack that I support Jake."
"I suppose I new treaty will have to be drawn up." Billy muttered.
I looked around at the faces of my friends and family. Some looked happy, like Rachel, and some looked pretty pissed, like the new guys. I sighed. "Look, I don't expect you guys to forget the past 10 years and be best friends with the Cullens, all I'm asking you to do is respect me enough to accept the changes I'm bringing. Having a good relationship with the Cullens is a good thing. That's more protection for us. I know Bella enough to say that if I ever asked for her help, she'd give it. And from what I know from Nessie, her family would die for her. The Cullens aren't leeches." I stated, "They're good vampires who have enough good in them to raise a perfect woman. You met Carlie. Nothing is different except her name."
"I think she's great." Jenna jumped in. "She knows how to party an she seems really sweet. I didn't really know Bella or the Cullens, but if they could raise her that well, they cant be bad." She shrugged. Collin's support was in the bag now.
"Exactly!" I yelled, "Thank you!"
"I agree." Kim said quietly. Jared looked at her with a shocked expression. "Dr. Cullen was my doctor for a few years. He's a good man and I was surprised when I found out what he was."
"I never hated the Cullens to begin with." Seth shrugged, "Edward's pretty cool and Bella just chose happiness. And, of course, she's my step-sister." He grinned.
"I think Jacob being back is what's best for the pack, and if his little kid imprint and her vampire family come along, too, then fine." Paul said quickly. Rachel beamed at him. I frowned.
And just like that, I heard a laugh from Brady. "What?" I snapped at him.
"Nothing!" he said quickly, "Its just- You- She's 10 and you're engaged." He laughed.
Embry joined him in his giggling. "And I thought 17 was bad."
And then it was like a chain reaction. Every fucking person in that room started to laugh at me. "I didn't know!" I yelled.
"When you think about it, its really a ridiculous situation." Jared chuckled. "She's younger than Claire and you already-"
"Ok! Ok!" I stopped him. "I- I really fail to see how this is funny. I'm here telling you all that I might have to leave for good, and here you are laughing!" I had to raise my voice over the laughter.
"We're not gonna make you make that decision, Jake." Sam said with a small smile. "Its just funny. You left because you couldn't handle Bella getting married, if you had just stayed, you could have had 10 more years with your imprint. Its just… You fucked up, man." He chuckled.
What. Fucking. Assholes. Laughing at my 10 years of pain.
"As long as she doesn't drink human blood, I'm fine with her being on the rez." He said. "Its just… You gotta give me some time to get used to her. I- I feel bad about scaring her before, but what was I supposed to think. Emily and my kids were right there and-"
"Yeah, yeah. No. I get it. I should have told you over the phone or something." I shrugged.
"Yeah." He agreed, "You really should have. But I accept that she's a part of the pack. I'm just pissed you didn't let us know and we had to find out from someone else."
"Right then." Billy said with a grin. "Renesmee Cullen is allowed. What do you think of the Cullens being-"
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, BLACK!" My future father-in-law's voice screamed from outside.
My eyes went wide. "Shit. He does not sound happy."
"You're fucking his daughter." Paul shrugged. "Dads don't like that, eh, Billy?" he nudged Billy. My dad just frowned at him.
"Jacob-" Sam started in a weary tone.
"Uhh… Don't, uh, don't kill him. Just… maybe just try to keep him from killing me." I said as I rose to go outside.
"Bad idea, man." Embry warned quietly as I walked outside.
What now? I really hope you liked it, its only been a year in the making….