I don't own Twilight you silly person!
Author's Note: Please review! I want to know what you all are thinking about where I'm taking this story and how you feel about it. I've decided to change the direction it was headed in. Thanks!
Family Tree Chapter 15
JPOV
I ran away from Bella. Every time I dropped her off or smelled their scent on her, I wanted to throw up. It was disgusting. It seemed really weird that she seemed to enjoy their stench. I groaned and ran faster, whipping through the trees quickly, my feet barely touching the forest floor. I darted through the woods, making a b-line to La Push. I knew my dad wanted to talk to me about the tribal situation.
I didn't think there was any reason to get so upset. Even if she was dharszhind …so what? We'd been waiting for this "peacemaker" for so long maybe some of the stories had been changed. Perhaps all of the requirements weren't accurate. If she truly was the peacemaker…well, that changed things a bit. Her status in the tribe would be close to the chief elder. She would be given many responsibilities and learn the tribal magic. If it was true, she would be a teacher, a healer, a bringer of spirits. She would belong.
I slowed down just shy of the house and contemplated that. She would be part of the tribe. She would be close.
She could belong to you.
The familiar voice whispered sweet lies into my ear. I shook my head reluctantly. No, she wouldn't. Not as long as the bloodsuckers were around. If only they'd meet with a happy accident!
I chuckled darkly as I walked toward the house.
"Jacob? Come inside son."
"Yes, father."
I obediently went into the cabin and turned, flopping down on the couch.
"About Bella…"
"Yeah?"
"It is difficult. You were there at the meeting. You know the histories. What do you think?" He asked seriously, regarding me with dark, unreadable eyes.
I sat upright immediately. This was important, him asking for my opinion. It meant a great deal to me.
"I think that no one but the dharszhind could make those snakes disappear. Bella doesn't know our language, our culture, or our legends; other than a few I told her a few years ago that had nothing to do with this. It's possible, despite the things that would seem to negate it. Sometimes, history is lost."
He shook his head thoughtfully. "True. What do you suppose we do in the event that she is our peacemaker?"
I considered. "She should be given a choice. If she chooses to accept her responsibilities within the tribe, we should teach her and help her in any way that we can. If not, we leave it alone for now. You know what the legends say. If she truly is dharszhind she will return to us. She is rooted within the tribe as the tree of life from which we were sewn."
He nodded and then smiled. I was instantly wary.
"Do not cause her to fear. Let her know that she is welcome here. Until we've figured things out, I'd rather you didn't give her too much information."
I didn't understand where this was coming from but nodded. "All right."
"That's a good boy. Are you patrolling tonight?"
"Yeah, I should be back by morning."
"Be safe."
I grinned. "I always am."
I left the cabin in slightly better spirits than before. Maybe things would work out.
EPOV
I could not stop pacing. Sitting still was an impossibility as I was extremely agitated. Just knowing where Bella was right now, surrounded by Quileutes in a place I couldn't get to her…well at least without breaking the treaty, was frustrating. I'd called her house three times now and Charlie was irritated with me; not that I particularly cared. But it was past nine o'clock and I was worried. I decided to go to her house even though Alice rolled her eyes in my general direction when I left.
I jumped into my car and drove to Forks. I reached her house in less than ten minutes and cruised by, noting that her red truck was not there. I decided to drive around a bit, passing by her house every ten minutes or so for two hours. It was now eleven o'clock. I was getting frantic. I parked my car a few blocks away and raced toward her house. I leapt easily from the tree through her open window and walked around her bedroom, just touching her things, trying to calm down. I let my hand ghost over her pillow, the indentation of her head visible in the pillow. I leant down and inhaled the enticing smell wafting upwards. My dead heart twitched, or perhaps I only thought it did, in response.
She's coming home. It's all right. She'll be back before you know it. Calm down. Keep a cool head. Jacob wouldn't let anything happen to her…
My thoughts were rampant and as it neared midnight, I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I left her room and rather than head to my car I ran toward La Push. I was going to get Bella back.
At least running gave me something to do. I felt like a caged animal and this mad dash through the trees helped immensely. I had a single focus, one intent until a strangely familiar smell caused me to stop. I began walking around, until I found the scent again and followed it. I broke through a thick patch of foliage into a tiny clearing and paused.
Dahlia stared back at me, her eyes assessing. Realizing that my stance could be taken as predatory, I relaxed. She nodded in greeting.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked carefully. I didn't like her proximity to Bella's house.
"Hunting, of course," she answered in a smooth, husky voice.
"The best hunting grounds are further south and to the east," I informed her, watching closely for her reaction.
"I wasn't aware of that. What are you doing out here all alone?"
"Just getting some air."
She laughed and it reminded me of Greta Garbo. "You're a terrible liar Edward. But I forgive you. Come, hunt with me."
I had a growing sense of unease but decided to go along with her, if only to get her away from Bella.
"We could head south to Ranier," I offered.
She considered me. "That sounds acceptable."
"Will your partner be joining us?" I asked carefully, hoping that he would.
"No, I sent him on a small errand. He'll be back later."
"All right. Give me a moment."
I reached into my pocket and called Alice.
"Hi Edward. I will watch over Bella, enjoy your hunt. Bye."
I hung up with a sense of satisfaction. Alice was one in a million.
Dahlia smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "Shall we?"
"After you," I pointed in the correct direction and she took off. She was fast, nearly as fast as me. Surprised, I took off after her and we didn't stop until we were miles away.
"Bella?"
I cracked my eyes open to see two beautiful topaz eyes staring back at me. I smiled at him and then let out a rather undignified yawn.
"Where've you been?"
"Pardon?"
I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I blinked rapidly and when my eyes focused, I realized that though they both shared beautiful topaz eyes, this was not Edward.
"Julian?" I whispered, confused.
"I needed to talk to you but your Edward was dead set against it. Do you mind?"
My hammering heart was leaping in my chest. I knew this was bad. If Edward found out about it he would not be happy.
"What do you want?" I tried to keep the fear out of my voice but failed miserably.
"You don't need to fear me. I only wanted to warn you, now while Dahlia and Edward are away."
"What do you mean away?"
"They went hunting and will probably be back in a few hours but never mind that. You are in danger Bella," his voice was solemn, serious.
Even though I knew he was telling me the truth I chuckled. "When am I not in danger?"
Then I paused, thinking. Dahlia and Edward…I felt nauseous.
He narrowed his eyes. "I will not let harm come to you."
"Why do you care what happens to me?" I whispered, suddenly feeling anguished. Edward was hunting with her. Somehow I knew…I just knew that she was evil. I didn't like it one bit.
"It will upset things. Trust me Bella."
I opened my mouth to ask him why I should trust him when I barely knew him but realized that I already did. I trusted him. It wasn't reasonable or rational or logical; I just did.
"I do," I told him honestly, amazed that I readily admitted it.
He smiled genuinely. "Then trust me when I tell you that you need to be altered, immediately."
I swallowed. "Altered?"
"Changed," He clarified, "into one of us."
"Well, yeah."
He seemed surprised. "You want this?"
"Of course. I've been trying to change Edward's mind for over a year now."
"Is he the only one against it in the clan?"
"No, Rosalie doesn't want me to either."
"But you and she aren't close," he stated.
"No. How'd you know that?"
He brushed my question aside. "How much do you trust me, Bella?"
I considered him. "I'm not sure. I have this deep down feeling that I can trust you but…"
A low growl interrupted my sentence. I jumped a mile and then relaxed when I saw it was only Alice. But the look in her eyes…
"Get out now." Her face was a mask of fury, eyes black as coal, furious.
Julian stood away from me and walked unnaturally slow toward Alice, his hands up.
"She had to be warned."
"We can protect her. This does not concern you. Do not come here again." Alice looked terrifying, like a monster. I was scared of her for the first time.
Julian took his eyes off of Alice and turned to me. "If they will not assist you, I will Bella. You can trust me."
Alice lunged for Julian but he moved quickly out of the way. They were a blur of shapes and then…they were gone.
I was alone.
Once again, people were fighting, because of me. I didn't want to be alone.
"Edward," I whispered into the chilling darkness, "where are you?"