Writing on the Wall

Chapter 8: Meeting

Bella

As soon as the sun rose, I washed up, dressed up, and headed straight to the garage. Charlie still had my old Chevy, and I just silently prayed he'd tried to maintain it, too.

When I heard the familiar deafening engine roar to life, I couldn't help but do a little happy dance.

I still had the way to the Blacks' memorized at the back of my mind. I drove leisurely towards the reservation, while taking bites of the waffle I'd heated from the fridge before I left. It didn't take very long for me to see the familiar small, red house, where I'd spent so much time in the past couple of years.

As soon as I parked, I jumped in surprise when someone slapped the back of my truck quite harshly. I turned to the window and saw Jacob shirtless, and absolutely unamused. I was still not used to hit short, cropped hair, but it suited him regardless.

"What are you doing here?" he asked almost angrily when I stepped out of the vehicle.

"First, put a shirt on," I said, trying to diffuse the tension. When that didn't work, I continued, "Okay, what in the world happened last night?"

"What did the bloo––doctor tell you?"

I narrowed my eyes. "He told me if I wanted answers, I should ask you."

He looked genuinely surprised at that. "He said that? He told you to come here, on your own? Trusted us enough to…" Jacob trailed off, his eyes looking like they were somewhere else.

"Look, Jake," I began, stepping closer to him. "I know I've been very difficult to reach recently, and I haven't been there for you all the time, but I'd still like to think I'm your friend. Your best friend, even, if you like. But you've got to tell me what's going on."

"I can't," he said simply.

I groaned in frustration. "Why the fuck can't anyone tell me anything?"

Jacob looked sincerely apologetic. "I…I'm really not allowed to say anything. I swear, I'm not." Suddenly, his face brightened a bit, as if an idea popped into his head. "But I could give you some clues, I suppose. Technically, you already know."

"What? Clues?" I repeated, leaning against my truck behind me. "Like, detective stuff?"

Jacob looked like he was trying to concentrate, and his brows were so furrowed that the lines between them looked permanent. "I don't have much time, and I need you to leave as soon as I tell you this. Deal?"

"But…I wanted to check on Billy too," I protested.

He bit his lip, looking pained. "Trust me. Not today."

Eventually, I nodded once.

Jacob took a step closer to me. "Do you remember that time when you were unapologetically flirting with me by the beach, back when we first met?"

I immediately felt my cheeks flush. "I don't know––"

He rolled his eyes and laughed incredulously. "Stop it, you know you were. I just need to know that you remember that."

"Okay, I do."

He nodded quickly, almost excitedly. "Okay, okay, good. So far, so good. Now, can you tell me what you remember about that conversation?"

I struggled to think about it. "Um…Well, I remember I was curious about what your friend had said about the Cullens? Is that it?"

He widened his eyes, but couldn't seem to get words out of his mouth. "I––don't know, I can't tell you. But what else?"

"Jacob, you know my memory's fuzzy––"

"You want answers right?" he asked pointedly, his voice slightly raising. "You know, you deserve answers. You're in the middle of all this, and yes, you're still my best friend. Despite you being a snobby bitch recently."

"Jake––"

"What else, Bella?"

I closed my eyes to concentrate. I could see the memory now, and yes, I did try my best––which wasn't very much––to flirt with Jacob to get some answers. I asked him why his friend Embry said the Cullens don't come here…

Werewolves have enemies?

Only one.

No.

I mean…It can't be. Right?

I began to slowly open my eyes, hands trembling in sudden realization, and I watched as Jacob's eyes searched mine. He stepped backwards slowly when he concluded I'd gotten it.

"I don't wanna hear it yet, Bella," he said. "I need you to leave now."

"But––"

"We made a deal!" He opened my car door and shoved me quite easily inside. "Once they found out you know…Well, let's just say I'd like you out of the rez before I get the chance to explain it to them."

"Who's they?"

"Stop asking questions you already know the answers to," he said bluntly. As usual, he was right. Werewolves…there were more of them. And apparently they stayed at the reservation?

"One more thing," he said, leaning in the open window. "Tell your bloodsucker friend Carlisle to meet us at the border at midnight."

I immediately felt the blood drain from my cheeks. Of course he knew. The aggression that night…It all makes sense now. "I––Okay."

"Be safe, Bella. I'll see you."

Carlisle was already standing in the driveway of his home when I pulled in. He had an unreadable, almost cold expression on his face as he regarded me. It softened, though, when I shot him a small smile as I parked my unbelievable loud truck right by the front door.

I was still reeling from the revelation I just got from my best friend––who, apparently, was a fucking werewolf since God knows when––and was too distracted to look at where I was going that I tripped and was falling face first towards the concrete––

––but Carlisle, of course, broke my fall by holding me up easily by the waist. "Careful," he said gently.

I released an embarrassed sigh as I steadied myself. "Thanks."

He kept his hands where they were.

"Is it me?" I asked, exasperatedly.

"What is?"

"Is there just something about me that attracts wildly supernatural beings?"

His face darkened at that, and he pulled his hands away, to my disappointment. He motioned for me to go inside the house with him. "I'm guessing your friend has told you the truth."

"He's my best friend," I cried from behind him. "How did this happen? How come I didn't see it––"

"You couldn't have," Alice interrupted when I entered the room, a doll sitting on the staircase banister. "He can't have first turned more than a few months ago."

I frowned. "Is that…normal?"

"No," Jasper chimed in from the den. He gestured for all of us to join him in the sitting area. "You see, being a werewolf…it isn't a life like ours. They're still human. However, the fever and transformation of a certain bloodline set in when there's a threat to the area they protect. In this case, it's Forks."

"Threat?" I repeated. "You mean vampires?"

All three of them solemnly nodded. Carlisle, who had been standing by the window, slowly walked up and sat next to me on the loveseat.

"There were no werewolves during our recent stay in the area because we've proven long ago that we were no threat, and we'd kept the peace treaty with Ephraim Black."

"That makes no sense," I said. "That means you were gone for several years already before the fever set in."

Three sets of dark ochre eyes stared at me blankly, until it finally dawned on me.

"That's impossible."

"It's the only possible explanation," Alice said quietly, clasping her hands together on her lap. "We aren't alone. And clearly, whoever has invaded the community is a danger to all who's in it."

"Carlisle," Jasper called out. "How are we going to find them?"

"You may not have to," I suddenly said, remembering. "Jacob asked for you to meet them at the border at midnight today."

Carlisle took in a long breath, adjusting himself in his seat. Alice and Jasper locked eyes with each other, most likely sharing a silent conversation.

"You hypothesize the wolves may already know who they are," Carlisle said, his eyebrow furrowed.

"Maybe. I don't know."

"It's possible," Jasper acknowledged. "It is in their nature to hunt beings like us."

"Will we meet them, Carlisle?" Alice asked.

I watched as my statuesque blond angel mulled the dilemma over. I could feel he was torn. "I would like to meet with the wolves, yes, but we haven't had amicable relations with their folk for decades. I'm only concerned about everyone's safety at this meeting."

I was immediately horrified. "You're not going to hurt Jacob, are you?"

To my ultimate surprise, Carlisle let out a dark, booming laugh, a sound so eerie yet strangely melodic that it made me unconsciously flinch. "Do not concern yourself over the boy's safety. I was talking about ours."

I was stunned to silence.

"I have an inkling we are vastly outnumbered," he continued, looking to Alice and Jasper. "We're only three. If we meet them at the border and things go awry––"

"Four."

I felt Carlisle tense and practically turn to stone next to me. Alice's eyes softened, and she gave me a sad, knowing smile. Jasper, on the other hand, merely looked at me in surprise, and even a hint of pride.

"If you say there's a possibility things go bad," I explained slowly, tucking my hands under my bottom, "then I think the chances will slim if I'm there. A human. They wouldn't put me at risk, would they?"

"Spoken like a true strategist," Jasper chuckled.

"Bella," Carlisle whispered next to me. When I turned to him, my heart immediately ached at the worry and pain in his eyes. "I know and trust that this Jacob is your friend, but these wolves…They will choose to shift to their form for this meeting, and they are absolutely dangerous this way. I want you to be aware of that."

"Okay. Consider me aware."

"You won't change your mind no matter what I say, will you?"

I shook my head, crossing my arms.

And we stared at each other like that for a long minute, a battle for dominance. I knew I was bound to lose, but my decision was made. And I knew he knew that, too.

"Alice, Jasper," he said, finally breaking away from our staring contest. "Will you scout our immediate vicinity? We need to be sure we're safe here, at least."

They wordlessly disappeared within a few seconds, stepping out of the house via the open full-sized window at the den. Carlisle and I were alone again, and for the first time since I'd been with him, I was afraid.

It was a familiar fear, something I'd felt several years ago, but for a wholly different person––albeit also vampire. It was the time James had sworn to track me, and I'd put the whole family in danger just for being what I was. Human. It was a fear that I would lose the only thing that mattered most to me, just for my own shortcomings or decisions.

"I'm starting to think that maybe we shouldn't have come here," I whispered sadly, staring at my hands on my lap.

I felt Carlisle's fingers slightly lift my chin. "Tell me everything you feel."

I took his hand and led it to against the side of my face, leaning onto his cold, but comforting skin. "I'm scared, Carlisle. Werewolves, more vampires…I thought knowing everything would make me feel better. But it still feels like everything's slipping away."

He was quiet, encouraging me to go on. Carlisle began rubbing my forearm with his other hand almost harshly, as if he was trying to convince me he was right there. And always would be.

I looked up at him. "You said with Esme, that she was perfect."

His movements immediately ceased, and he stared at me with questioning eyes.

"She was perfect, but you never were, together. Those were your words. And you gave up. Carlisle, look at where we are now, and what I've gotten you all into. From the moment we met, it was like…We clearly aren't perfect. Will you…" I couldn't even finish it without feeling the sting in my eyes.

"Is that what you're afraid of?" His tone was cold, which frightened me. Carlisle looked almost antagonistic. "You're afraid I'll give up on you?"

"It wouldn't be the first time," I couldn't help but say.

Carlisle grunted suddenly, leaning his forehead to press against mine. There was a whirlwind of vulnerable emotions in his features––anger, pain, regret, but also an intense passion. I felt his hands trail across my arms, my neck, my back––everywhere. He pulled me almost painfully close to him, and I was overwhelmed with the scent and feel of him. Despite his freezing cold skin, I couldn't feel anything but warmth and love as I was flushed so close to him, and the warmth spread across each crevice of my body, even…

"You feel that, don't you?" He whispered, his breath fanning my face like a cool breeze.

He pressed a hand to my chest, feeling my quickened heartbeat. With his other hand, he led mine to the small gap between our faces, making my fingers touch and trail across his inhumanly beautiful features. When my fingers reached his lips, he closed his eyes and kissed each digit ardently.

"I have never felt anything like this, for anyone, in my past centuries of existing," he murmured. "I'm not just in love with you, Bella. That's too human; it is fleeting for others, and wouldn't even come close to my feelings for you. No, I am devoted to you."

My chest tightened at his confession.

"I have been stubborn about it at the beginning, ever since I first met you," he continued, his eyes still closed. "I remember exactly what you looked like, where you were seated in that emergency room, your clothes, your scent…I was stubborn because even then, the odds were against us. You had made your choice."

"Carlisle…"

"Nonetheless, I have felt it, and even Esme herself admitted she knew I did, before I ever realized it myself. But I had accepted the writing on the wall then. Then when things turned out for the worse and…When I tell you that leaving you was also one of the hardest things I've ever done, it wasn't just to be polite.

"Now I am here, and the cosmos has chosen to provide a second chance for me, and now I truly believe it is because this––with you––is where I'm meant to be. Why in the world, then, would I ever give up on you?"

He finally opened his eyes, and the darkness had dissipated, replaced with pure ardor.

"I love you," I whispered as he wiped a tear I hadn't noticed had escaped from one of my eyes. "No matter how pathetically human that probably sounds to you."

I felt complete.

He pulled me roughly onto his lap, and I had to steady myself with my hands against his shoulders from the sudden movement. Immediately, I felt a familiar aching and wanting, and from the look of his clouded gaze, he did too.

Carlisle grabbed my neck and caressed my pulse. He pulled me gently to him, stopping when my lips were only centimeters away from his. "Say it again for me."

"I love you," I repeated, trying to lean in, but his hand kept me in place and even caused me to choke a bit. The sound I made when I did apparently had an effect on him, because his expression immediately darkened.

"Are you going to make me beg again?" I whispered as he slightly choked me. His fingers tightened by a minuscule and trembled slightly, as if he was doing everything he could to control himself.

"Can you blame me?" He smirked. "You have no idea how captivating you look when you do."

"Do you want me on my knees?"

He didn't seem to understand what I meant at first, so I decided to show him. I pulled away from him slowly, sliding––as gracefully as I could––to my knees in front of him, and gently placing a hand on each of his thighs. When it finally dawned on him, his expression turned serious.

"Bella, don't."

I tilted my head. "Is this something you don't like?"

"No, but––I––" Seeing Carlisle stutter with his words, eyes clouded with lust and uncertainty, was a sight to behold. If anything, it made me want to blow him even more, despite being extremely inexperienced with the act. "I––I just feel like I'd be disrespecting you, if I let you," he finally finished.

"No disrespect received," I said simply, my hands trailing up until I reached the edge of his pants. He took my arms then, biting his lip as he stared at me, struggling with a clear dilemma.

I pulled myself up to kiss him to stop him from overthinking it, simultaneously undoing the button of his pants when I did. He didn't resist anymore, and I felt his body slowly give in as he let my tongue slip in between his cool lips. His hands helped me pull the garment down slightly, until I finally saw it––

Clearly, Carlisle had no shortcomings anywhere.

I knelt back down and sat on my heels, and I was face to face with his glorious shaft. I looked up at him, and God…Seeing his clouded, lustful gaze from this angle was almost too much for me to handle.

I decided to start out slow, kissing the tip of his cock, and a hand slowly caressing the rest of him. He moaned immediately––my list of favorite sounds was just going on and on––and instinctively took a handful of hair from the back of my head. I felt his hand trembling again to maintain control.

"Fuck," he swore, and the sound worsened the heat pooling between my thighs.

I began to gain more confidence and quickened my ministrations, slowly taking more and more of him in my mouth. Instead of its initial resistant pulling, the hand gripping my hair began to slowly guide and push me towards him instead, until I finally took him whole in my mouth and throat.

He heard me choke again and groaned loudly. "I can't."

"What––"

Before even realizing what was happening, I was being carried upstairs and into an unfamiliar, large bedroom with grey walls and several filled bookshelves, and a large king-sized bed right in the middle of it. Carlisle's bedroom.

He set me on the bed rather roughly, and I felt both anxious and excited seeing the dangerous, ravenous expression on his features. "I am not going to fuck you on that lounge." After a flashing moment of what looked to be genuine surprise with himself, he caressed the side of my face and added: "Only if you'll let me, of course."

I let out a shaky moan at his profane words––this side of him was just something I couldn't get enough of.

It was settled. I knew I had to have him. "Take me," I breathed.

Carlisle groaned in response to my assent, and I quivered with anticipation, my core throbbing intensely with need.

He quickly and gracefully lifted the sweater I was wearing until it was across the room. He did the same with my shorts, leaving me in nothing but my non-matching underwear. Clearly, I hadn't thought I'd be having sex––with the love of my life, no less––for the first time when I left my house that morning.

Carlisle's golden eyes grazed my body slowly, obscenely. For a moment, I felt vulnerable and insecure, until his fingers traced the sides of my waist, my arms, my thighs, following his gaze.

"So beautiful," he murmured.

I bit my lip, reaching up to unbutton his dress shirt. He wasn't having it, however, taking my wandering hands and pinning them on the pillow above my head. I was fascinated by the way he could confidently control his inhuman strength under these conditions; it was something Edward had always believed to be impossible and dangerous, back then.

Apparently, Carlisle's self-restraint didn't only apply to his diet.

However, as he pressed his lips against mine, tongue darting out to claim each crevice of my mouth, I felt his desperation and need. It was if his restraint was the only thing keeping him from crushing me, but he couldn't help or control himself from touching me this way…

I let him. I was his.

He then trailed down the side of my face, paying particular attention to the weak spot under my ear again, causing me to wrap my legs around his hips. He trailed lower and lower, peppering kisses and occasional love bites, until he reached the valley between my breasts.

He noticed I squirmed uncomfortably when he did. "What is it?"

"They're not…" I cleared my throat, embarrassed. "I don't think they're…"

He read my mind, immediately. Chuckling, he reached up to nuzzle the side of my neck, whispering, "Bella, they're perfect."

I sighed to him, and instantly moaned when I felt his fingers slip under my bra. He was gentle this time, caressing each mound lovingly, grazing my nipples only lightly. I squirmed again, but this time because of his tantalizing teasing.

"I need you," I begged.

Carlisle hummed, still kissing the side of my neck. He reached around my back and unbuckled my bra, finally releasing my breasts.

To prove my point, I pulled his hips towards me––though it was more like pulling myself towards him––and began to grind against him. A guttural moan arose from him, vibrating against my skin and the rest of my body. I felt his fingers lead down to the side of my hips, teasing the fabric of my underwear, until he reached my core.

"Here?" he whispered.

I merely whimpered in response.

He pulled the fabric aside, then pulled one of my legs up to rest on his shoulder. I felt a cool breeze against my moist folds, and I shivered. I felt him position his shaft against me, just at my entrance, right where I wanted him.

"Eyes on me," he reminded me.

Then he proceeded to bury himself in me to the hilt.

I screamed in both pain and unbelievable pleasure. I kept my eyes on him as I watched his body move against mine adroitly, perfectly hitting the spot I desperately needed him to. His mouth was slightly agape as he fucked me, and his soft grunts just made the experience so much more overwhelmingly divine.

He closed the space between us to kiss me, not even slowing down his pace. I adjusted and wrapped my legs around him again, and I dug my nails into his back as he filled me delightfully over and over again. I felt his hand wander to my neck again and he grabbed the sides of my jaw.

"You're all mine, aren't you, Bella?"

"Only yours," I panted, savoring the sound of my name in his deep voice. "Please, I love you."

"Come undone for me, then."

As if my body was his to command, I came as soon as he said the words. I kept my eyes on him in obedience, but my sight had turned dark momentarily in my climax, clouded with stars and pure pleasure. Not a moment too long after, Carlisle let out a reverberating groan, signaling his climax as well. I felt it––his cold release mixing with my own warmth.

I was filled. Satisfied.

Carlisle detached himself from me––I instantly missed him, of course––and left the room, coming back within a couple of seconds with a warm, wet towel. He smiled lovingly as he cleaned me up slowly. When he finished, he pulled up his dress shirt swiftly, adding it to the pile on the floor, and lay next to me on the large bed.

After a few moments of silence, I finally said, "If you're waiting for me to say something, don't. I literally have no words right now. Absolutely speechless."

He chuckled melodically, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "Perhaps you could say you love me again."

"I thought it was pathetic?"

"Not from you, it isn't," he murmured, kissing my temple.

Carlisle

I brought Bella home in time for brunch––Charlie was cleaning his cruiser in the driveway when we arrived, a hint of suspicion in his eyes as he saw me emerge with her from the AMG. However, if he had any doubts as to the nature of our relationship, he kept his thoughts about it to himself.

"I was wondering where you'd gone," Charlie asked Bella when she reached him.

"A quick hike," she mumbled, blushing as her eyes landed on her own feet. I almost laughed right then and there; I'd always known Bella to be a terrible liar, but it was as if she wasn't even trying.

"With…Dr. Cullen?"

"And the others," I chimed in smoothly. "Alice and Jasper asked to be dropped off at the strip mall to pick up some groceries."

Charlie seemed to relax slightly. He put down his hose and turned to me, wiping his hands across his jeans. "Hmm. Well, I know you are with your hikes, doc, but I suggest you avoid the woods. For now, at least."

"I beg your pardon?"

"We've been hearing sightings," he explained, his expression grim. "Large bears. Several of them, the largest count was up to eight. They've been lurking in the woods and scaring the hell out of the people around here."

I felt my own jaw tighten. Eight. I was correct, we were vastly outnumbered.

Bella flashed me a worried look.

"It's been bad for tourism, honestly," Charlie continued. "We've called out a group of hunters from the rez to try and, you know, fix the problem, but it's been weeks and still no progress."

"Right," I said. "I appreciate the heads-up, Charlie. I'll make sure to keep that in mind. I…feel that I have to apologize for taking Bella hiking this morning."

He shrugged, putting a hand on Bella's shoulder. "No harm, no foul."

I shook Charlie's hand and said my goodbyes then. In the split-second that he turned away, Bella squeezed my hand meaningfully, her eyes expressing what her mouth cannot. I smiled at her in return, resorting to mouthing my I love you before regretfully turning away.

I stayed for a while in the driver's seat, watching as Bella and her father walked through the timber door of their home. After a few moments of silence alone with my thoughts, I pulled out my cellphone and scrolled through my contacts, until I found the one that I was looking for.

"Hello?" the familiar smooth, voice answered after three rings, confusion clear in its tone.

"We're in Forks," I opened immediately, relieved my call had been picked up at all. "Are you near the area?"

"What are you––" she paused, then sighed. "Six hours. Is it bad?"

"I'm not entirely sure," I admitted. "It involves werewolves, and possible hostile vampires. Alice's visions are compromised with the presence of the wolves. We're meeting them at midnight, and I'm worried about our safety."

A long pause. "Alright. Although, I heard something interesting from Esme as well," Rosalie said coolly. "I've been waiting for an explanation on that for a while."

I sighed. Besides Edward, I had been anxious about Rosalie's reaction to my current developments with Bella as well. She was, after all, the least keen on the idea of having her part of the family back then. "Once you're here, Rose. I promise to tell you everything."

"I trust you, Carlisle," she said. "Please know that."

So don't break it. I heard the insinuation loud and clear. "I know. I'll see you both soon."

She hung up soon after that, and I found myself lingering on my list of contacts after that. My estranged son's number was still listed, a number which I hadn't contacted for more than a year. After a few moments of consideration, I decided to turn the phone off and shove it back into my pocket.

Not yet, I thought.

I decided to pursue a hunch that I'd felt since experiencing Jacob's hostility towards me at Bella's home. While I knew that there had always been a rift between us vampires and werewolves for several decades, there was something about the boy's anger that had struck me as too personal.

If it were up to me, it wouldn't matter anymore.

I arrived at Forks General Hospital within a few minutes. The establishment hadn't changed much from the last time I'd been there. The walls were still a dull white, perhaps just a bit grimier than I remembered them to be. The main receptionist, too, was the same young lady they had the last time. As soon as she saw me come in, her blue eyes glowed in recognition.

"Doctor Cullen? Is that you?" she––Alison, I finally remembered––greeted excitedly.

"Hello," I responded with a smile, unbuttoning my coat. "How've you been?"

Nurses who passed by also slowed down their pace to look––or gawk, really. Some recognized me, but I could tell others just found my appearance…interesting.

"Good. You look…great," she managed.

"I just came to check on a few things," I began, leaning in her desk. "I hate to bother you, but are you the person to talk to when I want to check records from the emergency room?"

"Er…Yes, I am––I mean, Eliza would be––She's actually in charge of that, but she's not here yet, so I mean…I can be. Yes, I can help you, doctor."

"That's wonderful," I expressed.

She stared at me blankly for a few seconds, until she finally came back to her senses and stood up. "Right, um, this way, doc."

The room wasn't very far from the reception area––the hospital wasn't a very large establishment in the first place––and we reached it within a few minutes. Inside the records room were four rows of heavy-duty drawers, and a single desk with a computer. Alison sat herself down on the seat and inputted her log-in details.

I stood behind her, leaning a hand on the side of the desk. I heard her heartbeat quicken immediately. While this was something I tried my best to avoid, so as not to give others the wrong idea, I actually needed a bit of charm to achieve my goal for the day.

"What are you looking for, doc? One of your old patient files?"

I pursed my lips. "Actually, it's a bit of a recent one, probably a few months ago. A William Black, late fifties."

"Black? If it's a few months ago, that means he's not one of yours…"

"I understand, but this comes from a favor from the family, which is why I was hoping that this service would be a bit…discreet." I emphasized my last word with almost a soft whisper, hoping she would understand what I meant.

Luckily, she did. Alison let out a shaky breath, before continuing, "That's not a problem for me. I get it, you know, family stuff. Totally."

Her fingers began to type the details I'd given on the computer, and I watched as she scrolled through the possible documents. After a few moments, she excitedly exclaimed: "Found it, doc! A William Black Jr., 58, sent to the ER––Huh."

"What is it?"

"He refused almost all tests and treatments," she said slowly, looking up at me for a moment. "He was sent in with a bleeding neck from what looked like an animal attack, but he refused all the doctors' advice. Probably from one of those bears…He was wheeled out soon after, only accepting a couple of prescribed painkillers and antibiotics."

Of course. "May I ask who brought him in?"

"His son, Jacob," she replied.

"Understood." I sighed. "Thank you so much your help, Alison. I'm quite indebted to you."

I watched her blush in her seat. "It's no problem, doc, just know that if you need anything else…"

"I do, actually." I rubbed the back of my head.

She looked up at me expectantly.

"A printout of this report, and if it's not too much to ask…" I leaned in to her ear to list down the rest of the things I needed.

"I'm anxious about this, Carlisle."

Alice was pacing, something that she rarely did. She paced at different speeds, sometimes blurring across the den. "I know," I replied, watching her zoom across the length of the room.

She finally settled to sit upside down on one of the couches, her pixie strands of hair sticking out to the floor. "If what you're saying is true, then the werewolves must be really furious with our kind. Who knows, maybe the meeting is a trap––"

"As of now, it's but a suspicion," I tried to soothe her. "That's why I've called on Rosalie and Emmett, just in case."

"As much as I love our family, bringing Emmett in a tense situation hasn't always been a great idea, has it?"

I sighed. Her judgment was logical, of course; quite a few of our coven's conflicts with other vampires started due to Emmett's bullheadedness. However, I was still more confident if we were greater in number. "What would you have me do?"

Alice sat up then, crossing her legs in her seat gracefully as she did. "You know what I'd tell you to do."

I grimaced then. "I just don't think the timing is right."

"You know we're at an immediate advantage if he's here. He was our translator back then, if you recall, and unlike me, his ability is not hindered by their…condition. If you'd called him instead––"

"And what of Bella?" I finally asked, a question that I had really been avoiding to voice out.

She widened her eyes at that, her smile spreading an incredulous smirk. "Are you serious, Carlisle? I've always believed your judgment to be wise, but…"

I gave her a blank look, waiting for her to continue.

"You're not doubtful of her feelings, are you?"

"No," I said, sighing. "I mean, sometimes I believe that there is a chance that…we haven't withstood the test of time yet, after all. There's always a chance. But right now, that isn't my true worry."

"Then what?"

"I'm worried about Edward's reaction about her," I finally managed to say.

She heaved a deep sigh, and waited for a few moments before continuing. When she did, she chose to step forward and sit on the arm rest of the recliner where I was seated. "Carlisle, you always knew this part was going to be difficult, did you not?"

"I was hoping there would be more time."

"He'll find out eventually, one way or another," she said grimly. "Wouldn't it be better if it came sooner rather than later? And from you?"

I looked up at her. "I can take whatever he feels is just to give me. I just worry that Bella will feel it her fault…And I have already told you how she feels about the current situation––that I'm slipping away, that things are turning out too difficult."

"Then you'll just have to put your trust in her," Alice concluded. "Carlisle, deep in your heart, I know you know what I'm suggesting is most logical."

I was silent.

"And I also think you should put your trust in Edward, too," she added, rubbing my shoulder. "He may be led astray sometimes and will most likely react to this quite sensitively, but…He always finds his way back, doesn't he? And you know he'll always choose our family."

"I know," I agreed, finally giving in. "I just…for now, let's give it time."

Alice hesitated, but eventually sighed in resignation. "I understand. I trust you."

I was getting a lot of that bit, lately.

As if on cue, we both turned to the sound of a car pulling in to the driveway and directly to the garage. It was the Mustang. Alice and I walked and reached the car just in time for its passengers to open their doors.

"What a heartfelt reunion," were Emmett's first words, pulling me in for one of his tight bear hugs. He was dressed in a professional dress shirt and slacks, clearly no longer posing as a high schooler. "Missed you, Dad."

Jasper and Rosalie stepped out of the car next, the latter patting her hair that was ruffled from the wind during the ride. She was also more maturely dressed, in a blood-red work blouse and dark jeans. She gave Alice a quick peck on the cheek before standing in front of me, her expression unsure.

"Rosalie," I greeted.

"I hate you," she said with a straight face, before leaning in to hug me as well. "But I've missed you dearly, too."

"We ran most of the way," Emmett shared once we reached the house. "Rose said it was urgent and told me some things, though I only really absorbed 'werewolves' and 'fight'. Let me just say that whatever it is, I am in."

Alice looked at me pointedly before rolling her eyes. "Emmett, that is exactly what we're trying to avoid."

Rosalie looked at her watch as she leaned on the banister of the staircase. "We have about three hours, and as you can probably tell from our eyes, Em and I are absolutely famished. How about a quick hunt while we discuss the details?" She stared at me as she said the last few words.

I nodded, then turned to Emmett. "I hope the bears around here are still to your liking."

I watched as Bella approached my car, which I had left on idle at the opposite street from hers. It was dark as it was nearly midnight, and due to the lack of streetlights in the area, she was using her phone as a flashlight to find her way to me.

I found that strangely adorable.

As soon as she jumped in the car, she pulled me from the back of my head towards her and kissed me with fervor. I was instantly overwhelmed by the wonderful, lavender scent of her.

"I'm never going to get sick of that," she admitted when she pulled away.

"I surely hope not, I was hoping we had forever to go," I whispered, still inches away from her small face. I eventually pulled myself upright in my seat.

When she noticed I didn't make a move to drive away immediately, she asked: "What's wrong?"

"Rosalie and Emmett are here," I said slowly, watching her face for any sign of a negative reaction. "I thought it best to up our numbers, after hearing that there could be eight werewolves."

She looked genuinely surprised at first, until her expression shifted to understanding. "Wow, um. I mean, yeah, I get it. Are they…mad at me, though?"

"Emmett is ecstatic, as usual, while Rosalie is…Rosalie," I admitted. "However, she has been generally civil about the situation. She trusts my judgment, and no matter how she acts, please know that she just always has your best interests at heart."

"I remember," Bella whispered, adjusting the zipper of her jacket. "She didn't want me to be like one of you."

I pursed my lips. "Of course, none of the others––"

"No, I understand, Carlisle," she cut me off, looking up to smile at me assuringly. "I understand her point and…I must admit, I was acting a bit rashly back then anyway."

"So, you don't dream of it anymore?" For some reason, that broke my heart. Alice's vision––

"I mean, I do, sometimes," she admitted, her cheeks flushing. "Well, I started thinking about it a lot more, recently. Because of you. Us."

I felt my chest warm at the word.

"I'm confident that I want to be with you for the rest of time, Carlisle," she continued, her eyes shy as she looked up at me. "But at the same time…I don't think I want to rush it as much as I did before. I––Is that selfish?"

"Definitely not," I said, reaching out to take her hand. "I will always stand by what I've promised you. All the time you need."

I kissed each of her knuckles, eyes never leaving hers. I adored the way her pulse quickened as I did. I reluctantly put her hand down, but still made no move to drive.

"There's something else, isn't there?" Can she read my mind?

"A bit," I admitted, putting my hands together on my lap and facing forward. "Alice has been suggesting something, and I feel it best to be transparent with you about it."

She waited patiently.

"She believes that this whole situation with the werewolves would give us the upper hand if we had someone with a certain ability to…translate what was on their minds while they are phased. It was what worked for us with the last pack, at least."

If she had any idea what I was insinuating, she didn't let it show in her face.

"I told her no," I assured her, just in case. "I never contacted Edward. I just felt that you should be aware of it at least––"

"Do you think she's right?"

I stared at her, flabbergasted with her calm, self-assured tone. Her expression remained stoic and determined. "Well, I agree that it does give us an upper hand."

"Then you should've listened to her," she said gently, leaning towards me and putting a hand on my thigh. "I mean…I won't lie and tell you that nothing about Edward bothers me, but please, next time, don't put me above your family. Is that a deal?"

I looked up to her earnestly, squeezing her hand on my thigh. "I consider you my family."

"You know what I mean."

I sighed, giving in. "Alright. It's a deal."

"Great. Now if you don't have any other mind-blowing revelations to tell me, then I suggest you drive to that border. It's a minute to midnight."

"There's actually one more thing…" I made a split-second decision. "I think it's best for you to hear it from the wolves themselves."

She raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Then drive."

"Yes, ma'am," I chuckled, finally revving the engine to life.

The border started at an almost inconspicuous division of land from the middle of the forest, slowly growing more apparent until the land completely parted and sunk to a nearby river, separating the two areas into steep cliffs. Somewhere in between the two points was a large clearing, where we assumed the two parties were expected to meet. Unfortunately, the Benz was never built for an off-road trip, so I had to park by the side of the road a couple of miles away from the meeting point.

When we stepped out of the car––with Bella using her phone as a light again––I gestured for her to ride on my back.

"You're literally the first person to ask nicely," she murmured, kissing my cheek as she wrapped her arms and legs around me. I paused for a minute to savor the feel of her body against mine, before running us into the dark woods.

We reached the clearing––the moonlight lit the area quite perfectly, to Bella's relief––fifteen minutes past the said meeting time. Alice and Jasper were the closest to us, and both ran towards our direction to meet us.

"Bella!" Alice greeted with a smile, embracing her and twirling her around in the air easily. "It must be great to have no curfew anymore, no?"

"You're late," Jasper noted, tilting his head when he reached me. "Luckily, I don't sense the wolves around yet."

"You're wrong. They're here, just hiding."

Rosalie seemed to have just materialized behind Bella, her hair billowing in the wind. She eyed Bella with cautious eyes, nodding minutely in acknowledgment. Bella responded with an awkward wave, before putting her hands behind her back.

Emmett suddenly appeared behind her then. "Yup. They're lurking in the trees on their end." He suddenly grinned widely, wrapping Bella in his large arms. "I fucking missed this one."

"H-Hi, Emmett," Bella managed, clearly struggling to breathe.

I patted an arm on Emmett's shoulder. "Although, you might've forgotten she's not as compact as we are."

He released her immediately then. "Sorry," he said with a smirk, not looking sorry at all.

I put a hand on the small of Bella's back, my heart melting at the small, assuring smile she gave me as I looked down at her. "Ready?"

She nodded.

I walked us forward then, before taking a few steps ahead of her as we reached the invisible line that divided our two parties. I struck an arm out to my side protectively around Bella, in case Alice's anxieties about the meeting being a trap happened to be true.

"We're here under your invitation," I called out loudly to the shadows of the trees ahead of me. "I'm Carlisle Cullen. I've had amicable relations with your ancestors, and would like to extend the same to you."

One by one, I noticed figures emerging from the trees. Once they reached the harsh strike of the moonlight, I quickly counted seven extremely large––bear-sized, naturally––werewolves of various shades. The largest one was in the middle––I assumed he was the alpha, and he had rich pitch black fur that made him blend in the darkness. His large, yellowish eyes glowed in the night. By his side was a familiar boy in human form, chest bare; he only had a pair of cargo shorts to clothe him.

I decided to address him directly. "Good evening, Jacob. I apologize for the slight delay."

He continued to walk forward, ahead of the line of wolves. "Yeah. It took a while to convince everyone to get here, too."

"Jacob," Bella greeted softly from behind me, but I kept my arm stretched out to block her from walking too far forward.

"Hey, Bells, of course you're here," he said, his face still in a tight grimace. He turned to me. "Do you have any idea of what's been going around here? Are you involved?"

I felt Rosalie step a bit closer to my other side, her stance defensive. "Are you accusing us of something?"

"The pack will only address the coven's leader," he spat, not even looking to acknowledge her. Naturally, there was a sequence of hissing from our end, and Jasper had to hold Emmett back from the line to keep him from lunging towards the boy. In response, some of wolves growled aggressively, a pale white one even toeing the line threateningly. The alpha turned to them and howled to keep them in place.

I turned my head towards Rosalie, raising a hand pleadingly.

"Well?" Jacob pressed.

I sighed, dropping my hands to my side. "No, we have no idea. Until now, we only speculate what has happened here. We've only come back to Forks to accompany Bella to visit. She'd heard from Charlie that your father was ill."

The boy frowned, pain momentarily betraying his features. The alpha turned his three-foot long face towards Jacob. After a long pause, he continued, "What else do you know? Or speculate?"

"I have some suspicions," I began. "I suspect that the newcomers in the area who have caused your turning––" the wolves immediately growled in unison at this "––have also personally attacked you. Particularly, your father. Am I on the right track?"

I heard Bella's breath hitch from behind me.

Jacob narrowed his eyes, and I felt his hands shake violently at his sides. I unconsciously held Bella tighter in her place behind me.

However, he eventually relaxed his fists. "It was personal. They must've suspected or known about our tribe. They tried to…turn him, we think. It didn't work, but…"

"He's dying," I continued for him solemnly. "Your bloodline keeps him from turning, but the two elements are not meant to be withstood by a single being."

One of the wolves whimpered. It was a relatively smaller, scrawny, light brown wolf at the end of the row.

"I speak for every single one of us that we are here to help," I proceeded to say when Jacob gave no further response. "I believe I can try to remove the venom from his bloodstream––"

The large, black wolf in front of me immediately snarled, aggressively putting a huge paw forward. By his side, Jacob narrowed his eyes in minor suspicion, but I could tell that he was considering my offer. It was his father involved, after all.

"You said try," he said, his voice softer than before. "Can you…Like, what are the chances?"

"I don't want to instill any false hope by assuring a full recovery," I replied smoothly. "What I'm sure of is that the sooner I can try, the better. I already have all the equipment I need in my car."

Jacob stood motionless for a few moments, his eyes scrutinizing mine, as if looking for any hint of a lie or a bluff. I was confident, of course. While I may not have had actual prior experience with any procedure like this, I understood more than enough to have a chance of saving the man's life.

He finally broke his silence, saying: "What do you want in return?"

"Information," I said. "And perhaps a chance for us to work together."

"We're doing just fine protecting the land without you," Jacob spat, and several wolves howled in agreement.

"I really want to believe that, Jacob, I do. I did not mean to insinuate any weakness on your end. However, if you had already eliminated the threat, I believe that would have been the first thing you'd have shared with us."

I was correct, of course, and the pack knew it. The silence was deafening for a few moments, with Jacob and the alpha locking eyes to express what looked like a silent conversation.

The boy turned back to me eventually. "We'll need a moment."

I nodded.

Jacob tiptoed to take peek at Bella from behind me, his face cracking a tight, grim smile. "I hope you don't get too freaked out by this."

"I––I don't think I can get any more freaked out than I already am," she replied from behind me, clutching a bit of my sweater from behind with a fist.

"Ten bucks says you're about to," he replied darkly, before turning to walk away while unbuttoning his shorts. Within a split-second, his whole body shook and smoothly shifted into an impossibly large russet-brown wolf, his size only rivaled by the alpha's.

Once fully wolf, Jacob turned to Bella with his teeth bared, to what I could only guess was his way of smirking in his form.

"I don't have ten bucks," Bella whispered behind me, her breath shaky. I turned around to place an arm around her shoulders, which were trembling quite a bit in the cold, and perhaps in stupor as well.

Each member of the pack walked away slowly, one by one, to most probably convene for a decision. Meanwhile, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice also gathered towards us.

"I don't particularly like this, Carlisle," Jasper started, not looking away from the retreating pack as he crossed his arms. "Let's say they do agree to let you help the chieftain. What if he dies in your hands? You will be in their territory and they may express their anger towards you."

"Have you any faith in me, Jasper?" I said calmly, trying to lighten the tense air. "I may have never done this before, but I'm quite confident in our chances. As long as they give me enough time."

"I don't know," Rosalie said, her expression unsure and tense. "The terms seem to bend a lot more in their favor than ours."

"No, Carlisle's right," Alice chimed in. "I don't particularly like the dogs, but the treaty was built on trust. Whoever attacked them knew about the legends. Think about it, until we came in today, they've been considering that we were involved in this. If we build that trust back again, then…"

"Oh, come on, guys," Emmett exclaimed loudly, chuckling darkly. "Let's not forget. The only reason Forks is still under threat is because these fucking dogs aren't capable of doing what they say is their job."

I raised my brows. "Emmett––"

"No, look at them, Carlisle!" he cried, pointing where they were convened, a few meters in front of us. "They're eight massive werewolves who can't even take a single vampire down. I don't understand why we have to do their job for them."

Emmett's voice wasn't discreet at all, and coupled with the wolves' sensitive hearing, I wasn't surprised that one of them––a dark silver wolf with large black eyes––perked up immediately and growled threateningly to Emmett.

"Emmett, stop," I said warningly, instinctively tightening my arm around Bella.

To my frustration, he seemed to only be goaded by the wolf's reaction, and he shrugged off Rosalie's arm while she was trying to calm him down. "Oh, let them fucking hear it. This can't possibly be the first time someone noticed, unless the bloodline has turned barely mature pre-pubescents as protectors of their precious land."

"You will keep your impertinence down, or so help me, Emmett!" I boomed.

It was too late. The silver wolf heard every word and clearly took offense. The other wolves seemed to try to block him off, but he was able to jump above them and bounded towards our direction in full speed, roaring loudly.

The boundary didn't stop him.

Emmett was ready. As soon as the wolf crossed the border, he pushed back at him at full force, headlocking the wolf in his arms. He broke free, however, and snapped his razor sharp set of teeth where Emmett's head used to be a split-second ago. At this, Rosalie leaped in––with the intention of separating the two, probably––and kicked the wolf on the snout quite harshly, knocking him down face first into the ground.

Apparently, it seemed as if that only added fuel to fire, and four more wolves descended upon us.

Instinct drove me to turn to Bella immediately, which was how I saw the absolute terror in her face. "I need to bring you back to the car."

She shook her head stubbornly. "I'm not going anywhere, I need to––"

"They've crossed the border and struck first, which may mean they're no longer honoring the treaty. I need to get you out of here."

I decided not to wait for her consent this time. I pulled her swiftly onto my back and retreated quickly back into the woods. I had to dodge some of the fighting––I winced in slight pain when a part of my arm was grazed by a claw from one of the wolves––but eventually reached the end of the clearing. However, after only a few steps into the trees, I was forced into an immediate stop by a figure I had not expected to see.

Because of my surprise, I dropped Bella quite unceremoniously onto the ground.

"Carlisle," Edward coldly greeted, his expression unfathomable.