Aiden Clearwater Pov
*Flashback*
26 year ago
On Sue Clearwater's front porch, I wondered when the actual meeting was going to start. I felt a bit out of place here. I've been growing fast and everyone has been treating me like an outsider. It has been a few months since Leah and Jacob have reunited after five years of separation, and a part of me feels guilty that I was part of why he is on the fence now that she has taken me under her wing.
"Why are you here anyway? Your kind habitat rest in Forks." Claire asked me in a very snotty way and I wanted to set her on fire.
"I don't want to be there." I spat flustered. "I'm not like them, I'm not comfortable there."
"Ha, and do you think we're comfortable having you sprinting around us?"
"Claire, just leave it alone." Quil says a little annoyed at Claire.
"Fine. It was just a question." Claire mumbled, rolling her eyes. She feels how everyone else on the reservation does about me, wonders why after all this time I choose to be with Leah, allowing her to raise me as her own. Why wouldn't I? All Leah has ever shown me was kindness. I've come from her blood. technically she is my mother. When it comes to the shapeshifters vs hybrids. I'm on team family, which is Leah... Not Noah or Rylan. Nahuel cannot have us all. Renesmee may have given birth to Noah and Rylan but I wasn't born with them, I was carried by another. I don't know anything about her, or her name...my memories are of only Leah.
"You know it's rude to say such a thing. Aiden is part of this tribe just as much as anyone." Damon said, speaking of me, looking over at Claire.
Quil snorted. "It was not completely rude. Come on, this situation is .. unique."
"Can't you see that it's bothering her? Any genius will notice that Aiden's more at ease on the reservation with Leah and the wolves then with anyone." Damon defended, eyeing me. "This situation isn't any different just because she's a hybrid. Aiden has been living here for years now. She isn't going anywhere. How would you feel if you were in her shoes?" He says, to Claire and Quil. I smiled at his words. Just when I thought no one in these woods understood me. Him... of all people. He was part of Sam's pack, but he cared for everyone. Everyone including me.
"Damon's right." Haylie agreed. "Claire, it's a little inconsiderate to single Aiden out. Not to mention awkward, She's family no matter what."
I smiled. Haylie was always so polite. Claire sighed heavily looking my way. "Sorry, didn't mean to single you out." She said remorsefully as Quil wrapped his arm around her comfortingly. Quil imprinted on Claire when she was 2 years old, I knew he knew how she really feels about me. I'm an outsider to them. I'm nothing more than a hybrid. A half-vampire that didn't belong here.
I shrugged my shoulders. "It's fine." I clarified then looked over at Damon who was now staring behind me.
I wanted to thank him, but no words came out. I turned to look over my shoulder, down towards Sue's driveway just as Lizzie slowly walked up. I frowned knowing exactly who she came for. Lizzie, a wolf part of Sam's pack who happens to be Damon's girlfriend.
"Hey guys." Lizzie faked a smile, stopping at the end of the porch steps.
Damon stood up and we all watched as he walked down towards where Lizzie was.
"Hey, babe. I haven't heard from you all day." He smiled leaning down to kiss her, in which she moved slightly.
From where I sat, she smelt like anxiety. I narrowed my eyes wondering what was bothering her, and apparently so was everyone else as it was just too quiet.
"What's wrong? Is everything alright?" Damon asked his girlfriend, feeling the stew of her mood.
Lizzie inhaled. "Yeah everything's fine. I forgot everybody was meeting here. Do you think you can take me to go see my grandmother? She's in the hospital again."
"Sure. First, let's say bye to everyone and make sure Sam knows what's going on." He said, grabbing her hand.
"Alright but let's make it quick. I don't think my grandmother has much time." She whispered.
Never looking away as Damon and Lizzie walked up the porch steps, to the front door. Haylie nudged me and I looked over at her. "Since we're rooming together tomorrow at the lake, you want to come over and have breakfast?" She asked nicely.
I couldn't help but smile. I was already aware that Leah asked her to watch over me, but I didn't mind. She was nice. "Okay, or you could come over mine. I'd love to cook for Leah, you can help." I smiled.
"Why? Are you afraid of Embry?" She smirked jokingly.
I shook my head. "No. We work together. He's fine."
"Right. Well I'll call you in the morning or just show up." She replied.
I laughed. "Alright."
"Let's get inside. The meeting is starting." Quil said, looking at Haylie and I.
We stood from the porch and followed him and Claire into Sue's home. The rest of the pact and Sam was already here hours in advance.
"So now that everyone's here, What's on the agenda? More helpless paroling?" Jared asked, glancing behind himself to where Sam stood.
"No." Sam said, shaking his head slowly.
"That's a relief." Damon mumbled standing alongside Lizzie.
"So, Why are the bloodsuckers here?" Paul said, eyeing the Cullen's.
Sam looked over at me. "Because we've been talking, and we were thinking that maybe if we understand where-"
"The Russian Coven are here in Washington, not sure where but soon they'll off to Kansas or wherever." I said cutting him off. It was what I learned from Noah.
"Are you sure?" Sam asked me.
"Of course she is, they communicate." Embry said and everybody looked over at him. "I'm pretty sure they wouldn't lie to her." He became irritated and I glared over at him.
"I'm not like them." I mumbled.
"The Russian Coven is heading for Kansas. Why?" Adam asked, looking down at me, and I looked up at him.
"Dominick's family." I answered. Dominick was a hybrid who could read minds. He was the one who kidnapped Leah and took her to The Russian Coven and Nahuel to create me. Jacob killed him last night.
"Dominick?" Adam asked as Haylie went to go sit beside Embry.
"They want to find another like him. That's why they're going to Kansas. After Jacob killed him, they realized they needed another mind reader." I said to him.
Embry snorted. "I think everyone is aware of why. Bloodsuckers know that we wouldn't go that far from La Push." Embry said directly to Adam. "If you ask me Alaska was far enough."
"Either way, I wasn't talking to you." Adam hiss balefully like he wanted to punch Embry if he was close enough.
I rolled my eyes, Embry never liked Adam do to him coming into town becoming both Leah and Jacob's new best friend. Embry felt threatened by Adam.
Jared and Paul laughed.
"I think I'd just missed something?" Seth retorted looking between Embry and Adam with an none amused grin on his face.
It was clear that Adam didn't like Embry. "Either way, Dominick wasn't even the one who mentioned Kansas but he knew of more hybrids. He was the one finding them, that's how he helped track me down across the country." Leah said coming from upstairs.
Surprised I didn't even know she was here.
"Machines?" Edward said glaring over at Leah and then at me.
Sam along with everybody else looked at Edward Cullen completely lost as to why he blurted out the word 'Machines. He must be reading Leah's mind when I told her about what I remember when I was first born and how there were other experiments like mine.
Edward or any other vampire and hybrid couldn't read my mind. In fact, no vampire with a gift can touch me. I never learned why. It may have been a gift of the lady that carried me.
"What type of machine? There's more than one?" Edward asked, narrowing his hard irritating topaz eyes at Leah. "How many machines are there?" He pushed, wanting her to hurry and answer to him.
"If you shut up, then maybe I can answer your questions." She said to him, obviously trying to clear her head.
She hasn't been sleeping well, I know. "There's two inseminating hybrid makers that I know of, one in Alaska and one in Texas." Leah said to everybody.
"What do they plan on using them for?" Sue asked.
"One is for the Hybrids and the other is for the humans. Pretty soon they'll subjugate more humans along with the wolves, so I was told." Leah said with a tiring sigh.
"Wait. I'm lost." Quil stated confused.
"How do we know for fact that what this Dominick-leech said was true or not? Do we know this for sure?" Paul said, looking at Leah.
"It's certain. From what Leah thinks, Aiden is loyal and is good... unlike them." Edward said and I glanced at Leah who was still on the stairs.
"We all know that." Haylie stated.
"Not really." Paul muttered glaring my way.
"Well, all I can say is you've come a long way from saving our but in Alaska." Jared then glanced at the kitchen doorway, where Jacob, who had a very inexplicable expression on his face, moved into the room.
I smiled at the fact that I was able to save the pact from being captured by the Russian Coven, when they all left to search for them. Leah was so proud of me for that.
"You're unaffected by my ability. I can't hear your thoughts at all. It could work for you to learn more about the Russian Coven." Edward started looking over at me.
Lucky me. He doesn't need to know what I'm thinking anyway, if I could help in any way I will.
"Yeah, very lucky for her." Paul agreed smugly. "Good, she's not like the other hybrids. How do we stop them by the way?"
"I was created by Nahuel. I was procreated using his and Leah's DNA. He believes in me. I could go to him for more information." I suggested.
"No. That's not a good idea." Leah said to me and I glanced at Jacob who smelled of irritation, though he just seemed zoned out like he wanted to be elsewhere. He hated that Leah was always so protective of me.
"Perhaps Aiden is able to help." Carlisle said and I took my eyes off of Jacob to look over at him. "He'll welcome you with open arms." Carlisle said to me.
"No offensive doctor," Adam said fast. "But you or your Cullen clan have no clue what they'll do to her. She made it clear to them that she's with us."
"Define us." Embry mocked, to Adam. I'm an experimental hybrid and Adam shape-shifts into a gigantic Alaskan Malamute.
"I'm with Carlisle." Damon stated and I glanced over at him. "At first I thought they would come for her for being part of us, a Quileute but they still want her on their side. She's powerful and they want her." Damon fessed up, glancing over at me.
"So you are a threat." Claire said to me.
"Not at this moment, Not to us." Seth stated. "You'll help only us, Right?"
I sighed, with a nod. "Yes."
"Good! She'll find out more information when she goes. We find the coven and she can put an end to them, then boom, done. Burn those bloodsuckers alive and tada!" Jared stated completely impatient and not thinking straight.
I won't be able to defeat them. Or maybe I could... but do I really want to? I have no idea if they're as evil as we think.
"So what are you going to do?" Adam asked Carlisle. It was too obvious that he rather Sam asked that, and it isn't no surprise that the Cullen's just want the Pack to do the killing without them. "I mean do you really need the wolves to accompany you when they come back?" Adam added staring Carlisle down.
Embry snorted. "So says the Alaskan Malamute." He mocked. Jared, and Paul laughed.
"Fighting words." Jared taunted adding his two-cents. At least Adam helped Jake on the beach when the Russian Coven came... that's more than I can say for Embry. Adam sighed glaringly annoyed at Embry, but he didn't say anything back.
"If I may say so, Adam has a point." Damon stated and everybody looked over at him.
"Does it really matter if wolves help or not?" He said directly to Carlisle.
"Yes, It matters." Sam says. "We are the protectors of the reservation. However, we cannot leave it ever again." Sam stated. "The half-vampires are aware that we come together in times of need. They will expect us to work with you. They have a plan, as should we."
"Great point." Paul muttered.
"To not fight, will mean more death of our people." Sam retorted.
"We'll still protect everyone, just not with them." Jacob said and everyone looked at him.
"Okay so what exactly is the big plan here?" Quil asked. "I can tell that there really isn't one." He said, clearly confused and irritated.
"When the Russian Coven leave for Kansas for more hybrids, Aiden will go and get as much as information from Nauhel as she can. Then we'll make our move. The Cullen's will be in charged of capturing them if they run elsewhere but here on our land... we kill them." Sam stated. "For tonight, We keep on patrolling and listening out. No more fighting among ourselves."
"What about Nahuel? What if he pops up before they leave? Do we kill him?" Quil asked Sam.
"No, we see what he wants. No attacking Nahuel unless it's necessary. As for the Russian Coven, we definitely shouldn't do anything ahead of time until it's clear we have enough information about their abilities." Sam said.
"We'll try our best to study the Russian Covens abilities as well. I know someone who has the gift to identify the type of power that our kind has." Carlisle stated.
"No one hasn't really informed us on the exact number of the Russian Coven. Sam, Didn't you say earlier that there were four members of the Coven, but two died?" Jared asked.
"There are more members of the Russian Coven than anyone thinks." Carlisle clarified before Sam opened his mouth. "The one named Crystal was killed by Jasper, the other Nina was killed by Edward, and Dominick who was just killed by Jacob."
"So, that leaves only one more." Damon retorted.
"He goes by the name of Isaac, and there's no doubt he has new members." Carlisle stated.
"Great." Paul mumbled under his breath.
"Either way, we still have no idea how many new members are in the Russian Coven now." Sam then looked over at me.
"Aiden, you said the Russian Coven are soon planning to meet Nahuel, Do you know where exactly?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe around Snoqualmie Forest I think." I stated. Which reminds me, If Nahuel gets the key I have, then the pack is going to be in a bigger mess than they are in now. "They won't come back unless Nahuel has the key before they find other Hybrids. We'll have time to get ready."
"What Key?" Edward asked. "Why does Nahuel have to give it to them?"
"A key to what?" Carlisle asked me.
"A key to one of their machines." I stated.
"It holds more hybrids like Aiden, with unique abilities that they are keeping in Kansas." Leah says.
"And you forgot to mention this because?" Paul retorted to Leah scratching his head.
She glared over at him. "I didn't mention it because i'm tired, i'm irritated, my ankle hurts, oh and did I mention that i'm tired. I almost got my head ripped off twice yesterday, so sorry for my lack of memory." She spat back.
"What about you?" Paul said, looking at me. "You know way more than she does."
"Okay, let's all take a breather." Damon said fast.
"I second that dilemma, I'm also beat, so can we hurry up this little meeting." Jared said, glancing behind himself at Sam.
"So who has this key again?" Sue asked.
"I do." I answered.
"Whoa. The bloodsuckers will kill for that key and you have it. Here?" Jared stated.
"No. I mean... yes. It's hidden. No one knows I have it. I only... Leah." I confessed. Looking back over at Jacob who was still perched against the wall by the kitchen, with his dark brown eyes fixed on Sam.
"Aiden." Sam said in his Alpha voice and I looked at him.
"Do you think you can give it to me?"
"No." Leah said, moving from the steps towards me. "It's safe. Wherever she hid it. If she moves it they'll know." She said then turned to me. "You shouldn't have told them, if the Russian bloodsuckers find another telepath they'll come for you." She said and I felt stupid for saying anything.
"Sorry, I just wanted to help." I said honestly.
"I know, don't worry." She said, touching my hair, standing beside me. I glanced over at Jacob who was staring down at the wooden floor. He warned Leah to be careful with me. I did not want to prove him right, or anyone. He just seemed like he was in another world. He and Leah only just reconnected and now I've gotten in the way. He doesn't understand her need to protect me, and they fight about it. About me. I don't even believe he spoke to her the entire week he was in Alaska. With him and the pack getting back last night, Leah and him haven't had time to talk about anything. He has no idea she is pregnant with their first baby. I'm not even sure Leah's aware yet, I can completely sense it on her.
The pack wasn't searching for the Russian Coven long. Embry did say that Jacob was thinking of her the entire time they were apart, but that doesn't mean that Jacob is willing to makeup at the moment. He just may be scared that Leah will be in danger. He may be keeping his distance to protect her. His moody stance was beginning to get to me. I guess I'll never understand who Jacob Black is, though I know Leah wishes they could talk instead of sitting here in this meeting.
"Joham... he's Nahuel's father right?" Haylie asked. Embry sighed unnecessarily impatiently beside her and she ignored him, not bothering to look his way.
"What does that matter? All we need to know is what he looks like so we can kill him." Jared stated.
"Joham doesn't look as old as he is, he has a very young face and he has long black hair." Edward responded. "He's the one responsible for creating the numerous hybrids. Nahuel is just following behind him." Edward said clearly to everyone.
"Right." Carlisle agreed. "Well, we better go. There's a lot of precautions that need to be dealt with in a fast amount of time." He said, looking between Sam and Jacob.
Sam just looked at Carlisle and Edward then nodded. They were the only Cullen's here and they moved to leave.
I glanced over as Paul, Jared, Embry, and Haylie all stood up at the same time.
"So what time do we start patrolling?" Jared asked.
"Sundown. They won't strike again so soon but we still have to be on guard." Sam stated. "For now, we all should go home and get some rest, though still listen out and keep your phones on." He ordered.
Paul, Jared, Embry, and Haylie walked around the couch slowly saying goodbye to Sue, then moved towards the front door.
Billy Black stood between the living room and the entrance way of the front door, just watching as almost everybody left. Sue put a hand on Jacob's shoulder. Jacob looked confusedly at her as to why she was touching him.
I then felt Damon's body heat shift as he moved past me, and Lizzie followed him.
"Bye." He said at passing me by and I smiled.
"Bye, Damon." Lizzie said nothing as they walked hand and hand passed Leah also.
"Everyone please be safe." Sue said loudly moving toward the front door.
As the huge living room became empty, it only left Billy, Sue, Adam, Jacob, Leah and I.
"Well now that that's cleared up, let's eat." Sue smiled walking towards the kitchen.
"Finally." Billy said passing Jacob.
"Good, I'm starving." Leah said and I looked over at Jacob who stepped in her way.
"We have to talk." He said low.
"Really? Because last night you were all 'I can't deal with you right now, blah, blah,blah." Leah retorted.
"I know. I take it back. I'm sorry." He said, then glanced in my direction, then back to her. "Please."
"Now? I'm starving." She almost whined.
"Upstairs?" He said, glancing towards the steps.
Leah nodded with a sigh as Adam went to sit on the sofa. I slowly followed him to go lay on the couch.
Jacob and Leah moved to go upstairs to talk. I bit my bottom lip looking at Adam.
His green eyes smiled. "You can sense it right?"
"Sense what?" I said already knowing what he mean.
"She's pregnant." He smiled.
I nod. I'm now afraid of it. Once the big bad threat is over for them, Leah will be happily with Jacob and something more important than me. Then what side should I be on. I can either go with my own kind of killers, or stay to be Jacob Black's semi-hybrid-stepdaughter.
*Flash Forward*
"What are you thinking of?" Joshua asked me as I sat with him by the beach.
"The past." I say.
It was only ten years ago that he was born and Leah and Jacob were reunited.
"And?" He pressed.
"Before you were born there was a hybrid army that came. It's happening again." I confessed.
"Oh, you mean like the newborn army that came before my mom moved away for a while?"
"Yeah... of course I was born right after she came back but this vampire and hybrid army is different." I stated.
He nodded. "Yeah, mom and dad pretty much told me and Danny everything." He said playing in the sand, and I glanced off at Jacob who was carrying Caleb towards the water.
"There was a time your dad didn't like me all that much."
"You don't say." He mocked.
I smiled. "I actually remember the moment when your mom was pregnant with you but no one knew at the time."
"Really? Why not?" He asked.
"Because there was a coven of vampires out to get everyone." I say.
"Like now?" He said and I nodded in agreement.
History repeats itself. Strange how Leah's pregnant again and no one knows.
I stood to my feet.
"Where are you going?" He asked, glancing up at me from his sandcastle.
"I'll be back soon."
"You're going to see Noah?" He asked.
"Yeah, kinda. Don't tell anyone, okay?"
"Don't worry, I won't." He said putting his head down back towards the sand.
*One Hour Later*
Knocking on the door softly.
I felt nervous to even be here.
The huge white doors opened, and I looked up as someone stood there.
"Aiden. We knew it wouldn't be long until you came. I've been expecting you." Zhan smiled happily to see me. For a vampire he looked different, It's been a year since I've seen him and Nahuel. I hurried to walk in the house, and turned as Zhan shut the front door then paused.
"I'm happy to see you, I know Nahuel would be too." He smiled. Unlike the rest of Nahuel helpers, Zhan is actually good. "Follow me, I'll take you to him." He said moving across the large living room. The tile floor was the same as I remember from a very long time ago.
The air even smelt wealthier. Last time I can even think of wanting to come back here was eight years ago, a month or two after Daniel was born. After I overheard Jacob mentioning his troublesome discomfort about me to Leah.
"Aiden. What a surprise." Nahuel said as Zhan held open Nahuel's kitchen door for me.
"Wow. I would've never thought to see you here. What brings you to Snoqualmie?" He smiled walking towards me, then pulled me into an enormous hug.
I awkwardly didn't bother to hug back. "I came to talk with Noah." I lied.
"Noah?" He said moving a couple steps back to give me space.
It has been seven years since I last seen Rylan -apart from last night, and two years since last seen Noah though he called me months in-between.
"You must know Noah moved back to Forks with Renesmee, I think." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm still unsure. Nowadays we speak less."
"Why is that? Is it because of what's happening? Because I don't want you to hurt anyone, or try to kill anyone." I said fast.
"Aiden?" He says in a questioning tone.
"Because I don't think I'd be able to stay quiet. I will try to stop you."
"I know, and you're not the only one. Why else would I be here alone? Well... Zhan and I, that is."
"I don't know." I mumbled honestly unsure if I could trust what he was saying.
"Then you're going to have to trust in me, that I have no bad intentions." He says.
"I trust." I stated, though it wasn't fully true.
"And no matter what, continue to do everything I ask? Don't forget what you've promised."
"I haven't." I said low.
"Good, because now I'm officially back from Chugach and I've hoped to talk with you and Noah together." He stated, but all I heard was Chugach.
"Chugach? So you were in Chugach, Alaska? That's where the new wolves originated." I stated.
"Coincidence it must be." He mocked. I couldn't help but narrow my eyes suspiciously.
"Was Joham with you?" I already knew his father was.
"If you must know. Yes. However, only for a little while, we didn't see eye to eye on things and he got upset."
"Do Carlisle know?" I ask. The Cullen has friends in Alaska. I wonder if his friends are aware of new wolves out there.
"Enough about that, back to you and Noah." He said clapping his hands together, which startled me a little. "I know you've been avoiding your brothers."
"I don't know Noah and I don't know Rylan enough to avoid them." I say.
"All you need to know about Noah is that he's kind, and like you... alone. It isn't in me to tell you to stay away from him, that is obviously out of the question as you've already decided on your own to come here."
"I'm aware of his kindness and I did not come for just him." I say.
"Noah tends to bite the hand that feeds him. Rylan is different, he's loyal. He has many friends, and last I've heard a lover who lives on the reservation." He smiled. "You've seen him haven't you?"
"No." I lied without a thought.
"In that case, he wants to keep his whereabouts hidden."
"Why?" I asked.
"Maybe he fears you'll judge him." I would never judge Rylan.
"For what?" I whispered.
"My guess is going against Cullen's." He said, shrugging his shoulders. Rylan or Noah refuse to allow Nauhel to control their lives, they rather pretend to be an enemy of mine.
"Or maybe it's the La Push agreement. The treaty they call it."
"How long has it been since you've seen him?" I asked about Rylan.
He laughed.
"It depends. I haven't had a one on one conversation, however last night I did see him with you." He stated.
I bit down on my lower lip, embarrassed that he caught my lie.
"I won't say it's my job to be aware of that sort of thing, but I've been lucky to have Zhan as a close friend. Unlike most... he is good. More than myself, to this day Noah goes to him for guidance." He said, giving me a fake smile.
"Then I think it's fair to give him a second chance knowing only Zhan has rubbed off on him."
"Aww, I sadly felt a sting." He mocked placing his right hand over his heart.
"You shouldn't, most parents let others take care of their children."
"Like Jacob Black is doing for you?" He says with a hint of annoyance. "That must be fearing for you to stay there all these years."
I shook my head. "No. Leah takes care of me."
"As she should." He said and the image of what he allowed to happen to Leah ten years ago, appeared in my head.
Uncontrollably more pictures came and I tried to shake them away. He's a monster.
Don't even know why I'm here listening to him, upset and I tried not to let it show on the outside.
"Aiden. I know what you think of me sometimes, and I want it to change." He said moving closer towards me, and I took a step back. "I didn't create you for my own twisted appeal." He smirked. "You're that thin infrequent experiment that bound me and Leah Clearwater. Yes, at first it was an act of vengeance. Now look at it... You turned out better than I could ever dream. Why would I jeopardize that perfection to kill innocent people of any reservation?" He says.
"I'm trying to figure that out." I mumbled.
"Aiden. I'm not the villain. Neither is Noah or Rylan, and avoiding them any longer would only make them feel-"
"Worthless and unloved." I finished his sentence.
"Exactly." He nods.
"I want to be sure of who's responsible for the vampire sightings and missing people around Seattle and the Makah reservation." I stated.
"I know how badly everyone is dying for things to start connecting to me. Sooner or later you will be in exile and Leah will no longer be yours." He stated.
"Not true. She loves me. She has faith that I won't end up on the wrong side."
"Ask yourself, for how long." He smirked.
"Until... Forever." I mumbled.
"There's no such thing as forever, Aiden."
"It is If I believe it is." I retorted back. He shrugged. I wish I could trust in him.
"Cole?" He said looking over my shoulder.
I turned my head.
Instantly walking in the room was a familiar tan skin, good-looking boy.
"Aiden, if I'm correct you met Cole?" Nahuel said nonchalantly.
Shock hit me like a thunderbolt.
No.
Not one of the new wolves. I thought to myself.
"Technically, we haven't." Cole stated. "Though we have come across each other." He grinned.
"You're working with him?" I said low.
"Define working?" Cole answered back.
I instantly looked at Nahuel. "Cole is.. . how do you say ... my eyes and ears. Like you."
"No. No. I'm different." I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "This means you are responsible-"
"Oh, Aiden. Don't go skipping the Royal Caribbean for the Carnival, we both know where that could get you." Nahuel said, cutting me off.
"To more unanswered questions, and she's not a water type of girl." Cole said, still continuing to glare at me.
"You help him harm people and moonlight as if your one of the protectors of La Push." I say upset. The pack will kill him once they find out he's working for Nahuel.
"Look, Aiden. Cole is simply in La Push to keep an eye out. Nothing more."
"How so?" I asked, still in shock.
"More like protection." Cole answered.
"Protection from who?" I asked.
"Aiden, when I... myself see you…. I see a very smart and exquisitely beautiful girl. Though what everyone else in La Push sees you as... is this quiet -"
"Ticking time bomb. You can only play the sweet hybrid for so long until you snap." Cole said cutting Nahuel off.
"Cole!" Nahuel said calmly in a warning tone.
"Sorry." Cole whispered to me with another grin.
Nahuel sighed. "Things are not what they seem, Aiden. It's been a long time, I've seen the error of my ways."
"I'm sure. No one else would admit to why they've abandoned their children?" I muttered thinking of Noah and Rylan.
"Actually, Yes. No one would admit that unless they've seen the light. Being in and out of Washington was the best I could do for Noah and Rylan."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because of Joham." Cole answered before Nahuel could get a word out.
"Yes. Joham has an obsession similar to The Volturi, and I would rather him not use any bloodline that is in any way connected to anyone for his own gain." Nahuel says.
"Including me?" I already knew the answer.
"Aiden, you're aware. We made a deal to remember."
"What deal?" Cole asked curiously.
"One that is none of your concern." Nahuel stated to him.
"Right." Cole mumbled looking at Nahuel, then turned his eyes back to me.
"So, I have your word that nothing bad is going to happen?" I asked.
"Nothing remotely close to cruelty will ever come over La Push, never by my doing." Nahuel smiled honestly.
"You can see the truth, don't let anyone mislead you. Feel free to continue on gladly with Leah. I'll do everything I can to keep the people and wolves at ease." Nahuel stated.
"And vampires." Cole added.
"Right." Nahuel agreed.
"You two should be heading back." He said, turning Cole around to face the door.
"Aiden. You don't mind dropping Cole off on your way back to La Push, Do you?"
I shrugged. "Sure."
Cole was already out of the kitchen and into the living room.
"Good, and I'll have no problem but to tell Noah that you're rethinking his offer to get acquainted."
Not saying anything, I nodded then turned for the door.
Hurrying through the living room, I looked around as Zhan was nowhere in sight.
I then made my way towards the front door as Nahuel stayed in the kitchen.
Out the door, Cole who was already standing on the porch steps glancing back to see if I was coming.
"Is there anything I should know?" Cole asked as we walked down towards Leah's car.
"About what?" I ask.
"Come on, you made a deal with Nahuel? What was it?" Cole asked.
"Look, it's none of your business. Not to mention I know you're doing more than protecting me on the reservation, because if so you would've contacted me like Noah or Rylan did."
"Actually, no I wouldn't have. When Nahuel learned the hybrids were in Alaska he went there to make sure they didn't kill more than they should have."
"I'm aware of that." I say.
"Are you? Do you know how bad things can get if you stick that hybrid nose into where it doesn't belong?" Cole says.
"Things have already been bad. Ten years ago, nothing could stop it." I clarified.
"Wrong. You gave up the chance to kill the bad guys. You're allowing them to get stronger every year. Who knows what can happen!"
I stared at him.
"That was the Cullen's and The Volturi doing, not the wolves. Who are you really getting your orders from? Why are you here?" I whispered.
Cole exhaled looking around the yard. "I'm not the bad guy, Aiden. I'm trying to survive."
"Survive what?" I mumbled.
"This world." He answered. "I can't talk about it now." He stated low.
"In that case, Sam is going to hate what I have to tell him." I say.
"Is that a threat?"
"You bet." I said, trying not to show my bluff.
He sighed. "Fine. Fine. We'll talk after you get back from the trip to the lake, I'll tell you everything I know."
"What if something happens before that?" I ask.
"Aiden, trust me. There's nothing coming." He said more calmly than ever. "Therefore, you can wait." Cole continued to walk towards the car.