EIGHT

LIE IN IT

RACHEL

The situation between Jacob and my father has gone too far. Disowned? How could Dad disown his only son, my brother, the True Alpha? It's unacceptable! Paul told me I shouldn't worry, that everything will work itself out, but I can't just sit here and let it get worse. And plus, meddling is what I do best.

Paul brings Dad over to our house on his lunch break, and I quickly settle Lotus on his lap to get him in a chipper, more receptive mood. She's such a happy baby, and his first grandchild, and I know he won't be able to resist Lotus' charms.

"She's growing so fast, Rachel. I wish every day that Sarah was here to see her, to see all of our future grandchildren. She would have doted on them all."

I smile at my father and agree. Everyday my heart aches for the absence of my mother, and my twin.

After midday comes and goes, I get worried that Jacob won't show. I didn't tell him our father would be here, because he'd never come for sure. But I can't keep Dad waiting too long past his meal time because of his diabetes. Just when I'm about to give up and serve lunch, I hear heavy footsteps on the porch. I rush to the door and yank it open, just in time to catch my brother turning away. Damn wolf ears. "Jake! Stop dawdling and get in here," I order him, before he escapes.

He hesitates for a moment, but slowly walks inside, giving me a look that details exactly how he feels about the stunt I've pulled.

"Why am I here?" he grumbles.

"Having a family lunch."

"I'm not part of this family anymore, remember?" he snaps, loud enough for Dad to hear.

"Of course you are, Dad was just upset," I swat at him, ushering his bulky frame to the kitchen, to which he responds with a sneer.

"Lotus! It's Uncle Jake!" I sing to my daughter as she happily bounces on her grandfather's knees. Just as I knew she would, Lotus looks up at her uncle and emits a shriek of glee.

"Hey! There's my flower girl!" Jacob coos and reaches down to pick her up. Lotus reaches for him too and immediately starts to giggle as Jake holds her high in the air then plants loud and wet kisses on her neck.

Securing the baby against his chest, my brother turns his attention to our father. "Billy," he grunts.

"Jacob," he answers just as gruffly.

I roll my eyes at them both, mirror images of one another. "Oh hush now! We're going to have a nice family lunch and you two are going to get along!"

"Whatever," Jake mumbles, taking a seat at the table so that he can further play with his niece.

Dad watches them the entire time, but Jake refuses to look his way.

"She seems very taken with you. You're good with her," Dad admits fondly.

When Jacob doesn't reply, I jump in. "Oh yes! Jake's a natural with her." I busy myself grabbing dishes and setting them on the table, then filling each glass with water.

"Imagine what it would be like to have your own, with your imprint, as the Spirits intended," Dad continues.

I stiffen at his comment, because I know it will start an argument. I look over at my brother and I can easily tell that he is trying to control his feelings. He better, with my baby in his arms. "Don't go there," he warns, and continues making funny faces at Lotus.

"But you have to consider it at some point Jacob. Lotus is as perfect as she is because her parents were perfect for one another. They were destined to procreate, to further our line. In this child is the future of the pack, and in any son that Rachel bears. Your sister accepted her duty, her destiny, and look how happy she is. Why can't you do the same?"

I feel proud at the compliment my father pays to me, but at the same time it irks me because he makes it all seem so easy. It wasn't, at all. I feel a pang remembering how I once struggled to "accept my duty," much like my brother now.

"I didn't come here for this," Jake complains to me impatiently.

"Jake please, just relax okay? I don't want us to argue," I urge him, looking between him and Dad nervously.

Jake hands me the baby and turns to our father. "Why don't you want me to be happy?"

"I want you to be happy, Jake. But your happiness is with your imprint, not some other woman. A woman who, from what I've heard from Samuel, cannot even have children."

Oh no.

Jacob bares his teeth at his comment. "Quite frankly, that's not the only reason to be with someone. And Sam knows nothing - Leah's condition might not be permanent."

"So you're going to throw away your entire future based on a 'might not?' I don't understand you Jacob. Why are you doing this? You've caused an upheaval in this tribe, in your pack. You know you are rightful Alpha and this whole thing with two packs has got to end, it's gone on long enough. It's time you step up and take your rightful place here. I'm getting older, and I need to know that the tribe is in your safe keeping."

Lotus starts to fuss with all the negative energy filling the room, so I start to rock her in my arms, hoping she'll take a nap.

"I just don't understand how you could be okay with a half-vampire living on our lands. You're all about keeping traditions, but that's breaking the treaty."

"I'm okay with it because of you and because I believe in her human side. You are the one who decided you needed to follow the Cullens wherever they need to go, but that's not necessary. You belong here and Nessie is yours, so she belongs here with you. This is the home you will provide for her."

Jacob snorts and shakes his head. "You don't even know her. She'd never be satisfied in a place like this. It's too small and poor and boring."

"She'll be satisfied wherever you are. She can travel anytime she feels the need to. You don't have to worry about what people will say about her either. Our tribe will notice things, but they will never say anything. Everyone knows our legends, they will be curious but nothing more. You think they don't know something's up with you and the others by now? The older ones know just who you are, and they know to keep our secrets."

While Dad is right, none of the pack enjoy the looks or whispers we get every time we are out in public. The imprints don't have it any easier than the wolves.

I can already tell by the set of my brother's jaw that he won't accept that. "My mind's made up. It's not what I want. I told you this already remember? You kicked me out. Nothing's changed."

"Aren't you going to tell her about the imprint?" I ask, because I still don't understand why he hasn't done that yet. He needs to tell her if he truly wants out of the bond (not that I really believe he can get out of it, as I had my own failed attempts at breaking my connection to Paul).

"I told you when I see her, Rach. But I'm in no rush, she has her own life and I have mine."

"But you told me that her aunt said she misses you, that she hates the separation. Why wait?" As an imprintee, I still think it's unfair for him to dismiss the poor girl's feelings. I don't like how nonchalant my brother is being about their connection. If she is suffering, he shouldn't turn his back. Leah's leaving is a clear sign that she agrees.

Jacob glowers at me and I can easily read that he considers me to be a traitor. "Jake, I'm not going to support you lying to everyone, let alone yourself. I know what it's like to be on the other side of an imprint and she needs to understand why she feels that separation anxiety, it's only fair. She's still a person who deserves your respect."

"I thought you said you were seeing things from my side? I'm not ready!" He snaps at me.

I shake my head. "I do understand, but I also think it's only fair to consider things from hers too. You have to talk to her before you make any more big decisions about your future. It affects her and Leah."

"What the fuck do you want me to do, huh? You know how I feel about her age! It's not appropriate!" Jacob fires back at me, throwing his hands up in frustration. I clutch Lotus tighter and kiss her forehead so that she won't wake up.

"She only young in human years, but not hybrid years! She's a woman now, you showed me pictures Jake, she is NOT a kid!" I shoot back. But even I don't really believe the words coming out of my mouth. The whole thing is a bit weird.

"Again with the excuses!" Billy cuts in, glaring at Jacob.

Jacob takes a deep breath to calm himself down before he responds. "It's fact not an excuse. I have no desire to pledge my undying love for her when that's not how I feel. I still remember Nessie when she was Lotus's size for Pete's sake!"

"Listen to me, Jacob. Love grows. I knew your mother all my life, it wasn't love at first – in fact, I thought she was a pain in the butt. When I was twenty and dating someone else, Sarah started working at the diner and I began seeing her every day when I'd go for lunch. And we'd chat. And then over time, we grew into more than acquaintances, and I fell hard. I pushed aside any thoughts of being with other women because I knew I had found the One for me. I'd found the woman who'd make me the chief I needed to be for this tribe. I've never regretted choosing her."

"If you think that's going to convince me about Nessie, you're wrong. That's how I feel about Leah. That's Leah. She's the one who makes me stronger, better. She is the best partner, and a good leader."

Dad's face immediately morphs from neutral to disgruntled and he shakes his head. "Do not compare her to your mother."

"I'm NOT comparing her to Mom! I'm comparing myself to YOU!"

"Jake, Dad, please don't argue. Think of Lotus," I beg as the baby whimpers in her sleep.

Jacob shakes his head and rises, with his fists clenched at his sides. "I've already been disowned, so really, there's no point to this. I'm sorry I've been such a big disappointment to you Dad, but you know, you've been a bigger disappointment to me. I never thought you could be like this. You always tell me to take charge and accept my role in the pack and the tribe. I'm trying, but you won't let me do it my way. And that isn't fair."

"There is only one way, Jacob, the way of our fathers. You are Alpha and you've imprinted, there is only that, nothing else. We all had to accept that she's different. But you won't, and your stubborn attitude is getting old and I'm sick of it. You need to push all these adolescent feelings aside and GROW UP."

A tremor vibrates my brother's body and I know that any chance of us having lunch is gone.

"Sorry Rach, but I'll get something at the diner."

"Wait, Jake!" I cry, as he flees the room before I can at least pack him a plate.

"Let him go Rachel. He's determined to learn the hard way."

My heart breaks for my brother. Beneath the anger and disappointment, he clearly feels, I can see the pain clear as day. It's in his eyes. Since Leah left, he really hasn't been the same.

Now I feel like I'm being pulled in two directions. I want to support his imprint and my father's wishes, because I too am bound to pack law. But at the same time, I want my little brother to be happy. From what Paul and Emily told me, for so long Bella sucked the life out of him. Since he came back from Spain, he's been happier, and I now know that it was because of Leah. I guess I really let him down earlier by bringing up Nessie, and a part of me feels horrible about it. How can I be loyal to him, my father and Paul's pack at the same time? It's just not possible. Everyone wants him to submit to his imprint but lately, I'm just not so sure it would do any good.

After putting Lotus in her crib, I make my way back out to the kitchen, where my father has served himself and is currently eating lunch at the table. So much for my family meal.

"Dad, maybe we were too hard on him." I say, cautious of his reaction. "Jake never lies, and if he says he doesn't feel the same way for Nessie that Paul feels for me, then maybe you should believe him."

He looks up at me and then back down to his plate. "Rachel, I know you feel sorry for Jacob, but I will not be moved on this."

"You ever consider that he isn't upset to be apart from his imprint, like Paul and I were when I went back to Seattle to find a job? Nothing about their bond makes sense, Dad. He's fine without her."

"But she isn't fine without him, I heard you say that earlier."

"That's what one of the Cullens told Jake, but, I dunno, who knows what's really going on? If something were really wrong with her, in all fairness, he'd feel it. He'd feel the pull, and he'd be miserable. Like Paul was with me, or Sam was with Emily."

"None of that matters. The Spirits are not to be betrayed Rachel, this is what neither of you understand. If we upset the natural order, then bad things will start to happen. It is my duty as Chief to preserve our culture, and that comes before any personal feelings. It's a hard lesson Jacob needs to learn. Sam did what he had to do and now Jacob must do the same. I don't know what kind of hold that Leah has on either of them, but I will not let her destroy the Black legacy."

I can't agree with my father, but I don't say anything. I take a deep breath and serve myself a plate of the baked chicken, vegetable fried rice and macaroni pie. My heart hurts that my brother didn't even get to enjoy one of his favorite meals. And poor Leah, she doesn't deserve any of this. She was forced to let go of Sam and now our father wants to take Jacob away from her too. If the imprint didn't do that, then what right do any of us have to meddle in their lives? What if we are all wrong?

"I know she's your friend Rachel, but it's a good thing that she's gone. Natural order can be restored now."

An unsettling feeling fills my stomach, making it hard to even take my first bite. I know he's talking about the pack, not just Jacob and Nessie. It's no secret that the Council doesn't enjoy having Leah or her mother around. Sue has always been a lovely woman, it's not her fault that her husband died and she took his place. Because Leah joined the pack, the Council found it necessary, as none of them wanted to deal with her themselves. Not even Sam.

My father sets down his fork and takes a drink of water, before fixing his dark, mercurial eyes on me. "The day Carlisle Cullen fixed all of Jacob's broken bones, I became indebted to him. Your brother could have died that day, the entire right side of his body had been crushed by a newborn vampire. There was no way any of us could have fixed it. We didn't know how. Cullen and I came to our own treaty of sorts, we formed a sense of mutual respect – we even shook hands. It was a hard call as chief, but I did it because of Charlie and because of Jake. The wolves would fight to protect Bella from other vampire threats, and they, in return, would respect our rules and keep us informed on any further dangers."

I nod my head and Dad takes another sip of water. I don't speak because I know he's not finished. He looks over at the window and takes a deep breath before continuing. "Then when Bella came back from her honeymoon, Charlie said she was sick. Your brother stormed out of the house against my warning, and found out she was pregnant. He came back and told us how the pregnancy was slowly killing her. Sam determined that the child had to be killed before it could be born, because it would be a vampire. Knowing that meant Bella would be killed too, Jacob left the pack and me behind, and started living on Cullen land, guarding Bella from Sam. He and I have a loyalty to the Swans, and even though he betrayed the pack by siding with the leeches, I understood the choice he made. For Charlie's sake I was grateful that he had such courage. But then he imprinted when the child was born. So what could I do but continue to entrust my son in the coven's care? He became a part of them, Rachel, whether or not he wants to admit this. He cannot turn his back on his imprint now."

"But won't her presence here cause more boys to phase? There are no threats, we don't need a larger pack."

"We have no precedent for what can happen Rachel, but I believe that her bond with Jacob, and her mothering his children, will ward off any such effects. She does not have any vampire habits. She is warm-blooded with a beating heart, she does not even drink blood."

My face wrinkles at the thought of Jacob being with a bloodsucker. What if she wanted to do that again? How could he like that?

"The Cullens are his family now Rachel, they have been for years. And they will be officially when he and Nessie become serious. I just need him to see what has already been set into motion, the day he decided to stay with Bella even though she did not choose him. That was his choice, to go to her, to commit himself to her. I didn't like it because Bella was no longer our concern the day she married a Cullen. But then the imprint happened, and I had to accept that he was forever tied to her, and to them. So now he has no choice but to accept it too. Black men must act with honour, not cowardice, lust or pride, no matter the circumstance. We all have hard realities to face. My son made his bed, now he must lie in it."

My father speaks with such finality and certainty, that I have no choice but to bow my head in silence. I hope my brother knows what he's doing because I don't know how he's going to change our father's mind; and I really don't know if or how I can help him and stay loyal to everyone else. God help us all.

AN: Thank you SO much for your reviews! I love hearing your thoughts on the characters and how the story is unfolding. I promise that all your questions - which are pretty great! - will be answered in the story itself so I won't ruin it. It's kind of a slow burn as things unfold and as Jake and Leah find their way back to one another, so as I always ask, bear with me! I'm struggling a bit to get more chapters down as I feel like they're shit lol. but I'm trying! I know you will all have thoughts on Rachel and Billy in this chapter. Just note that Rachel is trying to be loyal to her father (it's a kind of guilt for being gone so long) to Paul and to Paul's pack as an imprint, she's not in an easy position. Billy feels justified in his stance because of Jacob's own actions - but yes I agree that poor Jake is allowed to make mistakes - but you know how it goes imprint is the most sacred law. Next up we hear from Leah again, as things move forward. stay home stay safe stay positive and thanks for reading and following!