A/N Hey everyone, sorry that this is coming late well I guess late for me. I know I usually get a chapter to you guys on Monday but work is kicking my ass right now. I've been majorly busy in the last week and haven't had nearly the amount of time I wanted to get some writing done. It's however part of life and this is more for fun, but I have managed to set aside some time this morning before my shift to edit this chapter and get it to you finally. Never have I been happier that I wrote a lot of the story in advance then I am right now, had I not already had chapters written up it may have taken me much longer. Which I really didn't want to do to you guys because I understand how it can be when waiting for that next update. So I hope you all didn't feel that I abandoned you not posting yesterday but it's here now so I feel I've done pretty well on trying to get back onto my schedule. Though I do need to tell you this is likely the only chapter for this week, I'll do my best but I can't make any promises to get another chapter before next week. Though I'm sure you guys all know I'll try my best.
I would like to give a quick shout out to Camilla10 who recommended Red Dawn over at A Different Forest (What the fic campfire) While I wasn't aware of the website I'm very grateful Camilla. So thank you very much for posting on the site and letting more readers know about my story and I hope that the writing doesn't let down your stamp of approval. As always guys thanks for still sticking with me and I'll leave you all to the next chapter...
Enjoy :)
RED DAWN
SUMMARY: Edward had always warned Bella that the pack were dangerous. Hostile, volatile and aggressive in nature. She ignored him, testing even Edward's own vampire instinct by staying friends with his enemy, Jacob. One event will change them all, Bella never truly understood the supernatural world. Didn't understand the aggression that lay dormant even in her controlled mate until it was too late. Warning: Violence and Character death.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all the Characters.
Chapter Sixteen
Edward finally carried Bella back to his home only a short time after their talk, he knew that Renee had wanted to spend some more time with Bella and he'd certainly not wanted to remain out in the forest as the cooling temperature. He'd made the choice to simply go to Bella's home instead of entering into the main part of the house, he was still very angry with what Carlisle had done. Or at least tired of defending his own actions, and wasn't prepared for that conversation. Bella had seemed to be growing tired which had only cemented his belief that it was time to call an end to the day. While she seemed all but fine physically, other then needing to heal he still didn't want to push her body too far. Though he knew that her exhaustion may have come from the emotional side of what had been surrounding them, Edward too recognised that even he felt a strange edge of fatigue mentally from what had happened.
It was an extremely peculiar part of being a vampire, with never ending physical energy, he could go without pause and yet mentally all of them needed time to somewhat relax away from more active things. It had been what often he'd used the music in his life to aid him in, as others had things that helped them decompress from the stresses of a never ending life where there was no escape. He truly envied Bella in that sense that she could close her eyes and dream, escape the world around them.
"Renee wants to be able to spend some time alone with you" Edward said as he pulled his Volvo into the driveway behind Charlie's police cruiser his thumb brushing over the back of Bella's knuckles smiling.
"I don't know how to tell her. I'm... I guess a little nervous how she'll react" Bella said even though she was smiling as she glanced down at her ring on her finger Edward watching her face. He leaned across pecking the side of her cheek softly smiling into her skin.
"I asked for her and Charlie's blessing" Edward told her hoping to relieve some of her fear of telling them that she was engaged, he understood that Bella was nervous about both of their reactions. Bella wasn't sure how they would have reacted to Edward asking but she knew that it must have gone well for him to bring it up, while she knew he'd have likely asked even had they said an outright no.
"Charlie didn't pull a gun?" Bella said in a light hearted attempt at humour and yet wishing she somehow had been a fly on the wall during the conversation. She knew Edward would have been the perfectly polite gentleman and made an eloquent argument against anything her parents may have disagreed with.
"I think you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised with how well Charlie took it actually" Edward said with a knowing smile as Bella turned her face to look at him smiling back at his handsome face.
"I guess I better head in. I'm sure Renee is waiting close by impatiently" Bella said she knew that Edward would leave for a little but she wasn't all that willing to let him go just yet. She reached forward with her free hand fisting the front of his shirt and tugging him towards her over the console of the car and pressing her lips to his own confidently. Taking control in a way that Edward would have never allowed in the past for fear of him losing control at not being the one to initiate the kiss.
"I'll be back with you soon enough" Edward whispered against Bella's lips and then kissing her lips once more, he understood her desire to not part ways.
His family were still waiting on him and he'd not returned now for some time in favour of relishing in being with Bella, while Bella was accepting of what was coming he didn't wish to force her to endure hearing the plans his family would put together to kill people she had been close with. There was also the very likely possibility that once Edward returned home without Bella there to calm him he'd fly off the handle in the way Carlisle had dealt with what had happened. He'd done well to let Bella distract him from his anger, it was there though slowly grinding at the back of his mind at the audacity that Carlisle had dared to place ill thought of him in Bella's mind. It was cruel and far beyond the line of what was acceptable, he wouldn't sit back and let the attempt at manipulation simply go.
Edward walked Bella to her front door even at her protests of not needing him too. Renee had already opened the door before they'd taken the step up to the door. She'd zoned in on the ring on Bella's finger all but straight away and Edward would have found it impressive was he not aware of how Renee had been thinking about it all day. Renee of course moved quickly placing herself between Bella and Edward as she pulled Bella into a tight hug that had made Edward want to remind Renee that Bella still had stitches that couldn't be jostled too much. Renee awed and smiled brightly at Bella even getting a little teary as Bella found herself returning to Edward's side once Renee let go. Renee couldn't seem to pull her gaze away from her daughter and the man that she was going to marry, she really was happy even if she'd been a little concerned about it earlier in the morning. With more time to mull it over she'd realized that for all her arguments about age that Bella wasn't her and that Edward certainly wasn't like any young man she'd ever known. They belonged together. Renee believed it would all work out.
"I don't care Sue. I've been like family to him. He's completely cutting me off. Won't even let Bella or me go to the funeral. I understand grieving but Jake was like a son to me" Charlie said loudly from inside the house as Bella looked to Renee who had visibly looked more uncomfortable as they'd all heard Charlie raise his voice to Sue. Bella felt Edward squeeze her hand gently trying to reassure her as he took in the information from what Charlie and Sue were talking about over the phone.
"What's going on mom?" Bella asked Renee standing a little awkwardly in the doorway as she looked over her shoulder in the direction of the kitchen where Charlie had been on the phone pretty much since he'd returned from the station.
"Charlie finally got hold of Billy. Billy was pretty upset. Lashed out at your dad and told him he wasn't welcome on their land and that he wasn't welcome to the funeral. Neither of you" Renee said and Bella swallowed a little roughly knowing how much that would upset her father, she'd expected that she'd not be welcome. Had assumed even if she had that Edward would have never agreed to her going to pay her respects, she wasn't sure she wanted to pay any respects. She'd chosen her side in this now.
"Charlie and Billy have been friends all their lives" Bella said but knew it was a weak argument.
She had all the information for why Billy would cut off her father. It was because of her that her father was being pushed out by those he'd viewed as family his whole life. Because of her choices and the choices of the man beside her. She felt guilty that her father would have to carry the punishment for things he'd had no control over, removing him from their group she couldn't help but feel relieved too though. How many times had Charlie been in a similar kind of danger as she and had no idea, with some of the adult males now shifting too she didn't want Charlie getting hurt simply because they hated her and Edward.
"Billy was always an ass" Renee said off handily then blushed slightly as she looked to Bella and Edward a little embarrassed that it had slipped out.
"I'm sorry. I know he's going through something awful. I just never got along with the man. I always told Charlie when we were together that eventually he'd turn on him. I'm just sorry Charlie is being treated poorly. Not just by Billy but all of his friends. Like Charlie is at fault somehow" Renee said raising her hand and spinning it around to show she thought Billy and those of La Push were insane while rolling her eyes, Edward was more than open to his own amusement as he chuckled at what Renee said Bella nudging his side slightly to stop him.
"He's talking to Sue?" Bella said hoping her nosy mother had listened in, she knew she couldn't ask Edward what he was hearing without making it known to Renee too. She knew she should have felt guilty trying to get private information that was her father's but with his closeness to those within the tribe she suddenly realised that she truly didn't trust them anymore. She wasn't sure if that had come from Edward and all he'd told her or by what had happened to her, she'd never believed she'd be hurt by them but she had. So had many others.
"Yes. She's been giving him the cold shoulder. Seems she's had issues of her own, her daughter Leah apparently left with an older man from the tribe. Eloped" Renee said shaking her head then nodding her head towards Bella and Edward seriously this time.
"You two better not get any ideas. I expect to see my daughter walk down the aisle to her handsome husband" Renee reached out and moved to squeeze Edward's cheek but hesitated when she found his cheek wasn't at all pliable but almost concrete to her touch.
"That's some bone structure you've got there Edward" Renee said as Bella laughed awkwardly, not many people touched Edward to notice the hardness of his skin even fewer people tried to pinch his cheeks Bella doubted he'd experienced such a thing in most of his life. Especially since becoming a vampire. Edward however was too intrigued that the pack had chosen to hide and cover the deaths of Leah and one of the adult males that had died in the confrontation days ago by placing a story of a secret taboo relationship. He hoped they had lots of stories in place. He was going to be taking more soon.
"So are you staying a little longer Edward?" Renee asked curiously, she did hope that she would get Bella alone for a little this evening though she'd made plans to leave tomorrow afternoon.
"No I'm afraid. I'm expected back home. I stole Bella for a little longer than planned so I won't be able to stay" Edward smiled at Renee charmingly disarming her as Bella watched him work that strange dazzling power on her mother.
"Well that's fine. I'm not sure I'll see you again for some time now Edward so I just wanted to thank you for caring about our Bella so much. It's wonderful to have you as part of the family" Renee extended her arms out to Edward as he'd moved in to hug her back still keeping his one hand free to keep holding Bella's hand.
"It's always a pleasure Renee. I'm sure we'll see you again soon" Edward said gently and then turned to Bella and leaned down pecking her lips softly her fingers playing with his own as he looked deeply into her concerned eyes. His beautiful mate was easy to read then, concerned and upset for the pain her father would have to endure because of what they had done. Charlie was an innocent in this that truly didn't deserve any wrong treating from either side. It seemed the pack simply wouldn't tolerate him as long as Bella remained at the Cullen family's side. He was guilty by extension.
"I love you" Edward said kissing her lips softly all while Renee stood leaning against the doorway sighing softly as she watched the romantic and tenderness shared between the two teens.
"I love you too" Bella said her fingers playing with the buttons of Edward's shirt, he pulled her in closer then nuzzling his face into the side of her hair smiling.
"I'll be with you soon. Keep our bed warm" Edward pulled away soon enough to see her heated cheeks and his crooked smile only grew as she nodded at him and reluctantly the two released each other's hands. Bella moving to Renee's side as the two watched Edward at a human pace move to his car, he hated leaving her but for now while Bella still was part of the human world in most cases would need to play the part. As Edward turned the key to his ignition however he heard one comment from Renee that had left him chuckling as he drove away.
"Bella, why are you wearing one of Edward's shirts?"
When Edward finally returned home it was clear that Carlisle wasn't there, his thoughts were absent as well as his scent but Edward found Esme waiting for him. She'd been waiting for Edward's return since he'd left with Bella, confident in the belief that he'd not be able to brush aside his need to confront Carlisle and so Esme had done what she felt best for not only Carlisle but Edward too. She knew her husband, had spoken to him during the afternoon in the confinement of their bedroom and tried to reach out to him, make him see sense and while she could see he truly felt shame over the way he'd handled himself. Esme was able to see that Carlisle's belief had not changed at all, she had always loved Carlisle's deep love for all life and compassionate nature but even she struggled against meeting the expectations of her husband. She had also wondered how Carlisle would have reacted had she been as capable of showing signs of aggression and violence. Just because she found herself unable to strike out didn't mean it was not inside of her, she didn't want to fight didn't believe she was capable enough. She'd always hesitate, training with Jasper had shown that, she and Carmen had been working so hard and where Carmen continued to improve her own training had become stagnant.
Esme was not a killer.
She was truly Carlisle's other half in that respect the only difference was she didn't want or wish to prevent her family from doing so if it meant protecting them. Esme was still rocked by the way in which she'd slapped Carlisle, still shocked that he'd enraged her enough to draw that from her. Her greatest strength had always been her ability to love, Edward had always made note of her motherly nature and the influence of ease she casted around those near her. Esme had always wanted to be a mother, as a human she'd cruelly lost that chance and then taken her life to be saved by the man who had haunted her since her childhood. She had awoken to this life still in mourning to find a beautiful man with a good soul who cared for her and then she'd found through Carlisle the son she'd believed she'd lost. There wasn't a person on the planet alive or dead who could tell her that Edward wasn't her son.
She'd protect him even if it meant from his own father. She loved Carlisle but she wouldn't let him risk their son's happiness because of his need to save all lives. Even the lives of people who didn't deserve it, she agreed with what Edward had requested it was time for her to take her conflicted husband away and help him find himself once again. It was time to let their son take lead of the family and accept that they no longer had what it took to protect the family. She was proud of the man that Edward was becoming. Even if he made choices she herself didn't wish he had she knew that he did it from a place of love. As Carlisle did his own choice making and mistakes from his love for them all Edward too would do what he believed right because he loved his family. Even if it broke her heart to be parted from her family she knew her place was at Carlisle's side and she needed to support him now. She needed to help him see that this was not his failing, that it wasn't anyone's fault she knew he blamed himself and blamed Edward for this. She needed to make him see that the changes in Edward weren't to be feared but helped and guided so he wouldn't lose his way. They needed to nurture the man that he was becoming not hindering the changes that were becoming all too clear to everyone in the family.
Edward climbed out from his car seeing Esme standing there in both parts accepting and in defeat of what had come, for all the times she'd tried to keep the family together it seemed a split was inevitable. Edward knew she wouldn't plead Carlisle's case that she wouldn't beg for him to change his choice and keep them close, Esme was smart enough to know that Carlisle had only further crossed a line by what he'd done in front of Bella. Edward moved to stand beside Esme as they both looked into the surrounding forest, the tree line still wide awake even in the night the life that only they could hear and see still coming alive in the hours of darkness. The moon casted a strange light over them all, the enhanced vision making it no darker then the day light hours, the unusual spectrum of colours that humans could not see in these hours. The illumination while beautiful had always been a harder time for Edward in the past, the evening hours were when he was usually most alone when his family would in the past retire to spend time with their other half's.
Esme turned to look at Edward, taking in the side of his profile he'd always been so impossibly handsome, she was happy that he was finally unburdened by the loneliness he'd had to endure for his existence within the family.
"You know I'll have to speak to him before you both leave" Edward said softly into the silent evening night as Esme sighed and nodded her head turning to face Edward completely.
"I know Edward. I just hoped with enough time you'd both be able to calm down before that conversation would take place. I know he was wrong. I know that what he did was a betrayal on so many levels to you Edward but he didn't mean to harm you" Esme said trying to make Edward see that the man he'd always held highest above all else was just as much capable of failures and mistakes as the rest of them.
"I know. I know he only wants to protect the family. I know he's doing this for me. Carlisle was always a better man than me. I always hoped if I tried hard enough I'd be able to make him proud of me. I hate disappointing him, I can't change my course of action though now" Edward said looking down at the wooden rail as he leant forward over the porch Esme moving closer to rest her hand on his back.
"He's still proud of you Edward. All you've done. You'll always be his son" Esme tried to comfort him, had she not been in this same position only hours earlier trying to sooth her husband as he believed he'd ruined any chance of fixing what seemed to becoming an even wider distance between himself and Edward.
"He's scared of me. Was always scared of me. I never knew, how did I not know the man who I've spent so much time with feared me" Edward said through a whisper, it was something that had played on his mind. For all the decades of Edward claiming the monster inside of him tainting anything he cared for had Carlisle known it to be there too, had he simply lied and tried to give him false hope that he wasn't this beast.
"I know this must be hard to hear Edward but you have to know. You have to see just how much you could become. For years your isolation and torment has been like a prison. It's held you and what you could become trapped inside yourself. Suddenly you're becoming more. When you first left we never thought you'd return we'd believed you'd made your choice that the change had come when we'd not seen it. We knew it would come one day, then you retuned even more tormented and colder. Your time out in the world as a nomad had hardened you, made you even more capable you'd seen the darkness in the world and you'd resented it but you'd felt enough guilt to want to change. You'd been enough of your father's son to see killing even the criminals wasn't going to change the world no matter how much you wished it would. Then you fell in love with a human whose blood sang to you. It seemed so cruel that once again you'd been tested tormented by what you were, you over came that though Edward. For all your mistakes you've always come back to what matters, that's why I have no doubt even if this is the wrong choice you'll make this right." Esme said firmly to Edward taking his arms and moving him slightly to make him face her, she wanted Edward to see that she believed in him.
That where Carlisle feared all that Edward may or may not do, she believed he'd always come to the right choice in the end. He was a good man, maybe he'd never be the man that Carlisle was but that wasn't fair to expect Edward to measure to that of Carlisle's own beliefs. All failed to measure up to what Carlisle was, they had all taken human lives be it by choice or mistakes. Carlisle was the only one to have resisted completely, even Rose who hadn't tasted human blood had taken lives.
"I'm sorry I'm hurting you" Edward said softly knowing how much it had hurt Esme when Carlisle had told her that Edward had decided to send them both away. Esme reached up cupping his cheek softly forcing a smile, she was ready to follow Edward. Knew that what was best for the family was for her and Carlisle to leave.
"You're protecting me. You know I'm not going to be able to fight. I'm not like Alice, Rose or even Tanya and Kate. I was never a fighter. My place is with Carlisle, who you are also protecting. I've been scared since this all began that he'd do something that would place us in danger. His desire to protect the pack is birthed from his time with Ephraim. Carlisle truly loved that man as an almost brother" Esme shook her head as Edward closed his eyes gritted his teeth.
"Yet Ephraim never saw him as anything other than a monster" Edward said a little harshly.
"You are the man you are and he is the man he is Edward. Carlisle will always wish to believe the best in people. He still believes the Volturi are at their nature doing the right thing. Even though I know Alice believes they pose a threat. Aro too is someone your father respects and loves. I believe Aro too in his own way loves your father at least respects him." Esme explained and Edward could understand that, if he didn't want Carlisle to judge him for the type of man he was he couldn't be too harsh on the man that Carlisle was. Ephraim had been an honourable man that Carlisle had believed truly a great man, had his anger and displeasure come from that care Carlisle had for the once leader of the pack. Edward had killed Ephraim's heir.
"Don't let your father's struggle become your own Edward. I believe in you, your brothers and sisters believe in you. I know Bella does also. The Denali are ready to fight by your side and I'm sure those Jasper plans to call to aid you will see you as the leader we all are seeing. Do what you must and then we'll unite as a family again. We have a wedding and transformation to plan after all" Esme ended on a lighter note seeing that crooked smile of Edward's at the mention of wedding arrangements, she released his cheek from her touch as he nodded.
"She'll need you. I know she has Renee but she'll need you too. Just like I did." Edward said letting Esme know that she would be needed, while he was sending her away and she felt very much useless to her family he did believe that she would be important in the times of the wedding and Bella's change. Edward knew that Bella already viewed Esme as a second mother. It was easy to feel that way Edward knew that from personal experience.
"Let's join the rest of them" Edward offered his hand to Esme as she took it without hesitation, moving into the house to join the rest of the family.
Edward could see from a hint of Jasper and Eleazer's mind that they seemed to have something they wanted to discuss with him privately. Edward gave Jasper a look as he entered into the living room with Esme that told him simply, not yet. He knew that whatever the two of them wanted to discuss with him would need to be talked about but for now he simply wanted to give Esme time with her family before she and Carlisle left tomorrow. He took no pleasure in sending them both away. He truly did believe that he was protecting them all by separating them though. He also hoped by removing Carlisle from seeing the things that he'd do that somehow Carlisle would be able to avoid his growing fear of Edward and find some way of fixing the tattered parts of their relationship.
Carlisle had gone to the hospital at Esme's request, though he'd protested it had been a weak attempt to stay. He'd shamefully not wanted to face Edward after the way he'd acted, the anger in Edward's eyes and voice as he'd challenged him. He'd called him a coward and Carlisle wondered if that was truly what he'd become, was he the coward now. It had only further conflicted him that he'd seen some logic behind Edward's argument. Rose, Alice and Edward had all come to serious harm because of his choices this day. He'd even tackled his own son, he'd never physically attacked Edward by any means in the entire time they had been together.
He had not acted out angrily towards Edward even when they'd been reunited after Edward's choice to go to Volterra to have himself destroyed. Even though he'd wanted too. He'd been so emotionally angered when he'd believed Edward had gotten himself destroyed but instead of holding onto that anger he'd faltered at just seeing his son alive and well. Carlisle knew that his son had his reasons for the things he did but with each passing day he found himself struggling more to push aside his contempt for it.
The sight of a scared man being held in place as Edward had taunted him would forever be frozen in his mind now, the sight of him red eyed and standing over his victim. Carlisle had always wished to believe Edward too gentle, he'd seen that from him even as a human, Carlisle had known of Edward long before his illness had struck. Carlisle could still remember seeing the young man for the first time when he'd attended a neighbourhood gathering held by Edward's mother Elizabeth. Even then barely seventeen in age Carlisle had seen something truly special in the boy, he'd been frozen in the doorway as Edward played the grand piano in the Masen home. Carlisle had been alone for so long and for the first time as he'd watched Edward's human fingers dance along the keys of the piano he'd felt the pang of never having a son. He'd never before ever considered that lose not until he'd been faced with this young talented full of potential young man. Carlisle could still remember seeing the proud smile on Elizabeth's striking face as she'd moved beside him seeing Carlisle staring at Edward.
"He's incredible isn't he" Elizabeth had beamed proudly but there had been a strange look in her eyes as she'd addressed Carlisle that he'd never understood.
"I've made my desire for him to continue in his teaching clear but he seems rather set in his dreams of becoming a solider" Elizabeth had said with clear distaste.
"He wishes to join the war" Carlisle had said and he'd not even had it within himself to mask the fear that had crawled up his spine at the thought of this young man. Surrounded in blood and death, with the sound of gun fire and bombs dropping as he fought in a war no one his age should have to face.
"Edward even as a small boy wanted to protect people. Edward has always wanted to be a soldier. I fear only the involvement of divine intervention will save my son from the horrors of war. I pray every night for its end."
It would only be a few short months later that Carlisle would be faced with Edward again and Elizabeth, it had seemed almost tragic in its fate. That her desire to keep Edward from war would come at the price of the entire family dying to an illness no one could seem to stop. Carlisle had watched over them all, both Edward's parents and he, Edward's father would pass quickly Edward by then was far too sick to even notice. Elizabeth had been fine at first with no signs of the illness but as she cared for her son she too fell ill. Her need to constantly care for Edward even when it meant neglecting her own care would eventually place her in worse health then her son. She'd been ready to accept that though. Then the fatal evening when Edward's fever had spiked, Carlisle had known as he'd listened to the sound of fluid building in his lungs that he may not survive the night. That this exceptionally talented young man who wanted to save lives would be lost to the world before he'd ever had chance to bloom in this world.
He'd cried for a good hour tearlessly realising how deeply he cared for Edward Masen, that while he cried for this young human boy he too cried for the reality that he would never have a son to call his own. Then Elizabeth had said those fateful words on her death bed.
"You must do everything in your power. What others cannot do, that is what you must do for my Edward"
Still to this day those words have haunted him, they have held so much secret within them. Had she somehow known what he was or had she simply asked him to help her son as any doctor would. He'd decided that somehow Elizabeth had known he was a vampire and had rather Edward that then dead. He'd taken it as permission and swore to Elizabeth as she lay dying he would protect Edward, that he'd love him as his very own son. Carlisle would then for the first time in his entire existence taste blood as he changed Edward Masen into a vampire both saving his life and condemning it too.
Now as Carlisle sat in his office hiding almost from his family for the way in which he'd acted he wondered if Edward's mother had wanted this life for Edward. Had Carlisle failed her and Edward completely, she'd never wanted him to become a soldier and he'd tried so very hard to control that inner rage that Edward held. That power that seemed to grow when he was tested, before he'd never had the will to care now he cared and it fuelled his need to protect. Carlisle couldn't argue his right to protect his loved ones. He too only desired to protect. He wanted to protect Edward from war. Wanted to protect Edward like Elizabeth had, praying wasn't working and Carlisle felt the last of his faith in god all but failing him. He'd resisted his very nature and taught other's to go against the very dark natures held within them, he felt he deserved the assistance of a god he'd always believed in. Felt Edward deserved god to act now to help guide them so that they did not fall completely from redemption. He couldn't let Edward lose himself in killing, the image he'd had that first day of Edward in the trenches in uniform, blood coating his skin as the whistle and explosions of bombs and shots going off. Carlisle found the words of Elizabeth Masen repeating in his mind as he reached blindly towards the phone on his office desk.
"...What others cannot do, that is what you must do for my Edward"
Carlisle would do what others could not. It was the only option now, his family would not do this, and they would not look for a solution to this that would save them all. Carlisle wasn't just trying to save lives he was trying to save their very souls from the evil they would have to commit to save their lives.
"Carlisle?" the voice asked huskily over the phone.
"I request a meeting. The treaty line" Carlisle said evenly.
"You come alone. No other's as we agreed. We'll talk of our truce. Your family are ready to make peace before we all die?"
"Yes. We're ready for peace" Carlisle said while knowing his family wanted no such thing.
His family didn't want peace.
He knew that Edward did not want peace.
While the pack held their grudges they too knew that war was not something they would survive, he hated going against Edward and his family. They had left him no choice, they were sending him away and prepared to kill an entire pack of shifters all but causing the extinction of a rare supernatural creature. Carlisle couldn't allow it. He only hoped that once peace was made between them that he'd be able to earn Edward's forgiveness for once again going against him. He loved his son. He wasn't about to fail Elizabeth, he'd promised her and she'd never wanted her son involved in a war. He'd do what other couldn't, for their Edward. He would stop the deaths, he would ensure that Edward took no further lives so when he finally came back to himself he would not be too deeply burdened by his actions that it ruined him. Carlisle had hoped to use Bella to control Edward, he'd gone about it wrong and only placed more conflict between himself and his son.
He'd angered his own mate enough that she'd felt the need to act out against him and while he knew she was stopping him from making more mistakes he'd felt she didn't completely understand. That she too wanted the blood that their children desired. He knew his wife gentle and tender in nature was never going to be capable of doing such a thing though. If he could just find a solution then no one would be at risk, not his wife, his children or his friends.
Carlisle left the hospital after he'd given word to his colleagues that he and his wife would be leaving for some time, he didn't like leaving on such short notice but he knew. After tonight even if this meeting was to go well that he'd need to leave, he'd have tested Edward's anger once too many times and he didn't want to have to physically come to blows with his son. He'd been the first of them to lay his hands upon Edward but he doubted Edward would take his complete disregard for the orders he'd given again. Especially with how Carlisle had upset Bella. He knew his son's anger was of a dark volatile nature now, his rage was something that Carlisle feared. His power was something that scared him too, the fact Eleazer still believed it to be developing only made Carlisle more worried not only of Edward but for him.
He knew that Aro desired him, knew that only the friendship he and Aro shared was all that held Aro and his guard back from trying to lure his family to join him. Edward could not be allowed to fall into Aro's guidance, if Carlisle longed to shield Edward and protect him from his nature Aro would feed it. He would twist it and make it something darker than it should be, even from the brief conversations he and Edward had shared about Aro and his thoughts in Volterra it had been very clear Aro's intent. Edward would be his one day, Edward would become one of his guards and hopefully he'd lead the rest to follow. It was why Carlisle was not thrilled at the idea of Edward becoming the leader of their family, should Aro offer Edward the assistance in his hunger for revenge. For his own lust for death would he betray all that they believed in he hoped Edward wouldn't.
Carlisle had sprinted to the agreed location, he'd been secretly sending messages between the council members, and only his distance from Edward and his family had allowed him to go undetected. Though Carlisle had seen that Jasper was beginning to sense something was not all well. After today he no longer had time to play it safe, it had been the same argument as it had always been when he'd been contacting the pack. Carlisle's own guilt that he feared he might have been the reason behind the Denali being attacked the day they'd arrived, the shame that he knew he might have been the one who had given Sam all he'd needed to attack and then destroy Irina. Carlisle knew he was playing a dangerous game and yet he'd played it, to save his family from their natures he was risking everything. He had once long ago sworn to Ephraim Black that he would never go back on their treaty, he'd promised the wise chief that he'd do all he could to preserve their legend alongside that of the Cullen family. Carlisle had believed the legend had stayed but the ability lost, then Sam had shifted and Carlisle had been so deeply pleased that the magic lived on.
Something not explainable to science or anything he could grasp. The ability the tribe had to shift into a wolf so large in size and the abilities that came with it was magnificent, it truly was magic. It was pure, it was not of the darker creation of his own kind, the almost disease like spreading of a bite from one carrier to the next. Shifters were created to protect, vampires were created to feed. So here he stood now in the dark forest clearing where his land met that of the La Push tribe and he remembered standing here alone with Ephraim before the Cullen's had needed to leave. His promise to never harm Ephraim's people still clear in his mind. He didn't want to betray a man he respected and he couldn't let Edward and his family fail in rejecting the darkness held within them.
"Carlisle you have come alone" Sam said roughly as he walked through the tree line, he had not come alone however. Sam had brought his pack, only he and Joshua Uley remained in human form but the rest were in wolf form.
"It was what we agreed upon. I wanted to make movements to build peace between our people again. I want for us to mend the fractures in our broken ties" Carlisle said confident even then that he'd somehow convince these men to reaffirm the treaty once held. In spite of everything that had happened between them, even though now he stood before a hostile pack seeking vengeance for their loss he still believed them to be what Ephraim and his men had been. Noble and honourable. Men who kept their word because it had meaning.
"These are not simply broken ties Carlisle. Your coven has killed our people. Has directly targeted us and has even crossed into our lands to do so" Sam said his eyes dark the grief still very clear in his darkened and tired eyes, Carlisle could see that Edward had been correct in his attack upon Sam Uley's heart. The death of Leah was clear all over the man's face and Carlisle could only further feel shame that his family had done that.
"You know the circumstances that brought about Edward's crossing the treaty line. His mate was injured by Jacob's hand. Edward protected himself and Bella from those who wanted to destroy him" Carlisle said defending Edward's actions, while he'd hated that death had come from them he knew that Edward had no choice, Bella had been dying and he was attacked he'd had to defend himself to save them both.
"They had every right to protect our land" Sam said through gritted teeth and Carlisle listened to the high pitched yelps of wolves that only sounded like agreement. Carlisle could see them hidden some amongst the tree line probably ensuring he'd not brought any of his family, the entirety of the pack was here now. He could hear the sounds of them, they didn't appear to have grown larger then what Eleazer had described as their numbers. It seemed those that would shift had done so. This was by far the largest the pack had ever been.
"Edward had every right to protect the woman he loves. I can't give you back the lives taken Sam. I can only hope to prevent more lives being lost" Carlisle said taking a step forward only to hear the growling around him giving him pause as not to agitate them further.
"More lives of your own family. My pack is larger. I have men instead of boys to lead into war, we are not the weak submissive pack that Ephraim led. A fight will take just as many of you as it will us. I'm willing to take those chances" Sam said and Carlisle could feel that he'd somehow misjudged this, where Sam had been more willing to talk of fixing things now he seemed only here to antagonise and make his place clear. Carlisle was beginning to see that Sam too only wanted death, just as his family wanted of the pack.
"Think, Sam" Joshua Uley spat to his son angrily his hand reaching out and gripping at Sam's bulging bicep, Sam forcefully shaking his grip away.
"There are some things that cannot be undone Sam. Things that will never be undone once you make the choice. You still have time to make another choice, for the good of the people" Joshua urged and Carlisle found himself looking to Sam's father was this not the same image now, an image of Carlisle and Edward played back to him from his supposed enemies side. A father trying to make a son understand the choices that made could not be changed once taken.
"What have my people ever done for me but cause me pain. I lead our people now, either take my side or join him" Sam growled at his father shoving him back and for a second it looked as if Joshua was about to challenge Sam. His eyes hardening before he shook his head turning away from meeting his son's gaze knowing there was nothing he could do now.
"Now" Sam called out loudly as his body exploded forward.
His body leapt up twisting and expanding as his skin seemed to appear to tear from his body in the vicious shift of his human body into his wolf one. Then standing before Carlisle instead of the man Sam Uley was the large black wolf, the alpha of his pack and Carlisle could only turn to see the closing in numbers of wolves that bled out from between the trees, closing in around him. Carlisle knew then, as Sam had shifted and the pack moved under Sam's orders, Carlisle knew as he fixed his eyes onto Joshua Uley that this had not been a meeting to speak of peace between them.
This was to be his execution.
"Think about what you are doing?" Carlisle yelled out then his hand extended to make Sam see sense, this act of aggression against him would do nothing more than only fuel the fire of what was coming.
"You may kill me but you are not nearly as prepared for what will come for you if you do. You will awaken something that you don't understand, that will bring about everyone's destruction not only my families but all of yours" Carlisle said urgently knowing, knowing what would happen if the pack was allowed to destroy him.
Carlisle looked around him then looking for an exit, an escape from this situation, suddenly realising the grave danger he had placed himself in. There was no escape, he'd allowed himself to be drawn out here completely alone and found himself completely surrounded by the numbers of wolves. Even then knowing what was coming for him he knew he couldn't kill to find his way out of there, knew that he'd failed his family again. That he'd failed Esme. The woman he loved more than anything, all he had to do was listen to her and leave.
He'd been a fool.
"Tell her I love her Edward. Tell her every day was beautiful because of her. I'm so sorry son" Carlisle said directly looking at Sam knowing that eventually his son would see this, that Edward would have to endure that pain alone as he watched him destroyed at the hands of men Carlisle had defended. He'd betrayed his own son to save these people who would now take everything from him.
Joshua Uley the only member of the pack, second in command to not make the shift. He stood silent as he watched with dark sombre eyes seeing what his son would bring upon his people. Bring upon them all. A time for peace was gone now. The only hope of saving lives and his son would take that away from them all in his own need for revenge. These were not the spirit warrior that Joshua had known from the tales of his people. Joshua had seen the look in that man's eyes. Seen the look in Edward's eyes as he'd daringly taunted the entire pack holding Leah's dead body his teeth at her neck. He'd known then what that monster would be, knew that the cold one would be the one who killed his son. Joshua had done all he could to contain Sam from seeking revenge, justice for Leah's death. This would not give him justice but it would give him what he most desired, a way to harm Edward. A way to draw out that beast that lay across the border line, Joshua Uley didn't believe his son capable of destroying this cold one. So he stood watching with silent breath, knowing now what came could be the end for them all.
Carlisle moved then, fast, agile and precise.
The pack lunged, faster, more agile and lethal.
