Dearest Readers,

I hope you all enjoy the newest installment! Let me know what you think.

XOXO Ally Layne.

Bad Moon Rising

Chapter 20- The Council of Elders

"I just want a blue pop tart and a nap," I insisted as we got closer to Sam and Emily's house.

I was really starting to regret allowing them to bring me this way, considering I was still upset with Sam over how he treated me in front of everyone. I had the right to be a little miffed after his little dressing down, didn't I?

Yes. The answer is yes, I did.

After delivering a seriously painful nipple twister to Paul, the other pack members backed off. Jared was running patrol, and apparently was informing Sam of the newest events.

I so didn't want to talk to the Pack Leader or whatever he was.

The anxiety over the impending doom of our discussion was becoming a literal weight on my chest, and the closer we got to their home, the heavier the weight seemed to get.

"You can have a blue pop tart and a nap," Paul said, "But not yet. We just need to go check with Sam and make sure he knows about the red head." His eyes narrowed in my direction. "Also, you should tell him about the fishies you sent after the vamps. I'm sure that's something he'll want to know."

I pursed my lips to keep myself from pouting like I wanted to. "And that's not something you can tell him because…?"

Embry coughed. "Because it's better coming from you, Andie."

I glared at him over my shoulder. "Would you stop me if I ran?"

It seemed like Paul took that as a dare, because he took one step in my direction and immediately flung me over his shoulder into a fireman-carry, with me kicking and screaming the entire way.

"What the fu-"

"Keep it down, Princess."

I used my elbow to ram right into his spine.

Of course, the asshat didn't even flinch.

"You put me down, you… you…"

"Dog got your tongue?" Quil asked, from behind Paul, and his head was the perfect height for me to give him an upside down glare.

"Shut up, asshole."

Quil snickered. "I'm not the one carrying you, Ands."

"Do you think he'll let me go if I asked nicely?" I tried.

"Nope," Paul answered. "You're going to Sam and Emily's and that's that."

"What if I drowned you, would you let go then?" I threatened.

Alas, my threat came too late.

We were here.

"Paul? And who is that you're- oh, Andie?" I heard Emily's voice ask. "Paul, what did you do?"

Even though Emily was getting a mighty good look at my ass, I was quick to respond. "Emily! He's carrying me without my consent! Make him stop!"

"Paul, let her go."

I smirked at Quil and Embry, who were watching us with barely concealed laughter. "Careful, boys. I might just drown you for being complicit in this asshole-ness."

Paul swung me around and placed me on my feet, handling me as though I was a doll that could just be tossed around.

Hades, for men their size, perhaps someone like me is like a doll that could be thrown around, but I was definitely not into that.

Well, there's a time and place, I suppose.

But this is neither the time nor the place.

"Hi, Emily," I said, shyly, as I remembered the last time I saw the older woman.

Her eyes were comforting as she walked the few steps in between us and took me in for a hug. "I heard about what happened with the cold ones," she said into my hair. When she pulled away, she held me at arms length. "I am sorry that you felt like you had to leave, Andie. You are more than welcome here anytime, please know that."

I felt a faint smile play on my lips. "Sure, thanks Emily."

She looked at me and then back to the other pack members with a raised brow. "Not that you aren't always welcome, but why are you here? Did something happen?"

Di immortales, she was mighty insightful.

"Yeah, something happened. Sam should be on his way back soon," Paul spoke, looking down at me with crossed arms. "Andie has to give a few updates on the little… situation we have had going on at our borders. She had a close encounter, again, with that red-haired bitch."

While normally I would be annoyed while being faced with a man calling a female a bitch for whatever reason, in this case I definitely agreed with him.

Vicky was definitely a bitch.

Emily nodded. "Let's go inside, I'll see what I can whip up in the meantime."

And that's how I found myself shoveling cookies (which weren't blue, but were still good either way) into my mouth while sitting in Sam and Emily's living room.

Paul was sitting next to me, and luckily Emily threw one of Sam's shirts at him, so he had a shirt on this time. I would never understand why the man is so against shirts of any kind, but at least Emily has rules.

Quil and Embry were sprawled out on the other couch, while Emily was puttering around the kitchen while we waited for Sam to show up.

About three cookies later, I heard the door burst open. Anyone who wasn't Sam or an intruder would've knocked, but the pack wasn't on edge so I figured it was Sam.

"Emily, they're here?"

Yup, that's Sam.

"Hello to you, too. And hi, Jared. How's Kim?"

"She's great, thanks Em."

Sam trudged into the living room, followed by Jared and Emily, who came with another round of cookies.

Have I stated how much I love that woman?

Because I love her.

"Jared told me what happened," Sam said, sitting down on one of the recliners, placing his elbows on his knees as he stared at me in thought.

"So, I didn't need to come here after all?"

Paul elbowed my side. "At least Em gave you cookies."

I scratched the back of my neck and gave the woman a thankful smile. "Oh, yeah. That's definitely a plus."

"What happened?" Emily asked, walking over to the recliner where Sam was seated and placed herself on one of the arms of the chair. "No one actually told me."

I sighed. "I was on the cliffs, kinda just thinking, you know?"

She nodded intently.

"Well, then all the sudden Bella shows up-"

"Bella Swan?" Emily asked.

I shrugged. "Yeah, that's the one. Well, she walked to the edge of the cliff, and I tried to stop her from jumping, but she ended up pulling me with her."

"Dear God, are you- is she- are you both okay?"

I grinned. "I'm lucky I'm the daughter of Poseidon, and she's lucky that Jake and Paul jumped in after us, too. Otherwise we'd both be dead."

"When did you get pulled under?" Sam asked, getting straight to the point.

Emily and I both glared at him. "Sam!" She warned.

I didn't bother. "I felt a hand grab my ankle as soon as I pushed her over to Jake. Then, I was dragged under, and pulled out about a good forty to fifty feet from shore."

Emily's eyes widened. "Was it the one red-headed vampire?"

I nodded. "That's the one."

Sam's eyes narrowed. "Is she dead?"

I pursed my lips. "I was getting to that when I was tackled from behind by another vamp, that one blond dude who is working with her. I think his name is Riley."

"Riley Biers?" Jared interrupted, eyes wide. "He's one of the missing teens from Seattle."

"She didn't say his last name, just his first," I said.

He pulled out a phone from his pocket, and quickly searched for the missing persons and their photos. As soon as he looked up, I held out my hand and grabbed the phone, and it felt like a weight struck my shoulders when I realized that he was right.

"Yeah, that's the guy. He has red eyes and skin as pale as a baby's bottom, but yeah."

Sam's eyes narrowed. "She's turning them, then?"

I nodded. "I got her to talk, at least, before Riley interrupted our little moment. She claimed that she was creating an army large enough to take on the Cullens."

"But the Cullens aren't here," Embry interjected.

I shrugged. "She seems pretty adamant they'll show up as soon as Bella gets caught in the fray. She thought that Edward Cullen wouldn't be able to help himself."

Sam rubbed a hand down his face. "This is not good."

"No, it's not," I agreed. "She's creating an army, Sam. And she's pissed that these Cullens killed her mate. Now she wants them to pay."

"And it doesn't matter how many others get caught in the fray," Paul grunted. "So many helpless people are now in danger because of this."

"Sounds to me like you're gonna have to figure out how to stop them," I said, placing my plate of cookies down on the coffee table in front of me. "And I'm willing to help you."

The pack looked between each other. "Jake might not like this-"

"He doesn't have any ground to stand on," I claimed. "I mean… even if we were, you know, together, and not just friends- he wouldn't be able to tell me what to do. I am my own person, and make my own decisions."

"What about your brother?" Embry asked. "Aren't you searching for him?"

I smirked. "I can multitask."

Sam let out a huff. "Then you're going to need to get approval from the elders."

I blinked. "The elders?"

He nodded. "They need to approve of any outsiders. Especially when it comes down to keeping our tribe's secrets. And by working with us, that's what you'll be doing."

Emily placed a hand on his shoulder. "Should we call for a meeting?"

Sam raised a brow in my direction. "I already did."

.

.

.

We met the elders at the Black residence- well, at the fire pit outside the house.

The fire was already going, and there were a number of people sitting around it, talking amongst themselves.

Apparently, Billy Black was also the Chief of the Quileute's, which was kinda cool. I'm not sure if that means that I have to be nicer to the man, but considering the knowing grin he gave me as I walked into his house with Sam and Paul flanking my sides, I wasn't going to ease up on the old man.

"Andromeda Jackson, daughter of Poseidon," he spoke. "Welcome."

There were about six others there who I had never met before, and if I did, it was only in passing.

"This is her?" one of the older men asked. "The one who he imprinted on?"

I blinked. Who did what now?

Sam looked down at me cautiously. "This is her, Mr. Ateara."

"Ateara?"

The older man nodded. "My name is Quil, though most call me Old Quil; which you might as I have heard you are acquainted with my grandson."

I smiled slightly. "Well, you certainly seem a lot nicer than my own grandfather…" I was really putting my foot in it, dear gods. "He tried to kill me last summer."

The council looked between each other.

"He's a Titan though, named Kronos. He just tried to overthrow Olympus and my father. Luckily he didn't… or none of us would be here, I think."

"So you are the daughter of Poseidon?" an older woman asked. She was seated next to Billy, and had strikingly similar eyes to his own.

"Yep. My twin and I both are."

"This is Nora Coleman, my older sister," Billy said, gesturing to the woman who just spoke. His eyes were warm and had the familiar glint that made me feel just a bit more comfortable. "You were introduced to Old Quil." He gestured to a woman who had streaks of gray in her dark hair, and wore a baseball cap over her braid. Her face was thinner than the other woman's, while her eyes were a beautiful blue. "This is Jane Wilde, the sister to my wife, Sarah." I smiled at her, and she returned it with a knowing grin. Those were Jake's aunties.

Hopefully they weren't like my own aunts. Hera was a bit of a handful, to be honest.

Billy then pointed to two men, one who had a peppered beard and long hair like Billy's, the other who had hair that was peppered as well but cropped short. "These two are Thomas Uley and Lucas Uley. Cousins, the two of them."

"Poor Sammy there is my nephew," Thomas said, raising a brow in his direction.

Sam huffed. "We don't choose our family."

Thomas laughed. "Of course, of course. Don't I know it."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I muttered.

"And this is Harry Clearwater," Billy pointed to the last member, who looked a bit on the burley side, and grinned over at me happily.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Andromeda."

"You as well, Mr. Clearwater."

Sam was stiff at my side at this interaction, but Paul patted my back. "She's good people."

Luckily, Sam took that moment to launch into an explanation of why he called this meeting, and explained the different times he had witnessed my powers, with Paul there to back him up.

When he got to the part where I was pulled under by the vampire, Billy's eyebrows were furrowed something fierce. "They have been using the sea to get to our land?"

I nodded, wringing my hands nervously behind my back. "The pod of orcas claimed that they have been going back and forth from here to Seattle. They've come to call the vampires floorwalkers, because of how they seem to walk along the ocean floor."

"You can speak to them?" Jane asked, eyes widening slightly. "Who am I kidding, of course you can, dear girl."

"She sent the pod and a group of fish out to search for the vampires," Sam added. "If they come back our way, we will get warning."

"So if we see a bunch of Killer Whales near shore, we will know what nefarious deeds are actually occurring," Nora concluded with a nod.

"There's more, actually," Sam continued. "Andie was able to corner the red-headed vampire, and was able to learn what she was after. It seems that her plan is to create an army large enough to take on the Cullens."

A deafening silence followed his words.

"They have left, have they not?" Billy questioned.

Harry coughed. "That's what Charlie's been going on about."

"Victoria, the vampire, seems convinced that if she goes after Bella Swan, they will not be able to keep themselves from coming back. Apparently the Cullens killed her mate, and now she wants revenge," I explained. "For some reason she thinks that the Cullens are tied to Bella, so if she's in danger, they will come back to save her."

"She does not need their protection," Billy spoke.

"Well, considering she has an army of newborns coming her way, I think she might need all the protection she can get," I deadpanned. "Whether it comes from us or the Cullens, I'm not sure. It's not my call. But from what Vicky's claims were, I think we're going to be in for a lot of hurt in the next few months if we do nothing."

"Why would we help, if the Cullens do come back?" Old Quil asked, his eyes wise in their years. If I hadn't been stared down by Athena herself on numerous occasions, I might have been intimidated. "Why would we not let them all kill each other and stay safe within our boarders?"

I blinked. "That's assuming the Cullens win, and they don't all kill each other off." I let out a sigh. "If Vicky's army isn't up to moot and the Cullens kill them, then yay us, less to worry about. But if she has an army in numbers much more than the Cullens and their coven, what would happen if they do kill off the Cullens? We would be the only thing standing in between them and the humans around us. It would bring war to us, too. And then we wouldn't have any other vampires on our side."

Billy's eyes narrowed at me considerably. "You believe the Cullens are on our side?"

"Well, you did make a peace treaty with them, did you not? That makes you both, in some circumstances, allies. And if we are faced with a common threat, would that not make you on the same side?"

Sam looked at me curiously. "You have thought of this."

I rolled my eyes. "My best friend is the daughter of Athena, goddess of wisdom and battle strategy. I would hardly be able to call her my friend if I didn't catch on to some of her traits."

"How would you go about killing off these vampires?" Billy asked. "I have heard you have faced many monsters in your past, young Andromeda."

I took the moment to pull out my sword, and show them exactly what I could wield. "The celestial bronze of this sword cut into her like it would any regular monster. It didn't turn her to dust, but I would have to try to cut off her head and see if that would do the trick."

Paul blinked. "They normally turn to dust?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and it's horrible to try and get it out of your clothes."

Jane snorted. "I can imagine."

Billy looked over at me curiously. "And you wish to help protect our lands?"

I nodded, again. "Yes, I do."

He looked amongst the others, who all nodded deeply to him before he turned back to me with a wry grin. "Then you have our blessing to stay here and protect our people as long as you see fit. As long as you protect our people and lands, then you will have refuge here, daughter of Poseidon."

"I will protect these lands and this people with my life," I vowed. My heart pounded as I continued, "I swear it on the River Styx."

Thunder rolled.

The gods have heard, and the vow is now unbreakable.

The council elders, Sam, and Paul all looked up to the sky, before looking back at me with bewilderment. "What was that?" Sam asked.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "I made an unbreakable vow," I said. "To swear on the River Styx means the vow will only be broken on death. And that is what I promise to you, as long as you allow me to stay here."

Billy's answering smile was calming. "You are meant for great things, Andromeda Jackson. And I am excited to be able to bear witness as these things come across."

I gave him a hopeful grin. "Thank you, Mr. Black."

"Call me Billy. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of each other, from now on."

Some of the others laughed at that as they got up, and all started to say their goodbyes.

Sam placed a hand on my shoulder. "I will start adding you to rotations, it seems, now that you have sworn yourself to protect us."

I shrugged. "It was only a matter of time."

Paul laughed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "I knew you'd do it. Somehow I knew it, but now… this is good, Ands. Maybe-"

"Andromeda."

We all turned to see Billy wheeling himself over to us, having already said his goodbyes to the fleeting council members.

"Billy."

He smirked. "Help me to my home, will you? I'd like to have a chat."

Paul and Sam immediately rolled their eyes, but nodded to Billy and said their goodbyes. "I'll see you at the house," Paul said, and I gave him a nod.

"Hey Sam?" I said, looking at the slowly retreating form.

He turned around, and quirked a brow. "Yes?"

"Thank you."

He blinked. And then a small smile pulled at his lips. "Of course. Any time, Andie. I'll see you soon, okay?"

I nodded, and Billy and I watched as they left, walking down the trail back to Sam and Emily's.

Billy looked up at me. "You gonna help me, or just stand there looking silly?"

I raised my brows. "You want my help or not, old man?"

He snorted. "Wheel me back inside, will you? I'm getting tired."

I nodded, and took the handles on the chair and guided him up the ramp and into the door. "You're lucky I like you, Billy."

"And you're lucky I like you, Miss Andromeda."

I sighed. "Enough of the full name, please." As soon as we got through the door, I shut it behind us and took off my shoes on the mat. "Only monsters call me Andromeda. Or the gods. But I don't like them all the time, either."

Thunder rolled.

I rolled my eyes. "Why is it that you only hear the insults and not us asking for your help, huh?"

Billy snorted. "You talk to yourself frequently?"

I grinned. "All the time. What, does it bother you?"

He shrugged, taking off his jacket and handing it over to me. "Can you hang it in the closet behind you? Thanks."

I swiftly took off my jacket and hung it up next to his, and watched as the old coot wheeled himself further into the house. "Why do I feel like you needing my help was a big fat lie?"

I heard him cough out a laugh. "Because you'd be right, Miss Andie. Now come keep me company in the kitchen. I ought to start on some dinner."

I rolled my eyes. "Is that what this is about? You want to guilt me into making you dinner?" By the time I finished asking my question, I had walked into the kitchen and looked down at him with crossed arms and a knowing expression. "You could've just asked, Billy."

"I planned on asking you more about yourself, missy, and making dinner myself. But if you're offering, I won't weep."

I grinned. "Of course, you won't."

Immediately, I started looking around the cupboards, looking to see what he had handy. "Damn, you and Jake need to go grocery shopping." But luckily there was enough mac and cheese to feed an army. "I guess we'll go with some cheesy noodles today."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Been trying to get Jake to do that for awhile."

I looked over the counter to where he was sitting at their small kitchen table, reading a few newspaper clippings absentmindedly. "I can get you guys stuff if you need me too, you know."

He snorted. "Just make the mac and cheese, and maybe I'll recruit you to help out around her more often."

I grinned, and hurried along to make dinner. I figured Jake would be getting back soon enough, too, so I made some extra. Well, more like two boxes extra.

We traded in some friendly banter as I stirred the noodles, drained the boiling water with a wave of my hand, and then poured the packets of cheese and stirred some more.

Once I grabbed some bowls after being directed to where they were stored by Billy himself, I poured two hearty helpings into them and brought them to the table where I sat next to the older man.

"You know, I do have a question," I said, in between bites.

He looked at me curiously, placing the fork on the side of the bowl. "Yes?"

"What did Old Quil mean when he said… someone imprinted on me? Is that right?"

Billy let out a long breath. "It's not my place to tell you, really. But-"

The front door slammed open, and I reached for my sword, standing up and stalked toward the noise slowly.

Billy's eyes widened as he watched how silently I moved, and how quickly my demeanor must've changed.

But when Jake stormed through the doorway and plopped himself next to his father, head in his hands, I knew something was definitely off.

So, I did what I knew best. I kept going on as if he wasn't in the middle of a breakdown and grabbed another bowl and dished up some food for the younger Black.

After placing the bowl and fork in front of him, I sat back down in my spot, and quietly started to eat.

His eyes met mine.

I smiled.

He looked between the bowl of mac and cheese and myself in confusion. "Uh… Andie? Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what're you doing here?"

I shrugged. "Your dad invited me."

He blinked.

I definitely didn't think about how cute the confused puppy look was on his face. Nope. I did not.

I just kept eating, and allowed him to process.

Jake turned to his father. "You… invited her?"

"There was a council meeting," Billy spoke in between bites of his own. "And Andie was the topic of our discussion."

I grinned at Jake. Well, this could go two ways, so lets hope he didn't decide to suddenly flip his shit like he had in the past. "You're looking at the newest protector of La Push."

He blinked, again.

And I felt the weight on my chest sink even further as I tried to keep the anxiety at bay.

He opened his mouth.

He closed it.

He opened his mouth again, and nothing came out.

So, instead of talking, he shoved a forkful of mac and cheese into his mouth. I think that was best, so instead of going on a rampage, I think whenever I reveal any controversial news to him in the future I should put food in front of him before I do it.

Apparently, it works like a charm.

"Well, that's certainly new," I commented.

His eyes narrowed in a glare. "Don't push it."

"Wasn't going to."