A/N: The muse stopped by and forced me to write. It's shorter than my usual length, but it stopped where it needed to.
It's not my playground, just my slide.
My beta is Grammarly Premium.
BPOV
It was just under forty-eight hours since I initially informed the Cullens of the impending danger. In that time, the memebers of both the Cullen family and the Volturi, who were sent out to contact as many vampires and supernatural beings as they could find managed to find a slew of vampires, including nomads and a small clan of fae. The appearance of the latter was thanks to the Volturi. Their extensive knowledge of the supernatural was a blessing since so few knew of the existence of the fairy population.
The air was positively rife with trepidation and anxiety. Each new group to appear was given a quick synopsis of what was occurring, and each group responded the same way, with fear. Every individual knew what was at stake. Each one understood the severity of the situation.
After the disaster that was my meeting with the shifters, Edward convinced me to give it another go. Instead of contacting the shifters directly, he advised me to go to the chief and explain what was happening. Since Billy was such a good friend to my dad, there was a much better chance that he would listen to me without any hostility.
"You're right," I conceded as I gave Edward a swift kiss on his cheek. "I should have done it that way first, but I was so freaked out by what I learned, I let it affect my better judgment."
Edward placed a loving kiss on my forehead. Do not be too hard on yourself. You have gone through a significant change. You're still adjusting to it. Besides, there was no reason for the shifters to be hostile to you.
I nodded my head in agreement. It was true. The alpha could barely maintain any control for crying out loud. One of the wolves tried to attack me without provocation. I will address it when I meet Billy in a few minutes. "I plan on discussing it with Billy. As the tribe's chief, he needs to be made aware of how their so-called protectors are behaving. This is really not the time to have to deal with juvenile hot-heads that cannot control themselves and have the strength to do some serious harm to innocent beings."
"Good, because the sooner he takes them into hand, the better. One of them could harm an innocent human if they don't learn some self-control. Do you want me to go with you and wait on the border, or do you feel it would be wiser for my blood-sucking ass to stay here?" he joked, using the term the shifters like to use for vampires.
I giggled over that comment. "I think it would be better if I just show up alone. You know the wolves are constantly scouting their borders while on patrol. It would only take one of them to pick up your scent before all hell would break loose. No, I'm planning on popping over to Billy's place as soon as I know Jacob is not around."
Edward pulled me more closely to him. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his chest. I breathed in his scent, allowing it to calm me. I have always loved the smell of sandalwood.
"You do whatever it is that you feel the best thing to do. I will wait here for you. I may be a nervous wreck, but I will wait for you. Just promise me you will be careful. That's all I ask."
I tilted my head back to look into his stunning amber eyes. I could clearly see all the love he had for me. Smiling, I stood on tip-toe and brushed a gentle kiss on his lips. He tightened his hold on me and returned that kiss. "I'll be fine. I promise not to do anything foolish that could cause more problems. Besides, if they start any crap again, I will respond with even more force than I did last time. I never did like bullies," I told him with a sly grin.
"I almost feel sorry for the shifter that does eventually piss you off. You'll eradicate them, or at the very least make them wish they never crossed paths with you," he replied with his own matching grin.
"That, my love, is the entire point. They need to know that I am not a pushover and that bullying me is going to cause them a great amount of pain," I said confidently. "But seriously, there just isn't any time to punish a wayward shifter pack. If they need to be taught, I will provide that lesson. However, I have no desire to be sidetracked from my original objective of informing them of the danger they are in and getting them onside. We are going to need a lot of help to battle Cronos." I shook my head, just knowing that the upcoming meeting with Billy would not go as smoothly as I wanted it to. "They're going to have to put their prejudice aside. Their entire tribe's wellbeing and that of countless others are counting on it."
"Let's hope they keep it together. The amount of power Cronos has is terrifying. Cooperation is essential for all species." Edward added thoughtfully.
I was silent for a moment as I thought about my approach to Billy. Just then, a tingle moved up and down my spine, alerting me to the fact that Jacob had left his house and Billy was now alone. "It's time," I told him quietly.
Edward grabbed my upper arms and placed a loving kiss on my forehead. He took a step back and released me. "Good luck," he said quietly.
With a small smile of gratitude for his support, I flashed out and immediately arrived on the front porch of Billy Black's home. I took a step forward and knocked on the front door. I could hear Billy's wheelchair as it rolled across the floor.
The door swung open, and I was greeted by a surprised look. "Hello, Bella, what brings you here?" he asked while rolling aside to let me in.
"Hello, Billy, I am here to inform you of what has happened. I should warn you that this may take a while," I told him as I made my way over to the well-worn sofa and took a seat.
He shut the door with a dull thud and made his way over to the spot next to me. "What's happened? Is everything alright with Charlie? And why the hell do you look like yourself but not like yourself?" he asked in confusion.
"Charlie is fine. This has to do with me and all life as we know it." With that, I jumped right in. First, I told him about my dreams and about Isis. I then told him about my sudden transformation that was fueled by the return of Cronos. The more I spoke, the more enormous Billy's eyes got from shock. "I know this is a ton to take in, but it is all true."
"I believe you. There was a prophecy made by the last true shaman of the tribe that spoke a returning evil that wished to kill every living thing. The prophecy even said that the great evil devoured his children. Of course, we always thought that he harmed his children with his actions not actually eating them. You were right. This is enormous news." He sat back in his wheelchair as he tried to assimilate what I told him.
"Billy, there's more. First, you need to understand that all supernatural beings are in danger, not just vampiress. I mean all of them. Cronos views them as competition, and he will not rest until supernatural beings are eliminated. It is imperative that all work together to defeat him. My fellow sorceresses and I are doing our part, but we are unable to be everywhere at once," I paused, giving him a chance to take it all in. "This is why the Cullens and the ruling coven of the vampire world are out trying to contact as many beings as they can find. That is why I tried to contact the tribe two days ago."
Billy looked up at me, picking up the subtle change in my voice when I mentioned the tribe. "What happened?" he asked me gruffly.
"I met with them two days ago not too far from the border. Suffice it to say, I was met with hostility. I tried to warn them of what was to come. Their alpha accused me of threatening them. One of the wolves launched itself at me, trying to attack me. I caught him mid-air and threw him across the clearing. Billy," I said sternly, making sure I had his complete attention, "the shifters are too prejudiced and way too out-of-control. If I were still human, I would have been killed by that attack. You, as the chief, need to take them in hand. Something must be done. I haven't said anything to the Cullens or anyone else, but if my fellow sorceresses all agree, we will strip the entire pack of its shifting ability. They are a danger to everyone right now and cannot be allowed to stay that way." I watched as the look of horror and then shame crossed his features. I knew Billy would not like what I had to tell him. "Billy, if it comes down to that, it will leave the tribe defenseless. Please, do something before that happens," I pleaded with him.
"I swear, Bella, I had no clue what the wolves were doing. Since I am unable to shift, I cannot keep up with what they are doing. Clearly, Sam has been neglecting to tell the truth at tribal meetings," he said solemnly. He rubbed his hand across his face, completely exasperated. "I will have to call a council meeting. I will need you to be there. Do you mind staying for a bit longer? I'm going to call the elders and get everyone down to the hall."
"I'll stay for as long as you need me to," I told him.
It took Billy roughly fifteen minutes to contact all the tribal elders and arrange a meeting in the tribe's hall. To help Billy from having to make the trip down the road in his wheelchair, I flashed him to the hall alongside me.
His wide grin and soft laugh over my chosen method of transportation and me feeling proud. I also liked the feeling I got when I flashed somewhere. It was sort of ticklish.
"Wow! That was definitely something else. I liked it. Perhaps too much," he admitted with a shake of his head. "They should all be here within five minutes."
Billy's estimate was spot on. The sound of a car pulling up and doors slamming was proof enough. We both watched as the door opened and the remaining four members entered.
"Billy, why is Isabella Swan here. She is not Quileute and not a tribal elder?" a woman with long brown hair that was pulled back into a braid asked.
"Bella is here for a very good reason, Sue. Sit. We have much to discuss," Billy gestured to the empty chairs.
The meeting began immediately. Billy requested that I tell them everything I told him. I had just finished explaining to them that Cronos's return caused my transformation when the doors were thrown open and slammed against the wall. The entire wolf pack entered; many of them were already growling.
Their alpha, Sam, stomped over, pointing the finger at me, and snarled, "What is she doing here on our lands? This leech lover threatened us the other day. If she does not leave, we will tear her apart," he warned the tribal elders.
Billy spun around and angrily yelled, "Sam Ulley, you will back down now and never threaten an innocent again."
"She is no innocent," was the alpha's reply.
I just stood back and allowed the elders to handle the situation for now. However, I was prepared to step in if it became necessary. If they were smart, they would listen to Billy.
"You dare act this way in front of the elders. You dare behave so dishonorably to besmirch our traditions. You and the pack will back down now. Some things need to be discussed, and you will listen," Billy ordered angrily.
"No!" Sam shouted in Billy's face. He looked like he was about to lunge when Jacob stepped forward and grabbed hold of Sam's arms.
"Sam, you need to back off. That's my dad your growling at. I will not let you hurt him," Jacob informed him.
Sam shrugged Jacob's hands off of him. "Do not tell me what to do, Jacob," he growled deeply. "I am the pack alpha, not you. Paul, grab Jacob and hold him back. I'll deal with him later."
"Enough!" Old Quil shouted. "You have behaved without honor and put your chief and elders as well as an innocent in danger. You will back down now."
"I don't listen to you, old man. I am pack alpha. I do as I choose," Sam told him while trying to flex his muscles in an attempt to intimidate.
I stepped forward to stand guard nearer to the elders. Sam was a loose cannon, and I didn't trust him. I was prepared just in case.
"I'm sorry, Billy, but I did try to warn you. He's out-of-control and has no intention of obeying any of you," I said.
"It's not your fault. He chose a dark path and has dishonored the pack and the tribe," Bill assured me.
"You! You turned them against us. You threatened us and then went running to Billy, telling him a bunch of lies," Sam accused me.
"I never threatened you, Sam. I tried to warn you of what was to come. You have become too power-hungry that you can no longer judge fairly."
"Oh really, leech lover, what are you going to do about it?" he asked just as he made a lunge at me.
Why can't anything go the right way for me? As if I didn't have enough on my plate as is, I now have to deal with this fool. Smack my damn head already!
A/N: I am still on hiatus. However, when the muse strikes, you have to listen.
My family and I are in serious trouble and need help. Because of what we are dealing with, I will remain on hiatus for an indefinite period of time. Thank you to all for your patience.