Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer, not me.
Author/Note 1: This story is the sequel to Our Dawn 5. For the ones who don't know anything about Our Dawn Series, you can always read Our Dawn 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and Our Dawn Series Specials but if you don't want to bother I have a resume on my profile page. As it would be expected this is a next generation story and as such, it's focused on Jake and Leah's children.
A/Note 2: A huge thank you to everyone who reviewed Our Dawn Series so far.
A/Note 3: I'm not a native English speaker so I'm sorry for my grammar and spelling. Thank you for reading.
Alpha
Book II – The Protector
Harrison Black
72. White Flag
Engagement. Marriage. Compromise. That's how things happen to normal people.
Usually, you begin dating when you're a teenager. Some relationships are reckless, brief, and easily forgotten. Others are stable, solid, and last an entire lifetime.
So, when you finally find the perfect match for you, you step into the next level: getting engaged. Usually, an engagement implies a wedding. Preparations are in order and the bride and groom invite their families and friends to witness their union before a spiritual entity in a day that will forever be remembered.
When you get married you vow to be with your partner in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, all of the days of your life. It's a mutual compromise that should never be broken. Sometimes people do stay together until the very end of their lives, sometimes they don't. But that's how life works.
For wolves, things were quite different and a lot more complicated.
Why? Because a wolf might imprint.
If a wolf imprints, dating is usually out of the picture. Wolves know that it's useless to date when they have already found their soulmates. However, a wolf that hasn't imprinted, could take a chance without too many regrets. Until they were hit by the magical mojo of the imprint, that is.
In the past dad's pack had twenty-two wolves but only seven had imprinted. For the imprinted wolves, there was only one possible destiny: marriage and eternal compromise with their soulmates. For the rest of the wolves and especially for the ones who had stopped phasing things weren't so strict. Unlike the imprinted ones, they still had the possibility of choosing their partners.
But for alpha wolves... Well, let's just say that things were more than complicated.
Why? Because an alpha male usually needs an alpha female to mate with. I hate the word and the concept of 'mating'. Ye, my wolf loved it. I could feel it in my bones and soul.
Alpha blood runs in my veins, so just like William, I was bound to have a mate. A female wolf. That female would be my mate forever because wolves mate for life. Either we had feelings for each other or not, during the mating season we would not be able to stop ourselves. She would bear my children and there was nothing we could do about it.
Fortunately for me, female wolves were rare. There were only three of them so far. One of them was my mother, the other had been claimed by my brother and was expecting his child, and Aunt Gwen had stopped phasing a long time ago.
All other girls that carried the wolf gene were either too young to phase or my relatives.
So I was going to defy fate. For Season. For me. For a chance to be with the one I had fallen in love with.
"Are you serious?" Season asked me incredulously.
"I am."
"You want me to marry you?"
"Yeah." Suddenly I realized that this had been too sudden. I was proposing to Season only two months after we met and without a ring. "I know that it's too soon but I feel that this is right. I fell in love with you and I know I don't have a ring or anything but..."
"I don't need a ring, Harry." Season cut me off. "You're the only thing I need. Not a ring, not money... only you."
"Is that a yes? Because it would be nice to hear it."
"It's a yes." She smiled.
"So, you'll marry me."
"Yes, I will marry you, Harry."
"I know. It wasn't a question." I grinned just before kissing her.
It was only an hour later that realization hit me. Season was half asleep on top of me, her skin still bare and hot from our recent activities. The wolf inside of me was quiet and content. Just like my human part, the wolf understood that I was truly happy with Season. He also enjoyed the intimacy of these moments, he knew my feelings for her were strong. But somehow he knew that this happiness could be short-lived.
What if you imprint? What if there's another female wolf around that was created to be your mate? A voice came from within my soul. Would I be able to deny my wolf the chance to be with a mate so that my human part could keep Season?
It was stupid to deny that I wasn't scared. This was why many wolves had waited until they stopped phasing permanently to marry and have children. This was why I had never gotten involved with a girl before, at least not like this. Because there was a chance that I could lose her at any time.
"We don't have to do this if you're not sure." Season said placing her free hand on my face. "I understand you don't want to be left behind..."
"Left behind? What are you talking about?"
"Your brother's going to be a father and suddenly you feel that he's better than you..."
"That's not the case, Season," I told her even though I did feel a bit jealous of my brother. He was an alpha now and he was about to start a family of his own. "I didn't ask you to marry me because I want to compete with Will. How do you know about Will, anyway?"
"I've called Hannah. She told me."
"I've told you not to call anyone."
"I'm sorry." She curled her body next to mine. "I was worried about her. She finally told me why she wasn't picking up my phone calls. She went back to Peter. She wanted things to work out between them but they didn't. Then she told me that Will tried to convince her to go back but it was actually Josh Spears who convinced her."
"Things were pretty messed up," I admitted. "But everything's fine now. Hannah won't leave La Push again. And Peter won't have another chance."
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Can you tell me about... imprinting? Hannah told me that Josh Spears imprinted on her. He's a wolf, isn't he?" Season asked.
"Yes, he is," I admitted.
I sighed deeply. I wished I had more time to prepare her for what she was about to hear.
I knew this conversation would have to take place sooner or later. I moved uncomfortably under the sheets.
"What does imprinting mean?"
"When a wolf finds his other half, his soulmate, we say that he imprints on that person. It's like a magical bond that forms between two people... actually between a wolf and a human forever."
I felt her heartbeat accelerating after my brief explanation and it wasn't of excitement. She was scared.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. It's a wolf thing. We can't control it."
"So Hannah is Josh's soulmate and they're going to be together forever?"
"Yes. The bond is unbreakable but it doesn't have to be necessarily romantic."
"How many wolves have imprinted?"
"Eight so far."
"Why does it happen?"
I shrugged. No one knew. We had theories that I didn't want to share because if I did, Season wouldn't like it.
"Did you imprint on me?"
"No."
Season left the bed and put on her clothes as quickly as she could. She was trying hard not to cry. Of course, she was thinking about how this could affect our relationship. Who wouldn't be thinking the same under these circumstances? Season knew I was a wolf and I had been lucky enough that she had accepted it so easily. But now after mentioning the imprint, she was hesitating. A long time ago the same thing had happened to my parents and other wolves. The imprint was like a constant shadow lurking. A curse that we couldn't get rid of.
Uncle Seth had confessed that after Aunt Gwen stopped being a wolf, she had become quite scared of him imprinting. Madeleine, Dawn, and Meredith, acted just like Season. Fortunately, Brady, Collin, and Denis never found their soulmates.
I wouldn't either. That much I knew.
"I'm not going to imprint," I stated firmly. Season looked at me intently and now I could already see the tears rolling down her face.
"How can you tell?"
"Because I'm not just a wolf and not all the wolves imprint. Many wolves never did."
Puting on my shorts I walked in her direction. She placed her hands on my chest to prevent me from getting closer.
"Both my parents are alphas, and alphas don't imprint. I'm going to be an alpha too so it's safe to say that I won't imprint. Which means I can be with whoever I want. And I want you." I was lying but it was for a greater good.
She bit her lower lip.
"What if you do?"
"I won't. No alpha has ever imprinted." I assured her. They've only mated. The wolf in me recalled. "I tell you what... if something like that ever happens, I'll stop phasing. If I stop, the bond will probably break."
We didn't know that for sure but I wasn't going to discuss that with her now.
"Do you promise?"
"Yes." I hugged her tightly and she returned the gesture. I was a bit relieved. I had almost gained and lost a fiancée on the same day and even though I knew that I should tell her everything regarding the mating business and alpha pairs, I just didn't feel like risking losing her.
"Do you still want to be my wife?" I asked her.
"Yes, I still want to be your wife, Harry."
"Good. Let's get ready. You're going to be Mrs. Harrison Black today."
I always thought I would get married in La Push. A tribal wedding like my parents had and my grandparents before them. Perhaps we could have a tribal ceremony once everything was over but for now, this would have to do.
First, we went to the Cook County Clerk's office to obtain a marriage license. Then we had to go to a courthouse to be officially declared man and wife. There were four couples before us to get married by Judge Miriam Lockley. All of them had at least five guests to attend their ceremony. When it was our turn the Judge thanked us for coming alone.
"If I hear one more lady weeping about their children leaving the damn nest, I'll shoot someone!" She had blurted when we were entering the spacious and almost naked room.
It was a brief and impersonal ceremony that ended with us signing a piece of paper, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that after 11 a.m. on that morning, Season and I were married.
"I can't believe I just got married." She confessed when we returned to the car parked outside the courthouse.
"Me neither," I admitted.
"What are we going to do now?"
"Well... Since I've spent ninety-four dollars in a marriage license and certificate, we only have enough money to option A: go to a fast-food restaurant; or option B: spend a couple of hours in a cheap hotel."
"In that case, I choose option C." Season pointed outside. Across the street, there was a huge reddish building announcing a photography exhibition. The entrance was free. "Let's see the exhibition and then you can buy me an ice cream on our way out."
"Damn... Are you monopolizing our marriage already, woman?"
Season laughed. She was beautiful when she laughed. I knew we had rushed things. And I knew that we would have to face the consequences later on because even though I was absolutely sure that my mother liked Season more than she liked Rhea, I knew that she wouldn't be thrilled about what we had just done.
"I love you, Mrs. Black," I said cupping her face and kissing her.
"I love you too, Mr. Black." She responded. "Exhibition?" She cocked an eyebrow.
"Yeah... Why not?"
We left the car and at that precise moment, it started to rain. I took that as a good sign.
It was a good exhibition. We had a lot of fun and I learned that Season had always wanted to become a professional photographer. She confessed that she liked to capture beautiful and happy moments with a camera because she had only met a hand full of those moments in her life. I silently vowed to change that in the future.
When we arrived at Edward's mansion it was past lunchtime. Season went to join her siblings and I went to find Sarah. Ian told me she had missed lunch and had gone for a run in the neighborhood. I had specifically told her not to leave Edward's property.
I found my sister at the park. She was wearing a jogging outfit and talking to a guy who was also jogging. He was holding her hand while showing her something.
"Sarah."
"Harry." She acknowledged me but didn't take her eyes from her hand. "Doctor May is explaining the symptoms of fluid retention."
"Oh... I'm not a doctor yet and you can call me Roland." The young man said watching me closely. I moved closer to my sister and then he finally let go of her hand.
Sarah glared at me realizing that Roland was feeling intimidated by my presence, which was my goal all along.
"Are you ready to go back?" I asked her.
"Actually Roland just volunteered to show me the neighborhood."
"We can do it some other time," Roland said immediately. "And your boyfriend can come too, of course."
"He's not my..."
"Thank you so much for your offer but I think we can manage, Roland." I cut Sarah off. If Roland thought I was Sarah's boyfriend, he'd leave her alone. Fortunately, Roland was indeed a smart guy.
"Well, I really need to get going. See you around, Sarah." He said. "Nice to meet you, Harry."
"Bye, doctor." I waved at him.
"You're an idiot!" My sister blurted when Roland left.
"I told you not to leave the property. Especially alone."
"I can take care of myself!"
"Sure you can..." I scoffed. "That guy was hitting on you! He probably wasn't even a real doctor!"
"He was just being nice."
I rolled my eyes.
"What?" She questioned. "So you can do whatever you want, but I can't? Is that fair?"
"I'm just trying to watch out for you, Sarah."
"You're a fucking hypocrite, Harrison."
I pulled her by the arm and started to walk back to the mansion.
"You lectured me about marrying Jay and now you've done the same!"
How the hell did she know?
"I was in the bedroom next door. I heard every word. How could you do this?" She said answering my unspoken question.
"It's different, Sarah. I'm not seventeen and neither is Season."
"So, it's all about age?" She stopped and I let go of her arm. "The feelings I have for Jay aren't enough for us to get married because I'm only seventeen, is that what you're saying?"
"What I'm saying is that your marriage would never be valid," I explained. "You know that."
"In certain cultures, women... I mean girls... get married at the age of ten or even younger!"
"Their families force them to get married, you mean. Which is a crime, in my opinion."
She sighed deeply. "No one forced me."
"I know... and I'm sorry you and Jay had to break up. I'm sorry that he's a wolf. I'm sorry that he imprinted on Ella and that because of that you can never be together." I was being sincere. "It's going to take a while but you will move on."
"Save that speech to your wife, Harry. Because one day, you'll have to tell her the same. One day you're going to break her heart."
I looked at her intently because I knew what she was implying yet I remained in silence.
"You know what I'm talking about, don't you? You're a shapeshifter. You're going to be an alpha one day which means you'll need an alpha female, a mate to lead with you and have your children." She spat. "And I'm pretty sure Season's not that person."
"No one knows that for sure."
"Oh, really?"
"Not all alphas had mates. Actually, according to what I've heard, dad and mom are the first alpha pair in history. Lance is the alpha of the White Pack and he doesn't have an alpha female."
"Because Aunt Gwen stopped phasing before she reached her sexual maturity as a wolf."
"Isaac doesn't have a mate either," I added.
"Yet. He's the youngest of all the alphas so he'll probably be the last one to mate."
"There are no female wolves available."
"That you know of." Sarah pointed out smugly. "Nobody thought the Whites had the wolf gene and yet Rhea phased. So... you better prepare yourself for what's coming, big brother. Because I anticipate a lot of heartache for you and this poor girl."
"You know what, Sarah? Levi's right about you. You're a brat."
Sarah gave me a murderous look but then she grinned.
"And you know what, Harry? You and Levi Uley can go fuck yourselves." She walked past me to the other side of the road.
"We need to go back to the house, Sarah! Where are you going?"
"Well, congratulations are in order today, so I'm going to buy the happy couple a small gift."
xxxxxxxxxx
I didn't have an escort when I finally entered La Push because today I had come unannounced. I had spent the last three hours and fourteen minutes crossing five states to reach the Reservation. My mission was only one: talk to my parents personally to announce that Season and I were now married.
In two days I was going to drive Sarah and Season's siblings back to La Push so they could attend classes after the October school break. Sarah, Ryan, and Norah knew that Season and I had gotten married and it would be kind of weird if my family knew the truth only when they arrived.
I felt that I had to be the one to tell them because this wasn't something that you would tell your family over the phone or through the mind link. I wanted to break the news personally.
Since it was Friday, dad had scheduled a bonfire at First Beach to welcome Alex Summers and Adam Locke from the White pack. I had arrived just in time.
Alex was the oldest of Dominic's bastard children. He was now 17 years old and we could tell he wasn't very excited to be in La Push. Unlike all the other wolves, he stubbornly wore his hair long. He looked a lot like Dominic but not as much as Adam who was 15 years old and who was a lot more talkative than his half-brother. Both were lanky with pitch-dark eyes.
They didn't look very comfortable in our presence but they weren't unpleasant and they acted friendly towards everyone. Their presence in La Push had been arranged by dad and Lance who was worried about the lack of opportunity his younger wolves had to face a vampire. In the last ten years, only a hand full of bloodsuckers had visited Campbell Island and all of them were nomads crossing the territory, trying to reach a more densely populated area in Canada.
Nine had been destroyed by the White pack, one had escaped. With no opponents in the area, it was impossible for Lance and the others to teach Alex and Adam how to fight vampires properly.
I still didn't know how to approach my parents but it was probably better to wait until the end of the night. This was a private business after all.
I scanned the beach searching for my twin brother but he was nowhere to be seen.
"If you're looking for Will, he's probably still in the forest." My younger brother said joining me.
"Patrolling?" I asked. Now that Rhea was pregnant I thought Will would try to spend more time with her.
"Not quite. He was supposed to help training Alex and Adam." Isaac said darkly. "It would be nice if you could bring him back. Mom will have a fit if he misses this."
"They're still not talking?"
"Sort of. Things have been hard for him lately."
I nodded.
"You said he's in the forest, right?"
"Yes."
I had figured things would get rough for Will sooner or later but things were relatively okay when I left on Monday. I was intrigued by what was going on. How could things have changed so much in so little time?
"Harrison?" Isaac called when I turned around to search for Will.
"Yeah?"
"You better be prepared." He warned me. "Things are worse than you think. I've tried to help him, but he's too damn proud."
I nodded again.
I found William lying down under a huge tree in the Cullen's lands. Behind him, there was a small waterfall. We had been there several times, playing and swimming when we were kids. He had his eyes closed but he wasn't sleeping.
"I'm not into motivational speeches right now." He said when he heard my footprints. "Can... you... please leave me the fuck alone?"
"So much for a welcoming hug, huh?"
"Harry?" He opened his eyes which were blood-shot red. He was surprised to see me.
"You should've noticed it was me as soon as I entered the Cullen's lands."
"I wasn't paying... attention."
He wasn't paying attention because he had been drinking and smoking weed. There were several cans of beer all over the ground and I could feel the scent of weed in the air.
"You've found a new hobby," I said kicking a can.
"Spare me the lecture, Harry."
So this was what Isaac had meant when he said I should be prepared. I thought sadly. William was having a breakdown.
"Alcohol and drugs? Really? You could've been more original, you know?" I wanted to slap the shit out of him but I needed to know the whole truth about his situation because I was sure that my brother wasn't smoking and drinking just because he felt like it. Something had made him do this to himself and I needed to know what.
William was silent for a few seconds. No doubt that the alcohol and the weed were affecting his judgment and his ability to form full sentences.
"What have you been smoking?" I asked him sitting down on the soft green grass beside Will.
"Twilight boho." He replied. "EJ does have a talent. He'll make a for..." My brother took a deep breath before continuing. "...fortune if he starts selling this shit. It makes you numb and after a couple of hours, you find peace. Inside."
"And why exactly do you need to find peace inside, Will?"
"Because my life sucks."
My plan was working. He was finally talking.
"Is mom giving you a hard time?"
"Mom?" He half laughed. "I can deal with mom, trust me. She's not thrilled about being a grandma and all but after you left she actually apologized to me and we're fine now. I mean... at least we're speaking to each other again." He sighed. "The problem isn't mom..."
"I don't understand," I confessed. Mom was the only person against Will and Rhea's relationship but if she had apologized, why was William having such a hard time?
"They took her away from me," William explained. "When the Whites learned about Rhea's pregnancy they forced her to go home with her mother. She's back with her mother and I can't do anything about it because Hal fucking White is a member of the Small Council and if I go against him or his family I might start a war or something... so I have to suck it up."
"They can't do that, can they?" I was astonished. Were the Whites that stupid? They couldn't forbid William and Rhea to be together. They were having a baby. "Is Rhea okay with that?"
"No, of course not she's not okay with that. She went home to avoid a confrontation between our families. The Whites put on quite a show a few days ago. They accused me of seducing Rhea and turning her against her kin. They said I brainwashed her, took advantage of her in a time of vulnerability and got her pregnant on purpose!"
"That's ridiculous."
"And they have... demands!" William said scornfully. "They've made a fucking list!"
"A list?"
"First, I have a month to find a job. A decent job with a good paying and within La Push's vicinities. Second, I have to buy Rhea an engagement ring as soon as possible so we can arrange the wedding that can not, under any circumstances, happen after her fifth month of pregnancy. Third, our family has to pay for the wedding. Fourth, my salaries will be delivered to Verena or Rhonda so they can save the money for the baby. Fifth, after we get married and after Rhea has the child, we'll live with Verena. Sixth, if it's a boy he'll be named Halford, if it's a girl she'll be named Reina... Seventh... I don't remember seventh... I do remember that I can't be with Rhea alone in the same room without supervision! Can you fucking believe that? I hate the Whites!" He berated.
"Calm down," I warned him. "Doing this..." I pointed down to the cans. "You're just letting them win."
"I can't do anything, Harry! Mom and dad forbade me! I can't fight back!"
"Why did they do that?"
William rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Because I wanted to chew Hal White's old butt! That's why!"
"You phased in front of him?"
"Not exactly. I went to his house... in wolf form." He admitted. "I was a bit angry... but no one saw me and then Uncle Seth found me and took me home so no harm was done."
What if Uncle Seth hadn't shown up? I wondered. I knew my brother well enough to know that he could do stupid things on certain occasions.
"Are you mental? Can you imagine the trouble you'd put us through if Hal and Rhonda discovered the truth about the pack?"
"You sound just like mom and dad." He sighed. "You have no idea how irritating Hal is."
"I know the Whites can be pretty irritating but you can't just phase and go after them!"
"I am sick of them! And their stupid list!" He spat furiously. "Why can't I kill them?"
"Because it's illegal."
"Fuck the law!"
"William! Calm down!" I raised my voice and this time he listened to me. He sat down slowly and placed his head between his knees. I put a hand on his shoulder.
"You need to stop this shit, Will. You're going to be a father soon. If you keep coming here to get drunk or high, you're going to let everyone down. Dad, mom, me, Rhea, and your unborn child."
He lifted his head and looked at me. I could tell he wasn't proud of how he was dealing with this situation but he was lost. He didn't know what to do to make things work again.
"I'm going to guide you so you can be back on track, William. But you need to do your part, okay?" I proposed.
William nodded slowly and then he hugged me as if we hadn't seen each other in years.
"Why did you come here?" He asked after we collected all the beer cans.
"To kick your ass, obviously." I joked. I couldn't tell him that I was in La Push to tell everyone about my marriage. William was having a hard time and I couldn't just rub my happiness in his face. It would be unfair.
"Isaac called you, didn't he?" William tried to guess. "Sometimes when he's talking to me, he sounds just like you."
"He does?" I was a bit surprised.
"Yeah."
"Well, that's funny because sometimes when Sarah's talking to me, she also sounds just like you."
"Sarah? Really?" My brother laughed. "So I'm a seventeen-year-old brat?"
"I guess you are." I chuckled amusedly. "Now... let's head back to First Beach. Granddad is going to talk about the legends."
There was a cold breeze when we arrived at the bonfire. Dark clouds were now covering up the stars in the night sky but it didn't rain. As we slowly approached the fire, I saw all the younger wolves reunited in a small group: Levi, EJ, Danny, Jay, Alex, and Adam.
They were all paying attention to the story that Granddad Billy was passing on. All except for EJ who was more interested in his cell phone. He was receiving a few nasty glances from his father for that.
"They've all heard this before, except for Alex, Adam, and Hannah." Will stated noticing that I was watching our cousin play with his phone. "Give him a break."
"Since when did you become EJ's buddy?" I wondered curiously. As far as I remembered they were still trying to rebuild their lost friendship.
"Let's just say that I know how he feels about everyone pressuring him all the time." Will said. "Plus he gave me free weed..."
I rolled my eyes.
"How's Hannah?" I asked when I noticed Season's cousin sitting down on the sand beside Josh Spears. He was circling her shoulders with his arm in a gesture of affection.
"They're not sleeping together," William told me in a whisper. "But they're becoming closer. She's finally ready to forget about Peter and all the shit she went through in the last few weeks. She's having a girl and she already picked up the name: Blossom."
I noticed Hannah's baby bump and I couldn't help a smile. She seemed happy now. Serene. As if all the hurt she had gone through meant absolutely nothing. Maybe that was the real purpose of the imprint: to make two miserable people happy again.
Josh seemed a lot more relaxed too. The imprint had given him a reason to overcome Cristine's death and move on. In the process, he had found the strength to quit drinking and help Hannah and her daughters.
"The third wife saved our tribe. She died for the Quileutes. We are forever grateful for her courage and sacrifice. You are all descendants of Taha Aki. Carrying the wolf gene requires sacrifices and bravery. You are here tonight because you were chosen to be a part of this. Yet we want you to be wise, careful, and discreet. Our secret must remain a secret. Our families must not suffer losses due to childish behavior..." At that moment Granddad Billy focused his eyes on Jay and Levi who were as far as they could from each other. "We want you to act responsibly. You have a duty that you must take seriously. Protect the tribe. Protect your brother wolves. That's all that we ask of you."
"You are all young and we know that some of you have never been in a battle before," Dad said continuing Granddad's speech. "We all wish that you didn't have to do this but you are spirit warriors for a reason and we want to be able to give you the knowledge that we have acquired through the years." Dad paused and glared at EJ who was still playing with his phone. Danny elbowed him. "Things have changed over the centuries. The Cold Ones are no exception. You have met some of the Cullens already. They are not enemies. They are friends who are helping your training. Don't forget that! Next week, Sam will be in charge of your morning training sessions, and Embry will replace him in the afternoon. They have a few words for you."
Sam gave them a speech about responsibility, discipline, and hard work. He informed them of their new schedule and warned them that if they were late in the morning all of them would have to work extra time.
Uncle Embry was less demanding and gave them a few bits of advice.
"So physical training with Sam and mind training with Uncle Embry." I resumed when the talk was finally over.
"Yeah. Sounds like it."
Sam was a good teacher. He was rough and made us work extremely hard when we were teenagers, but his training paid up. We developed speed and strength thanks to him. Mind training was a lot harder. We had to be in tune with every member of the pack, which was difficult when the pack was formed by a large number of wolves. Distractions could be as fatal as not following an order.
For Alex and Adam things would be even harder because they didn't have a direct connection with the packs. However, I knew Uncle Embry would find out a way to get them to work with the rest of the wolves.
"When I arrived, Isaac was training Alex and Adam," I recalled.
"Lance told dad that both boys needed tracking tips. They never tracked down a vamp, they didn't even know how to start, so Isaac volunteered to help since he's the best tracker around. Rose and Emmett pretended to be the enemy. I was supposed to be supervising."
"Can they track down leeches now?"
"I don't know. I guess they're better trackers now than they were two days ago when they arrived." Will said. "Hey, are you spending the night?"
I shouldn't.
"Probably. Why?"
"I was wondering if you want to come with me."
"Where to?"
"The Cullens."
I arched my eyebrows.
"I thought about what you said, and you're right. I need to man up and do something."
"And you're going to the Cullens?"
"Yeah. I'm going to ask them a loan."
"Ah... the easy way..." I laughed. "Mom and dad will be so proud," I said ironically.
"I don't give a damn. Besides I'm counting on paying them back someday."
It wasn't William's brightest idea but borrowing money from a rich family who was always offering us help, wouldn't hurt.
"Hey, guys." Bella greeted us when we arrived at the mansion. They had redecorated the whole house again. The walls had been painted in a silverish gray and the tapestry was green. The furniture was white with silver motifs.
"Too Slytherin?" Edward laughed reading my mind.
I shrugged.
"I'm going to prepare some food," Bella said entering the kitchen.
"So... which one of you wants a loan and which one of you just got married?" Edward asked.
Shit. I should've been more careful with my thoughts.
"Harrison?" Alice asked from the top of the stairs, sparing me from explaining myself. "I didn't know you and Season were here."
"Hi, Alice. Season's not here. She's still in Chicago, I'm here to..."
"She's not with you?"
I nodded negatively. "I came alone."
"If she's not with you why can't I see her future?"
We were all puzzled. Without my presence, it would be easy for Alice to see Season's future. So why couldn't she? Unless...
"Sarah," I whispered. "Sarah's with her."
"What are you talking about?" William questioned. "Do you think she... phased?"
That was the only explanation.
In that precise moment, a howl echoed in the forest, summoning all the wolves to reunite with their packs. Something was happening. Running outside, my brother and I phased at the same time. We were flanked by all of the Cullens in less than a minute.
The mind of many wolves entered my thoughts. All of them were confused and unclear but I did see what was happening through Quil's eyes.
"Edward? What's going on?" Bella asked her husband.
"Two vampires entered the Quileutes' lands." He replied reading my thoughts. "One is carrying something in his hand."
"What is it?" Alice asked nervously.
"It's... a white flag." He answered. "They're carrying a white flag."
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