Struggling to be Honest

JacobxBella

Rated M

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the franchise, as it belongs to Steph Meyers

Struggling to be Honest

Chapter 15

"And that ultimately led to me finally agreeing to marry Edward," Bella said wiping the tears from her face, though they kept falling. After all this time, she finally told her father everything that had happened to her concerning Edward and the Cullens since moving to Forks. Her tears kept flowing because she felt a huge weight come off of her shoulders that had been weighing her down from not being able to tell Charlie what was really going on in her life. Sniffing she said, "And I'm sorry, dad. I wish I could have told you. I must have made you feel like such a bad father, and I know I was a horrible daughter more times than not, but-

"No, no, kiddo. You've been wonderful, and I should have been there for you more. I should have been more active in your life when you came here, but I believed that I would be stifling you. You're a young woman and coming into your own now, and I didn't want to take away from that," Charlie said through the lump in his throat. God, the guilt he was feeling was worse than he thought he could imagine concerning his own flesh and blood. He had guilt at feeling like a worthless father to Bella, and anger/borderline hatred for the Cullen family. Well, at least not towards Rosalie, her mate Emmett, and the one called Jasper (whichever one that was). He felt a bit of resentment towards the wife, as he believed her charming nature was used against him to help talk him into allowing Bella to marry Edward. When they had broke the news to him and he had refused, it was Esme to talk him into allowing the wedding to go on. God, was he really that stupid or gullible to fall for that?

Shaking his head, he stood from his armchair and walked over to where Bella and Jacob sat, reaching out and gently tugging his daughter into standing. Once she was he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her as tightly as he could, afraid that she would slip away from him, especially considering all of the near death and life threatening experiences she had gone through. Char lie also wanted to convey that no matter what happened, he would always love her and that he had forgiven her for deceiving him ever since she met and got involved with those vampires.

Bella seemed to understand the hug her father initiated, and thus she began sobbing. Her sobs shook her body and she held onto Charlie like a lifeline, taking in the strength and love that only a father could give in their child's time of need. She hated herself for what she put her dad through, but knowing that he was going to look past it and just focus on her and what the future held for them made her love her father all the more.

Jacob sat and watched the exchange with a smile on his face. This moment was private for them and he wasn't going to interrupt it. So many times he had heard Charlie tell Billy how he wanted to be closer to Bella but couldn't seem to for some reason, and now it was finally happening. Bella spilling her heart out for her father and revealing everything that had caused her to push him away not only mended their relationship, but brought them closer than they probably ever were. It was a bit of a shame Bella's mom wasn't as cooperative.

When the two Swans had finally gotten their emotions together, Charlie smiled and kissed the top of Bella's head before looking over at Jacob. He had heard Bella's side of the story concerning vampires, but he knew that the boy that was like a son to him had the answers concerning Rosalie's statement about wolf shifters. Letting go of Bella and allowing her to sit back down, Charlie sat in his armchair and said, "Alright Jake, tell me about these wolf shifters I heard Rosalie talk about."

Jacob nodded and cleared his throat before saying, "Well as you know from our bonfire stories, the Quileutes are said to be descendents to wolf warriors. It was believed that the wolf was the great protector of our land and its people. And if you also remember the Elder's stories, it was believed that the gods picked certain warriors to be protectors of the tribe and the lands, and those warriors were given the power of transformation to turn into a wolf at will to be able to protect their loved ones. It all sounds like myth and has been believed to be, but I know better than anyone that the legends are true. The reason the warriors were able to turn into wolves was to be able to fight and kill the Cold Ones, otherwise known as vampires.

My great-grandfather Ephraim Black was a wolf shifter and the leader of his Pack. He met the Cullens years ago and formed a treaty with them, stating that they could not cross over the line onto our lands, kill humans, or turn any humans. The vampire doctor agreed to it and that treaty has been kept for the most part. The Cullens left years ago and we hadn't had any more wolf shifters in the tribe, though we had the gene lying dormant until recently."

"What do you mean recently? Is it because of that family's return?" Charlie asked, confused and intrigued with Jacob's tale.

"Well yes, but also because a bunch of vampires were showing up all over Forks. I guess the gods believed that it was time they revive the Pack. When I changed I was named Beta because even thought being the Alpha is in my blood, I didn't think I was ready to have the responsibility to lead and handle the other wolves; well, until recently that is," Jacob finished with a cheeky grin.

Bella's eyes widened and she asked, "You mean you're the Alpha now?"

Jacob nodded and said, "Yep. I fought Sam and won so I could come into my birthright and take my place as the rightful Alpha of the Quileute Pack."

Bella stared at her boyfriend for a minute before grinning widely and letting out a laugh before instantly hugging him. Jacob was laughing as well, glad that his mate was taking the news well. However, he knew that once the excitement wore off it would be replaced with worry.

After Bella was done congratulating him, Jacob turned back to Charlie and said, "As I was saying, the wolf gene was reactivated because of all the vampires that have been around. We are protectors of our land, our people, and our Imprints."

"Imprints? What are those?" Charlie asked.

This time Bella answered, saying, "An Imprint is the chosen partner or mate for the wolf shifter. The Imprinter, being the Shifter, supposedly locks eyes with the Imprintee, the one who is the chosen mate for them, and it's like that person is the only thing keeping the Shifter grounded. Basically they are made for each other and no matter how you try to fight it, you will end up with the Imprint."

"Yeah, you see Imprinting is what Bells has said, but it's also to be able to carry on the wolf gene in the next generation and on. And the Imprinter as Bella called them, will be anything the Imprintee wants them to be, whether that is a friend, a brother, or a lover," Jacob finished.

Charlie nodded thoughtfully before asking, "And the Imprint can be just anybody?"

"Seemingly yes, but they were chosen by the gods specifically for that person."

"And have you Imprinted already?"

Jacob nodded, flinching when he saw rage pass through the man's brown eyes. Shaking his head he hurriedly said, "I didn't Imprint on some random girl, Charlie. I Imprinted on Bella; she's my intended."

The two teenagers stared at the chief of police as he stared at them, holding their breaths while trying to gage his expression. They breathed a sigh of relief with Charlie finally smiled, a look of pride on his face.

"You are the Alpha and you've Imprinted on my daughter. That means I know that I can trust you to take care of her, not that I had any doubt," Charlie said while standing and walking over to them. He held his hand out to shake Jacob's saying, "You've turned into a fine young man, Jake."

Jacob shook Charlie's hand with an embarrassed flush on his face. Bella let out a giggle before sighing and saying, "I guess that means that we need to tell Billy."

"Yeah, and the other Elders, too," Jacob said when he let go of Charlie's hand.

Charlie shook his head and said, "Don't worry about it, you two. I'm on my way to talk to Billy about everything I know right now. But whatever else is going on with those Vultures, Voltrons….those royal vampires from Italy, I hope everything works out. After all, you have two days to figure it out. I'll see you kids later, and thanks for sharing with me."

Bella watched her dad grab his keys and leave the house, on his way to the Reservation to talk to Billy about everything he just learned. As soon as she heard the cruiser leave the driveway, she let out a breath of relief and laid her head over on Jacob's shoulder. She was emotionally exhausted and her eyes felt super heavy from all of her crying. Before she knew it, Bella was being picked up and carried up the stairs to her bedroom. Bella was just on the brink of consciousness, her exhaustion telling her to go to sleep. Plus it was dark out so she definitely needed to sleep. Just as soon as Jacob laid her on her bed, she was fast asleep.

Jacob smiled and took her shoes off before tucking her underneath her covers and pulling them up to her shoulder. He gave her a kiss on her forehead before silently creeping out of her room and back downstairs. When he reached the landing, a knock on the door grabbed his attention. Jacob would have been cautious because it smelled like vampire, but he recognized the scents as Blondie and the beefy one.

Opening the door he saw them standing on the porch waiting to be invited inside. He did so and led them into the kitchen since he was hungry and wanted something to eat. Jacob could cook, but he figured making a sandwich (or five) would do. As he started looking for ingredients, he said, "Bella mentioned that those vampire lords are coming. Can you give me the run down as to why and what's going to happen? I know that Pixie has seen it."

Rosalie nodded and said, "Well, the Volturi are going to be here in two days, giving us almost little to no time to prepare in the event a fight ensues."

"I'm always down for a fight, so I'm not worried," Emmett said, ignoring the slight scowl he got from his mate.

Jacob nodded as he put his sandwiches together and asked, "And what do they want?"

"Let me start a little back first. So as you know, Bella was supposed to marry the dick wad I call a brother. Not because she wanted to, but because the Volturi didn't give her much choice," Rosalie started.

"They told her to marry that creep?" Jacob asked incredulously.

Emmett shook his head and said, "No, they said that since she knows our secret, her ultimatum was to either be changed or killed; whichever came first. Edward didn't want to do either, but Bella was adamant about becoming a vampire and joining our family."

Rosalie flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and said, "But we didn't know that her heart wasn't really in her declaration, and I don't think she even realized it either. Edward refused to change Bella unless she married him, as he wanted them to be a proper couple or some shit like that. Bella figured that if she gave him this, he would give her that, therefore she accepted his proposal. Carlisle let Aro, the leader or king of the Volturi, know about the wedding with the promise that Bella would be changed during or after the honeymoon. Aro said that as long as Bella went through with the wedding, all would be well. If not, they were coming to deal with it themselves."

"Which brings us to where we are now," Emmett said.

Jacob sat silent for a while swallowing the last bite of his fourth sandwich before asking, "Anything else?"

The two vampires looked at each other for a second before Rosalie said, "Edward is coming with them, and tomorrow his is going to tell them about you and the other wolves."

"Is that bad?" Jacob asked suddenly worried.

"Yeah, it is. Marcus, one of the three to lead the Volturi, hates werewolves and has driven them to extinction. He thinks there are no more and once Edward tells him about you and the Pack, he is going to want to kill all of you," Emmett answered, a grave look on his face.

This was bad, this was very bad. It was one thing for the leeches to come because of the suddenly cancelled wedding, but to also arrive with the intent to kill Jacob, the Pack, and maybe even the tribe was too much. What was that fucking bloodsucker thinking?! Jacob was seething and was trying to rein his wolf in so he could continue to talk calmly without losing it. Taking deep breaths he said, "Maybe if we can prove that we aren't regular werewolves they will let us go."

Rosalie shook her head and said, "Don't count on it; they always have an ulterior motive."

Emmett shrugged and said, "It wouldn't hurt to have them there though, Rosie. You know, for precautionary measures or something."

"That's not such a bad idea. Okay, let's do it. Give me your number so I can contact you tomorrow. Jasper is having another training session tomorrow just in case," Rosalie said to Jacob.

Jacob nodded and took Blondie's phone when she handed it to him, programming his number and calling his own just to make sure he had hers. Once that was done he told them that he was going back to the Reservation to speak with his Pack.

"One of you doesn't mind staying here with Bells, do you? I don't want her to wake up here alone in case me or Charlie haven't come back yet," Jacob said. The couple shook their heads, declaring they would stay until either he or Charlie came back. Jacob thanked them and left the house, hurrying to the woods to strip out of his clothes and tie them to the strap on his leg. As he shifted he couldn't help but think, "Man, the Pack isn't going to like this. But one thing is for sure: that good for nothing bloodsucker is going to get what is coming to him."

Author's Note: Hi, guys! Thanks so much for reading. Now I may have gotten my lines crossed concerning the Quileute legends, so forgive me if they are wrong (but I think I got the gist of it, maybe).