Tribal Council

Three days after our anniversary, we were ready to brave our families. We knew it may be a while before we got the chance to see each other again. First we'd go to the tribe. This would decide how we'd live our life together. Bella had made it plain to me that she would leave if the pack didn't accept me. My mind wanted her to stay but my heart was glad she felt that way.

She was wearing her usual cotton shorts and grey tee with her white tennis shoes. Her cast was still firmly on her wrist. I wore black jeans and a similar grey tee as Bella. On my wrist, I proudly wore my wolf, imprint band. Bella wore her necklace around her neck, wanting to show it off to her family.

Holding hands, we slowly made our way through the forest early in the morning. We would make our appearance at the edge of the forest on the res and be escorted through to the tribal council. The whole council and pack would be there to decide what would happen next. I only hoped Bella would be happy.

We stepped out of the tree line and Sam came into sight. Quil and Embry kept a wide berth on either side of Bella and I, Sam started to lead us around the edge of the reservation. He'd acknowledged my wristband and understood the meaning behind it. I could see in his mind that he hated me but accepted that I was a part of the pack now.

I watched him thinking about his imprint, Emily, and his ex-girlfriend, Leah. Imprinting caused a rift in Emily and Leah's relationship. He was caught in the middle of a family feud that being a wolf had caused. What seemed to make it worse was Leah was a wolf as well. They shared thoughts every time they shifted.

We came to a wide open space with a row of boys sat on a log. Older men sat on stools opposite them. Three wolves were spread out around the group; protection. All eyes were on me. Bella put a little distance between us as she held my hand tightly in hers. The thoughts of the pack grew louder as they noticed our matching shirts. When the human form of Paul erupted at the sight of my wristband, all wolves growled and stood ready to attack.

Stepping in front of Bella, my mind was filled with the wolves' thoughts of attack. I knew Bella couldn't shift because of her wrist which would leave her somewhat defenceless. Her good hand lay on my back and I wrapped an arm around her waist. Paul stalked towards the forest before turning around and glaring at us both.

After sitting on a separate log in the middle of everyone, with Bella, Billy Black, Bella's father rolled over to us. Jacob stood beside him and folded his arms.

"Isabella Black, you are on trial for fraternizing with a cold one and taking a claim to the pack that isn't rightfully yours. Today, it will be decided by everyone here whether you will be exiled."

He turned to me and looked at me reluctantly.

"You, Edward Cullen, have broken the treaty. You have harmed a member of the reservation resulting in the treaty being null and void."

"He hasn't hurt anyone. He wouldn't do that."

Bella had stood up and put her hands on her hips.

"He broke your wrist Isabella."

"That was Jacob. He attacked Edward first. I defended my imprint and my so called brother threw me into a tree."

Billy looked up at Jacob who averted his eyes away from us.

"I have to wear this stupid thing for a couple more days and you have no idea how annoying it is; all because of him. If it wasn't for my imprint taking me to hospital, my wrist wouldn't heal properly."

She sat back down next to me and intertwined our fingers together. Raising my hand, she pressed her lips to the back of it and breathed in my scent.

"The pack isn't allowed to attack an imprint. My imprint was attacked. If anyone has broken any treaty, it is Jacob. He attacked a Cullen and an imprint. Our laws give me the right to kill him."

"Bella, think about this. You don't want to kill your brother."

Jacob looked panicked as Bella considered it.

"No, I don't."

He sighed in relief but went back to glaring at me.

"If he poses a threat to Edward, I will kill him."

She bore her eyes into his, showing how serious she was about it. I stroked her back as she leaned her head against my shoulder.

"As the first wolf descendent of Ephraim Black, I am the rightful pack leader. I am Alpha now. My imprint is more important than the pack will ever be. We are getting married. We are going to live together. Where we live will depend on everyone here. I will leave the pack if I must."

"Each of the pack will vote. You have no say Isabella. The council will then discuss what will be done with you then. It is unacceptable to allow a cold one to live on the res."

Being able to hear everyone's thoughts, I knew what would happen. Laying my hand on her waist, I pulled her to my side and pressed my lips to her temple. Only one voice was different; one voice stood out to all the rest. My Bella looked deflated as she sunk into my side.

"Seth, don't."

His eyes widened as I spoke. Everyone else looked to him, their eyebrows furrowed together. He looked to me and I shook my head a little bit. Taking a strong stance, he stood between Billy and Bella and I.

"If Bella leaves, I'm going to leave."

"No. Seth this has nothing to do with you. This is your home…"

"Listen Bella. You're my best friend. I don't think there is anything wrong with the Cullen's so I don't get why we've avoided them. They couldn't help being what they are just like we can't. I think it would be cool to have vampire friends anyway. I follow you Bella."

There was a tense moment between everyone as Bella stood next to Seth and took his hand in hers. I took my place on the other side of Bella and gave Seth a small nod of gratitude.

"Those who believe Isabella should be exiled from the pack, stand."

No one moved at first. Everyone was still as they looked at each other surreptitiously. The first to stand forward was the wolf form of Paul. His mind showed that he never really liked Bella that much as she'd shifted after him but had a higher status than him. Jared stood next. He stood because he didn't want me to pose a threat to his or the rest of the imprints. One by one, each of the wolves stood until Sam and Jacob were the only ones left.