AN: Hey everyone welcome back! Thank you all for the continued support, I hope you enjoy this next chapter. As always, read and review, I love hearing what you think.
It was dusk before Rosalie and Isabella returned to the house, having talked about everything that happened from the time that they left until they reunited. Like how much Isabella had learned and experienced in her time with the Volturi, Rosalie's divorce, and basic conversation that was terribly awkward in nature as they attempted to get to know one another for the first time.
As they walked in, Isabella laughed outright at the sight before them. Jax, a goofy smile uncharacteristic of his normally stoic façade, sitting at the bar with half empty plates of food spanning the counter before him. Esme looked like she would be blushing if vampires were capable of it, a happy grin in place. Rosalie for her part looked captivated by the sound of Isabella's laugh, noting how beautiful her mate looked, how comfortable she appeared to be becoming.
When Jax felt Isabella enter the room and heard her laugh he turned in his seat and waved her over to join him. With a shake of her head, Isabella sat next to him and swiftly stole his fork, taking a bite of the roast beef he had in route to his mouth. The vampires in the room stopped and stared in shock as she swallowed and groaned in appreciation, giving Esme a congratulatory look before subtly leaning towards Rosalie who stood next to her staring in shock.
"What?" Isabella asked, slightly self-conscious about the stares she was receiving.
"Y-you just ate human food and you liked it," Alice breathed out.
"Oh right, sorry. It's part of Jax and I's bond apparently. Human food does not taste bad to me; in fact, it nourishes my body as if I were human but I can't survive off it. Same goes for Jax and blood, though he avoids even trying it." There was a teasing twinkle in Isabella's eyes as she ended her explanation.
It was then that Esme's phone rang and she answered, mouthing Carlisle. She nodded as quick words were said from the other end and hung up before calling a family meeting. Everyone settled down on the couches much like earlier, waiting for Esme to tell them what Carlisle said on the phone.
"Carlisle has arranged a meeting with the wolves that will take place in ten minutes at the treaty line like before. He said that Sam sounded agitated so we should be careful and not provoke them more than we already have."
Rosalie rolled her eyes and snorted in response. Though she did not show it, Isabella had much the same reaction, knowing that the wolves would be trying to pick a fight as soon as they arrived. Plans began circling in her head as she tried to decide what method would be best to make the wolves understand that they are in no way in charge or control. Perhaps shielding the entire Cullen coven and then dropping it once they were at the treaty line as a show of power would work…
Isabella felt a prodding at her mind and looked to Jax who shook his head. "The wolves are temperamental and foolish. Such a display would no doubt aggravate them even more, even if it was in fear. They have no idea what it means to be a shifter, no idea of their history, and from what I can tell, the alpha is controlling them along with their so called council of elders based on misguided principles and notions. If they step out of line tonight, allow me to handle it little one."
Isabella merely smiled at him in return, nodding her head in acceptance as she reached into her Volturi robes and pulled out a small cellphone. Within a minute, Jane and Alec were on their way to the Cullen house in preparation for the meeting. The Volturi group worried that their meetings and large numbers were going to draw the attention of whomever had created the nearby newborn army so they each vowed to be wary until the army was destroyed along with its creator.
Soon, the group stood at the treaty line waiting on the wolves to arrive. Jane, Alec, Isabella, and Jax stood together in the center, while Rosalie stood to their left with Emmett and Esme stood with Alice, Jasper, and Carlisle on their right. As the wolves arrived, Sam leading the pack, the air became thick with tension.
"You have violated the treaty Cullens. And you," Sam growled, turning toward the Volturi guard members. "You need to leave. Now. We don't tolerate blood suckers on our land, this is your one and only warning."
Isabella simply looked Sam in the eye and turned to those beside her with a look of mock surprise on her face before bursting into laughter. She did in fact laugh so hard that she doubled over, resting her hands on her knees as she fought for unnecessary air. The wolves looked to their leader in shock as Isabella so blatantly disrespected them. Sam growled loudly and shifted, his black ears lying flat against his head as he bared his teeth.
"Is that supposed to be scary puppy?" Isabella turned to Jane. "Are we afraid of the puppy Jane? No? Oh goodness they seem to think they can tell us what to do. Would you show the mutts what we do to people who threaten us?"
Jane's smirk deepened as she nodded and turned to Sam. Her red eyes bored into his black ones from across the space that separated the two groups as she released her gift on him. The large alpha dropped to the ground in agony, his whines echoing around the otherwise silent forest. The pain only lasted a few seconds as Jane released him but his body shook in anger and wounded pride.
Jax sent Isabella a mental nudge and she gave him a returning nudge of acceptance. "Now, I suggest that you listen or a few moments of torture from my friend here will seem like mercy. We are part of the Volturi guard, the rulers of the vampire world, and we were sent here to eliminate the newborn army that has been created right under your noses. We will go wherever and do whatever we must to eliminate the threat which is why we are calling you here today. Your land is now our land, and we will pass through it and patrol it as we see fit. Rest assured that we mean no harm to you or your people so long as you don't get in our way. I do not take kindly to threats and flares of testosterone and pride that serve no purpose. So, control your tempers and let us do our jobs." Isabella's cold voice was firm and decisive.
Sam growled loudly once again in response and Isabella sighed. "We don't take orders from leeches," Sam spat. "I am the alpha of this pack and we protect this area from leeches like you."
Within a split second, Jax stepped forward and shifted, violet eyes boring into the alpha's before him. Jax stood tall and proud as his mane shifted with the breeze. Gasps could be heard from within the un-shifted members of the wolf pack as they took in the majestic beast before them.
"You are a disgrace to the shifting world." Jax's deep voice rumbled throughout everyone's minds, vampire and shifter alike. Isabella smiled. "My name is Ajax and I am the last of my kind. I have fought alongside vampires and shifters alike for thousands of years. You believe that vampires are the cause of your inner wolf coming out for the first time. You believe that vampires are your mortal enemies. You. Are. Wrong. You are supposed to be strong and cohesive yet you are controlled by your tempers and your hatred of things that you do not understand. Your council is foolish and manipulative. Your alpha is not the true alpha. You have no idea what you are capable of, no idea who you are, who your ancestors were, or anything about what it means to be a shifter. There are ancient rules, traditions, rites… The Abaven, my people, we were the born kings of the shifter world. It is why you feel a natural submission to me. It is why your wolf recognizes me as a fight you will not win. Our duty was to protect. Isabella is the one that my inner beast has chosen to stand by and protect. It is much like an imprint in the sense that it is an automatic and all-consuming connection, an instant connection. A threat against her is a threat against me, and though she needs no help dealing with the likes of you, I feel that it is my duty to rescue you from the prison of hatred and anger that you have been perpetually trapped in. I have known wolf shifters in my lifetime, perhaps even some of your ancestors. They would be devastated to see what you have become."
There was a shocked silence that followed Jax's speech, unanswered questions, hesitation, fear, and admiration all trickling through the weighted stillness. A smaller grey wolf stepped forward tentatively, eyes locked with Jax. An unspoken question filtered from her mind to his, a question of whether or not he would teach her. A sandy colored wolf stepped up beside her with a subtle nod of agreement toward Jax who blinked slowly at them.
Sam however reeled and lunged toward them, jaws snapping. His mind was filled with anger and betrayal; he could feel his control slipping. The council had promised him control of the pack in exchange for constant information and obedience. They were never supposed to find out that there were other shifters out there, that vampires are no more their sworn enemy than butterflies.
It was what happened next though that cemented Sam's fate. Jax leaped forward and knocked Sam out of the air before he could make contact with either of the small wolves. Sam skidded to a halt many yards away and began running toward Jax at full speed.
"Stop." Jax's command hit Sam like a train and he slammed to a halt just a few feet away. Violet eyes burned holes in black as the large winged lion bared his teeth for the first time. The gleaming white canines looked deadly and everyone present knew that they would live up to that if Jax attacked. "I Ajax Vestal of the Abaven hereby release you of your title of alpha. The title of alpha and all the power that comes with it shall go to whomever is the rightful successor. Samuel Uley you are henceforth a member of the pack and nothing else. You will never hold rank in the pack again."
The absolute power that radiated from Jax's words shook every wolf and vampire to their very core. Before their very eyes, Sam's wolf form began to shrink until he was much smaller than any of the other wolves. A startled gasp came from the sandy brown wolf as the grey wolf next to him grew and filled out until it was eye to eye with Jax.
"What is your name little one?" Jax asked.
"Leah, Leah Clearwater" the hesitant voice of the wolf responded in Jax's head.
"Leah Clearwater huh? As in Huntington Clearwater's descendant? Interesting, interesting indeed." Jax mused out loud. Though the pack and vampires couldn't hear Leah's words to Jax, Jax continued to project his responses to the entire crowd so that they weren't anxiously awaiting in silence. "Well, Leah you are the new alpha of this pack. I will gladly teach you all that I know about being a shifter and about the history that you never learned. You have the blood of one of the best alphas I have ever known running through your veins. I am honestly amazed that your wolf was kept docile and submissive for as long as it was. Either way, be humble and strong and lead with dignity. Do your ancestors proud, do your pack proud."
There was a bark of excitement that jolted everyone back to their senses and chuckles were heard all around as eyes turned to the sheepish looking sandy colored wolf. Isabella laughed and soon the entire group was laughing with her. Even Jane smirked with a twinkle in her eyes at the young wolf's antics.
The wolves shifted back to their human forms, including Sam who looked tired and defeated, if not a bit sulky. Jax filled the pack in on what they knew about the newborn army, also stating that Edward was nowhere to be seen since earlier that day. He instructed them not to harm Edward but to bring him in if he was found nearby. He also told the shifters about Isabella's powers and she demonstrated each aspect as he spoke.
It was a few moments later, as the pack made an effort to get to know the Cullens that they had been conditioned to hate, that Leah found herself face to face with a certain blonde haired frowning vampire. Rosalie raised an eyebrow at the new alpha and placed a perfectly manicured hand on her waist.
"I uh… I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. You know, for the shit that Sam pulled against you guys. I know everyone else will get over it but you're different. I know that I won't win you over now, or maybe even ever, but I'd like to try. We're a lot alike believe it or not." With that, Leah turned on her heel and walked away, leaving a confused but mildly impressed Rosalie behind.
"You don't smell like wet dog anymore," Rosalie called out.
A small smile formed on Leah's lips as she replied without turning back, "and you don't smell like a rotting corpse with a fetish for perfume anymore."
A booming laugh was heard as Emmett looked at Leah in glee and wrapped his large arm around his ex-wife. It wasn't said, it wasn't needed to be said, but Leah seemed like a good match for the blonde ice queen after all.
Meanwhile, a certain pair of bright red eyes were watching Isabella sadly. The brunette completely unaware, hesitantly approached Rosalie and brushed her fingers across her own. She looked so happy.
"I'm sorry sis, I know you wanted it to be her," Alec spoke softly. When he had come to stand beside her she had no idea but his words cut like a jagged knife.
"In over 1200 years on this earth I have only let a few people in. I have only truly cared for a few people. Isabella, well Isabella is a special person as anyone can tell you. True I wanted her to be with me, but who am I kidding. Look at how happy she is brother. Have you ever seen her so happy, so at peace? I wanted to think that I could make her that happy, but there is no denying the power of a mate bond. Not anymore." Jane closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Alec looked at her with sadness and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"You will find your mate Jane. As will I. We have lived too long not to, that much is certain. Just give it time. And sister? In order to find the one you have to look into peoples' eyes you know. I know how long it took you to look into Isabella's and how hurt you were to discover that she was not your mate. But Jane, just try. No more foreheads and noses and whatever else you choose to stare at. Promise me that you will look into eyes."
Jane grumbled under her breath but nodded and looked up to meet Alec's eyes before winking. "Thank you Alec."
A good while later, Esme decided that the best way to get to know one another and form a plan of joint attack and security for the area was to throw a party. So, a large wooden banquet table was quickly built by the vampire family as Esme and Sue, who was warmly invited by Esme herself, prepared a meal for a village. The wolves erected a campfire, which they promised not to push any of the Cullens into, and began animatedly talking amongst one another.
Soon, there was food being passed up and down the table and laughter filled the night sky. Seth carefully snuck over to where Isabella sat with her hand resting next to Rosalie's thigh and leaned over to ask if she would be willing to talk really quick. Isabella nodded and gave Rosalie a quick reassuring squeeze which made the blonde smile to herself ever so slightly.
"Hey so we're all eating and that's great but you guys are just sitting there. So, I was thinking, will you help me go get some blood? I mean is that a good idea? We could bring out some wine glasses and make it look like wine to make everyone comfortable." Seth was practically bouncing in place as he asked for Isabella's opinion. The smile that she gave him was enough to take any man's breath away but it was the warm hug that she pulled him in for that made him really turn red.
"Seth that's an amazing idea! Let me grab Jax to help us and we will go out and hunt together. I'll get you and Jax to get the animals and I'll go pick up a rapist or something from the nearby city for Jane and Alec." Isabella flashed him another smile and was off like a shot, disappearing into the woods toward Port Angeles. Jax appeared at Seth's side just a moment later and gestured for him to join.
After about ten minutes, the trio returned with what appeared to be eight bottles of wine, two of which were a slightly different color than the others. They set a wine glass in front of each vampire and settled the bottles around the table. Isabella encouraged Seth to share his idea with the group so that they knew what was in front of them and made sure that he took the credit. The smiles that erupted around the table from the vampires were instantaneous and infectious.
Soon, every vampire, including Jane and Alec had a glass of "wine" in hand. Eventually everyone had settled into comfortable conversation. The group moved to the campfire once the dinner was finished and stories and friendly competition began.
With a glass in hand, Jane made her way to sit by her brother but he gently pushed her back up with a shake of his head. "Come on sis, I want to see you make eye contact with three people before you get to sit down. Baby steps."
Jane rolled her eyes at him before sighing in resignation. Her eyes roamed around the party before finding the golden orbs of Esme who smiled graciously at her. One. Then she watched as the large tan man called Jake made his way over to Isabella as if they used to be old friends. He turned his head toward her and their eyes met, but she wasn't sure if the challenge she saw there was real or simply in her mind. Two. As her eyes swept around looking for a third, she found herself watching a tan body dance to the beat of the music that she hadn't noticed until now. When the person's head turned toward Jane she received a bright white smile and it was from that smile that Jane's eyes traveled over high cheek bones to light brown eyes that seemed to reflect the campfire. Three.
The dancer stopped and turned toward Jane, their eyes never breaking. Gravity disappeared and reformed, tying them together in an instant.
"Shit," Jane cursed. Alec tracked her line of sight toward the figure standing in the dancing light of the campfire. He whistled and smiled at his sister and the figure who stood frozen in time and place.
It was on three that Jane found her mate. Three moments in the span of seconds. After over 1200 years of waiting for this moment, Jane felt her dead heart slam against her chest.