Disclaimer: I do not own twilight or any of the characters.
Author's note: Thanks to Gilo for the review. This chapter is for you :)
The Natural Path
Chapter 3- The Truth
"Bella" I heard a voice calling to me, I stirred. I recognised the voice, Jacob. At first there was a feeling of calm because he was here and then as the memories came back there was fear. I opened my eyes suddenly, I didn't care that I hurt; all I cared about was getting away from him. I yanked my hand from his and tired to get out of the bed I was in, but someone at the other side of me held me down.
"I wouldn't move yet, if I was you." I looked up to see a doctor. I vaguely recognised him as Dr Cullen, part of the new family who had moved to Forks. I nodded, but still kept as far away from Jake as possible.
"I'm afraid you're going to have some scars. But really you're lucky to be alive. You've been here for a couple of days and you've only just woken up. Perhaps next time you won't go walking in the woods alone." I was puzzled, the woods? But then I realised, it must be the cover story, so no one would know about people who could transform into wolves. I nodded again. Dr Cullen smiled then left the room.
"I'm sorry, Bella" Jake said. I didn't reply, instead I stared out the window. I couldn't look at him. We were meant to get married in a few weeks, but now it seemed I knew nothing about him. I loved him so much, but I needed to understand. If I knew how it worked then I could be more careful not to set him off.
"I want an explanation Jake. If I have to tell people I was silly and wandered into the woods, then I have to know the truth." I said.
"I know Bella. But it's not my place to tell." I looked at him. He wouldn't tell me.
"Don't you trust me?" He walked over to me and took my hand.
"Of course Bella, but this isn't just my secret." I nodded, but even so tears poured down my cheeks.
"Jake, just leave. Come back when you can trust me." I watched him leave and as the door shut I sat there and wept.
It was later that afternoon that I had another visitor. This time it was Billy. Sue brought him, but left us alone. I wondered whether Billy knew about his son and what he was.
"I understand that you want to know the truth?" He said. I nodded. Billy did know what was happening. But I didn't understand why he wouldn't let Jake tell me.
"Now I need you to listen and don't ask questions till I've finished." I nodded and listened.
He told me the legends of the tribe. How they had once been spirit warriors and how when the last spirit warrior, Taka Aki, left his body one day it was stolen by another, Utalpa. How Taka Aki combines with a wolf and became a shape shifter. Then the story moved to the deaths in neighbouring tribes. How the wolves found a sweet scent that burned their noses. That they found a strange, cold stony man who drank from human blood. They called these people the cold ones. I sat there and let it all sink in.
"Billy, you say the wolves appear when the cold ones do, then where are the cold ones?" He looked out the window.
"We meet them tonight. These particular ones are different but still a threat. I want you to come with us Bella. I know Jake doesn't want to lose you, so you must see the truth for yourself."
"But how are they different?"
"They don't feed from humans, instead they feed from animals. But one slip and they can be back to their normal ways. We have a treaty, but our wolves will intervene if they break it."
"But what if they do break the treaty? How can Jake stand against them? He's only one wolf." Billy looked at me and smiled.
"But he is not alone Bella. You among all people will have noticed Sam Uley's distance recently." I nodded my eyes wide, "He is also a wolf. And many others will soon follow. They will not be alone."
"I have one more question Billy. Is this what happened to Emily?" He nodded sadly.
"It's one of the risks of living with a wolf. They can easily change from wolf to man, but anger makes it impossible to not change into a wolf. I hope you decide that Jacob is worth the risk." I nodded and soon after Sue returned to collect Billy. I was discharged later that day. Dr Cullen told me to rest and not to do anything strenuous.
Jake was waiting for me when I got back. He'd made a candlelit dinner and when I got through the door, he came over grabbed my hand and knelt down in front of me.
"Bella will you forgive me?" I nodded, of course I forgave him, it wasn't his fault. He couldn't control it.
"Of course I forgive you, you couldn't help it. I'll just have to make you don't get angry in future."
"Thanks Bella. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't forgiven me. You're my life and we'll see this through." He kissed me and then we sat down for the meal. I suspected Sue had helped him, but I didn't care. It still came from the heart. Although the meal did not last long it did what it intended. It made us feel at ease with each other again. But soon the time came for the meeting. Sam and Jake were to meet us there, whereas I would drive Billy and get him to the meeting point. I said goodbye to Jake and left to get Billy. It didn't take long to drive. Navigating Billy from the road was what took the time. Even so we were the first there. We were deep within the forest. At first it was calming, but then it went silent as if all the animals had left. It was then I noticed Sam and Jake in wolf form. Seeing Jake as a wolf brought the fear back. As I human I was fine in his presence. But as a wolf it was a painful reminder.
I didn't have long to dwell on it as from nowhere the vampires arrived. There were 7 of them in total. All coupled except for one lowly male. As I looked upon them I noticed in shock, one was Dr Cullen. I never would have guessed he wasn't human. But then as I looked closer I realised they were too still and too beautiful to be human. It was hard to remind myself that anyone of these creatures could kill me in an instant.
"I welcome you back, Cullen's." Billy cried, "Yet your numbers have increases since last time." Dr Cullen nodded.
"Our newest additions are Alice and Jasper." He indicated the 3rd couple, "But perhaps I should introduce the whole family for your new pack. I am Carlisle and this is my partner Esme. Next are Emmett and his partner Rosalie. Next Alice and Jasper who I have mentioned, and finally Edward."
Jake and Sam studied them before nodding at Billy.
"Our arrangement will be as before." Billy said to the Cullen's.
But just before we turned to leave a breeze whipped round us and then headed towards the Cullen's. All of them stiffened and then the lone male, Edward, growled in my direction. His once beautiful face now showed the monster he was. And then he jumped. I knew he was heading for me, but what could I do, there was no way I could outrun him. I stared at his once beautiful face and braced myself.