Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer not me.
Author/Note 1: Sequel from Our Dawn 2
A/Note 2: I'm not a native English speaker so I'm sorry for my grammar and spelling. Thank you for reading.
Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed: teamtorettosupporter, FantasyLover74, Jada91, cinnamin, Cracker679, Blackwater Crazziii, Jacobleah, brankel1, Cherryx3Cat, Blackwater101, piper9004, BlacksWerewolfa, RobertForLife, o0FLAM3S0o, cyrusnjonas, Chica219, Sentinel10, wolfman inc, YoGurlB, Jeakat, CallyGreen, Teagann, Anne Sullivan, Twilighter, As Clear as Black, Rafaela, ILove2Write13, Mistress97.
Alert: the characters in this story curse a lot.
Our Dawn
Part III
Book 3 – Joy & Sorrow
Leah Clearwater
Chapter 26 – Agreement
Before they could speak, Embry and Quil left to check if the Volturi were actually alone like Alice had seen. They returned a few seconds later but remained behind the leeches just as Jacob had instructed them.
Aro didn't seem worried about being surrounded by wolves but Felix was apprehensive to say the least. Carlisle had told us Felix was the only of the four who hadn't any power and myabe that was why he felt more vulnerable. Jane and Alec were absolutely confident and their expressions never faltered.
"Carlisle, it's always nice to see your family." Aro said. "We should visit each other more often because your last visit to Volterra was so long ago and too short. We barely spoke of the old times."
"It was like two months ago…" Bella whispered.
"Really? Well…I guess I've missed you more than I thought." Aro laughed.
"If everyone is here we should go straight to the point." Jane said in a calm but cold voice. She winked at Jacob and he clenched his fists.
"Jane…let's not rush things." Aro opposed. "Although you probably know why we're here."
"Actually...we kind of wanted to hear your version." Edward stated.
The mind rapist was good. He wouldn't be able to read Aro's mind about what they wanted from us unless he was thinking about it.
"I thought Alice had…"
"There are many things about my power you don't know Aro." The pixie cut him off and he smiled at her as if she was a box full of surprises.
"That's why I can hardly wait for you to join us."
Jane's face was suddenly contorted in a scowl. I knew she hated Bella but I guess Alice wasn't on her good side either.
"You caught Joham." Bella said touching the real motive of their coming. "Why isn't he dead?"
"Well…Isabella…you didn't complain about our generosity when you were in Italy for the first time." Aro said in defiance.
"Bella wasn't a threat." Edward contradicted.
"Humans aren't allowed to know about our existence." Jane replied with a grin.
"She wouldn't tell anyone. People would say she was crazy." Alice said. "Besides she would never do anything that could put Edward in danger."
"Joham broke the rules, Aro. We both know that." Carlisle pointed out.
"I know but he has great knowledge. It would be such a waste if we killed him. You know how I like to keep myself surrounded by intelligent individuals. I mean you were once part of that group, Carlisle. Don't you remember?"
"I do remember but you can't just ignore what he did. He killed thirteen women and their children. He turned a young man into a vampire and then killed him too…he killed humans…"
"That's what we do." Jane grinned viciously.
"To feed or to protect our secret." Edward said. "You don't kill randomly."
"Joham did many terrible things." Aro agreed finally. "But he never killed more than three women in the same place so the police couldn't establish a pattern. He planned his actions and he was acting on the behalf of science."
"So he'll live." Bella said with a hint of anger in her voice.
"Yes. He will live but he will never leave Volterra again." Aro assured.
"You do realise he wanted to create an army of hybrids to kill all of you, right?" Bella inquired.
"Joham is so dramatic." Aro laughed. "But yes, I read his mind and I was surprised about his plan…especially when I noticed he wanted to use someone really…unique…Am I right?"
His red eyes were now focused on me and I shivered. The guy was creepy.
"Joham was surprised to find a female shape shifter and he thought she would be able to bear a hybrid." Carlisle explained.
"I see…"
"He didn't inject her so there's nothing you should be afraid of." Edward added.
"I know that and that's why she is still alive. If I suspected she was a threat to us I would've ordered her death already." Aro said and Edward's eyes opened in shock while reading the Italian's mind. "I also discovered you've been studying her and the pack."
Carlisle nodded to confirm.
"I'm also a doctor." He said. "It's my job to help them."
"And as a doctor I want you to give me a straight answer. Can she give birth to a hybrid?" Aro asked with a serious expression.
"I will never…" I said immediately and I felt everybody's gaze in me. Carlisle's eyes ordered me to shut up and I closed my mouth.
"I don't think so." The doctor said. "She may be stronger than most women but…"
"Can she survive the venom? Yes or no?" Aro asked.
"Yes, she can."
"Then Joham was right. She can give birth to a hybrid." Alec muttered.
"I disagree." Carlisle said calmly.
"I remember you told us these shape shifters are partly human." Aro reminded.
"And they are but Joham wasn't aware of all the details. Leah's child possesses the wolf gene. This baby has twenty four chromosomes which means he is not entirely human and the hybrid would be half-wolf, half-vampire. Since we're natural and mortal enemies, I believe the baby wouldn't live."
"Why not?" Aro asked with curiosity.
"We're talking about a pure wolf. All the shape shifters are usually born from a human mother and a father who has the wolf gene. Leah and Jacob are both shape shifters."
"I see." Aro said. "So…Their children are also unique."
"Inside the pack, yes...they are one of a kind." Carlisle answered.
"William is their son, isn't he?" The boss leech asked and I moved nervously. Jacob's heart was also racing like mine. Aro was still interested in William.
"Yes, he is." Carlisle confirmed.
"Amazing…there are so many interesting individuals in your family." Aro turned t us.
"Pack." I stated.
"Whatever. I would be so honoured to have you with us for a while."
"What like a freaking pet?" I replied.
"No, of course not. We know how to be good hosts. You would be very well treated."
"No, thank you. I have no intention to join the freak's circus."
"That's a shame. How is young William by the way?" He asked with a smirk.
"Fine." Jacob stated.
"Does he still have nightmares about vampires?" Jane laughed. "Or wait…maybe now he has nightmares about the big bad wolf since you're both monsters too."
Jacob clenched his fists again.
"Leah is not dangerous to you in any way, so…why don't you go back to your bat-cave?" He said aggressively.
"You know what I miss dog?" Jane gave a step forward. "Our private sessions…I loved to hear you scream."
Jacob was about to phase when Seth growled on our left side. He took a step towards Jane and she backed off much to our satisfaction. It was good to see that this time she had to play by our rules although Aro could still change his mind and launch the twins at us.
"Yes, we will leave but before we go we would like to remind you that we expect you to join us soon." Aro spoke to the Cullens.
"What's the rush?" Edward asked.
"There's no rush."
"Are you sure?" Edward insisted.
"Absolutely. I just can't wait to welcome you in our family. The same goes for William, of course."
A collective growl filled the forest but there wasn't much more we could do about it. Jacob had agreed with that and we couldn't risk that Aro called for back ups. To have an army of powerful vampires in La Push was something we didn't want to witness ever again.
"By the way...when that happens…when you finally join us we think it'll be good to have some sort of agreement." Aro announced looking straight to our pack.
"Agreement?" Jacob asked. "About what?"
"Well we all know how some of us feel about your pack. I admit that Caius isn't your biggest fan…but when Will join us and because we're generous and I believe you don't want any troubles either, we should work on a deal."
"I thought it was forbidden to your kind to have a treaty with our pack." Jacob said.
"You're not Children of the Moon."
"You kill innocent people to feed." I stated. "We can't accept that and I really don't see you changing your food habits."
"Well…we do it because we have to but we won't do it in your lands, your territory." Aro retorted confidently.
"And your suggestion is?" Jacob questioned.
"It won't be a friendship's treaty like you have with the Cullens. It's going to be more like a non-aggression's treaty. We agree not to enter your lands without your permission and not to harm you, your people or even innocent souls. In your territory we follow your rules. How is that?"
"And in return?" I asked. I knew he wanted something.
"Let's just say you will have to consider diplomacy over violence every time we meet."
"So Forks and La Push will be like a safe ground, right?" Edward asked.
"Yes, neutral territory." Aro confirmed.
"That's it?" Jacob insisted.
We had convinced ourselves that Aro would want to take me and my baby to Italy.
"Yes. As simple as that."
"How can we be sure you're not lying?" I asked.
"I don't lie and I always keep my word. Ask Carlisle."
It was hard to believe that what we thought it was going to turn into a blood bath was actually turning into a diplomatic arrangement between two mortal enemies. Their interest in me wasn't completely gone because I knew they would still try to make me join them, especially since that motherfucker Joham was in Volterra, but for now they seemed willing to let it go. As for William, he was safe for a few years and we could still use the Cullen's plan to make them believe Will's power was gone.
"My friends and I are leaving now. We'll see you when the time comes…" Aro smiled widely. "It was a pleasure to see your family again Carlisle."
"It was good to see you too Aro."
"Can you tell the dogs to move out of our way?" Felix asked with repulse. "They fucking stink."
"Imagine what it will be like living with one in the future." Emmett joked and Felix glared at him. Rosalie put her arms around Emmett's waist so that he wouldn't do anything to provoke Felix again.
"Aro…can I...?" Jane asked as if she was a little child begging a toy in a shop. We all knew she wanted to use her power on us.
"No Jane. I told you…no powers today."
"Now sister…why are you always so impatient? Try to relax." Alec said. "Aro is putting some effort in this agreement. We have to play by the rules from now on."
Jane pouted.
"Besides…they have Bella. Our powers are useless against hers." Alec added and grabbed his sister's hand while she was glaring at the Cullens.
He knew how much she hated Bella but it seemed that he didn't fear Jane's reactions when he mentioned it. To be her brother had its advantages. I guess Alec was the only person aside from Aro that could talk to Jane like that and walk away unharmed.
"Let's go." Aro called and Alec, Jane and Felix followed him immediately.
"Oh…congratulations for your pregnancy." Jane smirked at me. "Maybe we get to meet this pup one day."
She was only trying to piss us off and by the look on Jacob's eyes she was succeeding.
"Don't let her get to you." I held his hand tightly.
"I'll be right back. Wait for me at the Cullen's." Jacob said and then he phased and joined the rest of the pack who were going to follow the Volturi until they were out of our lands.
Carlisle pulled me softly and we walked in silence until we reached their house. Esme offered me something to eat but I politely declined. I was still in shock about all of this. We had actually met the Volturi and everything was fine. They were going back to Italy and had made an agreement with us.
"We thought he was really going to ask for you to go with them." Emmett said sitting down on the huge brown couch.
"Maybe they realised how bad they really smell." Rosalie mocked.
"Caius wouldn't agree with having a wolf there." Edward announced. "Aro could never make that suggestion. His first option was to kill Leah if her baby was infected."
"But they still want William." Bella pointed out saddly.
"William is young and Caius will try to make Aro change his mind. But there are definitely things changing among the Elders."
"What things?" Carlisle asked Edward.
"Aro has two major problems in hands. One is our admission into the Volturi Guard."
"Why?" Bella asked. "I thought everything was settled."
"Jane is feeling threatened. She was always Aro's favourite and now she's afraid of losing her spot to one of us…mainly Alice."
"Me?" The pixie asked surprised.
Now I knew why Jane had glared daggers at Alice.
"Aro wants your power more than anything else. Jane's aware of that and to make things worse Bella's able to neutralise her power. That leaves Jane completely out of herself." Edward said. "She'll have to compete with you to maintain her current position plus everyone will know her power isn't as effective as she says."
"They're gone." Jacob announced coming inside. Seth was right behind him but the others were gone. Jacob had probably sent them home.
"The other problem is much more difficult to handle and it's why Aro made the agreement with you." Edward continued.
Jacob joined me and kissed my forehead. Then he remained in silence so Edward could explain us what was Aro's plan about this strange agreement in the first place.
"While they were in India, Caius and Marcus discovered not only that werewolves aren't extinct but also that their numbers are higher than they thought. Werewolves used to be lonely creatures. They didn't have a community or a clan. They hunt and live alone mainly because when they're human, they are aware that they're dangerous to other people. They lose control with the full moon and become beasts until the cycle is complete."
"What's the problem, then?" Emmett asked.
"Over the years or more like decades that they were supposed to be extinct, these werewolves changed their habits. They have an organised society now. They have clans and they work together."
"As a unit?" Jacob asked.
"Pretty much."
"But that's a good thing, right? I mean this way they don't interfere with humans and live isolated." Rosalie said.
"Yes and no. It's good because it means they're trying to control the monster inside, but it's also dangerous because now they have finally realised they can work together. Everyone in the town Joham found in India was a werewolf. Children too. They're increasing their numbers on purpose which means they're getting ready. They're forming an army."
"An army of werewolves?" Seth asked surprised. "Why?"
"To do exactly what the Volturi had tried to do to them all these centuries." Edward explained. "To kill every single vampire."
"So…we're talking about a war, right?" Jacob asked worriedly.
"Yes." The mind rapist confirmed.
"But we're not werewolves. We're shape shifters. We're not directly involved in the matter." I said.
"I don't think so, Leah. It's not that easy. This agreement Aro made with you…that was him recruiting your pack." Edward said.
"What? But…we didn't agree to be recruited." I opposed.
"Aro is counting on having your help because William will be with them."
"Fucking bastard." Jacob snarled. "He's not going to take my son."
"Does that mean you agree with our plan?" Jasper asked. "About introducing them to Harry instead of William?"
"Yeah, you can bet on it." Jacob assured. "They're not going to use my son to make us go to war. We have nothing to do with that shit."
I felt the same as Jacob but I wondered what he would do if the Cullens were involved in the war as well. I mean we had an alliance with the Cullens and they had helped us many times before. Even if William weren't involved with the Volturi there was still a chance we had to take a side and fight. But for now I chose to remain in silence. This wasn't the time or place to discuss that yet.
"It's good to know you're worried about us." The mind rapist told me in a whisper.
I shrugged.
"Did Alice see anything about this war?" Seth asked and the pixie nodded negatively.
"Aro is not sure how many werewolves are there and there are no guarantees about a war, but he is taking precautions. Anyways, I think we still have many years before this happens." Edward announced.
"Besides, I'll be able to see it before it actually happens." Alice assured.
"That's why Aro isn't too concerned." Edward said turning to his sister. "He really needs your powers."
Alice frowned for a second but then she danced around us and smiled.
"I'll find a way to stop us from going to Italy." She said confidently. "Just watch me…"
If there was someone who could do that it was definitely Alice.
"So this is it, right?" Jacob inquired. "We can go home…"
"Sure. The Volturi are gone and we will work things out with the police in Canada." Carlisle said.
"Will you warn us about Cassie's condition?" I asked.
"Of course." Carlisle assured me.
"I was assigned to finish my internship in the same Hospital she's staying, so I'll make sure she's alright." Seth told me. I had forgotten all about his internship. With all these problems affecting our family my brother was always forced to choose us over his career as a doctor.
We were about to leave the Cullen's house when Jacob turned around suddenly.
"You can stay, if you like." He said.
"Are you inviting us to celebrate with you?" Emmett asked.
"No, I'm saying you can stay in Forks…if you want to."
"You're changing your mind?" Bella questioned. "Are you sure about this?"
Jacob rolled his eyes and was about to say something when Bella held her hand up so he wouldn't talk.
"I'm sorry I acted the way I did, Jake. You were right…My new life doesn't allow me to stay in Forks with my father forever. I know that now." She said. "I apologise."
Jacob was slightly shocked but he accepted her apologies.
"So, you don't want to stay anymore?" He inquired.
"Before all of this Joham's thing started, we decided to go to the University. I'm ready to leave High School now. We're going to stay in Canada for a few more years…but after that we may consider coming over to Washington again…to be close by and see the kids more often." Bella explained.
"We'll stay in touch. I'm still Leah's doctor." Carlisle smiled at us.
"You better be here when this baby is born." Jacob warned. "I'm not going to put up with her bitchiness during labour on my own." I slapped his head and the others laughed.
"I promise I will." Carlisle said.
"So…when are you leaving?" Seth asked.
"Tomorrow morning after saying goodbye to Charlie." Bella said.
"Then we'll see you tomorrow." Jacob promised.
They all nodded and we left. Edward knew that this was our way to say "thank you" for everything they had done. All in all it wasn't such a bad night.
A/Note 3: Finally the pack and the Cullens are going to have a break. Aleluia. Next chapter the Black family is going to have another member. Thanks for all your reviews. You're awesome.
Rafaela: Quando perguntaste se eu ia publicar a história em português fiquei na dúvida se eras brasileira, portuguesa ou de algum outro país latino, mas agora já sei. Fica tranquila porque faço intenções de traduzir esta história e a sua continuação muito em breve, mas como entendes inglês não sei se valerá a pena leres de novo. De qualquer maneira obrigado pelas reviews. Ah e sim tenho msn: nisanikuratos(arroba)hotmail(ponto)com
Karisan