Chapter 9
The Lesser of Two Evils
Author's Note: The time-line has become a little confusing, so I'll give a small reminder. The day Bella and Edward return to Forks in this chapter is the day after Jake talked to the Cullens. This chapter will go back and forth in PoVs. In Jacob's PoV, it will start off where his PoV left off.
(Bella's PoV)
Edward and I stayed on the island for two more days, though it wasn't as fun as when we had first arrived. Ever since our discussion about my coming changes, I was a little bit antsy about the whole thing. I was careful not to discuss it anymore with Edward, and I was even more careful not to express my feelings in my emotions around him.
There were a few things I was worried about. Would there be any part of my normal self left when I became a newborn? Would I be anything other than just a vicious newborn, thirsting on human blood? Would Edward and the others be able to stop me when my thirst became too much? Where would we go during my change? I couldn't stay in Forks.
Then as we were packing to leave on the last day of our honeymoon, it hit me. Something I had completely forgotten since I had arrived on Isle Esme. Or rather.... someone.
"Oh, no!" I moaned.
I collapsed onto the bed and felt tears coming down my cheeks, as I hid my face in the pillows.
"Bella?" Edward said, dashing into the room, "What is it?"
"I am a horrible, horrible person!" I moaned through my tears.
Edward pulled me against him into a hug.
"You need to stop crying," Edward said, "And tell me what is wrong."
He lifted the hair out of my face, and put his cool hand against my cheek.
"Ch-Ch-Charlie," I stuttered through my quivering lip, "What is he going to think?"
Edward sighed and closed his eyes.
"I can't believe I didn't even think about that," I said. "He's going to be so worried about me. What am I going to do?"
"I should have told you sooner," Edward said, in almost a whisper.
"What?" I asked. "Told me what, Edward?"
"Carlisle's going to take care of it," Edward said.
"What is he going to do?" I asked.
"He's going to lie to your father," Edward said.
"And tell him what?" I demanded.
"Carlisle's going to tell Charlie," Edward continued. "that you've been inflicted with a rare disease while here in South America. That you've been taken to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, and is under strict quarantine."
It took a minute for the information Edward was telling me to sink in. Then it hit like a ton of bricks.
"So I-I-I'll probably never see my parents again," I said.
"Yes," Edward said with a frown.
"Is there even a chance?" I asked, "That I will be able to see them, though?"
"There is," Edward said, nodding, "Albeit a very small one."
I went silent. Edward sighed, and I looked into his eyes. There was something else he was wanting to tell me. He just looked terrified to speak of it.
""There's something else," I asked him. "Isn't there?"
"No," Edward said.
"You can't lie to me, Edward," I said, "It's part of our vows."
Edward sighed again.
"Every member of my family," he said, "has had to go through the same journey you are about to. I don't mean just with the first year, and the whole newborn thing. I'm talking about the more personal level of it all. Because of who we are, and what we look like, we don't have the same privileges as humans. I believe I have told you this before. You already know most of it anyway. We have to live where there is barely any sunshine. Forks is one place, Alaska is another. So, of course, the rest of my family never saw their biological family. As you know, I am the last of my biological line, so I never had to go through with the same.... same pain they went through."
"You – you mean," I stuttered.
I couldn't get it out. I knew what Edward was trying to tell me.
"They had to cope with the fact," Edward said, "that they outlived – or whatever you can call it – every single person they ever knew and have ever known."
The reality of my decision had finally sunk in. I buried my head into Edward's cool shoulder and let the tears out. It was too painful to talk about, but I was still thinking about it. I was going to be my nineteen year-old self forever, and I would have to watch my parents and my high school friends and everyone I ever knew grow old and die while I never aged.
"How can anyone bear that?" I asked, looking up at Edward.
"Over time we get used to it," Edward said. "There are... other ways we try to help cope with that. You know we've had to matriculate around a lot. We don't do it just because we are supposed to be older than we actually appear. We do it because we don't want to make many friends, only to have to watch them age and die. It would only remind us of what we lost."
"It must be worse that you never had the choice I have," I said.
"Now do you understand why I've been so against you becoming like me?" Edward asked.
"I do," I said, "But I am still going through with it."
"I won't stop you," Edward said, "I'm only making sure you know what you're getting yourself into."
"I'll cope with it," I said.
"And if you don't," Edward said, "I'll be right by your side to help you through with it. Every step of the way."
I nodded. When Edward decided I wasn't going to cry again, he let me go and resumed packing our suitcases, though I did catch him take the occasional glance at me. He was probably terrified that I was going to have a nervous breakdown from all the stress.
Edward had planned our journey back to Forks quite brilliantly. The weather in Rio De Janeiro was a nice cloudy overcast, as we made our way toward the airport. The trip, which included all the stops we came through to go to Isle Esme, took all night. The night before our trip back home, Edward called Carlisle. Carlisle would meet us at the Seattle airport.
We arrived in Seattle an hour before sunrise. Carlisle and Esme met us in the lobby after we picked up our bags, and we were on the road shortly.
"Have you talked to my father?" I asked Carlisle.
"I assume Edward already informed you of our plans ?" Carlisle replied.
"A few of them," Edward said.
I looked at Edward. What else were they planning?
"Yes," Carlisle said, answering my question, "I'm sorry to say that Charlie is heartbroken."
"What did you tell him?" I asked.
"I explained that you caught a rare disease in South America," Carlisle replied. "Supposedly, the disease affects your appearance, and might be contagious."
"Good plan, Carlisle," Edward said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Carlisle has made it," Edward said, "So that there is a chance you might be able to see your father again in the future. Once you are calmed down enough after your transformation."
"That is exactly what I told Charlie," Carlisle said. "I hoped that it might put him at some ease."
"He's probably still going out of his mind," I said.
"He's doing the best he can," Carlisle said, "But he is getting some help as well."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Ah," Edward said, with a grin, "Now that is interesting."
Carlisle and Esme laughed softly.
"Okay now," I said, "What joke am I missing?"
"There's a new rumor going around Forks," Edward said, grinning. "Apparently the Chief of Police has been seen hanging out with a woman whose appearance resembles that of Sue Clearwater."
"My father is dating Sue Clearwater?" I asked.
"I only discovered this a couple days after you left for your honeymoon," Carlisle said, "Your father was there to comfort Sue with Harry's death, and it seems that they've hit it off quite nicely."
I snorted. I couldn't believe it. My father was the town's most eligible bachelor, and he had had that title for a long time. After his fallout with my mother, he seemed to like the single life. I wondered what had changed his mind, and then I suddenly realized it. Ever since I had moved in, my father seemed to get used to having someone to talk to. Now that I was out of his life, I knew he must have needed someone else to replace me... especially with the cooking. I smiled softly to myself. It was nice that Charlie had someone to look after him, now that he thought I was in quarantine. It would be very difficult for me to not want to see him and let him know I was going to be okay.
"There's something else going on you're not telling me, Carlisle," Edward asked. "And you're doing your best not to think of it."
Carlisle sighed and looked at Esme. She clutched his hand with hers and nodded her head to him. Carlisle sighed and looked through the rear-view mirror at us.
"Alice had another vision?" Edward asked.
Carlisle nodded.
"What?" I asked. "What did she see?"
"It wasn't very clear," Carlisle said, "But she saw the Volturi in deep conversation. Aro has ordered Jane, and a few Volturi guards, including Demetri and Felix to come to Forks."
"What?" I asked, my jaw dropping.
"I see," Edward said, "They are getting restless waiting for when Bella will become a vampire."
"It looks like they cannot wait any longer," Carlisle said.
"Did Alice see when they are coming?" Edward asked.
"That part of her vision was blurry," Carlisle said, "And she has tried her best to find out."
"Blurry?" Edward asked.
Carlisle looked at Edward again.
"Oh," Edward said, in a low snarl.
"What?" I asked, looking from Edward to Carlisle.
"Yesterday, we had a visitor come to the house," Carlisle said.
"Jacob?" I suddenly realized.
Carlisle nodded.
"He wasn't there to start a fight," Esme said. "He actually came to warn us."
Edward growled softly again.
"Damn it," he muttered.
"Yes, Edward," Carlisle said, "You remember. Jacob said he was doing his best trying to stop it, though."
"What's going on?" I asked once again.
I felt like a broken record asking so many questions.
"Jacob came to remind us about the treaty between us and the Quileute tribe," Carlisle said.
I didn't need any more clarification. I knew all about the treaty.
"The part of the treaty concerning biting a human is still intact," Edward said.
"Unfortunately, yes," Carlisle said. "Sam Uley has been trying to convince the Elders to modify it, but they are not giving in. It seems they aren't in the best of moods anyway."
"Two more wolves?" Edward asked.
Carlisle nodded. "Whenever a new vampire comes to town," he said, "Even temporarily... it seems to spark the Quileute's transformation. This time it was two preteen boys. Never in the history of their tribe have they had someone so young become a Quileute wolf."
"Do you believe the Elders want war if we break the treaty?" Edward asked.
"I believe that's what is to be expected," Carlisle said.
"Wait," I said, "Jacob's pack will go to war with us if I change into – into one of you?"
"Yes, Bella," Edward said softly.
"No," I said.
"Unfortunately, there isn't anything we can do about it," Edward said. "It's either the wolves or the Volturi."
I looked into Edward's eyes, and I knew what he meant. If I didn't change into a vampire, the Volturi would kill me and anyone who got in their way of doing so: Edward and my family. And if I did change, the wolves would start war with us.
"The lesser of two evils," I choked out.
"Exactly," Carlisle said, nodding.
"N-no," I said, "I have to talk to Jacob."
"Bella," Edward said.
"Edward," Carlisle said, "Bella is right. I think that would be the right thing to do. Only Bella could convince Jacob... if there was a way to do so."
Edward sighed and nodded. I looked out the window of the passing scenery. How could everything have gone downhill so fast?
(Jacob's PoV – The Day Before)"Alpha?" I asked my father. "Me?"
"You are the grandson of the former Alpha," Billy said, "How could it not be you?"
"B-b-but," I stuttered. "Sam --"
"Sam was only named Alpha by the Elders," Billy said, "Because he is older than you, and because he was the first of this generation to transform. But you are now mature enough to take the responsibility."
I looked from Billy to Sam. Sam looked somewhere between downhearted and confused. I was just as confused as he was. How was I just supposed to take over the Alpha command? It wasn't something I could just do, just because I had a famous grandfather. I wasn't leader material.
"No," I said.
"No?" Billy asked.
"I'm not leadership material!" I growled.
"Don't sell yourself short, Jake," Sam said, "You've always been leadership material. You were my second-in-command, even above Paul, who has been phasing long before you did."
"I was only second-in-command because you knew I was meant to be Alpha!" I argued.
"You are meant to be Alpha, son," Billy said, "Think about it. You've always resisted Sam's Alpha command because your brain knew you were the true Alpha."
Just as I was about to argue, Billy's cell-phone went off. Billy sighed and rolled away from me. He put his cell-phone to his ear.
"Hello?" Billy asked. "Oh, hi, Charlie."
"Your father's right, you know," Sam said, "I could never command you around. I guess I could command the others because I am above them in rank, or whatever you want to call it."
"Well, if that is true," I said, "I am promoting you."
"It doesn't work that way, Jake," Sam said, shaking his head, "The Elders won't listen to me because I am not the true Alpha. I've finally figured that out. I always thought I was supposed to be the tribe's true "chief". But then I learned the truth, and it was never supposed to be me. It's supposed to be you. Its the Alpha line, passed down through generations.. You can't stop it."
"Well, I am stopping it," I said, "I'm not Alpha material."
"You truly underestimate the name of Alpha," Sam said.
I rolled my eyes. I couldn't take this anymore. I decided I would have to play Sam's game. If only to get him to leave me alone.
"So you truly believe I am the Alpha?" I asked.
"Of course," Sam said.
"Fine," I said, "Then as my first command, I ask you to leave me alone until I ask of you."
Sam cringed.
"You mean that?" Sam asked.
Okay. This was too weird for me. I was almost shocked to see Sam fear me.
"I am Alpha, aren't?" I said, mockingly.
Sam sighed, turned and ran off. I scowled. I didn't want any of this. I almost wished Leah was right... that I had been exiled. Anything to make me forget about this!
"Yes, Charlie," Billy said, "I understand. Well, tell me if you hear anything more. And call me if you need anything. Yep. You take care of yourself. Goodbye."
Billy clicked the phone shut and sighed. He turned around and faced me. A large frown creased his lips.
"What's wrong, Dad?" I asked him.
"That was Charlie," Billy said, "He just got off the phone with the Cullen doctor. Bella picked up some sort of disease in South America. She's in quarantine in Atlanta, Georgia."
I felt dizzy. This could not be. I just talked to the Cullens not an hour ago! The doctor himself told me Bella would be home soon. Then it dawned on me. Carlisle was a rotten liar! He just wanted to make me believe Bella was okay, so I wouldn't get all mad at him. He didn't think I could take it!
Suddenly, my mind started buzzing with possible scenarios. What if Bella wasn't in quarantine? What if she was dead? That bloodsucker probably killed her when he was trying to – to – ugh, I couldn't even say it! I just knew one thing. The leech was going to pay for what he did to her. I should have never warned the Cullens about my pack wanting to wage war on them. They deserved it after this...
Immediately I felt better than I had just a few minutes ago. I was a whole new Jacob Black. It was time for me to be what I was born to be: the true Alpha of the pack!
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Chapter finished! Oh dear, what did Jacob do in his rage? What will he be like when he realizes Bella is okay? Those answers coming soon!
I have many ideas coming up, and I promise you don't want to miss it. The plan for Bella's transformation goes awry when something unpredictable happens. What will it be? That will happen pretty soon!
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