~Jacob~

My meeting went well this morning. Mr. Smith liked my design and added his input and ideas of how he wants the final product to look like. His wife should enjoy what the car can do. Sending over the design specs to my manufacturing team, I lock up my office for the day.

"This came for you while you one on the phone, sir."

Clarice hands me a package with no labels or anything to identify who it is from.

"Did you recognize who it was or did they leave a name?"

"No, sir, they did not. Have a good night."

"You too, thanks."

I place the package on my passenger seat and text Seth that I'm on the way. Today is the day we are going to the res to speak to the elders. All of the kids will be joining us after school lets out. I am looking for clarification and closure over the past because I just want to move forward and not dwell on my past actions anymore. I really can't do that until my children and I can discuss things and forgive each other for the things said and done. Then again I am afraid to talk to the elders because then I will be forced to address the Paul and I relationship possibility head on and won't be able to avoid it by using the kids as avoidance tools. Granted I love him with all my heart, never stopped to be truthful, but it hurt to see him choose Rachel over me. That's something else I have to know how come he thought Rachel was his imprint. Was it something he did on purpose? Could the situation played out differently? Could my children grown up with their father around the whole time?

I don't blame him or anybody else for that matter for me leaving because I made a grown up decision to leave and remove myself from a problematic situation. At the time it was for the best and it benefit me, giving me the chance to grown up and become the man I needed to be.

On another note, Sam wants to step down to beta this month so he can focus on other pressing issues in his life like his family life and work. I have spent that year studying and preparing myself for this month. I think I am prepared for the added responsibility but the timing couldn't possibly be any worse.
I'm so deep in thought that I don't even notice that I've made it home. Pulling into my driveway, I park and head into the house taking the package with me. I wonder what it can be. I decide to open it when I get home from the res. I hop into the shower and scrub the day's filth off and get dressed in some jeans and a t-shirt. When I get downstairs, Seth is waiting for me and we drive to La Push together to dad's house. We spend the drive talking about our day and work not really talking about anything too serious. By the time we arrive at dad's, Seth and I are laughing and it's just a good time between best friends.

"Hey, old man, you in here?"

"Yeah, son, I'm in the room. Be out in a minute."

Ever since we got back dad has been doing a lot better but I still am trying to convince him to move in with us but he's so stubborn that he refuses each time saying that he was born on this land and he will die on this land. Then again that's where I get my stubborn streak from so I shouldn't be so surprised.

"Hey, son. Hey, Seth."

"Hey, Billy."

"Hey dad."

I give him a hug followed by Seth then we sit down in the living room.

"What brings you by today?"

"We want to clarify some things we read in one of the family member's old journals and we figured you and the rest of the elders would know the most or would be able to point us in the right direction, sir." Seth responds.

"Well let me call the rest of the elders over and we can answer whatever question you might have. If we cannot though I am sure we can direct you to the right book for the information."

"Thanks, dad."

Billy heads into the kitchen to call the rest of the elders over. Seth and I stay in the living room waiting for them to arrive.

"How do you want to approach this?"

"I don't know. We both have the same questions, right?"

"I think so. So why don't we do one question at a time? Then go from there. Also, ask to see the books and then show them to the children when they get here. Maybe even have them speak the elders on their own so they can speak freely without feeling badly about the things they say. Then we can talk to them when they come out. This has gone on long enough. We need to start being adults and remember that they are our children. How does that sound? We

can't be insecure or show weakness."

"Okay. That sound like a plan."

Billy comes back in.

"They'll be here in fifteen minutes or so."

One by one the elders stream into the house. The last one is Sue who has many books with her as well.

"Hello, everyone. This meeting has been arranged tonight so that Jacob Black and Seth Clearwater can address some concerns they have about some information they have come across. Now before we say anything, let's allow Jacob and Seth to explain exactly why we are all here in their own words." Old Quil explains.

"We are here because recently we were shown a journal by one of ancestors who wrote about his pregnancy and how it was possible for him to become pregnant and how he gave birth. They pregnancy and childbirth were nothing new to us but the information on how we were able to conceive was new. It stated that only an imprint couple of two male shifters could produce offspring. However, I know that I am not an imprint nor have I imprinted because the feelings that I have heard that accompany the imprint I have not experienced with the father of my children. I cannot speak for Seth but this is vital information that needs to be addressed so that I can move forward. My first question is: can an imprint be faked?" I share with the council.

"Okay before answering your question, there are some things we need to clarify and make sure that everyone is on the same page. First of all you carry your pups and gave birth to them, is that correct?" Seth and I nod our heads before dad continues.

"The fathers are members of this pack or another pack?"

"Of our pack."

"Paul Lahote and Sam Uley. Is that correct?" We can only nod our heads.

"Now that we all are up to speed, yes you were imprinted on. As to your question about fake imprints, I have recently also come across a journal from my great-great-great uncle Johnathan Uley and it states that he had been a victim of trickery by one of the female members of the tribe who cannot handle ta he rejection of him because he wanted to wait for his imprint. So instead she visits a shaman from another tribe who gives her an elixir that requires specific ingredients in specific amounts to cause a shifter to feel the effects of an imprint without actually imprinting and the only that can diminish the effects is when the shifter finds his true imprint. However, Johnathan was unable to completely be rid of her curse until he found the shaman and drank a new elixir. The book only has the directions for the curse, the cure has been torn out." Sue hands the journal to me and I set it aside.

"So you're saying that Rachel and Leah have cursed Paul and Sam and to top it off there is nothing we can do about it unless they willing hand over the cure." Seth speaks up and the elders respond in affirmation.

"The book speaks of a mating mark needed to signify the bond between shifters but I don't have one and Sam never felt the need to mark me. How was I able to get pregnant if we did not bond as a mated couple?"

"Seth, that is because of the elixir the boys were given before you both went through the change. After hearing what you two have said it seems that the bond wasn't completed because you weren't of imprinting age. Now that you have returned you will have to go through the mating ceremony performed by one of us." Old Quil answers.

"I offer you both all of the journals and books we have on imprinting and mating between shifters. I also recommend that we hold a meeting with Sam, Paul, and all of the children because we are under the impression that there has been some negativity brewing at home and we are concerned it may do more harm then good if you all do not address it and soon." Billy states.

"We must also discuss how to find the cure and what is the motive behind attacking Paul and Sam." Sue expresses.

"That simple. I can answer that one for you. They wanted to have someone who paid them no mind and decided to take matters into their own hands. How to address it is a different matter entirely because if we confront them they could destroy the cure." I reply.

"I do have one more question before we adjourn: can the power of the elixir weaken over time and must they keep drinking it for it to continually work?"

"Excellent question. Yes it weakens over time but if the victim is constantly drinking it they won't be able to tell the difference."

"The meeting is adjourned until tomorrow when the rest of those who must be present are here." Old Quil states as he exits the house followed by the rest of the elders.

Seth and I remain quiet in our own thoughts as we open a book each and read them silently. For the next few hours I don't read anything new that will help us or it's things we already know. It's not until I stumble across an unnamed journal that has familiar handwriting in it that I take pause.

Today, I take a trip up to the Makah reservation to see the local shaman about how to save my life. After the day and half journey, I enter his hut and he says nothing to acknowledge my presence for what seems like an eternity. Something hurts you my child he says as he gives me a look of understanding. He is trying to apologize with his eyes but I don't know what for. In turn I nod my head and begin to explain the pains I feel more and more each day. The sickness that I know is my wolf slowly giving up on us even though I don't understand because we have our mate who was found through the imprint many moons ago. Your wolf rejects you because you refuse to respect him he explains. The shaman offers me a cure but first I must go and grab the list of herbs he has requested of me. Kava root, chamomile leaves, valerian root, and skullcap herbs. Once I return he mixes them up and pours a small vial of red liquid in and tells me that I will have to drink it when it finishes steeping in the hot water. I am hesitant at first until a sharp pain stabs through my whole body and I know that I must take this chance because I have to run out of choices. At first, nothing seems to change until I feel a slight tingle in my heart and then I can my bond with my wolf grow stronger once again. Thanking the shaman he tells me to take herbs with me and drink it anytime I feel unsure.

I slam the book down in a mixture of excitement at what I think my be the cure and anger knowing that we must know the amounts to correctly mix the herbs and at the fact that blood is needed to be added to the mixture and drank along with the herbs. Keeping hold of my wolf and calming him, I wordlessly hand the journal to Seth leaving it open to the page I just read and get up and head to the kitchen to take a much needed food break. During which I contact Paul and the kids to tell them that we must all attend a counsel meeting with the elders tomorrow and that is indeed mandatory. I am still seething when I think about the efforts that my sister and Leah had to go through to get this curse place upon the guys. Then again Rachel has always been devious but I never thought she was heartless. Well they have another thing coming if they think that this will continue on under my watchful eye. Paul is mine my wolf wants vengeance for our mate and I am inclined to give it to him. Seth enters the kitchen just as I begin to plot revenge.

"Oh my god we found it Jake. We just have to make as much as possible to counteract the curse now but also in the future. So how about we go out and look for the herbs that grow here in the woods."

Before we can set out the back and front door swing open and Collin and Brady run in telling us to get to Forks because Henry and William have been attacked. Seth and I are out the door before we can hear the rest of their sentence.

Calling the rest of the pack with a howl we take off for Forks, me in wolf form and Seth driving. Arriving I phase and run over to where I see my kids and their mates. Paul, Sam, and Seth are on my heels as we run to the school.

When we get there the police and paramedics are pulling up at the same time. Trying to make it through the crowd, I notice that all the girls along with Zeke and E.J are standing off to the side looking around to see if they notice us. Finally, they notice us and walk toward us.

"Where are Henry and William?" Sam asks.

"They are under the car. The firefighters are trying to lift the car to pull them out."

I don't even recognize the voice of the person who continues to explain that William's car was hit by a couple of trucks going full speed while Henry and Billy were getting into the car. We get closer to where they are lifting the car up and have started pulling out the boys.

"Stop! Nobody move! The car is leaking gas and could explode at any minute." A firefighter alerts the other emergency responders.

The next thirty minutes are the most excruciating in my life as I watch my son's body being lifted by five men onto a gurney without him making a sound. Next Henry is removed from the other side and just in time because the car catches fire as the are moving them out.

There are cuts and bruises covering their bodies and I hear a gasp escape Seth's voice when the boys pass by us on the way to the ambulances. Sam and Paul are shaking next to us and are losing control over their wolves. I notice my eyesight getting blurry as tears stream down my face.

"How did this happen? Those trucks didn't even try to stop. Could this have been done purposely?" I suggest.

"Why do you think that? Could it be wrong place, wrong time?" Sam reasons.

"We shouldn't have brought them here, Jake. Ever since we moved back things have been rough on all of us but this takes the cake."

"We need to be strong for them. At least they will heal because of their wolves."

"Where are you taking them?" Paul asks the paramedics.

"Forks."

"Our doctor will meet you their."

The ambulances drive away as Paul contacts Carlisle and asks him to meet us at the hospital so that the doctors don't catch on to our high temperatures. Good thing he was thinking about that because I wasn't. Some alpha I am.

Arriving at the emergency room, we are told to wait to hear from the doctors who are working on our children. Seth and I hold each others hands while Sam and Paul hold us as well. Everyone slowly streams in over the next two hours without hearing a word from anyone. Starting to get antsy, I stand up and head over to the desk to speak with the nurse to get some answers.

Carlisle walks in and tells us that he had to stitch up some cuts and stop internal bleeding.

"They are resting now, but two people can go in at a time."

Paul and I walk into Billy's room while Sam and Seth walk into Henry's. Looking at my son, I cry tears of relief knowing that I have another day with him.

"What would we done if we lost him, Paulie? We need to fix our relationship with them now. This is too much now. I can't take it anymore. If this accident taught me anything, it taught me that life isn't set in stone."

"Okay Jay we will sort things out. For now lets sit and wait until he wakes up."

"Can you go and get Jason so he can sit with his imprint and we can come back in the morning?"

Paul leaves the room and I take Billy's hand telling him it will be okay and that I love him. William's eyes flutter open as I get up to leave.

"Pops? What's going on? Where am I?"

"In the hospital, you were attacked. Do you remember anything?"

"Two trucks coming at Henry and I. Oh shit is Henry okay?"

"Yes, he is in the other room with his parents."

"Okay."

"Can we talk? I need to clear the air, son. I almost lost you today and I was so scared I would never get to hold you or talk to you again."

"I'm over it now dad. This accident taught me to let go of all the anger I felt. It will take some time to adjust to the information you gave me. Just know that I want to make this work."

I squeeze his hand and tell him I love him. At that moment, Jason walks in and I get up to let him stay with William while I head home with the others.

"Rest up pup. We'll talk tomorrow." Paul taps his arm lightly and we walk out the room.

"Is he okay?" Dad asks as everyone waits to hear from us.

"Yeah you guys can see him in the morning."

As we walk out of the hospital my heart is pounding knowing that something doesn't feel right. What that is I don't know just yet.

~Unknown~

I was able to deliver the packages without issues.

Afterwards, I focused on the next step of my plan which went over flawlessly. Thanks to step two, things are moving into place for the final phase of my plan. I must say that this plan is one of my best. Now all I need is confirmation of payment receive and kill order made. Then it will be lights out for them. Suddenly my phone goes off, could this be it? I open my phone and it seems that they are asking for more time. My first reaction was going to be that they don't want to go through with this but I take to heart what my partner said and take a breather. I grant them three more days before I take matters into my own hands and decide. In the end, somebody will be dead.

Let the games begin.