Chapter Nineteen

Harry Clearwater

The storm was wreaking havoc in the village with some of the older cabins leaking badly so with a sigh I followed Jared back out into the rain relieved to see that a couple of the youngsters had finished sheeting the cabin roof, at least no more rain would get in but as soon as the place dried up it would need a new one. I looked around for Sam but he had vanished which was most odd. He was usually there ready to help when we had a problem in the village and I decided to try finding him. I went over to Billy's place knowing Quil usually went there when the tribe had any problems and this storm certainly fell into that category. If Sam were anywhere he would be getting instructions from Quil but while Quil was there with Billy sitting beside the fire talking, there was no sign of Sam, or Jake for that matter. As I thought about it more I realised I hadn't seen any of the wolves except Jared since before the storm hit.

"So the Cullens have gone looking for Charlies daughter? We all know why don't we Harry?"

I shook my head,

"Why don't you tell me? I understand him asking them as he knew he would get no help from us."

"Bella is missing with their friend and if Bella is injured as a result of the accident and bleeding then she is already dead. The Cullens will try to find her body and cover up the real cause of death. Covering their backs Harry, that's what they are doing, they have no choice. If she was found with injuries consistent with a vampire attack then the treaty would be void. The Cullens would be dead."

"You mean the pack would be at liberty to kill them."

"Exactly, we would be rid of the Cold Ones for ever. Isn't that the best thing for the tribe Harry?"

"Quil I don't want them here any more than you do but we are tied by the treaty our forefathers sealed with them. Do you really think they would endanger that?"

"No, and that's why they were happy to help Charlie, he gave them the ideal excuse to be the ones to discover his daughter's body."

"Where's Sam? I haven't seen him helping in the village or any of the pack and we could certainly use their help."

"Keeping up patrols. We know there are nomadic vampires around and the chaos of this storm would give them the perfect opportunity to cause havoc."

"But all of them Quil? Surely they only need a few to patrol our borders, the others could join them quickly enough if needed."

"Are you questioning my decision Harry? I couldn't contact you when Sam came to speak to me so I gave him the instructions to keep us safe."

"No, not at all. I just wonder at its necessity especially with the damage occurring in the village."

Billy

I knew Harry was unhappy with Quils decision but he would be far less happy when he finally understood what had happened. I wasn't entirely in accord either but I could see this was probably our only chance to rid ourselves of the Cullens permanently and break the curse of the wolf pack. I didn't want my son to become one of the shape shifter guardians. I wanted a normal life for him, the life I had been blessed with when the family stayed away as I grew up. When they reappeared I knew it was only a matter of time before the wolves started to phase once more and then it happened to my son. He had been scared and confused when he phased back to his human form and when Sam came to collect him and introduce him to the pack I could see myself alone, losing my only son to the curse. If only the Cullens would stay away but they seemed to like Forks and that was the fault of our ancestors who had been sweet talked by Carlisle into the treaty that kept the Cold Ones safe from the predation of the wolf pack. When Sam had come to Quil and I with his plan I had been against it, putting a human in danger or even allowing a leech to kill in order to break the treaty, especially Charlie's daughter but Sam had tried to assure us that he could keep Bella safe.

"We've been watching the friend and he's been involving himself with her. She flies to Seattle tomorrow and I happen to know that Chief Swan will be at a meeting and unable to pick her up in person. The leech will be looking for her at the airport. If whoever Chief Swan sends to collect her doesn't turn up she will accept a lift from him."

"How do you know all this Sam?"

"A gifted seer from Paul's uncle's tribe. There's a bad storm rolling in so she wont want to be trapped at the airport. We'll arrange for the car to be involved in an accident, enough that they are forced to continue on foot."

"And what if this accident causes death or injury to the Chief's daughter?"

"It wont, we've seen the outcome remember."

"You put a lot of faith in this seer Sam."

"She's never been wrong yet and I want this over. Its ruining my life, its ruining all our lives, the young men of this tribe should be enjoying their youth not changing into wolves to protect the tribe. Once the Cullens are gone we will have peace once more. To me that's worth one death if necessary."

"I don't see what you hope to achieve."

"Once Chief Swan finds his daughter is out there alone with a vampire what do you think he'll do?"

"Well he wont ask us for help. We've made our position only too clear."

"Exactly Billy, he'll ask the Cullens and when they don't find his daughter and we do she will be in danger of being killed or dead. My seer wasn't too clear on that. Either way Charlie will run them out of Forks himself or give us the opening we need. A breach of the treaty. We can kill the Cullens, no more Cold Ones, no more wolves."

"I thought you said Bella would be OK"

"It's a little unclear but its our best hope of ridding ourselves of the leeches."

"If the Cullens find her alive then your plan makes no sense."

"They wont, they wont find her at all, we will and its our story Chief Swan will hear."

I knew they meant for Bella to be dead by vampire attack but what could I do? It was her or my son and the others in the pack.

Harry

I understood there was a secret plan in operation, one I was not privy to and I had a terrible feeling it was going to blow up in our faces.

"I want to know what the pack are doing. As an elder I have the right to that knowledge. Where are they?"

"Taking care of business Harry so just leave it."

I looked at Billy seeing the pain in his eyes,

"Are they involved in Bella Swans disappearance? What are you trying to do? You know if she dies her blood will be on our hands."

"We are prepared for that to save our young men Harry but I knew you wouldn't agree and we couldn't risk you vetoing the plan or even worse telling Charlie."

"But he's your friend Billy, you grew up together. How can you sit there so calmly when his daughter is in danger."

"I have faith in our pack Harry. One way or another this will be over soon."

"What if the vampire gets away safely with Bella? What if they turn up in Forks and tell her father what happened?"

"He wont, they wont and they can't prove anything."

A cold shiver ran down my back and I finally understood something Billy hadn't. Bella Swan was going to die at the hands of the vampire one way or another. Sam would make sure of that. This wasn't a hastily scrambled together plan, it had been worked out as soon as they saw Bella in theforest with the vampire. All they needed was an opportunity and he had given them a great one. An opportunity they weren't going to pass up.

"I have been an elder of this tribe for twenty years now and I've always been proud to hold that position but you are bringing shame to the Quileutes. A shame I want no part of"

I turned to walk away but Jared barred my way, arms folded, shaking his head,

"I'm sorry Harry but we will not allow you to ruin this so please sit down."

I was no match for the strength of the pack second and I took a seat hanging my head in impotent shame.