Chapter Sixty Nine

Johnny H

I was waiting for information from one of the vampires about the attack on Grape Island after learning of it. I asked questions myself and knew this could cause problems for my people. If the vampires thought there was any danger that the guardian tribes would ignore my orders they might decide it was time to declare war, picking off the tribes one at a time starting with the smaller or more volatile ones. This was a problem brought about by Leah Clearwaters actions. I should have realised she hadn't chosen to stay in wolf form to start a new life. She chose to remain wolf so she could attack Bella Swan and avenge the death of her pack at the hands of the Cullens and The Major. If she had just waited a few more weeks her human nature would have slipped away leaving her as a natural wolf. It took time for an ex guardian to take the nature of his or her animal form if stopped from phasing. It was my fault this had happened, a mistake I shouldn't have made and one I had to put right if I could. The other thing that concerned me was her companion, Joseph was a guardian, one who had been on the edges of a pack for some time, never fully becoming a member for some strange reason, It was as if he were not phasing completely and therefore never felt the full force of an Alpha command. He was unhappy, discontented and an easy target for Leah's influence but it put his own pack in jeopardy. I couldn't be seen to go easy on one tribe after using such serious punishments over the Quileutes actions.

I travelled to the Oil Springs Reservation to speak with Joseph's elders and his Alpha so I would have something to tell whoever of the vampires contacted me. The elders were unaware of what had happened which meant the Alpha was hiding it from them, not a good sign.

"We have no knowledge of Joseph's whereabouts. He told his father he was looking for a job in Boston and would be staying with his Uncle but his uncle says he rang to say he had changed his mind."

"Did Joseph know a girl called Leah Clearwater?"

"Not that we are aware of but his father will be here in a moment and you can ask him yourself. Can you tell us what this is about? We were not aware the guardians had done anything to earn your displeasure."

"As soon as Joseph's father and the pack are here I will explain everything."

We waited in a nervous silence until the others arrived and were introduced. Joseph's father looked concerned but the pack Alpha looked worried, he knew what had happened if his pack didn't but that was highly unlikely unless none of them had phased since Joseph's death.

The elders began by introducing me to the newcomers and then it was my turn,

"I need to know if Joseph knew a girl called Leah Clearwater"

Joseph's father Henry White shook his head,

"No, why?"

"Because he accompanied Leah to Grape Island where both were killed."

"Killed? My son is dead? How? Why?"

"I am sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, I would have thought Caleb could have told you but obviously not."

Henry turned to the pack Alpha.

"You knew Joseph was dead yet you let me continue to worry about his whereabouts? You told me he hadn't phased so you couldn't speak to him, ask him to come home? Why?"

"Let me answer that. Caleb didn't tell you because he knew Joseph had broken a direct order from me. The guardians were told to stay away from a certain girl and her friends yet he went to the island to kill her."

"But why? And who is this Leah Clearwater he was with?"

"Leah was the last remaining member of the Quileute pack, you may have heard of them."

"Yes we heard what happened, they disgraced us all but why would this girl be involved with my son?"

"Caleb?"

The Alpha scowled at me but had to answer,

"Joseph heard about the Quileute pack and felt they had been harshly treated under the circumstances. I told him he was wrong, that all we have that puts us above our enemies is our honour. He had tried to contact the Quileutes but couldn't find any of them, then he told me he wanted to go to Boston, to look for work. I didn't know he had made contact with Leah."

"Really? Well since Leah was in wolf form I assume you have not phased since the Quileutes were banished from their lands?"

"Of course we have, we look after our own and we cannot do that in human form."

"Then it would be easy for Leah to contact Joseph which also means that you, by your own admission, knew Joseph had spoken to her."

"Well if I did, what of it?"

"Why did you not give him a command to stay on the reservation or to return?"

"I gave him his freedom. He was a bad influence here on the reservation, he stirred up trouble. I thought if he and this girl got together he might grow up."

"Why didn't you contact me if you had a problem in your pack? Or tell the elders? You have a responsibility to keep your pack as a unit."

"I was worried once we heard about the Quileutes that you might do the same to us"

"Your problem was nothing like theirs and this was going on before the Quileute problem"

He had nothing to say, he merely shrugged as if that were sufficient an answer.

"Once again I find myself dealing with the fall out from rogue guardians and I find it sad. I do everything I can to help where there are problems but I need to be kept informed and so do your elders. It's a part of being a pack Alpha, yet you decided you knew better. Well Caleb it would seem your pack is going to be needing a new Alpha, who is your pack second in command?"

A young man stepped forward from the assembled pack.

"What did you have to say about Caleb's inaction?"

He glanced hurriedly at Caleb then sighed,

"I told him it was wrong. That Joseph would cause trouble for the pack. That he should speak to the elders and ask their advice and give him a command to stay on the reservation and not to phase but he didn't listen to me."

"So you think what he did was wrong?"

"Yes but I would not undermine him, he is my Alpha and I follow him"

"Not any longer, what is your name?"

"Hal"

"Then Hal you are the new pack Alpha on my command. Take your pack and instruct them on the correct way to behave, as a pack. Caleb you have the same choices I gave the Quileute survivors. Phase and remain in your guardian form, a wolf, for life or come with me, either way you will never be allowed to phase again. I cannot have guardians I cannot trust and I have other matters to deal with as a result of Joseph's actions."

I waited, the elders were silent but I saw a couple of nods at my words, they understood we had to stand together or fall.

"I'll go with you"

I nodded,

"A good choice. I'm leaving in an hour be ready. In the meantime I will talk with the elders, you may go".

I knew as soon as he got out of my sight he would attempt to phase and run, I'd been around far too long to be caught like that and I waited a few seconds then turned to the elders,

"Please excuse me for one minute"

I went outside to see a lone wolf surrounded by his old pack, they would not let him leave without permission.

"I see you changed your mind Caleb, so be it. Hal, keep watch over Caleb for the next two weeks, after that you may let him go."

Hal who could communicate with me through thoughts spoke,

"Let him go?"

"Yes, by that time his wolf nature will have taken over enough that he will be no danger to the tribe."

"But wont he be able to phase back?"

"No, I gave him a choice and he chose, now he must live with that choice."