Chapter Forty Two

Jake

Charlie was livid but there wasn't much he could do while I was speeding towards the Reservation so I kept my foot to the floor, praying he hadn't set a speed trap for this road today. He hadn't, and I breathed a bit easier when we crossed the boundary onto the Res. I pulled up outside Billy's and almost dragged him in to the cabin much to the astonishment of Billy and Harry who were playing cards at the kitchen table.

"Jake what the hell are you doing to Charlie?"

Billy asked as Charlie tried to wrestle free of my grip,

"We've just come from the Cullen house"

I explained breathlessly trying to hold on to Charlie again who by now was ready to draw his gun.

"Oh."

That single sound stopped him dead, he looked at Billy and Harry before shrugging me off his arm and straightening his shirt.

"What does OH mean exactly Billy?"

"You'd better come through Charlie. Jake, can you ask Sam to join us."

Charlie

That single noise told me that at least part of the Cullen story was true and I stopped struggling with Jake. I followed Billy and Harry through to the little sitting room and sat down. There was an awkward silence as we waited for Jake to get back with Sam Uley, although why they needed him here was beyond me. Sam came in with a curt nod to us all and leaned against the wall beside Jake.

"So, is someone going to tell me what's going on? Because it's quite obvious there's some deep dark secret in Forks that everyone but the Police Chief is aware of."

"Charlie there are things better left in the dark and this was one of them, but I'm afraid now it will have to be told."

"Too right Billy and I want all of it, not just the edited version. I'm a big boy now and I'm sure I'll be able to cope with all the facts."

"I don't know how much Dr Cullen told you"

"Enough to know he's as crazy as a loon..."

"OK. Well, I know you've heard of our Legends Charlie."

"Yeah Yeah...Oh for fuck sake! You telling me the wolf men are real too?"

I looked round the room, fixing my glare on Sam and Jake as the probability sunk in,

"These are two of your wolves?"

Harry nodded,

"When The Cullens came back so did the wolves Charlie."

"Came back?"

"Yes. The Cullens were here many years ago and made a treaty with our ancestors not to hunt humans in exchange for their lives. The wolves would guard the tribe but not attack unless the treaty was broken."

"Ancestors? How old are the Cullens?"

"I don't know, but old Charlie, much older than any of us. Anyway, some years ago another of our enemy turned up in Forks and arranged a meeting with a certain human. We didn't know until it was too late. There was nothing we could do to save her. The wolves were dormant as there had been no threat from the Cold Ones for so long."

"Her? You knew about Renee and this Vampire? And you did nothing?"

"There was nothing we could do. By the time we were aware of his visit it was already too late."

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't she?"

"Would you have believed us? You hardly believe it now Charlie. We gave Renee an amulet for her daughter to wear to keep her safe, the Cold Ones can't see the wolves and the amulet contained wolf hair. We also gave a photograph of some Others who we knew were trying to keep these children safe. It was all we had."

"If they can't see the wolves why didn't you suggest she come live on the Reservation?"

"We did, and how could she have told you why? She was too ashamed of what had happened to stay, so she ran."

"And you let me think she'd just gone off because she didn't love me any more? You left her with no one, no protection, nothing except a fucking bracelet."

"It was the easiest way Charlie and ultimately her choice."

"So Bella is the daughter of one of these Cold Ones?"

"Yes I'm afraid so. She's part vampire Charlie. Since she got back we've been watching out for her but luckily the Guardians were already here."

"Guardians? There are more freaks out there?"

Jake laughed,

"Yeah you nearly got your head ripped off by one of them Charlie"

"Jasper is one of these Guardians? He's been watching out for Bella?"

"Yes. Along with the other two. But her father found out where she was and tried to snatch her. Jasper saved her but when you started stamping your feet he had to come back and leave her with another. What happened after that we only know through Jake."

"Excuse me for being ignorant but if the Wolves and the Cold Ones are such deadly enemies then how come Jake was at the Cullens today?"

"He is our contact with them while Bella is here. She is more important than our fight...for now."

I sat back in my chair, a hollow feeling in my stomach and a pounding head.

"So Bella isn't my daughter after all, and you knew this all along"

"It doesn't matter Charlie. She sees you as her father, loves you like a father and you love her. Renee tried to protect both of you as best she could."

"What do I do now Billy?"

Jake pushed off the wall,

"Carry on being her Dad Charlie. She's still Bella after all."

I nodded thoughtfully,

"Is there anything else we can do to keep her safe?"

Jake smiled broadly,

"She has the best security available Charlie. One of the Guardians is in love with her and the other two are standing at his shoulders, the wolf pack is patrolling and The Cullens are on alert too. She's better guarded than any royalty."

"I guess when you put it like that I can't argue. So, now what? I guess I have to go back to Carlisle and apologise, and more importantly to Bella."

"They'll understand Charlie all of them. It's a lot to take in, I know."

"Wolf men and Vampires? Who'd have thought in quiet Forks!"

"That's why it IS quiet Forks Charlie."

Sam

They were missing something so I thought I'd better bring it up before Charlie left,

"Billy, Harry, we do have a new problem now, Jake told me about it earlier."

"Another one Sam?"

"Charlie is a target now too, once the Volturi find out he knows."

Charlie looked at me,

"The Who?"

"It's the Cold Ones hierarchy, their governing body I guess. They have one law that is strictly enforced and you have now broken it."

"Well that makes a change. What did I do?"

"You know. The law states "keep the humans in the dark." It's not permitted for a human to know about the Cold Ones, so you are now a target and another job for us and the Guardians."

"You think they'll find out and come looking to kill me?"

"Without a doubt, and you could be used as a lever to get Bella to Volterra. Which is where her father is waiting for her."