Alphas & Jr. Alpha
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters and receive no form of monetary payment for them. Only payment received are the reviews from readers and my own self-satisfaction in watching my ideas take form.
Eleven Years Later…
The air was cool and felt like a welcomed relief on his face. The scent of pine, moss, rain, the ocean and a myriad of flowers assaulted his senses. His mother, Renesmee, sat up in the front seat, unwillingly, next to his father, Jacob, who was driving them to their new home. Renesmee had finally quit complaining about…well, everything: from the move, the speed Jacob was driving, the windows being rolled down (which was messing up her hair), how thirsty she was and whatever else her pampered brain could think of. Jay had stopped listening hours ago.
Jacob had finally had enough and decided to move his small family to the Olympic Peninsula. Jay had managed to glean from his father's errant thoughts that eventually they'd move into the reservation. He wasn't quite sure what the difference was or what a reservation even looked like. He had gleaned from his parents' arguments and Renesmee's vain attempt to dissuade Jay from wanting to express any interest in the move by speaking of the poverty, the dirt, the drug abuse and drunkard Indians. She had only been so bold to speak ill of an entire race when she felt assured that Jacob was nowhere within earshot. Jay, diplomatically, remained indifferent to either parent's attempt to win his favor.
Renesmee had played her final hand and threatened to tell her parents on Jacob if he would not change his mind about moving to La Push; a very mature act on her part. Jacob had played his own and threatened to tell them himself and have her put up with her own family's judgment about the treatment and attitude towards her own son. Jay had raised an inquisitive eyebrow and looked back and forth between his parents in curiosity. He hated being used as some sort of pawn in their relationship – if it could even be called that. But he silently observed waiting to see which parent would lose their cool first – generally, it was Renesmee.
"You still alive back there, Jay?" Jay only grunted a response back to his father before pulling out his iPhone and plugging his ears.
Jay hadn't had the normal childhood and part of it was because he wasn't a normal child. How many children changed into giant wolves just a few months shy of their fourth birthday? And how many of those children belonged to a coven of vampires? Or were the cross between a half-vampire and wolf shape shifter?
His family didn't have the usual family 'outings'. Instead of picnics in a park there used to be 'hunting' trips that as far back as he could remember he hated. Watching his uncles, aunts, mother, grandparents and great grandparents drink the blood of some unsuspecting woodland creature had disgusted him to the point that Bella had to take him kicking and screaming into the woods. He hated watching the spark of life in its eye slowly dull before eventually becoming a milky white. The smell of blood mixed in with the pungent stench of vampire upset his stomach and he learned to resent Jacob for leaving him behind – leaving him in the care of monsters that his classmates and movies told him were dangerous.
The hatred was slowly built up over time.
It was confusing having grown up with beings that didn't age themselves. The relational terms usually clearly defined to a child from birth were haphazard and chaotic at best. Bella and Edward were not to be called Grandma and Grandpa out in public because they didn't look the part. Renesmee hated the title of mother to begin with. And he always stuck out like a sore thumb with his tanned skin compared to the pale – near alabaster color of his so-called 'family'. At four, Jay had taken it upon himself to just call everyone by their name and when questioned about his lineage or heritage he only confessed to having Jacob Black as his father.
It was just more prudent to lie and live out the lie then setup parameters. With an indifferent mother and distant father it was hard for Jay to be empathic to Bella's feelings when she asked how her 'grandson was doing'. At nine years old, Jay had shrugged and told her that maybe she needed to go find him and ask.
The Blacks had stopped living with the Cullens not too long after Jay's first transformation. Jacob and Jay were not welcomed among Rosalie and her 'children'. They were all hybrids, like Renesmee, and a dark mark in the Cullens' stellar reputation. Rosalie had missed having a baby around after Renesmee had reached full maturity and after leaving La Push had immediately set out to find the appropriate surrogates for Emmett's children. Last Jay overheard, she had five hybrids: four girls and one boy that still lived with her. The others had hit their full maturity and struck out to see the world on their own. The Cullens frowned on Rosalie's actions and decisions as none of the mothers survived but could not find it in their hearts to turn her away. Esme loved having more mouths to feed, Renesmee enjoyed the company and Alice loved dressing them up like dolls. Jacob was the only one who loathed them and that was because Rosalie was mistreating innocent humans and he could do nothing about it.
Another reason to resent Jacob: Jacob had informed Jay why he had transformed and some of the legends behind their heritage. They were meant to protect and yet…Jacob never did anything to protect anyone. If his own father couldn't be bothered to care or protect anyone than why should he?
Jacob and Jay had finally had enough when the 'cousins' had grown tired of Jay's absolute refusal to drink blood. One day, away from the watchful gaze of their parents and family, Eliza, Rosalie's third child, managed to pin Jay down to the ground while her sisters ran off to find the proper 'first meal' for their highly confused cousin. Jay had fought and screamed with all his might; Eliza's hold hurting his tiny wrists as his body began to ache and burn all over. Lindsay returned with a freshly killed deer and without a moment's hesitation ripped its throat out leaving the blood to spill out on Jay's face. The blood was everywhere: his face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears. The smell was awful and he felt awful. He was weak, exposed and unprotected. It was then when he transformed into a small wolf; the change forced his quickly growing body forward and what had once been a small mouth with simple baby teeth became a huge jaw with sharp canines that tore into Lindsay's face before clamping down.
The others seeing the vicious assault upon their sister pounced upon the young wolf cub biting, punching and clawing at him. Jay eventually released Lindsay and ran away as fast his legs would carry him, leaving blood and devastation behind. Jacob had found him no less than an hour later and calmly licked the blood away from his fur. A wall had been placed between the two preventing Jay from feeling the anger, rage and hatred Jacob Black suddenly felt for 'Blondie and her brood'.
Jay was deemed a 'danger' to his family which Jacob viciously snarled at, holding the 'spoiled bitches' accountable for having attacked him and triggered the transformation to begin with. The Cullens were divided with Carlisle and Esme trying to bring an amicable peace back between their family while Bella and Edward held Rosalie completely responsible for her step-children. Jasper and Alice remained completely indifferent.
Jacob had then packed up his son and left, Renesmee in tow. Unanswered questions suddenly made sense during that time: why Jay couldn't stand being touched or held by the vampires and his strong disgust for the blood drinking. Renesmee only disdainfully gloated over how she was right – that E.J. was more dog then boy. In a heated argument it was made clear that the only reason Renesmee moved out with her husband and son wasn't due to familial ties but because she was tired of the moral lectures meted out by Edward overhearing her continually 'inappropriate thoughts' towards Jacob and Jay.
With a blank expression and bored yawn Jay looked on as a huge white mansion appeared in the windshield. He could not help the mild frown of disappointment as the home looked just like the one built in France and silently he prayed to a God, he really didn't believe in, that the inside or the decorating would have something…different about it.
The rooms held a musty scent, the dust of disuse covered everything but even underneath the dust covered sheets and with the scant few rays of light that snuck in through the closed shades he could see every distinct detail of the furniture in the house. The Blacks had moved from Nome, Alaska to the rainy Olympic Peninsula. The closest town was a thirty minute drive; a small and sleepy town called Forks. He'd been told that this is where everything that he knew and, supposedly, loved had its beginning. The house was beautiful in an over-the-top flaunting of one's wealth kind of way. Each room was well furnished and Renesmee had promised him choice pick of whatever room or cottage he wanted. There was a highly strong emphasis on 'cottage'. Jay had entertained the idea of foregoing the cottage and simply staying in the main house just for the sick and twisted pleasure of annoying Renesmee.
The only plus to the new abode were the huge windows that went from ceiling to floor. The windows made the place look so much bigger, gave the impression that you were standing outside just mere feet from the forest. The forest. His heart raced with the idea of exploring his new territory.
Drowning out Renesmee's anxious and busy chattering, he stepped outside to be even closer to the border. The smell outside was something far stronger, warmer and seductive then the inside. The trees and the promise of endless new trails to explore had serenaded him since they crossed the Canadian border, pulling him every closer. The scent was foreign and yet familiar and he couldn't help but feel as if he'd waited his whole life for this moment. That he'd spent his whole life searching for this place and here it was – it had always been here.
His father's boots pounded loudly on the marble floor inside before hollowing out on the stone steps and practically silenced once he was in the grass. Jacob just had a strong presence about him. Without looking back Jay could feel Jacob towering over him, just the overcast of his shadow commanding power and dominance. Maybe it's the fact that he's fourteen, a boy working his way into manhood, or it could be due to the unexplainable distance between father and son but Jay had found that he resented his father. Resented him for the power, confidence and aura about him – something that Jay doesn't have yet with long and gangly limbs, feet that are too big for him to walk six feet without stumbling over them and hands that are too big to handle the most simplest of tasks.
"Heads up, Jay," Jacob calmly stated. The only knowledge shared between the two is a quick jerk of Jacob's head towards the forest. Jay's attention had been so focused on comparing his body with Jacob's that he hadn't noticed the fast moving objects just within the cover of the trees. Huge and dark shapes passed in and between the trees, moving like dark shadows or magical sentries. Instinct took over, or maybe it was his body imitating his father's, but he stiffened, muscles tensed and nostrils flared trying to take in these strange creatures' scent. He was able to pick up on six distinct scents and a corner of his lips quirked for a second into a smirk as the estimated six wolves emerged.
"They just want to check us out, see who we are." Jacob explained with a deep frown marring his face. Jay's body hummed with the excitement as the largest wolf in the pack stepped forward his coat a rich and lush mixture of light and dark grey – in the right kind of light it seemed to shimmer with a hint of red but vanished as he fully stepped into the light.
The wolf's nose twitched as his eyes took in the man and boy before him, a low growl of warning rumbling from his throat.
"He's new." Jacob commented softly and so low that Jay had to strain his ears to hear him. It did not seem as if Jacob recognized any of the wolves before him and the prospect of meeting others who were almost like him had the wolf inside of Jay yelping with excitement.
"Calm down," Jacob growled out as the largest wolf, quickly went into the cover of the trees and returned wearing nothing more than a pair of old, worn jean shorts. Jay's eyes widened to see a huge man walk out, his eyes almost black and still bearing the feral and regal power of a dangerous creature. His hair just barely shoulder length but was wild, shaggy with a slight wave to the locks. The muscles underneath his russet skin moved with a fluidity that Jay had only ever seen in Jacob and frowned in frustration curious when he'd have the same body.
"State your name and your business here." He barked out resuming his previous position at the head of the pack. His biceps bulged as he crossed his arms.
"I'm not answering some lowly ranked wolf." Jacob scoffed having crossed his own arms and smirking at the wolf. "Where's your Alpha?"
"You're looking at him." The man answered back with a matching smirk. Jay's eyebrows raised curious who this person was and how he became Alpha. Jacob didn't talk much, openly, about the wolf pack other than that the Black line were meant to be the Chief of the Quileutes and by birthright Jay would be Alpha of the pack.
The air of arrogance and nonchalance that Jacob was presenting quickly disappeared and was replaced with anger at the man's response.
"What – what did you say?" Jay couldn't help but take a cautious step back as Jacob's arms began to tremble.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that I had stuttered. I said that I am the Alpha. Now what the fuck do you want?" The rest of the wolves growled in support of their Alpha and Jay couldn't help but feel intimidated and a bit frightened as the pack began to slowly spread out – as if to circle them. "Obviously, you want to play dumb or maybe it's the just the imprint that has made you the fuckin' pussy that stands before us." Jay's head whipped around to face the Alpha, his voice dripping with animosity, disgust and violence. "I thought it was made explicitly clear that the Cullens weren't allowed back here."
Jay could practically taste the danger that they were in and it tasted bitter. Renesmee was never a fighter and Jay had lost all interest in play fighting when he became twelve – the age where he was too cool to rough house with his father. Now as he looked at six inch saliva glistening fangs he really wished he'd kept it up.
"We're not Cullens." Jacob growled out.
"Really, are you sure about that? You certainly do smell like a leech. Both of you are dressed up pretty fancy too which means you've been spending Cullen money. I guess all we'd need is a sunny day and I bet you two would sparkle like fuckin' fairy tiaras too or at least your fur would shimmer like y'all were coated in glitter." The man's teasing smirk became a full out dark and sinister smile and Jay knew that he was goading Jacob into a fight.
"You smart-mouth lil' piece of,"
"Watch it, Black." Jay's eyes widened as a tall and leggy woman walked out from the cover of trees. The smile on the man's face fell and the air of dominance that was exuding just moment's ago seemed to have melted away. The woman was a tanned olive complexion, straight black hair, hazel-colored eyes and lush full lips. The jeans and tank top she wore did little to hide her body other than provide cover for what would be deemed inappropriate in most public areas.
"Leah," Jacob breathed out. Jay had to do a double take because Jacob's shoulders had slumped, the fight knocked out of him and his eyes greedily feasted on the woman before him.
"I see you met Jett." Leah said with a proud smirk before slapping Jett upside the back of his head. She winked at him as he hissed out a low 'ow' and with a pout began to profusely rub the back of his head.
"Hey Jake," Leah greeted stopping three feet away from Jay and Jacob. Her tone was warm, soft and inviting. So inviting that Jacob didn't hesitant in closing the gap and pulled Leah in for a tight hug.
Jay wasn't the only one surprised by the sign of affection as it took a while for Leah to overcome her surprise before she wrapped her arms around Jacob's back, hugging him tightly. All Jay heard were soft murmured words rumbling from Jacob. It was hard to tell as he seemed to not only be whispering to her but into the top of her head as well.
It was shocking and embarrassing as Jay couldn't remember ever seeing his father invade someone's personal space unless it was meant to intimidate or react to anyone so…warmly and informally. The moment didn't last long as some men came out of the woods and Renesmee came from inside the house.
"Jake?" One of the men called out, a smile breaking out across his face. He had Jacob's matching russet skin but his shoulders were slightly broader but he lacked Jacob's height.
"Quil?" Jay stood silently aside, feeling a bit relieved as the wolf pack had backed off seeing Jacob Black being greeted by the older wolves. The La Push pack seemed to consist of ten wolves: Leah Clearwater, Quil Ateara, Embry Call, Seth Clearwater, Jett and the rest of the wolves who hadn't been named yet.
Renesmee had cleared her throat before the introductions could be continued. She stood on the back porch, arms crossed and a look of annoyed indignation etched across her face.
"Renesmee." Leah created simply, nodding her head at the woman.
"Bitch." Renesmee snapped back. The wolves growled angrily at the insult thrown at their female but Leah only chuckled dryly at the insult.
"You really need to learn to put a muzzle on that, Jake." Leah stated turning to face Jacob. "Or I might have to do it myself." Jay looked back at Renesmee to find her face flushed a deep red, her thin lips practically none existent as they had turned a pale color matching the rest of her face. Her chocolate brown eyes were trying to melt Leah's face but the woman seemed unaffected.
"Leah Clearwater," Jay's eyes widened as Leah turned and offered her hand.
"J-Jay Black." He answered slowly and numbly shaking her hand. Her hand was about the same size as his, her fingers lean and long. He could feel a small callous here or there but there was a gentleness in her grasp that was inviting. Her handshake wasn't weak…but it was strong. He trusted and respected this Leah Clearwater completely.
"It's Edward Jacob Black," Renesmee amended.
"I'll muzzle mine once you muzzle yours." Leah had raised an inquisitive eyebrow as Jett snarled challengingly. "He said that he was Alpha." Obviously the statement was meant to rile Leah up or make her feel in some way threatened by the bold claim. Instead, the two only exchanged looks, Jett still held his smug smirk and Leah questioning what the issue was.
"Okay…I have no issue with that. Since it is true – more like Jr. Alpha, actually." Leah answered with a shrug.
"Junior Alpha?" Jacob questioned hesitantly. The title was repeated slowly as if he had tasted the words in his mouth and trying to grasp the idea of what the title meant and why it was given. "By what right?" Jay couldn't understand why Jacob was so hard pressed to find about Jett and his title. He'd given up all rights and privileges when he left home.
"Jett's my son," Leah answered smiling. Jay couldn't hold back his shock any more than Jacob and Renesmee could. Jett looked like he was in his early twenties and Jay wondered how old Leah was.
"Your son?"
"You had a kid?" Jacob and Renesmee questioned respectively and in unison.
"How old are you?" Jay asked unable to contain his own curiosity.
"Yes, yes and I'm sixteen." Jett stated answering each question in order they were asked.
"Sixteen?" Jacob breathed out. Jay felt the air electrify as Jacob's mood shifted from confusion to mull over concentration with a hint of anger. His attention focused on the ground.
Jay shared the same surprise because it meant that this 'man' was only two years older than him. Could two years really make that big of a difference?
"So what brings you all back to these neck of the woods?" The man named Seth asked with a weak smile on his face and he seemed desperate for a subject change.
"He wanted to move back here." Renesmee answered nodding her head in Jacob's direction and thereby clearing herself of any possible misgivings.
"Why?" Embry asked his eyes narrowing for a second. Renesmee only shrugged her shoulders but kept her eyes fixed on Leah but would then quickly catch a glimpse of Jett.
"The rest of your 'family' won't be coming, will they?" Leah asked, a low growl grumbling at the back of her throat.
"And if they are?" Renesmee challenged.
"If they are then we'll have to kill them." Leah stated never taking her gaze off of Jacob who was now glaring back at her.
Jay felt awkward standing so close to the middle of these many exchanges. Majority of everyone knew everyone else and there was varying levels of tension between alternating parties.
Jacob now seemed to have a problem with Leah.
Renesmee came out with a chip on her shoulder against Leah.
Leah seemed to barely tolerate Renesmee and had no tolerance for the Cullens which seemed to now hold Jacob fully responsible for.
Embry seemed distant with Jacob.
Seth seemed to like everyone and wanted to keep the peace.
Quil was indifferent to Renesmee and observed everyone else.
Jett made it clear that he hated the entire Black family just by marital association with the Cullens.
Jay had his own issues with his parents but was this really where Jacob wanted to live?
"What gives you the right to threaten my family?" Renesmee snarled. Leah put up an arm to stop Jett from tearing the girl apart.
"Your family has caused more than enough trouble to last us a couple of lifetimes." Leah stated with a frown. "Times have changed and the boys in our tribe cannot have their lives put on hold to babysit a coven of self-righteous vampires. Good intentions or not does not prevent anyone from phasing. I was left in charge and guess what? I'm not a Black and there are no surviving Black males with the ability to transform to honor that treaty. We kill any and all vampires that wander into our territory." The wolves all snarled and Jay's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't think that any of the shape shifters actually fought vampires – actually protected humans.
"So, if it's just a simple venom-less, harmless hybrid that'll be here then I'll pay extra close attention to the other boys on the Rez. If anyone shows any signs of change and there are no other vampires around then you'll have to leave. If you refuse then it will be seen as a threat and a challenge meaning that you will be put down." Jay swallowed the dry lump that had formed in his throat. Did this promise include him? There was something about Leah's tone and presence that commanded respect but Renesmee was always about challenging all authority and he'd never seen her not get her way until this move.
"Do I make myself clear?" Jay had quickly nodded his head and breathed out a 'yes ma'am'. The response amused Leah who smiled at him and then looked expectantly at his parents. "Jake?" Jacob slowly and reluctantly nodded his head.
"You wouldn't dare lay a hand on me." Renesmee whispered her voice and shaking shoulders betraying the confidence she was trying to put off.
"A lot of things have changed since you went away Loch Ness. But I'd hope that you'd recall that I was never one for empty threats." With a quick jerk of her head and a short, loud yelp the wolves tore off into the trees and the others began to slowly follow, issuing their good byes to Jacob. "Don't forget to go see Billy," Leah called over her shoulder flanked by Jett and Embry. "He may just get up outta his chair and walk when he sees you and the kid."
The moment she disappeared into the trees Renesmee turned around and stomped into the house cursing, grumbling and hissing. Jay looked up at Jacob whose eyes were still trained on the spot where Leah disappeared. There was some history there and a part of him wanted to ask: who she was (to Jacob), why the tension and what happened between them. But the other part of him didn't want to think of the possibilities or what-ifs.
"Jay," Jacob called turning to look down at his son. "Listen to me, no matter what we're not leaving here." Jay slowly nodded his head in agreement curious about the emphasis on 'we're'. "You are my son, the next-in-line to become Chief of the Quileutes after me. So you know what else that means?"
"It – it means I'm the next Alpha." Jay whispered it, his heart suddenly began to race and his throat was dry. Jacob nodded his head before turning to walk away.
"Never forget that."
Jay couldn't help but look back at the forest a bit frightened and intimidated. Jett was huge – definitely bigger than him. If it came down to a fight Jay had no delusions of grandeur that he'd win. Jett would kick his ass and probably not even break a sweat.
He would definitely be taking the cottage. Annoying Renesmee wasn't worth the inevitable lectures that would come, Jacob reminding Jay of his birthright and trying to turn his son into something that he never was – an Alpha.
A/N: Alright, so here goes the next chapter. I mean to upload this last night but I was distracted with Chopped. As the story progresses there will be insight into what has happened since the last two chapters which panes out to, can guess? About seventeen years. I love Leah too much and couldn't live her out of the limelight for too long.
I've never made is a secret that I hate Bella and just don't like Renesmee because of the stupid imprinting. But, I just do not see how you can raise a well-balanced child when her only 'friends' and interactions take place with adults who will cater to her every need, desire and whim. And so what happens when someone is told that the sun rises and set in their bleached ass? They start to believe it and when things don't go their way, what happens? All Hell breaks loose.
But just some warning in advance most of the chapters will be from Jett and Jay's point of views as they would be the closest to Leah and Jacob, respectively. But I do have at least one chapter thus far for Billy and Sue.
Thanks for all the reviews and I've never been one for consistently responding back to reviews. -_-; I know I suck monkey balls. So all reviews, views, alerts are greatly appreciated and I hope to get the next chapter out by Monday with the weekend depending.