Chapter 21: War What is it good for?
Friday night April 28th-2 days before may
Bella waved her friends goodbye as she watched them get in the car. Quil had somehow convinced Angela to go on a date with him and to make it less awkward, Rudy and a girl named Raven went out with them. Bella met Raven when they worked together on the play, and Bella thought the girl was amazing for Rudy and she was right. They seemed to click instantly.
As soon as their cars were out of the distance, Bella closed her door and breathed a sigh of relief. She was finally alone! Her pack was either working or on patrol, and with Rudy on his date, Bella had the house to herself! She could dance naked if she wanted to!
However, she had one important thing she needed to find out.
Walking into the bathroom, Bella stared at the stick she had peed on 15 minutes before her friends left.
"Ok, Bella you can do this. Just look at it! you already know what's it going to be just freaking look!" she said to herself.
For the past three months, Bella hadn't felt very good. She hid it very well, but the nausea was killing her.
Holding her breath, she picked up the test.
Positive
….
April 29th- Saturday night
Paul cracked his neck as he watched the final training session between the leeches and his pack.
Jane and Alec sat under the tree he was standing on. For this training session, Jasper had paired up the wolves against one of the Cullen's.
Just as Jasper was going to pair Edward with Sam, Paul dropped from the tree, his black cloak covering his whole body, his hood covering his face, while the mask he wore kept his eyes from being seen.
"Back up Sam, I want the mind reader," Paul growled.
Jasper and Edward crouched into defensive positions, but Jane and Alec stood in front of him.
"There will be no need for that. This is the representative. He's the highest guard in the Volturi, he sits right under the kings. Hurt him and it will be the death of you. but I ask that you do try, I would love to see it." Jane smirked.
"Jane, Alec stand down. Mind reader, get ready." Paul growled.
Jasper backed off as he looked at Paul suspiciously. As soon as Jasper gave the word, Edward launched himself at Paul.
The shapeshifter, however, stood stock still.
As soon as Edward was close, Paul ducked and grabbed hold of Edwards's legs snapping them off.
Edward fell face-first to the ground. Paul smiled underneath his mask and picked him up by the hair.
"Im going to enjoy watching you burn," Paul growled.
"I think that's enough training for now." Dr. Cullen tried to intervene.
Paul let Edward drop, a thud sounding as he stepped over him.
"Everyone listen up," Paul demanded as he motioned for both sides to come closer.
Sam approached him cautiously. He was in his wolf form looking at Paul in confusion. Paul sighed and took his mask off.
Sam's eyes widened as he took a step back.
"don't move," Paul ordered.
Sam froze.
"Now everyone listen up. We're going to attack the redhead and her army Friday, May 5th. Our goal is to be as inconspicuous as possible. This mission is about stealth. The redhead has her remaining newborns in a warehouse on the edge of Seattle. We are going to go in, tear them apart and burn them down. After that, you" he said pointing to Dr Cullen "and your family are to come immediately to Italy. I suggest you get your affairs in order. That will be all, Jane – "
A retching sound made everyone turn. Puking behind a bush was his mate.
Paul was by her side in an instant, holding her hair as she puked.
"Leah." He called. Leah trotted over to him.
"what's wrong with her!? she shouldn't be out here; the stress is too much for her!" the mind reader screeched as his coven mates began to put him back together.
"Excuse me, but I am a doctor, I can look at her."
Immediately the wolves crouched into defensive growls.
Paul put a hand up to silence them.
"Jane and Alec escort the coven back to their home. I will meet with you shortly."
"Yes, master." They said in unison.
Some of the Cullens tried to protest, but Jane threatened them a world of pain if they didn't shut up.
Once they were gone, Paul looked down at his mate. Her pupils were blown wide, her face was red, and she was still emptying her stomach.
"Hermosa?" he questioned in concern.
"Im ok. im ok. I ate some bad chicken today. That's all."
"Here Bella" Leah said as she phased back, handing his mate a bottle of water.
Bella drank it gratefully and pushed Paul away.
"Go. You have your mission to attend to." she urged.
"You are my mission." Paul rumbled.
Bella shook her head.
"no. go Paul. Now. You have to stay focused. Im going to go home and go to bed. You go intimidate the Cullens."
Pau's wolf whined. They didn't want to leave their mate.
Bella rubbed Paul's chest in comfort before she gently pushed him away.
"Go," she said firmly. Her emotions surrounded him. Love, trust. Protection. Pride.
His wolf preened. Their mate was proud of them.
With confidence, they kissed her on the forehead and then headed back to the leeches.
…
"Bella…what is going on? Why was Paul with the leeches?" Sam asked with a tinge of anger.
The pack was riled up. Their alpha had worn the darkest shade of black and a white mask that concealed his identity. But to make it worse it seemed he was in cahoots with the two red eyes.
"Everyone calm yourselves. Your alpha is not a traitor. He stumbled upon the vampire rulers years ago. They made a deal. He would help them eliminate any disobedient vampires and the Volturi would keep all vampires away from him and his family. And now that he is the alpha of this pack, the same protection falls under La Push. As soon as this battle is over. Your chances of running into nomad vampires will be very slim."
A wave of understanding watched over the pack.
"Does that mean we won't have to phase anymore…?" Leah questioned quietly and yet hopeful.
Bella gave her sister a hopeful smile.
"You probably will only have to phase once a month."
The pack gasped.
"That means I could start surfing again." embry said.
"And we could take up more contracts," Sam said excitedly.
As the pack began to dream about what their lives would look like, Jacob Black brought it to a bitter end.
"you guys can't be serious. Paul is allied with the vampire government. He's on their side! They are going to come here and kill us all!"
Bella laughed.
"Jacob, the kings are afraid of Paul. They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The Volturi want us on their side not against then. I assure you we are safe and if they even think about betraying us, they will have to face Paul's wrath."
Jacob looked around as If they were crazy. he was going to discuss this with his father.
…
"Dad your gonna believe this!" Jacob yelled as he ran into the house.
His father wheeled out of the living to where Jacob stood trembling.
"Son, what is it?"
"That butt hole Paul is in cahoots with these red-eye leeches! It's crazy Dad!"
Billy's eyes went wide.
"Red eyes?" he questioned.
"Yes, dad."
"Hmm. We need to gather the council. Except for Charlie and Sue. They are biased in this."
By the time the council, not including Charlie and Sue arrived Billy had all the evidence he needed.
"Hello everyone let's get started."
"Chief Black, where is Charlie and Sue?" Gene Lahote asked suspiciously.
"They won't be needed for this meeting," Billy stated firmly. "Now, we need to discuss some of the actions of the pack. they have gone behind our back and chosen a different alpha for the pack. one who is not a member of the tribe. I think after they are done with this war, they need to be punished and the true alpha will need to step up. Which I think should be Jacob."
The council, however, looked at Billy in annoyance. Old Quil was the one to speak up.
"Chief Black, we believe you are misinformed. First of all, the new alpha is a member of the tribe. His name is in the tribe records. Number two, the pack has already spoken to us and has given us their viewpoint. We agree with them. Alpha Paul is doing a great job. He has found a job for the pack which is bringing in income for the tribe. He has found ways to protect the tribe and minimize the future pack from having to phase as much. He's doing a great job and is an upstanding citizen. He has many connections that could benefit us. "
Billy turned red as he heard old quils words.
"so you're having meetings without me? and since when do you all talk to the pack without me present?"
"Chief Black, you're a hypocrite. Are we not having a meeting without Charlie and sue swan? Besides, the pack called the meeting, not us and we are glad they did. You are trying to manipulate us and the pack." Thomas accused.
Billy tried to argue but Gene cut him off.
"No, chief black. You don't get to argue with us. this is unbecoming of you. your family is supposed to lead us, instead, you and your son manipulate and throw tantrums. I suggest you get your act together. If you don't, we will vote you out. besides, according to tribal law, the alpha is acting chief."
With that said, the council left their chief. If he kept this up, he wouldn't be their chief much longer.
….
Alice wrung her hands in desperation.
She couldn't see anything anymore. Not her family, not the Volturi, and definitely not Bella.
If she were honest, Alice felt betrayed. How could Bella just leave them like this? Leave Edward? Didn't she know how much Edward loved her? didn't she know how much she loved her?
Bella was her sister! She couldn't just leave them! Especially not for some dogs. The moment that dog touched her, Alice saw red.
This is why she had to do this! She needed Bella to see! To understand!
Alice gritted her teeth, as she came upon Victoria. The redhead getting in a defensive crouch but Alice put her hands up in surrender.
"Wait, im not here to fight! I came to warn you!" Alice yelled.
Victoria sat up.
"I'm all ears."
However, as Alice made the plan known she didn't realize that yellow eyes were watching her.
…
Paul held back a roar as he watched the seer betray her family and his pack. not that he trusted her in the first place. However, it seems, the pixie wanted to set things in motion. Well then so be it. he was willing to adjust.
With ease, he ducked into the shadows and made a phone call.
"Jane, get the Cullen's together, their little seer has made a deadly mistake."
And then Paul phased, his mind instantly connecting with his pack. including the ones who were phased.
My brothers and sister. The time for war is NOW! Gather yourselves! Colin, Brady, Jacob. You will protect my mate with your life! GO! We prepare for war.
….
Sam phased mid-air, as he joined his brothers and sister In formation.
Heads were about to roll.
….
Bella jumped as Jacob stormed into her house.
He was covered in mud and his eyes were yellow.
"Bella!" he yelled in throughout the house.
"Jacob? What is it what's-"Bella stopped as she felt Paul's pull.
War. It was time for war.
Bella shook and ran to the bathroom.
Jacob held her hair back as she puked.
…..
Paul was in a clearing. He was on his knees, his head bowed.
His pack was before him.
"Father in heaven, give us your strength! Help us to defeat these demons! We will give it our all! Amen!"
His pack howled in agreement. Paul howled with them.
It was time.