D: Disclaimed

Chapter Twenty

I've never knew what groggy was until now. It was horrible. It was a task to keep my eyes open. The moment I looked in the mirror was a surprise to me. There were bags under my eyes, and my eyes were red around the edges as if I lacked sleep for a while. None of it was making sense. I washed my face, but I still felt like sleeping longer. What had surprised me even more was that it was 9am and I was sure that I had slept for almost twelve hours.

Something was definitely wrong.

"Are you okay Seb?" Seth stood at the door. "Should I be worried that you slept all night without getting up once. I thought four to six hours was more than enough for you."

"It's supposed to be." I replied confused, staring into the towel in thought, "I've been like that for the past two nights, but last night I slept longer."

"Maybe we should bring you to see Carlisle." He mentioned.

"I've been eating regular foods too." I mumbled. "The thought of drinking blood is beginning to sound less appetizing."

"Yeah, I think we need to find out what's going on." He suggested again, grabbing my things before I could reply.

"Wait," I stopped where I stood, "where's Jake?"

"He hasn't gotten home yet," Seth, replied with a shrug, "I'll leave a note to let him know where we are."

"But do you think he's okay Seth?" I asked concerned. "I'm beginning to worry."

"I'm sure that everything's fine," he replied with assurance, "right now, we need to see if everything is okay with you. Now hurry and get in the jeep."

I hadn't noticed until now that Seth hasn't been this comforting. I always knew that he was a nice guy, but I've never felt this safe with anyone other than Seth, it felt unreal at some points. His words were comforting, his thoughts were always positive, and he was always up front.

I missed him.

"Thank you Seth." I turned to him from the passenger seat, "even before I could count on Jake, you were always there."

"That's me," he chuckled, "the superhero."

"Have you always been this upbeat?"

"Some say I was born with a smile." He smirked. Teasing me with a nudge before changing the subject.

As I listened to Seth the entire ride to my grandparents, I couldn't help but hope that he got what he wanted. If an imprint was to his importance, than I hope that one day soon, the person… or supernatural being walks into his life. In a way, I think Seth is scared of being lonely. If he's willing and okay with having a male imprint too, why can't the others see it in his perception? Sometimes being in love is not to have a family, sometimes being in love is to complete someone, to change or alter their lives the only way you were meant to. Sort of like being that only one that could help a person better themselves?

I'm not entirely sure. Seth's perspective on it is interesting.

By the time we arrived at my grandparent's house, it seems grandma Esme was just returning. She was packing things in and out of the house before waving to us as we pulled up. As usual, she came racing to me and gave me a hug asking me how I've been. I couldn't be honest with her yet because I wasn't even sure. But when I had asked her if grandpa was home, she looked at me with concern before telling me that he was at the hospital until two.

"Can you actually call him in…" my automatic reaction was to nudge Seth, but I accidently elbowed him in the ribs. "What?"

"Is uncle Emmett here?" I tried changing the subject.

"He's with your aunt in Seattle visiting a friend…" she mumbled, still looking at me questionably, "… is something wrong Sebastian?"

"No." I replied nervously, "not really."

"Sebastian?" She asked sternly. "What is it sweetie?"

"It's nothing grandma." I smiled, "I just need to talk to grandpa before I exaggerate something."

"I'll give him a call." Before I could argue with her, she was already calling him and ordering me to come in.

I knew I would have to tell my grandma that something might be wrong, but I just hate worrying her and having her fuss over me like she is now. Unfortunately, it didn't help that she began cooking for Seth, because then I was wanted whatever it was. I had no clue to what it was that she was cooking, just that it smelled tasteful. But before I could actually relax and try what she called Jambalaya, grandpa Carlisle had arrived and already had practically been dragging me to the laboratory.

"Sebastian, son?" he smiled before sitting across from me, "I didn't expect to see you for awhile."

"I know I don't come around as often as I should grandpa."

"It's fine son," he interrupted, "I know you have your own life with Jacob now, eventually the visits will return to normal." He chuckled, "now, your grandma says you needed to see me. Is it under medical terms? Or do you just need to talk?"

"A bit of both," I replied nervously. "You see grandpa, I think I'm getting sick."

"But you can't," he stated bluntly, "I mean, your system is far more advanced than any humans, it might not be just as strong as ours, but the venom that runs through your system should still be strong enough to kill of any sicknesses."

"I know." I replied, "which is why I keep thinking that maybe I'm just changing in some way?"

"Changing?" He stared at me with a puzzled expression. "How so?"

"Well…" I paused with a sigh, "where do I start?" I was confused where to begin, it all connects in some way I'm sure, but where did it all begin? "I guess with the sleep."

"Sleep?" Grandpa leaned forward and held my hand for comfort.

"Yeah." I half-chuckled, "for the first time the other night, I slept more than four hours, and it had to have been one of the best sleeps I ever had in my entire life."

"How long did you sleep?"

"Seven hours." I looked at him nervously. "Then I started getting hungry."

"Hungry?" He looked concerned, "I thought I told Jacob to make sure your feeding supplies is kept up to par? Why hasn't he have been?"

"No, it's not that grandpa," I interrupted, "Jacob has been taking good care of me and has been keeping the blood supplies up, but it's just that, I don't care much for it as I used to."

"What do you mean? You don't crave it?"

"Not like I used to." I shrugged, "but when it comes to human food, I seem to be eating far more than I normally do. Last night at the barbeque is when I really started to notice the differences."

"Does Jacob know?" I shook my head. "Where is he anyways?"

"He was summoned by the council last night at the barbeque and hasn't returned since." I replied, "I didn't want to worry him more than he already is, and besides, with the council always one his back, I didn't need to put this on him too, especially if it's nothing."

"Well I'm going to run a few blood tests to what could be happening," he replied, "and if there is something wrong Seb, I will call Jacob and the others."

"Yeah," I didn't argue rather than just laid on the gurney, "fine."

"I'll be inserting the syringe so you might feel a little pinch." As he pushed he needle through, I could feel the blood leaving my system.

I couldn't recall much of what was going on. The room was silent until I could hear grandpa Carlisle call out my name in a panic. I couldn't hear much after that, and at that moment I was sure that I slipped into some type of coma.

Jacob

"IT'S AN ABOMINATION!" The elder shouted, "IT GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING OUR TRIBE REPRESENTS, AND IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THESE… ACTIONS OF YOURS, THEN YOU'RE A DISGRACE TO THE TRIBE AND THE PACK!"

"WHAT GIVES YOU THAT RIGHT TO LABEL ME?" I shouted back.

"Please lower your voices," Sam sat up front with a demanding tone, "we've agreed to discuss this civilly."

"But this is bullshit!" Paul called out next to me, "you may be on the council board, but that does not give you full authority to enforce this upon Jacob, especially if the ritual hasn't been fully performed without precautions."

"But we're willing to determine that this will work." The elder argued, "if the witch-doctor has done this before, he can do it again."

"At what cost?" I asked, "tell me this Sam, what are you willing to give in exchange to this man for breaking my bond?"

"He hasn't come forth with his proposition yet?" Sam replied in a monotone.

It almost seemed as if Sam wasn't too pleased to be sitting where he was. I've known him since we both began to phase, and to be put in that position, and to compare what I have with Sebastian to what he has with Emily, I believe he understands that sacredness of it all.

"So you're all willing to put me under the microscope just so I won't be considered as an abomination to our people and my pack?" I stared at every elder that sat up front.

Along the row, Wilfred Littlesea; the grandfather of Collin Littlesea and quiet and subtle to agree with whatever the council implied. Next to him, Quil SR. Atera, my best friends great-grandfather and the oldest on the council, he's the most insistent on breaking my imprint. He sees me as an insult to the tribe and pack. Sam sits in the center with Anna Fuller to his left. She's a very vocal woman who says what she wants. The only reason she remains on council is because of her great-nephew who doesn't give a shit about her. She's only here because she's the biggest homophobe I had ever met. Then at the end would be Anthony Uley, Sam's great-uncle and second oldest on the council. The man hardly speaks, but from what I understand, he doesn't care, but more of would rather focus on the enemies than what could be simply ignored.

"You've know this from the beginning Jacob," Anna spoke with disgust, "if the medicine man…"

"WITCH-DOCTOR ANNA!" Surprisingly Brady shouted.

"Witch-doctor," she corrected herself annoyingly. "as if there is a difference."

"YOU KNOW THERE IS!"

"LOWER THE VOICES!" Sam commanded once more.

"As I was saying," the woman cleared her throat before looking back at me, "if the witch-doctor can break this bond, then you can return to your duties as alpha and maybe can find a wife that can bring this all back to normal."

"FUCK YOU BITCH!" Tyler and Paul shouted at the woman.

"Excuse me!" She acted offended.

"You know damn well that you don't have that power, neither of you to take away a role that you know no one else could fill." Paul argued.

"Of course we can boy." Old Quil spoke, "a simple banishment will solve the case."

"I will follow no other." Tyler replied, "Jacob is my alpha, if he walks, I follow."

I wasn't too surprised to see everyone agree with a nod. We've discussed this before; somehow I've earned their respect enough for them to follow me, to support me. The council just didn't know what they were putting Sebastian and I through.

"Then Sam will be forced to reclaim his role and train the new generation." The elder spoke again.

"I most certainly will not." Sam argued. "Jacob is the rightful alpha, neither our power nor anyone else's is strict enough to take that away from him. I'm standing her as a neutral party, but you are forcing me to overstep your authorities. Do not think you're capable of enforcing my phase."

"But you are next to his throne!" Anna snarled.

"And I've had it!" Sam replied in the same tone. "Being alpha is not something you can simply pass over to another. It's a responsibility given to those who can handle and strive with it. I know the extremes I would face taking that from Jacob and his imprint."

"So what are you saying Sam?" Anthony asked his nephew with a witty smile.

"I'm saying that before I became a council member and leader, I'm Jacob's brother first." He stood up before the crowd. "If you choose to banish the hereditary leader from his position, my family will follow him wherever he may go."

"You can't put the tribe in that position!" Anna stood up appalled. "That means that any others that phase will seek you out for an alpha and we'd be left unprotected."

"Then Sebastian stays, and so does Jacob." Sam stated firmly. "I see no other choices for any of us. I'd rather have Jacob as my alpha and brother than be ordered by a group of people who believe they have that right to disrespect us in every way, especially when we done nothing but protect those people."

"Then I withdraw my candidacy from being at the council table." Anna spoke. "I want nothing to do with the tribe if we can't seem to control our own kids."

"You'll die a bitter old woman." Tyler replied bluntly.

"I withdraw my position as well." Old Quil spoke.

"That's fine." Sam nodded giving me a half-smile, "as of today, Wilfred and Anthony will remain on the table until they feel it's their time to leave. I; as leader of the council, order that the witch doctor summoned by Anna Fuller be asked to leave at her cost. What remains from then on will be discussed at the next pack meeting, for now; time has taking its toll on all of us. We shall gather tomorrow at noontime. Everyone dismissed."

I let out a big sigh of relief. It took more than twelve hours to discuss something unnecessary. I see where Sam stood at the moment; the council was basically putting his family at risk with personal threats laid on him and the each of us. It was made clear that neither Quil's grandpa nor Anna approved of Sebastian and I, but it didn't make sense to why other than them being homophobic.

"I want to thank each and everyone of you guys for standing up for me, but mostly for Sebastian." I addressed my pack brothers; "I just can't thank you enough."

"It's a family thing." Tyler shrugged as if was nothing.

"No getting soft on us Black, you'll have us second guessing." Paul teased.

"Yeah sure, sure." I laughed with them. "I'll meet you guys later. There's something I have to do."

Thankfully by then, the rest of the council had left, leaving me to speak to Sam alone as I hoped. He stood before me at fist in silence before pulling me in for a hug. "I will never question the spirits and their doings, and I'm sorry for not standing by you fully when you needed me most."

"But you saved us." I reminded him, "I get that the pressure is on Sam, but you came back and put the pack before anything. You know that we will do anything from here on to protect you and your family. We each owe you that."

"You owe me nothing brother," he smiled, "but the appreciation is there."

"Do you still…" I didn't much want to ask, but I was still curious.

"Question the imprint?" He finished my sentence, "not as much as I used to." He sighed and followed me out the small building. "But as I watched you and Sebastian, I can't seem to picture anyone else by your side. It may not be like Emily and I, but that doesn't mean it's any different. You have to understand Jacob as I have; Sebastian fills the void in some way. We yet need to discover this; otherwise the spirits wouldn't exist for that matter."

"I'm slowly getting it, and believe me, trying to convince Seb just the same is more difficult than I thought." I explained. "I love him so damn much, but he feels so guilty for not being able to provide everything that the other imprints can't."

"You mean a family? Children?" Sam asked. I nodded. "Maybe neither of you were meant to be parents, but in a different case, you were meant to have that big family. Though it really hasn't begun, I can see that eventually Sebastian and you will be that couple that everyone could see as the other parents."

"What do you mean?"

"The pack Jake." He continued. "The difference with our human sides and wolf sides is the way we raise our children, but that hasn't been the case lately. Take SJ for an example, he has never seen the difference in Sebastian, and the moment he seen Sebastian, he warmed up to him before any of us. And he looks up to you just as much as he does with me. It's like a god-parent type thing."

"I still don't get it." I shrugged embarrassed.

"With packs, the pups always look at the alpha and alpha's mate as parents as well because they know that they will through any lengths to protect them." He continued, "who's to say that our next generation won't look to you two as the same since we all know that you're both passionate about building the pack."

"Yeah," I chuckled, "I guess you're right. I never thought of it that way. I'll have to tell Sebastian when I get home."

In that moment the roaring engine pulling up disturbed us. It was Seth who in his jeep, racing before stopping before us in a panic. In an instance, I knew something was wrong with Sebastian, and he didn't need to tell either of us before we reacted.

"Where is he?" I asked quickly.

"The Cullen manor." He replied winding down his window. "Carlisle will explain the situation when you get there, I'm going to gather the pack and we'll meet you there."

Without another word, I nodded in agreement before jumping to my truck and racing past Seth and Sam and making my way to the highway back to Forks. Everything was a blur as I found myself speeding down the highway and reaching Forks in half the time it usually does. All I could think of was what could have happened to Sebastian in the time I was absent. I had always been carefully with leaving him alone, and leaving him with Seth I figured was the best thing I could do. As much as I wanted to blame my best friend for everything, I couldn't assume before I knew what exactly happened or what was going on.

In a short time, I had reached the Cullen driveway and practically skidded my way up until I reached the glass house. I could already tell that Charlie and Sue were there with the rest of the coven, so that meant that something could be seriously wrong with my imprint. I couldn't stop myself from thinking the worst. I couldn't break down before I knew what exactly was going on.

"Carlisle is running a few tests to see what the problem could be." Esme came to meet me, "before you go in Jacob, please understand that Carlisle needs the space and time to figure things out, I know you're worried more than any of us, but you know you can always count on Carlisle to figure it out."

"Where is he?" I asked frustrated, not wanting to shove Esme out my way, but she was the only person holding me back from seeing the love of my life. "Please, Esme, tell me where he is?"

"The laboratory with his parents." She stated before letting me pass.

The look of concern on everyone's faces as I entered the house had me on edge. None looked as comforting as I hoped, which meant it was far more worse than I had imagined. Instead of sulking with the rest in the living room, I made my way to the surgery room where I knew Carlisle would have him; I just kept praying I could calm myself before I did something I might regret.

When I entered the room, all I could hear was the beeping noise of the monitor Sebastian was now connected to. Edward and Bella looked my way as I entered, they were both standing next to him as they blocked him from my view, Carlisle was nowhere in sight. I made my way quickly over to where Sebastian lie, only to be stopped by Edward.

"He will be find Jacob," He stood in front of me, "you need to remain calm."

"How can you tell?" I asked abruptly, "how can you be so sure?"

"Because I believe in Carlisle." He answered bluntly. "Now calm down, or I'll ask you to leave."

"How can you ask me to remain calm when no one will tell me what happened?" I replied annoyed and frustrated, "what's going on? Why is he like this? How did this all happen? How long has he been this way? Is he sleeping?"

"Jake?" Bella intervened, placing her hand on my arm, "we've all been asking these questions. But nothing has been answered because Carlisle is still trying to diagnose the conditions, as far as we know, he slipped into some type of coma once Carlisle drew blood for some tests."

"Why would he do that?" I asked in a shaky tone, almost finding myself breaking down by the sight of Sebastian laying so peacefully on the gurney in front of us. "Doesn't he know that he could have hurt him?"

"No, not at the time when Sebastian came to him." Edward answered for her, "he explained to Carlisle that lately he hasn't been feeling like himself."

"Why didn't he tell me?" I asked, mostly upset with myself that I hadn't noticed anything.

"Why hadn't you noticed," Edward snarled at me, "or were you too busy being alpha you hadn't realized my son's life was in jeopardy."

"So you're blaming me?" I asked fuming, "you think that I don't give a shit about Seb that I would put him last."

"Both of you stop!" Esme entered the room, "I've heard enough, if you both can't be civil around my grandson, then you both can leave and deal with your childish behavior somewhere else. No is to blame. Whatever is going on with Sebastian, it's a good thing he came to see us before it was too late."

"I see disagreements had arisen." Carlisle stated entering the room. "After all these years of disagreements, I at least expected you both to be civil rather than act like children."

"We've heard the speech Carlisle!" Edward growled, I nodded in agreement.

"He's in a comatose state." Carlisle announced, "the lack of blood has his body feeling weak. But, also, strangely it seems to be going through a change."

"What kind of change?" I asked worried.

"His respiratory system seems to be circulating more blood and less venom," Carlisle explained almost puzzled, "it's as if his body is getting rid of all his vampiric abilities and turning him human."

"Human?" We all stared at him just as confused.

"Something recently must have triggered some sort of cure." Carlisle explained going through is clipboard. "His bones used to be as solid as ours, but now they're forming their own marrow. His skin is beginning to darken as you all notice; he's gaining color."

"But how?" Edward and Bella asked.

"I'm not sure," Carlisle too turned to me, "Jacob? Has there been some recent changes in your relationship? Could there be any suspicion?"

"Not that I can think of." I stood puzzled.

"The witch-doctor!" Paul stated, now standing at the door with Jared and Embry. "It seems that this all began when we found out about the witch-doctor. It was evident that when you returned, Sebastian's habits had changed."

"But we banished the person."

"Anna could be forcing it at her own will." Tyler added. "She could be killing him Jacob." They all looked just as worried as I was.

"Summon the pack!" I gave orders, "make sure everyone is out there in search for her, she can't escape. Hurry!"

"What can you do for him right now?" I asked Carlisle.

"I'm sorry Jacob, but nothing for now," he replied honestly. "I could try and feed him more blood, but that's probably the best as it goes."

"It's fine I nodded." I'll be back as soon as I can.

"We're coming!" Edward demanded. I didn't care.

The more I had on my side, the better chance I had in finding the perpetrators. After all, from what I had been told, most witch doctors are capable of hiding their tracks. It's their way of running from their wrongs.

And breaking an imprint is a big wrong.

A/N: I'd like to give a shout out to those who take the time to review, saphira88, lytebrytehybrid88, BurnedSpy, wolfhappiness, ShikamaruNaraKibaNaruChunin, hopelessromantic5, Shalette and FreeSpirit15.

Lately I've been feeling highly discouraged in updating any of my fics because the lack of reviews. Which is why my updates have been slower than before. I know that there are people reading and I'm constantly getting faves/alerts, so with any more of my fics, I'm not updating until I get 10+ reviews on each chapter. I feel I at least deserve this.

Much Love,

TurnItUp03