When Choice Meets Fate

Good afternoon my lovelies! I know, I know, I'm horrible for making you making this long for an update. Work has been absolutely crazy between the company downsizing, my trying to apply for another position, and my mentorship starting in a couple weeks. All I can offer is my most abject apologies and hopefully you'll forgive me,:D. On top of that I've struggled a little bit with deciding between a couple of directions I want to take the story in. Now their fate has been decided so let's move on!

A/N: I do not own Twilight, or any part of its characters or its themes.

I felt that a couple of the reviews warranted responses:

Karebears1981: Thank you for your astute observation. Apparently I confused this story with another story that I'm writing for a moment and had a huge brain fart. That's what I get for writing when I'm in a hurry and not proof reading like I should; my apologies. Charlie and Renee are married and I have corrected the last chapter to omit the Freudian slip.

Holy Cross Baby: I pulled the accumulation of Edward's time in Alaska from a couple of notes in the Twilight books. After he and Bella met originally he did flee to Alaska to try escaping her. In this instance because my Edward was anxious to see her again he stayed. But once she phased he needed that escape again; call it creative liberty. Also based on the story that Edward tells Bella in Breaking Dawn Pt. 1 about his time of rebellion, it's not so farfetched to believe that he would give in to his animal urges when provoke, is it? I wouldn't think so. I explain this to say that I enjoy pulling little snippets from the story into mine; it's just how I roll.

And lastly and most recently,

Hopeless Romantic72: While I appreciate your review and your opinion, I respectfully disagree. The Twilight books, from the perspective of Bella, were about a human girl trying to get herself laid, not to mention changed into the undead. While my story only included a brief excerpt of the love scene between Jacob and Bella, I'm trying to include many other aspects to my story instead of centering it entirely on the physical.

Chapter Thirteen: The Seeker

Bella POV

I stared blankly at the slight figure which stood cloaked in a heavy hooded cloak, nearly the color of midnight. It seemed that she was more a presence rather than a person. After a few intense moments, then she finally spoke.

"Jacob, Isabella, I bring news from the council. We have a lot to discuss."

I started to ask who this mysterious woman was but before the words escaped my mouth, from somewhere in the depths of my being, the answer came. This woman was the Seeker. Her name was not important but the influence she carried with it the utmost respect and prestige among the Quileute people. I had never been taught this of course, however my inner wolf seemed to know it nonetheless. But also with this knowledge came a rush of realization which reminded me that the very reason we stood in the ICU unit of a hospital right now was a direct result of the accusations the council and bombarded my father with earlier the same day. The heaviness of that emotion flooded my mind and I couldn't give a rat's ass about what this creepy woman, spirit, creature, or whatever she is felt the need to throw my way now. My entire body began to tremble and Jacob immediately pulled me close to his chest as I forced the words through my clenched teeth, "How dare you? What gives you the right to bring your accusations here while my father lies there fighting for his very next breath? You need to go, now. And do not come near us again!"

I could hear an odd timbre to the tone of my voice and she even stepped backward from the invisible force behind my words. Her calculating dark eyes searched Jacob's face and an approving smile crept over her lips. "So you have mated, the Alpha's bond is complete."

Her smile was completely disarming and I turned to Jake for an explanation. His face held the same confused expression that mine did, "Well, add that to the list of things to discuss. Should we go find a more private plate to talk?" I sighed in defeat, my ego deflating as Jacob flagged a nurse and asked about the best place to get some privacy as the Seeker and I stood awkwardly waiting. As I watched from a distance in my mind I inwardly mocked her bubbly gestures as she gave him directions.

In no time he was back, and leading the two of us through the maze of hallways until we reached a small enclosed courtyard. As soon as we stepped outside all of my senses were on edge. My eyes scoured the entire area for others who could possible intrude, while my ears took note of every sound in the space; and both my nose and tongue were assaulted with the smell of stale air and medicine. The sound of the Seeker's voice intruded upon the loaded silence and brought me back to present.

"Isabella, please sit. First of all you need to know that while the council does seek the truth behind your transformation we do not seek any harm to come to your father, you, or your family."

I rolled my eyes and had to bite my tongue to avoid shooting a snide response back at her. Thankfully she continued before the words were out of my mouth. "Before we move on to the more emotionally charged news, I want to start with helping the two of you understand the result of the Alpha's bond. Once the Alpha chooses his mate and in turn she accepts the bond, they are mated and the bond is completed. A complete bond means that the Alpha's mate now realizes the same influence and power that the He himself carries."

Both Jake and I looked at one another smiling widely. And still she continued, "Please bear in mind, with this news comes a warning. While the power is normally the only thing one sees, you must also bear in mind that the Alpha's burden is also heaviest. Only time in this role will show the price that only the Alpha is asked to pay."

These words caught my attention and I finally broke my silence to ask, "What burden do you mean what price?"

She shook her head somberly, "Unfortunately that is not something that I can tell you. You must learn it on your own. But still there is much more that we must discuss as well. The council has deliberated and we have determined that the cross contamination of the blood lines did not occur with this generation or the last. It appears there was an illicit relationship between a man of Quileute blood and your great grandmother, Magdalena Swan. You'll find all that you need to know within this." With that she handed me a well worn book. "Considering that you'll be spending time here with your father while he heals, I would advise you to read this carefully."

With a shaking hand, I retrieved the book from her grasp and began to open the front cover. Before I could open it, Jacob's hand covered mine, "No Bella, not yet. Whatever is inside give this news some time to digest before you dive into discovery here."

I nodded and stood turning to thank the Seeker but as quickly as she had appeared she had gone and the seat beside me was empty. Jake chuckled, "Yea, she's known for that. Let's go inside and check on your dad."

With that, my mind was brought back to the present and the reality of where we were. "Yeah, let's get inside; I'm curious if there has been any change." We rushed inside and back to my father's room to learn the disheartening news that things still remained yet the same. My mother had run out to grab a bite to eat so we settled into our chairs beside my father's bed. I stared at the book for what seemed like hours before taking a deep breath and opening the cover.

Inside the aged backing was hand written text, "This is the diary of Magdalena Swan."

Okay I know this is a little shorter than my chapters have been but at least it gives you a teaser of where we're headed next.

Off to make dinner, have a gone evening all!