Lost and Found

Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!

Part Seventy One-Alpha Black

Jacob knew something wasn't quite right. He couldn't quite explain it. Some kind of instinctual sixth sense alerted his spirit wolf that something odd was happening. His inner wolf didn't feel threatened, but more awed, as if it was somehow in the presence of greatness. Jacob didn't mention any of this to Bella, but she picked up on his tension anyway. She sat astride his lap, her hands resting on his shoulders as she studied his pensive expression.

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

"Jake, come on." Bella arched her eyebrows at his denial. It was obvious he was feeling edgy about something.

"You know me too well." Jacob tried to smile as he slid his hands to her hips and pulled her closer. "I've just got a weird feeling that's all." His dark eyes wandered over to his mother. Sarah still looked the same; she was no better or worse than she had been. "I'm probably just feeling tired."

Bella massaged his shoulders. "You sure that's all it is."

"It has to be."

Suddenly the bedroom door was flung wide as Rebecca ran breathlessly into the room. She leaned against the door as she put a hand over her chest as she tried to calm her breathing. "Carlisle is back. I've just seen the Mercedes pull up."

Jacob was instantly all business. He gently lifted Bella off his lap so he could stand. "I'll go meet him. You two stay with mom." He felt Bella squeeze his hand, a hopeful smile adorning her beautiful face as she watched him leave. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand before he hurried out of Sarah's room so he could meet Carlisle.

"His wolf senses me. I can feel it calling." Ephraim said gravely as he walked slowly toward the front porch. Carlisle walked beside him, his normally smooth brow furrowed with concern. Ephraim saw his dour look and smiled grimly. "Come now, old friend, why the long face?"

Carlisle sighed as he took the vial from his companion's hands and deposited it safely into a secret compartment of the medical bag he was carrying. "Are you sure it's wise to reveal yourself like this? I could have easily administered the cure."

"You worry too much, Carlisle." Ephraim replied dismissively. "I can handle myself."

"It's not you I'm worried about." Carlisle pointed out. "It's the young Alpha and the rest of the wolves I am concerned about. Seeing a supposedly dead ancestor suddenly stepping out from the past will be a shock to their system. I have already explained how fractured the pack is right now, and that is from my own personal observations and things that my son, Edward, picked up from the young Alpha's mind."

"Edward! I hope he has his bloodlust under control." Ephraim said with distaste. He had always distrusted Edward Cullen, partially because of his ability to pick through people's heads at will, invading their privacy, but because he had a tentative hold on his addiction to human blood at best.

"I would not hide something like that from you, Ephraim." Carlisle snapped irritably.

"I know." Ephraim conceded. "Don't worry about the young pack. It is painfully obvious that they need my guidance, now more than ever with the upcoming threat to our lands."

"Are you going to tell them straight away?" Carlisle asked with interest.

"When I have whipped them into shape I will." Ephraim turned his attention to the front porch. He sensed that the young Alpha, his direct descendant, had acted on his intuitive feelings and was now coming to meet him, even though he was probably puzzled about why he was feeling so uneasy. Ephraim braced himself for the confrontation. He exchanged a grim look with Carlisle before both men began to climb the porch steps together.

Jacob's hand paused on the door handle. He had been intent on opening it, but something was stopping him. He held his breath as he listened carefully. He couldn't hear Carlisle, although he could smell his approach, but what had thrown him was the sound of a strongly beating heart. Carlisle wasn't alone. He had a human accompanying him; at least he was part human. Dread washed over Jacob as he smelt a scent familiar to his own. He frowned as he sniffed the air tentatively. He tried to work out whether he was mistaking one of his brother's scents and thinking it was a stranger, but no, the aroma was not one he recognised. How could that be? His wolf was baying inside his head, trying to force him to phase right there in the hallway. Like before though, his spirit wolf wasn't signalling danger, instead it wanted him to bow down in reverence to whoever was on the other side of the door.

"No fucking way." Jacob growled as he tried to control his inner wolf. It had been a long time since he had been unable to dominate his wolf. It was as if it was falling under the influence of a power greater than his own and that scared him. Fine tremors made his hands shake and he closed his eyes as he engaged in a silent battle of wills with his russet counterpart.

Jacob's fingers clutched the door handle and he slowly opened the heavy wooden door. It creaked slightly as the daylight spilled into the marbled hallway. It made him squint for a second as his eyes tried to get used to the bright light. At first he thought he was hallucinating. He recognised Carlisle on the left. The vamp doctor looked unchanged as always. He stood on the front porch, his face showing a deep sympathy before his golden eyes flicked to the man standing on his right. Jacob's gaze followed Carlisle's. The first thought that entered his head was that Billy had paid an unwelcome visit. The man's features looked a lot like his father's, except the nose was slightly narrower, and the dark eyes had none of the deep wrinkles that splayed out from the corners. No this man was younger, way younger. Jacob swallowed thickly as he took in the man's tall, muscular stature. He was Jacob's height, give an inch or two, but he was much stockier. His muscles bunched with each slight movement. His long, black hair was pulled into a loose ponytail at the base of his neck. Jacob let out a long held breath as he recognised a power equal to his own. His wolf howled in his head as he greeted its master. This man held sway over Jacob's wolf and Jacob himself. He was the master, he was the true leader and Jacob knew that if he wanted he could command dominance over him and force him to submit to his will.

"That is not going to happen, Jacob Black." The man said in deep husky tones. It was as if he was reading Jacob's mind. "You know who I am." He continued boldly. His gaze never wavered as he stared deeply into Jacob's eyes; it was as if he could see into his very soul.

"You're supposed to be dead." Jacob ground out. He tried to keep his eyes directed on the strong Alpha male in front of him. It would be a form of submission if he averted his eyes as his wolf was trying to force him to do.

"But I am not." Ephraim witnessed the fight going on behind Jacob's eyes. It reminded him of his younger self, the fear, the panic, the anxiety about not being able to measure up. The boy was only sixteen, still a kid. Seeing Jacob now, like this, so uncertain and so unsure, only compounded Carlisle's initial observations. Ephraim was now certain that Jacob had been told nothing about his heritage. That he was ignorant about how long he could live if he and his spirit wolf continued to co-exist in the same body. That they could live for an eternity and never age, or die, until the human decided to part ways with the wolf. "Have your elders taught you nothing?" He thundered.

"Ephraim." Carlisle warned him as he saw fire flare in his old friend's eyes.

Ephraim scowled. He forced his anger down and nodded curtly at his old friend. "You administer the cure. Jacob and I will be leaving now."

"Leaving?" Jacob questioned in confusion. "I am not going anywhere."

"You have much to learn my young disciple." Ephraim replied coolly. "Do not worry about your mother. Carlisle has the means to heal her. My Alpha blood will calm hers and force the venom still causing chaos in her blood to dissipate. Now come, we leave now."

"NO!" Jacob growled as he fought a mental battle against the more dominant wolf. Sweat broke out on his tan skin under the strain. For the first time he understood how Sam must have felt when he forced him to comply with his will. This was what was happening to him now.

"You are strong." Ephraim praised him. "That is good to see. It will stand you in good stead. But you have much to learn. NOW COME!"

Jacob couldn't fight it anymore. Ephraim whirled around, leapt to the bottom of the porch steps and phased. In the man's place stood an intimidating wolf, he was taller, broader and much stronger than Jacob's russet counterpart. He growled, the muscles along his flanks bunching as his bushy tail flicked back and forth like an angry cats. The wolf's fur was a deep, rich red, leading to a white patch around the muzzle. His eyes were trained directly on Jacob.

Jacob was still trying to fight but was losing the battle. Ephraim issued another command and he was lost. "Tell Bella…." Jacob looked at Carlisle desperately as he lost control over his speech.

"I will explain as much as I can." Carlisle promised. "Do not fear, Jacob. She will be safe here and so will your mother. Take care and we will see you soon. Ephraim is an exceptional individual. Listen to his wise words and guidance. Good luck."

Jacob tumbled down the steps as he finally gave into his wolf. His human form shimmered bright for a moment before it morphed into his strong, russet toned wolf. He howled loudly as he called out to his pack. In the distance his brothers answered. Ephraim joined in the vocalisation, his howl matched Jacob's. Finally they fell silent as they both looked toward Carlisle, who was watching them with interest from the porch steps. Then Ephraim took off at a fast sprint, and seconds later Jacob followed him until they were both swallowed up by the trees.

A/N-thank you for reading! Nikki