Lost and Found
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!
Part Seventy Eight-A Bitter Heart
"You should have asked me before you invited my father here." Jacob said angrily as he accompanied Ephraim to the front of the house to wait for Billy and the others arrival.
"I would have expected you to have already told me about the bad blood between you." Ephraim replied irritably as he stood near the porch steps and looked down the long gravel driveway.
"You never asked." Jacob ground out as he crossed his arms across his chest in a defensive posture. His good mood from earlier had vanished. Just the thought of seeing Billy again, after months of ignoring him, was hard to take. "Maybe if you had consulted me on this sudden decision I would have been able to stop you bringing my father to this meeting."
"He is the Chief of your tribe." Ephraim retorted. "It should have been obvious that he would be at this gathering. Now pull yourself together, we cannot be divided on this issue."
Jacob bit back his harsh reply. Ephraim was right on this one point. He couldn't allow his bitterness towards Billy cloud his judgement. But despite this he couldn't contain his anger at Ephraim for making the decision without consulting him beforehand. "You need to remember you are not solely in charge here." He snapped. "Billy is my father, I am the Alpha of this pack and any decisions you make you run by me first."
A sardonic smile spread across Ephraim's face as he turned to look at Jacob. "You are right, young Alpha. But you need to remember that I am your superior, that I have years of experience, and that on any future decisions I will have the final say. Do we understand each other?" He stared Jacob down, waiting for his agreement and was surprised when Jacob refused to commit.
Jacob felt the mental chains forcing him to submit to Ephraim's will as his ancestor tried to invoke his authority. He fought the older man with everything he had inside him. Something instinctual was telling him he needed to win this battle of wills. There would be times when he had to make quick decisions for the safety of his pack and for those he loved, especially if he disagreed with Ephraim's future decisions. Sweat beaded on their foreheads as they engaged in their silent battle for dominance. Jacob could see that Ephraim was perplexed that he was finding it so hard to make him bend to his will. Just as suddenly as he felt his will being tested, the chains came off and Jacob could breathe easily again.
Ephraim nodded at him curtly. "Your power is growing, Jacob. I am impressed."
"You were testing me." Jacob ran his hand across his brow and wiped the perspiration away.
"Of course." Ephraim confessed. "This test will be one of many. Make sure you are always prepared and always on your guard. You need to be at your full strength, both mentally and physically with what we are about to face."
"Which is?" Jacob demanded.
"Patience, you will learn all in due course. First we have to deal with your father." Ephraim pointed toward the gravel driveway. He had already heard the crunch of the heavy tires on Harry's truck as they approached. "Stay calm, Jacob." He warned him one last time.
Jacob nodded as he followed Ephraim down the drive as they went to meet the new arrivals.
Edward sat high in the boughs of the tree and watched Leah covertly from his perch. She was huddled together with Rosalie, they were laughing at something that she had said. Leah's face was glowing with happiness, all the fear and anxiety that she had carried around with her the last few years had been wiped away. Edward had never seen her look so beautiful. It was easy to read her mind, and in doing so, it only made him more miserable. Though she was sharing private jokes with his immediate family, her mind was not focused on the conversation with Rosalie. Her head was filled with images of Ephraim, the way he looked, the proud way he would gaze at her, the desire she felt for him. It was all there in her head, plain for him to read. He couldn't see one stray thought dedicated to his welfare, or his anger and pain. He felt utterly rejected and worthless. Being in Leah's orbit had made him a better man, but losing her sent him tumbling back into the dark well of despair that had once driven him to fulfil his lust for human blood.
Movement below made Edward pause, a new mind entered his consciousness. The undergrowth below his tree was disturbed as a large black wolf loped into view. Its head was raised and his huge eyes scanned the immediate area. The black wolf sniffed the air as if it was trying to locate one person in particular. And Edward could see who this person was clearly in the black wolf's mind. He dropped down from his high perch and landed gracefully in front of the wolf; causing its hackles to rise and a low growl to erupt from its throat.
"You are on my turf, remember." Edward pointed out mildly as he leaned back against the tree.
The black wolf growled irritably in response.
"I can read your mind. I feel your anger. In fact I share it." Edward saw the wolf tense up at it glared at him with its dark eyes. "I may be a vampire and you a shifter, but we share the same capacity to hurt and to love. We also share something else….a desire for revenge."
The black wolf snarled at him as it began to circle Edward agitatedly.
"You are in pain." Edward surmised as his golden eyes glowed with anger. "I can empathise with that. I can see who it is. Bella Swan. She has been taken from you by Jacob Black. We have that in common. Ephraim Black has stolen my love from me. Leah deserves better….."
At the mention of Leah's name the black wolf's eyes went coal black before he suddenly melted into the trees. Seconds later he remerged in his human form. Edward waited patiently for his return and smirked when he saw and read the irrational anger in Sam's mind. "I have always wanted to rip your throat out." Edward sneered. "You treated Leah appallingly, but after what has happened today I can understand your inability to love her when your heart was taken by another. You see I may not have a beating heart, but that doesn't mean I can't love just as passionately. I love Leah. I want her to live a full, happy, human life. I always knew it couldn't be with me. I hoped that she would meet someone worthy of her, someone who could keep her safe. A real human, a human not connected to the supernatural world where she will constantly be placed in danger."
"Shut the fuck up." Sam spat. "We have nothing in common."
"But we do." Edward wheedled as he looked Sam directly in the eyes. "I can see into your head. You want to leave this life. You want to take Bella away from here to somewhere safe. Somewhere free of the supernatural. You could have all that, but for the person standing in your way. Jacob Black is preventing you from getting the woman you love and keeping her safe from harm. Just like Ephraim Black is doing to me. Together we could defeat them. Take them down when they are at their most vulnerable. Trouble is approaching, you know that. It's the reason Ephraim rescinded his order and allowed you back into the fold."
Sam didn't say anything. His eyes narrowed as he watched Edward begin to pace in front of him. His fists clenched as he fought down his anger and jealousy. He hated the fact that his mind and heart had been laid bare by this vile creature in front of him.
"Yes, you hate me, just as much as I hate you. But together we could get everything we want." Edward stopped pacing and looked directly at Sam. "Just think about it."
Before Sam could respond, he vanished.
Jacob's anger disappeared as soon as he saw the state of his father. Billy was leaning heavily on Charlie. His pallor was grey and he looked like he had aged ten years since Jacob had last seen him. He saw Ephraim frown as he watched the men approach. Harry was almost out of breath as he helped Old Quil shuffle along beside him. The only fit one out of them was Charlie.
"No wonder you had no guidance." Ephraim muttered in disbelief to Jacob. He was stunned at the state of Jacob's father; he was a very sick man. Leah's father was overweight and could hardly catch his breath. Old Quil was barely able to stand upright. Ephraim immediately went to the old man's assistance.
Old Quil let go of Harry and clutched Ephraim instead. His rheumy eyes gazed upon Ephraim in awe. "You have come to save us all." He said huskily.
Ephraim didn't know what to say to this. He exchanged a dubious glance with Jacob as he put his strong arm around the elder's waist and practically carried him into the house. Harry followed slowly behind, completely speechless at the fact that Ephraim was alive and had the face and body of a young man.
"Jake, it's good to see you, boy." Charlie greeted him as he carefully guided Billy toward his son. "Is Bells around? And Sam?"
"Bella is in the gardens at the back of the house." Jacob said distractedly. He couldn't stop staring at his father. He could smell the alcohol on his father's breath. It was stale. He wasn't drunk right now, but by the state of him he had obviously been on a bender the night before.
Charlie noticed Jacob's disgusted expression and sighed. "Jake, I…."
"Don't make excuses for him." Jacob muttered. "Leave Billy with me. You go and find Bella. I know she's dying to see you."
"I am here. You can talk directly to me." Billy interjected. He coughed suddenly, bending double as his breath caught in his throat. He glared at Charlie irritably as his friend tried to help him. "I'm fine. Go and spend time with your daughter. Jake will look out for me."
Charlie gave up. He was eager to see his little girl and catch up with Sam. He headed around the side of the house and left father and son alone to talk. Billy coughed again. His lungs felt on fire but he managed to catch his breath and smile weakly at his son. "You look well, Jake."
"You don't." Jacob replied dully. "What the hell is wrong with you? Apart from the drink."
Billy's face clouded as he dropped his gaze to the top of his boots. "I only drink to numb the pain."
"What's wrong with you?" Jacob demanded again.
"My diabetes is running rampant. The docs say I'll soon be in a wheelchair." Billy stated baldly.
Jacob wanted to punch something, anything. Ephraim had warned him to stay in control, but he was finding it too hard. He turned away from his father and cursed under his breath. Angry tears sprang into his eyes. "Dammit!"
"Jake, son…." Billy reached out a trembling hand toward Jacob.
"Don't call me son." Jacob growled as he kept his back to his father. "You did this to yourself."
"I need your help, Jake. You, Embry and the girls are all I have. Soon I won't be able to survive on my own. I was hoping that maybe you could find it in your heart to let me come back home. Your mother will listen to you…" Billy pleaded.
Jacob whirled around in a fury. "That's the only reason you came here today. You didn't come to hear what we're all facing. You don't give a shit about that." He raged. "You don't give a shit about…."
"JACOB!" Ephraim's voice startled them both. Jacob turned around to face his mentor. He was finding it hard to control his anger, fine tremors made his arms shake. Ephraim gave him a brief look of understanding before his face hardened as he turned his attention to Billy. "The others are settled inside. Jacob, I want you to go and get the pack together and make sure everyone begins to assemble for the gathering. I will deal with your father."
Jacob knew that Ephraim was giving him a way out. The older man had guessed that he would lose control once he saw Billy. Jacob hated the fact that Ephraim had read his reaction correctly. That was why he was testing him earlier. Well he had failed that one. He nodded curtly at Ephraim and marched off. He needed to cool down and get his head together. Billy watched his son go in stunned silence before he glanced at his ancestor warily.
"Come inside." Ephraim said coldly. "There are things we need to discuss."
Bella, along with Esme, was trying to soothe Sarah's ruffled feathers. She was beyond livid that her ex-husband was on his way to the gathering. While this was going on Charlie appeared. Bella smiled in relief when she saw her father. He looked as solid and dependable as always. She rushed over to him and greeted him with a tight hug. Charlie got quite emotional at being reunited with his little girl. He had missed her during the time she had spent at the Cullen's. He stepped back and admired the beautiful young woman she had turned into.
"I am so proud of you, kiddo." He declared.
Bella's mouth wobbled as she pulled him into another hug. "It's so good to see you, dad." She whispered. "Come and meet Esme, and Sarah's here too. She's doing so much better." Bella took Charlie's hand and led him over to the others.
"Welcome to my home, Charlie." Esme beamed at him as she took his hand and shook it. Her beauty was so dazzling that Charlie was overwhelmed for a moment.
"Thank you." He mumbled.
"Charlie." Sarah's voice pulled him out of his stupor and he stumbled toward Jacob's mother and hunkered down beside her. "Did you bring Billy here?" She demanded.
Charlie sighed. Sarah did seem so much better, although there was a fragility about her still that would take time to go. But her dark eyes were suffused with anger, and it was all directed at her ex. "He is here. Jake is with him."
"You are a good man, Charlie Swan." Sarah said bitterly. "I just don't understand why you continually defend him after what he has done."
Esme fluttered around Sarah and told her to remain calm. While everyone was preoccupied with soothing Sarah's agitation, Bella's attention was elsewhere. From the corner of her eye she had spotted Sam. He was hanging back near the trees, watching her. "Not now." She muttered. Bella made sure that no one was looking her way and went to join him. "What are you doing?"
"As always it's good to see you too." Sam said sarcastically.
Bella closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself down. She felt Sam touch her cheek and her eyes flared open again. "Don't."
Sam dropped his hand back to his side and gazed at her so longingly that Bella felt her skin heat up. She wished he would stop doing that. He seemed fully aware of what he was doing as a small smile lit up his face. "I need you to go and get Jacob. There is something I need to tell him."
"You're not going to fight, are you?" Bella asked warily as she scrutinised Sam carefully.
"Not today." Sam replied bitterly. "But it is important that I talk to him, now."
Bella heard the underlying urgency in his tone. "Wait here." She warned him before spinning on her heel and striding off toward the main marquee. Sam watched her go with his heart in his eyes. To him she looked more beautiful than ever. He closed his eyes in silent agony and leaned back against the bole of one of the trees as he waited for her return.
A/N-thanks for reading. I know I promised you drama, I bet you didn't expect angst as well! Nikki ;)