Lost and Found
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews!
Part Seventy Nine-The Consequences of Betrayal
Jacob smelt Sam on Bella as soon as she approached him. He tensed up immediately, trying to keep his irrational anger at bay. He was already riled up from dealing with Billy, and now this. Jacob saw his brothers pick up on his tension and he ordered them away from him. He didn't want them overhearing anything between him and Bella. They reluctantly left their Alpha alone, with many shooting him curios glances as they resumed getting ready for the gathering. "What's going on?" Jacob caught Bella's chin in his hand and made her look into his eyes. "Why can I smell Uley?"
Bella frowned. She didn't care for Jacob's tone, but let it go, because she knew how much stress he was under. "Sam has returned. He wants to speak to you."
"Well he can damn well wait. I'm busy." Jacob let go of her chin and stepped back. "It sickens me that he still tries to use you to do his dirty work. Tell him to piss off, Bella."
"Don't lecture me, Jake." Bella retorted. "I know you're under an immense amount of strain but he made it sound urgent."
Jacob sighed as he saw the hurt in Bella's beautiful brown eyes. He hated himself in that moment. He shouldn't be taking out his frustrations on her. It just felt like he couldn't catch a break. He wished he could just whisk her off somewhere so they could escape the chaos and catch their breath. "I'm sorry."
Bella's expression softened. "It's okay. But I really think you should speak to Sam."
"Fine." Jacob sighed as he looked back at the pack. They were milling about restlessly, obviously getting bored waiting for Ephraim to make his appearance and begin the meeting. "Can you stay here and whip this lot into shape? I need chairs set up so that they're facing the marquee. Ephraim and Carlisle will be speaking from that small podium that's been set up. Do you mind supervising while I talk to Uley."
Bella knew very well he just wanted to keep her preoccupied and out of the way while he dealt with Sam alone. But she didn't bother calling him out on it. The pack could quite easily put a few chairs out. "Okay. I'll enjoy making Lahote break out into sweat." She teased.
"You're wicked Bella Swan." Jacob smiled at her attempt to cheer him up. He leaned down and placed a light kiss on her lips. "I won't be long."
"Okay." Bella watched him go with misgivings in her heart. She just hoped that Sam had come to make peace and not start any more trouble. The last thing they all needed was yet another fight.
Jacob took the long way around the gardens. He didn't want to arouse suspicion or deal with any questions from his mother. He could hear Sarah talking hysterically to Charlie and Esme about Billy. They were trying to placate her but having little luck. There was no love lost between his parents. It hurt just thinking about it. He was still smarting about Billy's selfish request to return to the family home. Jacob tried to dampen down his anger. He needed to keep a cool head when dealing with Uley. He found Sam loitering in the trees near the eastern edge of the gardens. Jacob checked one last time that no one was watching before he joined Sam under the cover of the overhanging branches.
"You took long enough." Sam sneered as he used the opportunity to scout around for Bella. He couldn't see her anywhere. Jacob had obviously told her to keep her distance. Normally that would have infuriated him, but this one time he was glad of it. He didn't want her to hear this particular conversation.
"I only came because Bella told me it was urgent." Jacob ground out. He could see that Uley sometimes winced when he moved. Sam was clearly still feeling the aftereffects of their recent fight. Good, Jacob thought viciously. He deserved to feel physical pain.
"You really don't deserve her." Sam replied bitterly.
"What do you want?" Jacob demanded again.
Sam's jaw clenched as he surveyed his rival. It was hard pushing his dislike and resentment to one side but for the safety of the pack, his people, and especially Bella, he would do so. "On my way back here I was made a very interesting offer by one of the vamps."
"Who?" Jacob questioned suspiciously.
"Edward Cullen wanted us to team up. It seems that he has developed deep feelings for Leah and feels thwarted that your long dead ancestor has come back to life and stolen her from him. Sound familiar?" Sam spat.
"Bella was never yours." Jacob snarled.
"And she isn't completely yours either." Sam locked eyes with Jacob for a long moment, but was forced to break the stare. He hated submitting to the younger male and it was only his love for Bella that stopped him retaliating against Jacob for his previous beat down. "Deep down Bella loves me too, she just won't admit it. You know it's true otherwise you wouldn't feel so threatened."
Jacob didn't respond. He just continued to glare at Sam coolly as he waited for Uley to continue.
"Edward wanted me to help him hurt you and Ephraim when you were at your most vulnerable." Sam finally admitted.
"Why are you telling me?" Jacob asked.
"Hurting you would hurt Bella, and I would never do that to her." Sam said quietly. "And despite how I feel about you, I am loyal to my pack and to my home."
Jacob studied Sam warily. The older male looked exhausted. His eyes were full of pain and he was clearly deeply unhappy. In spite of their rivalry, Sam's words had rung true. He would never betray those he loved, and that included Bella, Charlie and the pack. "You should go see Charlie. He's with my mother. I know he's been worried about you."
Sam just nodded curtly and limped out into the open, leaving Jacob alone to ponder what to do.
Carlisle was in his study, speedreading through some of the ancient books from his extensive collection. He was using the spare time to see if he could find anything of interest pertaining to Ephraim's dilemma. He had left his old friend with the collective elders of the tribe. To say Ephraim was not impressed with this less than stellar array of supposedly wise adults was an understatement. Carlisle was glad he wasn't in Ephraim's shoes as he dealt with his descendants and their shortcomings. He knew it was going to be especially hard for him because Harry Clearwater, Leah's father, was one of them. Carlisle was surprised when he was interrupted by a knock on the heavy oak door. By the smell he recognised Jacob.
"Come in." He called out. Jacob opened the door and strode purposefully inside. Carlisle was alert at once as he took in the deeply troubled expression on the young shifter's face. "What's wrong?" He asked in concern.
"I was going to deal with this myself, but your family has been so kind and welcoming to mine. You saved my mother's life and have asked nothing in return. Your deep and enduring friendship with my ancestor also speaks in your favour, so I trust that you will be able to deal with what I am about to tell you." Jacob then told Carlisle about Sam's shocking revelation regarding Edward. He watched as the blonde vampire's face hardened and anger flared in his golden eyes. "I am sorry to have to burden you with this information." Jacob apologised. "What will you do?"
"You can rest assured that Edward will be dealt with. You will not be seeing him around here again." Carlisle said coldly.
Jacob felt sympathy for the head of the Cullen clan. Like Sam was to Charlie, Edward was to Carlisle. Both men had taken them under their wing and loved them like their own sons. Jacob didn't envy Carlisle having to deal with the outcome of Edward's betrayal of everything he held dear. It was as if Edward had spat on his values and everything he stood for. "I'll leave you now."
"Thank you." Carlisle replied dully. His normal ebullience was missing.
Jacob sighed as he finally left the vampire alone.
Edward knew even before Carlisle flew into his room. His mentor was practically shouting in his mind. The rage and fury sent Edward's head spinning. He barely had time to move before Carlisle had him by the throat and pinned up against the wall. It was very rare for Carlisle to lose his temper, but on the few occasions he had, he could be terrifying. Edward remained still as he watched the fire burn in the older man's eyes. He knew there was no point in defending himself. Carlisle had lived far longer than he had. When pushed he was an extremely skilled fighter. There was no way he could ever beat him, and he didn't want to. Sharing Carlisle's disappointment and disgust in him was punishment enough.
"After everything I have done for you. I have forgiven you so often over the years. I have tempered my disappointment in you. I kept convincing myself that there was good in you. The last few years I almost believed it. The way you were with Leah, the way you cared and empathised with her. I really thought you had turned a corner. But no, you fooled me again." Carlisle roared.
"I was losing her, Carlisle." Edward cried out in anguish. "I love her so much. To lose her like this, to someone she has barely known for two minutes, just because of some kind of freaky spiritual connection she shares with him. Leah deserves so much better. I want her to be happy. I want to keep her safe. You know the kind of life he leads, Carlisle. You saw how he was with Georgiana. I will not have Leah forced to live a life full of disappointment."
Carlisle loosened his grip and allowed Edward to slide to the ground. He stared into his son's eyes and saw the despair. "It is Leah's decision, not yours. You cannot force a way of life onto her just because you think that's how she should live. I know Ephraim. I have seen the difference in him. This is real for him; it's real for both of them. What you tried to do to wrench them apart disgusts me. You disgust me."
"Carlisle." Edward begged. He knew there was to be no forgiveness this time. Carlisle had hardened himself against him.
"You are no longer a part of this family. You are dead to me." Carlisle said coldly. "Now leave. I never want to see your face around me or mine again."
For Edward, total banishment was the worst possible punishment. He had been gone from the family before, when he had given into his blood lust, but even then Carlisle had forgiven him and let him back into the fold. Not this time. Edward could see it in his mentor's mind. Carlisle was finished with him. "I'm sorry." Edward murmured as he left the room, his head hanging forward as if it carried a great weight.
"And Edward." Carlisle warned him before he reached the door. "If I find you anywhere near Leah, or that you've been in contact with her. I will kill you myself."
With this warning ringing in his ears, Edward slipped quietly away.
A/N-thanks for reading! Next will be Ephraim's confrontation with Billy and the others, and of course the gathering!