Aiden Clearwater Pov
*Flashback*
26 year ago
On Sue Clearwater's front porch, I wondered when the actual meeting was going to start.
I feel a bit out of place here.
I've been growing fast and almost everyone has been treating me like an outsider.
Last night I dreamed of my surrogate mother. It's still unclear what her name is, yet I feel she's alive. She's afraid to find me. I wish I could talk to Leah about her.
It's odd because I searched for Leah easily- whom I also share the same blood with. Nahuel of course hoped for that. He had a strange obsession with Jacob Black, and suddenly it turned into a mania thrill for Jacob's bond interest- Leah.
Nahuel plans to manipulate the truth of how I came to be to Leah, but I'm sure Leah already knows. She is nice to me. She does not speak about it, or of her assault. I know she wonders. I'm afraid one day she'll hold Nauhel's cruelty against me. I can only wish not.
It has been a few months since Leah and Jacob have reunited after five years of separation, and a part of me feels guilty that I was part of why he is on the fence now that she has taken me under her wing. Leah is a mother to me. I don't want to be anywhere she's not.
"Why is she even here? Her kind habitat rests in Forks don't they." Claire says to Quil in a very snotty way and I wish to set her on fire.
The wolves have a way of talking about me as if I'm never in the room. I maybe small, but I'm not invisible.
"I ... I don't want to be there." I spat flustered. "I'm... I'm not like them, Leah says I can stay." I say to her.
"Well, we're comfortable having you around us?"
"Claire, just leave it alone." Quil says a little annoyed at her.
"Fine. I was just saying..." Claire mumbled, rolling her eyes. "She is not even your mother."
Claire Young, the secret biological daughter of Leah's second cousin Emily. Before Emily Young became Emily Uley, she was shamed for being a teenage mother by her parents and was told to never tell anyone that Claire came from.
Strange to know the true thought, but Claire and I are related in blood yet she hates me the most of all the older girls. Haylie is the only one that seems to give me a chance when I first arrived.
"Leah is all I want to know. We have no secrets. All she has ever shown me is kindness. I've come from her blood. You would never understand that. Technically, she is my mother." I corrected her.
Claire feels how everyone else on the reservation does about me, and wonders why I choose to be with Leah instead of my biological father Nahuel.
When it comes to the shapeshifters vs hybrids. I will always stand with Leah. I have two half siblings Noah or Rylan, who live in Forks with their mother Renesmee.
Nahuel wants it all, I've always known. Renesmee may have given birth to Noah and Rylan, but I wasn't born with them, I was carried by another. I don't know anything about her. My memories are of only Leah and I'm happy with that.
"If you say so." Claire replied to me.
"You know it's mean to say such a thing to her. Aiden is part of this tribe just as much as anyone. She's a kid, you're a teenager. Try being nice instead of rude to her." Damon says, speaking of me, looking over at Claire.
Damon was only nineteen years old, he is so mature and always say the sweetest things to me.
Quil snorted. "It was not completely rude. Come on, this situation is .. unique."
"Can't you see that it bothers her? Any genius will notice that Aiden's more at ease on the reservation with Leah than with anyone." Damon defended, eyeing me. "This situation isn't any different just because she's a hybrid. How would you feel if you were in her shoes? Young, scared and alone. It's cruel to be mean to her." Damon says, to Claire and Quil.
I smiled at his words. Just when I thought no one in these woods understood me other than Leah.
Him of all people, understood me. He was part of Sam's pack, but he cared for everyone. Everyone including me.
"Damon's right." Haylie agreed. "Claire, it's a little inconsiderate to single Aiden out. Not to mention awkward, She's family no matter what."
I smiled. Haylie was always so polite. She reminded me of aunt Huilen, who I've recently just met. Nahuel introduced me to his aunt a few weeks ago, and she was beyond polite.
Claire sighed heavily looking my way. "Sorry, didn't mean to single you out or be rude. Okay?" She said remorsefully as Quil wrapped his arm around her comfortingly.
Quil imprinted on Claire when she was two years old, I knew he knew how she really feels about me. I'm an outsider to them. I'm nothing more than a hybrid. A half-vampire that didn't belong here.
I shrugged my shoulders. "It's fine." I then looked over at Damon who was now staring behind me.
I wanted to thank him, but no words came out.
I turned to look over my shoulder, down towards Sue's driveway just as Lizzie slowly walked up. I frowned knowing exactly who she came for.
Lizzie, another new wolf part of Sam's pack and Damon's girlfriend.
"Hey guys." Lizzie faked a smile, stopping at the end of the porch steps.
Damon stood up and we all watched as he walked down towards where Lizzie was.
"Hi, I haven't heard from you all day." Damon smiled, leaning down to kiss her, in which she moved slightly.
From where I sat, she smelt like anxiety and sorrow.
I narrowed my eyes wondering what was bothering her, and apparently so was everyone else as it was just too quiet.
"Is everything alright?" Damon asked his girlfriend, feeling the stew of her mood.
Lizzie inhaled. "Yes, everything's fine. I forgot everybody was meeting here. Do you think you can take me to go see my grandmother? She's in the hospital again." She asked him, then looked around the yard, avoiding eye contact with Damon.
"Sure. First, let's say bye to everyone and make sure Sam knows what's going on." He said, grabbing her hand.
"Alright, but let's make it quick. I don't think my grandmother has much time." She whispered to him.
Never looking away as Damon and Lizzie walked up the porch steps, to the front door. He was completely handsome even when confused.
Haylie tapped me on my arm and I looked over at her. "Do you want to come over and have breakfast with me tomorrow while Leah runs errands?" She asked nicely.
I couldn't help but smile. I know that Leah asked her to watch over me, but I didn't mind. She was nice. "Alone?" I asked hoping her boyfriend would not be joining.
"Why? Are you afraid of Embry?" She smirked jokingly.
I shook my head. "No. He's fine." I wasn't afraid of him, I just didn't like the way he disliked me.
"Right. Well I'll call before I show up." She replied.
"Okay." I nodded.
"Let's get inside. The meeting is starting." Quil said, looking at Haylie.
We stood from the porch and followed him and Claire into Sue's home. The rest of the pact and Sam were already here hours in advance.
"So, now that everyone's here, What's on the agenda? More helpless paroling?" Jared asked, glancing behind himself to where Sam stood.
"No." Sam said, shaking his head slowly.
"That's a relief." Damon mumbled standing alongside Lizzie.
"Why are the bloodsuckers here?" Paul asked, eyeing the Cullen clan.
Sam looked over at me. "Because we've been talking, and we were thinking that maybe if we understand where The-"
"The Russian Coven are here in Washington, I'm unsure where but soon they will be off to Kansas." I said cutting him off.
It was what I learned from Nahuel, he thinks he can keep everything hidden.
"Are you sure?" Sam asked me.
"Of course she is, they communicate." Embry said and everybody looked over at him. "I'm pretty sure they wouldn't lie to her." He became irritated and he wasn't wrong. Nahuel wants to trust me.
"The Russian Coven is heading for Kansas? Why?" Adam asked and I looked up at him.
"The family of Dominick." I answered.
Dominick was a hybrid who could read minds. He was the one who kidnapped Leah and took her to The Russian Coven and Nahuel to create me.
Jacob took Dominick's life last night in honor and defense of Leah.
"Dominick?" Adam asked as Haylie went to go sit beside Embry.
"They want to find another like him. That's why they're going to Kansas. After Jacob killed him, they realized they needed another mind reader." I said to him and the others.
Embry snorted. "I think everyone is aware of why. Bloodsuckers know that we wouldn't go that far from La Push." Embry said directly to Adam. "If you ask me Alaska was far enough."
"Either way, I wasn't talking to you." Adam hiss balefully like he wanted to punch Embry if he was close enough.
Embry never liked Adam, Adam who worked with Leah at the mall, had a secret affection for her. I'm sure she isn't aware of it but Embry sees it. Haylie even joked that Adam, coming into town, became both Leah and Jacob's new best friend had made Embry feel threatened by Adam.
Jared and Paul laughed, at Embry and Adam's hidden hostility.
"I think I just missed something?" Seth retorted looking between Embry and Adam with a none amused grin on his face.
"Either way, Dominick wasn't even the one who mentioned Kansas but he knew of more hybrids. He was the one finding them, that's how they helped track me across the country." Leah said coming from upstairs. "He was their tracker."
If Nauhel didn't find enough hybrids, Joham would force him to create some. I was lucky enough to flee to Leah before being locked away in their machine.
"Machine?" Edward said, glaring over at me.
I forgot he was a mind reader himself.
Sam along with everyone else looked at Edward Cullen completely lost as to why he blurted out the word 'machine.
I look at Leah wondering if it was alright to respond to the opening question. Somethings she made clear I wasn't to speak of with everyone.
To think back when I was first born and how there were other experiments like mine. Other unnamed surrogate mothers with hybrid children years before her and I. Joham has an obsession all in himself.
Edward or any other vampire and hybrid could read my mind, as much as I could sense other emotions and have visions of the very moment they experienced. I never learned why. It may have been a gift of the lady that carried me.
"What type of machine? There's more than one?" Edward asked, narrowing his hard irritating topaz eyes at me, then looked to Leah who I've told everything to. "How many more hybrids will Joham create if Nahuel fails?" He pushed, wanting me to hurry and answer him.
"If you shut up, then maybe she can answer your questions." Leah said to him, obviously trying to give me time to clear my head to answer.
She hasn't been sleeping well, I know. I strongly disliked making things tuff on her.
"There's two inseminating hybrid makers that I know of, one in Alaska and another one in Texas." Leah said to everybody.
"What do they plan on using them for?" Sue asked.
"One is for the hybrids and the other is for the humans. Pretty soon they'll subjugate more humans along with the wolves, so I was told." Leah said with a tiring sigh.
"Wait. I'm lost. Why do they want to control them?" Quil says confused.
"How do we know for fact that what this Dominick-leech said was true or not? Do we know this for sure?" Paul said, looking at Leah.
"It's certain. From what Leah thinks, Aiden is loyal and is good unlike Nauhel's followers." Edward said and I glanced at Leah.
"We all know that." Haylie stated.
"Not really." Paul muttered glaring my way.
"Well, all I can say is you've come a long way from saving our but in Alaska." Jared then glanced at the kitchen doorway, where Jacob, who had a very inexplicable expression on his face, moved into the room.
I smiled at the fact that I was able to save the wolfpack from being captured by the Russian Coven, when they all left to search for them.
Leah was so happy for me. When she learned I saved her pack-family. She was here in La Push for an entire week without Jacob. I'm sure it was hard for her, not knowing if he was surviving alright.
"How do we stop them?" Paul says.
"I was created by Nahuel. I was procreated using his and Leah's DNA. He trusts that I want to be on both sides. I could go to him for more information." I suggested.
"No. That's not a good idea." Leah said to me and I glanced at Jacob who smelled of irritation, though he just seemed zoned out like he wanted to be elsewhere. He hated that Leah was always so protective of me.
"Perhaps Aiden is able to help." Carlisle said and I took my eyes off Jacob to look over at him. "Nahuel welcomes you with open arms." Carlisle said to me.
I nodded to him.
"No offensive doctor," Adam said fast. "But you or your Cullen clan have no clue what they'll do to her. She made it clear to them that she's with us."
"Define us." Embry mocked, Adam. I'm an experimental hybrid and Adam shape-shifts into a gigantic Alaskan Malamute, he was also half human.
"I'm with Carlisle." Damon stated and I glanced over at him. "At first I thought they would come for her for being part of us, a Quileute but they still want her on their side. She's powerful and they want her." Damon fessed up, glancing over at me.
"So you are a threat." Claire mumbles to me.
"Not at this moment, Not to us." Seth stated to her, then looked to me. "You'll only help us, Right?"
I give a nod. "Yes."
"Good! She'll find out more information when she goes. We find the coven and put an end to them, then boom, done. Burn those bloodsuckers alive and tada!" Jared says impatiently.
"What do you have planned?" Adam asked Carlisle. It was too obvious the pack rather Sam asked that, question and it isn't no surprise that the Cullen's just want the Pack to do the killing without them. "I mean do you really need the wolves to accompany you when they come back?" Adam added, staring Carlisle down.
Embry snorted. "So says the Alaskan Malamute." He mocked. "Why are you even at this meeting?" Embry snapped.
Jared, and Paul laughed.
"Ooh, Fighting words." Paul taunted his two-cents.
At least Adam helped Jacob on the beach when the Russian Coven came... that's more than I can say for Embry. Adam sighed glaringly annoyed at Embry, but said nothing back.
"If I may say so, Adam has a point." Damon stated and everybody looked over at him.
"Does it really matter if the wolves help or not?" He said directly to Carlisle.
"Yes, It matters." Sam says. "We are the protectors of the reservation. However, we cannot leave it ever again." Sam stated. "The half-vampires are aware that we come together in times of need. They will expect us to work with the Cullens. They have a plan, as should we."
"Great point." Paul muttered.
"To not fight, will mean more deaths of our people." Sam retorted.
"We'll still protect everyone, just not with them." Jacob said and everyone looked at him. "We have to out-smart them, if The Russian Clan knows that the Cullens are our backup- then we have to have another backup- strategy."
I agreed with Jacob.
"Okay so what exactly is the big plan here?" Quil asked. "I can tell that there really isn't one." He said, clearly confused and irritated.
"When the Russian Coven leaves for Kansas for more hybrids, Aiden will go and get as much information from Nauhel as she can. Then we'll make our move. The Cullen's will be in charge of capturing them if they run elsewhere but here on our land... we kill them." Sam stated. "For tonight, We keep on patrolling and listening out. No more fighting among ourselves." Sam added.
I can see why he is a Pack leader. That is a good plan.
"What about Nahuel? What if he pops up before they leave? Do we kill him?" Quil asked Sam.
"No, we see what he wants. No attacking Nahuel unless it's necessary. As for the Russian Coven, we definitely shouldn't do anything ahead of time until it's clear we have enough information about their abilities." Sam said.
"We'll try our best to study the Russian Covens abilities as well. I know someone who has the gift to identify the type of power that our kind has." Carlisle stated.
"No one has really informed us on the exact number of the Russian Coven. Sam? Didn't you say earlier that there were four members of the Coven, but two died?" Jared asked.
"There are more members of the Russian Coven than anyone thinks." Carlisle clarified before Sam opened his mouth. "The one named Crystal was killed by Jasper, the other Nina was killed by Edward, and Dominick who was just killed by Jacob."
"So, that leaves only one more." Damon retorted.
"He goes by the name of Isaac, and there's no doubt he has new members. Cannot underestimate that." Carlisle stated.
"Great." Jared mumbled under his breath.
"Either way, we still have no idea how many new members are in the Russian Coven now. Anyone can be under their influence." Sam then looked over at me. "Aiden, you said the Russian Coven are soon planning to meet Nahuel, Do you know where exactly?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe around Snoqualmie Forest." I stated. Which reminds me, If Nahuel gets the key I have, then the pack is going to be in a bigger mess than they are in now.
"They won't come back unless Nahuatl has the key before they find other hybrids. We'll have time to get ready." Edward stated.
"What Key?" asked. "Why does Nahuel have to give it to them?"
"A key to what?" Carlisle asked me.
"A key to one of their storages that holds the experiments. I've aged more than any average hybrid for a reason." I say.
"It holds more hybrids like Aiden, with unique abilities that they are keeping in Kansas. Maybe even the mothers that are forced to carry them." Leah adds. "If someone destroys that, then they'll have to start all over again."
"Hopefully not before they are all killed." Adam says.
"You forgot to mention this to the pack because?" Paul retorted to Leah scratching his head.
She glared over at him. "I didn't mention it because I'm tired, I'm irritated, my ankle hurts, oh and did I mention that I'm tired. I almost got my head ripped off twice yesterday, so sorry for my lack of memory." She snapped back.
I hate Nahuel for allowing all this to happen to Leah.
"What about you?" Paul said, looking at me. "You know way more than she does."
"Okay, let's all take a breather." Damon said fast.
"I second that dilemma, I'm also beat, so can we hurry up this little meeting." Jared said, glancing behind himself at Sam.
"So who has this key again?" Sue asked.
"I do." I answered.
"Whoa. The bloodsuckers will kill for that key and you have it. Here?" Jared stated.
"No. I mean... yes. It's hidden. No one knows I have it. Only... Leah." I confessed. Looking back over at Jacob who was still perched against the wall by the kitchen, with his dark brown eyes fixed on Sam. He seemed to be feeling relieved that I was helping the pack instead of running away from their questions.
"Aiden." Sam said in his Alpha voice and I looked at him.
"Do you think you can give it to me?"
"No." Leah said, moving from the steps towards me. "It's safe. Wherever she hid it. If she moves it they'll know." She said then turned to me. "You shouldn't have told them, if the Russian bloodsuckers find another telepath they'll come for you." She said and I felt stupid for saying anything.
"Sorry, I just wanted to help." I said to her honestly.
"I know, don't worry." She said, touching my hair, standing beside me.
I glanced over at Jacob who was staring down at the wooden floor. He warned Leah to be careful with me. I did not want to prove him right, or anyone. He just seemed like he was in another world. He and Leah only just reconnected and now I've gotten in the way.
He doesn't understand her need to protect me, and they fight about it. About me. I don't even believe he spoke to her the entire week he was in Alaska. With him and the pack getting back last night, Leah and him haven't had time to talk about anything.
He has no idea she is pregnant with their first baby. I'm not even sure Leah's aware yet, I can completely sense its presence inside of her.
The pack wasn't searching for the Russian Coven long. Embry did say that Jacob was thinking of her the entire time they were apart, but that doesn't mean that Jacob is willing to make-up with her at the moment.
He just may be scared that Leah will be in danger. He may be keeping his distance to protect her.
His moody stance was beginning to get to me. I guess I'll never understand who Jacob Black is, but I know Leah wishes they could talk instead of sitting here in this meeting.
"Joham... he's Nahuel's father right?" Haylie asked. Embry sighed unnecessarily impatiently beside her and she ignored him, not bothering to look his way.
"What does that matter? All we need to know is what he looks like so we can kill him." Jared stated.
"Joham doesn't look as old as he is, he has a very young face and he has long black hair." Edward responded. "He's the one responsible for creating the numerous hybrids. Nahuel is just following behind him. There was a time when Nahuel did not like his father's way of thinking and refused to join him. Joham believes he is creating a super-race with human-vampire hybrid children. I'm not sure what changed Nahuel's views of his father." Edward said clearly to everyone.
"Right." Carlisle agreed. "Well, we better go. There's a lot of precautions that need to be dealt with in a fast amount of time." He said, looking between Sam and Jacob.
Sam just looked at Carlisle and Edward then nodded. They were the only Cullen's here and they moved to leave.
I glanced over as Paul, Jared, Embry, and Haylie all stood up at the same time.
"So what time do we start patrolling?" Jared asked.
"Sundown. They won't strike again so soon, but we still have to be on guard." Sam stated. "For now, we all should go home and get some rest, though still listen out and keep your phones on." He ordered.
Paul, Jared, Embry, and Haylie walked around the couch slowly saying goodbye to Sue, then moved towards the front door.
Billy Black stood between the living room and the entrance way of the front door, just watching as almost everybody left. Sue put a hand on Jacob's shoulder. Jacob looked confusedly at her as to why she was touching him. Clearly he can feel her curiosity of asking what was going on with him and Leah so soon after reuniting.
I then felt Damon's body heat shift as he moved past me, and Lizzie followed him.
"Bye." He said to me as I passed by and I smiled.
"Bye, Damon." I smiled.
I wasn't sure if he was nice because of my crush or him, or if he felt sorry for me.
Lizzie said nothing as they walked hand and hand pass Leah.
"Everyone please be safe." Sue said loudly moving toward the front door.
As the huge living room became empty, it only left Billy, Sue, Adam, Jacob, Leah and I.
"Well now that that's cleared up, let's eat." Sue smiled walking towards the kitchen.
"Finally." Billy Black says, passing Jacob.
"Good, I'm starving." Leah said and I looked over at Jacob who stepped in her way.
"We have to talk." He said low.
"Really? Because last night you were all 'I can't deal with you right now, blah, blah, blah." Leah retorted.
"I know. I take it back. I'm sorry." He said, then glanced in my direction, then back to her. "Please."
"Now? I'm starving." She almost whined.
"Upstairs?" He asked, glancing towards the steps.
Leah nodded with a sigh as Adam went to sit on the sofa. I slowly followed him to go lay beside him.
Jacob and Leah moved to go upstairs to talk. I bit my bottom lip looking at Adam.
His green eyes smiled. "You can sense it right?"
"Sense what?" I ask, already knowing what he meant.
"She's pregnant." He smiled.
I nod.
I'm now afraid of it. Once the big bad threat is over for them, Leah will be happily with Jacob and something more important than me.
Then what side should I be on?
I can either go with my own kind of killers, or stay to be Jacob Black's semi-hybrid-stepdaughter.
*Flash Forward*
"What are you thinking of?" Joshua asked me as I sat with him by the beach.
"The past." I say.
It was only ten years ago that he was born and Leah and Jacob were reunited.
"And?" He pressed.
"Before you were born there was a hybrid army that came. It's happening again." I confessed to him. Joshua was like my little half-brother, I always want to be honest with him.
"Oh, you mean like... the newborn army that came before my mom moved away for a while?"
"Yeah... of course, but this ... is different. It's a vampire and hybrid army." I stated.
He nodded. "Yeah, mom and dad pretty much told me and Danny everything." He said playing in the sand, and I glanced off at Jacob who was playfully carrying Caleb towards the water.
"There was a time your dad didn't like me all that much."
"You don't say." He mocked.
I smiled. "I actually remember the moment when your mom was pregnant with you, but no one knew at the time."
"Really? Why not?" Josh asked curiously.
"Because there was a coven of vampires out to get everyone." I say.
"Like now, huh?" He asked, and I nodded.
"Yes, history repeats itself sometimes." I whispered.
Strange how Leah's pregnant again with her fourth child and no one knows.
I stood to my feet.
"Where are you going?" He asked, glancing up at me from his sandcastle.
"I'll be back soon."
"You're going to see Noah?" He asked.
It was important that I ask Noah to protect Leah if something ever happens to me.
"Yeah, kinda. Don't tell anyone, okay?" I asked him.
"Don't worry, I won't." Josh said, looking down back towards the sand- drawing little music notes.
*One Hour Later*
Knocking on the door softly.
I feel nervous to even be here.
The huge white doors opened, and I looked up as someone stood there.
"Aiden! We knew it wouldn't be long until you came. I've been expecting you." Zhan smiled happily to see me.
For a vampire he looked different, It's been a year since I've seen him and Nahuel. I hurried to walk in the house, and turned as Zhan shut the front door then paused.
"I'm happy to see you, I know Nahuel would be too." He smiled. Unlike the rest of Nahuel helpers, Zhan is actually good. "Follow me, I'll take you to him." He said moving across the large living room. The tile floor was the same as I remember from a very long time ago.
Yet, air smelt wealthier.
The last time I even thought to come back here was eight years ago, a month or two after Daniel was born. After I overheard Jacob mentioning his troublesome discomfort about me to Leah.
"Aiden? What a surprise." Nahuel said as Zhan held open Nahuel's kitchen door for me.
"Wow. I would've never thought to see you here. What brings you to Snoqualmie?" He smiled walking towards me, then pulled me into an enormous hug.
I awkwardly didn't bother to hug back. "I came to talk with Noah." I lied.
"Noah?" He said moving a couple steps back to give me space.
It has been seven years since I last saw Rylan -apart from last night, and two years since I last saw Noah though he called me months in-between.
"You must know Noah moved back to Forks with Renesmee, I think." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm still unsure. Nowadays we speak less. I fear his relationship with me has become merely like the one I first had with my father." He sighed. "How misunderstood we have become to one another. Perhaps Renesmee has brainwashed him against me."
"Why is that? Is it because of what's happening? Because I don't want you to hurt anyone, or try to kill anyone." I said fast. "If Renesmee is keeping her distance, do what she could know -"
"Aiden?" Nahuel says in a questioning tone.
"Because I don't think I'd be able to stay quiet. I will try to stop you. You can't come here after all this time. I will protect Leah and our family."
"I know, and you're not the only one. Why else would I be here alone? Well... Zhan and I, that is."
"I don't know." I mumbled honestly unsure if I could trust what he was saying.
"Then you're going to have to trust in me, that I have no bad intentions. This nothing to protect your family from." He says.
"I trust. I want to." I stated, though it wasn't fully true.
"And no matter what, continue to do everything I ask? Don't forget what you've promised."
"I haven't." I said low.
"Good, because now I'm officially back from Chugach and I've hoped to talk with you and Noah together." He stated, but all I heard was Chugach.
"Chugach? So you were in Chugach, Alaska? That's where the new wolves originated." I stated.
"Coincidence it must be." He mocked. I couldn't help but narrow my eyes suspiciously.
"Was Joham with you?" I already knew his father was.
"If you must know. Yes. However, only for a little while, we didn't see eye to eye on things and he got upset."
"Do Carlisle know?" I ask. Carlisle Cullen has friends in Alaska. I wonder if his friends are aware of new wolves out there.
"Enough about that, back to you and Noah." He said clapping his hands together, which startled me a little. "I know you've been avoiding your brothers."
"I don't know Noah and I don't know Rylan enough to avoid them." I say.
"All you need to know about Noah is that he's kind, and like you... alone. It isn't in me to tell you to stay away from him, that is obviously out of the question as you've already decided on your own to come here."
"I'm aware of his kindness and I did not come for just him." I say.
"Noah tends to bite the hand that feeds him. Rylan is different, he's loyal. He has many friends, and last I heard of a lover who lives on the reservation." He smiled. "You've seen him haven't you?"
"No." I lied without a thought. Rylan has been running around. I'm afraid for his safety if the wolves learn that he is working with Nahuel.
"In that case, he wants to keep his whereabouts hidden."
"Why?" I asked.
"Maybe he fears you'll judge him or turn him over to the wolfpack." I would never judge Rylan or betray him.
"For what? Why would I do that." I whispered.
"My guess is going against the Cullen's since your team wolf." He said, shrugging his shoulders.
Rylan or Noah refuse to allow Nauhel to control their lives completely, they rather pretend to be an enemy of mine.
"Or maybe it's the La Push agreement. The treaty they call it." He says.
"How long has it been since you've seen Rylan?" I asked.
He laughed.
"It depends. I haven't had a one on one conversation, however last night I did see him with you." He stated.
I bit down on my lower lip, embarrassed that he caught my lie.
"I won't say it's my job to be aware of that sort of thing, but I've been lucky to have Zhan as a close friend. Unlike most... he is good. More than myself, till this day Noah goes to him for guidance." Nahuel said, giving me a fake smile.
"Then I think it's fair to give him a second chance knowing only Zhan has rubbed off on him."
"Aww, I sadly felt a sting." He mocked placing his right hand over his heart. Nahuel has become heartless like his father Joham, apart of me feel it's because of Renesmee's devotion to Jacob. Even after Jacob and Renesmee parted ways.. Renesmee truly couldn't feel deeply for Nahuel like she had Jacob.
"You shouldn't, most parents let others take care of their children." I say.
"Like Jacob Black is doing for you?" He says with a hint of annoyance. "That must be fearing for you to stay there all these years."
I shook my head. "No. Leah takes care of me."
"As she should." He said and the image of what he allowed to happen to Leah eleven years ago, appeared in my head.
Uncontrollably more pictures came and I tried to shake them away. He's a monster.
Don't even know why I'm here listening to him, upset, I tried not to let it show on the outside.
"Aiden. I know what you think of me sometimes, and I want it to change." He said moving closer towards me, and I took a step back. "I didn't create you for my own twisted appeal." He smirked. "You're that thin infrequent experiment that bound me and Leah Clearwater. Yes, at first it was an act of vengeance. Now look at you... You turned out better than I could ever dream. Why would I jeopardize that perfection to kill innocent people of any reservation?" He says.
"I'm trying to figure that out." I mumbled.
"Aiden. I'm not the villain. Neither is Noah or Rylan, and avoiding them any longer would only make them feel-"
"Worthless and unloved." I finished his sentence.
"Exactly." He nods.
"I want to be sure of who's responsible for the vampire sightings and missing people around Seattle and the Makah reservation." I stated.
"I know how badly everyone is dying for things to start connecting to me. Sooner or later you will be in exile and Leah will no longer be yours." He stated.
"Not true. She loves me. She has faith that I won't end up on the wrong side."
"Ask yourself, for how long." He smirked.
"Until... Forever." I mumbled.
"There's no such thing as forever, Aiden."
"It is if I believe it is." I retorted back.
He shrugged.
I wish I could trust in him.
"Cole?" He said looking over my shoulder.
I turned my head.
Instantly walking in the room was a familiar tan skin, good-looking boy.
"Aiden, if I'm correct you met Cole, haven't you?" Nahuel said nonchalantly.
Shock hit me like a thunderbolt.
No.
Not one of the new wolves. I thought to myself.
"Technically, we haven't." Cole stated. "Though we have come across each other." He grinned.
"You're working with him?" I said low.
"Define working?" Cole answered back.
I instantly looked at Nahuel. "Cole is.. . how do you say ... my eyes and ears. Like you."
"No. No. I'm different." I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "This means you are responsible-"
"Oh, Aiden. Don't go skipping the Royal Caribbean for the Carnival, we both know where that could get you." Nahuel said, cutting me off.
"To more unanswered questions, and she's not a water type of girl." Cole said, still continuing to glare at me.
"You help him harm people and moonlight as if you're one of the protectors of La Push." I am upset. "The pack will kill you once they find out you're working for Nahuel." I say to Cole.
"Look, Aiden. Cole is simply in La Push to keep an eye out. Nothing more."
"How so?" I asked, still in shock.
"More like protection." Cole answered.
"Protection from who?" I asked.
"Aiden, when I... myself see you…. I see a very smart and exquisitely beautiful girl. Though what everyone else in La Push sees you as... is this quiet -"
"Ticking time bomb. You can only play the sweet hybrid for so long until you snap." Cole said cutting Nahuel off.
"Cole!" Nahuel said calmly in a warning tone.
"Sorry." Cole whispered to me with another grin.
Nahuel sighed. "Things are not what they seem, Aiden. It's been a long time, I've seen the error of my ways."
"I'm sure. No one else would admit to why they've abandoned their children?" I muttered thinking of Noah and Rylan.
"Actually, Yes. No one would admit that unless they've seen the light. Being in and out of Washington was the best I could do for Noah and Rylan."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because of Joham." Cole answered before Nahuel could get a word out.
"Yes. Joham has an obsession similar to The Volturi, and I would rather him not use any bloodline of mine that is in any way connected for his own gain." Nahuel says.
"Including me?" I already knew the answer.
"Aiden, you are rare. We made a deal to remember."
Our deal was for no harm to ever come to Leah in any way, and I'll inform him the best I could of everything that happens in La Push. That deal was made years ago. Days before Joshua was born.
"What deal?" Cole asked curiously.
"One that is none of your concern." Nahuel stated to him.
"Right." Cole mumbled looking at Nahuel, then turned his eyes back to me.
"So, I have your word that nothing bad is going to happen?" I asked.
"Nothing remotely close to cruelty will ever come over La Push, never by my doing." Nahuel smiled honestly.
"You can see the truth, don't let anyone mislead you. Feel free to continue on gladly with Leah. I'll do everything I can to keep the people and wolves at ease." Nahuel stated.
"And vampires." Cole added.
"Right." Nahuel agreed. "You two should be heading back." He said, turning Cole around to face the door.
"Aiden. You don't mind dropping Cole off on your way back home, Do you?"
I shrugged. "Sure."
Cole was already out of the kitchen and into the living room.
"Good, and I'll have no problem but to tell Noah that you're rethinking his offer to get acquainted once I visit Renesmee."
Not saying anything, I nodded then turned for the door.
Hurrying through the living room, I looked around as Zhan was nowhere in sight.
I then made my way towards the front door as Nahuel stayed in the kitchen.
Out the door, Cole who was already standing on the porch steps glancing back to see if I was coming.
"Is there anything I should know?" Cole asked as we walked down towards Leah's car.
"About what?" I ask.
"Come on, you made a deal with Nahuel? What was it, really?" Cole asked.
"Look, I know you're doing more than watching me on the reservation, because if so you would've contacted me like Noah or Rylan did. You are looking for an opportunity for Nahuel to make his move against the pack." I accused.
"Actually, no I'm not. When Nahuel learned the hybrids were in Alaska he went there to make sure they didn't kill more than they should have."
"I know that." I say.
"Do you? Do you know how bad things can get if you stick that hybrid nose into where it doesn't belong?" Cole says.
"Things have already been bad. Ten years ago, nothing could stop it." I clarified.
"Wrong. You gave up the chance to kill the bad guys. You're allowing them to get stronger every year. Who knows what can happen."
I stared at him. He was right. He must be working for Joham. Joham must no longer trust Nahuel for some reason.
"That was the Cullen's and The Volturi doing, not the wolves. Who are you really getting your orders from? Why are you here?" I whispered.
Cole exhaled looking around the yard. "I'm not the bad guy, Aiden. I'm trying to survive."
"Survive what?" I mumbled.
"This world." He answered. "I can't talk about it now." He says low.
"In that case, Sam is going to hate what I have to tell him." I say.
"Is that a threat?"
"Yes." I say, trying not to show my bluff.
He sighed. "Fine. Fine. We'll talk tomorrow night, after my patrol. I'll tell you everything I know when the pack isn't watching."
"What if something happens before that?" I ask.
"Aiden, trust me. There's nothing coming." He said more calmly than ever. "Therefore, you can wait." Cole continued to walk towards the car.
*End of Flashback*