Chapter 25 - Bella

The next week was busy for Jared and I. The pack was meeting with the council. They'd finally decided on whether or not the younger boys could quit phasing. The surprising part was that the imprints had been summoned to the meeting. It was unusual. On the way to the meeting, Jared told me that his wolf was on edge. That made me worry.

When we walked into the Council meeting, I was shocked when I saw not only my Dad but Kim as well. I squeezed Jared's hand. We made our way over to where my Dad was. Jared shook Dad's hand while I kissed his cheek. "What are you doing here?" I whispered to Dad so that Kim couldn't hear.

Dad hugged me and whispered in my ear, "Don't worry. Everything is gonna be fine." He said and I nodded.

Jared and I made our way to sit with the rest of the pack, while Dad sat behind us and Kim sat on the other side with her parents. I couldn't help but wonder if Dad had found something. He hadn't said anything since we'd talked about it, but it made sense.

Billy called the meeting to start. "A few weeks ago, Sam you brought a motion before the council. Old Quil has communed with the spirits and it has been decided that Brady and Collin can stop phasing and enjoy what's left of their childhood. Seth has the option to quit phasing if he chooses. And Leah, the choice is hers." Billy said. I looked over at Leah, and she looked relieved. I'd have to ask her about it later.

Sam stood up to speak to the Council. "As Alpha, I speak on behalf of my pack and we thank you for taking the time to consider this. I assure you, that if they choose to quit phasing, the Tribe will not go unprotected." Sam told them. The Council nodded their approval.

"Next, I understand that there is an issue with one of your pack members and his imprint?" Billy asked Sam, before he could sit back down.

Sam nodded. "Yes. My Beta, Jared Cameron and his imprint Bella Swan. They seem to be having some issues…with Kim Conweller." Sam said. All of our heads shot over to where Kim sat with her parents, her mouth hanging open. She was clearly shocked that the issue had been brought before the council. "It seems that Ms. Conweller has an infatuation with Jared and has been exhibiting stalkerish tendencies towards Bella and causing problems for them."

We turned back to look at the council. Billy nodded his head. Billy looked over at where the Conweller's were sitting. "Is this true?" He asked addressing Kim for the first time.

But it wasn't Kim that spoke. It was her father. "I don't see how any of this is relevant?" Her father asked.

Billy held up his hand. "You will be quiet. I am addressing your daughter. Is it true?" Billy asked.

Kim nodded. "Yes, Chief." She said.

"Why?" Billy asked.

"She is a pale-faced. She doesn't know our customs or traditions. She isn't good for him." Kim said.

"I see. You've heard the Tribal legends growing up, right?" Billy asked her. Surely, Billy wasn't going to let them in on the secret?

She nodded. "Yes, Chief."

"Do you remember hearing the legend about imprinting?" Billy asked her.

"I - I can't remember." Kim confessed.

"I see. Well, allow me to educate you. Taha Aki's third wife. His imprint. He described it as when he looked into her eyes for the first time, it was if the world shifted…stopped turning. He said that gravity no longer held him to the earth anymore, it was her." Billy told her describing imprinting. I looked over at Jared and squeezed his hand. I smiled at him thinking about when we'd imprinted. It felt as if it had been yesterday. "Jared has imprinted on Bella." Billy told her.

Kim nodded. You could see the disappointment on her face. "Were you or were you not told of Bella's ties to this tribe?" Old Quil asked Kim.

"Yes." Kim said.

"So you're aware that she is my great-niece and Chief Black's goddaughter, am I right?" Old Quil asked her.

"Yes." Kim said.

I looked at Billy and I saw something there. "Let me ask you this, young one, did someone put you up to pursuing Jared Cameron?" Billy asked her.

Kim looked shocked. Was this the case? "ANSWER HIM!" Old Quil snapped.

"Yes, Chief." Kim finally stammered out.

I gasped. I looked back at Dad and he nodded. I turned back to look at Billy. "Tell me." Billy said.

"My father. He knew that Jared worked for the council alongside Sam Uley and Paul Lahote. He thought…he thought that it would gain us a higher standing in the council's eyes if I was with Jared…if I possibly got pregnant with his child." Kim said and I gasped again, feeling my hand shoot to my mouth in shock.

"Hmm, I see. Answer truthfully. How do you really feel about Jared?" Billy asked her.

"I like him but I'm not in love with him. I'm in love with someone else." Kim said.

I looked at Jared and he nodded. There was something else. Wait! If Jared knew then that meant that someone had imprinted on her. But who? "Do you wish to tell the Council who that person is?" Billy asked her. She looked down at the floor almost like she was ashamed. But I didn't think that was it. "It's okay. This is a safe space." Billy told her.

She looked up at him. "I'm in love with Embry Call, Chief." She said.

I looked over at Embry, and his face was a mix of emotions. Proud, irritated, hurt…I felt bad for him. "Thank you. Do you understand your feelings for Embry?" Billy asked her and she shook her head. "Do you remember when I explained Imprinting?" Billy asked her.

The realization dawned on her face. "Oh." She said.

Billy smiled. "Kim, join the pack. I shall deal with your parents." Billy said. Kim stood up never once looking at her parents and walked over to sit in the empty chair beside Embry. "Mr. and Mrs. Conweller… What do you have to say for yourselves?" Billy asked.

Mr. Conweller scoffed at Billy. Billy glared at him. "I did what I thought was best for my family. I should have known that she couldn't do anything right. And besides, what right does a pale-faced have to get high standing with this tribe, whether she has ties or not?" He said.

I heard Jared and several others growl. I put my arm on Jared's, Emily's on Sam and Rachel's on Paul. "That's enough out of you!" Billy snapped. "You will pack your things immediately. You and your wife are hereby banned from this reservation. You will speak to no one. I hereby shun you." Billy said.

Mr. Conweller looked completely shock at the fact that Billy, his Chief was banning him from his home. His family. I looked over at Kim, who showed no emotion what-so-ever at the fact that her parents would be leaving the reservation. I looked back at her parents who stood making their way out of the Council Hall. "Now, I know that there have been things said here today. I know that things have happened recently. But you are family and you will get past them." Old Quil said.

When Billy closed the meeting, everyone made their way outside. Jared and I were standing nearby talking to Sam and Emily when Embry and Kim walked over to us. Sam and Emily said their goodbyes leaving us to talk. "Embry, Kim." Jared greeted them.

"Kim has something that she wanted to say." Embry said.

"I wanted to apologize to the both of you. I know that it sounds like an excuse but I was just doing my father's bidding. It's true that I didn't understand the bond that the two of you have, at first, but when Embry imprinted on me and he explained everything I finally understood." Kim said.

I grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug surprising her. "Kim, your forgiven. You are pack. You are my sister." I told her.

When she pulled back she had tears in her eyes. "Thank you, even though I don't deserve your forgiveness." Kim said.

"You may feel that way now but that'll change." I said. She gave me a weak smile before I stepped back and Embry wrapped an arm around her shoulders. I looked at Jared next to me and he winked at me.