AN: on to the next chapter. Sadly, it's not yet the talk between Bella and Edward.

I wanted to show the aftermath of the altercation from Edward's point of view :)

Hope you'll enjoy!

Chapter 13

EPOV

As Sam and I leapt at each other, we crashed into something hard and I was thrown back onto my side of the boundary line, denting the ground beneath me. I groaned at the impact and struggled for a moment to get back up. I was still angry and fully intent on attacking again, but a voice dripping with authority had me freezing in my tracks.

'Enough.' Isabella muttered.

Sam and another wolf that had appeared whined from the authority washing over us all.

Bella.

She was here! She really was here! There was hope after all.

'Change back to human form, Sam. I'm not in the mood to hear your snarls as you explain yourself.' She ordered as she stood with her back to me.

Sam snarled at her, and I wanted to snarl in response, but I just barely managed to contain it. I was sure that that would be the last thing Bella needed right now, my protective side coming out.

Sam didn't seem to be in the mood to change back though, his thoughts were a steady stream of profanity and angry snarls as he regarded Isabella. The other wolf was trying to talk sense into him as well, but not having much luck with it.

Bella didn't wait. She marched over and put her hand on his head. For a moment I feared he would attack her, but then the air started the ripple around him and he changed back to human form. I gaped at that. Had she just forced his change? Was that something she could do?

'what the hell is wrong with you?' She yelled as she whirled around to face both Sam and I at the same time.

I bit my lip and hung my head in shame. I needed to apologize, I knew I did. Not just for this altercation which I had definitely worsened needlessly but also for my earlier behaviour. I had acted like a fool. No, like a child. A petulant child who had not gotten his way. It was ridiculous and not who I wanted to be. and I needed to tell her that.

'Bella.' I managed to bring out, hesitantly taking a small step in her direction. But she held up her hand, stopping me.

'Call Carlisle here, now.' she ordered.

I swallowed hard but nodded. I quickly grabbed my phone and dialled Carlisle. He picked up on the first ring as Bella turned to Sam to dress him down.

'Carlisle, I'm at the boundary line south of the house. I need you to come here.'

'You're both like a pair of children.' Bella was saying to Sam. 'Now tell me, why were you about to attack each other?'

'He wanted to cross onto my land.' Sam snapped, glaring at me.

I snarled in response. 'I did not! I wanted you to tell me if Bella was on your land.'

'Edward?' Carlisle's voice filtered down the line, pulling my attention away from Sam.

'So you could come onto our land!'

I ignored his baiting this time. 'Can you get here?'

'Yes. Stay calm, we'll be there in a few minutes.'

'For Fuck's sake, enough!' Bella yelled. 'when is Carlisle getting here?'

'A few minutes.' I responded as I disconnected the call.

'Great. Jacob you will remain here, and inform Carlisle you are the new alpha.' She told the other wolf.

I regarded him curiously. Was he Jacob black? The great grandson of Ephraim black?

'You will tell him that the treaty will remain the same, and that Sam is very sorry for the ruckus he caused and will be disciplined accordingly. Ask him to make sure his children know that antagonising angry shifters is not a game.' Bella finished, looking at me with a stern look.

Properly chastised I looked down at my feet.

'don't mention me.' She said next, looking at the wolf and me. I gave a quick nod. 'You can use Edward as a translator if you're not comfortable shifting back yet. He can read minds.'

Jacob regarded me, surprise in his thoughts. you can hear me? he thought at me.

I nodded once.

'After you're done, come to your father's house again. And bring the other wolves. Things are going to change.' Bella finished her order.

Jacob nodded. And then she stepped over to Sam. Wait was she going to leave? But we still had so much to talk about.

'Bella, wait!' I called out, stepping after her. 'I need-'

She turned around, slinging Sam onto her back. She shook her head once. 'We'll talk later.'

There was no arguing with that tone. So I just nodded. It would have to wait. I just hoped she would still want to hear me out by then. I knew I had screwed up yet again doing this. It was a miracle she even wanted to talk to me. I sighed and rubbed my hands over my face.

'Are you staying a wolf?' I asked Jacob.

He nodded. Yes. This is my first change. I'm not sure I can change back yet.

I nodded. 'Then I'll help you communicate with my father.'

He nodded again.

Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper broke through the foliage then, on full alert.

'Edward!' Carlisle was next to me in an instant. 'what happened. What's going on?'

'Sam and I had an altercation. Jacob asked me to call you here to discuss the treaty.' I explained, trying not to sound impatient. I wanted this to be over with so I could seek out Bella and talk to her.

Carlisle turned to the wolf. 'Jacob?'

Jacob nodded. Jacob Black, descendant of Billy Black, William Black and Ephraim Black. I am here as Alpha of the tribe.

'Jacob Black, Ephraim's great grandson. He's the new Alpha.'

Jacob gave me a stare. You're editing.

'I'm not going to parrot everything verbatim, be glad I'm translating at all.' I snapped, my temper getting the better of me again.

Jacob rolled his eyes at me. fine. Let's keep this short. I have somewhere to be as well. Sam and Edward behaved inappropriately, both antagonizing the other and looking for a fight. That behaviour won't be tolerated from either side.

'Sam and I were looking for a fight. So we antagonized each other. It was inappropriate and won't be tolerated.'

Sam will be getting disciplined. I expect the same for Edward.

'Sam will be disciplined and he's asking you to do the same.'

'You want me to discipline Edward?' Carlisle asked. Edward what's going on?

Jacob nodded. The treaty will remain unchanged, the boundary line intact. I will keep my wolves in check in the future, indiscriminate hatred for vampires is not the way I want to go. But still I would prefer not to let you onto my land. I would like to move forward based on a mutual respect. For that to happen, Edward too needs to be punished for his actions today, not as severely as Sam, he really shat the bed. But consequences must be had.

'The treaty will remain the same. He wants us to have a better relationship in the future, based on mutual respect. Though he still prefers us not to come onto his land, so the boundary line will remain as well.'

You missed something Jacob hissed at me in his head, giving un unhappy snort.

'to move on I need to be disciplined as well.' I finally muttered.

Jacob nodded.

Carlisle regarded the both of us for a moment. 'Alright. I understand Edward stepped out of line and Sam did too. If Sam is receiving punishment then I agree it's only fair Edward receives some as well.' he regarded me for a moment. 'Go home, Edward. I will discuss the appropriate steps with Jacob myself.'

I frowned at him. 'what?'

'don't worry, I'm sure we'll reach an understanding.' I don't need a translator.

I sighed. 'Fine. I'll go.'

'You too, Emmett, Jasper.' Carlisle said.

Jasper protested a bit but then also gave in. the three of us headed out of the clearing and back to the house.

'What the hell happened?' Jasper asked when we were out of earshot of the meadow.

'I wanted to ask the wolves if Bella was on their land. But instead of giving me an answer he just started spouting nonsense and getting on my nerves.'

'Why would Bella be on their land?' Emmett asked. 'we warned her not to go onto Quileute territory.'

fuck. Right. I couldn't very well tell them about Bella's relationship with them.

Jasper sensed my sudden uncomfortableness. 'Edward? What's going on?'

'I can't tell you okay? but it wasn't that far fetched of an idea to think she might have been there.'

'why?'

'I can't tell you.' I muttered again.

Jasper and Emmett looked at each other in confusion. 'But was she there then?' Emmett asked finally.

I hesitated. 'No. but I am talking to her soon. So we can call the others back as well.'

We were at the house by now and went inside. Emmett pulled out his phone to call Rosalie. Alice was already sat on the couch, holding her head in her hands.

'You can stop looking.' I told her gently. 'thanks.'

She gazed up at me with confusion. 'Did you find her?'

'Sort of. I'm talking to her later.'

She frowned. 'What?'

I simply shook my head at her.

you'll explain later?

I gave a non-committal shrug, that would have to do for now. I wasn't sure what Bella wanted me to tell my family about her. I wasn't sure where we stood. Keeping silent for now was best.

Jasper sat down next to Alice and started comforting her softly. I quickly moved away from them, not wanting to impose and dialled Esme.

'Edward, did you find her?' she answered on the first ring.

'I'm talking to her in a little while, you can come back.'

'Is she there?'

'No. She didn't feel comfortable to do that.'

'oh.' She sounded disappointed. 'I'm sorry, honey. I'm sure if you two talk everything will be cleared up in no time.'

'I hope so.' I muttered.

'Is Carlisle back yet?'

'He's on his way as well.'

'I'll be there in ten minutes or so.'

'Okay.'

We hung up. And I gazed out at the yard. It was dark and the perpetual cloud cover had lifted slightly to show to occasional star.

It was a few moments later that Carlisle appeared. He crossed the yard leisurely, looking to be deep in thought. I sighed. I wondered what my punishment was going to be. it was a ridiculous request from Jacob. I didn't get why Carlisle had entertained him.

Carlisle stepped into the house just as Esme and Rosalie appeared as well.

'Ah everyone's here.' Carlisle said, snapping out of his thoughts. He'd been going back through the Black linage in his mind. I wasn't sure why.

'what happened?' Esme asked.

'I was called to the boundary line by the new alpha of the Quileute wolves. Because apparently Sam and Edward had an altercation. I'd like to hear the full story now, son.' Carlisle said, looking over at me. 'unedited please.'

I sighed. 'I thought Bella might have gone onto their land. So I picked a spot at the boundary line to wait for one of the wolves to ask if they'd seen her. Sam was the first one to come by. I asked him if he'd seen her, he refused to answer my question, and instead just stared spouting off nonsense about vampires. He was getting on my nerves and finally I'd had enough. We both challenged each other and were preparing for a fight when we were interrupted.'

'so you didn't actually fight?' Carlisle asked.

I nodded. 'we were stopped before it came to blows.'

'and you didn't cross the line?' he checked.

Again I nodded.

'Okay that's good.' He sighed. 'Jacob black is the new alpha, replacing Sam. Jacob wants a different relationship with us than Sam. He sees that Sam has been biased and blinded by prejudice. He wants to let that go. In order to do so we need to start fresh. Sam has been severely disciplined for his actions. Jacob asked me to make sure my children also know to respect the wolves.'

'respect?' Rosalie scoffed. 'they're just a bunch of mutts.'

'Rosalie.' Carlisle said firmly. 'they're spirit warriors with an ancient power that we can't even begin to understand. They deserve our respect.'

'What is my punishment?' I asked Carlisle, getting to the chase. I didn't really care about it. If this was the way to get back to a normal relationship with the wolves I was fine with it. as long as it didn't take too long, because I did have to talk to Bella.

'It appears Sam's punishment has been to impede his ability to shift. He's no longer part of the pack.'

Gasps travelled around the room. 'how is that possible?' Jasper asked.

Carlisle shrugged. 'Jacob didn't say and I didn't push.'

It had to have been Bella. Her gift forced him to shift back, could her gift also make that permanent? She really was amazing. Frightening but also amazing and awe inspiring.

'but what did he want done to Edward then?' Esme asked, her eyes flitting over to me, slightly nervous.

'we discussed it. Since Sam has been hostile longer, he deserved a greater punishment. Edward only needs to be punished for his foolish behaviour today. so we decided that he will do community service on the reservation for a week. Starting Monday.'

My mouth dropped open. 'but they wanted to maintain the boundary line' I protested.

'Yes. You will be picked up and dropped off and under the supervision of one of the tribe elders or wolves when you are doing your community service.'

I sighed. 'alright.' honestly it didn't sound that bad. Perhaps it could even be a good thing. I could get to know the other wolves. Jacob had seemed okay from what I had seen. Perhaps this could be the new path forward. 'what do they want me to do?'

'Build a house for one of the wolves. It appears one of them in currently living in a shed that is pretty much falling apart. They asked you to build a new house there.'

'A week might be a little short if we don't have the materials handy.' I muttered.

'That's why you start Monday. You'll have two days to sort the materials.' Carlisle said, with a smile on his face.

I nodded. 'okay. I'll do it'

'it doesn't really sound that bad...' jasper said. 'did you suggest removing a limb for a while? I mean that's a punishment.'

I punched him in the arm for that comment.

'We want to create a new relationship with the wolves, Jasper. From now on things will change. Slowly but surely. We hope this can be the first step. Community service will show our goodwill. Plus we can actually help them.'

Everyone agreed that it did seem like a good start to a new relationship going forward.

'What about Bella?' Rosalie asked. 'Did you find her before you got into it with the wolves?'

'I contacted her.' I muttered. 'I'm going to talk to her soon.'

'Is she coming here?'

I shook my head. 'no.'

'Why not?'

'We're not there yet, Rosalie.' I muttered heavily. I really wished we were. But I knew we had a while to go yet.

'When you meet her, tell her we miss her and that she is always welcome here.' Esme said, sincerity in every word.

I nodded once. 'I'll tell her.' I muttered, though I wasn't sure if Bella would feel comfortable coming back here.

'When are you meeting her?' Alice asked, already searching ahead to see if she could see something. She didn't of course, she only got that sharp pain shooting through her head again.

'Alice, stop looking for her, you'll only hurt yourself. She's fine. She can take care of herself.'

'I just worry.' She muttered, looking down at her hands.

'I know, but don't hurt yourself because of it. Bella wouldn't want that either.' I told her gently.

Alice nodded.

'I'm heading out to meet her now. I don't know when I'll be back.' I muttered, heading for the door.

I wasn't sure where we would meet, or what Bella's definition of later was. But I was sure I would be able to find her scent somewhere and follow it until I met her. I was determined to speak to her. no matter how long I needed to wait. I would talk to her and tell her everything and beg her for another chance. I knew my happiness and probably hers dependent on it.