Blood Moon

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

The Old Man and the Scar

"Bella?" Jacob's voice resonated with worry.

Bella's head shot up in alarm, the wind immediately whipping her long, brunette hair into a wild frenzy. She looked up at Leah, her eyes pleading. "Don't tell him." She begged. "I'm not ready for him to know."

Leah emitted a deep-seated sigh. "I would never betray your trust." She promised. "Not over something like this. But, Bella, secrets have a way of coming out whether you want them to or not. What that despicable creature did – he deserves to be punished."

"Please." Bella begged again. "Let me deal with this in my own way."

"Its your call." Leah said, shrugging. "But if you ever want to talk – "She left the rest unsaid.

"Thank you." Bella replied gratefully as she climbed unsteadily to her feet.

Jacob's tall figure appeared out the darkness, his relief evident as soon as his frantic gaze caught sight of her. "There you are." He said, quickly loping over to Bella's side. "The stories are about to start. You don't want to miss them." He glanced over in Leah's direction, his brow furrowing slightly. "Leah." He acknowledged. "Sue was asking about you. She's worried."

Leah looked back at him steadily, her lovely features once again hidden behind an emotionless mask. "We were just on our way back." She confirmed.

"Right." Jacob didn't look convinced. His arm automatically dropped over Bella's shoulders, tugging her protectively into his side. "Everything alright?" He asked her.

"Yeah, its all good." Bella managed to muster up a smile. "Leah and I were just having a little chat."

"You were?" Jacob's tone sounded more dubious than ever. "What about?"

"Why the third degree?" Leah intervened, noticing how much Bella was already struggling under Jacob's scrutiny. "You need to chill, Jake. It's just girl talk, jeez."

"She's right." Bella's eyes were full of gratitude as she glanced in Leah's direction. She loved Jacob's overprotective side, but in this instance, it was a little too much. "It's nothing you'd be interested in. Come on, we should go."

"Sure, sure." Jacob caved in, sensing that he wasn't going to get any further information out of the two girls tonight. He trusted that Bella would tell her what was on her mind when she was ready, although he couldn't imagine what she would have gotten out of going to Leah for advice.

By the time they rejoined the others around the bonfire, the convivial, fun-filled atmosphere had changed. While Leah settled back down next to her family, Jacob led Bella over to the other side of the circle, sitting down next to Sam and Emily, who both threw them curious glances.

Bella looked around, noting that Embry was missing from the group now. He must have left to join Paul in Forks, having already heard the stories before. Bella felt reassured that her father would be safe now that he had two of the most experienced wolves guarding him. It enabled her to relax enough to focus on Billy's voice.

Beside her Emily produced a spiral bound notebook and a pen, looking exactly like a student set for an important lecture. Sam just twisted slightly beside her -so that he was facing the same direction as Old Quil, who was on his other side- and suddenly Bella realized that the elders of the council here were not three, but four in number.

She looked across the circle as Leah, her face still a beautiful and emotionless mask, closed her eyes – not like she was tired, but as if to help her concentration. Her brother leaned in toward the elders eagerly.

The fire crackled, sending another explosion of sparks glittering up against the night.

Billy cleared his throat, and resumed speaking, telling the story in his rich, deep voice. The words poured out of him with precision, as if knew them by heart, but also with feeling, and a subtle rhythm. Like poetry performed by its author.

Never before had Bella recognized the ring of majesty that was in Billy Black's voice, though she realized now that this authority had always been there. She was spellbound as she listened to him talk.

Emily's pen sprinted across the sheets of paper as she tried to keep up with him.

With the fire warming her front and Jacob warming her back, Bella sat forward, intrigued by all that she learned. Everything else seemed to fade into nothing around her – her imagination sparked by Billy's gifted narration – unravelling like a movie reel in her mind's eye.

According to Quileute legend, the spirit warriors were the first to shift from humans into wolves. The Quileute population was always small, but they never disappeared since it was believed they had magic in their bloodlines.

The Quileute tribe settled in La Push and became efficient fishermen and shipbuilders. As time passed, other peoples coveted their land and moved against them for it. The tribe was small and could not defend themselves, so they took their ships and left the land. At sea, Kaheleha used the magic in their blood to defend it. He was the first Spirit Chief in Quileute history. He and all the men left the ships in spirit only, using the original power of Quileute Astral Projection, leaving their bodies behind under the care of the women. Though they could not physically hurt the enemy, the warriors had other ways. They blew fierce winds into enemy camps; they could make great screaming in the wind and could manipulate animals to do their bidding. Animals were the only ones that could see them and help. The invading tribe had packs of thick-furred dogs to pull their sleds in the north, and which were set against them. Bats were brought out of the cliff caverns. As a result, the dogs and bats won and the survivors of the invaders scattered thinking the harbor cursed. The Quileute's released the dogs, who ran wild, and returned to their bodies victorious.

The Hoh's and the Makah's made treaties with the Quileute's because they wanted nothing to do with their magic.

After this brief history of how they came to be, Billy moved on and spoke about Taha Aki, one of the last great spirit chiefs who was well known for his wisdom and for being a man of peace. He was the first shape-shifter of the Quileute tribe and had passed the genes on to three families: the Blacks, the Uleys, and the Atearas.

Bella pictured the tall and proud warrior, his face stern and forbidding, but with the same majesty that was prominent in all his descendants even in the present day.

She continued to listen intently, Billy's deep voice giving him an air of solid confidence, pulling her further and further into the story, making her feel as if she was a participant, watching it play out in front of her eyes.

Taha Aki was a leader of the Spirit Warriors of the Quileute tribe. He forced one of the spirit warriors, Utlapa to leave the people, and never use his spirit form, as he was angry at him for thinking that their people should use their magic to expand their lands, as well as to enslave the nearby Hohs and Makahs. One day, Taha Aki left to join the spirit world and sweep along the coast and forests, making sure no threat was near. Taha Aki figured that Utlapa followed him, and found out about Utlapa's murderous plan. He tried to race back to his body, but realized that it was gone. Taha Aki followed his body down the mountain, but Utlapa managed to get into it first. Taha Aki watched with despair as Utlapa took his place as chief to the Quileutes.

Eventually, Taha Aki tried to destroy his body to save the tribe from Utlapa. He then summoned the Great Wolf to try and kill the body, but since Utlapa was behind many warriors, he forced the wolf away. Taha Aki figured that the wolf had a body and therefore a soul, so he asked the Great Wolf would he make room in his body for his spirit and share the physical form. Granting his request, Taha Aki managed to enter to the wolf's body. He returned to his village to stop Utlapa. The warriors realized that the wolf was no ordinary animal and realized that it was Taha Aki inside it. The explanation was given by Yut who entered the spirit world where he discovered the truth. Taha Aki took care of Utlapa once and for all and destroyed Utlapa's body where he left it in the woods, before entering the spirit world. Since that fateful day, Taha Aki was able to share the body of a wolf whenever he wished. He came to be known as "Taha Aki the Great Wolf" and "Taha Aki the Spirit Man"

Fascinated by this great legend of the tribe, Bella became even more enraptured when Billy moved onto the next part of Taha Aki's story.

After Taha Aki gave up his spirit self, trouble began in the North with the Makahs. Several young women had disappeared and they believed the neighboring wolves were to blame. However, all the wolves knew it was none of them because their minds were still connected with each other. Taha Aki did not want a war, especially since he could not lead his people any longer. He gave his eldest son, Taha Wi, the responsibility of finding who was to blame. Taha Wi led five wolves in search through mountains looking for evidence but they only found a strange, sweet scent. They followed it and the journey took them so far north that Taha Wi sent the two younger brothers back to inform the chief. Taha Wi and the other two never returned.

A year later, two Makah maidens were taken from their homes on the same night and the Makahs called upon the wolves. The Quileutes found the same sweet scent and went on the hunt once more. Only one of them returned. Yaha Uta, the eldest son of Taha Aki's third wife, returned carrying strange cold pieces of a corpse. He described what had happened to his brothers. One of them underestimated the strength of the creature and became a victim. Yaha Uta and his other brother were more careful but the creature matched their movements and got his hands on one of them. Yaha Uta found an opening on the creature's throat and began tearing at him desperately trying to save his brother. It was too late but he succeeded in ripping his enemy apart.

Yaha Uta laid the remains of the creature on the ground to be examined. Suddenly the corpse began to attach itself together and so the elders set fire to it. They spread the ashes far and wide, except a small bag which Taha Aki wore around his neck to be warned if the creature ever decided to get himself together again. The creature was called the Cold One and the Blood Drinker. They feared there were others like it since they only had one wolf protector left. Then came the Cold Woman, its mate. She was the most beautiful creature to be seen, though one small boy claimed the smell hurt his nose. An elder heard this and yelled for them to get away. He was the first to die at the mercy of the woman. She then proceeded to the other people until Yaha Uta arrived, followed by Taha Aki, his third wife, and the elders. When Yaha Uta was defeated, Taha Aki turned into an old gray wolf with the strength given by his anger alone. He began fighting the Cold Woman, when his third wife came to a conclusion.

She had just seen her son killed and now her husband ran a terrible danger, along with the rest of her sons and tribe. She heard every word the witnesses told the council and heard Yaha Uta's version of events the night the other one was beaten. She knew that his brother's divergence had saved him. She grabbed a knife from one of her sons, ran towards the blood drinker, and stabbed herself in the heart. The Cold Woman could not turn away from the fresh blood and gave in to the thirst. Taha Aki bit her throat and finished her off along with two of his sons who felt such rage at seeing their mother dead that they turned into wolves. After that, Taha Aki never returned to his human self, staying to protect his wife's body, and leaving for the forest, never to return to the tribe.

"She was just a human woman. With no special gifts or powers." Bella thought to herself wistfully once the story came to an end. "But it was her bravery and courage that managed to save the whole tribe. I wish they had remembered her name."

She had been so involved in the story it was a shock to come back to the present, to the circle around the dying fire. With another shock, Bella realized that the circle was made up of Taha Aki's great -to however many degrees – grandsons.

The fire threw a volley of sparks into the sky, and they shivered and danced, making shapes that were almost decipherable.

Out of the corner of her eye Bella glimpsed Old Quil Ateara, who shifted in his chair, straightening his frail shoulders. She noticed he was looking her way, his expression thoughtful. From beside him Billy took a drink from a bottle of water and wiped his forehead. Emily's pen never hesitated as she scribbled furiously on the paper.

"What's Old Quil staring at?" Jacob mused from behind her.

So, Jake had noticed the old man's scrutiny too? Bella shifted awkwardly against him, feeling uncomfortable under the elder's keen gaze.

"Look he's gesturing for us to come over." Jacob said, sounding puzzled.

"I think he means just you." Bella felt reluctant to move, though she couldn't explain why.

"No, its definitely both of us." Jacob stood up, reaching for her hand. "I need to check on dad anyway. He looks tired."

Bella was hesitant, but she didn't want to have to go into a long explanation as to why she didn't want to greet the old man. Old Quil was harmless. She was just being stupid, still feeling deeply affected by the story of the third wife's sacrifice.

Taking Jacob's hand, she let him help her to rise, keeping close to him as he led her over to the group of elders. Billy smiled when he saw them coming over. Sue raised a hand in greeting before turning back to speak to her children in low tones. Old Quil's expression remained inscrutable, though his dark eyes remained riveted on Bella as she stumbled along at Jacob's side.

"You wanted to speak to us, elder?" Jacob asked politely as he stood in front of the old man in the lawn chair.

"Not you, Jacob. Its your young lady I would like a word with." Old Quil said in his thin tenor voice.

Billy regarded the ancient elder curiously. "What do you need to ask Bella, Quil? Care to share?"

"You'll see soon enough." Old Quil stated gravely. "Give me your right hand, child." He said directly to Bella.

Bella felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She was unwilling to follow the old man's command. What did he expect to see? Did he know? The way his dark eyes were scrutinizing her, it was like he could see into her very soul. No, she didn't have to do what he wanted, but she had an audience now, everyone had turned to stare at her, wondering what the elder was playing at.

"Its okay, Bella, honey." Jacob encouraged, though he looked bemused.

"I don't want to." Bella whispered back nervously. The skin on her wrist was beginning to itch. She scratched it absently, a movement that did not go unnoticed by the ancient elder.

"It bothers you a lot, doesn't it?" Old Quil said.

"I don't know what you mean." Bella pulled her sleeve down, trying to hide the circle of silvery scars that made up the circle of James' bite.

Old Quil looked at her with sympathy, as if sharing her apprehension. "It's the poison, trying to work its way to the surface, child." He continued gently. "I knew you carried the mark of a cold one as soon as I saw you."

There was a collective sound of gasps. Bella recoiled, tucking herself further into Jacob's side as she tried to make herself appear invisible.

"Quil, what's going on?" Billy demanded, his eyes flicking to Bella and Jacob.

Jacob was doing his best to comfort Bella, using his body to shield her from the curious stares of the others. "I would like to know that, too." He added.

"You already know." The elder continued grimly. "She has already shown it to you and told you all about it."

Then Jacob knew. It was the scar. The scar that was like a permanent reminder of the time Bella had nearly lost her life at the hands of a cold one. James had tracked Bella to Phoenix, and tried to lure her into a trap by claiming he had captured Bella's mother, Renée Dwyer. However, he failed to make Bella his meal and was killed by the Cullens, but not after he had inflicted a venomous bite on Bella's wrist, which had been subsequently sucked out by Edward in order to save her life. Jacob remembered sitting in the Rabbit ages ago, with Bella haltingly admitting to him for the first time what had really been behind her so-called accident in Phoenix a few months prior.

"Okay, I know." Jacob admitted, his arm tightening around Bella protectively. "But how do you?"

"I recognize the mark of a cold one." Old Quil remarked with a flash of impatience. "Call it an old man's intuition." He turned his laser-like focus back onto Bella. "Now show me your hand, child." He urged again.

With trembling fingers, Bella slowly pulled back the sleeve of her shirt, stepping forward with Jacob's help, and holding out her arm for the old man to see. Old Quil grabbed her hand, turning it palm upward so he could examine her wrist. The faded outlines of James' bite glinted metallic silver in the light of the dying flames from the bonfire. Billy leaned in close, as did Sue Clearwater, both their eyes widening as they gazed upon the cold one's mark.

"Impossible!" Billy breathed. He raised his shocked eyes to his son's. "And you knew about this?" He asked Jacob.

Jacob glared down at him. "I did."

"Why did you never tell me?" Billy demanded.

"Because its no one else's business. That's why." Jacob retorted.

"Hush!" Old Quil remonstrated with them. His eyes remained focused on the scar as he turned Bella's wrist this way and that, looking at it more closely from the light of the fire. Then when he had done a thorough examination, he reached out with one forefinger and touched it.

The burning sensation that the old man's touch provoked was nothing like Bella had experienced in her life. It felt like she was being roasted alive. The shock to her system proved too much, with barely a whimper she fell in dead faint at the old man's feet before Jacob had a chance to catch her.

A/N-thanks for reading!