Chapter 44: Loyalty and DNA
As Always Happy Reading
POV: Bella
The room grew tense as a bowl was placed in the centre of the circle. Every pack member from both packs pulled out a piece of parchment from their pockets - a tradition that had been long since required of each active member, just in case the call for a vote was called.
Sam waited for the guidelines of the vote to be announced. With each moment that passed, he gripped his pen harder. Reaching over, I retrieved the poor writing instrument from his grasp. It was already deformed from his stress.
"You will need to have an argument for both options presented" Sam's mother broke the suffocating silents.
"No. Everyone knows the danger of a witch, this is not a matter that requires defence." Billy grumbled.
He had a giant book on his lap, leafing through the worn pages. Each time a page was turned a puff of dust would escape into the air.
"Do I get to vote?" Flic whispered to Rebecca.
Rebecca shrugged. "Pretty morbid if you vote to kill yourself. I am not sure you get a say in the matter"
"You can vote. You are still an active member of our pack. We had you recorded as missing, not dead. Your vote will still stand." Joshua answered seriously.
Flic nodded. Embry ripped his parchment in half, handing it to her with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Billy continued his silent reading. He tilted the book slightly to get more light on the pages. I held in a gasp when I saw part of the illustration.
The barbaric image was of a person tied down to a dais, their limbs being slowly separated, their shoulders pulled out of the sockets. My stomach rolled.
Was this what he would have happen to Flic if the vote is deemed to condemn her to death?
"Are you almost done with your recreational reading?" Harry sounded bored.
Was he bored because he was sure she wouldn't die, or because he was uninvested in her life? No, he left he tribe to help raise her. Why would he be okay with her death?
The doors to the meeting hall opened, as a little old woman walked in. She was holding a casserole dish brimming with bubbling lasagna. She ignored the tense circle placing the dish on a stone table along the back wall.
The table that I had thought Flic might be sacrificed on after the vote.
"Molly, what are you doing here?" Sue jumped up ready to assist the older woman.
"I heard about the council meeting and figured you would all vote better on a full stomach. I have more food to come in from the car - if some of the young men wouldn't mind helping" Molly instructed.
She tossed her keys at Brady "Park it nicely after you are done unloading it, would you dear?"
Molly gave everyone a sweet smile, ignoring the obvious dividing line. With sure strides she crossed to the exiled pack, giving them all tight hugs.
"I am so glad everyone is home" Molly announced after greeting everyone personally.
"They are not home to stay Molly" Billy grumbled.
Molly wasn't having any of that, ignoring Billy she walked over to the table dishing herself some food before returning to sit next to Old Quil. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, steadying her.
At the moment they made physical contact a relief spread across the old man's face. Almost like he was worried for his wife.
No one moved to dish up food. The air in the space was thick with uncertainty.
"Well, I am getting food. It is the first thing to smell good all week" Rachel disconnected herself from Pauls lap.
He followed closely behind, not trusting the situation to let his pregnant fiancee walk across the space without him to protect her.
More of the pack followed after her, dishing up the delicious food.
"Do you want something to eat?" Sam whispered in my ear.
I hadn't thought about food this morning. The amount of light that streamed in when Molly opened the door would mean that we have been arguing for a few hours already. I should eat something, but my stomach had become a pit.
The food smelled so good, but how could I eat when we are debating death?
Rebecca came over to Flic, handing her a plate of food.
"Beck-" Flic attempted to protest.
"No. You are not dying today, so you will eat." Rebecca scolded.
Seth took the plate from Rebecca, holding it for Flic.
"Thanks Beck" Seth's voice was strained, containing none of the joking lightness that I had come to associate with him.
"Don't worry, she will definitely have at least a few bites. Garlic is one of her weaknesses." Rebecca flashed the trio a sad smile.
"Garlic hey?" Embry voice sounded flat as he attempted to discover more.
"I was raised by vampires. Thought it was funny to have them interact with garlic. Then it kinda became a comfort flavour." Flic smiled.
"Garlic does nothing to vampires then?" Embry asked.
"No Embry, it doesn't - well, it does tempt my Dad into having a bite of food. Which he visually regrets later"
She reached forward, taking a small bite of lasagna. Her eyebrows pulled together as she chewed - like she was trying to find a way out of this mess.
When she looked at Molly, her eyes flashed slightly, before they broke eye contact.
"I think I might be too stressed to eat" Flic whispered.
Renee kept looking at me from across the room. She was motioning for me to get food.
That was rich. How many times had I gone hungry because of this woman? Now that it's convenient and she is in front of my apparent father she's ensuring my health?
I settled further into my seat. Memories swirled of eating in rooms without windows as workers dished up a designated portion onto my small plate, knowing it would be the only food I would eat for the weekend.
The desperation of those memories surfaced with a force. I bit back any emotions, knowing I needed to focus on what was happening here and now.
I stood, holding Sam's hand tightly, needing to get out of my mother's encouraging gaze. It wasn't a sight I was overly comfortable with. Normally, she would have this glint to her eyes when she was high, it was almost encouraging.
I remembered all the times I waited to tell her good news when she was on a good trip. Then at least I could pretend that she was smiling at whatever I was telling her.
Tears pricked my eyes as I blindly loaded up a small portion onto my plate.
Sam loaded up two plates with wolf sized portions. He handed Embry a plate as we walked by. He knew Embry wouldn't be able to waste even a moment with Flic. Not while her life hung in the balance.
Once we sat, the exiled pack got up to eat.
Oh. They might have been waiting on us to dish up before they went for food.
My stomach felt like it was stabbed. Renee wasn't worried about me, she was waiting to dish herself up. I took an angry bite of the food. Trying to distract myself from this new version of the woman who raised me.
When Harry crossed the invisible barrier on his way to get food. Leah jumped up, racing across the space. She crushed her father in a hug. Harry had tears in his eyes as he held his daughter.
Seth took a deep, sharp intake of breath. Almost like the sight had derailed his rhythmic breathing pattern.
His hands shook, so I took his plate from him.
Seth stood up and bolted from the room. He was out the door with a speed only a shifter could possibly possess.
Flic was on her feet following him. As she walked to the door, people parted like she had a disease. A few of the pack could only be described as jumping out of her path.
"Where do you think you are going, witch!?" Billy yelled.
"Outside. Call me when you finish your recreational reading on how exactly you would like to kill me. Might I recommend page 394." Flic called back without looking at Billy.
Billy turned ready to go after her.
"Let the girl go outside. Its not like you were ready to tie her to the alter anyway" Renee argued.
Billy glared at Renee, who looked unbothered by the malaise being sent her way.
"Billy, why do you think she needs to die?" Sam inquired.
For the first time in what was going on hours, Billy looked up from the book. He took a deep breath as he tried to gather his thoughts.
"Witches are unpredictable. They have the ability to both bring new life to the forest as well as destroy it. This is our sacred land. We need to maintain it, and a witch has the ability to destroy it. They tap into our magic, they could turn it on the pack." Billy sighed, exhaustion etched into his face.
"They can also bring new life into the pack" Sarah argued.
Billy gave a slight nod to his wife.
"At what cost though Sarah? When a witch imprints with a wolf, they have the ability to increase that wolf's power. If the imprint is not the Alpha it can cause unrest within the pack. Destroying the power of the pack from the inside out. Not to mention, they have a direct connection to the magic. Giving them the ability to-" Billy took a deep, shaky breath. "The ability to cause the wolves to simply cease to be. Leaving us defenceless against any threat that came our way"
Gasps from the pack sounded throughout the room. Visceral reactions to the thought of them not having their wolves were clear on each pack member's face.
"You don't think we knew that?" Jacob asked.
"What you did was irresponsible. We had all agreed to terminate any pregnancy that would result in a witch. If you did so, the children on our side of the room would not have had to grow up without their parents" Billy put the book down, stretching his back.
"You think we wanted to leave?" Allison Uley asked.
"I don't know what to think. I am finding it hard to understand how you made this choice." Billy looked to Sarah, his expression pure heartbreak.
If they had included Billy in the decision, would there have been a divide? The man who was now looking at his wife with sorrow over his child that he did not know existed, only to find out as the ghost of his love reappeared in his life.
"You had only started to take over as chief from your father. I knew you would have told me that we could have another child. At that time I had already fallen in love with this baby. I knew our children would be safe in your care. None of them where going to be exiled or killed simply for being connected to the magic from an early age." Sarah's face was sorrowful.
"Is there a way that-" Jacob took a deep breath "my little sister is allowed to live?"
"No. She is a danger to the pack and it was stupid to keep the pregnancy" Sue's voice was thick with venom.
"What happened to your pregnancy" Sam asked his Mom.
I could see from the crease on his forehead that he had been trying to figure it out for a while.
"I had a healthy son." Allison had a small smile.
"Where is the boy then?" Sue demanded. "Assuming you didn't lose this one too"
"I didn't lose him!" Allison shouted.
Joshua held his wife tightly as she shook.
"Then where is he?" Sue spat.
"Here" Joshua declared "I knew he would grow up to be a wolf if he was raised on pack lands. So we found a family that would raise him."
The pack all looked at each other. Almost like they were trying to sniff out who was Sam's little brother. Before Embry was claimed to be my brother, I would have thought they were talking about him.
Though, the way River was looking at both Embry and I made me feel like he was telling us the complete truth.
"I am putting an Alpha deterrence vote forward" Sam spoke confidently with the Alpha command ringing through his voice.
Jacob sat up straighter.
"The only people who can add a say to the vote are Alphas or Chiefs of the tribe" Sam dictated.
"What is your deterrence vote for?" Billy sounded exhausted.
"We deter the vote on Flic's death until the genealogy of the pack is completed. No one deserves to die until they know exactly how they are a part of the pack." Sam cast his parchment into the bowl.
"Yes for deterrence, No for genealogy to be completed post mortem" Sam leaned back, waiting for Billy and Jacob to add their votes into the bowl.
Jacob tossed his parchment into the bowl, it seemed to light up as the paper rested in the basin.
Billy took a moment, waiting to write his answer. Tossing it in with a wistful sound.
River got up from his spot, tossing his vote into the bowl.
"You didn't specify that I couldn't vote. I am the Chief of my pack" Frank smiled at me as he sat down.
The bowl started to levitate and spin. Almost like it was counting the votes inside its vessel. Slowly the parchment was burned and writing glowed on the ground in front of Sam.
Yes: 3 No: 1
"Yes it is. We will wait until we complete the genealogy before voting on Flic's fate" Sam decreed.
I took my first full breath. The meeting had drained my energy levels. Too many things had been discussed in the now claustrophobic space.
"What is the plan for the exiled pack while genealogy testing is taking place?" Jacob asked. His eyes not leaving his mother.
"They will leave pack lands" Billy announced.
"Why? We all have houses here. Unless you illegally sold them out from under us" Renee countered.
That hit me like a punch to the gut. We had a house here? A house that I could have sold when her addictions had taken full control of her life. Maybe then I could have moved us up here, been with Sam before this month.
Instead I suffered, scrounged and forced myself to survive in Phoenix
"Your houses still stand. Though, it will be harder for the children if you stay here now. It would be better for you all to leave and come back only to see the fate of the witch" Sue argued.
"You are just saying that because you don't want to tell your bastard son who their father is. And you know I wont keep the information from him." Harry spat.
"It will all be revealed soon enough. Who will be collecting the DNA samples?" Frank questioned.
"I will be" Sue smiled smugly.
"No way in hell you are collecting the samples. I know you will modify your son's DNA to say I am his father. We will need a unbiased party" Harry protested.
"Are you saying we send our DNA to a human laboratory? You do know that will completely out us. We will be collected and studied. Maybe it is simply better not knowing. I will not have the humans dissecting us for fun." Billy proclaimed.
Billy seemed quite happy with the idea that no DNA tests would be collected. Maybe it was because if there was no DNA test done, he could deny Flic as his daughter. I didn't want Sam to be prodded by scientists, though in my short time here I could see the need for the testing.
Selfishly, I wanted to submit my DNA into the testing. Renee had been an inconsistent parent for my entire life. Why would I now believe her, even though this is the most sober I have ever seen her.
"I have a person who can do DNA testing for us" Rebecca was typing something on her phone when she spoke.
"No!" Sue yelled.
"No? I'm sure between collection and analysis it will take them only a day max to get it done. Probably less" Rebecca was glaring at Sue.
"Well its settled then. Rebecca, when can your person come draw blood or swab our cheeks. I'm not sure how the best way is to do DNA" Sarah smiled at her daughter.
"They can not come here" Billy glared.
"Fine. I will set up a station at the territory line, if you're willing to hike to get your cheek swabbed" Rebecca argued.
"On the territory line would work for the pack but it seems paternity is a requirement for many in our midst. Could we set up a swab station on mutual ground. Maybe ask Charlie if we could borrow an office at the police station?" Sam suggested.
"No. Charlie can't know about this!" Sue hissed.
"Well. Regardless of what you want to tell him about Seth, I do plan on telling the man who I considered my father for well, since forever, that I am getting a paternity test done. I am sure he will want to have his DNA ran to double-check." I told Sue.
"You are my daughter, Bella" Frank seemed to lean closer to me from across the circle.
"I might carry your DNA, but it takes a lot to be considered a father. I am not saying we won't be able to build a relationship in time. Right now though, if the DNA test finds that you are my bio dad, you will only be considered my sperm donor." I told him.
"Now Bella-" Renee started to protest.
"No Mom. I did not know of his existence before yesterday. Charlie is my Dad, I will always consider him my Dad. Frank, if you want to be a father figure to me, great. Though, that relationship isn't going to furnish overnight. We have time to build a relationship if you want. Though you haven't been a part of my life, so forgive me if I am hesitant to replace my real Dad with you." I spoke honestly.
"Fine we will have Rebecca set up the DNA testing. When do you think it could be ready to go by?" Leah asked.
She had been silent the majority of the meeting. I could see her hands fighting in her lap, she wanted to be free of this room.
"I will have it set up by the end of the week, if that is good for everyone" Rebecca spoke standing to leave.
"Wonderful. Well, I say we all go home and have a family dinner. What do you think? I would love to spend time with my children again" Sarah had a hopeful tone to her voice.
The three siblings looked at each other, checking if anyone was ready for that.
"I would love to but I don't live at home anymore. Haven't since a year after you left." Rebecca sounded cold as she informed her mother.
"Oh okay. Well, I am sure you could come over for dinner" Sarah asked.
"No. I am expected home. I need to update my family on the events of today" Rebecca walked out the door. Not seeking anyone's approval for her departure.
"Okay. Well we can still have dinner right?" Sarah asked her two remaining children.
"Food isn't sitting right with me right now. So I think I am going to pass" Rachel stood, pulling Paul with her. They walked out together, hand in hand.
"Jacob, would you come for dinner?" Sarah sounded desperate.
"Sure. Leah you up to having a family meal?" Jacob nuzzled Leah as he asked. Almost trying to will her to relax.
"Yeah, um… Dad, do you want to join us?" Leah asked.
"No. Leah, I forbid you from spending time with him" Sue glared at her daughter.
"Well its a good thing that I am not still a child. I am allowed to spend time with my resurrected Dad." Leah's eyes shone with fire.
The silence was palpable in the room. Neither of the women were breaking eye contact. The battle of wills carried on into an uncomfortable space.
"Well Bella, will you come see where we will be living?" Renee offered.
"I am sure I will see your house eventually" I gave her a confused look.
"What do you mean eventually? You can't stay in Charlie's place now that you know you are not biologically his." Renee spoke this like it was the most obvious notion.
"I can, he is still my Dad." I argued.
"Bella please, it will be easier on everyone if you are not living in his house." Renee begged.
"Bella can live wherever she wants." Sam sounded dismissive.
"She has lived with me for years. I know how to take care of my baby girl" Renee sat up straighter.
My entire body shook. The memories of fear, rejection and general disquietude, of my childhood devastated my body.
"She will not be living with you. Bella is my imprint, she is coming home with me." Sam declared to everyone in attendance.
He carried me out of the meeting hall, embracing me deeply with each step into the light. Sam kissed me as we walked, and, for the first time in my life, my inner child felt truly safe.
Authors Note: This story is just pouring out of me. I am so hoping to keep the motivation and inspiration coming! If you have a moment to review let me know what you think of this chapter. I always love everyone's reviews, it reminds me that I am not alone in enjoying this story. Love ya!
