Daunt Manor, British Columbia
July, 2006
"I'm never eating another fritter again."
Franny hummed in understanding but couldn't wipe off the bemused smile on her face. "I'm hurt."
They were in his room after Franny and Oswyn healed him in time before the poison could've spread entirely in his system. He would've been dead if it weren't for his rapid healing. Franny had him lay down on his bed and gave him another dose of the antidot she made.
"Maybe if I see you make it, I'll eat." He pulls a small smile despite his body feeling exhausted from the poison.
She laughs quietly. "Deal." Her smile then slowly drops after a short moment of shared laughter. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Hank just needed to be sure if you were able to handle it."
"Handle what?"
What happened to Jacob was needed, at least that's what Hank explained. Getting poisoned was nothing though. He's just lucky he hadn't faced Hank's hexes, but she also doubts that would do anything to change Jacob's mind.
Whatever it is that was blooming between them, Jacob was dead set on protecting it.
Maybe that's why Hank needed to test Jacob.
Not many witches welcome those outside of their kin, especially vampires. Few would trust only a couple of that had goldened eyes, but they preferred to kill on sight if they've ever met them no matter the color of their eyes.
"Whatever our family uses to handle disputes or arguments."
"And poisoning is one of them?"
She shrugs. "It's his way of letting you off easily."
Jacob had a dumb look on his face. "He was being easy?"
Truthfully, Franny didn't know the extent of Hank's ability to ward off any boy that had an interest in her. Like her father, Hank had a funny way of giving the 'Dad' talk. The last time she experienced it through was with Christopher.
Poor guy had to go to the hospital the day after their date.
She gave Jacob an apologetic smile before it softened. "Sorry my charm couldn't help you with mortal wounds. Upgraded this time."
Reaching over his bedside, she took the said charm and turned it over. Jacob squinted and saw that she had indeed added something to the crochet potato. It was a small smile made by a red thread. He chuckles under his breath at the sight of it.
"Now it's smiling." She places it back on the bedside.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He shakes his head. "No. I mean yeah, but I meant . . ."
Franny gazes down at him, her hair falling over her shoulder.
"I never did say thank you, for saving me, did I?"
She snickers. "I couldn't just leave you dying in Gramps study now, can I?"
He shook his head and sat up. Jacob's leant posture had her still looking down at him. Their faces were close, she met Jacob's dark eyes, looking at her with the same look that Valerie had described, his look of adoration that she hadn't been given in such a long time, not since Christopher. She felt him holding her hand "I'm talking about the first time we met. In the woods."
The sudden memory of his wolf lying on the forest floor came into her mind. She didn't even ask for a 'thank you' or even receive one. All she wanted for him was to be okay, and it mattered more than he could have imagined.
"Thank you, Angel." He squeezed her hand. Feeling the warmth of his skin almost made her mind buzz.
Her brows knitted as she smiled. "'Angel?'"
He looks up at her shyly but coyly at the same time. "What? You don't like it?"
She held a laugh, feeling her face becoming red, but said what needed to be said for his thanks, deciding she'll ask why he called her 'Angel' another time.
"You're welcome."
She felt it again. The need to know, the want to be close to him. The feelings grew stronger and stronger than she anticipated throughout the last few days.
His eyes were downcast to her lips.
If there was a chance to take it, now is the time.
He slowly tested the waters by leaning in closely and waited.
She didn't move.
He carefully lifts his hand to move one of the strands of her hair that were framing the side of her face and curve it to the back of her ear. She held her breath as he did so.
He moved a little and stopped, as if he was waiting, her eyes downcast to his lips too, and a brief smile was shown on her face.
Then, the smallest touch of his lips against hers activated the release of their overwhelming desire. Their lips moved one another, and she placed her hand on the side of his neck as his hand went to the back of hers.
She suddenly maneuvered her body to sit up on her knees to straddle his waist as she pushed him back onto the bed.
Pulling back, he looks up at her in panting awe. He moves her hair from her face, the light of the lamp glowed her perplexion.
Tenderly holding her face with his hand, he caressed her flushed cheek with his thumb before moving it to the back of her neck again to pull her head down gently for another-
COCK-A-DOODLE-DOOOOO!
Jacob opened his eyes, awakened by the sounds of a rooster, and was greeting by thin air.
He groaned and turned to look over at the alarm clock on his bedside. It was a quarter to six.
He lays back down flat on the mattress as he stared up at the ceiling of his room with a blank look.
"Damn it."
The night before, after Franny helped Jacob to bed, she waited for Hank to finish tucking Maya in for bed.
Her recent thoughts about Jacob lulling to sleep helped her wait patiently for him. After she showed Jacob her addition to his charm, he went fast asleep. Fighting the poison must've taken a lot out of him.
When Hank went and closed the door slowly, he saw Franny waiting for him down by the head of the stairs.
"Kitchen. Now." Franny says, as if there was no argument over it and went downstairs.
She, Oswyn and the rest of the adults in the family waited for Hank in the kitchen with Analee sitting by the table uncomfortably.
"What were you thinking?" Oswyn glowers at his son.
"What I did is done." He looks at his niece. "You might not like it Franny-"
She scoffs. That was the extent.
"But Jacob did need to be reminded. His place is not with us."
Franny looks away for a second in disbelief before glancing back at him. "That isn't your decision to make."
"Maybe not." Hank acceded but was still arguing about it. "But can you tell me for sure you want to give up everything for him."
She shakes her head in disbelief. "Who says anything about giving up? We're just friends and I'm not making him stay."
"Don't give me that bullshit, niece." Hank gnarls at her. "You might try to hide it, he might as well, but we both know that there is something stronger than just affection going on between you two."
"Is that what you're worried about? You're worried I'll pack my bags and run away with him?" She gave him an incredulous look. Not believing what she hears.
"Let's not jump to conclusions."
"I didn't jump," She countered. "I simply took a step and there the conclusions were!"
Hank looks at her as if he has had enough with her talking. "We've lost so much Frances, how far are you willing to sacrifice to keep Jacob in your life? Do you not remember what you would've done for Christopher if he found out about our magic differently?"
But he got her there. She didn't know what she was feeling for Jacob, she only knew that the drive to keep him close and to protect their friendship was something she would fight for with no hesitant thoughts.
Ever since Jacob came into their lives, the need to be close to him was a feeling she couldn't fight. It was almost natural to be with him, like breathing.
Until she resolves these feelings with Jacob, which she hopes to god that it'll be soon, she needed to deal with her turmoil thoughts to herself. But is she able to do what her uncle feared?
Would she run away with Jacob if it meant keeping their friendship? To keep him?
Luckily, her mother came to the rescue. "Hank, that's enough. You have no right to put her in this position."
Hank glares back at the woman. "I am only protecting this family-"
"From what!" Franny lashes out in anger, fed up already by her uncle. "What exactly are you protecting me from? The Volturi barely remembers that we exist, our survival rate is at its highest probability, what more could there be that you have to protect this family from?"
She waited. Waited for him to give her whatever excuse he had to for poisoning Jacob.
But he didn't answer.
She shook her head at him, tired of his presence, and left the room. Nicole and Analee followed her, her mother calling out her name in worry.
Analee stops shortly to look at her father, giving him an incredulous look of disappointment. "What is wrong with you?" Then she left.
Leaving Hank with Oswyn.
"Your daughter is right, son." He gestures for him to take a seat.
Hank looks at the chair then at Oswyn before taking a seat.
"What is going on with you?" The Sovereign looks at his son, more calculated.
For some time now, he's seen the change in his son's behavior, more protective than usual.
He also noticed that it started when Jacob first came to their door.
Hank gazes at him across the table.
And what was said after on that table made Oswyn cold to his feet.
*The morning
Franny's Wakening Day.
Franny grunts as she lands on the muddy ground, but a laugh escapes through her lips as she straightens up from the ground. She looks over her shoulder to look at her target.
"Come on, Baboy, we won't have enough for our feast." She coos at the pig cornered by the circle the farmers made around them.
She woke up at dawn to take a walk to clear her thoughts before the guests arrived. After last night's conversation with Hank, her mother and cousin comforted her in her room until she fell asleep.
What Hank had done last night and said had vexed her. He went as far as to attempt murder just to test Jacob's loyalty. He didn't have to do it, they could've asked Maya to read him from a distance, she was capable of it despite her age.
She stops in the middle of the orchard when a somber thought comes through her. What if Hank was right? What if she can't handle Jacob leaving the manor?
The thought of him leaving crossed her mind multiple times but she hadn't really thought of what would happen when he's gone.
Would they stay in touch?
Would he visit? Would she visit? Travelling wouldn't be a problem, but she doesn't know how long she can hold out from being away from him for long.
What was happening to her?
She held her temples, too tired by these thoughts.
Why was she so set on keeping Jacob in her life?
Feeling exhausted by those thoughts, she continued her walk until she ran into some of her friends and their parents who were up doing their morning tasks around the farm.
By seven o'clock, she heard a call from the pig pen, Hester stated that they got a pig loose when they were trying to get it for tonight's feast before the ritual.
Franny didn't waste any time as she ran over to try and catch it and the farmers followed participated by cornering it or blocking its escape whenever they got the chance to try and catch it themselves, but it was difficult with the slippery mud the pig was covered in.
And that's how it led her here, catching a pig to forget her worries.
If she wanted, Franny would've just caught the pig with her magic. But where's the fun in that?
"Don't moveee." She sang under her breath. Her clothes were covered in mud at this point, but she didn't care, it was the most fun she had had in days. Preparing for the most important event in her life had surely exhausted her.
"Joey, try to block him, okay?" She looks up at her friend, a young man, older than her by a few years with glasses. He was also Simon's grandson.
Though Simon has some quarrels with her and her decision with Jacob, he would never get in between her friendship with Joey. He was his only grandson.
They grew up together on the farm and always worked together on any security or social manners on the land with Simon and the other elder witches in the coven.
Franny creeped up to the small pig with her hands in front, ready to catch it.
From a far distance from the pig catch was Nicole and Valerie, walking from the Manor, trying to find the Franny when they didn't see her at breakfast. It wasn't breaking her fast that they were worried about though, it was what comes after that they were more concerned about.
Following them behind was Jacob, who was concerned when he heard Valerie that they couldn't find Franny.
"There she is!" Valerie pointed at the small crowd near the pigsty.
There she was indeed, covered in mud and water, having the time of her life, catching a pig of all things.
Nicole huffs. "Of all days she just had to go and catch swine!"
"Ha! Yes!" Franny cried as she successfully pinned the pig down to the ground and took it into her arms. She stood up and jumped with enthusiasm as the farmers clapped in delight and laughter. "I got him!"
It was then that she saw her mother, aunt and Jacob and smiled brightly at them. "Mom! Aunt Val! I got Baboy!" She calls in victory, showing the pig in her arms.
Jacob stopped and couldn't help but laugh at her carefree nature.
"Give that to Joey!" Nicole was disgruntled by the sight of her daughter as she ordered her daughter.
Once she reached them, Franny was still smiling yet Nicole was tired and scolded her. "Look at you! You're covered in mud. The guests are almost here!"
"What!" Franny's eyes widened. She was having so much that she had nearly forgotten that the first set of their family were coming in the morning. Which is in two hours now.
"Yes! Now come on, wash and best clothes, come on!" Nicole waves her to hurry.
"Okay. Bye guys! See you at the feast!" She said to the farmers and leans down to look at the pig in the eyes. "Especially you."
It let out an oink.
She straightened up and followed her mom and aunt. She glances at Jacob with a subtly gleeful grin.
Jacob was changed into a pair of jeans and the chestnut-beige that Valerie had given him from the day before. He heard steps stomping rushing down the staircase, he looked up and his breath hitched.
Though Franny was rushing down the stairs, through Jacob's eyes, it was almost like she was floating down because of the way the skirt of her cream-colored dress was 'wooshed' around as she moved. The v-neck line of her showed her skin, almost making her glow under the light of the sun through the skylight window above the staircase. The only make-up that he could see on her face was the little light shade of peach lip gloss on her lips. Everything else was only natural.
No matter how many dresses, or how many times he's seen her in a different outfit, she manages to make the world stop with only a smile.
She says. "Hey."
"Hey."
They both smiled at each other until Franny looked at the door. Chatter can be heard outside.
"Let's get this over with." She mutters.
Jacob offered his elbow which she paused to look down in bemused.
"Gotta be a gentleman." He excuses with a smile and nudges her to take it.
She rolled her eyes out of fondness then looked at his arm before slipping her hand at the crook of his elbow.
"Maybe after this, I can finally take you on a date."
Franny laughs incredulously, after so many days of flirting and flattery, he's finally asked the question. Such perfect timing.
"We'll talk later. Got Spud on you?" She asked as they walked.
Spud was the name she chose to call his little potato charm.
"I got Spud."
Stepping outside, the orchard was decorated with tables and wildflowers. Servers were handing out drinks and some were at a table filled with food, catering to anyone who was approaching. The whole family was there in their best clothes, scattered in the garden. Amongst them were the extended family of the Daunt coven and coven representatives.
Maya and Matthew were chasing one another with another child their age with white hair.
Valerie and Analee were talking with a few people in front of them. One of them, an older woman was holding Lucas in their arms. Jacob squinted when he saw one of their eyes glows white.
He was pulled away by Franny. As they walked, they were immediately the center of attention. Some older figures would nod their heads towards them, towards Franny and she would return in respect and a charming smile.
Jacob however couldn't help but noticed the young men looking at her with lustful and smug looks, like she was a meal ready to be eaten. Subtly to Franny, he shot them dark look whenever he can. A soft growl vibrated in his throat, but Franny pulled him away.
She led him to a table filled with desserts.
"I'm so hungry." She mutters. "I haven't eaten anything since last night."
"And who's fault is it?" He smirks at her.
"Not my fault," She answered as her eyes were scanning around the table. "I just needed a walk."
"And catch pigs?"
"And catch pigs." She nodded then lets out a quiet 'oh!' as she took a small almond croissant from the table and took a bite of it. Bits of almond filling were on the corner of her mouth, and she wipes it with her thumb and licks it.
Jacob's full focus was on her lips.
Their lips moved one another, and she placed her hand on the side of his neck as his hand went to the back of hers-
"Something wrong?"
Jacob blinks himself from his imagination and notices her staring up at him with raised brows in question.
He clears his throat. "No."
Luckily, she didn't take notice and continued to snack on her treat.
Jacob looked away, trying to shake off these impious thoughts. His eyes then caught Hank and Oswyn shaking hands with a few people.
Before he could even think, a woman with dark chocolate hair with orange lighting came up to them. She was wearing a dark shade of purple lipstick and light slight violet eye shadows. Her eyes, however, matched Oswyn's.
"Cousin Frances." She greeted in a European accent, almost purring as she spoke behind the girl.
Franny turns around and squeals with her mouth pursed in excitement due to the fruit she was eating. "Cousin Lucille!"
Lucille wore a dark dress that hugged her body and touched the ground that which reminded Jacob of Morticia from the Addams family.
They both hugged and burst into fits of happy giggles.
"Oh, it's so good to see you." Lucille plays with Franny's hair before holding her shoulder.
Her eyes then landed on Jacob and her smile turned wicked and her eyes became interested.
"Who's this?"
Franny encircled her hands around Jacob's arm as she moved to his side. "This is Jacob Black. Our temporary resident at the Manor." She looks up at him. "Jacob, this is Cousin Lucille, from the Daunt-East Coven."
Lucille steps closer to him, her eyes studying him from head to toe. After a moment she lets out a small gasp as she places her hands together.
"A shapeshifter!" Lucille looks almost as if she was restraining herself from touching him. "Franny, darling, what a discovery you've made! I haven't seen one since the time of the New World!"
"New World?" Jacob asked under his breath to Franny, not giving any attention to the woman in front of them.
"Pause button." Franny hushed with a tight smile before turning back to her cousin. "So, where's great-uncle Conley?"
"Over there," Lucille looks behind over her shoulder. "Speaking with the Talon brothers. And if I recall correctly, there is one brother that I'm sure you are very familiar with." She flashes a cheeky look.
Jacob looks over to see a man with dark hair, sides were greying speaking a younger looking man with burgundy-brown hair and grey eyes, he was almost as tall as he was, but lean and toned.
He saw John Talon flashing a smile at Franny when he noticed her, the iris of his eyes glowed blue.
Those were a few traits that Jacob has noticed within the family. When magic was being done to, or themselves, the iris of their eyes would glow white, green or blue. The Daunt's prime family would glow white, especially Franny's. But if he looked closely, there were specks of blue glittering around her pupils.
She returns John smile kindly before turning back to her cousin.
"He's certainly as charming as ever." Jacob was glad he heard the note of sarcasm in her comment.
"Well, my little birds tell me he hasn't been the same since last year's Beltane Celebration in Paris. Which coincidentally was when you and family came to and participate. Didn't you two-"
"Alright, Cousin," Franny cuts her off before she could even continue. "Are we so low to actually talk like a bunch of judgmental crones?"
With no hesitation, Lucille responded. "Yes."
They both laughed again. "Well, I better mingle with the others, I'll see you at the feast."
"Of course."
Lucille then leaves, not while giving Jacob another glance with mischief before walking away.
Shoulder to shoulder-ish, Jacob and Franny turn back to the table, and he looks back to where Lucille was, even glances briefly at John Talon, who was staring at Franny's back.
"You got a pair of eyes on you."
"I got many eyes on me, you're gonna have to be more specific." She took another bite of fruit after speaking.
"John Talon's."
She glances up at Jacob with a raised brow. "He still staring?"
He nods.
Another mischievous smile appeared on her face as she suddenly took his hand and leaned her shoulder against his side, practically draping herself against him as she held his arm.
Jacob looks down, locked eyes with her with a quizzical smile. "What are you doing?"
"Creating tension." She explains in a quiet tone. "Haven't you noticed? Eyes aren't just drawn upon me."
Subtly, he looked around and she was right, people were stealing glances at their direction as they whispered with each other. Some were surprised, others were curious and even some showed a sort of disgusted expression, like he had done something wrong.
"I'm guessing Simon didn't waste any time on spreading the word."
"Yeah, but I don't care. I'm here with a friend, eating a little breakfast. I'm great." Put a piece of cantaloup into her mouth and began to chew.
He looks at her with a secret smile. "And I'm guessing the stress eating's helping?"
"Better than crying or the alternative." She opposed with a mouthful of fruit.
He blinks as a silent pause hang in the air the nods his head in agreement and helps himself to the table with a finger sandwich.
Once they were done, they walked around again, Franny would stop a few times to greet their guests, made small talk with the representatives and even met with members of the coven.
Few surprised Jacob due to their unique eyes and accents. There had been representatives that traveled from South-East Asia and North, a couple from Europe whose coven coincidently kept their tabs on the Volturi for security reasons, and many more.
As they continued walking the garden, they eventually met up with Oswyn and Hank. They were pulled away from a conversation they were having with a third person, who had their back to them. His attire would've scream goth if it didn't have any spikes or army boots. From where Jacob stand, the unnamed man had slightly wild hair that reached to the back of his neck and a long dark grey trench coat that looked like it would've cost millions.
"And here she is." Oswyn slightly announced to the man.
Hank shot a blank gaze at Jacob. The wolf couldn't say he was happy to see him either.
"Frances, look who came to join for your hour of age."
The unnamed man turned around, his eyes brown but a flash of green was seen.
"My, my, this surely can't be Frances."
Franny inhaled sharply. "Gary."
He spread his hands theatrically and laid them out in front of Franny, as if she was something that forbidden to be touched. "Look at you! All grown, and gorgeous as usual."
He took her hand that was not occupied by Jacob's arm and laid a kiss on her knuckle.
"The spitting image of Louisa." He smiled wistfully. "I remember as a little boy, I would always seek cousin Louisa to teach me the Daunts ways. Such fond memories."
"Really?" She pulls a tight smile. "Then I hope I could live up to her legacy."
"From what Oswyn tells me, you've been quite a prodigy." His eyes then turned to Jacob.
When he did, a strange look was sent at him that made Jacob's senses suddenly turned up as he put on a mask to hide his wariness towards the man.
"Is this the wolf I've hear so much about?"
"Jacob Black of the Quileute." Oswyn introduces. "Jacob, this is Garrison from the Hayes Coven. A cousin of the family."
"Stronger through blood, eh Little Ozzy?"
The old witch, or what Jacob could tell by now through appearance, aimed a rigid smile at him. "Hadn't heard 'Little Ozzy' in ages."
"Oh, you'll always be Little Ozzy in my eyes." He fixes the sleeves of his jacket. "Now, let's see what we have here."
He steps in front of Jacob and looks at his face, the pupil of his eyes glowed green. After a moment, his face faltered, his mouth parted.
"Such a specimen you brought, cousin. Not only a shapeshifter, but one with a rank higher than his peers. But he gave it away."
Jacob's frown hardened, not liking to be read out of a sudden.
"Gary." Franny interrupts her cousin's game before it can get too far.
A coy smile was aimed at her. "Protective of your little toy, aren't you?"
"He is not a toy." She warns. "He's my friend and I expect you to treat him as you would treat me. Cousin."
Garrison's face faltered to a twitch as he reverted his eyes back to his normal blue. "No problem."
And he simply left.
"What's the deal with Houdini?"
"Do not shame the Houdini Coven." She hits his arms. "But, if you must know, Gary has a very . . . eccentric way to show his love and pride for our family's name. He deals with business in New York. Witch kind and. . . illegal ones."
A thought ticked in his head and his eyes almost widened.
"He's in the. . ."
"Yup."
"Let's not dwell with this." Oswyn interrupts. "Today is your day, Frances. Enjoy it."
Franny smiled then let's Jacob lead her back to mingling with the guests.
"What is Oswyn thinking?" Simon sends a soft glare of disapproval towards the young heiress and her mutt from the other side of the meeting.
"Grandpa. We already talked about this." Joey softly consoles his grandfather. "Jacob passed the test. There's nothing we can do but accept it. So please, don't make a fuss about it."
He pleaded as he looked at the pair.
"This is an important day for the coven. Don't ruin it over a silly reading."
Simon then looks at his grandson like he was crazy. "Our psychic readings are what kept this coven safe. Do you not remember what we've witnessed the night that Jacob first appeared?"
Joey did remember. That night when he and a small number of the Daunts' security came together for their monthly reading. An unexpected omen came when their reader, his mother, was suddenly knocked down and was physically thrown from the table as her eyes glowed green when a haunting layered voice replaced her soothing tones.
"He is here. He is here. HE IS HEREEEEEEEE!"
She was knocked out after that.
By morning came, Jacob was made known to the coven.
Joey bit his lip and looks down at his grandfather. "It doesn't mean that Jacob is a danger of the coven. Look at him."
Simon sighs deeply and glances over.
"He looks at her as if Orpheus looks at Eurydice."
"He's in love." The old man couldn't disagree.
"And if their paths intertwined, she could be too."
Simon did not want to trample his grandson's saint, knowing that the young boy was glad for his friend. Because he didn't want to worry him. If what he says is true, then it made it more dangerous for the coven if Franny chose Jacob.
What they both didn't realize however was that there was an unwanted listener hiding behind a tree. Their eyes glowed green with mischief.
The feast came by quickly. A long table filled with numerous dishes and the center of it was a roasted pig with an apple in its mouth.
Everyone was dining and chatting amongst themselves in their respective tables.
The sound of a knife hitting a wine glass was heard and everyone turned their attention to Oswyn who made himself up the gazebo that was built last night for the occasion.
"What a beautiful night it is, for our family and friends to come together again!" Cheers and claps were heard all around. "And I can't be any happier to know that we've all gathered for one special person." He presented a hand to Franny's way who smiled at the guests, but Jacob could feel the hold on his hand on her lap tightened, hidden underneath the table from the many eyes on them.
"My granddaughter, our next Sovereign, will finally take on the reins to lead our coven, our people to a prominence future. A future which we've never considered, and I can't wait 'til after the hour of the Buck moon to see what that future will hold." He raised his glass, and everyone followed.
"To Frances!"
Everyone toasts.
"To Frances!"
"To Frances!"
"To the Next Sovereign!"
The hold Franny had on him only tightened more as cheers were thrown in their direction. If they weren't the party's center of attention, they've would've gone back to their tree and let the wind sooth their ears.
Her smile didn't seize as her mother and aunt took her away from the feast to prepare her for the ritual. She looks behind Jacob.
He sent her a smile of encouragement until she had gone into the house.
He didn't want to part with her, but he knew he'd see her again before the ritual.
Feeling hungry again, he went to the table and saw Matthew there with an uncertain look on his face. Concerned, he walks over to the kid.
"Hey. You know starting a fire with using your mind is scary because that roast you've been staring at doesn't need to be charred."
Matthew looks away from the food and up to Jacob before looking down at his lap.
"I guess I'm nervous for Franny."
Jacob smiled. "You shouldn't. I don't know much about being a leader. But I do know what it's like to have a responsibility being thrown at you."
Being Alpha was something he would never agree to become. And he doesn't think he will take it from Sam any time soon.
His mind is made up. Whatever future he thought of, only ended with him being at Franny's side.
"Your sister's brave. She'll handle the coven amazingly as long as her family's there for her."
But Matthew only shakes his head. "That's not what I'm scared about. I'm scared of what's going to happen." Making Jacob frown.
The ritual would lead Franny into a sleep from what he was told by her. She would be subcon within her powers to learn it and then 'release' it to share her coven. Whatever the hell that means.
"She'll be okay."
"I know that! But I can't help feeling scared if she's going to get killed in the end, do I?"
Jacob's shoulders tensed, he turned his front to Matthew, fearing that he heard wrong.
"What did you say?"
Matthew froze, realizing he was caught in a great scheme of lies when he realized what he had revealed to wolf was something he should not have.
"Y-you don't know?"
Jacob remained quiet and Matthew licked his lips.
"The only way to release a witch's powers during the Wakening is to break the vessel." He watches as Jacob's frown deepens in further confusion.
"What do you mean 'break the vessel'?"
Fork, Washington
August, 2006
*One Day Before the Wedding
Evening came before they expected.
They managed to unpack some of Franny's things into Rebecca's empty drawer in the twins' room.
Billy was a bit disappointed when they had to leave to meet with Sam at Emily's, but he knew that the time would come when Jacob would be facing the pack. He just didn't think it would be this soon.
When they got there, Sam was already at the front, waiting with Emily and his brothers.
"They look. . . less friendly than I anticipated." Franny was slightly gob smacked by the group from inside the car.
"Don't worry, they're all softies once they get to know you."
She looks at him. "Isn't it the other way around?"
He simply smiled and they got out of the car.
She sat there for a moment, befuddled, before following him out.
Before she could even get near the group, something tugged on the skirt of her dress and she looked down, surprised to see a cute little toddler smiling up at her, with dolls in her arms. Those kind eyes just made her melt.
"Hi."
"Hello," She kneels in front of the little girl. "What's your name?"
"Cwaire." The toddler says shyly.
Despite her pronunciation, Franny was able to understand the little girl's name. "Claire, that's a pretty name. I like your dolls."
Claire hugs them then reaches her arm out to touch Franny's hair.
"It's just hard to believe." Sam stated. He and Jacob were sitting at the table, the others were behind him, staring down at Jacob with looks of either disbelief, bemused or blank. Not believing what they're hearing from him.
"Look, I know it is, but it's true. The only reason Franny came is because she got approval from her people to form an alliance with us."
"So not only her family knows, a community does too?" Paul grunts with arms crossed.
"No. They know we're" Jacob thought for a moment with hesitation. ". . . like them."
"Like what?" Quil asked, head tilted.
"Like monsters."
Sam leans back on his chair. Still not sure of it. "Regardless that she's your imprint, these exceptions are crazy. We can't have a bunch of people we don't know about, knowing of us and our abilities."
"I didn't have a choice back then." Jacob argued calmly. "I don't know how to explain but the only reason how they knew I could turn into a wolf is that they . . . felt it."
"Still hard to believe that there's witches. That she's a witch." Paul remarks.
"Watch it." Jacob glares up at him. His chest on the verge of growling, luckily Sam intervenes.
"He's right, Jacob. Despite our history, our stories. The possibility of a witch is one to-" His eyes then looked over Jacob's shoulder as he mid stops his sentences and his back slowly straightens up from his chair. ". . . none."
Suddenly, the group looks over to where he was looking, which was the open yard and Jacob turns around. He and Sam stood up and walked over to the back porch and the rest followed behind.
There, sitting on the grass, were Claire and Franny. Claire was clapping and squealing happily as Franny used her magic to lift the toddler's dolls up and made them float around as if they were dancing. Franny's hands were slowly wiggling to the dolls with a smile on her face as Claire continued to laugh in delight.
The pack were to make sense of it, couldn't believe what they were witnessing while Jacob just smiled at the sight of his imprint's kindness and magic.
As the connection between them was un-denying, she looks at him when she felt his presence and smiled shamelessly as she proceeds to play with little Claire.
Sam, still in disbelief, shoots a serious gaze at Jacob. "We'll call the elders."