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Chapter Twenty-Two-Renee's Betrayal
Jacob sat at the head of the pack. They were all gathered in a circle around him as they listened to him describe exactly what had happened in Jacksonville. Billy sat off to one side, already having heard the story. It didn't make it any less shocking to hear it for a second time. Paul and Jared had some inkling already about the fight to the death between Jacob and Edward. They had been phased at the time it had happened and seen flashes through the pack mind. Jacob had been so enraged at the time of the battle, that they had not been able to ascertain whether Cullen was dead or still alive. The scenes flashing through their minds had been chaotic. Their wolves had been deeply affected by their Alpha's fight for survival and it had been frustrating for them to not be able to assist their leader.
Everyone was quietly for a moment as they all took in what Jacob had told them. Seth seemed to be the most affected by the news. He had befriended Edward at one time. The two of them had fought against Victoria and her accomplice together and afterwards had shared some sort of false camaraderie. That was until the day of the wedding when Seth had seen the hurt and despair on Jacob's face as they had to haul him away from Bella. After that he had cut off any ties with Edward at all.
"I still can't take it in." He said quietly. "Despite all his faults I was always under the impression that his main concern was Bella's happiness."
"That's the image he liked to portray, Seth. He told me as much himself once. I think it was all just a cover to get Bella to think that he was a noble, self-sacrificing lover. It was all just bullshit. I never trusted him, he had a dark side, I always knew that." Jacob replied darkly.
"You did good." Paul interjected. Praise was rare from him and it took Jacob a moment to absorb that it was actually Lahote who had said it.
"Thanks." He said simply.
"We could sense something bad was going down." Jared confessed. "It was horrible being so far away and not being able to help."
"I never wanted it to come to this." Jacob responded grimly. "The leech forced my hand. He had been drinking human blood, that alone was a direct violation of the treaty and he put my son and Bella in danger. He deserved to die."
A series of growls from his brothers and Leah confirmed that they agreed with this statement. Leah looked at Jacob carefully. "This makes the treaty null and void, doesn't it? Wasn't that the main stipulation - that if any of them drank human blood, whether it be on our soil or at all, they would no longer be tolerated in this part of the world."
"Yes." Billy affirmed as he joined in the conversation. He rolled his chair forward and joined his son at the head of the group. "If the Cullens come back here there is nothing stopping us from running them off. If they refuse to leave, they will pay the ultimate penalty."
"Do you think they'll come back and seek retribution for Edward?" Seth asked worriedly.
Jacob shrugged. "I don't know. I doubt they would have seen the fight. The little pixie cannot see anything if one of us is around. It could be that they are not aware that the leech was even involved in a battle to the death with me."
"Then all we can do is wait and see." Paul summed it up.
"Yes." Jacob agreed. He was silent for a moment before he brought up the matter of Ethan. "There's something else I want to discuss with you guys. It's about Ethan. I haven't told you absolutely everything."
Everyone turned to look at him in confusion. Slowly Jacob filled them in on what had nearly happened to his small son. They were aghast when he told them that Ethan was trying to phase and that Edward's nearness had set him off. Leah was the most upset.
"But he's just a baby?" She cried out. "Does this mean it could happen to any of our children if the cold ones pass through the lands?"
Jacob ran his hand through his hair tiredly. "I don't know if it's just Ethan. Maybe because he is my son and will one day be the Alpha himself or because he has a unique ability that is stirred up when his mom's life is threatened. Both times it happened was when Bells was in danger."
"Have you heard of this happening before?" Jared asked Billy.
"No, never." Billy replied worriedly. "I may consult with Old Quil, he is the oldest member of the tribe. He may know something that I have never come across before."
"I take it the elders will actually support us this time?" Paul questioned sarcastically.
A wry smile lit up Billy's face. "There is no question that they will. Jacob's show of strength really lit the fire under them. Now that Micah has been removed, there has been a change for the better. When this meeting is over, I will go and pay a visit to Old Quil's and talk things through with him."
"I'll take you." Quil offered. "I have to check in with my grandfather anyway."
"Thanks." Billy gave him a small smile.
"Well, I think that concludes everything for now." Jacob said tiredly. "Paul, do you mind joining Embry on patrol? I want everyone paired up for the foreseeable future. Let him know what we have just discussed."
"Will do." Paul quickly left the house. Jacob's actions had finally earned Lahote's respect, he would never question his leadership again.
The others spoke amongst themselves for a while. Billy looked at his son. "You need rest. Go to bed."
"I have to get back to Bells and Ethan." Jacob protested.
"Jake, you will be no use to them like this, you can barely stand. Sam is looking out for them and Embry and Paul will be nearby. Rest while you can." Billy repeated firmly.
Jacob finally gave in, knowing his father was right. He bid the others goodbye and headed for his room. Within seconds of laying down, he was fast asleep.
Charlie came home from a long shift at work to find Bella passed out on the couch. He was shocked to see her back so soon. In her mad dash to come back home she hadn't had time to call him and let him know what was happening. She heard him enter the room and she jolted awake. "Dad?" She sat up, rubbing at her eyes.
"What are you doing back so soon, kiddo?" Charlie asked her. "I thought you were staying at Renee's for a couple of weeks? You haven't had a row, have you?"
Bella hesitated for a moment. "Not exactly." She hedged.
"Bells?" Charlie turned his head when he heard movement coming from upstairs. "Is that Jake?"
Bella sighed. "No, it's mom."
"Renee's here too?" Charlie felt confused. "Why?"
"She and Phil had a disagreement, so Jake and I brought her back with us."
"Jake was with you? Hang on a minute. You left for Florida alone. Tell me exactly what has been going on here?" Charlie demanded.
Before Bella could speak again Renee emerged. Her face was flushed red and her dark hair was sticking up in all directions where she had been sleeping on Bella's bed. "We need to talk Charlie." She said tearfully.
Charlie stood up and faced her. "About?" He snapped.
Bella stared at Renee worriedly. Surely, her mother wouldn't say anything after her earlier promise? "Mom?" She said warningly.
Renee ignored her completely. She curled her hands into fists as she strode right up to Charlie and glared at him. He was shocked by the livid expression on her face. "I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU LET OUR DAUGHTER HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH A FREAKING VAMPIRE!" She yelled angrily.
Quil dropped Billy back home. His talk with Old Quil had gone well. The elder seemed intrigued by the possibilities that Ethan's special abilities represented and he eagerly began to pull out old volumes and scriptures, anything that pertained to the last wolf pack led by Ephraim and even before that. He assured Billy he would call a council meeting and let the others know what had happened. He agreed that Jacob's retribution on Edward was justified considering the threat that Edward Cullen had posed to both mother and child. He promised that Jacob and the pack had his and the others full support.
Billy rolled his chair into the house, heading straight for the kitchen. He was bone tired. It had been a long day. Jacob must be still asleep, his son had been so exhausted after the long stressful flight home and the fight he had the previous night. Billy opened the fridge and pulled out a cold beer, he felt he deserved at least one after everything that had happened. Before he could even take a sip, the sound of a car pulling up outside made him grimace.
"Who is it now?" He muttered under his breath.
Billy rolled his chair over to the window and peered out. He was astonished to see the police cruiser parked up outside. A grim-faced Charlie climbed out, followed by Bella, who was carrying Ethan in her arms. Bella looked distraught, her eyes were red and sore as if she had been weeping. Lastly Renee slid clumsily out of the back of the car, she too was red faced, but she looked angry rather than upset like Bella. "What the hell has happened now?"
Charlie marched straight up to the door and knocked loudly. Billy cursed under his breath; the noise was certain to wake Jacob. He quickly rolled his chair down the hall and opened the door. "Chief?" He said in greeting.
"We need to talk." Charlie snapped as he walked straight in, followed by Bella and Renee.
As they all gathered in the living room, Jacob came out of his room to investigate what all the fuss was about. His tired eyes widened when he saw Bella and Ethan. He could see she had been crying. "Bells, what's happened?" He quickly approached her and put his strong arms around her. Bella gratefully rested her head on his chest.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered.
"For what?" Jacob felt totally bewildered. His eyes travelled to Charlie, who was still glaring at Billy.
"Mom told dad." Bella revealed.
Jacob's heart stuttered in his chest. He stared at Renee in disbelief.
Bella's mother shrank back as she saw him looking. "I had no choice." She tried to defend herself.
"Shut the fuck up, Ren." Charlie roared at her.
"You can't speak to me like that." Renee's voice quavered.
"I can and I will." Charlie was beyond angry. "I should have done it years ago. Now go back outside and wait in the car."
"No, I..." Renee began to protest.
"I said go." Charlie ordered her.
Renee burst into floods of tears. She flashed Charlie a hurt look before finally complying with his request. She fled the house, slamming the door after her.
"Dad..." Bella whispered his name.
Charlie's face softened as he looked at his distraught daughter. "Why don't you and Jake take Ethan out for some fresh air?" He suggested, his tone lighter.
"But I need to explain." Bella protested.
Charlie shook his head. "No, you don't." His expression hardened again as he glared at his oldest friend. "There is only one person here who needs to explain himself."
Billy looked back at him steadily. "Your father is right." He told Bella. "This is between us."
"Are you sure about this, Dad?" Jacob checked.
"Yes." Billy didn't take his eyes away from Charlie's. "Go now."
Jacob nodded at his dad. He put his arm around Bella and gently guided her from the house. "We'll go visit Sue and Leah." He told the two men. "Call us when you're done."
Billy nodded. "Will do."
Bella gave her dad one last desperate glance as she allowed Jacob to steer her outside. When they were gone, Charlie approached Billy and stood glowering over him. "Now tell me why the hell you have lied to me for the last few years, Billy Black?" He seethed.
A/N-thanks for reading!