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Chapter Thirteen-Tribal Council
Old Quil knocked his gavel on the wooden table and called for silence. Everyone in the hall quietened immediately. The pack were all huddled in a group, with Jacob at the front. They were facing the tribal elders, who were all sitting in a long line behind a thick wooden table. Old Quil, as the head of the elders, was seated in the centre of the group, with Sue and Billy flanking him on either side.
"Step forward, Jacob Black." Old Quil intoned in a serious voice.
Jacob did as he asked. He felt like rolling his eyes at Old Quil's pompous nature.
"You are now the Alpha of the La Push wolf pack and therefore represent your brothers and sister's interests from here on in." Old Quil announced solemnly.
"I do, elder." Jacob responded a little impatiently. He glanced to the side to see his dad and Sue exchanging amused glances. The other elders wore the same serious expressions as Old Quil.
"You are now free to present your request to the elders." Old Quil banged his gavel again.
Jacob felt like ripping the thing out of the old man's hand. He admired the way Sam had managed to put up with the council for so long and keep his cool. He stood tall and stared the old men down. "I'm here to ask the council's permission to agree to a date when my brothers and I can be relieved of our duties as protectors of the tribe to once again resume a normal life."
There was silence as the old men stared at him aghast. Old Quil's lips pursed as he studied Jacob carefully. "What has brought this about? In all the tribe's history we have never heard such a request brought before the council."
The pack began muttering among themselves, not pleased with the elder's attitude. Jacob demanded they be quiet and they stopped talking instantly.
Jacob returned Old Quil's gaze steadily. "As I understand it the last wolf pack did not have to seek permission from the tribal council. Ephraim was the chief, of not only the tribe, but the elders, too. In his wisdom he knew that his pack were entitled to periods of rest. Not only that but times were different back then. The tribe and the cold ones were both nomadic by nature and would often cross paths much more than today. There has been no vampire activity since the newborn fight."
"Just because there have been no sightings of any cold ones recently doesn't mean they are not still about." Jeremiah, who was sitting on Old Quil's left, pointed out.
Jacob did not disagree. "I am not disputing that fact, but you cannot expect us all to phase indefinitely. We deserve a shot at a normal life. We have come here today to negotiate an agreeable time scale when we can begin the process of giving up the wolf."
"That's impossible." Micah, another elder stated coldly. "The tribe needs protecting."
Jacob narrowed his eyes. "Are you refusing to heed our request?"
"Yes." Micah snapped. "You have been given a unique gift, young man. You owe it to the tribe to fulfil your destiny. There can be no time limit placed on such things. Your request is denied."
The pack surged forward and surrounded Jacob in a circle. His eyes were blazing as he glared at Micah. "Are you all in agreement with this fool?" He demanded.
Micah stood up and banged his fist on the table. "You will show me some respect, young man. You are not able to..."
"Oh, shut up, you old fool." Billy yelled at Micah irritably.
The other elders turned in his direction, staring at him in anger. "Do not interfere, Billy Black." Old Quil warned him sternly.
"I will interfere." Billy locked eyes with Old Quil. "I am the chief of this tribe and I have the right to make sure that everyone is given a fair hearing."
"Fair hearing?" Micah mocked him. "You have no rights in this matter, you are too close to the situation and as such your judgement is biased."
Sue's face was turning red, her temper was as quick as her daughter Leah's. She stood up and put her hands on her hips. "Billy and I have every right. I was forced to take my husband's place on this council and I have to say I am surprised he managed to put up with you all for so long. Who gives you the right to dictate people's lives? My daughter and the rest of the pack have placed themselves in danger day after day protecting your sorry asses, with no reward. They deserve to be allowed to have a date from when they can live their lives in peace."
Old Quil banged his gavel down again. "Order." He shouted. "Sit down, Sue Clearwater, you are making an exhibition of yourself."
Sue glared at the old man, sparks shooting from her eyes. "DO NOT DARE ORDER ME ABOUT YOU OLD..."
"Sue, enough!" Billy pleaded with her. He touched her arm gently.
Sue glanced down at him and gritted her teeth. She sat back down in her chair, trying to regain control over her wayward emotions.
Jacob stepped right up to the table; he towered above the old men. These men were supposed to be his elders and a source of guidance. Instead, all he had seen were a bunch of idiots who had only their own interests at heart. Quil had warned him that his grandfather could be belligerent and the other council members were no better. Not for the first time, Jacob wondered how his dad managed to negotiate with the council daily on matters that were important to the tribe.
All eyes turned onto him and he stared each council member down individually. He leaned forward, his fingers resting on the table. Even though he was clearly livid, he managed to sound calm. "Now you listen to me. I am the Alpha of the pack and I will one day take over from my father as chief of this tribe. As Sue Clearwater reminded you, my brothers and I put our lives on the line daily to protect our lands. We do it not just out of duty, but because we love our home. I thought that was what you all stood for too, but after today's performance, I can clearly see that is not the case."
"How dare you!" Micah expostulated loudly. "We don't have to listen to this!"
"SIT DOWN." Jacob roared at him. Micah fell back in his chair in shock, while the other elders stared at him open mouthed.
Billy and Sue exchanged gleeful glances as the pack began to cheer their new leader. Jacob tried to keep the smile from his face as he gently warned his brothers to remain quiet. He took everyone by surprise again by leaping up onto the table and pacing along its length.
"Now I have been doing some investigating of my own over the last couple of days and having a lengthy conversation with my father about exactly what has been going on with this council. You all meet once a week to discuss exactly what needs to be done to help the tribe move forward and raise funds. I know that my dad has demanded on several occasions to know where the money raised has been going and every time you refuse to give him details. Well, I have found out exactly where it has been going." He stopped in front of Micah, who was looking up at him with fear in his eyes. "You are the treasurer, are you not?"
"What are you implying?" Micah's voice shook as he spoke.
"I don't need to imply anything. I know." Jacob jumped down from the table and called out to Seth to open the doors to the hall.
Seth did as he was told. He ran nimbly over to the large double doors and unlocked them. Charlie and his deputy, Mac, were standing outside waiting. Charlie greeted Seth before marching into the hall and standing beside Jacob.
"What is this?" Old Quil demanded.
"I called Chief Swan when I found out exactly where all the money we have raised over the years has been going." Jacob stepped to one side and gestured over to Micah, who now looked apoplectic. His tan skin had a grey tinge and he had a furtive expression on his face. The other elders turned to stare at him in astonishment.
Charlie strode over to Micah and began to read him his rights. "Micah Seahawk, I am placing you under arrest for the embezzlement of tribal funds. You have the right to remain silent when questioned. Anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law..."
As Charlie read Micah his rights, the pack swarmed around Jacob and began congratulating and praising him. It was chaotic for a while and only calmed down once Charlie and his deputy handcuffed Micah and led him from the hall. Charlie winked at Jacob as he passed, causing Jacob to grin. Once they had left Jacob told his brothers to stay quiet while he spoke to the remaining elders. He saw his dad smile at him proudly as he took charge.
"Now are you all prepared to listen to our request?" Jacob asked again.
Old Quil swallowed nervously as he nodded. "Yes, of course." He mumbled, chastened.
"Good." Jacob pulled up a chair and sat opposite them. "Now the first thing on the agenda is you need to find a new, trustworthy treasurer. I suggest Sue Clearwater."
"But she's a woman." Jeremiah bristled.
"So?" Jacob questioned. "Are you suggesting she is not capable to do the job because she is a female?"
"No, he isn't." Old Quil interjected. "We will abide by your wisdom."
"That's wise. Now I would like to have a sensible discussion about the time scale when my brothers and I can quit phasing. Are you prepared to talk now?" Jacob looked each elder in the eye.
Old Quil and his compatriots all nodded, even Jeremiah. "Go ahead, Jacob Black." Old Quil offered, his pompous tone now sounding flat.
Jacob sat back in his chair and began to talk.
Bella lay on her back, holding Ethan in the air as she kept blowing raspberries on his belly, making him giggle in delight. "You like that, don't you?" She cooed.
Ethan flapped his arms as if he was going to take off, making Bella laugh. When she laughed, he did too. The front door opened making her turn her head. Jacob, who was pushing his dad in front of him, entered the house. She got up swiftly, cradling Ethan in her arms as she looked at him expectantly. "How did it go?"
Billy grinned as he rolled his chair over to her. He held out his arms for his grandson. Bella handed Ethan to him carefully. "I'll let Jake fill you in. Let me just say I have never been prouder of him then I was today."
Bella smiled as she went over to Jacob and slipped her arms around his waist. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly on the lips. "Three years." He told her. "If there is no significant vampire activity during that time then it was agreed we can try and stop phasing."
"Oh, Jake." Bella crowed in delight. She kissed him hard on the lips. "This is great news."
"Yeah." Jacob grinned at her; he thought she looked so cute when she was excited.
"What happened to Micah? Did my dad arrest him?" Bella asked.
"He sure did. You should have seen the elders faces; they couldn't believe it. He's been defrauding the tribe's funds for years to line his own pockets. It has certainly shaken everything up. Sue will take over his position as treasurer. That means the money will go to where it's most needed at last." Jacob said.
"That's great. Your dad is right, you should be proud of what you achieved today, Jake." Bella hugged him tight.
Jacob took her face in his hands and kissed her again. "Everything feels like its slotting into place. All we need is for Sam and Leah to come home."
"And for me to find a job." Bella added ruefully.
"We'll sort that out, honey, don't worry." Jacob reassured her. "Then we can start making plans to get married."
Bella raised her eyebrows at him. She waved her bare hand at him. "Engagement ring?"
Jacob laughed and kissed her fingers. "I'm right on it." He promised.
"Good." Bella teased him.
They heard Ethan giggling as Billy came back into the room, his grandson perched on his lap. "I think this calls for a celebration. I've just called your dad and he has offered to take us all out for dinner."
"Really?" Bella said in surprise.
"He sure did. The Chief only opens his wallet once a year, so I'm going to take full advantage. What do you say, Ethan?" Billy tickled Ethan under his chin, sending his grandson off into another fit of giggles.
A/N-thanks for reading!