910Chapter 25
I was dead on my feet. The events in the meadow and the conversation with Nico played repeatedly in my mind. I grabbed my phone off the counter.
He answered on the first ring. "Sam, we need to meet. Can you be at the nurse stump in ten minutes?"
"What is this about?"
"We have…visitors."
"More vampires?" he half-yelled.
"No, not exactly."
A beat passed, and he sighed. "I'm on my way."
I raced through the forest, arriving with a few moments to spare. Hopefully, I can at least get him to agree to meet with Nico.
My ears twitched toward the west as the sound of approaching shifters grew closer. A sharp gasp and a small grunt later, Sam made his way up to the log's plateau in human form.
"What's the problem?" he asked, outright.
I bit my lip. Where to begin… "Alice and I ran into a pack of werewolves this morning."
His eyes widened. "A pack?! Do you know them?"
"No, but I had a one-on-one meeting with the alpha. He expressed in interest in staying in the area."
"Absolutely not."
"Hear him out before you decide. He's not here to cause trouble. He is just seeking sanctuary for his pack."
"How many?"
"Five, by my count. I'm not sure if there is more."
"So, you want me to allow at least five more of your kind to stay in the area?"
"No, I'm asking you and Carlisle to meet with him and listen to what he has to say. I told him to meet up at the clearing north of here at sunset." Sam grunted. "They're just as jumpy as you are. I only offered to open a dialogue between you. I made no other promises."
Sam stared past me, rubbing his thumb over the knuckles of his other hand. He pursed his lips, mulling over his options.
"Okay," he said, finally. "I'll run it by the tribal council, but we can at least meet with them. You said the leeches will meet us there?"
"Yes," I was sure the werewolves would be heard by the vampires, as well. I knew that much about their nature.
He nodded to me, then seemingly to himself. Sam turned his back to me, still deep in thought and leapt off.
One group down...
I hesitated at the Cullens' front door for a moment. I wasn't sure if I should knock, but it seemed stupid. They knew I was here, and the door was never locked. Instinctually, humans stayed far away from this place and anything else would know vampires resided here from scent alone.
Fuck it.
I walked in and heard Alice upstairs. "Let me go, Emmett. Bella's here."
I raised my eyebrow. Uhh.
Alice appeared instantly and wrapped her arms around me. I held her without saying a word, feeling the hole that opened every time we were apart, close once more. Carlisle and Esme walked out of his study. Alice pulled back and punched me in the shoulder.
"Ow! What was that for?" I asked, rubbing the sore spot.
"You told Emmett not to let me leave?!"
"No, not exactly. I told everyone to head back and stay together."
"He had me in a vice grip the whole time!"
"She kept trying to leave!" Emmett defended from the top of the staircase.
"As soon as you left, Alice snapped out of her trance and tried to follow," Edward explained, leaning on the banister. "Emmett nabbed her and carried her back here."
"Yeah, and she kept trying to escape the whole time, too. If it weren't for Edward constantly telling us what she was planning to do, she probably would have. Pipsqueak is squirrelly."
"You met with the alpha alone?! You could have been attacked or killed!" Alice punched the same spot again. Oh yeah, there's a bruise now. "And why do I smell shifter?"
I bit my lip. "I met with both alphas." I caught her hand before she hit me, yet again. I wanted to kiss it, but I was very aware of the curious eyes around the room. "Has there been any news on Jasper?" Not that I actually cared.
Alice lowered her head. "Not much. He's okay and wandering around, but he's actively not making any decisions. I last saw a cliff by the water, but it was too hazy, and I didn't recognize it."
I nodded. At least he's alive…
"What did you and overgrown puppies talk about?" Emmett asked.
I raised a finger, motioning to hold the question. "Carlisle, can I speak to you for a moment?" He nodded and led me to a part of the house I still hadn't seen.
Carlisle's office was not what I had pictured, but somehow exactly what I expected. The walls were decorated with elaborate paintings and lined with shelves filled with old medical journals. A large oak desk sat in the center of the room, and directly behind it, hung an old wooden cross. The dark wood shined a bit under the office lights despite its age. It was well-preserved, evident from the faint, coppery smell. The head vampire followed my gaze to it and gave a small smile.
"My father carved it before I was born. It hung in the church where he preached." I raised my eyebrow. "Yes, it is ironic. The preacher's son became a demon." My nose wrinkled at his usage of the word, demon. It didn't fit the man before me.
"He hunted vampires, actually. And werewolves. And witches," he chuckled, darkly. "At least, that's what he thought. He condemned a lot of innocents, and I helped," he said, mournfully. "I just wanted to live up to his expectations. He was a hard man to please. The one and only time he was right about a vampire was the one that ended up biting and turning me."
I tried to imagine a young, human Carlisle. Someone with a whole normal, boring life ahead of them. The mental image fell short. Carlisle wasn't Carlisle without his compassion, and I struggled to imagine the amount he had in a mere human. Garrett had told me that becoming a vampire amplifies the attributes one had as a human. Strangely enough, being a vampire is what shattered the limits of his greatest quality.
"Now, Bella, I'm sure you didn't want to speak to me about my history. What can I do for you?"
"As you know, I spoke with the werewolves' alpha, Nicolaus. They want to possibly stay in the area. I am trying to arrange a meeting between all the alphas at dusk."
"A meeting to decide if they stay?"
"Yes."
"Okay, then let's go ask the group," Carlisle gestured for the door. I stood there, confused. "We make decisions as a family. My opinion isn't law." I raised my eyebrow, though I should have guessed. No single member was more important than the other, not to Carlisle.
We walked out to the dining area, and everyone was already gathered at the table. I smirked and shook my head at them.
"We're nosy," Alice said with a grin. Carlisle chuckled as he pulled out a chair for me at the head of the table. I was honored, regardless of his intended meaning. He took his place on the other side.
"The werewolf pack needs a place to settle," I began. "They've been on the run for a long time, and while we are nomadic to an extent, we are far more comfortable calling a certain area our home for as long as we can…much like you." Never thought that would be a thing.
"Will they be as tolerant to us as you were?" Rosalie piped up, smiling.
Was that Rosalie's attempt at humor?
"They won't like it," I smiled, slowly. "But so long as we have the alpha's truce, the rest will fall in line. An alpha's command cannot be disobeyed. Our inner wolves simply won't allow it. Pack loyalty runs deep."
"If Bella trusts them, I have no issue," Emmett piped in. "Things have been so much more interesting with her around. Can you imagine more of her?" I giggled at his excitement. Rosalie rolled her eyes but sided with him on the issue anyway.
"I can't in good conscience turn away someone in need of help." Spoken like a true saint.
Alice reached over and squeezed my forearm. "We'll follow your lead on this." I put my hand over hers and smiled softly at her.
"Where would they stay?" Esme asked.
"I'm not sure, but I could offer up my place in the meantime."
"Wouldn't your place be too small? You said there were at least five others?" She asked.
"Wolves are used to cramped spaces –"
"Nonsense. At minimum, you will be staying with us. We have the extra room." I opened my mouth to retort, but snapped it shut when Esme gave me the 'mom look'. I could see Alice's shaking form in the corner of my eye, laughing at me. Esme looked around the room at the others as if daring them to challenge her, too. "It's settled then."
Esme quickly led me away after the meeting when she saw me yawning and handed me a blanket and a couple pillows for the couch in the extra room. I wondered briefly if she purchased them for me since I knew they had no use for them. I threw myself on the large, grey sectional. The soft pillow caressed my face. It felt so good, the sweet vampire scent barely registered. Sleep pulled me deep into the pillow.
Something cold brushed my cheek. I half opened my eyes only to see golden eyes gazing back. Alice's mouth turned up in a smile as she swept my hair behind my neck. She was kneeling on the floor next to me, her face close to mine.
"Hey," she whispered, her cool breath tickled my face. I kissed the palm of her hand, and held it there, letting her scent wash over me. "It's almost sunset. Are you sure about this?"
I sat up, continuing to hold onto her hand. "Did I ever tell you about my father? He wasn't just an alpha…he was THE alpha. My family's bloodline can be traced back thousands of years. There wasn't anything like the Volturi in my world, but he was the most respected by all other alphas. He always made sure the packs were safe and taken care of, even if they were directly his own. He took them in when he could and passed on his knowledge to the newer wolves.
"I've only ever looked after myself. I've never even ran in a pack. I've turned my back on my parents' legacy, everything that made them great. This is my chance to help my kind. I want to do all I can to help them, even if I only get to make the offer." She was quiet for a moment, just looking into my eyes.
"I'll trust whatever you decide. I'm on your side."
Hearing her say those words lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I didn't know how tense I was till that moment. She trusted me. She was on my side. That was everything.
We had decided that Edward and Emmett would join Carlisle and me in the center of the clearing. The rest of the Cullens would wait at the tree line. Dark pink and purple clouds hung overhead as the light dimmed in the still, snowy meadow. My wolf surveyed the area, alert but calm. My eyes scoured the trees in the distance. The three vampires waited behind me several yards, still as statues. I thought about how much my trust had grown with the Cullens for my wolf to not mind my back to be turned to them.
Low growls rumbled in the shadows of the trees to southwest. Three horse-size wolves emerged from the forest. Sam's black wolf form was flanked by the russet and grey wolves: Jacob and Paul. I could hear more shifters hidden just out of view in the forest. I knew Sam didn't want to reveal the number of pack members he had with him. He didn't trust the vampires…or me, for that matter.
"Sam," Carlisle smiled, faintly. The black wolf just raised his nose in the air, slightly. Uncomfortable as he was, I was just glad he agreed to come.
A few moments of tense silence passed before I saw multiple pairs of glowing yellow eyes come into view. Nico came forward with two phased werewolves walking closely behind. A young male and two females stayed behind in human form but remained in view.
Six, not five.
"Lupori," the werewolf alpha outstretched his arm, again. My jaw clenched at my old name.
"Bosco." He smirked as I took his arm. My wolf immediately stepped forward within me. My eyes shined back as Nico's smile grew. His wolf bowed, and Nico lowered his gaze before releasing my arm. Anxiety emanated from the werewolf to his right. Her muscles tense underneath her reddish white fur.
I cleared my throat. "This is Carlisle Cullen; the head of his family." The other shaggy black and brown werewolf bared his teeth and raised his hackles. Emmett's hand twitched. Nico took notice and raised his eyebrow.
"Family?" he questioned. "Curious description."
"An accurate one," I challenged.
I knew what he was getting at. Vampires weren't known to have strong bonds outside of their mates. They grouped together merely for convenience or advantageous reasons like the warring covens in the south. They came together for power and territory. Bonds like that were nothing more than a house of cards.
The Cullens were different. I wasn't sure if it was because of their diet or their ever-conscious hold to their humanity, but they were able to have a real kinship with one another. The love, friendship, and respect they had for each other was impossible to ignore by anyone that paid attention.
"This is Sam Uley," I continued, gesturing to the black wolf. "Alpha of the shifter pack." Sam grunted. "Edward will be the translator for him since he can't speak in that form."
"How –"
"Edward can read minds. Not ours, though, obviously." Nico didn't comment, indicating he also knew that vampires' gifts didn't work on our kind.
"I'm sure Bella has informed you of our interest to stay in the area."
"How long?" Edward's voice asked behind me. There was a tenor to his tone that wasn't normal for him. His eyes were fixed down on the snow. It took me a moment to remember he was Sam's mouthpiece now.
"As long as we would be welcome. We've been nomadic for a long while now," Nico's teeth set. I knew from experience how uncomfortable it was. Our kind felt less anxious when we had a more permanent home, a familiar territory to safeguard.
"And the safety of the humans-?"
I growled at Sam; the werewolves echoed. "I already explained to you Sam. We do not hunt humans."
"Only making sure you don't have differing opinions."
"Bella told me that you don't hunt humans, either. Is that true?" Nico asked Carlisle. The vampire just nodded. "Why?"
"We didn't choose to be made into monsters, but we have chosen to keep our humanity." Nico eyed him, skeptically, but Carlisle was a righteous man, and I knew they would come to see that too if given the chance. "Our family has a truce with the werew—…uh..shifters. We manage to live peacefully. I don't see a reason why we can't try the same," Carlisle said.
"You are welcome to stay at my place. I don't have a lot of room, but if you want to make it a more extended stay, I'm sure we can figure something out."
"With you and your mate? I don't think staying with a vampire is such a good idea," My heart sank. Did Nico really just say that in front of the Cullens?
"Does he mean Garrett?" Emmett asked me, confused.
With my back to the vampires, I flashed my eyes to Nico to get him to look at me. I stared at him, intently, before moving my eyes left to right twice, trying to signal him not to continue.
"No, Emmett," I said, regaining eye contact with Nico. "I think he means Alice. I was with her yesterday when we ran into them, remember?"
"Well...the..the way you protected her yesterday and with the vampire smell at your place, I assumed. I'm sorry," Nico backtracked.
I relaxed my gaze and looked back at Alice across the field. She kept her eyes plastered at the snowy ground in front of her. She was probably concentrating on not giving anything away to the mind-reader.
One of the closer shifters grunted, and I turned in time to see Sam snap and snarl at the grey wolf at this side.
"Paul! No, stop—" Edward cut off his translation and looked between Alice and me in shock.
He knows.
I could only guess what Edward heard, but whatever it was, it was enough. Sam snarled and growled at Paul till he took off into the woods, tail tucked. Another wolf shifter came out of the tree line. He, like Paul, was grey too but had peppered black markings and was sleeker. The replacement shifter took his spot on his alpha's left side. Sam whined at me, knowing full well this shuffling of the guard came too late.
"Did I miss something?" Nico asked, confused. His werewolves started grumbling, antsy with the obvious conflict.
I stared over at Edward, but his eyes were locked on Alice. Her eyes were glazed over, more than likely analyzing whatever the mind-reader was deciding on doing. Carlisle, Emmett, and Esme all looked as bewildered as the werewolves. Rosalie was the only other one eyeing Edward, ready to come between him and her sister. The situation felt like it was quickly devolving. I needed to get this meeting back on track.
"Pack matters, I believe," I reassured. "Anyway, she doesn't live with me so you don't have to worry about living with a vampire, and I can figure out other living arrangements."
"So, you'd just give us a house?" the female across the field spoke up, sounding skeptical.
"I'm not giving you a house. I'm lending it to you," I answered her. "It's what my father would have done," I added, softly. My eyes met the alpha's as he nodded, understanding.
Growling emanated from Sam. I tensed, assuming it was meant for us, but the black wolf was just staring at Edward, who didn't seem to be paying any attention. He was still positioned angrily towards Alice.
"Edward!" I growled. He bristled with anger. Only his dark eyes turned to me. Sam rumbled once more to get his attention, but Edward didn't react. For once, I wished he could read my mind. This is not helping convince the pack of peace, you idiot!
Emmett flung a snowball in his brother's face. "Dude, you're not helping," he pointed out.
Nico snorted.
One-by-one, the whole group started snickering.
"I'll speak for myself," Sam stepped forward in his human form. "Since the mind-reader seems to be distracted." He looked over at Edward, but he continued to ignore everyone. "After speaking with the council, we only wish to reinforce our territory lines. If the vampires choose to divvy up their land, that's on them. Bella can explain the treaty lines with you."
"Thank you, Sam."
"Updates?" he asked, as he started walking away.
"Updates," I nodded.
The alpha werewolf eyed the retreating shifters and took in all the vampires behind me. I didn't need Edward's ability to recognize the warring thoughts in his head. It was obvious to me after our conversation this morning that he needed this, a place to settle, but his old instincts about the vampires behind me were hard to ignore.
Carlisle stepped forward, which caused growls from the shifted werewolves. He hesitated for a split second and raised his hands in peace.
"I know this is a lot to take in, especially given our kinds' histories. No harm will come to you from our family. This much I can promise you." He placed his hands on my shoulders and gave me a reassuring squeeze. It reminded me of something my father used to do. "As far as any other details, I trust Bella to negotiate those with you." Bewilderment shot across my face as I turned to look at him. He smiled before walking back to the rest of the Cullens.
The werewolves and I stood in silence till all the other creatures left the area. Nico let out a loud whistle, and the three in human form came in to join the group. The closest ones turned their backs to us and shifted back. The woman walking towards us threw a bag of clothes to the male and female.
"Bella, this is my pack, Mateo, Marie, and my mate, Leila." He gestured to the ones that were standing on the edge of the forest during the meeting. "And Damianos and Tala," he pointed to the other two as they finished getting dressed.
Leila immediately offered her arm to me. The yellow glow in her eyes contrasted beautifully with her black hair and dark skin. Her warm scent whirled over me, stunning me. She stepped back with a knowing smile and wrapped her arm casually around Nico's waist as he kissed the top of her head.
No way.
"Is she –" I blurted to Nico. A chorus of growls interrupted me. The pack collectively took a step forward as I took one back.
The alpha clenched and unclenched his jaw. "Yes, she's pregnant."
It suddenly all made sense. Why he was so stressed out. Why he needed to find a more permanent home. And why there were only five wolves in the clearing this morning.
Pregnant wolves could not shift, even under a full moon. An old wives tale said that it was because the wolf cocoons itself around the baby during pregnancy and draws in all other packmates for protection. I knew the latter to be true. Packs were fiercely protective of pregnant members. I bit my lip, unsure of what to say to the group.
I cleared my throat. "Uh, Carlisle's right. It is a lot to take in. You don't have to decide what you're going to do right away. At least let me offer you a place to stay in the meantime."
"It would be nice stay somewhere for more than one night, Nico." Leila rested her hand on Nico's chest. "We haven't stayed put in weeks."
He put his hand over hers and looked at the others, exhaustion evident on their faces. I had thought it was from the full moon the night before, but looking at them now, it was clear this enervation was from more than a single night...and more than just physical.
"Okay," Nico sighed. "We will stay."
A/N: It's been a long time...