Breathe In Union
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 21
Jasper Whitlock gave an affectionate squeeze to his nervous mate's hand as they trailed the rest of their adopted family, with the exception of Esme, into the clearing.
They were there to meet with the local shifter pack and Alice had been on edge for most of the day. He supposed it was to be expected though as she'd admitted to being unable to 'see' around the wolves and he knew from long experience, if anything messed with her visions, she got this way.
"Would you like some help, darlin'?" he asked discreetly and she answered with a subtle nod as they lined up alongside the others. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he infused her with serenity and she relaxed into his hold with a grateful sigh as Carlisle glanced at them with a fond smile.
Jasper nodded back to him and watched as Carlisle then directed his attention to his first childe and his human mate, his brow creasing in concern as he observed the obviously shaken girl.
He'd laid down the law to Edward earlier that day. Consequently, the boy had finally revealed to Angela what they all are and it hadn't gone well, to put it mildly. The girl had been shaky and frightened since.
It had only been Edward, Carlisle and Esme in the room with the girl at the time, but the rest of them had been in the house so it was impossible to miss the racing heart and the cloying scent of fear that had eventually wafted up to tempt him.
Alice had to get very creative to keep his mind occupied with other things when he'd gotten a whiff of that old familiar and very intoxicating scent. It was like blood in the water to a hungry shark and he'd wanted to pursue the hunt in the worst way… Just the memory of it combined with what the girl was still emitting was enough to drag an involuntary growl from him and he literally felt Edward tense.
"Jasper, please son," Carlisle murmured. "I need you here…we need you here…" he entreated and Jasper moved as far from the fearful human as he could while cutting his breathing off completely. 'Damn it Edward…You'd better get your shit straight and get that girl changed before I decide to do it for ya.' He shot the mind reader a narrow-eyed glance and the boy scowled but nodded while pulling the tense girl close to his side.
Jasper smirked darkly while Alice hugged herself close to his side. The boy knew better than to fuck with him. Carlisle might be the figure-head, but when it came to laying down the law, they all knew what Jasper said went and nobody opposed him, not on anything so vital. He'd managed to keep them all safe and out of trouble all these years, even when he'd had to kick the brat's ass a few times to do it. It wouldn't be any different this time either.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a wave of pure revulsion that had just begun to tickle the edge of his gift when Edward murmured, "They're close, I can hear their thoughts."
Carlisle nodded and they all focused on the tree-line where they expected the pack to emerge. When they did, they all heard a frightened whimper from the human girl before Edward shushed her with whispered reassurances. "It's all right love. I'm here and I'll always protect you."
Jasper projected a shot of humor at that and Edward spared him a petulant glare before focusing back on the pack.
Carlisle stepped forward to greet the Alpha who stood in human form in the middle of the row of four other wolves while Jasper focused on the wolf he considered to be his counterpart; the massive silver wolf standing to the extreme left of the group. They locked gazes and Jasper inclined his head in respect. To his fleeting surprise, the silver wolf returned the gesture.
"Sam," Carlisle greeted the stoic shifter.
"Dr. Cullen," he returned. "I see you brought the human girl. Let's discuss her, shall we? What are your intentions with her?"
Carlisle sighed. He knew this could be a major point of contention with their treaty but there was just no other way around it. He was going to have to be blunt. "She is my son's mate and now knows exactly what we are. Consequently, she must be turned in accordance with our laws."
The wolves in line snarled and yipped until Sam held up a hand while still holding the blond vampire's gaze. "And the treaty? If you do this thing, you will be in violation which would free us to attack."
Jasper felt Edward's anger spike a second before they all heard him growl. "Edward!" Carlisle admonished sharply with a glare which quieted the teen vampire. "Mind your temper or I'll send you home."
"Yes sir," he grumbled and Jasper stifled a smirk…sort of. He really had trouble when he felt amusement coming from the silver wolf who chuffed in something that resembled laughter.
"While I understand your people's feelings on the matter," Carlisle continued, "...my son has finally found his mate. It's my understanding that your pack has a similar phenomenon with regards to mating, is that correct?"
The Alpha crossed his arms over his massive chest as his brow pinched. "If you mean finding 'the one' or a soul mate bond, then yes we do."
Carlisle nodded. "My son has heard as much from your thoughts…the irresistible pull…the everlasting soul bond…it's all very similar for us when we find our mate. Needless to say, it's a very compelling force…one that literally drives us to bond. It's to this very nature that we appeal to you for leniency in this matter. It's not as though we're asking to feed from humans. We are asking for your understanding in this once-in-a-lifetime matter. She must be turned to comply with the laws of our kind. If this does not happen, it will eventually come to the attention of our rulers who will take it upon themselves to resolve the issue. That will bring them here and believe me when I say, you do not want such a thing to happen. They are ruthless and they feed, unapologetically, from humans."
A wave of malevolence came from the growling shifters and Jasper fought it back with a wave of calm while Sam snarled at a stoic Carlisle. "I cannot allow you to create another leech and you agreed to these terms! Now you want to change them? Not acceptable, doctor."
Carlisle nodded regretfully. "I understand your reluctance and to be honest, I share it, but mating is a rare thing and one we couldn't possibly foresee happening here in this place or time. After all, it's taken him almost a century to find her." He looked imploringly at the steadfast Alpha, his hands held out to his sides. "How could we possibly predict this? You know the pull yourself; he cannot ignore it!"
The sound of a truck pulling up very nearby caught their attention and Sam turned to Jacob. "Go see who that is," he ordered. "It might be an elder." The russet wolf spun and took off and the Alpha turned back to Carlisle with a curled lip. "While your appeal tugs my heartstrings, the answer is still no. Our people have held to our part of the treaty, no matter how repulsive we found it to be and so it's only fair that you now hold to your part, no matter how difficult. I would say I'm sorry, but I am not."
"Damn you disgusting beasts! You can't deny me my mate!" Edward finally yelled, unable to keep himself in check at the thought of being denied.
"Edward! Be quiet!" Carlisle snapped but Edward snarled while Angela whimpered and struggled to push away from him. He didn't seem to notice her distress, but Jasper did.
"Shit," he muttered while flooding the girl with lethargy. "Go get her from him sugar," he murmured to Alice. "He's losin' his shit and might hurt her without even knowin' it." She nodded and flitted to Edward's side.
"Edward, let me take care of Ang while you work this out, okay?" she asked gently and only then did he focus on the sobbing girl in his arms. He let go instantly and she threw herself into Alice's embrace where she sagged from the effects of Jasper's gift.
"Oh god," Edward moaned while clutching his hair. "I can't lose her Carlisle!" he muttered lowly as his father gripped his shoulder.
"Edward, I need to you calm yourself. This isn't helping, now pull yourself together. They're still here…we're all still talking this out and as long as that's the case, there's still hope," he admonished while holding his son's gaze. Edward finally calmed with a liberal dose of Jasper's help and nodded.
"You're right. I'm sorry."
Carlisle held his gaze. "You ready to continue?"
"Yes," he said on a heavy exhale. "I'm in control."
"Good," he said and turned once again to the Alpha who was watching all this with a raised brow.
"My apologies Alpha but this is a very emotional subject to my son. I ask that you try to put yourself in his place for just a moment."
"That is difficult to do doctor… I still have a pulse."
To Jasper's surprise, he felt a wave of anger come from the normally sedate blond. "Fine then. I ask that you imagine someone threatening to take your mate from you…"
The response from all of the wolves was immediate as hackles rose along with their volume while Sam brought himself to his full height, his eyes flashing dangerously as his nostrils flared. "Was that a threat leech?"
"Oh for the love of god!" a very familiar female voice called out. The silver wolf spun toward it with a growl as all kinds of swear words filtered through his thoughts. What the fuck was she doing here?! He was gonna wear her ass out for this later!
Bella hurried to place herself in the middle of the opposing groups and she eyed her snarling mate briefly before turning to glare at Sam. "Has anyone asked Angela what it is she wants?" She looked between the two leaders who both remained silent and she scoffed. "She is a person with a voice you know? I say it's about time we heard it."
"I agree," said Billy Black as his half-naked son wheeled him into the clearing. "It's important to know where the human stands on this issue. It's impossible to make a decision without hearing from her."
Sam tensed. "It is not!" he protested. "The treaty states…" He trailed off as Bella cut him off.
"Take the giant stick outta your ass for a few minutes, would you Sam? Is this hill really worth dying on? You can't possibly know that unless you ask her," she said while pointing at Angela. "You really gonna go to war without even knowing if the person you're protecting even wants your protection?"
"Spoken like a true pale-face…" he sneered. "No longer like the terms…just renegotiate…"
Bella's eyes flashed with anger as she faced the enraged Alpha until Billy wheeled himself between them. "That was uncalled for Alpha and we'll be having words about it later," he said, his tone cold as he took Bella's hand. "For now…" he turned to face Carlisle, "…please bring the girl forward so she may speak for herself."
Carlisle turned and looked at Alice who nodded and coaxed Angela away from her shoulder. "It's time for you to speak up now sweetie. Are you up to it?" she asked gently as Angela straightened her back and set her shoulders while sniffling.
Finally, with a sharp nod, she turned and walked toward Bella who smiled softly. "Don't be swayed by anything or anyone here Ang. Just tell them what's in your heart. Your wishes will be respected, no matter your decision."
"You can't make such a statement!" Sam snapped at Bella. "You have no such authority!"
"She speaks sensibly and will be listened to in this case," Billy intoned, his voice laced with the power of the tribal Chief and Sam backed down, albeit grudgingly.
"Fine," he said while tossing a hand in disgust. "Go ahead then."
Angela smiled hesitantly at Bella. "Thank you," she said timidly before looking at Billy.
"Go on child," he encouraged. "What are your wishes in this matter? Do you desire to become the vampire's mate? Do you understand all that you would be giving up? Most important of all, you need to know that if you choose not to, we will protect you. Never feel that you don't have a choice."
She smiled gratefully. "I understand. Thank you," she said as she paused and took a big breath. When she blew it out, she continued. "I've known for a while now there was something very…different about Edward and his family, but after being with him for the past few months, I came to realize that whatever it was didn't change how I felt about him." She turned to look back at him briefly before turning back to speak directly to Billy and the Alpha. "I love him. And while I admit that hearing earlier today just how different he is—what he is—was shocking and more than a bit scary, I still love him just as much. Now, am I ready to trade this life for an immortal one?" She shrugged. "I can't really answer that question yet. It's a huge decision and one I don't care to make lightly and it's only been posed to me hours ago. So, I guess what I'm saying is, I would like some time, if that's possible."
"Of course it is," Billy conceded with a nod. "And you're very wise to think carefully on such a thing. You would be giving up every other person in your life that's dear to you as well as the ability to have children…"
"Not to mention becoming a blood-sucking leech…" Sam said with a curled lip.
Angela glared at him. "I happen to love one of them more than I've ever loved anyone before, so your pointing that little tidbit out really doesn't sway me, thanks."
He sneered at her but kept silent.
Billy sighed. "Well, we await your decision then Miss Weber." He glanced between the two leaders. "Now, I believe you had other issues to discuss?" he asked as Angela returned to stand with Alice.
Sam gave a sharp nod and brought up the red-eyed vamps. "It's our understanding they were after Miss Weber…" he said and Angela gasped while looking at Carlisle with fear-widened eyes.
He sighed and nodded. "Yes, this is what my son read from their thoughts the night your pack destroyed one of them and injured another. We're certain they'll be back."
"Oh god," Angela moaned. "My family! What if they get to them?"
Edward pulled her into his arms. "Shh, love. We're going to protect you. Esme is guarding them now. We won't let anything happen to any of you."
Rosalie scoffed. "Way to just volunteer the family…" she muttered and Carlisle shot her a dark look.
"Rose," he scolded. "She is Edward's mate, therefore part of the family. We will protect her and by extension, her family."
Rosalie snarled. "I didn't sign up for any of this bullshit just because Edward wants to play with a human…"
"Rosalie!" Carlisle snapped. "This isn't up for discussion. It will be done." His tone softened. "It won't last forever. Only until we take care of the problem."
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away as Emmett tried to soothe her with whispered words. "Whatever…" she finally muttered and Carlisle turned his attention back to the Alpha.
"We give you permission to come onto our territory while we try to eliminate this threat…" Sam nodded and Carlisle continued. "In return, we ask that you extend the same courtesy to us in the event of a chase. We will not hunt on your lands…" he said, his voice rising to overcome the growls and protests from the wolves. "…but we would like the leeway to pursue these nomads if they cross the treaty line."
Sam held up a hand to silence his pack. "My first instinct is to deny such a request," he said while glancing at Billy who gave a subtle shake of his head. "…but I believe it's in all our best interests to establish a measure of…trust…" The rest of the pack erupted in loud growls at this. "Enough!" Sam snapped and they quieted with the exception of the silver wolf who continued growling menacingly as he paced, his eyes locked on the mind-reader.
Billy turned toward him. "I understand why you're not happy with this Paul, but we must work together to eliminate this threat…"
The silver wolf shimmered and changed back to his human form before snarling an answer. "You ask that we trust a leech who's already proven to be unworthy of trust?! He went after my mate in her bedroom for fuck's sake! Now you ask that I just accept giving him permission to come onto our lands?! I will not!" He turned to look at the mind-reader. "You step one toe over that treaty line and your ass is mine, you hear me? I don't give a shit what is said here tonight!"
Edward hissed and would have lunged had Jasper and Emmett not grabbed his arms. "I'll do whatever I must to protect my mate!" He yelled while baring his teeth.
"Yeah?" Paul asked with a chilling smile. "So will I." He turned to Billy. "I'll extend the courtesy to the others in their 'family'…" he spat in distaste. "But my word stands on the pussy mind-raper. If I see him on our lands, I will end him."
Carlisle shot a harsh look at his growling son, effectively shutting him up before sighing in resignation. "Chief Black, we agree to those terms. My son Edward will not cross the treaty line…for any reason."
"Carlisle!" Edward began to protest until Jasper smacked him solidly on the back of his head.
"Now ain't the time boy," he growled lowly. "Shut your mouth and deal with the consequences of your previous idiotic actions."
Carlisle nodded to Jasper and turned back to the Chief. "You have our word. We will see to Edward. He will not violate your decision Alpha Paul."
Paul heard the blond doctor but locked his gaze with the only leech he had any measure of respect for, the scarred honey-blond who now met his gaze calmly and inclined his head. The message was clear between them and served to satisfy him. With that, he phased back to his wolf form and continued pacing.
Billy nodded his thanks. "This is acceptable," he said with a sigh. Despite everything, he understood Paul's reluctance to trust the mind-reader.
"Very well," Carlisle concluded. "There will be two of us guarding Angela's home at all times until the nomads are taken care of. We'll alternate shifts. Would it be all right to give my children your contact numbers?"
Billy and Sam exchanged a look and Billy nodded. "That sounds reasonable to me."
"Good," Carlisle said. "I thank you."
"If that is all?" Billy asked while glancing between the opposing leaders who both nodded.
"Until the human makes her decision, there's nothing more to discuss," Sam affirmed and Billy nodded grimly while motioning to his son. "Then we'll be on our way. Goodnight Dr. Cullen and thank you for meeting with us."
"It was our pleasure Chief Black. Thank you for your timely intervention."
Billy smiled. "You have Bella to thank for that. She showed up insisting our help was needed to keep the peace in this meeting and wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed." He scowled at her affectionately. "I'm even missing the game!"
Carlisle smiled at the blushing girl and gave a small bow. "You have my gratitude for your persistence Miss Swan."
"No problem," she muttered but gasped the next second when she was swept up into the trembling arms of her enraged mate.
"Oh, it's a problem all right," he growled as he walked off into the trees with her. "A very big fuckin' problem."
Jasper Whitlock gave an affectionate squeeze to his nervous mate's hand as they trailed the rest of their adopted family, with the exception of Esme, into the clearing.
They were there to meet with the local shifter pack and Alice had been on edge for most of the day. He supposed it was to be expected though as she'd admitted to being unable to 'see' around the wolves and he knew from long experience, if anything messed with her visions, she got this way.
"Would you like some help, darlin'?" he asked discreetly and she answered with a subtle nod as they lined up alongside the others. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he infused her with serenity and she relaxed into his hold with a grateful sigh as Carlisle glanced at them with a fond smile.
Jasper nodded back to him and watched as Carlisle then directed his attention to his first childe and his human mate, his brow creasing in concern as he observed the obviously shaken girl.
He'd laid down the law to Edward earlier that day. Consequently, the boy had finally revealed to Angela what they all are and it hadn't gone well, to put it mildly. The girl had been shaky and frightened since.
It had only been Edward, Carlisle and Esme in the room with the girl at the time, but the rest of them had been in the house so it was impossible to miss the racing heart and the cloying scent of fear that had eventually wafted up to tempt him.
Alice had to get very creative to keep his mind occupied with other things when he'd gotten a whiff of that old familiar and very intoxicating scent. It was like blood in the water to a hungry shark and he'd wanted to pursue the hunt in the worst way… Just the memory of it combined with what the girl was still emitting was enough to drag an involuntary growl from him and he literally felt Edward tense.
"Jasper, please son," Carlisle murmured. "I need you here…we need you here…" he entreated and Jasper moved as far from the fearful human as he could while cutting his breathing off completely. 'Damn it Edward…You'd better get your shit straight and get that girl changed before I decide to do it for ya.' He shot the mind reader a narrow-eyed glance and the boy scowled but nodded while pulling the tense girl close to his side.
Jasper smirked darkly while Alice hugged herself close to his side. The boy knew better than to fuck with him. Carlisle might be the figure-head, but when it came to laying down the law, they all knew what Jasper said went and nobody opposed him, not on anything so vital. He'd managed to keep them all safe and out of trouble all these years, even when he'd had to kick the brat's ass a few times to do it. It wouldn't be any different this time either.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a wave of pure revulsion that had just begun to tickle the edge of his gift when Edward murmured, "They're close, I can hear their thoughts."
Carlisle nodded and they all focused on the tree-line where they expected the pack to emerge. When they did, they all heard a frightened whimper from the human girl before Edward shushed her with whispered reassurances. "It's all right love. I'm here and I'll always protect you."
Jasper projected a shot of humor at that and Edward spared him a petulant glare before focusing back on the pack.
Carlisle stepped forward to greet the Alpha who stood in human form in the middle of the row of four other wolves while Jasper focused on the wolf he considered to be his counterpart; the massive silver wolf standing to the extreme left of the group. They locked gazes and Jasper inclined his head in respect. To his fleeting surprise, the silver wolf returned the gesture.
"Sam," Carlisle greeted the stoic shifter.
"Dr. Cullen," he returned. "I see you brought the human girl. Let's discuss her, shall we? What are your intentions with her?"
Carlisle sighed. He knew this could be a major point of contention with their treaty but there was just no other way around it. He was going to have to be blunt. "She is my son's mate and now knows exactly what we are. Consequently, she must be turned in accordance with our laws."
The wolves in line snarled and yipped until Sam held up a hand while still holding the blond vampire's gaze. "And the treaty? If you do this thing, you will be in violation which would free us to attack."
Jasper felt Edward's anger spike a second before they all heard him growl. "Edward!" Carlisle admonished sharply with a glare which quieted the teen vampire. "Mind your temper or I'll send you home."
"Yes sir," he grumbled and Jasper stifled a smirk…sort of. He really had trouble when he felt amusement coming from the silver wolf who chuffed in something that resembled laughter.
"While I understand your people's feelings on the matter," Carlisle continued, "...my son has finally found his mate. It's my understanding that your pack has a similar phenomenon with regards to mating, is that correct?"
The Alpha crossed his arms over his massive chest as his brow pinched. "If you mean finding 'the one' or a soul mate bond, then yes we do."
Carlisle nodded. "My son has heard as much from your thoughts…the irresistible pull…the everlasting soul bond…it's all very similar for us when we find our mate. Needless to say, it's a very compelling force…one that literally drives us to bond. It's to this very nature that we appeal to you for leniency in this matter. It's not as though we're asking to feed from humans. We are asking for your understanding in this once-in-a-lifetime matter. She must be turned to comply with the laws of our kind. If this does not happen, it will eventually come to the attention of our rulers who will take it upon themselves to resolve the issue. That will bring them here and believe me when I say, you do not want such a thing to happen. They are ruthless and they feed, unapologetically, from humans."
A wave of malevolence came from the growling shifters and Jasper fought it back with a wave of calm while Sam snarled at a stoic Carlisle. "I cannot allow you to create another leech and you agreed to these terms! Now you want to change them? Not acceptable, doctor."
Carlisle nodded regretfully. "I understand your reluctance and to be honest, I share it, but mating is a rare thing and one we couldn't possibly foresee happening here in this place or time. After all, it's taken him almost a century to find her." He looked imploringly at the steadfast Alpha, his hands held out to his sides. "How could we possibly predict this? You know the pull yourself; he cannot ignore it!"
The sound of a truck pulling up very nearby caught their attention and Sam turned to Jacob. "Go see who that is," he ordered. "It might be an elder." The russet wolf spun and took off and the Alpha turned back to Carlisle with a curled lip. "While your appeal tugs my heartstrings, the answer is still no. Our people have held to our part of the treaty, no matter how repulsive we found it to be and so it's only fair that you now hold to your part, no matter how difficult. I would say I'm sorry, but I am not."
"Damn you disgusting beasts! You can't deny me my mate!" Edward finally yelled, unable to keep himself in check at the thought of being denied.
"Edward! Be quiet!" Carlisle snapped but Edward snarled while Angela whimpered and struggled to push away from him. He didn't seem to notice her distress, but Jasper did.
"Shit," he muttered while flooding the girl with lethargy. "Go get her from him sugar," he murmured to Alice. "He's losin' his shit and might hurt her without even knowin' it." She nodded and flitted to Edward's side.
"Edward, let me take care of Ang while you work this out, okay?" she asked gently and only then did he focus on the sobbing girl in his arms. He let go instantly and she threw herself into Alice's embrace where she sagged from the effects of Jasper's gift.
"Oh god," Edward moaned while clutching his hair. "I can't lose her Carlisle!" he muttered lowly as his father gripped his shoulder.
"Edward, I need to you calm yourself. This isn't helping, now pull yourself together. They're still here…we're all still talking this out and as long as that's the case, there's still hope," he admonished while holding his son's gaze. Edward finally calmed with a liberal dose of Jasper's help and nodded.
"You're right. I'm sorry."
Carlisle held his gaze. "You ready to continue?"
"Yes," he said on a heavy exhale. "I'm in control."
"Good," he said and turned once again to the Alpha who was watching all this with a raised brow.
"My apologies Alpha but this is a very emotional subject to my son. I ask that you try to put yourself in his place for just a moment."
"That is difficult to do doctor… I still have a pulse."
To Jasper's surprise, he felt a wave of anger come from the normally sedate blond. "Fine then. I ask that you imagine someone threatening to take your mate from you…"
The response from all of the wolves was immediate as hackles rose along with their volume while Sam brought himself to his full height, his eyes flashing dangerously as his nostrils flared. "Was that a threat leech?"
"Oh for the love of god!" a very familiar female voice called out. The silver wolf spun toward it with a growl as all kinds of swear words filtered through his thoughts. What the fuck was she doing here?! He was gonna wear her ass out for this later!
Bella hurried to place herself in the middle of the opposing groups and she eyed her snarling mate briefly before turning to glare at Sam. "Has anyone asked Angela what it is she wants?" She looked between the two leaders who both remained silent and she scoffed. "She is a person with a voice you know? I say it's about time we heard it."
"I agree," said Billy Black as his half-naked son wheeled him into the clearing. "It's important to know where the human stands on this issue. It's impossible to make a decision without hearing from her."
Sam tensed. "It is not!" he protested. "The treaty states…" He trailed off as Bella cut him off.
"Take the giant stick outta your ass for a few minutes, would you Sam? Is this hill really worth dying on? You can't possibly know that unless you ask her," she said while pointing at Angela. "You really gonna go to war without even knowing if the person you're protecting even wants your protection?"
"Spoken like a true pale-face…" he sneered. "No longer like the terms…just renegotiate…"
Bella's eyes flashed with anger as she faced the enraged Alpha until Billy wheeled himself between them. "That was uncalled for Alpha and we'll be having words about it later," he said, his tone cold as he took Bella's hand. "For now…" he turned to face Carlisle, "…please bring the girl forward so she may speak for herself."
Carlisle turned and looked at Alice who nodded and coaxed Angela away from her shoulder. "It's time for you to speak up now sweetie. Are you up to it?" she asked gently as Angela straightened her back and set her shoulders while sniffling.
Finally, with a sharp nod, she turned and walked toward Bella who smiled softly. "Don't be swayed by anything or anyone here Ang. Just tell them what's in your heart. Your wishes will be respected, no matter your decision."
"You can't make such a statement!" Sam snapped at Bella. "You have no such authority!"
"She speaks sensibly and will be listened to in this case," Billy intoned, his voice laced with the power of the tribal Chief and Sam backed down, albeit grudgingly.
"Fine," he said while tossing a hand in disgust. "Go ahead then."
Angela smiled hesitantly at Bella. "Thank you," she said timidly before looking at Billy.
"Go on child," he encouraged. "What are your wishes in this matter? Do you desire to become the vampire's mate? Do you understand all that you would be giving up? Most important of all, you need to know that if you choose not to, we will protect you. Never feel that you don't have a choice."
She smiled gratefully. "I understand. Thank you," she said as she paused and took a big breath. When she blew it out, she continued. "I've known for a while now there was something very…different about Edward and his family, but after being with him for the past few months, I came to realize that whatever it was didn't change how I felt about him." She turned to look back at him briefly before turning back to speak directly to Billy and the Alpha. "I love him. And while I admit that hearing earlier today just how different he is—what he is—was shocking and more than a bit scary, I still love him just as much. Now, am I ready to trade this life for an immortal one?" She shrugged. "I can't really answer that question yet. It's a huge decision and one I don't care to make lightly and it's only been posed to me hours ago. So, I guess what I'm saying is, I would like some time, if that's possible."
"Of course it is," Billy conceded with a nod. "And you're very wise to think carefully on such a thing. You would be giving up every other person in your life that's dear to you as well as the ability to have children…"
"Not to mention becoming a blood-sucking leech…" Sam said with a curled lip.
Angela glared at him. "I happen to love one of them more than I've ever loved anyone before, so your pointing that little tidbit out really doesn't sway me, thanks."
He sneered at her but kept silent.
Billy sighed. "Well, we await your decision then Miss Weber." He glanced between the two leaders. "Now, I believe you had other issues to discuss?" he asked as Angela returned to stand with Alice.
Sam gave a sharp nod and brought up the red-eyed vamps. "It's our understanding they were after Miss Weber…" he said and Angela gasped while looking at Carlisle with fear-widened eyes.
He sighed and nodded. "Yes, this is what my son read from their thoughts the night your pack destroyed one of them and injured another. We're certain they'll be back."
"Oh god," Angela moaned. "My family! What if they get to them?"
Edward pulled her into his arms. "Shh, love. We're going to protect you. Esme is guarding them now. We won't let anything happen to any of you."
Rosalie scoffed. "Way to just volunteer the family…" she muttered and Carlisle shot her a dark look.
"Rose," he scolded. "She is Edward's mate, therefore part of the family. We will protect her and by extension, her family."
Rosalie snarled. "I didn't sign up for any of this bullshit just because Edward wants to play with a human…"
"Rosalie!" Carlisle snapped. "This isn't up for discussion. It will be done." His tone softened. "It won't last forever. Only until we take care of the problem."
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away as Emmett tried to soothe her with whispered words. "Whatever…" she finally muttered and Carlisle turned his attention back to the Alpha.
"We give you permission to come onto our territory while we try to eliminate this threat…" Sam nodded and Carlisle continued. "In return, we ask that you extend the same courtesy to us in the event of a chase. We will not hunt on your lands…" he said, his voice rising to overcome the growls and protests from the wolves. "…but we would like the leeway to pursue these nomads if they cross the treaty line."
Sam held up a hand to silence his pack. "My first instinct is to deny such a request," he said while glancing at Billy who gave a subtle shake of his head. "…but I believe it's in all our best interests to establish a measure of…trust…" The rest of the pack erupted in loud growls at this. "Enough!" Sam snapped and they quieted with the exception of the silver wolf who continued growling menacingly as he paced, his eyes locked on the mind-reader.
Billy turned toward him. "I understand why you're not happy with this Paul, but we must work together to eliminate this threat…"
The silver wolf shimmered and changed back to his human form before snarling an answer. "You ask that we trust a leech who's already proven to be unworthy of trust?! He went after my mate in her bedroom for fuck's sake! Now you ask that I just accept giving him permission to come onto our lands?! I will not!" He turned to look at the mind-reader. "You step one toe over that treaty line and your ass is mine, you hear me? I don't give a shit what is said here tonight!"
Edward hissed and would have lunged had Jasper and Emmett not grabbed his arms. "I'll do whatever I must to protect my mate!" He yelled while baring his teeth.
"Yeah?" Paul asked with a chilling smile. "So will I." He turned to Billy. "I'll extend the courtesy to the others in their 'family'…" he spat in distaste. "But my word stands on the pussy mind-raper. If I see him on our lands, I will end him."
Carlisle shot a harsh look at his growling son, effectively shutting him up before sighing in resignation. "Chief Black, we agree to those terms. My son Edward will not cross the treaty line…for any reason."
"Carlisle!" Edward began to protest until Jasper smacked him solidly on the back of his head.
"Now ain't the time boy," he growled lowly. "Shut your mouth and deal with the consequences of your previous idiotic actions."
Carlisle nodded to Jasper and turned back to the Chief. "You have our word. We will see to Edward. He will not violate your decision Alpha Paul."
Paul heard the blond doctor but locked his gaze with the only leech he had any measure of respect for, the scarred honey-blond who now met his gaze calmly and inclined his head. The message was clear between them and served to satisfy him. With that, he phased back to his wolf form and continued pacing.
Billy nodded his thanks. "This is acceptable," he said with a sigh. Despite everything, he understood Paul's reluctance to trust the mind-reader.
"Very well," Carlisle concluded. "There will be two of us guarding Angela's home at all times until the nomads are taken care of. We'll alternate shifts. Would it be all right to give my children your contact numbers?"
Billy and Sam exchanged a look and Billy nodded. "That sounds reasonable to me."
"Good," Carlisle said. "I thank you."
"If that is all?" Billy asked while glancing between the opposing leaders who both nodded.
"Until the human makes her decision, there's nothing more to discuss," Sam affirmed and Billy nodded grimly while motioning to his son. "Then we'll be on our way. Goodnight Dr. Cullen and thank you for meeting with us."
"It was our pleasure Chief Black. Thank you for your timely intervention."
Billy smiled. "You have Bella to thank for that. She showed up insisting our help was needed to keep the peace in this meeting and wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed." He scowled at her affectionately. "I'm even missing the game!"
Carlisle smiled at the blushing girl and gave a small bow. "You have my gratitude for your persistence Miss Swan."
"No problem," she muttered but gasped the next second when she was swept up into the trembling arms of her enraged mate.
"Oh, it's a problem all right," he growled as he walked off into the trees with her. "A very big fuckin' problem."
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.