Changing Tides
by Momma2fan
Chapter 16
Sam had to phase human in order to be a part of the negotiations. Finally, a solution was suggested, but Sam and Billy decided it would need to be discussed with the entire council. For now, the lives of the Cullens were on hold.
“Now, as to the vision Alice had.” Jasper explained about the newborns and said training would be needed so the wolves would be able to fight them.
It was agreed that in two days time, they would reconvene at the treaty line, announcing the council’s decision. The Cullens excused themselves and ran away.
“I’m proud of you, Bells.” Charlie commented. “You didn’t back down and you stood up for yourself.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She hugged her father before walking to her wolf. “Let’s go home. We can meet the council later.”
Paul lowered himself so Bella could climb on and carried her home. While all of her things weren’t there yet, no one was under any illusions on where Bella really lived. She hadn’t stayed at Emily and Sam’s since Valentine’s day.
Paul phased and followed her in the house, watching as she bypassed the living room and headed straight for the bathroom. He heard the shower turn on and the sound of her clothes hitting the floor before the shower curtain scraped closed. He hadn’t bothered to pull on his shorts, so he walked in and joined her under the hot spray.
“You okay, baby?” He grabbed the shampoo and began washing her hair.
“I’m fine, but I realized a few things tonight.” She groaned as he scrubbed her scalp.
“What?” Paul turned her to face him so he could rinse the suds from her hair.
Bella grasped his waist in order to maintain her balance while he washed her clean. “Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie had no idea what Edward was up to.”
“I think you’re right. But can we not talk about the bloodsuckers while we’re naked in the shower?”
Bella giggled. “Sorry, honey.”
Paul laughed with her and they finished their shower before heading to bed, curling around each other.
The sunlight streamed across Bella’s face, waking her from a deep sleep. She felt for Paul, but found the bed empty except for a piece of paper.
On patrol. Love you.
She smiled and put the note in her nightstand. Getting up, she went to the dresser and grabbed a bra and a pair of matching panties. She pulled on her jeans and one of Paul’s t-shirts. She walked to the kitchen while pulling her hair up into a messy bun. After pouring a cup of coffee, she grabbed a banana and went to sit on the front porch.
Her mind was flying a mile a minute. There was so much going on in her life a normal person would get dizzy. She had the Victoria and newborn threat hanging over her head and now the Cullens. She knew Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie were completely innocent, but the jury was out on Carlisle and Esme. In her opinion, Alice was just as guilty as Edward because she could ‘see’ what he was up to. The fact that Edward had saved her life didn’t negate the fact he had hidden his venom in her skin.
“You look like you’re thinking heavy thoughts.”
Bella smiled and looked up at her pseudo brother, seeing Jared with him. “You guys want some coffee?”
“Sure, sis.”
The two men followed her inside and sat down. “Want to tell us what’s on your mind?”
She knew she didn’t have to hide anything from them and whatever she told them, could be shown to the pack and Paul later. She outlined her thoughts about Edward and Alice to them.
“I know he saved my life when James bit me, but when he left his venom behind he was doing it for a sinister purpose. That in itself is unforgivable in my opinion. I know three of them are innocent, but I can’t be sure about Carlisle or Esme. All of them are guilty of abandoning me, but if they hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have you all or Paul. I can’t be angry at them for that anymore.”
“Okay, so let’s focus on what we know.” Jared started. “Edward left the venom behind so he would always know where you were. You are his singer, he will always want your blood.”
“The warrior vamp tried to tell the rest that the red-head would come after you, but they didn’t heed his warning. They willfully, at least on the part of Edward and Alice, put you in danger.” Sam added.
“Okay, so what do we do?” Bella asked them. “We can’t let them, him, get away with this, but we need their help so you can beat this army that’s coming for me.”
“As far as I’m concerned, Edward broke the treaty as did Alice. But you’re right, we need them.” Sam hated to depend on leeches, but they were going up against something unknown.
“I think we need to call the council together...now.” Bella smiled at her brothers.
***CT***
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done!?” Carlisle held Edward against the wall with his hand wrapped around his throat.
“Bella...is mine. Her...blood calls...to me.” He choked out.
“In case you didn’t notice, Eddie,” Rosalie sneered. “Bella’s blood doesn’t smell as sweet as it used to. Any idea why or are you too stupid to notice?” Edward snarled at Rosalie.
“Guys, I don’t think...”
“Shut up, Mary Alice. You are in a lot of trouble.” Jasper said brusquely to his mate. Alice took on a submissive pose and kept silent.
“Let me go.” Edward growled.
Carlisle let go of Edward, but didn’t let him get very far from him. “Edward, your actions are despicable. Bella was good to this family and we left her because you said it was dangerous. When the real danger was you!” Carlisle never raised his voice, but he was pissed. “When the wolves contact us, we are going to do everything they want. You have jeopardized the lives of this entire family!”
***CT***
The council was assembled in the tribal center, Billy at the head of the table. To his left sat Sue Clearwater and Old Quil. To his right was Ryan Cameron, Jared’s dad, and David Littlesea. Billy had just finished telling them all what took place the night before and his theories.
The pack was all assembled, minus Quil and Seth, who were on patrol. Bella was seated between Sam and Paul, with her dad right behind her.
“Bella, what are you thinking?” Ryan asked. He, as well as the others, was very fond of the young woman.
Bella sighed and leaned forward. “I know what Edward did broke the treaty, Alice as well. Unfortunately, I think we need them for the time being.”
“I agree,” Old Quil spoke up. “I don’t like it and I think both Edward and Alice need to be destroyed, but we will delay that until after the coming battle. As to the other Cullens, while not guilty in the same way, their complacency makes them just as culpable. I think after this is over, the treaty will be voided and the Cullens need to remove themselves from the state of Washington...forever.”
Sam had to phase human in order to be a part of the negotiations. Finally, a solution was suggested, but Sam and Billy decided it would need to be discussed with the entire council. For now, the lives of the Cullens were on hold.
“Now, as to the vision Alice had.” Jasper explained about the newborns and said training would be needed so the wolves would be able to fight them.
It was agreed that in two days time, they would reconvene at the treaty line, announcing the council’s decision. The Cullens excused themselves and ran away.
“I’m proud of you, Bells.” Charlie commented. “You didn’t back down and you stood up for yourself.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She hugged her father before walking to her wolf. “Let’s go home. We can meet the council later.”
Paul lowered himself so Bella could climb on and carried her home. While all of her things weren’t there yet, no one was under any illusions on where Bella really lived. She hadn’t stayed at Emily and Sam’s since Valentine’s day.
Paul phased and followed her in the house, watching as she bypassed the living room and headed straight for the bathroom. He heard the shower turn on and the sound of her clothes hitting the floor before the shower curtain scraped closed. He hadn’t bothered to pull on his shorts, so he walked in and joined her under the hot spray.
“You okay, baby?” He grabbed the shampoo and began washing her hair.
“I’m fine, but I realized a few things tonight.” She groaned as he scrubbed her scalp.
“What?” Paul turned her to face him so he could rinse the suds from her hair.
Bella grasped his waist in order to maintain her balance while he washed her clean. “Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie had no idea what Edward was up to.”
“I think you’re right. But can we not talk about the bloodsuckers while we’re naked in the shower?”
Bella giggled. “Sorry, honey.”
Paul laughed with her and they finished their shower before heading to bed, curling around each other.
The sunlight streamed across Bella’s face, waking her from a deep sleep. She felt for Paul, but found the bed empty except for a piece of paper.
On patrol. Love you.
She smiled and put the note in her nightstand. Getting up, she went to the dresser and grabbed a bra and a pair of matching panties. She pulled on her jeans and one of Paul’s t-shirts. She walked to the kitchen while pulling her hair up into a messy bun. After pouring a cup of coffee, she grabbed a banana and went to sit on the front porch.
Her mind was flying a mile a minute. There was so much going on in her life a normal person would get dizzy. She had the Victoria and newborn threat hanging over her head and now the Cullens. She knew Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie were completely innocent, but the jury was out on Carlisle and Esme. In her opinion, Alice was just as guilty as Edward because she could ‘see’ what he was up to. The fact that Edward had saved her life didn’t negate the fact he had hidden his venom in her skin.
“You look like you’re thinking heavy thoughts.”
Bella smiled and looked up at her pseudo brother, seeing Jared with him. “You guys want some coffee?”
“Sure, sis.”
The two men followed her inside and sat down. “Want to tell us what’s on your mind?”
She knew she didn’t have to hide anything from them and whatever she told them, could be shown to the pack and Paul later. She outlined her thoughts about Edward and Alice to them.
“I know he saved my life when James bit me, but when he left his venom behind he was doing it for a sinister purpose. That in itself is unforgivable in my opinion. I know three of them are innocent, but I can’t be sure about Carlisle or Esme. All of them are guilty of abandoning me, but if they hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have you all or Paul. I can’t be angry at them for that anymore.”
“Okay, so let’s focus on what we know.” Jared started. “Edward left the venom behind so he would always know where you were. You are his singer, he will always want your blood.”
“The warrior vamp tried to tell the rest that the red-head would come after you, but they didn’t heed his warning. They willfully, at least on the part of Edward and Alice, put you in danger.” Sam added.
“Okay, so what do we do?” Bella asked them. “We can’t let them, him, get away with this, but we need their help so you can beat this army that’s coming for me.”
“As far as I’m concerned, Edward broke the treaty as did Alice. But you’re right, we need them.” Sam hated to depend on leeches, but they were going up against something unknown.
“I think we need to call the council together...now.” Bella smiled at her brothers.
***CT***
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done!?” Carlisle held Edward against the wall with his hand wrapped around his throat.
“Bella...is mine. Her...blood calls...to me.” He choked out.
“In case you didn’t notice, Eddie,” Rosalie sneered. “Bella’s blood doesn’t smell as sweet as it used to. Any idea why or are you too stupid to notice?” Edward snarled at Rosalie.
“Guys, I don’t think...”
“Shut up, Mary Alice. You are in a lot of trouble.” Jasper said brusquely to his mate. Alice took on a submissive pose and kept silent.
“Let me go.” Edward growled.
Carlisle let go of Edward, but didn’t let him get very far from him. “Edward, your actions are despicable. Bella was good to this family and we left her because you said it was dangerous. When the real danger was you!” Carlisle never raised his voice, but he was pissed. “When the wolves contact us, we are going to do everything they want. You have jeopardized the lives of this entire family!”
***CT***
The council was assembled in the tribal center, Billy at the head of the table. To his left sat Sue Clearwater and Old Quil. To his right was Ryan Cameron, Jared’s dad, and David Littlesea. Billy had just finished telling them all what took place the night before and his theories.
The pack was all assembled, minus Quil and Seth, who were on patrol. Bella was seated between Sam and Paul, with her dad right behind her.
“Bella, what are you thinking?” Ryan asked. He, as well as the others, was very fond of the young woman.
Bella sighed and leaned forward. “I know what Edward did broke the treaty, Alice as well. Unfortunately, I think we need them for the time being.”
“I agree,” Old Quil spoke up. “I don’t like it and I think both Edward and Alice need to be destroyed, but we will delay that until after the coming battle. As to the other Cullens, while not guilty in the same way, their complacency makes them just as culpable. I think after this is over, the treaty will be voided and the Cullens need to remove themselves from the state of Washington...forever.”