53. Wolves Walking and Talking

PaulPOV

I can see where this is going. All my tribal brethren are turning traitor. They're falling under the bloodsuckers' spell, joining ranks with the enemy. I can't believe Sam was stupid enough to phase to human form within striking distance of the leeches. They've even brainwashed Emily. Well, they're not going to get me! I will not be a slave to the bloodsuckers! I'm out of here.

I carefully slipped away while nobody was looking. I slinked into the shadows of the trees and bolted, flying on silent paws. I was vulnerable in wolf form, as Sam could force me to return against my will using his Alpha command. I put as much distance between us as I could before shifting to human form. I raced to one of our hiding spots and slipped on some clothes then continued running to La Push, slower than a wolf, but still much faster than a human.

I managed to make it to my house without anybody seeing me. I ran inside to grab some necessary items, threw them in my car, and then floored it out of the reservation. I wasn't sure where I was going, but I didn't plan to stay around here to watch the destruction of all that I loved and held dear, or worse, to participate in that destruction. We were a weak generation to be able to be turned against our own people, unlike the Protectors of old. I was disgusted with the other wolves. How could they help the bloodsuckers over the humans? What a disgrace.

My cell phone rang, but I ignored it, knowing it would be either Sam or Emily. They were my family, my friends, my life since my first transformation. Now they had been sucked in by the enemy. I would come back for them. I couldn't leave them at the mercy of the bloodsuckers, but I couldn't afford to get sucked in myself. I needed to get away so I could think. I needed to plan my strategy. I needed help, but where could I possibly find any?

EPOV

This is so bizarre. I don't know up from down anymore. I hope something starts making sense soon. "Before we talk, I want to make sure Quil and Seth are okay," Sam declared. I can't just abandon them when they must be so upset and confused. I need to explain to them what has happened.

"Certainly," Carlisle agreed smoothly. "Shall we, ladies?" He escorted the women inside, knowing when all the wolves phased they would be naked. Alice raced inside and came back a few seconds later with an armload of clothes. She giggled. These should come in handy.

"Thanks, Alice," I commented, smiling at her. She waved and went back inside to join the other females.

I'm a wolf! I have a tail! I can run and jump and bite! I can't wait to test out my new skills! Quil was positively ecstatic.

Finally, I'll be able to join in with everybody else. I haven't enjoyed being in the human group. It made me feel left out, especially since my sister got to join the Pack before I did. I am so totally going to kick butt in the canoe paddling competition! Seth was pleased as well.

"Relax, Sam. They already knew what to expect, so they're not scared. In fact, they're both thrilled and ready to try out their new skills," I declared calmly, wanting to help put Sam at ease.

Embry, Jared please escort these two into the woods and help them test their skills appropriately. I'm going to join the talk with Sam and Carlisle. Jacob requested. He didn't like using the Alpha command unless absolutely necessary. He wanted his wolves to do things of their own free will, rather than feel forced to do their duty. He was a smart boy. He would earn their trust and loyalty much more quickly by using the Alpha command sparingly.

Embry and Jared nodded their huge wolfy heads and stalked over to stand next to the young wolves.

All four of them took off into the woods.

I saw Sam staring after them. "Don't worry, Sam, they're in good hands…er…paws. When they get back in an hour or two, Jasper will help them phase back to human form if they have any difficulty."

Jasper? How will Jasper help? Sam thought in confusion, staring at my brother.

"He can help calm them to the extent it's easy for them to phase," I explained. Jacob phased and got dressed from the heap of clothes on the bench.

Jacob is the true Alpha, but he's so young. Is he really ready to lead the Pack? Sam thought, watching Jacob carefully. We went inside, where Sam was relieved to see Emily curled up on the sofa speaking animatedly with Bella and Kim.

Carlisle rose from his position beside Esme and asked us to join him in the dining room. Jasper, Bella, Leah, and Emily joined Carlisle, Sam, and me at the table. The rest stayed in the living room where they would hear everything, but would be less intimidating to Sam. Carlisle cleared his throat to get everybody's attention. He turned to face Sam. "How would you like to start, Sam? Would you like to ask questions, and we can answer them?"

Sam nodded thoughtfully. I could hear him trying to prioritize his list of questions. "Why have you had Emily here? Why did you fix her scars?"

"We felt it would be a good faith gesture to your Pack to show that not only do we not wish you any harm, but we would like to share a mutually beneficial relationship. Good relationships are based on give and take, on compromise. It's the basis for the idea of 'You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours.' There is no need for us to be enemies. We'd prefer to be friends, family even."

Jacob was mentally picturing us all scratching his back when he was in wolf form. He was enjoying it and wished we'd do it for real. He saw me looking at him and grinned, knowing I was reading his mind.

"So what is it you want from us?" Sam asked cautiously. This is the catch, the fine print.

"Well, besides your friendship and companionship, we would appreciate your help fighting off rogue vampires that pass through this territory. You can continue patrolling La Push, and we will patrol the area around Forks. You are welcome to cross the border onto our land any time you wish, as long as you do not mean our family any harm. We would request permission to cross your border only under three conditions: The first is if we have been invited by someone who lives on La Push, and we are willing to inform you in advance and have a wolf escort the entire time. The second is if I am requested to perform emergency medical services for any of the wolves or other members of the tribe. Once again, I would be willing to have a wolf escort and would do my best to provide as much advance notice as possible. The third is if we are in active pursuit of a human drinking vampire, our intent being to prevent loss of human life at the hands of said vampire. We would be willing to break off pursuit as soon as your pack takes up the chase, but would not want them to get away while waiting for you. We would then return to our lands as soon as you were in pursuit of the vampire. Would these conditions be acceptable to you?" Carlisle extrapolated.

Hmmm. All of that sounds completely reasonable. It's well thought out and offers solutions to any objections I would have raised. I'm still having difficulty reconciling these guys with the Cold Ones of our legends. Can they really be that different? Emily seems to think so. Sam wondered. He was clearly undecided and looking for the hidden catch.

"Why don't you spend a few hours getting to know us this afternoon? I think you would be better able to make an informed decision after watching our interactions with the other Quileutes and interacting with us yourself," I suggested. He looked relieved.

"That sounds like a good plan to me. I still have a few questions though," Sam replied. Carlisle gestured for him to continue. "Why is Bella Swan here? Why was she making out with a vampire?" I'm really not cool with that. What if he slips and bites her?

"She's my soul mate," I declared. I squeezed her hand gently and lifted it up to kiss her knuckles while smiling at her. "I would never hurt her."

"How can you be soul mates with a human? You're not even the same species!" Sam complained.

"We vampires were all human once, before being changed. Bella will be transformed one day too, but we are not in any rush for that to happen," I answered.

What? They will break the treaty if they change her! This must be the catch. Sam turned to Jacob. "And you are okay with that?" he asked skeptically.

Jacob gave him an absolutely serious look, and spoke with authority. "We have already discussed the issue. Vampires imprint like wolves do. He could no more stay away from her than you could stay away from Emily. It would be devastating to both of them to separate them. I would never want Bella to be a Cold One like the ones of legend, but I have a lot of respect for the Cullens, and I don't mind if she becomes one of them. Besides, they know how to perform the change without biting her, so we really can't prevent it. The treaty doesn't cover non-biting willing conversions. As far as him hurting her, there is always an inherent risk, just as there is with you and Emily, but Bella is willing to accept that risk to be with him, just as Emily is willing to accept that risk to be with you."

Sam looked floored by Jacob's logic. "Well, when you put it that way, I have no objection either. I guess I understand a lot more than I thought I did." He smiled down into Emily's eyes, their love shining between them. Then he looked up and saw the same type of gaze being exchanged between Bella and me. He really does love her. They must be different. The monsters in our legends would never feel that way about a human.

"Are the vampires of our legends real?" Sam wondered, starting to question everything he thought he knew.

"Absolutely," Jasper responded. "There are vampires who consider humans little more than cattle. They kill them without any guilt or remorse, feeling much as you feel when you eat a steak. Those vampires tend to be cold heartless killers with no respect for life at all, including vampire life. They dispose of other vampires just as mercilessly, like discarding a used tissue."

Hmmm. So the legends are real, but the Cullens are different. "Why are you different?"

"We respect all sentient life, whether human, vampire, or werewolf. This sentiment has led us to choose to feed from animals rather than people. As a result, we are able to spend time around humans and keep permanent residences. We are not as hostile or volatile. This enables us to form deeper bonds than human drinkers. We consider ourselves a family, rather than a coven," Carlisle explained.

Sam nodded, allowing the information to sink into his brain and add to the framework of his knowledge. "How can I tell the difference, preferably before it's too late?"

"Human drinkers have red eyes, while animal drinkers have gold eyes. All newborns have crimson eyes, regardless of diet, but all newborn vampires are unstable and should be properly escorted. If you see a newborn on its own, consider it highly dangerous. If we have a newborn in our care for some reason, we will be sure to inform you directly, so any stray newborns you come across should be disabled immediately. You can always check in with us before you burn the pieces. If it was a mistake, we can put the newborn back together under proper supervision," I recommended.

"Jacob, you are the rightful Alpha. Are planning to take over me and Paul?" Sam asked apprehensively. I'm not sure if I want him to say yes or no.

Jacob eyed Sam carefully. "I have thought long and hard about this very issue, and I have discussed it with the rest of my pack. We would prefer to keep two separate packs for logistic purposes. You probably don't realize it, but Leah is a werewolf too."

"Leah? A female wolf? There's nothing in the legends about that!" Sam interrupted.

"I know, but it is true nevertheless. I have seen it with my own eyes, and heard her in my own head. I believe both you and Leah would be more comfortable if you two are not sharing thoughts about the intimate details of your lives."

Sam looked positively nauseous as he thought about it. He nodded in quick agreement.

"Additionally, if you decide to become friends with the Cullens, Jared would like to join your pack. He is the only one in my group who has found his mate, and he would feel more comfortable in your pack, sharing his thoughts with you, since you and Emily are a mated pair."

Sam nodded. "That makes sense to me. I know I've unintentionally made Paul uncomfortable a few times. Poor guy. I wonder which Pack he would prefer. Speaking of Paul, where is he?" In all the excitement, he had only just noticed Paul's absence.

Jacob shrugged. "Maybe he joined my pack in the woods. When they get back, we have a little unfinished business with the Cullens. We've challenged them to paddle a canoe upstream against the current. It's a race. The first one to Ichi's rock wins the vampire vs. werewolf competition."

Sam smiled. "Do they know that is one of our traditional rites of passage in order to be allowed to take a boat out alone, so we all know this river like the backs of our hands?"

Jacob grinned. "All's fair in love and war!" He bumped fists with Sam across the table.

Sam gave Emily a quick kiss and then grinned back at Jacob. "Count me in!"

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Sorry im so late... like 4-5 days late.... Life called and then i got into trouble and all that stuff... :\ Hope yall will read this... SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<3 Y