Evie and Jacob arrived at the reservation. In their wolf form, they walked into the large area where the meeting would take place. The whole pack was already there, facing the big black wolf. Sam, the alpha.
When Evie and Jacob reached them, Sam stared at both for a moment. Hiding their thoughts was nearly impossible. And just by hia low growl and narrowed eyes, Evie knew Sam (and the rest of the pack) now was aware of the situation. And that he wasn't liking it.
"Bella is pregnant?!" Sarah exclaimed, shocked.
"And with that leech's baby!" Paul exclaimed in disgust.
"How is that even possible?" Aaron asked, confused.
"What are we gonna do?" Quil asked Sam.
Both Evie and Jacob shared a worry look.
"We have to protect the tribe," Sam said. "The inbred wonât be able to control its thirst. Every human will be in danger,"
"Weâre ready!" Embry said, determined. Evie frowned.
"We canât wait," Leah added.
"Now?" Jacob asked, worried.
"We must destroy it before itâs born," Sam stated.
"You mean, kill Bella?" Seth stressed.
Evie tensed. There was no way she would let it happen.
"Her choice affects us all," Sam sternly said.
"Bellaâs human, our protection applies to her," Evie stepped in.
"Sheâs dying anyway!" Leah growled.
"Leah!" Evie growled. "She's my friend!"
"Do a friend kiss the boy her friend likes? Do a friend lead the boy her friend likes on? How can you still even be friend with her?!" Leah shot back. She still hadn't gone back over her strong dislike of the little human.
"That's not the point! I will not kill Bella!" Evie exclaimed.
"We have real enemies to fight tonight," Sam stepped in.
"Tonight?" Evie repeated, shocked. "Bella is not a vampire! There's no way we kill her!"
"Evie-," Embry said.
"No!" Evie exclaimed. "Our duty is to protect humans! Bella is still one of them!"
"And she endenger the rest of the town," Sam firmly said.
"You don't know that!" Evie shot back. "Edward is the father but Bella is the mother. It means that the baby will share both of their bloods. The baby will surely be half human!"
"You don't know that,"
"It's genetics, Sam! This is how it works!" Evie said.
"She got a point," Jacob sided with her. "Maybe the baby is not a threat. Maybe it will not feed on blood. You all assume the baby will kill everyone but what if itâs not the case?"
"You would have killed Bella for nothing," Seth added. "You would have killed an innocent. That's against our laws,"
"And it would result in a war and useless deaths," Jacob added. "Do you want to take that risk?"
"The baby may be a greater danger," Paul said. "We have no certainty that what you are saying is true,"
"And so do you," Evie stepped in again. "You have no certainty that the baby is a danger! And technically, since he's half human, our protection applies to him too,"
"Do not talk rubbish!" Sam growled. "I have enough of this! You will fight with us, Evita,"
"You are wrong on this, Sam," Evie said.
Seeing that the middle child of the Clearwater family was not willing to change her mind, Sam had to force her. He was the alpha, Evie had to aubmit and follow his order. That was how it was. And that was how it should be. The laws were the laws. So Sam straightened up and stared straight at Evie's eyes.
Suddenly, Evie felt a strong and overwhelming mental strenght that was crushing her entire being. She felt as if she couldn't control her body. The compulsion to follow orders felt like puppet strings hooked into all of her muscles. She felt as if someone was pushing her down, as if gravity was pushing her down to bow. It was the Alpha voice. An ability only Alphas possessed. And no one could go against it. Evie tried to resist but she could do nothing against Sam. She resisted and resisted but it was too hard. Even though Sam was her Alpha and that she had to follow him, she couldn't go against her own moral. She knew killing Bella was not the right thing to do. But the Alpha voice was to strong, impossible to go against. She felt like she had tons and tons of weight on her. She whined but slowly starting to bow to Sam.
But then, it suddenly stopped.
She felt free from any force against her. She was not oppressed anymore. She was not overwhelmed.
Evie looked up. And froze in shock.
A russet wolf stood in front of her, facing Sam.
"Stop it," Jacob ordered, in a low and mad tone.
"Move aside, Jacob," Sam ordered.
"No. Evie's my imprintee, you'll do nothing to her. I won't let you," he said.
Evie stared at him, shocked. But she was mostly moved. He stood up for her. He was protected her. Just like an imprintee should do.
"We will not fight the Cullens," Jacob added
"Jacob. I am your Alpha," Sam growled. "And you will do as I say," Sam added.
This time, it was Jacob's turn to whine, trying to resist to the Alpha voice. He felt this same crushing strength forcing him to bow. But Jacob was not like any other shifter. He was a Black. He was born to command. It was his birthright. He was a born Alpha. So he straightened up again, facing Sam once more, even towering him.
"Iâ¦willâ¦not!" Jacob exclaimed. "I am the grandson of Ephraim Black. I am the grandson of a chief! I wasnât born to follow you or anyone else," he added.
And then, nothing.
Everything just fell quiet. There was no sound, no voice. It was pure silence. Jacob wasn't hearing any of the pack members' voice. He stood up against Sam, the Alpha. At that moment, Jacob left the pack. He was no longer a member. He could no longer hear their voice. There was no more telepathy link.
He then turned and looked at Evie. Just one glance, and she knew.
She glanced at her siblings, then Embry.
If they would fight the Cullens, she couldn't stand with them.
So her mind was made.
"Evie, wait-," Embry tried.
But she had already made her decision. There was no way she would be fighting the Cullens and kill Bella. It wasn't the right thing to do.
So Evie took off with Jacob.
They both left the pack.
They wandered in the forest for a bit before they got back to where they left their clothes. They both phased back in silence and dressed up. Evie was still processing what just happened. She left the pack. She disobeyed her Alpha. No she was on her own. With Jacob. She had never thought such a thing would happen. Or could happen. She had always pictured her life with the pack. She was one of them. She was a Quileute. But it changed now. The Quileute were divided in two. She couldn't even imagine how her mother would react. She was part of the council after all! And Seth and Leah were still part of Sam's pack. It would be so awkward at home...
"Evie," she heard Jacob calling. He had noticed how she spaced out. "You okay?"
"Yeah... yeah...," she tried to reassured. But Jacob saw beyond. He saw how she wasn't really okay. "It's just... it's weird no hearing them... and we will be fighting them... I still need to register that,"
"I shouldn't have asked you to come," Jacob muttered, regretting his choice. Evie looked at him, confused. "Your siblings are still with Sam. And you share a strong bond! You cannot fight them!"
"Jake-," Evie tried.
"And Embry!" He continued to stress. "You're close to him! And what about Emily and Kim?!"
"Jake-,"
"You should go back...," he went on. "Maybe Sam will accept you back. Maybe he will-"
"Jake!" Evie exclaimed. Jacob stopped talking. The Clearwater girl couldn't help but softly smile. She walked up to him and gently took his hands in hers. "I appreciate you being worried for me. But it was my choice to follow you. I am aware of the consequences that come with that choice but I don't care. I cannot stand by Sam knowing what he is about to do is not the right thing to do,"
"It will never be the same again. You know that," Jacob told her. He wanted to be sure she was well aware of the situation. She was leaving her siblings, her friends. It wasn't something to do on impulsion.
"I know," Evie softly smile as she squeezed his hands. "But as long as we are together, it will be okay,"
Jacob couldn't help but tenderly smile at her, looking at her with the greatest love and care. He wondered how he could have been so stupid before with her. She deserved the world and he acted like a douchbag. He regretted it. He regretted it all. But now that he was at peace with himself, he would make sure to treat her better.
Evie was happy that things were getting better between the two of them. A not bothered Jacob was way easier to handle than a conflicted one. Maybe now, it was possible again. Maybe they could be once more. And this time, maybe, it would work out.
Sounds of leaves behind them made Evie snapping back into reality. She looked away and removed her hands from his as she cleared her throat, embarrassed. How long had they been staring at each other?
The noises became louder and were coming closer. Then, someone appeared from the bushes. Both Evie and Jacob stared in surprised. But quickly, Evie's eyes showed disapproval.
"What do you think youâre doing here, Seth?" She exclaimed, making her way to him.
"I left Samâs pack," he only said with a smile.
Evie widened her eyes and stared in disblief as she scoffed.
"Hell, no! Go home, Seth," Jacob said, siding with Evie.
Seth was like a little brother to Jacob. There was no way he would follow them and risk his life.
"I wonât stand behind him," Seth stubornly said.
"Oh, yes you will!" Evie sternly say. "Iâm not kidding. Get out of here,"
"So you, you can go and do whatever you want but not me? Why that?" Seth complained.
"Do you even understand whatâs about to happen? You're too young, Seth!"
"I'm not a baby, anymore!" He exclaimed. "And it's time for you to stop seeing me like one! I can make my own decision!"
"Seth, go back. You shouldn't be here," Jacob added.
"Is that an order? Gonna make me bow down too?" The youngest Clearwater provoked.
"Iâm not ordering anyone," Jacob sighed. "Look, we're just going off on my our here, okay?"
"Great!" Seth smiled. "And Iâve got your back,"
"Seth," Evie sighed as she cupped his small face, forcing him to look at her. "This is not just some disagreement about a topic. If you come with us, you leave the pack. If you come with us, you side with the Cullens. If you come with us, you are against Sam. And if Sam comes after Bella, you'll fight your friends. You'll fight Leah. Your own sister. Are you really ready to do that?"
"Yes," Seth answered without hesitation. "You taught me to always do what I think is right. And I believe Sam is wrong. I cannot stand by him. So the right thing to do is to follow you and stand against him,"
Evie stared a her younger brother but then softly chuckled. She had to admit, she was proud of him. She then looked at Jacob for his permission. He was the Alpha now, after all.
"He's your brother. The decision is yours," he smiled.
"Alright," she turned to Seth. "You can stay. But you'll listen to what Jacob and I will tell you, you understand?"
"Yeah, completely!" Seth cheered as both Evie and Jacob chuckled. At least having Seth would had a bit more of joy.
"Let's go give the Cullenâs the heads up," Jacob said and they left.