In Another Life: Book Two - Taming the Beast

Chapter Eleven: Declarations of War

* Content Warning: Potentially triggering events - not described to avoid spoilers *

La Push - February 8th (Morning)

"What do you want?" Stephen asked as he opened the door, his expression bordering on disgusted.

"I just want to sit and talk for a bit." Jacob gave him a terse smile, and Stephen immediately sighed but stepped out of the way, letting him in. Jacob had only been inside Stephen's house once, shortly after his wedding to Tekali when he tried to start a peace with his nephew.

They moved over to an almost sterile formal living room with stiff uncomfortable furniture that looked nice. Jacob sat on a hard sofa and didn't try to adjust to a more comfortable position. Stephen plopped down in the only arm chair that looked like it had some actual cushioning.

"Alright, let's talk." Stephen started, glaring at Jacob.

"There's going to be a meeting this evening about the growing threats from abroad. The packs will act on these threats regardless, but we would like the full council present." Jacob was polite, but may have gone too overly pleasant because Stephen immediately scowled.

"I will not be attending any meeting with vampires present." Stephen leveled a dark glare of warning at Jacob, but he wasn't having it. Instead he just started to shake his head at his nephew.

"Stephen, the Swan family is a part of us. Hell, there are two imprints among them now." Jacob dropped any pretense, letting his frustration show on his face. He knew Tekali would be disappointed in his lack of diplomacy but he was tired of the rift between them and had no more patience for his bigotry.

"Two, I was not informed of this." Stephen scoffed, shaking his head in short almost shuddering motions.

"No, because it just happened, and it was my daughter Michelle. To that end, I wanted to bring three people in to talk to you. The first is Michelle, so she can explain what her imprint means to her. Then an old friend of the tribe who has recently returned along with his daughter who has a special talent." Jacob was trying to be vague, and hoped he would agree without asking for more information.

"Who?" Stephen said with a low, almost baritone growl.

"Charlie Swan." Jacob said without notably bracing for backlash.

"He's alive?" Stephen looked at Jacob for several long seconds with conflict on his face. The name Swan had once meant a lot to him and his family, yet after meeting Isabella his opinion of the family had soured dramatically.

"Charlie brought his daughter with him, she can... well she can show you something important." Jacob replied, ignoring the implied question.

"They are vampires?" Stephen asked more explicitly.

"Yes, but I trust them with my life. They will not harm you." Jacob tried, hoping for something from his nephew.

Stephen was about to reject the offer, but curiosity got the better of him. To actually meet Charles Swan was a strange and mildly exciting idea. He kept that excitement from his face and said, "Fine" with a scowl leveling his brow.

"Michelle, please come in." Jacob said just a touch louder than normal, and Michelle entered the house a few moments later.

"Hey cousin." Michelle waved as she came in and sat next to her father, a flat smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes ran counter to her somewhat bright tone of voice.

"Good to see you Michelle, how's college life?" Stephen said with a cordial nod.

"On hold, I was kidnapped and forced to become a wolf. Then I came home, and immediately met her." Her almost casual explanation took Stephen aback, she seemed almost nonchalant about the entire experience. Except her voice did raise notably when she mentioned her.