Charlotte || Jacob Black & Paul Lahote

Thirty-Four: Sister Killers

I was ushered in to Emily's house, Jake and Paul pushing me down into a seat and passing me a muffin. And with that they left, Quil and Embry trailing behind. No words were spoken in front of me, but I knew what was happening. They were going to discuss the baby, how to get rid of it. I wasn't stupid, all too aware that killing my sister was still an option on the table.

"What was that about?" Kim called, her voice unsure as she sat across me from the table and unwrapped her own muffin. She passed me a cup of coffee.

"Bella's pregnant," I spoke bluntly, eyes fixated on the coffee in my hands. 

"Congrats?" Kim looked confused, Emily less so. She knew what this meant.

"With the lee-" I just nodded, confirming her answer. She pulled me out of my seat and into a hug. For such a small lady, she sure was strong. She allowed me to cry on her shoulder, already grieving my sister. I knew what was going to happen, I knew why, but right now I hated everyone for it. 

Jake's POV

The hive mind was a blur as we ran through the forest, images of Bella popping up as me and Paul shared what we saw. More voices cropped up as we ran, each more disgusted and shocked. 

"What do we do?" Echoed through in various forms - some confused, some frightened, some angry. 

I didn't know. On one hand, it was a no brainer - kill Bella and the Cullens, no need to shift, give up pack life, grow old and have a family with Charlotte, and also Paul. On the other, if I killed Bella, would Charlotte ever forgive me? Would I be able to live in a world where she hated me? Would I be able to live knowing that she's scared of me?

We skidded to a halt, each of us meeting at the cliff on the edge of La Push. We were just waiting for Sam. The group circled me, asking questions. I stayed quiet.

"We have to protect the tribe. What they've bred won't be able to control it's thirst," Sam snarled. The decision was final. 

"We're ready!"

"No time to waste!" Leah sounded far too eager. 

"Now?" I questioned. I really did not want to kill Bella.

"We must destroy it before it's even born!" Sam snarled, his alpha voice leaking into his tone.

"You mean, kill Bella?" Seth's higher pitched voice perked up, guilt and reluctance oozing out of him.

"Her choice affects us all!" Sam argued.

"She's Charlotte's sister, I can't kill her," I snapped.

"She's dying anyway, she'll understand," Leah snarled, her fangs sinking into the side of my face. Fucking bitch. I bit back, pouncing and snarling. Sam's roar stopped us. 

"Enough, we have real enemies to fight tonight!"

"No! If we kill her, Charlotte will never forgive us!"

"It's for her own good," Paul sulked, his tone sad as images of her flicked through.

"You're gonna give up like that? Potentially lose her cos of a risk we don't even know is dangerous?" I snarled. What a fucking pussy.

"I'd rather 'lose' her by protecting her, than lose her to death. I can't keep her safe with that thing around," Paul snarled.

"Enough, you will fight with us Jake," Sam used his alpha command. He snapped and snarled, pushing me to obey. But I refused, I am not losing her.

"I will not. I am the grandson of Ephraim black. I am the grandson of a chief. I wasn't born to follow you or anyone else," I growled and it was like a wave of relief washed over me. The world went quiet and I bolted, headed for the Cullens. I had to keep Bella safe, to keep my imprint happy.

Charlotte's POV

The shuffle of feet alerted me and my head snapped up. I watched as the pack trailed in, a very guilty looking Paul heading straight for me. I didn't give in, pulling away from his outstretched arms.

"Where's Jake? You sent him, Seth and Leah on patrol or something?" I asked, my voice wobbly. Why hasn't he come back?

No one responded, each of them quiet. I knew it was serious because none of them had even reached for one of the carrot cake muffins that Emily had made. But my patience was wearing thin and their silence was pissing me off.

"Where the fuck is Jake," I snapped, turning to Paul who still wouldn't meet my eye.

"He left the pack, so did Seth and Leah," Embry explained, his voice quiet. He left the pack. Why?

"I'll take you home," Paul mumbled, grabbing Jake's keys off of the table.

"Why did he leave?" I demanded as soon as we got out of La Push. Until then, I'd stayed silent.

"Sam told us to go kill the fetus, Jake refused," Paul muttered. He was so quiet, so unlike his usual self.

"But the fetus, it's still inside Bella. You mean, he, he told you to go kill my sister?" I whispered, my sentence coming together slowly as the pieces formed in my head. 

The boy just nodded, looking like a boy more now than ever. The usually cocky, hot headed man that I loved had gone, replaced with this quiet, guilty little boy. 

"Jake left because he wouldn't kill my sister. Why didn't you leave?" I demanded, anger burning through me.

"I can't keep you safe when that thing gets out. I don't know how dangerous it is, I have to keep you safe!" Paul cried, rogue tears making their way down his cheeks.

"So you'd kill my sister?" I almost screamed. 

"I don't want to! I don't want to hurt you, but god Charlotte, you don't get it. I'd rather kill her and lose you but know you're alive and safe. I'd never forgive myself though, if that thing got loose and you ended up dead. I'd never ever forgive myself," he sobbed. I hated this, hated seeing him upset. I understood his reasoning, but in my anger I couldn't back down. I fled the car as he stopped outside my home, tears rolling down my cheeks as I stormed past my dad and made my way up to my bedroom.

I slammed my window shut straight away, locking it with unnecessary emphasis. I wanted to make sure that he heard this, make sure he knows that I'm upset. 

It was a cold night. Very cold, especially with no wolf to keep me warm.