Solstice

Chapter 6: The Pack

I was shocked when we got through the door how many people were there. Besides my family, there were eight freakishly large boys standing on the southeast wall of the living room. The one that stood on the end had long, shiny black hair, a baby face, and he was the tallest. He must be the Alpha.

Carlisle stepped into the room behind me and Alice and placed a hand on each of our shoulders. "Well the rest of the family is here, so the meeting can begin."

While scanning the room for my husband, I noticed that Renesmee wasn't there. Edward was seated on the arm of the arm of the couch so I quickly made my way to him. Letting my mind be open to him, I asked where our daughter was.

"She didn't think she could handle being around the wolves just yet, too many memories of Jake," came in the form or a whisper as he bent over to give me a kiss on my forehead.

"Okay, well for the new additions, I guess I will reintroduce ourselves. My name is Bryan Clearwater, I'm one of the elders of the Quileute tribe." Bryan's voice was not the voice I expected from his frail body. It was a booming voice with a hint of a little growl behind his words. "The other elders are here on my right, Alex Black and Chelsea Atera." I smiled when Bryan announced Chelsea, I guess at some point in the lineage, Leah could no longer claim to be the only female werewolf. Alex and Chelsea each stepped forward as their name was called.

"Over here to my left," Bryan continued, "is the pack: David, Justin, Jeremy, Sammie, TJ, Michael, Victor and Taylor. Taylor is the new Alpha, and Victor is his Beta." The two seemed extremely shocked that Bryan revealed Victor's role in the pack.

The tall one, Taylor, took the vampires in and smiled. At least the peace between families hadn't changed. I was instantly glad that Carlisle made sure that we left on good terms with the wolves. Taylor took a moment to size each of us up, and we sized him up right back. The silence in the room was thick but not uncomfortable.

"Alex," I started since I was the first to break the silence. "Your last name is Black. I'm curious as to your relation to Jacob Black. As you are well aware, Jacob is the reason we are no longer enemies." I was always under the impression that in order to be a werewolf within the tribe, one had to be a direct descendant of one. Jacob and Renesmee weren't able to conceive during their time together.

The old man who looked so much like Billy Black, took his time answering. "Yes, my mother's name was Rachel Black, Jacob's sister. Paul, my father, imprinted on her and one night, I was conceived. Unfortunately, shortly before I was born, my father died in a bad car accident. But since they weren't married, my mother kept her last name for mine as well." Alex shifted his weight back and forth as he told his story to me. It seemed as if no matter how much we were friends to the pack, some wolves and elders would still be uncomfortable with us. "Taylor here is my son."

I gasped, but instantly this made sense to me. Any lineage of werewolf that was mixed with the Black blood had to be powerful. In his own right Jake was a massive beast, and Alpha of his own tribe. But here stood his great-nephew, following in his footsteps and standing considerably taller over his other wolf counterparts. I couldn't believe it, though he wasn't a direct descendant, here was a connection to Jacob. I was complete, I was home.

At this revelation, Edward warmed up even more to Taylor, in fact everyone seemed more relaxed as it was. Even Alex, took part in joking with everyone, and telling stories. Though it was getting late, none of us seemed to care while we were in each other's company. Taylor and the other wolves excused themselves from the conversation, since many of the pack still had school in the morning. Chelsea was the least outspoken person in the room, but even she seemed to enjoy herself. At some point the conversation shifted, and Esme made a slight nod to Edward. At that, moment he left my side and ran upstairs in a hurry. With my hearing I could hear him telling Renesmee that she needed to come downstairs now.

Edward was soon at my side again, and Renesmee sat on the ottoman at my feet. Without thinking I started twirling her curls, my curls, in my hair. Carlisle cleared his throat before beginning, "I am sure that the previous elders told you the stories of the battles that our two families have fought side by side." Of course he was mentioning when Victoria created her army and then the visit with the Volturi. "The last time was when the judges of our kind came to destroy us based on false accusations, and though it did not come to a battle, your people stood strong beside us; to which, we will forever be grateful." He stole a glance at Renesmee and cracked a slight smile. "But I am afraid that we may need to trouble you for your services again."

Unaware of what was going on, Renesmee sat up straight with panic.

The elders continued to sit quietly with no other reaction other than just wonder. "What is this danger that you speak of?" Alex asked after a few moments of consideration.

"Well as you are aware, some vampires have natural abilities," Edward continued. "I have the ability to read minds, my brother can control emotions, and my wife has the ability to act as a shield to other powers. But recently we've seen that her gift, as we call it, has grown."

There was a slight murmur amongst the elders, and Renesmee now looked at me confused. She grabbed my hand and using her ability, asked me is this about the Volturi. I didn't mean to sigh when I gave a nod, yes.

"Shields are most defined by being defensive items of war, but not many people have seen them in action as an offensive tool as well. I believe that now Bella's gift has expanded to become offensive as well." Edward took some time to explain how we discovered my gift by accident today at school.

Carlisle decided it was his turn to continue the conversation, "My daughter, Alice, was using her ability to see the future and noticed that the Volturi were coming back for another visit. This time it seems they are hell bent on destroying our family. They feel that they can no longer allow us to remain alive, because of the power we have collectively. Coupled with a vampire that can sense the gifts of other vampires, they know that Bella has a new ability that can be used in their favor to make them more powerful in return. As of now it seems that they are not preparing to arrive until the summer. I am afraid that during this reunion, I am asking you and your tribe to fight with us, once more."

Carlisle's words hung heavy in the air as the elders that stayed, contemplated the request. I understood why Carlisle was hesitant to ask the wolves to fight again. The first time it was to protect me from a psychotic vampire, the second time to protect Renesmee from the Volturi. Granted those times, we had a relationship with them, however strained, we knew those wolves. I already loved them, and the Cullens, including Rosalie, grew to love them as well. These wolves we didn't know and I still thought it was unfair to ask them to join this fight.

"I believe that this Volturi, as you call them, are coming to attack a family that resides within our territory. It is our mission to protect Forks and its inhabitants, including the Cullens. We will remain at your side." The soft-spoken Chelsea said with such authority that there didn't seem to be any reason for a debate. The two other elders simply nodded and all three stood to leave. "We will confer with the Alpha of the Pack, and he will be in contact with you for training."

Though none of us needed to, we all sighed with relief. Once again the wolves were putting their lives on the line for a fight that wasn't theirs. Suddenly I felt a draft come from the front door, as Taylor walked back into the house.

"Father, the rest of them are home sleep, I brought that truck back to take you and the rest home." He said in one breath. Bryan patted him on his waist as he could not reach any higher for his shoulder.

"Such a good son I-" Bryan stopped suddenly. I twisted my neck to see what caught his attention. He was smiling at his son, but why? I glanced sideways at Taylor who was enthralled with Renesmee. My Renesmee. He imprinted.