Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 16:

Jacob POV

She makes it so easy to forget about the nightmare that was coming.

“Want a Coke?”

“Yeah. Thanks Bella.” I turned and saw her toss me a can. When it hit my hand I knew something was up. I looked over and saw the mischievous grin on her face. The can was cold.

“I thought warm sodas were our thing, Bells?” I grinned back.

“Things have changed Jacob Black.” She winked. She whispered something and then blew on her can. I could see the frost form on it instantly.

“Show off.” I told her and turned back to the Rabbit.

“So let me change the alternator and we can head to the beach.”

“No hurry. I love watching you work. You know that.” She told me.

I did, but the admission made me smile.

She was sitting on the beat up old chair, wearing a pair of blue jeans and one of my tee shirts. My scent covered her, making me incredibly happy.

“We going to eat pizza too?” I asked, without turning.

It seemed like things had never changed sometimes. Like she had never gone away for 6 months. Like she had never nearly died.

“You want to eat pizza or me?” she taunted.

Okay. Some things had changed. For the better.

“Can I do both?” I answered her question with a question.

“Hope I’m not interrupting anything kids.”

I jumped back and looked at Bella. She didn’t seem surprised. I was surprised as hell. Nobody snuck up on me. Ever. Yet there stood Chris Jennings, cowboy hat, boots and lop sided grin.

“Uh… no. We were just wasting time.” I answered. He laughed. I suppose he had heard our conversation.

“What’s up Chris?”

“I actually came to see Jake. I need his expertise.” He told Bella, surprising the hell out of me.

“You mean there is something I can do that my witch mate can’t?”

Bella threw a wrench at me.

“Yeah. Bella ain’t the most mechanically inclined person as I discovered when I tried to get her to help me with a tractor. After that I pretty much kept her on horse shit shoveling duty.”

“Horse shit shoveling?” I raised an eyebrow at Bella.

“I don’t want to talk about it. Taking care of Thunder is enough for me now. I’ve blocked out my horse shit shoveling days.”

God what I would have given to see her doing that.

“So your truck given you trouble Chris? It’s kind of new. I don’t know if I have the equipment to work on it. Most of those new systems are pretty technical. They call for diagnostic equipment that I don’t have. Of course if you just need an oil change or…”

“I bought a car. It’s in rough shape. I was wondering if you could restore it for me? I realize we are going to have a lot going on soon but I figured you could take your time. No hurry or anything. Life can’t stop just because we have trouble comin. Trouble of some sort is always comin.”

He had such a sad look on his face. I knew what happened to his wife. The idea of that happening to Bella…

“Of course Chris.”

“I’ll pay for any parts you need and pay you for your time. I was thinking you might do it for $5000?”

$5000? There wasn’t a lot I wouldn’t do for $5000. That could buy Bella the engagement ring I saw four months ago in Port Angeles while I was waiting for Dad while he saw his doctor.

“You got a deal. Where is the car?”

“Just outside. Wanna see?”

“Hell yes.” I looked at Bella. She had a concerned look on her face. I wonder why? I would have to ask her about it later.

I followed Chris and made it two steps out of the garage before my heart nearly stopped.

“Yeah, she’s a beauty ain’t she? I had one like her when I was 21. Wrecked her when I was 25, bein a damn idiot. I saw her at a junk yard in Port Angeles the other day and couldn’t pass her up. Got her for $4000 if you can believe it.”

A 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Cobra was on a trailer attached to his truck.

“Is that… does it have a…”

“Yeah. 428 cid Cobra Jet engine. Of course it hasn’t been takin care of. Needs to be rebuilt, but the guy told me it’s the original. So is the paint job even though it looks like hell now. That will need to be redone as well.”

The car was red with a black racing strip going through the middle. The scoop on the hood was black and the spoiler was black.

“I got new tires comin and rims. I also want the engine chromed but I can take it to a body shop for that. I don’t imagine you have that equipment here do ya?”

I laughed a bit. “No. A bit out of my expertise. But everything else I can handle.” I told him truthfully.

“Great. Here are the keys. I don’t imagine you need help pushing it in. If you do make Bella do it.” He smiled.

He tossed me the keys. “I’ll have the cash for you tonight at the bonfire. Don’t spend it all in one place.” He began to walk out and then turned back.

“On second thought you go ahead and spend it in one place.”

I watched him unhook his trailer and then he pulled out. Before he could leave the driveway Bella was at his window. She asked to speak to him. He said he would talk to her tonight. She said now. He sighed and put his truck in park. Bella marched towards the woods. Chris followed with his head down. I wonder what that is all about? I’m sure she will tell me when I get back. In the mean time I had to get the Rabbit moved to the side and get this car inside. I didn’t think Bella and I would be making the beach today. Damn,the interior looked perfect. I wonder if Bella wouldn’t mind a tour of the backseat later?

Bella POV

“Any reason why you bringin me out into the woods Bella? I’m really not in the hikin mood today.” Chris said behind me.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“What? I bought a car. Jake can fix cars, I don’t feel like restoring it. It works out.”

“Bullshit Chris. You bought that car for him. What are you going to do after Irkalla is dead? You sold all your livestock. Are you staying here or going back to Wyoming? Do you know? Have you made any plans?”

“Bella are you tryin to get rid of me?” he chuckled.

“No. I’m trying to figure out why you are acting like this is your last stop. Are you planning on dying in this war Chris? Don’t lie to me.”

Chris said nothing for a few moments. Looks like my hunch was correct.

“Bella… I’m not planning on dying. But you have to admit none of us are safe. We can’t exactly guarantee the future.”

“Well you just gave Jacob a car that will take him a helluva lot longer than two weeks to fix. You must think he is going to survive.”

“Of course I do! I want the two of you to plan for the future. You love each other, anyone idiot can see that. You are both young but you have had to grow up quickly. The two of you will be together forever. Probably literally. You should plan for the future. Me? What do I have to go back to? I was lonely as hell before you came along. I had myself and my livestock. That was it. Since my wife died I have lived for two days. One was to see Irkalla burn. The other was the day I can finally see the love of my life again.”

“I need you using your head Chris, not going off on some suicide quest.” I told him. I wouldn’t cry. I wouldn’t.

Unless it was necessary.

“I’m not Bella but…”

“You are to stay behind us. You are my guide. You are not here to fight!”

“Everyone is here to fight Bella!” Chris yelled. Chris never yelled.

“You can’t leave me to do this on my own!”

“You aren’t alone! And I will fight! If I die I die but I will fight!”

“You’re expecting to die, aren’t you? Don’t lie to me Chris!”

“I ain’t scared of it! The worst that can happen is I see my wife again. I miss her damn it.” Chris was tearing up. Great.

“I need you Chris.”

“I’ve given you all the knowledge I have Bella.”

“I didn’t say I needed knowledge. I need you. I need you to plan for the future. I need to know you aren’t going to blindly run toward Irkalla, knowing you can’t take her. I… God damn it Chris! I can’t concentrate on fighting if I don’t know you are going to do everything you can to live!”

Okay. Now I was crying.

Chris wrapped me in his long arms and pulled me close.

“I… I’m gonna do everything I can to be here for you for a very long time Bella.” He whispered.

“Promise?” I half sobbed.

“Yeah. I promise.”

I nodded and then stepped back, wiping my eyes.

“Why did you give Jake a car?”

He took a deep breath.

“Bella when my wife died we were trying to have children. The day she was attacked we were going to the drug store to buy a pregnancy test. We were pretty sure she was. I never got the chance to have a kid. Now I got you and Jake. I know neither of you are mine but your all I got. So if I want to give Jake the car I always wanted to give my son when he turned 16 or I want to give you a horse like I always imagined I would give my daughter would you just shut up and accept it to appease me?”

Damn. I had no idea. Neither of them ever mentioned it to me.

I just nodded my head.

“Chris? She loves you and misses you too. But she wouldn’t want you to die. She died protecting you. Not so you could live until you saw Irkalla. She wanted you to live. So promise me you will live?”

“I’ll do my best Bella. But I am fighting.” He told me in a voice that left no room for discussion.

“Okay Chris. Just… stop acting like you are going to die. It’s creeping me out, okay?”

“Okay… but Bella, it may not be me… but people are going to die. This is war. You can’t protect everyone.”

“I know. But I can try.” I told him honestly.

He followed me out of the woods. I gave him one more hug and told him I would be by in a couple hours to take Thunder for a ride. Then I walked back to see Jake practically dry humping his new car that he didn’t realize was his yet. Looked like we weren’t going to be going to the beach today. Still though, I smiled. He looked like a child on Christmas morning.

I would be keeping an eye on Chris.

Old Quil POV

I watched the young warriors gather around the fire. Jacob and Bella had still not arrived. Not hard to figure out what they are doing. Most important bonfire in the tribal history and I would bet my stash that she is in that garage trying out new hair gel.

The pack was restless. Sue and Charlie were here. Chris was also here. Billy would begin with his telling of our tribal history as tradition dictates. Then Chris would take over. I would be sitting here trying to stay awake since I have heard this all before.

We all looked up at the sound of laughter. Jake had Bella over his shoulder and was running with her, tickling her ribs. Her legs were kicking like a little school girl. There is my big tough warrior who has the fate of the world on her shoulders. Spirits help us.

“Now that everyone is here we can begin.” Billy said in a stern tone. Then he looked away and grinned. I swear I am the only one who understands the seriousness of this situation? I could really use a joint right now. I wonder what Sheriff hard ass would do if I lit one up. Charlie. I remember when his hair was long and he and Billy got baked on First Beach every Friday night. Now he’s the chief of police and I’m supposed to forget that happened.

Jake sat down and pulled Bella onto his lap. Charlie was glaring. Get over it, old man. I remember the crap you and Renee pulled when you were their age.

Billy began with the histories. I watched the Pack struggle to stay awake. I realize this is tradition but maybe we could have an abbreviated version. Probably not going to happen. Chief Billy likes his moment in the sun too much.

Blah, Blah, Blah. Cold one’s mate comes back. Yep got it. Third wife stabs herself in the stomach with a rock. Okay… Bella just nudged Jacob. Not getting much sleep at night, are you Alpha?

Quil raised his hand. Oh good Lord.

“Yes Quil?” Billy asked, not expecting this to turn into a Q and A session.

“Why didn’t the third wife just cut her arm or something?” My grandson asked.

“Because…” Billy started. Then nothing. He looked at me and I shrugged my shoulders. I wasn’t there. I’m not that old. Asshole.

“Look we need to move on. Chris?” Billy finally said.

At that the Pack perked up. They had been staring at Bella all night. She may have been uncomfortable if she hadn’t been so wrapped up in Jacob.

Chris began. Ancient Sumer… box in a cave… goddess of death… consort… yep… Ursalla… got it… vampire bite healed by bracelet in same cave… line of warrior witches, ending with the little brunette sitting on the Alpha’s lap who nearly died after being bitten by a vampire and took on the responsibility of the bracelet. The time she spent in Wyoming with me and Chris, training, preparing.

The Pack was looking at Bella Swan very differently now. Chris told them of the massacre of the Newborn army in Seattle. The reason secrecy is needed. The reasons their thoughts aren’t safe. The reason Bella has been around the Cullen’s. Why it is important. The towns that were slaughtered. The towns that continue to be slaughtered. Our idea that massive numbers of newborns are being created. An army to take over the world.

Chris told them what we expected to happen at the Cullen house in two weeks. A chance to end this in one stroke. What will have to happen if we cannot stop Irkalla here. The hardship of fighting our way across the country, trying to track down Irkalla and Nergal. A human vampire war.

He finally shut up.

No one said a word.

Oh Spirits. Quil raised his hand.

“Yes grandson?”

“So what all can you do, Bella?”

“Uh, like Chris said the armor…” Bella began.

“No, I heard that part. But the armor, it covers different parts of you sometimes. I mean in Seattle there wasn’t much to it and there was more when you fought that Cullen. I mean can you control how much it covers? Can you make it a thong or maybe strapless…?”

“Quil!” Sam yelled.

“No, go on Quil. Ask more questions about what parts of my daughter you can see. Afterward I’m going to do some research on how many bullet wounds a wolf can actually heal from.” Charlie added on.

“Uh… he brings up a good point. Not about the… what it covers… but what all can you do Bella?” Jared asked. He is the smart one in the Pack.

“I can make weapons from my armor. Blades I can throw, a grappling hook of sorts. I… I still don’t know everything it can do. It seems to evolve. I can heal rapidly. I can perform some magic. Mostly astral projection. I can read minds but it takes a lot of concentration. I can talk to the dead…”

“Whoa! Hold up. You can talk to dead people?” Brady asked.

“Yes. If they are still on this plane or visiting. I have some control over the weather and the elements such as fire. Uhhh…”

“What about the laser thing?” Embry asked.

“What?” Bella responded.

“The laser or whatever it was. In Seattle you blew up that building by throwing some energy ball into it. When you fought Cullen this energy blasted out of your hand. You knocked the hell out of him with it. What was that all about? If you can do that why bother with weapons?”

“Uh Embry… sometimes I can draw the energy of the Earth into me and redirect it where I want. But it takes a lot out of me. I’m getting stronger but it’s not easy to do. It’s a lot of power to wield.”

“No shit.” Paul whispered.

“Okay… if that is all, I believe we have all had a long night and it’s prob…” I tried. I really wanted to get home and… relax.

“No. Wait.” Bella said.

I took a deep breath and nodded for her to continue.

“You should truly understand what we will be facing. Even if I can get Irkalla at the Cullen’s I have no idea how many vampires will be with her. This Volturi coven, I really don’t know anything about them but I have a feeling they are powerful. She could have untold number of her own vampires. She already had vampires like the ones who attacked Chris’s wife before she even emerged this time. It is likely that some of us, if not all of us will be killed, if not at the Cullens, in the war to come. If any of you don’t want to fight, I understand. Jake will not make any of you fight. No one will think less of you.”

Only the crackling of the fire could be heard for a few seconds.

“Are you serious, asking us that?” Paul asked, the first to speak.

“Yes Paul. I am.”

“Bella…” Seth began. Leah interrupted him.

“No. She’s right Seth. You and Brady and Collin are barely in High School. You three should sit this out. Protect the reservation.”

Seth Clearwater stood up.

“I’ll be damned. I would rather die and face my ancestors as a warrior than live as a coward. No one will stop me from fighting.”

I nodded my head unsurprised. Clearwaters did not back down.

“Us too. We are in.” Collin said speaking for his brother as well who was nodding.

“We are all fighting. We are a Pack. We are family. We stick together.” Paul said. “But I have to know Bella. If… no matter what happens at the Cullen’s… the Cullen’s… what are we…”

“This is war. Treaties are over. Us against them Paul. All vampires must die. Even the Cullen’s. When their usefulness is ended we kill them.”

Paul smiled and nodded. You could almost see the Pack let out a breath of relief.

“Okay.” Bella said quietly. “I guess if that is it…”

“No. That is definitely not it. We aren’t done with you Swan.” Leah said. Damn it. I hope Bella doesn’t have to kick her ass again. Of course it would be the most interesting thing that has happened tonight.

“What’s the problem Leah?” Jake practically growled and pulled his potentially armor clad killer closer to him.

“No problem. We just aren’t done with her. We had a Pack meeting without you today Jake. Bella killed a Cullen. She spoke to Taha Aki. She was given the ability to share the Pack mind. She is a part of this Pack now.”

“Thanks Leah…” Bella started. I smiled. I had not thought of this but I liked where it was going.

“And as part of the Pack you are subject to our traditions.” Leah finished.

“What traditions?” Bella asked, suddenly nervous.

“Old Quil you got your tools?”

“Yes I do.” I grinned. This would be better than… relaxing.

“What are you talking about? Jake what are they talking about?” Young Jacob said nothing.

“You know the traditions Alpha. She is part of the Pack now.” I told him.

“Somebody tell me what the hell is going on!” Bella practically yelled. It was Paul who answered.

“Go put on a tank top and head to Quils. We have a ceremony to perform Swan. Time for you to get your tattoo.”

“Fuck no.” Bella replied. “Hell no. Uh uh…”

Bella POV

This was bullshit! I mean absolute…

“Fuck! Damn it Quil! What the hell are you doing?!”

Isn’t he supposed to be using a tattoo gun or something? He had a fucking bone. He was pounding this damn thing in my skin and rubbing some sort of ink into the blood. Holy Fuck it hurt. Why wasn’t I healing?

“Jacob could you please hold her still?” Soon to be dead old man asked my soon to be never having sex again mate.

“Sorry. Bella hold still. I know it hurts. We all had it done. Just try to relax.”

Jake held me tighter. It would have been sweet but I knew he was doing it to keep me from running. Where the hell was Thunder? I kept reaching out to her. I could feel her there. I had a sinking feeling the bitch was laughing in her stall. He was using charcoal for God’s sake. That can’t be hygienic.

“Can you give me a minute? You’ve been at this for an hour.” I tried.

“You’ll just run. If this was a danger your armor would protect you. Your armor isn’t doing anything so that bracelet is obviously in agreement that you should just shut up and take it.” The old man who’s stash of marijuana would soon be confiscated and flushed down a toilet said to me.

Three hours later I was finally released. My shoulder was numb. It was bloody. It was inked.

“Take a look little Pack witch.” Quil told me. Jake finally took his arms off of me. I walked up to the mirror and took a look. The same tattoo that adorned the rest of the Pack now sat on my shoulder, permanently.

It burned now. The numbing sensation was gone. The pain was returning. Still though… it was beautiful. Jake walked up behind me and I looked at his.

We were the same now. I turned and saw the Pack standing behind me, smiling.

“Welcome to the family Bella.” Sam said, hugging me gently. To my surprise the rest did the same. Even Leah and Paul. Leah whispered in my ear.

“Sorry I called you a whore.”

Paul whispered the same.

“You didn’t exactly call me a whore, Paul.” I reminded him.

“Not to your face.” He said, shrugging his shoulders. That, at least, caused us all to laugh. I turned to Jake and kissed him.

“Take me home.” I told him gently.

“Forks?” He asked sadly.

“Baby, home is where you are sleeping. Take me home.”

He lifted me in his arms and carried me out. I heard Billy mention that he hoped he hadn’t ran out of ear plugs. He could stuff a pillow over his head. I needed my man tonight.