herumtreiber

Title: Hallowed Moon
Chapter: The ancient vampire
Author:

herumtreiber
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Edward/Jacob
Other Characters: Alice, Carlisle, Bella, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Billy Black, Embry, Quil, Seth, Aro, Caius, Marcus, Jane, Alec, Demetri.
Warnings: None
Word Count: ~5,612
Summary: Alice has a strange vision. Edward's feelings about Jacob surface when he observes it. Is Carlisle's interpretation the correct one? Jacob and Edward embark on a journey that will take them to Tuscany, to face the Volturi and their growing feelings for each other as the very fabric of the world crumbles around them.
Disclaimer: All Twilight characters herein are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Table of contents

Chapter two: The meadow

Chapter three: The ancient vampire

JPOV

I ran through the woods, shaking my head. What the fuck was I thinking, letting the leech do what he wanted with me?

I raised my eyes to the cloudy sky, howling as my shackles stood up. Looking back, I saw the copse of trees I had just run through. There was no green. The blue and red of the flowers? Forget it. Damned black and white wolf vision!

I put my muzzle near the ground, inhaling sharply. The scent of home was southward, I smelled Quil and Embry. They were near the Rez.

After I let Edward make love to me I had dozed off for a while. When I came to, the fucking leech was gone!

I raised my paw and sniffed it intently. Nothing changed. There was no scent indicating that I was in heat or something. So how come I'd become so docile, so submissive?

Ok, I admitted to myself I found Cullen very attractive. I had ever since he started going out with Bella. Part of my frustration with the pair was the little, tiny fact that I liked them both.

Bella appealed to my macho sense; the wolf's need to have someone to protect and cherish, to find a mate he could spend the rest of his life with. Bella was so clumsy, innocent and frail that it made my inner wolf clench its jaws and snarl in frustration that she wouldn't allow me to care for her. That she always preferred the leech.

And Edward? There was no need to protect him. Hell, I was sure he could take me on and win easily. I shook my head and snarled at the cedars and yews just in front of me.

The wolf's instincts pulled me to the trees. Out here in the open I was vulnerable. The trees would provide cover, shield me from other predators.

I trotted in an easy gait. Stopping to scratch my fur against the nearest yew, I grunted contentedly. The scent of prey tickled my nose as I sat on my haunches. It was a rabbit my inner wolf yearned to hunt and prey upon.

But the laws of my people forbade it. I wasn't hungry, having eaten three burgers an hour before. We Quileutes were supposed to be the stewards of the land. The animals and trees, they weren't there simply so we could dispose of them. They were ours to use and protect.

I clenched my jaws, willing the wolf to forget about the rabbit. I found it hard, this constant wrestling with the instincts of the predator that sought only to hunt, driven by needs simpler than mine. Looking up at the clouded sky, I envied Edward his coolness. Because he did not have an animal inside, he had more self-control than me.

This need to subdue my wild side was one of the reasons I loved tinkering with cars. Hefting a wrench, trying to puzzle out what was wrong; what part connected in which way to another called up the calm, cool part of my mind. Something analytical I guessed.

Probably the leech knew the fancy words to express my thoughts more elegantly but I didn't care. It felt cool, opening the hood and looking at the motor, knowing that I was the master of this domain. It helped me realize I was still a man despite the wolf inside.

This brought me to the issue I was wrestling with. Granted, I found Edward attractive and had wanted to make love to him for a while. Hearing that Bella was safely out of Forks and our lives made me sad. I'd realized it was the sadness of parting with my best friend. Nothing less, nothing more.

I felt happy that she was protected from the perils that lurked in Forks. However, if I was honest with myself, I would have to admit that a part of me rejoiced that I would have Edward's undivided attention. Though it evaded my grasp how that led to me to begging him to fuck me.

I swished my tail nervously, inhaling deeply. There were no strange scents anywhere. I was not in heat, that I was sure of. So what in hell drove me to behave so strangely?

Jake, where are you? I found someone here. My fur stood on end, hearing Seth. The kid seemed very troubled. In his mind I could see he was looking at a ravine, growling.

Seth, stay away from them! I'm coming right over! You're on the other side of the river from me, right?

Jake, I'm… I guess three miles from First Beach. You know the rock where Quil hurt himself the other day? It's right in front of me.

Stay put, kid! I trotted east, easily evading the brambles though some thorns stuck in my fur.

I'm not a kid! Despite being wary, Seth didn't appear fazed. The silly kid didn't have enough sense to stay away from danger. He was like a pup. Curious, always rushing towards danger. If something happened to him and Leah knew I was nearby, she would tear me to pieces. Not that she would have to, I'd do it myself. Seth called up something in me, a need to protect him as if he was future counsel, my beta.

I shook my muzzle to stop thinking such strange things as I forded the Quillayute. Its waters felt cool against my heated fur. As always, the river embraced me like an old friend. I grinned feeling its caress if only for a moment.

Stay away! Or I´ll kill you! growled Seth. What seemed like snarling to normal humans felt in my mind like the normal words of my pack. I speeded up my galloping, leaping over a giant boulder that stood in my way.

Take that! I grunted at the rock, rolling my eyes. What could I say? Sometimes us wolves weren't very rational.

What's goin' on, man? Quil's mental voice sounded irreverent, just like my best friend. I turned my head and saw him on the other side of the river. The brown fur of his muzzle moved as he grinned, his eyes shining with malice.

Seth needs us, on the other side! I pounded the ground on my haste to reach Seth.

I jumped when I smelled the awful stench that could only come from the undead. It drove the wolf in me crazy. I couldn't stand that scent, with the exception of Edward.

I landed next to the rangy form of Seth, jostling a boulder that tumbled down to the man who was standing downslope.

The man evaded the rock with usual vampire speed. I snarled at the leech who was strangely dressed. He had a frumpy coat with lace sleeves. Shaking my head, I thought the vampire must have come from a carnival. Who dressed like that nowadays? The thin, dark-haired man looked like an extra from the set of Amadeus, the movie Embry's mother was watching last time I visited their home.

I sniffed deeply, sensing something strange about the man's stench. It smelled even more sickly than usual, if that was possible. The leech wobbled. In that moment he resembled the drunken man I saw the other day in the Rez. Thankfully my dad wasn't ever like that. Even in a wheelchair he was always the wise elder.

The earth shook when Quil landed on an outcrop just behind me as more boulders fell down the ravine. This time the man couldn't evade them so easily. My friend growled and I turned to look at Quil. His hackles were raised and he appeared ready to jump.

Wait, Quil! I growled. The leech is sick!

What the fuck do I care? He's a bloodsucker and he's in our land. He deserves to die!

Quil took a step forward, crouching. He was ready to jump on the bloodsucker. Despite my inborn fear and loathing of the creatures I felt we needed to see why this leech was so sick. Maybe it was a disease that could affect Edward?

At any rate I had to prevent Quil from killing the man. Judging from the vamp's weakness and my friend's awful mood, I was sure that the wolf would be easily victorious this time.

No, Quil!

You're no Alpha, don't give me orders!

Quil jumped over the rock as I, desperate to learn what ailed the vamp, shouted mentally using every ounce of desperation and persuasion I could gather. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DON'T, QUIL!

My stubborn friend stopped his jump in midair and fell to the ground. Twisting sideways, Quil seemed about to fall down the ravine. Splaying my four legs and jerking forward, I held the scruff of his neck with my jaws, pulling him back while I shot daggers at him.

Aw, man! That was awesome! Seth intruded in our thoughts. The kid was trembling with excitement. At that moment I felt particularly tired of living as a shapeshifter and having to deal with my packmates' every mood, from foul to crazy. I felt angry.

Shut up! I roared at Seth. The sandy wolf shivered. Taking several steps back, his tail close to his legs as he lowered his head, he turned sideways to present his neck in the wolf form of submission.

Seeing this, I felt ashamed of myself. After all, Seth was just a kid and Quil? He was as light-feathered as his name. In fact it was one of the reasons I enjoyed his and Embry's company. They both managed to lift me out of my bad moods with their bantering and awful jokes. Even when things looked really bad with Bella; when I started desiring Cullen instead of her.

My best friends had stood by me and I felt awful because I lost my temper. My mental processes must have leaked somewhat because Seth suddenly sat on his hind legs, his tongue lolling as he grinned wolfishly. No trouble, Jake! Leah is worse when I don't clean my room!

Quil crawled up the rest of the way and squinted, his muzzle facing the strange vamp. Thanks for the save, Jake! Leastways you're as strong as Sam!

Don't mention it, Quil!

Jake…

Quil shook his head tentatively, leaning forwards to smell the air. I expected he would comment on the vamp's sickly scent, but instead he went on a tangent as he liked to do.

Your command, it hit me as strongly as Sam's. I think you just gave your first Alpha order!

I narrowed my eyes. Talk about distracting me from the issue at hand! Later, Quil, later!

The leech appeared ready to tumble down the ravine. I needed to get information from him and I couldn't communicate in my present form. Feeling oddly prudish, I took a step back from the edge of the ravine and shifted.

It was strange. Just a few hours ago I was this horny, uninhibited guy who begged to be mounted and now I shied away from a leech seeing me naked!

I reached down to grab my cutoff jeans, untying them from my ankle as Seth and Quil stood guard beside me. It felt good to have the company of my pack.

With a shudder, I realized that in all the commotion about the vamp, they hadn't had time to delve in my thoughts and find out about my involvement with Edward. How would they react to the news? I pondered this while I closed the zipper, not before making sure it wouldn't get stuck in my pubes. It had happened before.

Once I'd finished, I climbed down from the rock, stopping about five feet above the man. Seth growled, licking his lips. Quil just stared at the leech.

"What are you doing here?" I crossed my arms, ready to shift instantly if the man should prove dangerous.

The bloodsucker lifted his arms. I supposed he meant to indicate he posed no danger but the movement unsteadied him. "I bear you no ill will, young gentlemen."

Quil snickered. Even in his wolf form I could tell what he was thinking. He was struck by the same thing I was, the stranger's odd speech pattern.

I spread my arms to indicate the vast woods all around us. "You're intruding on our territory, bloodsucker. No vampires are allowed in the Quileute lands!"

The man bowed, looking very ridiculous. Yet there was a certain grace to his movements as happened with all his kind.

Once he stood upright, he squinted at us. "By the Holy Name of God! You look like those natives of the New World!"

By now the man's helplessness was apparent. I stepped closer, grunting as I crossed my arms. "Sure, sure. We're in America, leech!"

"I do think you speak sooth to me." The guy looked around carefully, staring at the trees and the Quillayute River below. "Those kinds of trees and the river. It's different from what I have observed in the Continent."

Quil howled behind me, reminding me of our duty to our tribe and the land.

"You haven't answered my question, leech!" I enunciated the next words slowly, just in case the bloodsucker suffered from some kind of dementia or something. "What are you doing here?"

The guy climbed atop the ravine. I took several steps back, motioning with my hands to my friends so they would understand it was all right. I expected more growling and resistance but Quil and Seth remained silent.

Nonetheless I walked towards the trees, keeping a safe 10 feet between the man and me. It wouldn't be hard for the guy to reach me using his vampire powers, but I was sure of the protection of my packmates.

Strangely, the leech seemed very tired once he finished the climb. In a wheezy voice - like Harry Clearwater when he was sick - the man said, "I was on an errand from the court. I was on the outskirts of Bologna."

I held up my hand to stop him. "Wait. The leader of the vampires sent you? What's your name?"

Bella had told me about her encounter with the honcho bloodsucker and the other ones, called Marcus and Caius. She had gone on and on about all the members of the leech court Edward told her about. I wanted to find out if this guy was one of them.

"I'm Fedor Sergeyevich Volturi. Indeed Aro sent me, young man. He wanted to stamp out the coven that threatened to destroy our way of life. They thought that given the circumstances, they could devour humans as they wanted before the Austrians attacked…"

I shook my head; this man was confusing me even more than I was just a while ago. "The Austrians are at war with Bologna?"

"They want to stop the independence of their domains in the Italian peninsula before Garibaldi…"

"Stop, man! You're crazy." I growled at the leech. Did he think I was some clown? The history teacher at the Rez had told us about the independence movement in Italy; she came from an Italian family that had moved to Forks from the Bronx.

"Garibaldi died more than a hundred years ago, we're in the twenty-first century!"

The man shook his head sadly. "Then Ludmilla was right! Marcus had her destroyed for her blasphemy, but her oracular powers must be true! I hope my Irina stays safe from the wrath of the triumvirate!"

The man started to sit down. It seemed he had reached the limit of his strength. I heard the sound of his bones when he moved. It was a bit similar to the sound I made when I cracked my knuckles or when dad spent too much time without shifting in his wheelchair. Only this sounded worse, it was like he was breaking inside.

The man wheezed. "Ludmilla uttered a prophecy, gentlemen."

That guy, Fedor, looked at Seth and Quil. "Judging from the company you keep, you must be the people she foretold."

"What did this Ludmilla say?"

The man had a haunted look about him. If what this woman had told him concerned us, I wanted to know so I could tell Sam and the elders and we could take the corresponding precautions.

The guy answered, his voice weakening as he went on. "She said that the future of our kind, indeed the future of all mankind would be resolved by people from the other side of the ocean, the Forgotten Ones. They who can travel between realms, they for whom time holds no mysteries."

Fedor coughed, lying down on the earth as he smiled weakly. "I fear my time is growing short, young man. What did you say your name was?"

Before I could answer, he waved his hand. "It is of no import. Everything is for nought; Aro won't be able to prevent this. Our kind cannot, for even if we hold these incredible powers we are bound to the world. We cannot escape the shackles of this earth."

He gazed intently at me with eyes that slowly turned cloudy. "But you can, wolf. You can travel between realms. It is you…. who…. will save us…"

Fedor stopped. I was alarmed to note that he was becoming grey. I leaned down to touch his wrist, to check if he had a pulse.

I fumbled, trying to reach the skin through the lace wrist cuff. Quil's snickering reminded me that it was useless. The man was a vampire for Christ's sake! He had no pulse, being dead already.

Still, I realized the kind of life this man lived had come to an end. When I tried to lift his hand, I couldn't. The man's skin - muscles and everything - they had become as hard as a rock.

What kind of disease would be devastating enough to kill a vampire?

I wanted to find out if there was an epidemic or a strange weapon that could kill them for I didn't want to lose my Edward, not when I had just found him.

oOoOo

On the way home, we ran like fiends. There was something exhilarating about being able to burn off energy this way. It made up for all the shortcomings I'd endured ever since I became a wolf; the short temper, the need to lash out and snarl at people, me who had always kept a cool head on my shoulders.

I wondered if being a wolf was messing with my sex life. Was that the reason I had become so fucking submissive to Edward? After all I was the guy who was supposed to become the Alpha of the pack.

If ever I decided to be a leader - if Sam should prove too obnoxious and I challenged him - how would the members of the pack react, seeing me begging to be fucked?

Don't worry, Jake. I'll stand by you. Seth's mental voice showed purpose and loyalty, the perfect qualities of a beta, at least according to Sam. I shook my head, ashamed that I'd forgotten I was in wolf form and the pack members could read my mind.

So you like it up the ass? No problem, man! Embry found this old mag that said boys experime…

Shut up! I growled at Quil. Even though I appreciated his support, Quil's lack of tact was rattling, especially when it came to this sensitive matter.

I have no problem with it, Jake. I mean, I'll still respect you… I think.

Seth piped up. Shut up, Quil! Can't you see you're disturbing Jake?

You shut up, kid! Don't have to put up with you!

BOTH OF YOU, SILENT NOW! I was getting irritated with the two wolves. I swerved to the right of a big boulder and stopped, sniffing the air.

The moon was hid by a big oak. It was a crescent moon. Lately I'd been so involved in Bella's problems with the leech, and fighting my growing attraction to Edward, to notice much the moon, my favorite object in the sky.

This was silly considering I was a wolf. Didn't all the movies Quil, Embry and I watched through the years say it was the moon that governed when a person became a slavering werewolf?

Turned out it wasn't. At least in our tribe. Maybe the moon affected werewolves in other parts of the Earth but I didn't care. We had enough trouble patrolling the land, guarding the people against leeches to care much for the rest of the world.

I had too much trouble wrestling with my inner wolf and the hormones which made me yearn for Bella and then Edward. Thinking about the vampire pounding me, driving deep into me and tickling that spot inside me that made me see stars had me sprouting a boner.

I heard whining behind me; turning to face my pack mates I found that Seth and Quil pawed the ground restlessly.

What's the matter, guys?

They started to run towards me, but stopped.

Exasperated, I roared. SPEAK UP! CAT GOT YOUR WOLF TONGUES?

Seth sounded worried. Jake, I swear I couldn't speak. Felt as if…

Bro, lay low with the orders, will ya? Quil grinned, unashamedly interrupting Seth.

Wait, so you couldn't speak?

They both nodded. Reviewing my words in the last minutes, I realized I'd unconsciously given them orders. I felt embarrassed, given the fact that I hated it when Sam imposed his will on the pack. I loathed it when Bella said something and then expected me to obey her as if it was the most understandable thing in the world, even if I disagreed with her. I detested Edward's demanding tone, except when it suited the submissive part of me.

In short, I hated when people imposed their will. And I had done it to my mates, my friends.

I'm sorry, guys! I bowed my head to them in token submission. I wasn't thinking. You know how I hate it when Sam…

… orders us around. Quil nudged my shoulders with his head while Seth's tongue licked my muzzle.

Don't worry, Jake. I understand it must be new to you. Frankly, Leah is worse. Seth took a step back and sat on his haunches, lolling his tongue. Just like a rangy dog I once had. I shook my head to dislodge the memory. Shouldn't be thinking of Seth as a puppy when he could throw a deadly vampire around as if he was a puppet.

Anyway, guys… I order you to disregard any future orders of mine.

Quil cocked his head, his chocolate-colored muzzle wrinkling in confusion. Don't think it works that way, Jake.

Sure, man. Seth nodded his assent. What if two mean vampires attack us and you have to order us around? We'd be conflicted between the orders, wouldn't move and then the vampires pounce and kill us and…

Hey, hey. I got you, Seth! Disregard that order.

Quil quipped, You'll just have to deal with the weight of pushing us down, oppressing us. Like the dictators we saw on the TV…

Hey, you. Lay off Jake! growled Seth.

Kiddo, I'm just pulling his leg. Maybe he'll feel guilty and help me with my math homework. Quil grinned.

I rolled my eyes. You two are gonna be the death of me! Come on, let's go home! I want to talk to dad about what the vampire said.

oOoOo

I walked to my house, turning back to wave goodbye to Quil and Seth. Opening the door, I heard the rickety wheels of dad's chair. They needed oiling. I made the mental note to grab the oil can I used to lubricate things around the house and do a thorough workover of his chair. What if the wheels got stuck and dad fell?

It was a habit I had. Looking critically at things around the house and measuring how dangerous they could be to Billy if they fell or got in his way. Putting the things he needed at the correct height and distance so dad could reach them easily. When I looked at the shelf over the TV, I made the mental note to put the invoices there.

I grinned; with all those mental notes I doubted I would remember them all. I needed to write them for real.

Before I remembered that dad had gone to watch TV at Charlie's I called out, "Dad, I'm home!"

I went to the kitchen to fix dinner. After I took out the meat from the fridge I frowned at it, wondering if it was lean enough. I'd read all about fat meat in the web. Weighing the information against the need to keep dad well fed with enough protein, I decided to cook it. Fish was just too pricey for us.

I took out mom's stainless-steel pressure cooker that still functioned after all these years. I took out some potatoes from the cabinet, along with zucchini and carrots from the fridge. While I cut them I reflected about the strange vampire that just popped out of nowhere and croaked dead. From the way Fedor spoke and what he said, obviously he came from the past. How could that be?

I believed in the magic all around us because I knew vampires existed and I was a shifter, but time travel? Come on!

After lightly cooking the meat on the pressure cooker with as little vegetable oil as I could manage, I poured the cut vegetables and enough water, grabbing some spices at random. I wasn't the best cook in the world but as long as I managed to feed myself and dad, I didn't care.

I closed the lid of the pressure cooker and proceeded to the rice. It was good for Billy's health. It wasn't wild rice or something costly, just plain white rice, as pale as Edward's skin when he made love to me.

Blushing, I sautéed the onion and garlic, afterwards frying the rice till it browned a little.

I loved cooking; it was like fixing a car. It required my concentration, and handling utensils I felt like a thinking being, not a wolf that is bound only by instinct.

Finally I poured some water on the rice and the rest of the vegetables I'd saved. Easy as rain. Unfortunately the food would last only two days.

It wasn't that Billy ate it all. He was too thin for that. Most of the time I was very hungry. I tried to eat burgers in town to save the nutritious fare for dad but when I was home the wolf's appetite often won.

I heard the sound of Chief Swan's car outside the house. Wiping my hands on the towel, I checked that the rice had enough water and turned down the flame under the pressure cooker before I left the kitchen.

I found Billy wheeling his chair towards the sofa.

Suddenly I felt very nervous. It wasn't just the dead vamp, after all, Billy was an elder. He knew the legends inside and out. It was that I would have to tell him about Edward. The two of us didn't keep secrets from each other. Frankly I was worried about his reaction.

"Son, what's troubling you?" Dad took a can from the table and began to sip it while I glared at him. He knew that I didn't like him drinking soda, it was unhealthy.

Squaring my shoulders, I decided to begin with the hard part. "Dad, you know Bella left town?"

"Yes, Jacob. To be truthful, I'm pleased she did and more pleased that you're taking it so well. I was worried that you would fall into a depression when she left. Charlie told me how she used to stay in bed and just stare at the walls when her boyfriend left her." Dad pointed the cola can at me. "I was worried you'd do the same."

I shrugged. "You don't have to worry about that anymore, dad. In fact I have become involved with…"

"Don't tell me! Leah?" Billy shuddered and I did the same thinking about making out with the angry girl.

"No, dad. It isn't her. In fact, it isn't any her."

"What do you mean, Jake?"

"I'm seeing a man." I blurted out the next part, which I was sure would make him mad. "In fact he's a Cullen. Edward Cullen."

Billy took a deep breath and I nearly hit myself on the head. What the fuck was I thinking, putting such pressure on dad? What if it affected his health? I felt I was just what Edward liked to call me back when we fought over Bella, an unthinking mutt.

However, Billy's words surprised me. "I don't know how the council will take this, Jacob. But of course I support you."

"You aren't ashamed of-"

"-you? Never, son. You're Ephraim's descendant, the rightful Alpha of the pack. And you're my son. Whom you see should be no one's concern but yours."

I breathed out a sigh of relief. Trust dad to always protect me, I felt proud to be his son.

"But that isn't all that troubles you, son."

I sat on the couch next to his wheelchair and steepled my fingers. "Dad, when I was coming home, I saw a vampire in our lands."

"The Cullens broke the truce? I'm afraid that bodes ill for your relationship, Jacob."

I waved my arm. "Wasn't one of them. It was a new one. Dad, I'm not worried about a leech on our lands. The pack would take care of them, what gives me the creeps is that the leech died!"

"What do you mean, exactly?" Billy rolled the wheels nervously back and forth, a habit he had when he was meditating.

"The man just became hard as a stone! It was weird, dad. And he talked like he came from the past; dressed like it, too."

"Did he say something special? Jacob, it isn't like you to be so concerned about a vampire." He held up his hand. "Unless it is one of the Cullens. You've always been passionate about them. Hating them and now, it seems, going out with one of them."

"He said something about a vision. He thought he was in Europe. When he realized he was here, he said Natives were in that vision."

Billy sat back on the chair. He looked towards the door as if silently seeking permission from the other members of the council. "The time has come to tell you about your future, Jake. The vampires that came into Forks, your Cullens? They are not the only reason the pack was formed, other circumstances forced you to become a Shifter."

Billy sniffed. "What's that smell? Seems like something's burning."

"Shit! The rice! Be right back, dad." I rushed to the kitchen. I'd forgotten about the damned rice!

Chapter four: The legend