Chapter 16: The Poor Young-man
Vincent told Alice to join at breakfast the next morning. The strange thing was that the man couldn't even be seen anywhere in the morning. Half members of the pack had also disappeared.
[ Is it happend because they know I will joining? ]
There were only four people left at the table, plus Alice made it five and oh… Jacob also joined in again for breakfast. An odd sight for the remaining .
"Vincent and the others set out to find Nessy. They'll be gone for a few days," Jacob explained to Alice.
"Ah, aren't you going too?"
"They don't need me." Vincent said. The people at the table knew that Jacob's answer was a bit different from the real one.
This morning Vincent summoned all members of the pack. Jacob was also there when Vincent made a search plan and divided them into two groups. But near the ending of the meeting, Jacob said this bluntly:
"I will not go with you guys."
Everyone looked at Jacob stangely. It was unexpected because they knew that Jacob was the second man to be imprinted with Renésmee after Vincent. Jacob was supposed to be the second person to potentially go insane if Renésmee wasn't found. But he seemed calm and unconcerned.
[ Is that normal? ]
With Jacob's imprint, he should be the perfect bloodhound to find Nessy. He also connects with Renesmee like Vincent. Even though Vincent has maximum accuracy because Renesmee was mates with him. Jacob's help will be of great help in this quest.
"It's up to you." Vincent didn't even bother asking questions, asking excuses or pleading with Jacob for help. He doesn't need it.
"Then, can I also stay in the castle?" Noah hitting on another nerve. He suddenly had a plan in mind. Hehehe… If he could be with Alice, who knows the more they see each other, maybe Noah can get his sights.
"No. You must come with us."
"But I don't want to go either. I will accompany Jacob and guard this castle."
"You—come—with—us."
"But you just let Jacob stay, that's not fair."
"How many times do I have to repeat my words?" Vincent was starting to lose his temper.
"Tch!" He twitched his lips unhappily and retreated in the end. Noah knew when to stop sulking. "Alright, I come with you."
They went on horses to reach further territory. Even Bella went along with Vincent voluntarily, and was part of the pack, after all.
After breakfast, the woman at the end of the table approached Alice.
"Alice… that's your name, right?"
"Yes."
"My name is Cher," the woman reached out for a handshake.
A classic introduction that feels awkward especially under the supervision of a pair of Jacob's eyes. Cher pointed to the man sitting next to her, "that's my partner Sonny and the other guy you can call Watson."
Alice glanced at the men Cher mentioned and tried to remember their names and faces.
"Our seniors want to talk to you," said Cher.
"What does Old Yu want?" Jacob hastily joined the conversation as soon as he heard Cher mention their seniors. He was antipathetic for no reason.
"For introductions of course. Alice will be staying here for a while, should she properly introduce herself to the elders, or do you expect Senior Yu to come and introduce herself?"
Jacob knew Cher was sarcastic in her words. He joined the pack by force so there was no respect at all for the seniors in the pack at that time. Old Yu had to come personally to see Jacob to introduce himself. He is one form of impudent youth.
"She has no obligation whatsoever to introduce herself. Alice is not a new member of this pack, she is just your prisoner. Are you guys going to let her go if she's being polite?"
"It wasn't my decision to keep her here. Vincent didn't even call her a prisoner. Why are you being so sensitive? Old Yu just wants to talk, if Alice really doesn't want to come with me that's fine too." They didn't really talk much and Cher just found out that Jacob could be so annoying.
Alice felt the same way, Jacob had said too much to call her a prisoner. Maybe he meant well, he didn't want these people to silently judge Alice while Vincent was gone but he could have chosen his words better.
"I'll talk to him."
Jacob is at a loss for words against Cher when Alice chooses to agree to go with the woman. "Then I will come with you."
"Eh?" Cher is surprised when Jacob includes himself. He couldn't even remember the last time the reclusive werewolf had spoken to the Senior, so he let Jacob come too. "Yeah, whatever, Old Yu might have some words for you."
Alice and Jacob were ushered into Old Yu's room. The old man was sipping his tea when they entered. The frown on his forehead twitched when he saw who Cher brought.
"Old Yu…"
"No problem," the old man knew Cher was about to explain Jacob's presence, actually he didn't mind the young man's existence. There was much he could say for Jacob.
"Then I'll leave you guys." Cher left the group of three.
Alice and Jacob waited for their senior to speak. But Old Yu instead took his cup and drank another sip.
"How long do we have to wait for you to speak?" Jacob suddenly pounce hard with his words.
Seems like something is wrong with Jacob today or is this the way he really is? Alice felt that the man was different from the man she had met yesterday.
Old Yu didn't take Jacob's words to heart even though he didn't expect such a sudden attack. "Did you two know each other before?" The question is a bit more twisted than it should be.
"Will you tell Vincent to release her if we don't know each other?"
"Jacob!" Alice finally rebuked him.
"It's okay, Miss. I see, he was just trying to help you."
Old Yu glanced at the imprint on Jacob's left hand, if it's not for the mark he might have thought that Alice was Jacob's partner. Unfortunately the imprint mark didn't belong to Alice.
Poor young man… the Goddess should find another woman for Jacob.
—Uh? This is not the time to pity him.
"To be honest, Alice. We know you're not from around here, your own smell proves it. Vincent wouldn't give that fur robe to just anyone either."
Alice squeezed the tuft of her fur robe nervously.
[ Is it so wrong to be a stranger in this place? ]
"Did you have anything to do with Renésmee's disappearance?" asked Old Yu.
"I don't—"
"She's innocent." Jacob followed Alice's answer in a louder voice. He knew Old Yu would come with judgment on Alice and he was there to prevent it from happening.
That matching answer makes things a bit more interesting. "Oh, then let me change the question. Do you… have anything to do with Renésmee's disappearance, Jacob!?"
That wasn't a baseless accusation. With Jacob protecting Alice constantly, he should have known something, whether Alice was really at fault or Alice was innocent.
Jacob must know something, right!
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