Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [67]
He was right. I would end up doing what Sam wanted, if he was willing to push it. And he was. Obviously.
There was a good reason for the Alphas authority. Even a pack as strong as ours wasnt much of a force without a leader. We had to move together, to think together, in order to be effective. And that required the body to have a head.
So what if Sam was wrong now? There was nothing anyone could do. No one could dispute his decision.
Except.
And there it was-a thought Id never, never wanted to have. But now, with my legs all tied up in strings, I recognized the exception with relief-more than relief, with a fierce joy.
No one could dispute the Alphas decision- except for me.
I hadnt earned anything. But there were things that had been born in me, things that Id left unclaimed.
Id never wanted to lead the pack. I didnt want to do it now. I didnt want the responsibility for all our fates resting on my shoulders. Sam was better at that than I would ever be.
But he was wrong tonight.
And I had not been born to kneel to him.
The bonds fell off my body the second that I embraced my birthright.
I could feel it gathering in me, both a freedom and also a strange, hollow power. Hollow because an Alphas power came from his pack, and I had no pack. For a second, loneliness overwhelmed me.
I had no pack now.
But I was straight and strong as I walked to where Sam stood, planning with Paul and Jared. He turned at the sound of my advance, and his black eyes narrowed.
No, I told him again.
He heard it right away, heard the choice that Id made in the sound of the Alpha voice in my thoughts.
He jumped back a half step with a shocked yelp.
Jacob? What have you done?
I wont follow you, Sam. Not for something so wrong.
He stared at me, stunned. You would you would choose your enemies over your family?
They arent-I shook my head, clearing it-they arent our enemies. They never have been. Until I really thought about destroying them, thought it through, I didnt see that.
This isnt about them, he snarled at me. This is about Bella. She has never been the one for you, she has never chosen you, but you continue to destroy your life for her!
They were hard words, but true words. I sucked in a big gulp of air, breathing them in.
Maybe youre right. But youre going to destroy the pack over her, Sam. No matter how many of them survive tonight, they will always have murder on their hands.
We have to protect our families!
I know what youve decided, Sam. But you dont decide for me, not anymore.
Jacob-you cant turn your back on the tribe.
I heard the double echo of his Alpha command, but it was weightless this time. It no longer applied to me. He clenched his jaw, trying to force me to respond to his words.
I stared into his furious eyes. Ephraim Blacks son was not born to follow Levi Uleys.
Is this it, then, Jacob Black? His hackles rose and his muzzle pulled back from his teeth. Paul and Jared snarled and bristled at his sides. Even if you can defeat me, the pack will never follow you!
Now I jerked back, a surprised whine escaping my throat.
Defeat you? Im not going to fight you, Sam.
Then whats your plan? Im not stepping aside so that you can protect the vampire spawn at the tribes expense.
Im not telling you to step aside.
If you order them to follow you-
Ill never take anyones will away from him.
His tail whipped back and forth as he recoiled from the judgment in my words. Then he took a step forward so that we were toe to toe, his exposed teeth inches from mine. I hadnt noticed till this moment that Id grown taller than him.
There cannot be more than one Alpha. The pack has chosen me. Will you rip us apart tonight? Will you turn on your brothers? Or will you end this insanity and join us again? Every word was layered with command, but it couldnt touch me. Alpha blood ran undiluted in my veins.
I could see why there was never more than one Alpha male in a pack. My body was responding to the challenge. I could feel the instinct to defend my claim rising in me. The primitive