I will stand between you and the Cullens. I wont just watch while the pack kills innocentit was hard to apply that word to vampires, but it was truepeople. The pack is better than that. Lead them in the right direction, Sam.
I turned my back on him, and a chorus of howls tore into the air around me.
Digging my nails into the earth, I raced away from the uproar Id caused. I didnt have much time. At least Leah was the only one with a prayer of outrunning me, and I had a head start.
The howling faded with the distance, and I took comfort as the sound continued to rip apart the quiet night. They werent after me yet.
I had to warn the Cullens before the pack could get it together and stop me. If the Cullens were prepared, it might give Sam a reason to rethink this before it was too late. I sprinted toward the white house I still hated, leaving my home behind me. Home didnt belong to me anymore. Id turned my back on it.
Today had begun like any other day. Made it home from patrol with the rainy sunrise, breakfast with Billy and Rachel, bad TV, bickering with Paul How did it change so completely, turn all surreal? How did everything get messed up and twisted so that I was here now, all alone, an unwilling Alpha, cut off from my brothers, choosing vampires over them?
The sound Id been fearing interrupted my dazed thoughtsit was the soft impact of big paws against the ground, chasing after me. I threw myself forward, rocketing through the black forest. I just had to get close enough so that Edward could hear the warning in my head. Leah wouldnt be able to stop me alone.
And then I caught the mood of the thoughts behind me. Not anger, but enthusiasm. Not chasing but following.
My stride broke. I staggered two steps before it evened out again.
Wait up. My legs arent as long as yours.
SETH! What do you think youre DOING? GO HOME!
He didnt answer, but I could feel his excitement as he kept right on after me. I could see through his eyes as he could see through mine. The night scene was bleak for mefull of despair. For him, it was hopeful.
I hadnt realized I was slowing down, but suddenly he was on my flank, running in position beside me.
I am not joking, Seth! This is no place for you. Get out of here.
The gangly tan wolf snorted. Ive got your back, Jacob. I think youre right. And Im not going to stand behind Sam when
Oh yes you are the hell going to stand behind Sam! Get your furry butt back to La Push and do what Sam tells you to do.
No.
Go, Seth!
Is that an order, Jacob?
His question brought me up short. I skidded to a halt, my nails gouging furrows in the mud.
Im not ordering anyone to do anything. Im just telling you what you already know.
He plopped down on his haunches beside me. Ill tell you what I knowI know that its awful quiet. Havent you noticed?
I blinked. My tail swished nervously as I realized what he was thinking underneath the words. It wasnt quiet in one sense. Howls still filled the air, far away in the west.
They havent phased back, Seth said.
I knew that. The pack would be on red alert now. They would be using the mind link to see all sides clearly. But I couldnt hear what they were thinking. I could only hear Seth. No one else.
Looks to me like separate packs arent linked. Huh. Guess there was no reason for our fathers to know that before. Cause there was no reason for separate packs before. Never enough wolves for two. Wow. Its really quiet. Sort of eerie. But also kinda nice, dont you think? I bet it was easier, like this, for Ephraim and Quil and Levi. Not such a babble with just three. Or just two.
Shut up, Seth.
Yes, sir.
Stop that! There are not two packs. There is THE pack, and then there is me. Thats all. So you can go home now.
If there arent two packs, then why can we hear each other and not the rest? I think that when you turned your back on Sam, that was a pretty significant move. A change. And when I followed you away, I think that was significant, too.
Youve got a point, I conceded. But what can change can change right back.
He got up and started trotting toward the east. No time to argue about it now. We should be moving right along before Sam
He was right about that part. There was no time for this argument. I fell into a run again, not pushing myself quite as hard. Seth stayed on my heels, holding the Seconds traditional place on my right flank.
I can run somewhere else, he thought, his nose dipping a little. I didnt follow you because I was after a promotion.
Run wherever you want. Makes no difference to me.
There was no sound of pursuit, but we both stepped it up a little at the same time. I was worried now. If I couldnt tap into the packs mind, it was going to make this more difficult. Id have no more advance warning of attack than the Cullens.
Well run patrols, Seth suggested.
And what do we do if the pack challenges us? My eyes tightened. Attack our brothers? Your sister?
Nowe sound the alarm and fall back.
Good answer. But then what? I dont think
I know, he agreed. Less confident now. I dont think I can fight them, either. But they wont be any happier with the idea of attacking us than we are with attacking them. That might be enough to stop them right there. Plus, therere only eight of them now.
Stop being so Took me a minute to decide on the right word. Optimistic. Its getting on my nerves.
No problem. You want me to be all doom and gloom, or just shut up?
Just shut up.
Can do.
Really? Doesnt seem like it.
He was finally quiet.
And then we were across the road and moving through the forest that ringed the Cullens house. Could Edward hear us yet?
Maybe we should be thinking something like, We come in peace.
Go for it.
Edward? He called the name tentatively. Edward, you there? Okay, now I feel kinda stupid.
You sound stupid, too.
Think he can hear us?
We were less than a mile out now. I think so. Hey, Edward. If you can hear mecircle the wagons, bloodsucker. Youve got a problem.
Weve got a problem, Seth corrected.
Then we broke through the trees into the big lawn. The house was dark, but not empty. Edward stood on the porch between Emmett and Jasper. They were snow white in the pale light.
Jacob? Seth? Whats going on?
I slowed and then paced back a few steps. The smell was so sharp through this nose that it felt like it was honestly burning me. Seth whined quietly, hesitating, and then he fell back behind me.
To answer Edwards question, I let my mind run over the confrontation with Sam, moving through it backward. Seth thought with me, filling in the gaps, showing the scene from another angle. We stopped when we got to the part about the abomination, because Edward hissed furiously and leaped off the porch.
They want to kill Bella? he snarled flatly.
Emmett and Jasper, not having heard the first part of the conversation, took his inflectionless question for a statement. They were right next to him in a flash, teeth exposed as they moved on us.
Hey, now, Seth thought, backing away.
Em, Jazznot them! The others. The pack is coming.
Emmett and Jasper rocked back on their heels; Emmett turned to Edward while Jasper kept his eyes locked on us.
Whats their problem? Emmett demanded.
The same one as mine, Edward hissed. But they have their own plan to handle it. Get the others. Call Carlisle! He and Esme have to get back here now.
I whined uneasily. They were separated.
They arent far, Edward said in the same dead voice as before.
Im going to go take a look, Seth said. Run the western perimeter.
Will you be in danger, Seth? Edward asked.
Seth and I exchanged a glance.
Dont think so, we thought together. And then I added, But maybe I should go. Just in case
<
br /> Theyll be less likely to challenge me, Seth pointed out. Im just a kid to them.
Youre just a kid to me, kid.
Im outta here. You need to coordinate with the Cullens.
He wheeled and darted into the darkness. I wasnt going to order Seth around, so I let him go.
Edward and I stood facing each other in the dark meadow. I could hear Emmett muttering into his phone. Jasper was watching the place where Seth had vanished into the woods. Alice appeared on the porch and then, after staring at me with anxious eyes for a long moment, she flitted to Jaspers side. I guessed that Rosalie was inside with Bella. Still guarding herfrom the wrong dangers.
This isnt the first time Ive owed you my gratitude, Jacob, Edward whispered. I would never have asked for this from you.
I thought of what hed asked me for earlier today. When it came to Bella, there were no lines he wouldnt cross. Yeah, you would.
He thought about it and then nodded. I suppose youre right about that.
I sighed heavily. Well, this isnt the first time that I didnt do it for you.
Right, he murmured.
Sorry I didnt do any good today. Told you she wouldnt listen to me.
I know. I never really believed she would. But . . .
You had to try. I get it. She any better?
His voice and eyes went hollow. Worse, he breathed.
I didnt want to let that word sink in. I was grateful when Alice spoke.
Jacob, would you mind switching forms? Alice asked. I want to know whats going on.
I shook my head at the same time Edward answered.
He needs to stay linked to Seth.
Well, then would you be so kind as to tell me whats happening?
He explained in clipped, emotionless sentences. The pack thinks Bellas become a problem. They foresee potential danger from the from what shes carrying. They feel its their duty to remove that danger. Jacob and Seth disbanded from the pack to warn us. The rest are planning to attack tonight.
Alice hissed, leaning away from me. Emmett and Jasper exchanged a glance, and then their eyes ranged across the trees.
Nobody out here, Seth reported. Alls quiet on the western front.
They may go around.
Ill make a loop.
Carlisle and Esme are on their way, Emmett said. Twenty minutes, tops.
We should take up a defensive position, Jasper said.
Edward nodded. Lets get inside.
Ill run perimeter with Seth. If I get too far for you to hear my head, listen for my howl.
I will.
They backed into the house, eyes flickering everywhere. Before they were inside, I turned and ran toward the west.
Im still not finding much, Seth told me.
Ill take half the circle. Move fastwe dont want them to have a chance to sneak past us.
Seth lurched forward in a sudden burst of speed.
We ran in silence, and the minutes passed. I listened to the noises around him, double-checking his judgment.
Heysomething coming up fast! he warned me after fifteen minutes of silence.
On my way!
Hold your positionI dont think its the pack. It sounds different.
Seth
But he caught the approaching scent on the breeze, and I read it in his mind.
Vampire. Bet its Carlisle.
Seth, fall back. It might be someone else.
No, its them. I recognize the scent. Hold up, Im going to phase to explain it to them.
Seth, I dont think
But he was gone.
Anxiously, I raced along the western border. Wouldnt it be just peachy if I couldnt take care of Seth for one freaking night? What if something happened to him on my watch? Leah would shred me into kibble.
At least the kid kept it short. It wasnt two minutes later when I felt him in my head again.
Yep, Carlisle and Esme. Boy, were they surprised to see me! Theyre probably inside by now. Carlisle said thanks.
Hes a good guy.
Yeah. Thats one of the reasons why were right about this.
Hope so.
Whyre you so down, Jake? Ill bet Sam wont bring the pack tonight. Hes not going to launch a suicide mission.
I sighed. It didnt seem to matter, either way.
Oh. This isnt about Sam so much, is it?
I made the turn at the end of my patrol. I caught Seths scent where hed turned last. We werent leaving any gaps.
You think Bellas going to die anyway, Seth whispered.
Yeah, she is.
Poor Edward. He must be crazy.
Literally.
Edwards name brought other memories boiling to the surface. Seth read them in astonishment.
And then he was howling. Oh, man! No way! You did not! That just plain ol sucks rocks, Jacob! And you know it, too! I cant believe you said youd kill him. What is that? You have to tell him no.
Shut up, shut up, you idiot! Theyre going to think the pack is coming!
Oops! He cut off mid-howl.
I wheeled and started loping in toward the house. Just keep out of this, Seth. Take the whole circle for now.
Seth seethed and I ignored him.
False alarm, false alarm, I thought as I ran closer in. Sorry. Seth is young. He forgets things. No ones attacking. False alarm.
When I got to the meadow, I could see Edward staring out of a dark window. I ran in, wanting to be sure he got the message.
Theres nothing out thereyou got that?
He nodded once.
This would be a lot easier if the communication wasnt one way. Then again, I was kinda glad I wasnt in his head.
He looked over his shoulder, back into the house, and I saw a shudder run through his whole frame. He waved me away without looking in my direction again and then moved out of my view.
Whats going on?
Like I was going to get an answer.
I sat very still in the meadow and listened. With these ears, I could almost hear Seths soft footfalls, miles out into the forest. It was easy to hear every sound inside the dark house.
It was a false alarm, Edward was explaining in that dead voice, just repeating what Id told him. Seth was upset about something else, and he forgot we were listening for a signal. Hes very young.
Nice to have toddlers guarding the fort, a deeper voice grumbled. Emmett, I thought.
Theyve done us a great service tonight, Emmett, Carlisle said. At great personal sacrifice.
Yeah, I know. Im just jealous. Wish I was out there.
Seth doesnt think Sam will attack now, Edward said mechanically. Not with us forewarned, and lacking two members of the pack.
What does Jacob think? Carlisle asked.
Hes not as optimistic.
No one spoke. There was a quiet dripping sound that I couldnt place. I heard their low breathingand I could separate Bellas from the rest. It was harsher, labored. It hitched and broke in strange rhythms. I could hear her heart. It seemed too fast. I paced it against my own heartbeat, but I wasnt sure if that was any measure. It wasnt like I was normal.
Dont touch her! Youll wake her up, Rosalie whispered.
Someone sighed.
Rosalie, Carlisle murmured.
Dont start with me, Carlisle. We let you have your way earlier, but thats all were allowing.
It seemed like Rosalie and Bella were both talking in plurals now. Like theyd formed a pack of their own.
I paced quietly in front of the house. Each pass brought me a little closer. The dark windows were like a TV set running in some dull waiting roomit was impossible to keep my eyes off them for long.
A few more minutes, a few more passes, and my fur was brushing the side of the porch as I paced.
I could see up through the windowssee the top of the walls and the ceiling, the unlit chandelier that hung there. I was tall enough that all I would have to do was stretch my neck a little and maybe one paw up on the edge of the porch.
I peeked into the big, open front roo
m, expecting to see something very similar to the scene this afternoon. But it had changed so much that I was confused at first. For a second I thought Id gotten the wrong room.
The glass wall was goneit looked like metal now. And the furniture was all dragged out of the way, with Bella curled up awkwardly on a narrow bed in the center of the open space. Not a normal bedone with rails like in a hospital. Also like a hospital were the monitors strapped to her body, the tubes stuck into her skin. The lights on the monitors flashed, but there was no sound. The dripping noise was from the IV plugged into her armsome fluid that was thick and white, not clear.