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Chapter no 13 – GOOD THING Iโ€™VE GOT A STRONG

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

STOMACH

Carlisle and Rosalie were off in a flash, darting upstairs. I could hear them debating whether they should warm it up for her. Ugh. I wondered what all house-of-horrors stuff they kept around here. Fridge full of blood, check.

What else? Torture chamber? Coffin room?

Edward stayed, holding Bellaโ€™s hand. His face was dead again. He didnโ€™t seem to have the energy to keep up even that little hint of hope heโ€™d had before. They stared into each otherโ€™s eyes, but not in a gooey way. It was like they were having a conversation. Kind of reminded me of Sam and Emily.

No, it wasnโ€™t gooey, but that only made it harder to watch.

I knew what it was like for Leah, having to see that all the time. Having to hear it in Samโ€™s head. Of course we all felt bad for her, we werenโ€™t monstersโ€”in that sense, anyway. But I guess weโ€™d blamed her for how she handled it. Lashing out at everyone, trying to make us all as miserable as she was.

I would never blame her again. How could anyone help spreading this kind of misery around? How could anyoneย notย try to ease some of the burden by shoving a little piece of it off on someone else?

And if it meant that I had to have a pack, how could I blame her for taking my freedom? I would do the same. If there was a way to escape this pain, Iโ€™d take it, too.

Rosalie darted downstairs after a second, flying through the room like a sharp breeze, stirring up the burning smell. She stopped inside the kitchen, and I heard the creak of a cupboard door.

โ€œNotย clear, Rosalie,โ€ Edward murmured. He rolled his eyes.

Bella looked curious, but Edward just shook his head at her. Rosalie blew back through the room and disappeared again.

โ€œThis was your idea?โ€ Bella whispered, her voice rough as she strained to make it loud enough for me to hear. Forgetting that I could hear just fine. I kind of liked how, a lot of the time, she seemed to forget that I wasnโ€™t completely human. I moved closer, so that she wouldnโ€™t have to work so hard.

โ€œDonโ€™t blame me for this one. Your vampire was just picking snide comments out of my head.โ€

She smiled a little. โ€œI didnโ€™t expect to see you again.โ€ โ€œYeah, me, either,โ€ I said.

It felt weird just standing here, but the vampires had shoved all the furniture out of the way for the medical setup. I imagined that it didnโ€™t bother themโ€”sitting or standing didnโ€™t make much difference when you were stone. Wouldnโ€™t bother me much, either, except that I was so exhausted.

โ€œEdward told me what you had to do. Iโ€™m sorry.โ€

โ€œSโ€™okay. It was probably only a matter of time till I snapped over something Sam wanted me to do,โ€ I lied.

โ€œAnd Seth,โ€ she whispered. โ€œHeโ€™s actually happy to help.โ€ โ€œI hate causing you trouble.โ€

I laughed onceโ€”more a bark than a laugh.

She breathed a faint sigh. โ€œI guess thatโ€™s nothing new, is it?โ€ โ€œNo, not really.โ€

โ€œYou donโ€™t have to stay and watch this,โ€ she said, barely mouthing the words.

I could leave. It was probably a good idea. But if I did, with the way she looked right now, I could be missing the last fifteen minutes of her life.

โ€œI donโ€™t really have anywhere else to go,โ€ I told her, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice. โ€œThe wolf thing is a lot less appealing since Leah joined up.โ€

โ€œLeah?โ€ she gasped.

โ€œYou didnโ€™t tell her?โ€ I asked Edward.

He just shrugged without moving his eyes from her face. I could see it wasnโ€™t very exciting news to him, not something worth sharing with the

more important events that were going down.

Bella didnโ€™t take it so lightly. It looked like it was bad news to her. โ€œWhy?โ€ she breathed.

I didnโ€™t want to get into the whole novel-length version. โ€œTo keep an eye on Seth.โ€

โ€œBut Leah hates us,โ€ she whispered.

Us. Nice. I could see that she was afraid, though.

โ€œLeahโ€™s not going to bug anyone.โ€ But me. โ€œSheโ€™s in my packโ€โ€”I grimaced at the wordsโ€”โ€œso she follows my lead.โ€ Ugh.

Bella didnโ€™t look convinced.

โ€œYouโ€™re scared ofย Leah, but youโ€™re best buds with the psychopath blonde?โ€

There was a low hiss from the second floor. Cool, sheโ€™d heard me. Bella frowned at me. โ€œDonโ€™t. Roseโ€ฆ understands.โ€

โ€œYeah,โ€ I grunted. โ€œShe understands that youโ€™re gonna die and she doesnโ€™t care, sโ€™long as she gets her mutant spawn out of the deal.โ€

โ€œStop being a jerk, Jacob,โ€ she whispered.

She looked too weak to get mad at. I tried to smile instead. โ€œYou say that like itโ€™s possible.โ€

Bella tried not to smile back for a second, but she couldnโ€™t help it in the end; her chalky lips pulled up at the corners.

And then Carlisle and the psycho in question were there. Carlisle had a white plastic cup in his handโ€”the kind with a lid and a bendy straw. Ohโ€”ย not clear; now I got it. Edward didnโ€™t want Bella to have to think about what she was doing any more than necessary. You couldnโ€™t see what was in the cup at all. But I could smell it.

Carlisle hesitated, the hand with the cup half-extended. Bella eyed it, looking scared again.

โ€œWe could try another method,โ€ Carlisle said quietly.

โ€œNo,โ€ Bella whispered. โ€œNo, Iโ€™ll try this first. We donโ€™t have time. โ€

At first I thought sheโ€™d finally gotten a clue and was worried about herself, but then her hand fluttered feebly against her stomach.

Bella reached out and took the cup from him. Her hand shook a little, and I could hear the sloshing from inside. She tried to prop herself up on one elbow, but she could barely lift her head. A whisper of heat brushed down my spine as I saw how frail sheโ€™d gotten in less than a day.

Rosalie put her arm under Bellaโ€™s shoulders, supporting her head, too, like you did with a newborn. Blondie was all about the babies.

โ€œThanks,โ€ Bella whispered. Her eyes flickered around at us. Still aware enough to feel self-conscious. If she wasnโ€™t so drained, Iโ€™d bet sheโ€™dโ€™ve blushed.

โ€œDonโ€™t mind them,โ€ Rosalie murmured.

It made me feel awkward. I shouldโ€™ve left when Bellaโ€™d offered the chance. I didnโ€™t belong here, being part of this. I thought about ducking out, but then I realized a move like that would only make this worse for Bellaโ€” make it harder for her to go through with it. Sheโ€™d figure I was too disgusted to stay. Which was almost true.

Still. While I wasnโ€™t going to claim responsibility for this idea, I didnโ€™t want to jinx it, either.

Bella lifted the cup to her face and sniffed at the end of the straw. She flinched, and then made a face.

โ€œBella, sweetheart, we can find an easier way,โ€ Edward said, holding his hand out for the cup.

โ€œPlug your nose,โ€ Rosalie suggested. She glared at Edwardโ€™s hand like she might take a snap at it. I wished she would. I bet Edward wouldnโ€™t takeย thatย sitting down, and Iโ€™d love to see Blondie lose a limb.

โ€œNo, thatโ€™s not it. Itโ€™s just that itโ€”โ€ Bella sucked in a deep breath. โ€œIt smells good,โ€ she admitted in a tiny voice.

I swallowed hard, fighting to keep the disgust off my face.

โ€œThatโ€™s a good thing,โ€ Rosalie told Bella eagerly. โ€œThat means weโ€™re on the right track. Give it a try.โ€ Given Blondieโ€™s new expression, I was surprised she didnโ€™t break into a touchdown dance.

Bella shoved the straw between her lips, squeezed her eyes shut, and wrinkled her nose. I could hear the blood slopping around in the cup again as her hand shook. She sipped at it for a second, and then moaned quietly with her eyes still closed.

Edward and I stepped forward at the same time. He touched her face. I clenched my hands behind my back.

โ€œBella, loveโ€”โ€

โ€œIโ€™m okay,โ€ she whispered. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. Her expression wasโ€ฆ apologetic. Pleading. Scared. โ€œItย tastesย good, too.โ€

Acid churned in my stomach, threatening to overflow. I ground my teeth together.

โ€œThatโ€™s good,โ€ Blondie repeated, still jazzed. โ€œA good sign.โ€

Edward just pressed his hand to her cheek, curling his fingers around the shape of her fragile bones.

Bella sighed and put her lips to the straw again. She took a real pull this time. The action wasnโ€™t as weak as everything else about her. Like some instinct was taking over.

โ€œHowโ€™s your stomach? Do you feel nauseated?โ€ Carlisle asked.

Bella shook her head. โ€œNo, I donโ€™t feel sick,โ€ she whispered. โ€œThereโ€™s a first, eh?โ€

Rosalie beamed. โ€œExcellent.โ€

โ€œI think itโ€™s a bit early for that, Rose,โ€ Carlisle murmured.

Bella gulped another mouthful of blood. Then she flashed a look at Edward. โ€œDoes this screw my total?โ€ she whispered. โ€œOr do we start countingย afterย Iโ€™m a vampire?โ€

โ€œNo one is counting, Bella. In any case, no one died for this.โ€ He smiled a lifeless smile. โ€œYour record is still clean.โ€

Theyโ€™d lost me.

โ€œIโ€™ll explain later,โ€ Edward said, so low the words were just a breath. โ€œWhat?โ€ Bella whispered.

โ€œJust talking to myself,โ€ he lied smoothly.

If he succeeded with this, if Bella lived, Edward wasnโ€™t going to be able to get away with so much when her senses were as sharp as his. Heโ€™d have to work on the honesty thing.

Edwardโ€™s lips twitched, fighting a smile.

Bella chugged a few more ounces, staring past us toward the window.

Probably pretending we werenโ€™t here. Or maybe just me. No one else in this group would be disgusted by what she was doing. Just the oppositeโ€”they were probably having a tough time not ripping the cup away from her.

Edward rolled his eyes.

Jeez, how did anyone stand living with him? It was really too bad he couldnโ€™t hear Bellaโ€™s thoughts. Then heโ€™d annoy the crap out of her, too, and sheโ€™d get tired of him.

Edward chuckled once. Bellaโ€™s eyes flicked to him immediately, and she half-smiled at the humor in his face. I would guess that wasnโ€™t something

sheโ€™d seen in a while.

โ€œSomething funny?โ€ she breathed. โ€œJacob,โ€ he answered.

She looked over with another weary smile for me. โ€œJakeโ€™s a crack-up,โ€ she agreed.

Great, now I was the court jester. โ€œBadaย bing,โ€ I mumbled in weak rim- shot impression.

She smiled again, and then took another swig from the cup. I flinched when the straw pulled at empty air, making a loud sucking sound.

โ€œI did it,โ€ she said, sounding pleased. Her voice was clearerโ€”rough, but not a whisper for the first time today. โ€œIf I keep this down, Carlisle, will you take the needles out of me?โ€

โ€œAs soon as possible,โ€ he promised. โ€œHonestly, they arenโ€™t doing that much good where they are.โ€

Rosalie patted Bellaโ€™s forehead, and they exchanged a hopeful glance.

And anyone could see itโ€”the cup full of human blood had made an immediate difference. Her color was returningโ€”there was a tiny hint of pink in her waxy cheeks. Already she didnโ€™t seem to need Rosalieโ€™s support so much anymore. Her breathing was easier, and I would swear her heartbeat was stronger, more even.

Everything accelerated.

That ghost of hope in Edwardโ€™s eyes had turned into the real thing. โ€œWould you like more?โ€ Rosalie pressed.

Bellaโ€™s shoulders slumped.

Edward flashed a glare at Rosalie before he spoke to Bella. โ€œYou donโ€™t have to drink more right away.โ€

โ€œYeah, I know. Butโ€ฆ Iย want to,โ€ she admitted glumly.

Rosalie pulled her thin, sharp fingers through Bellaโ€™s lank hair. โ€œYou donโ€™t need to be embarrassed about that, Bella. Your body has cravings. We all understand that.โ€ Her tone was soothing at first, but then she added harshly, โ€œAnyone who doesnโ€™t understand shouldnโ€™t be here.โ€

Meant for me, obviously, but I wasnโ€™t going to let Blondie get to me. I was glad Bella felt better. So what if the means grossed me out? It wasnโ€™t like Iโ€™d said anything.

Carlisle took the cup from Bellaโ€™s hand. โ€œIโ€™ll be right back.โ€ Bella stared at me while he disappeared.

โ€œJake, you look awful,โ€ she croaked. โ€œLook whoโ€™s talking.โ€

โ€œSeriouslyโ€”whenโ€™s the last time you slept?โ€

I thought about that for a second. โ€œHuh. Iโ€™m not actually sure.โ€

โ€œAw, Jake. Now Iโ€™m messing with your health, too. Donโ€™t be stupid.โ€

I gritted my teeth. She was allowed to kill herself for a monster, but I wasnโ€™t allowed to miss a few nightsโ€™ sleep to watch her do it?

โ€œGet some rest, please,โ€ she went on. โ€œThereโ€™re a few beds upstairsโ€” youโ€™re welcome to any of them.โ€

The look on Rosalieโ€™s face made it clear that I wasnโ€™t welcome to one of them. It made me wonder what Sleepless Beauty needed a bed for anyway. Was she that possessive of her props?

โ€œThanks, Bells, but Iโ€™d rather sleep on the ground. Away from the stench, you know.โ€

She grimaced. โ€œRight.โ€

Carlisle was back then, and Bella reached out for the blood, absentminded, like she was thinking of something else. With the same distracted expression, she started sucking it down.

She really was looking better. She pulled herself forward, being careful of the tubes, and scooted into a sitting position. Rosalie hovered, her hands ready to catch Bella if she sagged. But Bella didnโ€™t need her. Taking deep breaths in between swallows, Bella finished the second cup quickly.

โ€œHow do you feel now?โ€ Carlisle asked.

โ€œNot sick. Sort of hungryโ€ฆ only Iโ€™m not sure if Iโ€™m hungry orย thirsty, you know?โ€

โ€œCarlisle, just look at her,โ€ Rosalie murmured, so smug she should have canary feathers on her lips. โ€œThis is obviously what her body wants. She should drink more.โ€

โ€œSheโ€™s still human, Rosalie. She needs food, too. Letโ€™s give her a little while to see how this affects her, and then maybe we can try some food again. Does anything sound particularly good to you, Bella?โ€

โ€œEggs,โ€ she said immediately, and then she exchanged a look and a smile with Edward. His smile was brittle, but there was more life on his face than before.

I blinked then, and almost forgot how to open my eyes again.

โ€œJacob,โ€ Edward murmured. โ€œYou really should sleep. As Bella said, youโ€™re certainly welcome to the accommodations here, though youโ€™d probably be more comfortable outside. Donโ€™t worry about anythingโ€”I promise Iโ€™ll find you if thereโ€™s a need.โ€

โ€œSure, sure,โ€ I mumbled. Now that it appeared Bella had a few more hours, I could escape. Go curl up under a tree somewhere.โ€ฆ Far enough away that the smell couldnโ€™t reach me. The bloodsucker would wake me up if something went wrong. He owed me.

โ€œI do,โ€ Edward agreed.

I nodded and then put my hand on Bellaโ€™s. Hers was icy cold. โ€œFeel better,โ€ I said.

โ€œThanks, Jacob.โ€ She turned her hand over and squeezed mine. I felt the thin band of her wedding ring riding loose on her skinny finger.

โ€œGet her a blanket or something,โ€ I muttered as I turned for the door.

Before I made it, two howls pierced the still morning air. There was no mistaking the urgency of the tone. No misunderstanding this time.

โ€œDammit,โ€ I snarled, and I threw myself through the door. I hurled my body off the porch, letting the fire rip me apart midair. There was a sharp tearing sound as my shorts shredded.ย Crap.ย Those were the only clothes I had. Didnโ€™t matter now. I landed on paws and took off toward the west.

What is it?ย I shouted in my head.ย Incoming,ย Seth answered.ย At least three. Did they split up?

Iโ€™m running the line back to Seth at the speed of light,ย Leah promised. I could feel the air huffing through her lungs as she pushed herself to an incredible velocity. The forest whipped around her.ย So far, no other point of attack.

Seth, doย notย challenge them. Wait for me.

Theyโ€™re slowing. Ughโ€”itโ€™s soย offย not being able to hear them. I thinkโ€ฆ What?

I think theyโ€™ve stopped.

Waiting for the rest of the pack? Shh. Feel that?

I absorbed his impressions. The faint, soundless shimmer in the air.

Someoneโ€™s phasing? Feels like it,ย Seth agreed.

Leah flew into the small open space where Seth waited. She raked her claws into the dirt, spinning out like a race car.

Got your back, bro.

Theyโ€™re coming,ย Seth said nervously.ย Slow. Walking.

Almost there,ย I told them. I tried to fly like Leah. It felt horrible being separated from Seth and Leah with potential danger closer to their end than mine. Wrong. I should be with them, between them and whatever was coming.

Look whoโ€™s getting all paternal,ย Leah thought wryly.

Head in the game, Leah.

Four,ย Seth decided. Kid had good ears.ย Three wolves, one man.

I made the little clearing then, moving immediately to the point. Seth sighed with relief and then straightened up, already in place at my right shoulder. Leah fell in on my left with a little less enthusiasm.

So now I rank under Seth,ย she grumbled to herself.

First come, first served,ย Seth thought smugly.ย โ€™Sides, you were never an Alphaโ€™s Third before. Still an upgrade.

Under my baby brother is not an upgrade.

Shh!ย I complained.ย I donโ€™t care where you stand. Shut up and get ready.

They came into view a few seconds later, walking, as Seth had thought. Jared in the front, human, hands up. Paul and Quil and Collin on four legs behind him. There was no aggression in their postures. They hung back behind Jared, ears up, alert but calm.

Butโ€ฆ it was weird that Sam would send Collin rather than Embry. That wasnโ€™t what I would do if I were sending a diplomacy party into enemy territory. I wouldnโ€™t send a kid. Iโ€™d send the experienced fighter.

A diversion?ย Leah thought.

Were Sam, Embry, and Brady making a move alone? That didnโ€™t seem likely.

Want me to check? I can run the line and be back in two minutes. Should I warn the Cullens?ย Seth wondered.

What if the point was to divide us?ย I asked.ย The Cullens know somethingโ€™s up. Theyโ€™re ready.

Sam wouldnโ€™t be so stupidโ€ฆ,ย Leah whispered, fear jagged in her mind.

She was imagining Sam attacking the Cullens with only the two others beside him.

No, he wouldnโ€™t,ย I assured her, though I felt a little sick at the image in her head, too.

All the while, Jared and the three wolves stared at us, waiting. It was eerie not to hear what Quil and Paul and Collin were saying to one another. Their expressions were blankโ€”unreadable.

Jared cleared his throat, and then he nodded to me. โ€œWhite flag of truce, Jake. Weโ€™re here to talk.โ€

Think itโ€™s true?ย Seth asked.

Makes sense, butโ€ฆ Yeah,ย Leah agreed.ย But.ย We didnโ€™t relax.

Jared frowned. โ€œIt would be easier to talk if I could hear you, too.โ€

I stared him down. I wasnโ€™t going to phase back until I felt better about this situation. Until it made sense. Why Collin? That was the part that had me most worried.

โ€œOkay. I guess Iโ€™ll just talk, then,โ€ Jared said. โ€œJake, we want you to come back.โ€

Quil let out a soft whine behind him. Seconding the statement. โ€œYouโ€™ve torn our family apart. Itโ€™s not meant to be this way.โ€

I wasnโ€™t exactly in disagreement with that, but it was hardly the point.

There were a few unresolved differences of opinion between me and Sam at the moment.

โ€œWe know that you feelโ€ฆ strongly about the situation with the Cullens.

We know thatโ€™s a problem. But this is an overreaction.โ€

Seth growled.ย Overreaction? And attacking our allies without warning

isnโ€™t?

Seth, you ever heard of a poker face? Cool it. Sorry.

Jaredโ€™s eyes flickered to Seth and back to me. โ€œSam is willing to take this slowly, Jacob. Heโ€™s calmed down, talked to the other Elders. Theyโ€™ve decided that immediate action is in no oneโ€™s best interest at this point.โ€

Translation: Theyโ€™ve already lost the element of surprise,ย Leah thought. It was weird how distinct our joint thinking was. The pack was already

Samโ€™s pack, was already โ€œthemโ€ to us. Something outside and other. It was especially weird to have Leah thinking that wayโ€”to have her be a solid part of the โ€œus.โ€

โ€œBilly and Sue agree with you, Jacob, that we can wait for Bellaโ€ฆ to be separated from the problem. Killing her is not something any of us feel comfortable with.โ€

Though Iโ€™d just given Seth crap for it, I couldnโ€™t hold back a small snarl of my own. So they didnโ€™t quiteย feel comfortableย with murder, huh?

Jared raised his hands again. โ€œEasy, Jake. You know what I mean. The point is, weโ€™re going to wait and reassess the situation. Decide later if thereโ€™s a problem with theโ€ฆ thing.โ€

Ha,ย Leah thought.ย What a load. You donโ€™t buy it?

I know what theyโ€™re thinking, Jake. Whatย Samโ€™sย thinking. Theyโ€™re betting on Bella dying anyway. And then they figure youโ€™ll be so madโ€ฆ

That Iโ€™ll lead the attack myself.ย My ears pressed against my skull. What Leah was guessing sounded pretty spot-on. And very possible, too. Whenโ€ฆ if that thing killed Bella, it was going to be easy to forget how I felt about Carlisleโ€™s family right now. They would probably look like enemiesโ€”like no more than bloodsucking leechesโ€”to me all over again.

Iโ€™ll remind you,ย Seth whispered.

I know you will, kid. Question is whether Iโ€™ll listen to you.

โ€œJake?โ€ Jared asked. I huffed a sigh.

Leah, make a circuitโ€”just to be sure. Iโ€™m going to have to talk to him, and I want to beย positiveย there isnโ€™t anything else going on while Iโ€™m phased.

Give me a break, Jacob. You can phase in front of me. Despite my best efforts, Iโ€™ve seen you naked beforeโ€”doesnโ€™t do much for me, so no worries.

Iโ€™m not trying to protect the innocence of your eyes, Iโ€™m trying to protect our backs. Get out of here.

Leah snorted once and then launched herself into the forest. I could hear her claws cutting into the soil, pushing her faster.

Nudity was an inconvenient but unavoidable part of pack life. Weโ€™d all thought nothing of it before Leah came along. Then it got awkward. Leah had average control when it came to her temperโ€”it took her the usual length of time to stop exploding out of her clothes every time she got pissed. Weโ€™d all caught a glimpse. And it wasnโ€™t like she wasnโ€™t worth

looking at; it was just that it was soย notย worth it when she caught you thinking about it later.

Jared and the others were staring at the place where sheโ€™d disappeared into the brush with wary expressions.

โ€œWhereโ€™s she going?โ€ Jared asked.

I ignored him, closing my eyes and pulling myself together again. It felt like the air was trembling around me, shaking out from me in small waves. I lifted myself up on my hind legs, catching the moment just right so that I was fully upright as I shimmered down into my human self.

โ€œOh,โ€ Jared said. โ€œHey, Jake.โ€ โ€œHey, Jared.โ€

โ€œThanks for talking to me.โ€ โ€œYeah.โ€

โ€œWe want you to come back, man.โ€ Quil whined again.

โ€œI donโ€™t know if itโ€™s that easy, Jared.โ€

โ€œCome home,โ€ he said, leaning forward. Pleading. โ€œWe can sort this out.

You donโ€™t belong here. Let Seth and Leah come home, too.โ€

I laughed. โ€œRight. Like I havenโ€™t been begging them to do that from hour one.โ€

Seth snorted behind me.

Jared assessed that, his eyes cautious again. โ€œSo, what now, then?โ€ I thought that over for a minute while he waited.

โ€œI donโ€™t know. But Iโ€™m not sure things could just go back to normal anyway, Jared. I donโ€™t know how it worksโ€”it doesnโ€™t feel like I can just turn this Alpha thing off and on as the mood strikes. It feels sort of permanent.โ€

โ€œYou still belong with us.โ€

I raised my eyebrows. โ€œTwo Alphas canโ€™t belong in the same place, Jared. Remember how close it got last night? The instinct is too competitive.โ€

โ€œSo are you all just going to hang out with the parasites for the rest of your lives?โ€ he demanded. โ€œYou donโ€™t have a home here. Youโ€™re already out of clothes,โ€ he pointed out. โ€œYou gonna stay wolf all the time? You know Leah doesnโ€™t like eating that way.โ€

โ€œLeah can do whatever she wants when she gets hungry. Sheโ€™s here by her own choice.ย Iโ€™mย not telling anyone what to do.โ€

Jared sighed. โ€œSam is sorry about what he did to you.โ€ I nodded. โ€œIโ€™m not angry anymore.โ€

โ€œBut?โ€

โ€œBut Iโ€™m not coming back, not now. Weโ€™re going to wait and see how it plays out, too. And weโ€™re going to watch out for the Cullens for as long as that seems necessary. Because, despite what you think, this isnโ€™t just about Bella. Weโ€™re protecting those who should be protected. And that applies to the Cullens, too.โ€ At least a fair number of them, anyway.

Seth yelped softly in agreement.

Jared frowned. โ€œI guess thereโ€™s nothing I can say to you, then.โ€ โ€œNot now. Weโ€™ll see how things go.โ€

Jared turned to face Seth, concentrating on him now, separate from me. โ€œSue asked me to tell youโ€”no, toย begย youโ€”to come home. Sheโ€™s brokenhearted, Seth. All alone. I donโ€™t know how you and Leah can do this to her. Abandon her this way, when your dad just barely diedโ€”โ€

Seth whimpered.

โ€œEase up, Jared,โ€ I warned.

โ€œJust letting him know how it is.โ€

I snorted. โ€œRight.โ€ Sue was tougher than anyone I knew. Tougher than my dad, tougher than me. Tough enough to play on her kidsโ€™ sympathies if thatโ€™s what it took to get them home. But it wasnโ€™t fair to work Seth that way. โ€œSueโ€™s known about this for how many hours now? And most of that time spent with Billy and Old Quil and Sam? Yeah, Iโ€™m sure sheโ€™s just perishing of loneliness. โ€™Course youโ€™re free to go if you want, Seth. You know that.โ€

Seth sniffed.

Then, a second later, he cocked an ear to the north. Leah must be close. Jeez, she was fast. Two beats, and Leah skidded to a stop in the brush a few yards away. She trotted in, taking the point in front of Seth. She kept her nose in the air, very obviously not looking in my direction.

I appreciated that. โ€œLeah?โ€ Jared asked.

She met his gaze, her muzzle pulling back a little over her teeth.

Jared didnโ€™t seem surprised by her hostility. โ€œLeah, youย knowย you donโ€™t want to be here.โ€

She snarled at him. I gave her a warning glance she didnโ€™t see. Seth whined and nudged her with his shoulder.

โ€œSorry,โ€ Jared said. โ€œGuess I shouldnโ€™t assume. But you donโ€™t have any ties to the bloodsuckers.โ€

Leah very deliberately looked at her brother and then at me.

โ€œSo you want to watch out for Seth, I get that,โ€ Jared said. His eyes touched my face and then went back to hers. Probably wondering about that second lookโ€”just like I was. โ€œBut Jakeโ€™s not going to let anything happen to him, and heโ€™s not afraid to be here.โ€ Jared made a face. โ€œAnyway,ย please, Leah. We want you back. Sam wants you back.โ€

Leahโ€™s tail twitched.

โ€œSam told me to beg. He told me to literally get down on my knees if I have to. He wants you home, Lee-lee, where you belong.โ€

I saw Leah flinch when Jared used Samโ€™s old nickname for her. And then, when he added those last three words, her hackles rose and she was yowling a long stream of snarls through her teeth. I didnโ€™t have to be in her head to hear the cussing-out she was giving him, and neither did he. You could almost hear the exact words she was using.

I waited till she was done. โ€œIโ€™m going to go out on a limb here and say that Leah belongs wherever she wants to be.โ€

Leah growled, but, as she was glaring at Jared, I figured it was in agreement.

โ€œLook, Jared, weโ€™re still family, okay? Weโ€™ll get past the feud, but, until we do, you probably ought to stick to your land. Just so there arenโ€™t misunderstandings. Nobody wants a family brawl, right? Sam doesnโ€™t want that, either, does he?โ€

โ€œOf course, not,โ€ Jared snapped. โ€œWeโ€™ll stick to our land. But where is

yourย land, Jacob? Is it vampire land?โ€

โ€œNo, Jared. Homeless at the moment. But donโ€™t worryโ€”this isnโ€™t going to last forever.โ€ I had to take a breath. โ€œThereโ€™s not that much timeโ€ฆ left. Okay? Then the Cullens will probably go, and Seth and Leah will come home.โ€

Leah and Seth whined together, their noses turning my direction in synchronization.

โ€œAnd what about you, Jake?โ€

โ€œBack to the forest, I think. I canโ€™t really stick around La Push. Two Alphas means too much tension. โ€™Sides, I was headed that way anyway. Before this mess.โ€

โ€œWhat if we need to talk?โ€ Jared asked.

โ€œHowlโ€”but watch the line, โ€™kay? Weโ€™ll come to you. And Sam doesnโ€™t need to send so many. We arenโ€™t looking for a fight.โ€

Jared scowled, but nodded. He didnโ€™t like me setting conditions for Sam. โ€œSee you around, Jake. Or not.โ€ He waved halfheartedly.

โ€œWait, Jared. Is Embry okay?โ€

Surprise crossed his face. โ€œEmbry? Sure, heโ€™s fine. Why?โ€ โ€œJust wondering why Sam sent Collin.โ€

I watched his reaction, still suspicious that something was going on. I saw knowledge flash in his eyes, but it didnโ€™t look like the kind I was expecting.

โ€œThatโ€™s not really your business anymore, Jake.โ€ โ€œGuess not. Just curious.โ€

I saw a twitch from the corner of my eye, but I didnโ€™t acknowledge it, because I didnโ€™t want to give Quil away. He was reacting to the subject.

โ€œIโ€™ll let Sam know about yourโ€ฆ instructions. Goodbye, Jacob.โ€

I sighed. โ€œYeah. Bye, Jared. Hey, tell my dad that Iโ€™m okay, will you?

And that Iโ€™m sorry, and that I love him.โ€ โ€œIโ€™ll pass that along.โ€

โ€œThanks.โ€

โ€œCโ€™mon, guys,โ€ Jared said. He turned away from us, heading out of sight to phase because Leah was here. Paul and Collin were right on his heels, but Quil hesitated. He yelped softly, and I took a step toward him.

โ€œYeah, I miss you, too, bro.โ€

Quil jogged over to me, his head hanging down morosely. I patted his shoulder.

โ€œItโ€™ll be okay.โ€ He whined.

โ€œTell Embry I miss having you two on my flanks.โ€

He nodded and then pressed his nose to my forehead. Leah snorted. Quil looked up, but not at her. He looked back over his shoulder at where the others had gone.

โ€œYeah, go home,โ€ I told him.

Quil yelped again and then took off after the others. Iโ€™d bet Jared wasnโ€™t waiting super-patiently. As soon as he was gone, I pulled the warmth from the center of my body and let it surge through my limbs. In a flash of heat, I was on four legs again.

Thought you were going to make out with him,ย Leah snickered. I ignored her.

Was that okay?ย I asked them. It worried me, speakingย forย them that way, when I couldnโ€™t hear exactly what they were thinking. I didnโ€™t want to assume anything. I didnโ€™t want to be like Jared that way.ย Did I say anything you didnโ€™t want me to? Did Iย notย say something I should have?

You did great, Jake!ย Seth encouraged.

You could have hit Jared,ย Leah thought.ย I wouldnโ€™t have minded that. I guess we know why Embry wasnโ€™t allowed to come,ย Seth thought.

I didnโ€™t understand.ย Not allowed?

Jake, didya see Quil? Heโ€™s pretty torn up, right? Iโ€™d put ten to one that Embryโ€™s even more upset. And Embry doesnโ€™t have a Claire. Thereโ€™s no way Quil can just pick up and walk away from La Push. Embry might. So Samโ€™s not going to take any chances on him getting convinced to jump ship. He doesnโ€™t want our pack any bigger than it is now.

Really? You think? I doubt Embry would mind shredding some Cullens.

But heโ€™s your best friend, Jake. He and Quil would rather stand behind you than face you in a fight.

Well, Iโ€™m glad Sam kept him home, then. This pack is big enough.ย I sighed.ย Okay, then. So weโ€™re good, for now. Seth, you mind keeping an eye on things for a while? Leah and I both need to crash. Thisย feltย on the level, but who knows? Maybe it was a distraction.

I wasnโ€™t always so paranoid, but I remembered the feel of Samโ€™s commitment. The total one-track focus on destroying the danger he saw. Would he take advantage of the fact that he could lie to us now?

No problem!ย Seth was only too eager to do whatever he could.ย You want me to explain to the Cullens? Theyโ€™re probably still kinda tense.

I got it. I want to check things out anyway.

They caught the whir of images from my fried brain. Seth whimpered in surprise.ย Ew.

Leah whipped her head back and forth like she was trying to shake the image out of her mind.ย That is easily the freakinโ€™ grossest thing Iโ€™ve heard in my life. Yuck. If there was anything in my stomach, it would be coming back.

Theyย areย vampires, I guess,ย Seth allowed after a minute, compensating for Leahโ€™s reaction.ย I mean, it makes sense. And if it helps Bella, itโ€™s a good thing, right?

Both Leah and I stared at him.

What?

Mom dropped him a lot when he was a baby,ย Leah told me.

On his head, apparently.

He used to gnaw on the crib bars, too. Lead paint?

Looks like it,ย she thought.

Seth snorted.ย Funny. Why donโ€™t you two shut up and sleep?

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