Chapter 4: Rising Complications

Seth clutched Jacob tighter to his chest with one arm, and clung to the rope strapping them to Embry with the other. It had been almost twenty-six hours since they'd found Jacob in a small alcove close to the Alaskan border. Twenty-six long, grueling hours of the pack running almost non-stop, only pausing long enough to feed Jacob and get him switched to a new carrier.

When they'd found him, Jacob had been semi-responsive, but with every hour he'd steadily grown worse. His temperature was rising and his body was wracked with major muscle spasms. They'd had to stop only an hour ago to check his breathing when Quil hadn't been able to feel it anymore. Even Leah had panicked, if her stumbling had been any indication. Sam had been the one to check, and sighed in relief when he'd announced Jacob was taking quiet, shallow breaths, and his heartbeat was faint but steady.

Sam had Seth ride with Jacob to give Quil some time to calm down after what they now dubbed The Scare. Quil had started to protest since he'd only been watching Jacob for an hour and a half, but quickly relented. They didn't have time to argue; Jacob didn't have the time. Seth had promised to keep an extra close eye on Jacob, and then joined Jacob on top of Embry. Sam rode upon Quil, and Leah ran ahead to scout out their trail.

The pack was mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. They'd been running full out for over fifty-three hours with very little food or sleep. On top of all that they had the stress of watching their brother's health deteriorate. Seth knew there wasn't really anything they could do about it right now, but he still wished they could move faster to get some help before Jacob was past the point of needing any.

"How's his breathing?"

"Shallow, but clear." Since The Scare, Sam demanded a verbal update every quarter hour.

Seth looked over at Sam riding upon Quil. In a way he pitied their alpha. The entire pack knew that Sam blamed himself for letting Jacob leave, or at least for not ordering him to return sooner. Their alpha put on an air of appearing calm and composed, but he was just as panicked and confused as the rest of them. It was a position that Seth did not envy their him.

Quil and Embry were very somber. Usually they were laughing and joking around, but ever since Jacob left three months ago the two had started to lose some of their playfulness as they began accepting Jacob might not be coming home. Now that they'd found the missing member of the trio, Quil and Embry seemed to be deteriorating along with Jacob.

Despite what they were going through, Seth wished he was as close to Jacob as Quil and Embry were. He'd always admired Jacob, and had been so excited when he joined the pack, but he was more of a younger brother than a friend; someone to protect, not rely on.

Leah shied away from any thoughts on Jacob's condition; her guilt at being the one to trigger Jacob's sudden departure and the pack's refusal to vocally blame her had Seth's sister treading lightly and trying not to draw attention to herself. She ran ahead of the pack keeping an eye out for a clear path home and any signs of danger. Seth felt bad that Leah was such an outcast among the pack, but at times he couldn't help but think that she brought some of it on herself. However, Seth imagined that if he were forced to be a part of a team that didn't want him, and that the one he loved was among them, he might act just like her.

The four members left at La Push were also troubled, being able to see and feel everything their brothers and sister were experiencing. Jared was faring fairly well, but seeing as he was in charge back at home Seth knew that Jared was channeling Sam and trying to be strong for the other three. Paul was trying to keep his temper in check so that he wouldn't scare the two youngest pack members, but he was getting snappier and less tolerant as the hours passed.

Brady and Collin were so new to the pack, and hadn't been able to understand everything that was going on with Jacob, Bella, and the Cullens. That and the fact that not even their alpha knew what was happening with Jacob had the youngest pack members wary of the side effects of being a werewolf.

There were several theories floating around in the pack's collective mind; everything ranging between being so far away from the pack for so long to the dreadful thought of Jacob imprinting and being rejected. Seth knew there wasn't a single pack member whom wished the latter theory on their brother; it was just too cruel.

The first theory didn't sit well with any of the pack members either. Each of them, including Sam, wanted more than patrolling and hunting vampires for the rest of their lives. Jared, Leah, Embry, Quil, and Seth all wanted to go to college and start careers. Paul had plans to join a fishing liner. Jacob had always dreamed of opening his own car restoration and auto shop. Sam was falling into the role of being the pseudo Chief of the tribe since Jacob refused to take the position away from him. Even Brady and Collin had dreams for their futures that they didn't want to give up just because they were now a part of something bigger.

With everything happening with Jacob all their future plans were put on hold until they were able to learn more about the connection they shared with one another. Seth regretted they didn't have any stories from their ancestors, but the past packs only had a few members, and all members remained with the Tribe. Seth knew that his sister wanted to get as far away from La Push as she could, and a few of the other members had plans of moving to the surrounding cities. What would they do if being away from the pack was fatal? Seth hated the thought of their futures being ripped away from them before they even started.

"We can't take him home, Sam. He needs a doctor." Seth knew it was a topic the others didn't want to address. Ever since The Scare an hour ago they all knew he needed more care than anyone on the reservation could provide, but the others were hesitant to take their brother to the only doctor they could trust.

Seth didn't share their hesitation. Carlisle Cullen had been nothing short of civilized and compassionate when he'd tended to Jacob after the newborn fight. However, this time they would need to take Jacob to Carlisle, not allow the vampire to enter La Push. The pack would lose the comfort and advantage of being on their side of The Line. And while Seth could understand their feelings he believed they were unwarranted.

"I know, Seth. I know."

Again, Seth pitied his alpha.

x x x

"He's not breathing!"

Quil would have yelped at how tightly Sam gripped his fur at Seth's cry, but he was too worried for his best friend to pay it much mind. He quickly pivoted and ran back to Embry. He unphased once Sam dismounted to help Seth get Jacob untied from Embry and lying flat on the ground.

It had only been about two hours since The Scare, and Quil had been on pins and needles ever since. Embry tried to be reassuring which helped. Sam was a steady rock of support, remaining calm and composed. Leah stayed focused on her surroundings and letting them know the smoothest path to take so Jacob wouldn't be jostled too much. Seth was trying his hardest to remain optimistic in light of how bad the situation was getting.

Now though, all optimism fled as Quil rushed to Jacob's side and assisted Sam by providing chest compressions while their alpha breathed air into Jacob's lunges. It took them five tries before Jacob took a breath of his own, and started coughing. Quil quickly pushed Jacob onto his side so he could breathe easier. Sam began checking Jacob's eyes and seeing if he was coherent, while Quil rubbed Jacob's back and arms. Seth and Embry massaged Jacob's legs to increase the circulation.

"Here."

Quil looked up and watched Leah hand Sam a wet strip of her slowly depleting tank-top. He offered her a smile of thanks since Sam just accepted the cloth without looking at her and immediately went to wiping down Jacob's face and neck. Leah had started offering pieces of her shirt after The Scare that morning, and Sam had them stopping every half hour to check on Jacob's condition.

Leah merely nodded and moved back to the saddle bag she'd been carrying all day to get some more food for the boys. She handed each of them a strip of jerky while they rewrapped Jacob in the blanket. Then she handed Sam the thermos of broth to see if he could get some down Jacob, who'd been too weak to swallow any all night.

"Damn it." Quil turned back to Sam and watched as he dabbed Jacob's face and neck once again, only this time to collect the broth that Jacob had been unable to swallow. "Alright, listen up." Quil and the others sat at attention and focused on Sam. "We only have another half hour or so until we reach Forks. We'll head straight for the Cullen house. Leah and I will run ahead and scout out the house. I'll have Jared and Paul meet us there. I want the rest of you to hang back until I give the okay. We don't need to expose Jacob to them if Carlisle refuses—"

"He won't."

Quil tensed along with Embry as Sam leveled Seth with the Look. Quil still couldn't understand the boy's infatuation with the Cullen family. Yeah, they'd fought alongside one another to deal with the newborns, and yeah, Edward had helped Seth take down Riley, but it was still unnatural how Seth had absolutely no hesitance in accepting the Cullens. The kid was too trusting, but it was so Seth at the same time.

"Just hold back until you get the all clear, understood." It wasn't a question, but an order. Even Seth wouldn't go against it; he couldn't. None of them could. And Quil couldn't bring himself to mind.

x x x

"It's a lovely day, isn't it?"

Carlisle looked up from his research to the doorway of his office where Esme stood with her hands clasped in front of her.

"Indeed." The day was just getting started and it promised to be as cloudy as so many of the others, but Carlisle knew Esme wasn't referring to the weather. She had been exceedingly happy since the wedding yesterday. The entire family, including Rosalie, was happy Edward had found his mate.

Bella was good for Edward. She managed to pull him out of his loner existence, and brought a fire back that Carlisle hadn't witnessed for decades. Edward was so passionate around the girl; so full of life.

Though she was a bit too dependent, Bella was also extremely dedicated to Edward, and very stubborn about what she wanted and not letting him dissuade her. She cared about all members of the Cullen family and had been so accepting of them. She was a very loving young woman. She reminded Carlisle of his mate for that.

"May I come in?"

"Of course." Carlisle shut his book and turned his chair so Esme could sit on his lap.

"What are you reading?" She reached for his notes, and he remained silent as she read over what he'd written. "Werewolves?"

"Yes. I felt a bit inadequate when I tended to Jacob, and since I doubt Sam will allow me to collect data on the pack I'm trying to see if there's any information in these books that might aid me."

"So you're researching wolf anatomy and werewolf lore?" Carlisle smiled as she giggled.

"Unfortunately, yes. From the data I managed to collect from Jacob there isn't much here that's helpful. Seeing as how the pack is actually shifters and not true children of the moon the similarities are few. Also, the books I found on the tribe itself only make references to the legends, and don't go into detail. I'm afraid I might have to wait for Sam to need my help again before I'll be able to get any more understanding on how their bodies work."

"Hmm. And how do you think he is fairing?"

"Jacob?"

"Bella hides it well, but I know she's worried for him; especially since he did not attend the wedding. I must admit I, too, am concerned."

Carlisle thought back on the young man lying in bed and watching Carlisle as he reset broken bones and took blood samples. Jacob had been hesitant to trust him, but as Carlisle worked Jacob had started asking him questions, nothing too invasive, just random questions about Carlisle's past and what made the vampire become a doctor. Carlisle had to admit that Jacob had paid more attention and looked more interested than Bella had when Carlisle had explained his past to her.

It made his heart ache to watch Jacob hide his pain for the two follow-up visits. Jacob had tried to smile and make small talk, but there was no hiding the pain in the young man's eyes. Carlisle admired Jacob putting on a brave face; he couldn't help growing fond of him.

"The shifters have been very quiet recently. Emmett and Jasper ran The Line last night, but they weren't confronted. That, combined with Seth not attending the wedding, has me troubled. Something is going on. Whether Jacob is involved or not, I'm uncertain. If something did happen, I've already offered my assistance when I tended to Jacob, so Sam knows help will be provided if need be. If Jacob is hurt then we will help him."

"I would like to get to know the young man that has both you and Bella so enamored with him."

"I pray one day you will."

As he leaned in to kiss his wife, they heard Emmett's holler from outside. "CARLISLE!"

xoxoxo

Author's Note:

It might not be such a big deal to readers, but I spent a lot of time getting the timing just right. So for anyone who's paying close attention please let me know if I made an error. That way I can slap myself for messing it up after spending so long it.

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