Midnight Howl

Chapter 4: Protection

I woke up with a jolt of panic from another nightmare. Suddenly there were incoherent noises of beeping, people talking, and other electrical devices that my body reacts. All was blurry as I try to break free from the confines of restraint on my arms and legs. I attempted to scream only to find something was shoved in my throat. The taste of plastic and rubbed from the mouth down into my throat.

"Diana, Diana calm down, you're safe…" A command voice in a deep tenner spoke out. My body calmed down laying back down while the person sighed petting my hair. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust in discovering I was at the Cullen's house, lying on one of their guest bed with medical equipment attached everywhere. Orion was there with Carlisle who smiled in relief.

"Diana, it's okay, I ask you to relax and listen." Carlisle said. I stared at him waiting for an explanation in why I am restrained and why I couldn't speak. "You were poison by wolfsbane seeds, raw in particular. Orion will explain."

"You consumed Aconitum. Not too much to kill you but disable…..say like a chemical reaction burn in the esophagus." Orion said continued to comb my hair through his fingers. "We had to put you under for a few days so you can heal. Diana, do you have any idea who could possibly know your secret or who did this?"

I shook my head no. No one other than those from the Volturie visit knows about me being a werewolf. My friends at school don't know either and I keep secure on hiding any mishaps. Orion sighed; this wasn't good on a whole different level. My existence was practically under covered not because of being a werewolf but heritage. I was Drest Lyall granddaughter, blood line of leaders on both parents and more. Drest being member of Order of the Packs and previous alpha puts any decedent in critical danger. Orion informed me of this during the summer, which we kept secret from the pack only giving partial information.

Now that I think about it, the only enemies I have are Caius and Rogue. My eyes widen at the thought of the rogue followed by the heart monitor going berserks. There hasn't been any sighting of the rogue since Yvaine and Hunter received orders to obtain me on false accusation. The beast with Heterochromia iridium; different shades of eyes. The delivery driver, his eyes were different hues. I tried to tell Orion this but the endotracheal tube was prevent me from speaking

"Hold on a second," Carlisle said as he slowly removed the tube. It was strange uncomfortable feeling as the tube came out cover in blood and drool.

I coughed a few times before looking at Orion, "Rogue….rogue here."

"What?" Orion exclaimed sitting down to get a closer look while helping me sit up properly. "How do you know this?"

"Delivery…..eyes-the eyes." I panted trying to breathe properly.

"Shit," Orion cursed looking at Carlisle. "Carlisle, a moment?"

Carlisle nodded leaving the bedroom so we could have some privacy. Orion locked the door and shut the blinds before coming back to the bed. I wonder what he was doing until he brought his wrist to his mouth and took a bite. I gasped looking at him if he was crazy as our rage state exposed. Before I could protest he shoved his wrist on my mouth. I try not to submit to such actions but Orion used his command voice to drink. Having no choice I grabbed his wrist and took large gulps of blood. The tension in my throat eased and strength started returning. After the tenth gulp, Orion removed his wrist and licked the wound till it reaches scabbing.

"Diana, are you sure about this?"

"Yes," I whispered. "Who else wants me dead?"

"You know what this means?"

I looked down trying to suppress tears. It means we have to leave Forks. The deal I made with the Hound Marshals is that I could stay in Forks with Charlie unless the Rogue is presences. I had to leave Charlie, school, Forks, the pack, the Cullen's, and Jacob. Tears began to fall in considering of not seeing Jacob again. Orion stood there not sure what to say. If Hunter was here, he would say finally and carried me off bridal style to the car and call for the next available flight to Scotland.

"Diana, please don't cry." Orion begged. "We'll solve this out."

"How," I asked. "What about Charlie and my friends at school? He knows where I live, Orion. He knows where I live!"

"We'll solve this out. I promise no harm shall come to your friends and family." He said taking my hand giving a reassuring squeeze. "I promise I'll protect you. He won't put a single hand on you no matter what."

"Cause you're going to take me away." I replied back.

Orion sighed not knowing what to say. He had no choice and neither do I. Protocol had to be followed in order to protect the innocent if it meant breaking a few heart. Not saying a word he got up and kissed me on the forehead saying he'll be right back. When he was gone I laid back down crying. Not even a minute later Bella came into the room and held me. Her concern for my safety did nothing in this establishment. Not even when she told me Charlie agreed that I must go. I yelled at her to shut up and leave me alone. I wasn't trying to be a bitch. I just despise people who make decisions for me since Dad died.

Bella didn't leave the room though; in fact she just took in all the verbal assaults while I cried. Why can't I have my opinion be heard? Why do I always feel like ghost, an already broken doll who needs tending? I fought vampires damn it!

"Mooney, please listen…."

"No, if I leave now then the rogue would think he already won." I snapped at Bella. "Belly don't you see?"

"See what?" she asked. "All I see is some psychopath trying to hurt you. For once can you listen and realize the situation."

I stopped and looked at her in disbelief as the word I thought escaped my lips. "What a hypocrite." I didn't mean to say that, but they were true after Bella said that. For the past year I told Bella to realize what she gotten herself into when dating Edward. All the dangers she put not just herself, but Charlie, the pack, and everyone into. The death on the innocent being murder by bloodsuckers or becoming monsters. And here she was telling me to look at reason on analyzing the situation. You know what; I'm sick and tired of this. I got out of bed and walked towards the dresser where Esme keeps spare clothes.

"Where are you going?" Bella asked.

"I'm going to reason," I sarcastically said. "Since it seems no body in Forks wants me. Might just take Hunter's advice and become a citizen of Scotland live in the highlands and eat haggis."

"Diana, I didn't mean like that?" Bella assured placing her hand over my shoulder.

I shoved my shoulder away from her cold touch, "really, a moment ago it sounded like you did. Always making decisions for others! Huh!"

"Diana," Bella said appalled.

I turned around and gave a serious dark glare. "You want to know why I don't want to go. It's because I love Jacob! And to leave immediately while leaving him behind would not just break his heart, but ours. I'm not going to make the same mistakes you did. I'm not going to ditch Charlie without a proper reason."

I gave Bella a final look not knowing when I'll see her again. Maybe a week if pride doesn't hold stubbornness or years. All that happens within a year because of her actions I helped cleaned up. Now when I have a serious problem everybody is asking me to run, tail between legs. They don't understand how I feel. How it feels to know that the monster that killed your father is here and everybody was in danger. Statistic would conclude this luring the target out of Forks, but not Rogue. Rogue is not a vampire that tracks his prey for kicks. He hunts down survivors of his ambush and makes the victim suffer. All of the women he cursed and raped; suffered so much that they committed suicide. Not me, I shall not break and I won't let those I love suffer.

So putting on clothes, I walked out of the room where Orion, Yvaine, and Leah waited with the Cullen's. They already heard everything and the look on my pack said they were proud. But what I said made Orion smirk. "What's the plan, Alpha?"

"We're leaving Forks and going to Seattle until further notice." He said. "We'll still be close to the pack and Charlie while under the Hound Marshals protections."

I nodded following orders. Rosaline and Emmett gave a hug also Esme and Alice. Carlisle assured me everything will be alright. Renesmee hugged me tightly wishing I wouldn't leave, but Edward lifted her up. I told the little thing I can call when I can and email. That was enough to assure the little Princess. Afterwards, all the werewolves gotten into Orion's Camaro as he drove off towards Seattle. I and Yvaine sat in the back seat while Leah in the passenger and Orion driving. No one talked and that's probably a good thing. I gazed out the forest line hoping to see giant's wolves…but didn't.

"Jacob knows," Yvaine said breaking the silences. "You can see him again soon."

"I just don't want him to get hurt again." I mumbled.

"Same here," Leah agreed.

"Don't worry; you can see him this weekend." Yvaine assured. "Also three months from now no more school."

I assumed I'll be homeschool for the time being or take an exit exam to graduate early. Orion announced that I'll be completely absent for the rest of the school year. The cover up is that my throat condition turned out to be severe chronic Laryngitis. Bet the school is having a field day on public check-up so the study body doesn't have it. A good excuse I'm willing to take, though I hate to leave so soon. I closed my eyes and took a nap for the three hour drive. But when I do I keep seeing that man's face. The rogue who I believe is the delivery driver.

Sleep became irrelevant that I asked Orion if I could call Charlie. A cellphone was given and I called Charlie from his office number to be safe.

"Hello, Chief Swan speaking?"

"Uncle Charlie," I said, slightly becoming teary

"Diana, how are you doing?" He asked instantly.

I took in a deep breath, "Fine, a little sore but physically fine."

"…that's good to hear." He replied back not sure what to say.

"I'm scared," I confessed.

"…..I know, but you're in good hands. Just…remember to call when you can."

"Okay," I said.

Afterwards we said a few words before hanging up. I felt sorry in leaving Uncle Charlie so soon and without a proper goodbye. He was like a second father to me, taking me under his wing after the loss of his brother. Especially living in a house full of teenage girls, he was able to give parental support. At least he'll have Sue, Billy, Bella, and Renesmee to keep an eye on him, so he doesn't waste valuable time on the couch watching sports. Though I suspect there shall be many visits to Carvers Café and the usual Saturday fishing.

I brought my leg to my chest hiding the tears. Like the pack imprinting on their soul mates, I imprinted my home here at forks, Washington. Most of my entire life I grew up here. MY dad was born here, my grandparents died here; all of my friends are here in this one particular "logging capital of the world". The town that was under a constant covers of cloud and rain with a population of 3,120 people. I never expected to leave home so soon. Not for another four years.

.o0o.

Jacob's POV

I ran quickly as I could to get to the Cullen's house after school. I couldn't think straight since Diana was poisoned and I'm furious that I couldn't do anything. The past few days I go to school then straight back to Carlisle's to be at her bedside. Orion said once Diana wakes up they'll be leaving to some safe house. The idea got me angry thinking he'll take her far away. But Yvaine assured me they're just going to Seattle. Embry wasn't happy either since his imprint was leaving too. Damn it, everything was going great and this fucking happens.

I phased back into my human form and put on a pair of shorts, I took a big gulp of air—the place stinks still-and leaped on the porch stairs in one bound. The door opened before I could touch the doorknob and the doctor stood on the frame.

"Hello Jacob," he said, somehow this reminded me when Bella came back from her honeymoon. Him standing calmer than he should. "How are you?"

I took a deep breath through my mouth. "Fine, is Diana awake?"

"Err, Jacob, I'm afraid to tell you this but they left." Carlisle said uncomfortably.

I stared at him dumbfounded. Did he just say the Lyall pack left? Diana left without saying goodbye. I felt my heart dropped, the same feeling I felt when Bella left me….dread, betrayed, and hurt. Carlisle placed a hand on me saying she didn't have a choice. Orion requested she cooperated or worse. I growled hearing Orion was forcing her again, then remember he only force Diana out of her protection.

"When did they leave?" I asked.

"About an hour," Carlisle answered. "Why don't you call her?"

Carlisle handed me his cellphone which had a number on speed dial. I took it then sat on the porch, waiting for the other end to pick up.

"Hello?" it was Orion.

"Want to talk to Diana," I demanded trying not to yell.

I waited until hearing a soft raw voice, "Jacob."

Relief filled me in hearing her voice after four days. "Hey honey, you scared me."

"….sorry…" she whispered, as if she was about to cry. "I'm sorry Jake. I wanted to stay and everything, but everyone…..I'm sorry."

"Dia, it's okay," I cooed instantly so she wouldn't cry.

"No it's not!" she exclaimed. "I hate running away and leaving everybody behind. Leaving you behind."

Leaving me behind. For a second I felt my heart burst in hearing her thinking of me. I couldn't help but smile through this situation. "You're not. I'll find you and we can be together."

"What about school?" she asked.

"What about it?" I replied back. "It's not like I already have enough credit and a GED."

"Jake…."

"Hey, we got forever, Diana. We can do anything and if I recalled I am thirty-five." I said in response hearing a laugh after using the old age game. "Just tell me where you are and I'll find you."

"I don't know; we're on the road." She paused. "Leah wants to talk to you, love ya."

"Yo Jake, I'm with them. So you don't have to worry about anything. Once we're settled I'll phase and contact you."

"Fine," I said using my alpha voice angry that Leah had to ruin a good moment.

After we're done talking we hung up. Diana said 'love ya,' to me. Could she actually mean it? Maybe, I'm not sure since this was Diana. Then again, she kept true to her words. So handing back the phone to Carlisle, I phased back and headed home in preparations to join the Lyall pack. Embry followed suit. Luckily things were easy between Embry and his mom now since I created a pack. Tiffany Call was now in the loop of the pack making it easier for Embry.

What about Quil and Seth? Embry asked while we ran.

It's their choice, Em. I thought back. I'm not going to make them decide over us and their imprints.

You're right; at least you give us a choice unlike Sam. If Sam heard this he would've flip.

Sam would let us go anyway to protect our binds.

You said it, brother.

With that said we headed aback to La Push.