I'm borrowing Stephenie Meyer's characters. Thanks to AndrewsLove0491 and MarchHare5. For luvrofink.

For the third morning in a row, Alice woke with a smile on her lips. Jasper had met her in her dreams and filled them with his kisses and glimpses of the future. Her heart was so full, she wasn't sure how long she'd be able to keep the contents to herself.

Saturday morning's alarm was silenced before it had a chance to wake Rose. Alice had been dressed and ready for work for over an hour, so she'd spent the time drawing the little blond girl she'd seen in her dreams. Rose's eyes looked back at her from the page, but the little one had Emmett's dimples. She'd be a heartbreaker for sure.

Familiar sounds from the alley brought Alice to her window. She watched Jasper turn off his bike and swing his leg over. He grabbed his keys out of his pocket and headed for the tattoo shop.

Jasper had arrived extremely early, but it was nearly time for her to be to work. She wanted to see him. Alice grabbed her bag and her shoes before padding silently to the front door and letting herself out. Sitting on the top step to tie her shoes, Alice took a deep breath of the crisp, autumn morning air into her lungs.

Shoes laced, Alice looked carefully over the railing. She could see the whole alley from her perch; there was no one in sight, and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. She wondered how long it would be before she could go outside alone like a normal person. She mentally calculated the steps. The back door wasn't that far away. Alice hoped it wasn't locked. She cursed her pounding heart as she dashed down the stairs.

The door was shut tightly but not locked. Alice turned the knob easily in her hand and willed herself to calm down.

"Good morning," she called softly as she shut the door behind her.

"In here," Jasper called from his office.

Alice pulled at her shirt to smooth it around the strap of her backpack and moved to Jasper's doorway. Jasper was hunched over his desk with his hair pulled back. He was clean shaven around his goatee and was wearing a pair of thin, black-framed glasses. His white T-shirt was clean, and Alice could smell traces of his cologne from where she stood. All coherent thought left her as she remembered how that scent had clung to her shirt after he'd left her in Rose's room.

"Everything okay?" Jasper had just opened the shop's checkbook and was peering at her over his glasses. He was suddenly concerned at Alice's, though welcomed, unexpected appearance.

"Yes, fine," Alice stammered. The adrenaline from her short trek mixed with the endorphins produced by Jasper's proximity were clouding her brain.

"Did Rose come with you?"

"No. She's still asleep."

"You came alone?"

Alice nodded dumbly. Her heart somersaulted at the bright smile she received.

"That's good." Jasper set his pen down and sat back in his chair, hands resting behind his head. He looked at her expectantly.

Alice still hadn't moved from the door.

"What's up?" he asked, though he knew why she was here. It was written all over her face. Jasper was glad he was sitting down since the force of the revelation hitting him would have surely taken him off his feet.

"I wanted to see you."

Jasper held her eyes a moment before calmly beckoning her over with a flick of his long fingers.

Alice swallowed nervously before making her way to him. She set her backpack on the floor next to his desk as Jasper rolled his chair back slightly. He patted his knee gently, and Alice sank down to his lap. She draped her legs sideways across his thighs, and Jasper threaded his fingers around her waist. Comforted, Alice leaned into him and closed her eyes.

Having her in his arms was a heady feeling for Jasper. She was warm and soft, a stark contrast to the hard lines of the tools of his trade. She smelled of gentle soap and honey, not like the sharp chemicals used to keep the shop spotless and sterile. Jasper placed a kiss on her forehead before Alice turned to look in his eyes. He could see her heart was close to the surface, and he longed to hear Alice tell him what was on it.

"Why did you want to see me?"

His gentle question urged Alice to sit up slightly, hoping to read his features. She wanted to be able to look into his whole face. She got sidetracked by his mouth, though. Her thoughts returned to the way his lips had explored hers and the way his hands had felt in her hair.

"Alice?"

Her eyes flew back to his. She gathered every bit of courage she could muster from the deepest parts of her being.

"I hope it's not too soon." She didn't want to screw this up. Jasper's eyes invited her thoughts, and Alice knew she couldn't keep it in anymore. "I love you, and I want to be with you always."

It was all out on the table.

The very last bits of the wall Jasper had built up around his heart crumbled away at her feet. Alice's words washed over him like a soothing balm.

Pressing his forehead to hers, he reached up to cup her jaw. Her pulse was racing.

"That's the best news I've ever heard."

Alice smiled at him and let out her breath.

"I love you, too." Jasper sealed his declaration with a kiss.

Alice sighed, knowing he meant it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and surrendered her mouth to his.

It wasn't long before Esme's car pulled up. She'd soon be opening the kitchen next door. It was time to begin the day's work.

Jasper set Alice on her feet once more and stood to walk her to the door. "Come find me when you're finished with Esme."

Alice was already counting down the minutes.

O.O.O

Garrett's foot tapped out a rhythm as he flipped the page of his magazine and Edward looked over the schedule book while his fingers mapped out a complicated melody on the glass counter. Jasper leaned back in his chair to stretch the tension in his shoulders, letting out an impatient exhale.

Rose finished tidying her room, and she made her way to check the schedule one more time. She wanted a nap and an entire watermelon—not necessarily in that order. She found all three guys in this state of agitation.

"Good lord, it sounds like a bunch of teenage girls out here with all your sighing and fidgeting."

"We're just waiting on some customers, dear sister."

"What's on the books for you two?" Rose looked to Edward.

"Nothing. Both our afternoon clients bailed."

Rose looked around. The shop was clean, the sun was shining, and she knew Esme was near closing.

"Well, are you two the bosses, or aren't you?"

Jasper looked at Edward before looking back to Rose. "What?"

"It's Saturday, and it's abnormally dead around here. Business has been good lately, so I think the shop can handle an extra half-day off."

The blond man sat up much straighter in his chair. He liked the sound of that.

"I like where you're going with this, Rose. Ed?"

"I'll send the phone to the answering service."

Garrett tossed his magazine aside. "I'll put a sign on the door."

"Meeting adjourned," Rose said as her heels clacked down the hall toward the back door.

"There's beer in my fridge and a game on in thirty minutes if anybody's interested. Ren should be up from her nap by now."

Garrett grinned when Jasper volunteered to snag a pie from Esme. "You're just looking for any chance to get your lips on Alice."

Jasper punched his friend squarely in the arm. Garrett was completely right in his assumption, but he couldn't let Garrett have the satisfaction of knowing that. Jasper couldn't wait to get back to her. Her whispered confession had been with him all day, warming his insides. He hadn't gotten a damn thing done, and he didn't even care. Jasper's brain was planning and plotting and working out the future. His heart was dreaming of the curve of her hip and how soft the skin had been that his thumb had been fortunate enough to brush over this morning.

Tasks completed and doors locked, Edward and Garrett went upstairs to warm up the TV while Jasper made his way to Esme's kitchen

He walked into what looked like the aftermath of a tornado. Esme was putting together sandwiches, and Renata was running orders to customers. The dish pit was overflowing, and Jasper could see the dining room was full.

"Need a hand?"

Esme looked up from her station and gave him a little laugh. "Tia was sick today. Alice has been running the till since we got slammed with customers. I've gotten spoiled by all her help around here. Are you here for lunch?"

"Just some pie. We closed early since all our customers must have come here instead."

Renata came around the corner, saw Jasper standing there with his hands in his pockets, and greeted him. "You can't have her yet! I need her more than you do."

Jasper gave her a winning smile, knowing Renata was referring to Alice. "I doubt that very much."

Renata and Esme shared a look and began laughing as if Jasper weren't standing right there watching them.

"What?"

"Nothing. Wash up and help me with this last order."

"Yes, Mama." Jasper scrubbed his hands thoroughly and sidled up next to Esme.

"Something happened this morning," she stated quietly as they worked.

Jasper was unsurprised at his adopted mother's bluntness. "Yes."

"She's been floating all day."

"So have I."

Esme plated an order, garnished it, and set it in the window for Renata. She returned and neither of them missed a beat. Jasper knew what was coming. Mothers couldn't help themselves. Esme wouldn't rest until Jasper told her what was going on. He knew he'd suffer far less ribbing at her hands than he would when the guys found out.

"Well?"

Jasper kept his eyes on the task at hand, but suddenly he couldn't stop smiling. "She told me she loved me."

"Good."

"I'm going to marry her, Mama."

"I know, and you're going to move quickly."

Jasper pulled up short and looked at Esme. "What do you mean?"

She didn't even pause as she plated the sandwich Jasper had just finished. Esme took her time finishing the order and placing it in the window before returning to Jasper.

"Jasper, we've all been waiting a long time for you to find your One. We've all been waiting for the spark to return to your eyes. You've been strutting around here like a peacock since Alice came back from the bus station. There's no doubt in my mind that she's the girl for you, and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if it's a short courtship."

Jasper snorted in shock. He stood there, mouth gaping, trying to reconcile her statement in his brain. Before he could form any sort of reply, Esme brought him a boxed pie and ushered him to the door.

"Gotta run. I'll send her to you when we're all finished." Esme kissed Jasper's cheek and closed the door behind him.

Jasper stood in the alley, wondering what just happened.

"Are you going to stand out there all day? The game started ten minutes ago," Edward shouted at him from above.

Jasper shook himself and moved to join his friends. Esme's words weren't far from his mind all afternoon.

O.O.O

Esme had seen the last of the customers out and the front door was finally locked for the day.

Alice was exhausted. Normally she'd bake and prep all morning with Esme, then leave about lunchtime. Unfortunately, they were shorthanded today, so Alice cheerfully rolled up her proverbial sleeves to help clean up and shut down. She liked the work but was definitely looking forward to having a nap before dinner.

Alice smiled to herself at the sudden epiphany that "dinner with the family" meant she was one of the family. Esme and her clan had welcomed Alice to their table just as they had Jasper and Garrett. She belonged; she had a place. They had become her family and she theirs.

Renata was cleaning and restocking the dining room while Esme scrubbed pots, pans and containers too large for the dishwasher. Alice packed away food and wiped down all the workstations in between the dishwasher cycles.

Esme came out of the dish pit, drying her hands on her apron. She surveyed Alice's handiwork and was pleased; the girl knew how to run a tidy ship. They were nearly finished, and it was time to start thinking of tonight's dinner.

"I guess Rose and the boys shut down the tattoo shop early today. Maybe we should bump up dinner a couple hours. What do you think?"

"I'm sure Rose would love an earlier dinner. She's been hungry and sleepy. Maybe that way she can catch up on some rest before Emmett comes home tomorrow afternoon."

Finished with the food, Alice stashed the containers in the cooler and grabbed the broom. Esme mixed a cleaning solution and began scrubbing behind Alice. In no time the floors were clean, and the kitchen was spotless.

Renata breezed through the kitchen to grab her things off her designated hook on the wall. "I'm out of here, girls. There's a margarita calling my name. See you Tuesday!"

Alice giggled, and Esme waved her off.

"Would you mind taking the garbage with you, Alice? I'll lock up behind you and head out the front. I've got a few errands to run nearby before dinner tonight."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll let everyone know dinner's at six."

"Perfect." Esme hugged the girl and sent her on her way.

Alice made her way to the dumpsters in the alley with two bulging plastic bags. The day was much warmer than she'd expected, but there was a breeze that kept the air moving. It would feel nice coming in through her window as she napped.

A song filled her heart, and she found herself humming as she reached the oversized green receptacle. As she heaved one bag into it, she noticed a familiar red car parked sideways at the end of the alley.

Alice froze. There was no one in the car. Fear prickled up her spine, making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

"I was wondering if you'd ever venture outside without clinging to one of them."

His voice came from behind her and sent of wave of fear through Alice. It coiled around her, turning the blood in her veins to ice. She turned slowly to face him.

"Hello, Uncle Felix."

Her voice was foreign to her own ears. It was small and insecure, as if she'd never grown up and broken through the shell of her old self. Had the last several months even been real?

Alice's eyes darted about as she searched for an escape. Felix stood between her and the stairs that led to her refuge, her family. She couldn't run past him to the other end of the alley; he'd head her off before she had the chance. With a glance back over her shoulder, she saw the car again. It was wedged in too tightly to get around. There was no way out.

Alice was hit with the realization that she'd never be free. Her knees wobbled at the weight of it. Her anxiety spiked and threatened to squeeze the air out of her lungs. It felt like the whole world was pressing down on her as her shoulders slumped in defeat.

Felix sneered at her. "That's right. You knew this was inevitable. You belong with me."

Alice didn't move. She couldn't speak for fear of choking on the bile rising in her throat. She simply stared at the ground and hung her head as Felix made his way toward her.

"There's my good girl. Come on, I'll take you home."

Home?

Something fierce snapped inside Alice. She was home. Everyone she loved was here. Her life was here, and she didn't want to leave it. There wasn't anything for her anywhere else. Felix wasn't her home. Life with him was a prison. Fuck that.

She was filled with a rage she'd never felt. Adrenaline coursed through her veins causing her to weigh the choice between fight or flight. The old her always hid and waited out the danger. She wasn't that Alice anymore. Jasper called her his kitten, but she felt there may be a lioness lurking in her heart.

Tension seeped into her muscles and readied them to pounce. Alice could almost feel claws come through her fingertips as the lioness lent them; she was on the prowl.

Fight, she growled in the back of Alice's mind.

Alice drew strength from the feeling stirring inside her as she took in a deep breath through her nose. She lifted her head to fix her gaze on Felix. Gritting her teeth, she lunged at him. He was caught off guard when both her palms connected with his chest. His feet left the ground, and he landed flat on his back. Alice rushed past him to get to the stairs, but he regained his wits and grabbed her ankle. She went down, skinning both knees.

"No! I'm not going back. I'm not leaving here!" Alice grabbed a handful of gravel and pelted him with it. He coughed and spat out the few pebbles that made it into his mouth.

"They made me your guardian. You're mine. Come quietly, or I'll chain you to your bed for a month," he rasped, still trying to get up.

"I'm twenty years old! You're not my guardian anymore. You can't keep me."

She kicked at the fingers wrapped around her ankle before bending the captive knee and kicking out again with her free leg. Alice's heel connected with Felix's face, and she heard his nose crunch. He cursed her as he covered his face with his arm. It stunned him long enough for her to get her foot free. She scrambled up off the ground and ran.

"Jasper! Rose!" Alice screamed. She was almost to the steps. Felix's hand closed around her wrist and yanked her back violently.

"He can't save you this time, sweetheart." Felix ground out the words through his clenched teeth.

Both doors upstairs opened at about the same time. Jasper stepped outside to find Alice being dragged down the alley. His brain was too slow to process what was going on at first. He watched Alice pull against the man with all her might, but he was stronger and he was impatient. The man turned with a right hook across Alice's face. Comprehension dawned and kicked Jasper's head into high gear.

"Alice!" Jasper hollered, flying down the stairs. He made it halfway down before vaulting himself over the side of the railing. His boots barely touched the ground before he took off at a dead run.

Bella exited her apartment and stood frozen in horror at the scene. Rose was beside her, clutching a plastic cup filled with watermelon as she stared wide-eyed at her brother sprinting across the alley. Edward quickly assessed the situation and moved into action. He gave orders to his wife.

"Girls, hole up together and lock the door. Do NOTopen this door until you hear my voice. Understand?"

"Yes," Bella whispered.

"Call Esme and tell her to stay where she is until we call her."

"Got it." Bella kissed her husband quickly before gathering Rose and ushering her inside the apartment.

Edward tipped his head to her, then turned to Garrett. The two nodded to each other as Edward swiftly headed down the stairs.

Garrett calmly stood by and made sure he heard the deadbolt slide into place behind the girls before pulling his phone from his pocket.

"Seth, round up the Wolfpack."

Felix and Alice reached the car when she heard Jasper call out. Felix attempted to stuff her through the driver's side, knowing time was short. Jasper was nearly to them. Alice struggled and pulled in every attempt to escape, but Felix quickly grew impatient and roughly grabbed a handful of her hair. Her neck strained at the force he used to pull her back to himself before slamming her head against the car. Alice went limp, and Felix maneuvered her into the car before closing the door after himself and taking off.

Jasper hurled curses at Felix and charged after the car. He kept running even as the tires sprayed gravel back at him.

"Come on, man," Edward called to him. He'd already swung a long leg over his bike. "We'll follow them and get her back."

Jasper doubled back and jumped on his own bike. He strapped on his helmet as the engine roared to life, and he took off. He felt Edward in his wake as they turned onto the street in the direction Felix had gone. The red Ford Contour was nowhere in sight, so they split off at the next block to search. He couldn't be too far. Jasper wouldn't rest until he'd found them.

After nearly ten minutes, Jasper's neck was sore from whipping it back and forth to check down each street he passed. He stopped at a red light and scanned the traffic ahead of him. He caught sight of a red car about eight blocks ahead, making a right turn to head in the same direction Jasper was. When Edward pulled around the corner, Jasper knew it was the one they were looking for.

Jasper turned in his seat to wave at Garrett, who was a block behind him then pointed ahead of them both. Garrett nodded in acknowledgment.

Caring little for traffic laws, or even his own safety at the moment, Jasper fought to get a handle on his emotions. All he could think about was how he wanted to break every bone in Felix's body for hurting on Alice. He growled at the thought. Jasper would see to it that the man would never again lay hands on any woman. Jasper was going to get Alice back and he was going to make sure she'd never fear like this again. Then he was going to take her to his bed and love her for the rest of his days. Her home would be his arms as long as she wanted them.

Edward rumbled alongside Jasper as they tailed traffic, keeping an eye on Felix's car. Garrett wasn't far behind. Jasper was itchy all over and wanted nothing more than to catch up to the car now. Leaning forward over his bike, he opened the throttle. Edward stuck an arm out and shook his head. He pointed two fingers at his eyes before pointing ahead of them. Jasper understood Edward meant to simply keep track of them for now. Of course they wouldn't want Felix to get spooked and try to lose them again. All Jasper could do for now was hope and pray Alice was all right. They were too far behind to see any sign of her.

At another stop light they pulled off into a business's parking lot to maintain cover. Garrett called Seth again and told him where they were and where Garrett thought they might be headed.

"He says the gang will be waiting," he reported as the light turned green once more.

Jasper nodded before pulling back into traffic and continued trailing the red car. He knew he had to keep his head. Running ahead of everyone and rushing a madman would only put Alice in more danger.

Take care of her first, then you can take care of the scum.

The pursuit was about to leave the busier suburban area and enter into quieter, more wooded terrain. They were headed into the Wolfpack's territory. Felix was sure to spot them soon and the fight would be on.

To his left, Garrett's face was set in hard lines. He caught Edward's reflection to his right. His eyes were hardened to stone and his jaw looked as if it had been cut from granite. Part of the tension left Jasper's shoulders then. His closest friends had his back. They were willing to battle.

Traffic thinned out soon after, leaving the three of them out in the open and obvious. Felix checked his mirrors and caught sight of them.

"We're coming for you!" Garrett yelled into the wind at the shock of recognition that ghosted over Felix's features.

Jasper grinned as the car sped up. He was ready for the chase. With one last thought of Alice, he gave his mind over to the hunt. Felix would pay for Alice's fear and for every single scar he'd inflicted upon her, visible or not, before the day was through.

He scanned the horizon while making mental notes of what they were getting into. There were no cars in sight, but the road would begin to wind within the mile. Thick trees lined either side of the road, cutting down on the late afternoon light and becoming possible obstacles. Jasper wanted to get out around the car, but thought better of it. He couldn't risk getting run off the road right now.

Alice opened her eyes in the passenger seat of the car. Her left eye only gave her a crack of light. She reached up to touch it; her eye was nearly stuck shut with caked blood. Her brow throbbed then, and she slowly brought her hands back to her lap. The blurry outline of trees whizzed by her out the window, and a voice cursed beside her as the car accelerated.

Felix.

She bolted upright with a gasp. Alice suddenly remembered everything that had happened. There was no way she was going to wait to find out where they were going. She'd run away from him once, and he'd chased her for six months. Felix's punishment would be severe. She may never see the sun again.

Alice was determined to get away. She pulled at the door handle. It was locked.

Felix grabbed her arm, yanking her away from the buttons. "Not a chance, honey."

His eyes flicked to each of his mirrors again. What had him so flustered? He was usually so calculated and sure. At least he was when he was sober. Alice noticed that his usual bravado was gone. She turned to see what he'd seen, but because her eye was pasted shut, her ears picked up the rumble before she saw them. Edward, Garrett, and Jasper were following closely behind. Hope sparked and gave her the courage to try again. Maybe if she was able to get out of the car somehow, Jasper would be able to get to her.

"Let me out!" she shrieked.

Alice's eyes fell to the driver's side controls. She reached over, pressed the button, and slammed the shifter forward into park. The transmission protested loudly as a furious clicking sound came from under the hood. The car began to slow slightly. Felix threw her off the shifter and attempted to maintain control of the car. Alice belted herself in quickly, knowing there was only one way she was getting out of this car.

With a shout, she lunged at Felix again, clawing at his face and pounding her fists against his body and head. The car began to swerve between the lanes and even drifted to the shoulder as Felix defended himself with one arm. Cursing, he threw an elbow. It glanced off the side of Alice's head, and she barely felt it. She grabbed the top of the steering wheel, cranking it hard to the right. Felix stomped both his feet on the brake, but it was too little, too late. The car careened off the road and through the ditch before slamming into a tree.

Jasper's heart hammered in his chest as he watched all this take place. Before he'd even come to a full stop, he moved to lower the kickstand. His boot slipped off once, twice, three times before the heel got enough friction to catch. In his frustration Jasper nearly ran to the wreck in his helmet. He ripped it from his head and tossed it to Edward at the last moment.

Both airbags had deployed, and he was thankful for even that small bit of protection for Alice. As he came around the car, the passenger door opened, and Alice lurched out, coughing. It was a good sign and gave Jasper hope. She was still alive, and all her extremities seemed to be working properly.

"Jasper?"

Her voice was hoarse and her legs were unsteady, but she had a smile for him anyway. He pressed her to him quickly before helping her to the grass for a seat. Alice leaned against the back tire and smiled up at him.

"You followed me."

"Of course I did." He gave her a little smile in return. The emotion pressing on his insides threatened to overwhelm him, but Jasper knew he couldn't let his guard down just yet.

"You stay here. I don't care what you hear, you stay put. Got me?"

Alice nodded at him.

"I've got to take care of this so I can take you home. Keep your head down." Jasper left her to join his friends around the back of the car.

"Whoa, there. Where do you think you're going, big guy?" Garrett, who was nearest the driver's side, watched Felix struggle to get up after falling out his door. It was obvious the impact of the crash had dazed Felix. Jasper had zero pity for him. The sight of Alice's kidnapper set Jasper's teeth on edge.

In a swift move, he planted the toe of his boot directly into Felix's stomach. Edward and Garrett kept their distance, allowing Jasper to have his space. They both knew he wanted this. God knew they'd do the same in his place.

The man coughed and sputtered before rising to his hands and knees, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"You piece of shit!" Jasper yelled at him before bringing his fist down on the side of his head. Another kick from Jasper's black boot connected with the man's side. "Get up! Come throw a few punches with someone your own size."

Edward stepped forward and placed himself between Jasper and Felix. Hands in pockets, he pressed a shoulder against Jasper's. "That's enough for now."

Jasper pushed back against Edward's side, contemplating another blow, but he knew Edward was right. They needed to figure out what to do from here. Jasper could see Felix wasn't going anywhere. The man was still coughing and gasping on his side in the grass. Jasper spat on the man in disgust before allowing himself to be ushered away.

Garrett pulled Edward and Jasper several paces away. They were out of earshot from the others but still able to keep an eye on Felix. Jasper glanced at Alice; she was just where he'd left her. Her head was between her knees, but she seemed to be breathing normally.

"Listen. There's the possibility of a car driving by at any moment. I want you three out of here before someone comes by and calls the cops. Jasper, you need to get Alice out of here, and you both need to get back to the girls."

Edward nodded his assent and moved on a few paces. "I need to call Mom and let her know everyone's okay."

Jasper shook his head and took a step closer to Garrett. "What are you talking about? I'm not leaving here until I know this guy isn't coming back for Alice ever again."

"Dude. He'll be taken care of."

"No, I have to make sure he knows what'll happen if he ever comes near any of us again."

Garrett put a hand on Jasper's shoulder and looked him squarely in the eyes. Jasper sensed his friend's seriousness and gave his full attention to what Garrett had to say.

"You and I both know he'll come again. There's only one way this ends. There's only one way you and Alice get to live in peace and have your happily ever after."

Jasper picked up the unspoken words, and he knew what Garrett was going to do. He swallowed the heaviness of the moment.

"You're the closest thing I have to a brother, Garrett. I can't ask this of you. This isn't your fight. You shouldn't have to live with his blood on your hands because there's no going back after that."

"You're not asking anything of me, brother. I'm telling you how it is. I won't lose any sleep over this dirtbag, and we don't have time to debate this right now. You need to get Alice and go."

Jasper opened his mouth to argue, but Garrett cut him off. "Listen to your pit boss. I'm not going to be swayed on this."

"We need to get going, Jasper." Edward was already on his bike with his helmet on and his phone pocketed.

Jasper felt uneasy handing the decision, and by extension the consequences, over to Garrett, but it was obvious the man's mind was made up. There was a bigger plan here unknown to Jasper and he could see it was no longer up to him. He hugged Garrett's shoulder before walking back to the car.

Felix was still lying in the grass holding his side. It looked like he was having some difficulty breathing, and Jasper was sure there were at least a few cracked ribs under there.

He found Alice and placed his fingertips at her elbow. Her head came up, relief flooding her eyes.

"Hey, kitten. Can you ride?"

"I think so." She nodded, and Jasper gave her a tight smile. There was still much weighing on him, but he was just happy to be taking her home in one piece.

"Let's get out of here." Jasper pulled her gently to her feet.

Garrett was on the phone with his back to the car, and all the others were gone. Felix knew it was his only chance to get away; he wasn't far from the woods.

He'd seen their faces, knew their names. One phone call about how they'd taken Alice was all he'd need to make to have them picked up on kidnapping charges. He may even be able to blame the crash on them. The police would hand Alice over to him, and there would be nothing any of them could do about it. Then he'd take Alice, and they'd disappear for good. No one would be able to take her away again; he'd make sure of it.

Felix was thinking all this through and formulating plans as he slowly, quietly dragged himself toward the lush canopy of the forest. A few feet past the edge, he grasped a narrow tree trunk and hoisted himself up. The light was fading quickly, but it wouldn't be the first time he'd slept on the ground in the woods. It would be no big deal if not for the searing pain in his side. He made his way deeper into the forest in hopes he'd lose himself there before Garrett turned around to find him gone.

The other man ended his call. Seth and his motorcycle club were on their way. Garrett turned back to find that Felix was nowhere to be seen. He couldn't help the smile on his lips. "Perfect."

Checking for signs of anyone coming and finding none, Garrett quickly stashed his bike in the woods before making his way back to the wrecked car. Fluids had already begun pooling underneath it; some were flammable and some were not. Garrett knew the clock was ticking. He needed to be careful, and he needed to be thorough. The large hunting knife at his side sliced easily through the rubber of the front passenger tire.

His ears caught the sound of a car pulling up. Garrett put his knife away before assuming his most charming smile and walking to the road. A middle-aged, blond woman was slowing to a stop and rolling down her window.

"Are you okay? Do you need me to call anyone for you?" One hand pressed to her chest while the other nervously fanned her flushed cheeks.

Garrett figured this woman was a mother by her nearly incapacitating concern. He leaned over and placed his hands on his knees so he could peer into the car. She was alone and the only person he'd have to convince.

"Oh, no thank you, ma'am. I've already called the police, and they're on their way."

"Are you sure?" Her eyes darted between Garrett and the car, scanning him for possible injury. He thought she would lay a motherly palm on his forehead at any moment to check for a fever.

"I'm fine, really. Just a bit shaken up. I must have picked up something sharp on the road. Be careful as you drive by."

The woman didn't look totally convinced, but he bid her a good afternoon, and she went on her way. Three of the Wolfpack rumbled up behind her not two minutes later.

Garrett greeted Seth, Jake and Sam. All had black hair and the red tones of summer's sun on their Native American skin. "Where are the others?"

Seth answered him. "We left three behind to set up a roadblock and keep watch. Three more are coming from the other direction to do the same."

Garrett laughed. "It sounds like you boys are old pros at this."

"It's not the first time we've taken out the trash." Jake grinned at him.

"Speaking of which, the dirtbag in question thinks he got the slip on me about ten minutes ago. He's not moving too quickly. Jasper gave him a once over after the crash."

"Good man," Sam piped up. The others nodded in agreement.

"Did you bring the stuff I asked for?" Garrett looked again to Seth, who produced two paper bags and a few sheets of paper with a pen.

"Booze and ingredients for a suicide note. Have you touched the car?"

"I just punctured a tire. No prints, though."

"Jake here's ready for a hunt, so we'll take care of the car while you write. That should give the guy enough of a head start. We'd better get wrapped up here quickly. If a cop happens upon our roadblock or someone gets suspicious, we'll all be screwed."

Jake was bouncing around on the balls of his feet like a boxer before letting out a loud howl. Garrett just shook his head at the man and left them to it. The three of them each pulled a set of blue plastic gloves from a bag stashed on the back of Sam's bike, gloved up, and started searching the car.

Garrett grabbed a set of his own and within minutes had crafted a handwritten, block letter note filled with sorrow over the deaths of his only family and the inability to go on. There was also a bit in there about taking a bottle into the woods and hoping the wolves found him. Garrett was pleased with it and stashed it between a rock and a tree nearby. It was close enough to get noticed by the cops, but not so close that it would get incinerated when they torched the car.

He was betting on an open-and-shut case. The area was clearly posted, warning of the danger. There had been several maulings in the last few years: lost backpackers, a careless teenager, even a game warden. All roads in were gated and posted so heavily that the warning was hard to miss. Anyone wandering around the woods was certainly looking for trouble or at least a little excitement in their lives. The local round-up section in the paper frequently mentioned teenagers being hauled home after being caught in the woods, daring each other in a little farther.

"Garrett, come check this out."

Back at the car, Sam emptied the contents of one bottle throughout the interior of the car, saving a little for under the damaged hood. Jake was standing nearby and looking more than a little eager to get going on the next part of the plan.

Garrett found Seth by the trunk poking through a couple boxes.

"I'm not sure we should leave this stuff. Any ideas?"

Garrett nodded and clasped his friend on the back. "I know someone who will be very happy to see these boxes. I'll strap them to my bike and take them with me."

"It's twilight. Pack up and head out. The wolves are probably already out scouting for dinner. Sam and Jake are good trackers, and it shouldn't take long to find Felix and drive him to them. We'll torch the car on the way out."

"I appreciate it." Garrett looked to the others. They were taking a risk and putting themselves on the line for him.

"Don't worry about it, man. It sounds like the world will be better off after tonight. We all volunteered for this. Nobody here takes too kindly to men who mistreat women."

Sam tossed the empty bottle onto the passenger side floor mat before opening the other and dumping half the contents around the trunk of the car.

"The rest is for Felix." With a boyish grin, he capped the bottle of cheap vodka.

Seth helped Garrett pack up and sent him off. Garrett waved to them before riding off into the waning light.

"Let's go, boys. We don't want to get caught in there, too."

With some eager laughter, raucous howls, and playful yipping noises, the three of them entered the woods. Felix couldn't have gotten too far, and he'd definitely hear them coming.

After about fifteen minutes, Jake turned to Seth. "He could have at least made this a little challenging. His trail looks like he drove a bulldozer through here. This is so easy it's no fun."

"Yeah, well, look on the bright side. Leah will probably be so happy you came back earlier that you won't be able to walk in the morning."

Jake feigned shock and punched his friend's arm. "I should be offended that you'd talk about my wife like that. But you're totally right. Let's go!"

He brightened considerably after the exchange.

Ahead of them, Sam held out his still gloved hand in warning, and they quieted.

"He's close. I can hear the wolves out, too."

Seth knew Sam was right. A couple wolves were calling to each other somewhere ahead of them and to the left. It would be dark soon.

"He's close," Seth whispered to the others. "I can hear him."

They came upon him in about twenty paces. Holding his leg above his ankle, Felix was lying on the ground and rolling slightly to the side. He saw the three men and scrambled toward them over the tree root that had upset his already unsteady footing.

"You've got to help me!"

"Here, take this. It'll help with the pain." Sam moved to him and passed Felix the bottle of clear liquid. Felix took a deep pull off it without question until the liquor dribbled down his chin.

"Thanks a lot. Now, help me up. I need to get to a hospital."

"Oh, we're not here to help," Seth said as he crouched down near him.

Felix's brow knit in confusion, and his eyes became a little desperate. "Wh-what are you talking about?"

Seth ignored him and looked back at Jake, nodding once. "One more oughta do it."

Jake let out a howl from the tips of his toes.

"You gotta help me out," Felix tried again.

"Finish your drink, Felix." Sam watched him intently.

"And then we can go?" It occurred to him that they somehow knew his name, though he'd never seen these men before.

"Sure, sure," Jake answered.

As Felix drank up, the three men before him grew quieter and quieter. He watched their eyes scan the woods behind him. Seth stood slowly and took a few steps back. Something in the back of Felix's mind told him he should be worried, but the concern was blurred by the alcohol that was making the edges of his brain fuzzy. How much had he had to drink? He didn't know and didn't really care. The pain in his ankle was dulling, and he could almost breathe normally again.

The three men were still peering to the woods. What in the blazes were they looking for? He shrugged to himself. At least they weren't howling like idiots anymore. Felix handed his bottle back to the big one.

"Hey. It's getting dark." Felix had to concentrate very hard not to slur his words. The vodka he'd drunk seemed to be working its way through his system quickly. He realized then that he hadn't eaten today.

Shaking his head, he looked to the man again. "Here."

Sam's attention snapped to him, and he reached for the bottle. Sam grasped the neck of the bottle in one hand before shattering it against the tree, and in the other, Felix's wrist. Felix didn't have time to respond before Sam sliced through Felix's palm with the shattered neck of the bottle.

"OW! What the fuck?" Felix pushed off the ground with his good leg, trying to get away.

Sam and Jake began to back away. Palms out in surrender, they walked in reverse for about ten feet.

"You guys are all nuts!"

Seth kept his eyes on the woods behind Felix. There were three sets of eyes peering out at him from around trees. Seth took a step back, showing he was not a threat to their meal. He heard a low growl and knew it was time to leave.

Felix heard it, too. "What was that?!"

He turned around and saw the shapes in the woods. His head whipped around and he caught Seth in his sights. "Wolves? You can't leave me here like this! I have rights!"

"Around these parts, this is what happens to dudes who think it's okay to lay hands on a woman. Alice has rights, too."

"You can't do this to me!"

Seth chuckled darkly as more eyes appeared. "Time to go, boys."

The three of them backed slowly away before disappearing into the trees and hightailing it out of there. The wolves had never bitten the hand that fed them, but Seth didn't want to start taking any chances now. It was a fairly short run for them, and they were nearly back to the car when the yips and barks picked up behind them.

Felix screamed in terror once before being silenced forever.

"They must have been extra hungry," Jake commented. "They didn't waste any time tonight."

"And we shouldn't, either. Torch the car and let's roll." Seth handed him a book of matches. "Make sure you start under the hood."

The car caught fire immediately. It wouldn't stop burning until it was consumed, and they all knew it would draw police sooner rather than later. They split up to gather those blocking the road before riding off into the night.