Originally this was going to be two chapters, but I felt the first part was way to short. I don't generally like separating chapters like this, buuuut oh well, hope you all enjoy!


Chapter Nine

Point of View: Jacob

I dashed down the hall heading straight for Collin's room. I had left Edward behind. I hoped my pack didn't kill him. They wouldn't kill him. They know I'd kill them right back.

Pack duties – I hated them. I was just glad I got to pick my own pack, otherwise I might have sent them all off a cliff. As you may have noticed I have an acquired taste when it comes pack mates.

I didn't pick the biggest or strongest wolves. I didn't pick wolves that had battle experience. I didn't pick wolves that liked to fight and that would kill just for the sake of killing. I picked wolves that would be grateful and loyal to the pack. I picked kind and gentle souls – one's that could see clearly when and if there was a battle, and one's that could make smart decisions not based on being out for blood.

They come from all ranks. The only one that is upper class is - guess who? Paul. I may or may not have made a mistake choosing him, but I suppose that's what happens when you let the wrong head make your decisions. We shan't mention Edward.

I didn't bother knocking when I got to his door; instead I let myself right in. His room was small and his bed was tucked into the corner of his room. He was currently curled up on it.

"Collin?" My voice came out hushed. The puppy pulled his face away from the sheets of his bed. I nearly gasped when I saw his face soaked with tears and his eyes red and puffy from crying. "What the hell?"

"M-my prince…" He muttered. He was so pitiful I couldn't find the strength to anger at the usage of 'my prince'.

I came to his bed and crouched on the floor, placing an uncomfortable hand on his back. He flinched at the touch. It didn't stop me. "Tell me what happened." As much as I didn't want to admit it, seeing puppies cry did affected me. He was the youngest, only 12, to young to be in a pack. I had chosen him for reasons that don't really matter. I just knew he'd be a good fit.

"She's gone…" He brought his blanket to his face and sobbed. "The purple flames. I- she- I can't. Won't!"

"Whoa, slow the fuck down." I pulled the comforter away from his face. "Start from the beginning." His baby-face scrunched and tears the size of raindrops spilled from his dark eyes.

"I imprinted." Collin hiccupped. I nodded skeptically. "On Bree Tanner." I shook my head and shrugged. I didn't know who that was. "A vampire." My eyes bulged, probably so much so it looked like they were going to fall out of my face.

"You mean that little leech the does your parents' gardening?" His curly-haired head fell into the bed as he nodded his yes. "It's rare enough to imprint, Collin, but you know it's impossible to imprint on a vampire."

"It's not!" He cried into the mattress.

"Look at me." I growled. He turned his head lazily. "When do you think it happened?" I didn't believe him, but I'd indulge him.

"Last week, when I visited home." He sucked in shaky breath, his little heart pounding. "I didn't mean to look her in the eyes – it was an accident, I swear! But, I- Later, I kissed her. My dad saw. I… I tried to explain. He wouldn't have it." No kidding…

"Collin, why the fuck didn't you tell me?" I still didn't believe him. I believe he believed he imprinted. I know exactly how strong a leech's pull can be. He's just a kid; he couldn't possibly know the difference.

"I should have! I was scared!" He suddenly flung himself at me, with his arms squeezing me, and his snotty nose in the crook of my neck. I got a long, swift blast of repulsion while I had the quick and strong urge to pry the disgusting little puppy off me, yet something quite out of the ordinary happened.

Jasper's words came to mind: Imagine if it were Ryan. Scaring myself I did what Collin's father didn't do. I wrapped my strong arms around his small frame letting him limply rest on me while tears made their way to the neck of my shirt.

"M-my dad sent word to the king." He whimpered into my shoulder. Oh Christ, I know exactly what my father did… like Collin said, 'purple flames'.

My arms tightened around the wolf. "Did you see?" Tell me he didn't. I don't care if he imprinted or not. He did not need to witness a vampire burn.

"Yes!" He bawled, digging his fingernails into my skin. "I couldn't- I tried… I couldn't save her. It was only me!"

"When?" I whispered.

The pup clung to me like his life depended on it. His choked sobs were loud in my ear, while each hot and watery teardrop felt like a needle piercing my flesh as it dripped to my skin.

"Hours ago." Collin wept. I'm such a fucking fool! That's why the king sent me away! Of all the days to listen to my father I'd of course choose today… It's just too fucking perfect.


I had gathered my pack and my leech along with Jasper and Emmett. I was fucking pissed and you do not piss off the prince! Storming through the palace I didn't really know what I had planned, but the king and I, we're going to have words, and more than likely loud ones.

I threw open the large wooden doors to the thrown room knowing without a doubt that my father would be sitting in his clichéd gold and velvety red chair pretending to be important.

Fun Fact: The king's a cunt.

With the bloodsuckers and my pack halting at the door I tromped up the equally clichéd red carpet to stand at the steps below the kings throne.

Once upon a time as a naïve little boy I think I might have loved my father, although I had loved my mother, too, and she was charged with treason by none other than the king himself.

I don't know the details of the situation; I don't care to know, mainly because I don't want to know. I had to have only been about 8-years-old at the time, and for a mother who so obviously resented her child she still showed me how bittersweet love could be.

She had run into my room, it was midnight or later. She had startled me awake. I can still remember how I thought it extremely odd she was in her nightdress in front of me. She looked beautiful nonetheless - the material a crisp white and flowing. She told me to get up, that we were leaving. I was slow and groggy; I didn't understand what she was saying.

She dragged me to my feet, her arms absolutely trembling in what I recognize now as fear. It was hardly a second before guards swarmed the room, screaming at her - the queen of all people! She pulled me to her, her thin arms hugging me as tightly as possible. Like ants the guards swarmed. They tore my own mother away from me.

Even though she knew it would be the last time she'd be able to speak to me she never told me she loved me. I don't blame her, I doubt that word was in her vocabulary. However, she did shout out that I'd understand one day. Understand what? Well, I suppose I'd know when I knew.

They hung her in front of the whole city. My father used her for shock value and made quite the spectacle of her. I guess it proved that not even the queen could get away with defying the king.

I watched her die. I had watched many people die before – leeches, wolves, and humans alike; I had seen them all die, but there is something completely different when the one hanging from the noose is your own mother.

I didn't cry – I think as soon as I saw my father put that rope around his own wife's neck I stopped caring. Giving a shit just didn't seem to be worth it. The more you cared, the more you hurt. Princes don't hurt. We get mad. We get even, and we make you pay.

"Son, and what do I owe the pleasure? I have already seen you once today." The king smiled, it wasn't a friendly smile. My father's leathery face appeared weather-beaten, even though he rarely left the sanctity of his chair. He was a sad sight for any wolf.

Before he had even married my mother he had stopped phasing, not purposely mind you, but because he's fucking stupid. He went to long without shifting and one day, when he tried, he couldn't. He lost his inner wolf. I figure he didn't deserve one in the first place.

I glanced behind me and at Collin, was I really willing to do this for him? No, of course not. But it wasn't for him. It was for me. The king had fucked with me. You do not fuck with me!

"Father," I smirked vindictively, "you know why I'm here."

"Oh?" He raised his graying eyebrows. "Do I?"

I nodded. "You do. You see, I heard you spent some time with one of my wolves." My temper was flaring. I was holding it back. I wanted to rip his wrinkly old throat out, be it with hands or claws I didn't care.

"Mmm, then I'm sure you've heard why. I should have charged the pup. A treacherous little thing he is."

I rolled my eyes, withholding a growl. "Collin Littlesea, treacherous?" I mockingly laughed. "Why? For kissing a leech?" I hated to bring it up in front of everyone. I didn't want everybody to know my own pack member kissed a vampire, but in this situation I had to.

The king's guards surrounding the walls of the room broke out in whispers. The king held a hand up and they silenced immediately. I again glanced back at Collin. Tears rolled down his cheeks and I could see the pack had distanced themselves from him because of my words. The only person that stood near Collin and with a comforting hand on his shoulder no less was my leech Edward. They had never even exchanged words before, but looking at the two, you wouldn't know it.

"Did he speak of the reason behind it?" My father condescendingly asked.

"I am aware the pup believes he imprinted on the leech." I felt my insides twist as I said that out loud. This was such a private matter that hand way to many ears listening.

"Blasphemy!" The king bellowed. "Utter blasphemy!"

I blinked, sucking in a deep breath. "And what of the leech, you killed it, correct?" A gut-wrenching sob echoed through the room. It was so obviously Collin. I give all the permission in the world to my leech to touch him and keep him fucking quiet. He was only making things harder.

"I did what had to be done!" The king hissed, pounding a fist on his armrest.

I clenched my hands. "You did the opposite! I should have been informed! I should have dealt with it!"

"And why didn't you know?" The king lazily drawled. I knew what he was hinting at - incompetence. Fuck him.

"The pup was scared and rightfully so!"

"Don't tell me I raised a son so foolish that you believe him?" The king said crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.

I sucked in another sharp breath. I was dying to do something drastic. "It doesn't matter what I believe, it's what he believes! You had no fucking right!"

"I am the king, I had every right!" He angrily snapped, his face wobbling as he did so. "The pup said he imprinted on a parasite! I did what I must! I got rid of the problem!"

"I don't care if he claimed to imprint on every fucking leech in China! Collin is not yours to deal with. He is mine! You conspired to get me out of the palace, you planned this, you planned to hurt what is mine!" I felt a boiling pit of heat starting to form in my belly. I wasn't the only one that was pissed. My wolf was too.

"And what would you have done?" The king sneered.

"Nothing! I would have done nothing!" I hollered, my brows knitting together. "Where my wolves lips end up is none of my concern! I want to see my wolves strong, healthy and most importantly happy. One of my wolves is not happy right now, and that is your fault!"

"I should expect that from a leech lover like yourself. You disgust me…"

"I disgust you? Dear god, father, you make me laugh." I didn't laugh. "You forget who you mock." The king sat speechless and I wanted nothing more than to rid myself of his presence. Be that by his death, I wouldn't fucking mind.

"You may be king of all kings," I hissed, "but I am alpha of all alpha's! You can sit here and pretend that you are something, but both you and I know you're nothing! All these wolves do as you command by their own freewill, however…" I took a few long strides up the stairs to his throne.

I stood looking down at the old man - what an ugly and pitiful sight. My copper hand lunged forward, grabbing the king by the throat and hauling him to his feet. His struggled for breath and that only made me squeeze harder.

Royal guards lunged forward, many of them instantly shifting into their wolf forms to protect the king. I barely had to even whisper for them to back off to have them stop dead in their tracks.

"However, dad, they have no choice but to listen to me. You lost that privilege when you lost your wolf." I stuck my face into his purpling one. "I could kill you right now and no one would try to stop me." The king's eyes flicked to my three leeches.

Now I laughed, I laughed so fucking hard that I let him go and his chubby body tumbled down his own stairs. "You don't- you don't actually think…" I roared with laughter. "No you can't! My vampires are loyal, but not to you old man."

I looked at the pack and seeing Collin who had huddled himself against Edward quickly reminded me why I was here in the first place.

"Get up! Get the fuck up!" I all but screeched. In my opinion the king was much to slow so I leaned down and yanked him up by an arm. "You fucked with Collin, which means you fucked with my pack, which really means you fucked with me. You do not fuck with me! I hate being fucked with! But, do want to know what I hate even more than that?"

The king didn't move or say a word. "You." I whispered. "I fucking hate you."

He swallowed. "What are you going to do, kill me?"

"What?" My eyes widened. "Kill you like you killed my mother? Is that what you'd like? Well, to damn bad! I'm not you. You can sit on that chair and rot for all I care. Go ahead, keep playing house and thinking your special, but if you so much as even look at one of my wolves funny I will not hesitate to see your actions corrected." I swiftly turned away from the king letting out one hell of a long breath.

I made my way to Collin, replacing Edward's arms with my own. He was a bumbling mess and I didn't know what the hell to do about it. I knew yelling at him would make it worse and that was my first choice. I didn't have a second one.

Eventually I just led him to his room and left him there. Maybe some sleep would do the pup some good.