A/N: Inspiration left me for a little while, so I kind of had to push this one out (so to speak...). Might not be my best chapter, but here it is…

Chapter 10: New Allies, Old Opponents

Seth POV

I hadn't told anyone where I was going when I went to see Billy. If I did, somebody would have stepped in and stopped me, whether it be with some ruse or by straight up restraining me. It was always my plan to leave and help protect Jacob, but honestly, I didn't expect Billy to come with me. That was a complete shock. I had thought he sided with the rest of the council, but I was dead wrong. Deep down, I had a feeling that he couldn't hate his grandbaby. That just wasn't who Billy Black was. He was a fair man, and he was devoted to his family. There was no way he would go against his son once the initial shock of the situation wore off.

I'll be the first to admit that I was perturbed when Leah ran home and told me what she'd overheard our mother say about Jacob and Edward. I couldn't believe it and decided it must be a vicious rumor. But the next time I phased, I saw into Sam's mind—how he sat behind the panel table and saw Jacob himself speak the words. As shocked as I was—I mean, it was impossible, right?—I felt for them too. It was just such a crazy situation. They must be scared and happy all at once. But now that they knew the tribe wanted their baby dead, I'm sure there were a lot more sleepless nights. And that wasn't fair—they were having a baby for God's sake; they should be allowed to be happy about it! So, I decided then and there that I wanted no part of this, and I found myself, first at Billy's, then on the Cullen's doorstep, ready to fight for what I believed was right.

I wondered what my mom and sister were thinking; surely they knew I was missing by now. Were they searching for me? I hadn't heard any wolf minds since I came here. I wondered if they had figured out where I'd gone, and stopped phasing so I couldn't find out any information on the attack.

Sam hadn't thought to issue an Alpha order to keep us allied with him—I'm sure he didn't think he had to. I had no doubt that he would do so now that I had rebelled. I guess I was immune to him now, since I separated myself from the pack, and allied myself with another. But how could that be, unless Jacob was the true Alpha? I resolved to ask Billy about this when I returned from my patrol.

Truth be told, it didn't matter what the pack or Leah or even my mom thought. I didn't want infanticide on my conscience. Edward had been extremely pleased by my allegiance. He had always been fond of me, probably because I was the only pack member who never looked down on his and Jake's relationship. I think the pack's biggest problem was that sometimes they could see Jacob and Edward's more intimate moments through the mental link. As much as Jacob tried not to think about their "encounters" while in wolf form, some things inevitably slipped through, and that really disturbed the others. But not me. I mean, who was I to judge? If they are happy and in love, just leave them alone! It's not as though we never saw Jared and Kim or Sam and Emily together more than enough...their sexcapades were practically inescapable. At least Jake had the decency to try not to think of it. Besides, I genuinely liked Edward. He was smart and kind and generous, and he treated Jake like a prince. It was obvious to me that he was a good person, and I was sure he would make a good dad too.

The other Cullens readily welcomed me into their home, along with Billy. They were happy to have an extra wolf on their side, even though Rosalie complained that she would now have to get used to two lupine scents in the house. I spent most of my time patrolling the woods surrounding the house anyway, listening in for an trace of the other wolf minds.

My thoughts were interrupted by an all-too-familiar voice in my head.

Seth! Where the fuck have you been? Mom has been worried sick!

She didn't directly say it, but I could sense her own underlying concern seep through our mental link. When she realized I felt it, she became annoyed. I could practically feel her eyes rolling.

Well, duh. You ARE my baby brother.

God, I hated when she talked down to me. I was fourteen, not eight! I'm not a baby!

Whatever. Just come back with me.

I can't.

Leah was silent as she waited for me to continue. Her scent was growing stronger; she was closing in on me.

Leah, I can't go back. I would never be able to forgive myself if I was involved in the death of an innocent baby.

And suddenly, her powerful wolf form was standing before me. Phase back, she demanded as she ducked behind a bush. I heard the familiar pop of her phase, followed by the rustle of clothing. I followed suit, taking cover behind a tree and pulling my cutoffs on. When I was dressed, I peeked out from around the tree trunk to find my sister with her hands on her hips, looking at me expectantly. With some reluctance, I stepped forward to face her.

"Seriously, Seth, what do you think you can do? You're just a kid. You've got nothing against an entire pack, and THAT'S what's coming for them!"

Crossing my arms indignantly, I replied, "I have what's RIGHT on my side. Besides, the vampires have my back. They're not just going to let Sam take Edward."

Leah worried her lower lip a little before she caught herself and went back into lecture-mode.

"You could get hurt!"

I shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. Maybe I'll even die. But at least I'll die fighting for what I believe in. And you—what will you do? You'll help murder a baby and kill a vegetarian leech and destroy your pack brother's whole life!"

Leah shook her head sadly. "You think I'm with Sam on this? That's not what I want. I don't give a fuck one way or another about Jacob's baby."

Frustrated, I let out a heavy sigh. "Then why are you here?"

"Look, I might not care about Jake, but I do care about you."

"If you cared about me, you wouldn't be trying to bring me back there. You would let me fight for what I think is right—for what I know is right."

She thought for a long time. After what felt like an eternity, she met my eyes.

"Well then, if you insist on staying here, I'm staying too."

What? She wanted to stay now? "But you just said you don't care about Jake…"

Her eyes rolled dramatically. "But I did just say I care about you, dumbass. And damned if I'm gonna let my kid brother go down in the fight without doing everything I can to protect him."

I smiled and threw my arms around her neck. She stiffened for a moment before her arms made their way around my waist, hugging me tightly to her. My sister may be abrasive on the outside, but she had a good heart. I should have known I could count on her to do the right thing.

Rosalie POV

Edward's belly was really starting to show now, and with its growth, he got more and more attention and my jealousy jumped up a few notches. Why should he, of all people, get to experience what I always wanted? Ever since my friend Vera had her son Henry, I had visions of a family of my own dancing in my head. All of that was taken away from me though, when Royce abused me and left me for dead. I would have been happy to die, but then goddamned Carlisle had to find me, and change me for the sake of his gay son. Of course, he didn't know that at the time. Not even Edward knew, the sexually-stunted moron. So, not only could I never have children of my own, but I also was rejected for the first time in my life. Who was he to reject me? The Virgin Boy Wonder, carbon copy of Carlisle…

Ah, Carlisle. The one who "saved" me. It took me a long time to come to terms with the fate he gave to me. In truth, I'd never fully forgiven Carlisle for damning me to this life and robbing me of my dreams.

In all honesty, that was why I was drawn to Emmett in the first place. My friend Vera was the person who I longed to emulate when I was still human. She had a beautiful son named Henry, a toddler with a wide grin and little black ringlets. When I was turned, I was seized with anger when I realized I wouldn't be able to watch him grow up, or any child for that matter. Emmett had resembled what I imagined an adult Henry would look like, even torn to shreds by the bear as he was. Of course, once he woke from the transformation, and I discovered his sense of humor and his gregarious personality which made him his own person. But originally, I had chosen to save him because I couldn't bear to lose Henry again. I wanted to care for and nurture him—I thought it would be my only chance to be maternal. Obviously, once we became intimate (which was rather quickly I might add), I no longer saw Emmett that way at all. I may not be able to have a child, but at least I could have a husband. And a damn good one at that. Just when I had come to terms with the realities of my existence, Edward had to go and get pregnant, against all conceivability. It felt like a slap in the face. Angsty Edward, the eternal teenager, a father? Give me a fucking break. He didn't even do his own laundry.

I could hear him now, grumbling to himself in his bedroom. Something about having sore muscles. God, it seemed like all he did was complain lately, even when he was alone! Knowing his hearing was less sensitive than it had been before this whole debacle began, I whipped my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans and shot him off a quick text. Hopefully it would shut him up.

Take a bath, idiot.

His responding text was quick.

Not a bad idea. Thanx.

Footsteps on linoleum. Running water sloshing into the claw-foot tub. Good, he was taking my advice. Still, I was bristling at the wording of his text message.

"Not a bad idea," I scoffed to myself, crossing my arms over my chest. "He can't just say 'good idea'—no, Edward always has to imply that he's smarter than everyone. How tedious."

Jacob looked away from the video game he was playing with Emmett. He was trying to suppress a smile, and failing miserably. He glanced back at me, knowing full well I must be talking about Edward. Stupid, smelly dog. God, I despised him so much when he first started hanging around all the time. But, after a while, I found that he actually wasn't that bad. He had some qualities that were similar to Emmett, and they got along well, so I was subjected to the dog a lot more than I would have liked. But the constant exposure to him was wearing me down, and his carefree attitude was a good mitigator for Edward's emo tendencies. They balanced each other well, and Jacob's presence actually made dealing with Edward a little bit easier. A little bit.

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head at the wolf. "I don't know how you can be with him sometimes—he's insufferable."

Jacob laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "He's not like that with me." Then, his face became serious, and he got a far-off look in his eyes. "Edward may be tough to handle sometimes; he has a short fuse and can be prone to brooding…"

I let out a derisive snort. "Can be?"

"…but he takes good care of me. He's really good at making me feel loved."

I felt my jealousy-blackened heart soften a little at that. Maybe I was reading too much into it. The text message was probably harmless—there was no underhanded meaning. Edward wasn't really a vindictive guy, I just liked to pick fights with him. Really, we were a lot alike, as much as I hated to admit it. Maybe I was just stuck in the past, still smarting from Edward's rejection of me. Not that I ever really wanted him, but damn it, I was gorgeous. No man—gay, straight or asexual—ever rejected Rosalie Hale. It was difficult to let that go.

Emmett piped up then. "Aw, cut him a break, Rosie. I know you love to find things to hate about Edward, but this kind of thing doesn't come naturally to a man. He's probably scared out of his mind…I know I would be."

Sometimes my goof of a husband could be pretty insightful. I nodded quickly, but said nothing. They let the conversation drop and continued playing their awful video game, leaving me to sit and think. Edward knew I was jealous of him—there was no escaping my envious thoughts. But perhaps I could be a bit more supportive. Emmett was probably right…Edward was lost in this mess. He had no idea what to expect, and he was the one that had to bear this burden, pretty much on his own. I sighed to myself. I couldn't keep this up. He needed support. Maybe, if I talked to him about how I felt, he would even let me be a bigger part of his pregnancy. Then I could experience what would never happen for me, even if it was by proxy. That was better than nothing.

After about half an hour, I heard the water begin to drain from the tub. I decided that now was as good a time as any to talk to him. I stood up, claiming that I was going upstairs to paint my nails. Emmett and Jacob nodded absently, and I flitted up to Edward's bedroom door. I just stood there for a few minutes, not really sure what I was going to say. Coming up with nothing, I was about to turn around and chicken out, when the door opened.

Edward stood there, looking exasperated. He was clad only in an uncinched white robe and a pair of black boxer briefs, his rounded bump peeking through. His belly button was starting to protrude; I had to admit that it was kind of cute.

Edward's expression softened when he heard my thoughts, and he stepped back gesturing for me to come in. I entered the room and followed him over to the bed, where he perched on the edge. I hesitated a moment before joining him, finding myself unable to look him in the eye. Suddenly I felt really terrible for being so difficult toward him.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Edward prompted.

Taking a deep unnecessary breath, I answered, "Don't you know already?"

He shook his head. "Not really. Your thoughts are all over the place."

Damn, guess I couldn't take the easy way out. "Umm…well, I just wanted to apologize…" I started.

"Apologize? To me?" He was shocked, and rightly so. I don't think I had ever apologized to him for anything before.

"I've been such a bad sister to you. You need support now, and all I've done is torture you with my jealous and spiteful thoughts. I just always wanted children of my own, so for a while I hated you for being able to experience what I wanted so badly."

"I know, Rosie. I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for! I mean, nobody could have known that something like this was even possible. I've decided not to be jealous anymore. It's a miracle, and I intend, from here on out, to make sure you and this baby come out of this okay. I can't tell you how sorry I am."

I hid my face in my hands, wishing I still had the ability to cry. Edward reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder, rubbing it soothingly.

"Thank you, Rose. I don't hold anything against you. I know how hard this must be for you…I know how badly you wanted this for yourself. If I could, I would transfer this baby into your body, believe me."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. Lowering my hands from my face, I turned to meet his gaze.

"Besides, this baby is going to need a female influence in its life. Maybe you can be kind of like a surrogate mom to him? I couldn't think of anyone better suited to the role. Though you might have to fight Esme for it."

I chuckled again, and he gave me the sweetest smile. I could feel my defenses begin to crumble. I'd never truly know if Edward was really being genuine or not—not like the way he could—but I chose to believe that he really did forgive me and wanted me to be involved in the baby's life.

"I do. You're a loyal and loving sister, even though you try your hardest not to appear that way. I know you'll be a great step-mom, or auntie, or whatever you want to call it."

"Thank you, Edward. That means a lot to me." There was a bit of a pause as we both reflected on the new turn in our relationship. I found myself staring down at his bump, which was poking through the split in the terrycloth robe. Would it feel firm or soft? Would I feel the baby move?

"Not yet. I feel a fluttering sometimes, but I don't think you'd be able to feel it from the outside just yet." That was a little disappointing. He continued, "But as soon as he gets a little stronger, you'll be the first one I let feel it…well, after Jacob."

I nodded and smiled, gratefully accepting his offer, but I was still curious what the bump felt like. The last pregnant belly I was allowed to touch had been Vera's, and that was so long ago, I barely remembered it.

Can I…can I touch it?

"Sure," he said with a small smile.

My hand drifted over to his belly, pausing just before I reached it. He smiled wider at my hesitation and scooted forward a little, closing the distance between himself and my hovering hand. It was firm, the skin stretched, but it still had a little give. And he was so warm…it was strange to feel a human-like temperature when I touched him. I found myself wishing I could be warm again. My free hand joined the other, and I cradled his belly in my palms, a grin spreading across my face. He put his own hands over mine affectionately.

Oh, Edward. It's so magical.

"I know," he said, his voice strained with emotion.

I leaned forward then, placed a gentle kiss just above his belly button and whispered, "I'm waiting for you, little one. I'll protect you always, with my life."

Aro POV

My brothers and I were having some quiet time in our immense library following our latest meal. Heidi had returned with some nice specimens this time, large Russian tourists, and we were fully sated. The three of us often retired to the library after a good feeding, simply to bask in the afterglow of our quenched thirst. Our silence was interrupted when there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," Marcus beckoned, his voice barely a whisper, and we all turned as the door inched open. A vampire's head peeked around the door jamb—the youth appeared to be nervous. Not too surprising—most of our coven was apprehensive about approaching us.

The raven-haired Sicilian stepped cautiously inside, shutting the door behind him. He walked into the room a few paces, keeping his eyes averted and his head bowed in the standard show of submission.

It was my scout, Ubaldo. I had enlisted him long ago to keep an eye on the various covens around the world, so that he may alert me to any insurgencies. To keep an ear on them was more accurate of a statement. He had the gift of a supremely heightened sense of hearing—he could listen to conversations from a great distance without risk of discovery. I must admit that I was surprised to see him. It could only mean that he had something to report. I idly wondered which coven was considering an uprising. Could it be the Romanians? Or perhaps the Egyptians?

"Sirs, please forgive the intrusion, but I have some disturbing news from the Olympic Peninsula in the United States."

The Olympic coven? That was Carlisle's group. An unbidden chill travelled up my spine as I wondered what they could be up to. They were a talented coven, and although they were somewhat weaker in my estimation for abstaining from human blood, an uprising brought by them would be a hard-won fight.

"And what have you learned?" I prompted.

Ubaldo hesitated for a moment, as though he was unsure that we would believe his assertion. He spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. "It seems that one of the vampires has become pregnant."

"Impossible," Marcus scoffed.

Caius chuckled darkly. "We should punish him for telling such ludicrous lies."

I put up a hand to halt his speech and Caius glared at me. Ignoring him, I moved closer to Ubaldo, who was now shaking with fear.

"Please, do go on," I beseeched him in a gentle tone.

"It…it seems that the one that is with child is a male."

Caius just couldn't keep his rage in check. "I won't stand for this insolence! He should be sent to the dungeon for telling tall tales!" Caius made a threatening move toward Ubaldo, who shrank back closer to the exit.

"No! Please, I swear that's what I heard," Ubaldo pleaded desperately.

"There is only one way to be sure," Marcus said, eying me with purpose.

Nodding minutely, I strode forward and grasped the man's hand. My mind was instantly flooded with his memory of the overheard conversation. Dropping his hand, I addressed my brethren.

"He speaks the truth."

A/N: I wasn't initially going to include the Volturi, but they decided to make themselves known...what do you think of this new development? All reviewers will receive a preview!