CHAPTER 14: BROTHERS

Running up the cliff side, I instantly phased into my wolf form. I reached the peak of the cliff and howled to the others. They each took this as a sign and phased into wolves as well.

*So what's the news Jacob?* Sam asked

*I've figured out what the red-head's after Sam*

*Well the puppy's finally making himself useful* Paul said.

*Paul, this isn't the time for this* Jared said.

*Yes, exactly thank you Jared. You were saying Jacob?*

*She wants Bella. Her little bloodsucking ex-boyfriend killed the red-head's mate and she wants mate for mate. Of course she doesn't know that, they're not an item anymore*

*This is good, well let's meet in the usual place and we'll discuss strategy* Sam said.

"Sounds good, Sam.* We all thought in unison

*That bitch is dead* Embry growled.

*Woah Embry down boy* I laughed.

I phased back to normal and rushed back to the car. I tapped on the window to get Bella's attention and she jumped out of her seat. After realizing it was me, she gratefully unlocked the door.

"You're really scarred, aren't you?" I asked, climbing in and she nodded.

"Don't be. We'll take care of you---- and Charlie, too. I promise." I smiled at her.

The car ride to the meeting place was a little awkward. Bella tried to convince me how dangerous Victoria was, while I told her we could handle her. I swear the girl would have grey hairs before she turned 25. I also had told her the guys, may not be very happy with the fact I was bringing her, so to stay close to me.

"Here we go." I said, taking her hand.

She cowered behind me as we approached the guys. Paul was up in his normal spot, Jared against the rock, Embry gave a look saying you're an idiot and Sam just glared, mostly in concern.

"What have you done, Jacob?" Sam demanded.

Paul jumped down from the tree and got up in my face.

"Why can't you just follow the rules, Jacob?" Paul yelled, throwing his arms up. "What the hell are you thinking? Is she more important then everything----------then the whole tribe? Than people getting killed?"

"She can help." I said, quietly trying not to piss Paul off.

"Help!" Paul shouted, beginning to shake. "Oh that's likely! I'm sure the leech-lover is just dying to help us out!"

"Don't talk about her like that!" I shouted.

I watched and Bella in horror, as Paul began to go through convulsions.

"Paul! Relax!" Sam commanded.

"Jeez, Paul," Jared said. "Get a grip."

Paul became more furious and focused his rage on Bella and I took a step between us and her. That set him off, big time.

"Right, protect her!" Paul roared in outrage.

"Paul!" Sam and I yelled together.

Suddenly I watched him full of fury, phase into this wolf form. Now a giant, furious silver wolf loomed before me. I told Bella to stay put and ran towards my angry wolf brother, protecting my love.

"Jacob!" she screamed.

Half way there I phased into a wolf as well and the two of us collided. We started snarling at each other.

"Jacob!" I heard, Bella cry again.

"Stay where you are Bella." Sam ordered her.

*You are so weak* Paul growled.

*At least I don't let my anger control me* I snarled back.

*You have some nerve, protecting an outsider!* Paul yelled.

*I'll do whatever have to, to protect her.* I said.

*You'll have to kill me then.* Paul snarled.

*Gladly.* I smirked and lunged at him and we rolled into the forest.

We rolled around for another couple of minutes, snarling continuously at each other. Then I took an open point and slashed his exposed front leg and Paul whined in pain. He was about to strike, when we both suddenly heard an angry growl and we turned to face the black mass, that was Sam.

*What were the two of you thinking?* he boomed.

*Well Paul started it.* I said.

*Hey.* Paul complained.

*You both could've really hurt Bella and this fight is done.* Sam said, ending it.

The three of us phased back to normal and went to a small clothes shed with emergency jean shorts and underwear. We didn't want to go see Bella naked.

"I sent Bella, Jared and Embry to Emily's. Now can I trust the two of you, to be on your best behavior?" Sam asked.

"I'll be an angel." I smiled.

"I'm sorry, Black." Paul said.

"It's okay," I smirked. "You know I just want to help us catch this blood sucker fast and Bella's info is the key, we've been looking for." I said.

"True." Paul said, accepting defeat.

The three of us walked into Emily's in high spirits, as Paul punched me in the shoulder and I returned it with a kidney shot. I scanned the room and found my Bella.

"Hey Bells." I greeted her.

"Sorry bout before." I muttered, grabbing two muffins. "How are you holding up?"

"Don't worry, I'm okay. Good muffins." Bell said, picking her's up and nibbling at it.

"Oh man!" Jared wailed.

"Fifteen dollars." Embry smiled.

"Did you do that?" Bella asked me.

"I barely touched him; he'll be perfect by sundown." I said.

"By sundown?" Bella asked.

"Wolf thing." I whispered.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Not a scratch on me." I smiled, smugly.

"So anyway, since we have bait for the blood sucker the hunting should be much easier." Jared smiled.

"Bella is not bait."

"You know what I mean." Jared said.

"So we'll be changing our patterns." Sam said. "We'll try leaving a few holes, and see if she falls for it. We'll have to split up, and I don't like that. But if she's really after Bella, she probably won't try to take advantage of our divided numbers."

"Quil's got to be close to joining us." Embry murmured. "Then we'll be able to split evenly."

I knew where Embry was coming from, but it didn't make me feel any better about it.

"Well, we won't count on that." Sam said. "Paul, Jared and Embry will take the outer perimeter, and Jacob and I will take the inner. We'll collapse in when we've got her trapped."

"What about Charlie?" Bella demanded.

"March Madness is still going," Jacob said. "I think Billy and Harry can manage to keep Charlie down here when he's not at work."

"Wait." Sam said. "That's what Jacob thinks is best, but you need to decide for yourself. You saw this morning how easily things can get dangerous here, how quickly they get out of hand. If you choose to stay with us, I can't make any guarantees about your safety."

"I won't hurt her." I mumbled.

"If there was somewhere else you felt safe…." Sam said, acting like I said nothing.

"I don't want to lead Victoria anywhere else." Bella whispered.

"That's true. It's better to have her here, where we can end this." Sam agreed.