Warning: Violence

JPOV

"The man named Kiepel called me," Carlisle said. He brushed his fingers through his hair and looked at me sharply. "It would seem he has been aware of our efforts to find him."

"How do you know it's him?" I stared at Doc Cullen.

"Alice traced the phone number. It's under his name," he said, smiling at his daughter.

"But how did he find us?" Paul wiggled on the couch, nervous at being around so many Cold Ones. I could read in the way his eyes kept sliding from his watch to the door that he wanted to return to Leah. Obviously, she couldn't join us because the scent of the Cullens might cause her to phase involuntarily. None of us wanted to know what would happen to her baby if this occurred, so she stayed at home and was guarded safely by Quil and Embry.

My friends and wingmen, as we used to joke; it was them I entrusted with her care so Paul would be free to come to the Cullen house. I wanted his counsel.

"There are ways to track visitors to a webpage," said Alice. She was sitting near the plasma screen. When I frowned at the pixie she just shrugged, poised as ever. "If Kiepel has done that with a number of sites which hold material about him, he could glimpse a pattern and find our location. There aren't many covens in Washington State."

I stood up, not without patting Edward's shoulder. The small gesture reassured me because I needed his presence near me. Touched the chain with hung around my neck, my fingers lingering on the smooth surface of the ring he gave me. Our engagement ring. I was still dazed and buoyed up by his proposal.

"What did he say?" I cocked my head at Alice, and stuck my hands in my pockets. "Have you had a vision of this guy?"

"Can't say I have." The pixie crossed her legs, the satin trousers shining in the lamplight.

"He wants to meet us," Carlisle spoke slowly, measuring his words as he eyed me intently. "He mentioned your name, specifically."

"You won't go alone!" Edward growled, his lips curled up in a snarl. His fingers twitched restlessly on his lap as I made my way to him and carded my fingers through the soft hair of my fiancé. Liked the sound of the word; later, I was sure I would love to tease Edward calling him 'hubby.' But those thoughts were best left for the future, if and when we survived.

"I know you'll come along, kwo pat." I smiled down at him. "Want you always by my side."

Paul glanced at us and turned to exchange a look with Sam. If either of them started teasing me, I would just shrug and recount how I almost gagged every time they exchanged unending pleasantries with Leah and Emily.

Paul's next words made me feel a bit ashamed at my thoughts. "You will be guarded by the pack, Jacob. I don't trust them not to hurt you, after the stunt they pulled when they shot you!"

"I concur." Sam nodded heartily. "The easiest way to hunt down a pack of dangerous wolves is to get rid of the head wolf and then his betas."

"Wait a sec, guys!" I lifted my hand and turned towards Carlisle, whose composure always managed to calm me down. It brought to my mind when he took care of me at the hospital. "Carlisle, why should we meet this Kiepel? What does he want to tell us?"

"Jacob, he mentioned he knew the plan of the people who want to hunt us all."

I shivered at Carlisle's calm and soothing voice which belied the danger of his words.

Carlisle glanced around the living room. "It would seem that the plan they have concocted threatens to get out of hand."

"What is the plan, Carlisle?" Rosalie brushed aside a curl of her blond hair as she looked up from the monitor. She had been busy searching for more clues on the web. Had to admire the practical beauty of my friend. Rosalie's help came in handy because her degree in astrophysics allowed her to connect information I thought was unrelated.

Before Carlisle could answer her question, Rose frowned at me. "And of course I'm coming with you, wolf. You won't get out of renovating the Porsche that easily. We have to finish."

I nodded my thanks at her.

Meanwhile, Carlisle stood up and walked elegantly towards me. He stopped on the side of the couch where Esme was. "Kiepel didn't say much, though he hinted that this plan is the work of the Volturi."

"I knew it!" Edward growled, his fingers gripping the couch so fiercely that the fabric ripped under his fingertips. "They want us to join them."

Edward looked down at the floor, hunching his shoulders as he said, his voice lowering until he ended in a broken whisper, "The Volturi don't know me that well. There is no way I will join them if they kill you!"

I went to him and crouched by his side, my fingers tracing a path from his thigh to his waist. I lingered a moment and then lifted my hand to his chest, finally looping it around the nape of his neck. Wanted to calm him down, to anchor him in the world just like he did to me. "Nothing will happen to me, Cullen. I have you and the pack to watch my back. Please, please don't worry."

"I can't help but worry about you." Edward cupped my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting it up so I would look at his eyes which held me entranced. I could sink in them, but I noticed something different this time. Their color had changed. I eyed him sharply, shuddering when I realized their odd hue was caused by green speckles embedded in the gold.

"Edward, your eyes are changing color," I groaned.

"That is part of the trouble, Jacob." Carlisle's ominous tone made me shiver. "Kiepel mentioned the extent of the plans. The Volturi do want to get rid of the threat your pack presents, but they also seek to control my coven."

"Carlisle, your thoughts scare me out of my wits." Edward held my wrist tightly, his face scrunching up in a grimace of despair.

"As well they should, son." Doc Cullen nodded. "The plans of the Volturi threaten to get out of hand and wipe us out. I'm afraid the disease you got when you drank the poacher's blood is one manifestation of their intent."

"What do you mean, Doc?" I panted harshly at the memory of Edward writhing in pain because his eyes hurt him. If those damned leeches harmed him like that, I would hunt them down!

"Kiepel didn't say more. He obviously wants to reveal it all when we meet him."

"Where will it be?" said Seth. I stared at him. The kid hadn't spoken much, he just absorbed the information. When Edward and I made our way back to the house, I caught a glimpse of Seth's mind as my pack mate ran towards the house. The boy wanted to tell me something which was important, judging from his thoughts.

"It's nearby, in a warehouse near Lake Pleasant." Alice noticed the puzzled look I shot her way and she said, "I listened to the phone conversation, of course."

oOoOo

"I don't want you to do that!" I glared at them all, my gaze including Embry and Seth, Jared and Colin. Planning the confrontation with Kiepel held all my attention, but I couldn't let them go on thinking about this without trying to change their minds.

"I kind of understand them, man." Quil shrugged. "After all, it's an easy way out of the imprint."

"Not so for the girls!" I ruffled my hair, trying to make them see reason. "So you think if you get a girl pregnant, you'll be freed from the imprint?"

"That's right. Leah is sure that she and Paul won't imprint. What would be the point, once they've reproduced?" Seth shrugged. Noticing my glare, the kid shot me a brief grin. "I won't do it, of course. I've still got time, but Embry…"

"Sorry, man." Embry patted Quil's broad shoulder and said in a low voice, "Just don't wanna be tied down like you. Tell me, how long are you going to wait for Claire?"

"Until she grows up. I don't mind babysitting her till then."

After gazing at my friend's placid face, I exchanged a worried look with Embry. I sympathized with the guys, and that was my dilemma. Hell, I was in that situation just a while ago! If someone had offered me something easy so I wouldn't imprint, I would have grabbed the idea like the pack did.

Of course, having a baby with a girl was out of the question now; once Edward found out, he was bound to kill the girl or me.

I shivered at my man's jealous streak. Kind of hot, actually.

I'd been too busy setting up the teleconference with Martha to seek any distractions, but I couldn't help noticing Edward's heated glares and the way he curled up his lips. Made me want to pounce on him and kiss his frown away, because my wolf felt happy that his mate reacted so strongly. As for me, Edward with a smoldering gaze was always hot.

The sound of the chair scraping against the floor returned me to the present and I looked at my pack. How could I not sympathize with my brothers? But impregnating a girl to get rid of the damned imprint without loving her was deeply wrong. How could I convince them to see it my way? Why did I have to become the Alpha and deal with this thorny problem?

"Listen guys, I just don't want you to rush into things just to get rid of the imprint."

"Easy for you to say, Jacob," Jared said as he stared at me. "You won't imprint; those damned poachers made sure of that!"

"Didn't ask them to do it, Jared," I growled, crossing my arms. "Lemme tell you, getting shot in the head isn't precisely my idea of fun."

"Paul won't imprint." Embry pointed out, trying to distract us from a confrontation. "And he wasn't shot, you know. He just got Leah pregnant."

"Sure, sure, Embry." I sat on the chair, toying with the empty bowl which still held traces from Emily's delicious stew. "But Paul is in a relationship with Leah, and they love each other. He didn't just knock her up to get out of an obligation. Can't you see that it would be unfair to the girl?"

"Listen to Jacob." Quil sat on the threadbare couch and draped his arm over the armrest. "He makes a good point. Suppose you knock up the girl. How do you think she's going to feel when she finds out the reason you did it?"

"We could always tell her first." Embry frowned and looked at me. "Jake, are you going to prevent us from doing this through an Alpha order?"

"Nope, there's no way I'd do that." I shook my head violently. "I can only try to convince you. I'm not going to keep you from doing stuff. That's not my way at all."

Seth breathed a sigh of relief, and that told me which path to follow in order to convince my pack mates.

"We partake of the nature of wolves; their freedom to roam the forest is ours," I said loudly, leaning my elbows on the tablecloth. "Hated it when Sam ordered me not to tell Bella about us, you know? Felt confined, in shackles; you all know that wolves hate shackles."

I breathed more easily at the solemn nods from Embry and Jared.

"Imagine you get a girl pregnant," I said. "What happens if you don't hit it off? You'd feel trapped, and if you left the woman, how would she feel? What about the kid? The responsibility of having a baby lasts forever. Better not to do it in a whim."

The guys frowned at me. I felt I was losing them. Guessed it was difficult to make them visualize how the situation might unfold in the future. Besides, the yoke of the imprint hung heavy on all of us.

The wolf knew I had to cajole and convince them with persuasion, subtle hints, and even threats. But there had to be hope in the mix.

"No one has imprinted in a while," I pointed out.

"Doesn't mean we won't," said Jared stubbornly.

"Things change, you know." I shrugged. "Leah got pregnant and we never thought she would."

"Jake's right," said Quil. "Actually, that surprised me. I thought she couldn't do it because she didn't have her period."

"She started having it after Bella passed away." Seth shot me a nervous grin at the mention of her name.

I nodded at him and grabbed the salt shaker, putting it next to the bowl. I had given them a smidgen of hope, now was time for the threat.

"Make no mistake about it, guys," I said firmly. "If I find out you're using a girl to get out of the imprint without her knowledge I will act. I'll warn her and you… even the parents."

I stood up and squared my shoulders. "Let's discuss our plans to meet the guy who'll tell us about the schemes of the damned Italian leeches. We must protect our lives first. The threat demands our attention; we'll deal with the imprint later."

I looked around, noting the empty chairs where Sam and Paul usually sat. They were over at Leah's, keeping watch over her. Worried by all the menacing information we'd heard, the three of us sat down after the meeting with the Cullens. We fashioned a schedule so Leah would always be guarded by two of the pack.

Leah was an important member of the pack, as I pointed out to Paul and Sam, coaxing them gently so they would manage to work together. I hoped they would forget any disagreements in order to protect Leah, counting on the feelings they had for her.

It was also important for me. Something deep inside, perhaps Q'wati himself, insisted I had to protect her. She was part of our tribe and pack. As Leah herself pointed out, Sam had worked out a tight schedule to guard Bella day and night when the redheaded vamp was after her. Surely we could do the same for Leah, who was a Quileute like us.

oOoOo

I swerved and downshifted on US 101 to let a sports car pass my Rabbit; my mind was too filled with worry to really grasp the beauty of the woods. Fingering the smooth plastic top of the gear shift, I bit my lip and thought about Edward.

Handling my relationship with Cullen was exhausting. Not through his faults, but my own. Weaving the layer of deceit I had used to spring Martha's surprise on him tired me something fierce, but I just had to do it. I yearned to care for him because my wolf and human parts demanded it.

I gave Bella a dreamcatcher to ward off her nightmares, and who but me would care about my Cullen? Kwo pat needed a happy memory to combat that moodiness of his, that weariness that tore me apart the day I met him at the Cullen house after Alice brought me back from my trip up north.

My beloved had all the wealth he wanted and the powers of a god. There was little I could give Edward except peace of mind, and a good memory to ward his thoughts against the onslaught of the harsh world.

I lowered my hand to touch the soothing bulge of the cell phone in my pocket. Hardly anyone knew that Benjamin Akando had phased for the first time the other day. The boy was angry at his father; he shifted in the middle of the woods after he ran there to vent off steam. Stumbled upon Ben's thoughts when I was going home, actually. Took me a while to explain things and coax him enough so he would change back into human. I had to say his grayish fur was nice to look at.

There were two other guys who phased the following week. I kept this to myself; the Cullens didn't know because I asked Edward to keep the secret. I only told Sam and Paul, knowing they wouldn't patrol with the others until after we returned from Lake Pleasant. Even if the bad guys somehow monitored us, this should be an advantage. The new pack members were my ace in the hole; they would come in handy if the vampires had something planned while we were away. Scant as it seemed, that was my back-up plan, and I kept in touch with Ben through the phone.

Heaving a deep sigh, I braked the car gently as I approached the Cullen house.

My dour mood lifted when I saw Edward running towards me. He slowed down as he got near, allowing me to bask in the sight of the coppery hair which was tousled by the breeze. His sculpted cheeks were always a treat, and the grin he shot at me was something I treasured.

I stopped in front of the house and got out of the car, balancing on the soles of my feet until I felt Edward's strong arms holding me tight.

"I'm worried, kwolie." Edward caressed the base of my skull and gently gripped it while he leaned towards me.

"Like me, Cullen, just like me." I grinned weakly. There was little I could say to cheer him up. He would read my thoughts and know it was false, and I didn't want to lie to him. Never liked it, even when I was hiding Martha from him.

"I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you," he whispered against my ear.

Edward kissed me slowly, his tongue rubbing against my chapped lips until I parted them. The movement of his tongue around my own was tentative, though. Our kiss was slow and sensual as my arms wrapped around his shoulders, fisting the cotton shirt. I lifted my hand and splayed my palm across his head, running my fingers through his soft locks while the thumb of my other hand swirled around his forehead, moving down to trace his eyebrows.

"I hate to do this," Rosalie muttered from the doorway. "I dislike interrupting your reunion with our wolf, Edward, but we have to go. Time is running out."

At Rose's words, I growled against Edward's mouth, my tongue entwining with his. A trace of spit ran down my chin but I didn't care. I wanted him to enjoy the kiss and coax him so he would take care of himself. So he would come back to me.

I did what Bella had done when she kissed me just before the newborn battle. The difference was that Edward was the only one in my life; there never would be anyone else. I closed my eyes and made a silent vow to our gods. Just like I was Edward's forevermore, this moment was ours.

Edward kissed me with such hunger, I was sure I would sport bruises on my neck from the way he pulled me towards him.

"Remember this!" I grinded my hips against him, my arousal twitching in the confines of the cotton underwear. After breaking up the kiss, I panted harshly and gripped his cheekbones, staring at his golden-green eyes. "I need you so much, kwo pat. Please take care, beloved."

"Always, Jacob."

oOoOo

"Quil, I want you to watch from the rooftop." I cocked my head at the two-story building on the other side of the road, my arms twitching with the need to phase. Couldn't do it though, because I might be seen.

"Man, I want in on the action," Quil said, his plaid shirt outlining his broad shoulders.

"Don't worry, Quil. We'll tell you what happens." Seth scuffed his tennis shoes on the asphalt, glancing at the pack members surrounding me.

"Quil, don't whip out that photo of Claire and stare at it. We need you to keep watch," Embry said, trying to lift the mood by cracking a bad joke.

Quil glared weakly at him as I motioned towards the warehouse so Jared, Colin, Seth and Embry would take their positions. I walked alongside Quil for a while, my hands stuck in my pockets. "I need you out of the action so you can call the phone number I gave you if something happens to us."

"It's that bad, huh?"

"We don't know. I have to be prepared for everything is all." I heaved a deep sigh and lay my hand on my chest, willing to slow down my heartbeat so I could keep my mind on the confrontation at hand.

"So, who's at the other end of the phone?"

"Ben Akando, the guy I told you about on the way here. By the way, two other tribe members phased recently. Wanted to keep them out of the action because they're newbies."

"I think there's more than that." Quil stared at the woods with a faraway look. "I know you, Jake. Been watching you since you came from your vision quest. The way your face lights up when you speak of the pack? Guess those guys have to do with it."

"Uh-huh." I kicked a pebble and watched it fly through the air until it hit the bricks with a thudding sound. "If they kill us, I want the pack to go on. You and the others should regroup around Leah, Paul, and Sam, and build a new pack. Get ready to face them when they go to the Rez, and avenge us."

"So that's why you let Sam and Paul watch over Leah; they are the reserve. The situation's pretty dangerous then?"

"I'm not sure, man." I patted Quil's shoulder in farewell. "But I do know that the survival of pack and tribe means everything to me."

Quil motioned towards the warehouse. "What will you do if your Cullen is threatened?"

Walking away, I called out over my shoulder, "I don't know, man, I just don't know."

I glanced at Edward and my heart beat madly. I would do anything for him, but would I be able to sacrifice the pack? Would I have to choose between them? I wondered if that was the meaning of Q'wati's words in my vision.

Edward was shielded by Emmett's hulking shape, and Rosalie was on his other side. My vamp seemed indestructible but for the tell-tale green hue in his eyes. The color worried me, because it meant the infection or whatever those guys unleashed was present in his body.

I flashed a grin at Esme, whose eyebrows were scrunched up in concentration. She was as composed and beautiful as ever, but the set of her shoulders and the way she had tied her long hair into a ponytail told me she would be a worthy warrior.

Jasper would join us later, but there was someone else missing, though.

I stopped near Edward, my nostrils flaring so I could inhale and treasure his special scent.

"Where's the pixie?"

"Alice has things to do; that's what she told me. She has been mysterious lately." Edward shrugged.

"Whatever. I think we have enough manpower." Taking a deep breath, I looked at Carlisle and nodded.

He glided towards the oak door and knocked softly. "Karl Kiepel, it is Carlisle Cullen. We've come as you asked us to."

"Come in," said a man in a light accent which was almost undetectable. I felt he spoke the language very well but there was something foreign, just like my vamp trying to whisper endearments in Quileute. Loved to hear them, nonetheless, because they came from Edward.

I walked inside and the first thing I noticed was the scent. It was like the Cullens but there was something odd about it, felt almost ancient. It smelled just like the sea during low tide, after a storm has passed and there's a lot of deadwood on the beach.

Then I saw the cables strewn around the floor; they all led to a bank of monitors. A heavy-set man sat in front of them.

"You are late, gentlemen." He frowned at us, his weathered face wrinkling. He certainly didn't have the elfin quality I associated with vampires.

"Took us a while to get organized." I shrugged.

"Care to tell us what it's about?" Rosalie flexed her fingers. She stood to the right of Edward and me.

"Your mind," Edward said, his voice tinged with wonder. "It feels like a painting which has many layers."

"I have lived a long time, young Cullen," Kiepel said. "I've had to adopt and discard so many personas, it's no wonder you are puzzled by my jumbled thoughts."

Jared opened his mouth to speak but I shook my head. It was important to let the leech speak, especially if he was worried because we were late. His information might be crucial to the pack and to Edward.

"Your accent is odd," Carlisle said casually.

"I've lived all over the world," Kiepel said as he watched the monitors intently. "Started my days in ancient Greece and traveled widely. Met Aro one time I was staying in Firenze. It was during a plague, I think."

"So you work for the Volturi?" I said, trying to hold despair at bay.

"Not at all, young wolf!"

"But you were in that house in the Quinault Reservation." Edward glared at him. "You were part of the group that hurt Jacob."

"You're right. I was there, but only so I could sabotage them." Kiepel lifted his hand to keep us from asking questions. "Let me speak freely, for I fear we're running out of time."

He glanced around the room, his hand toying with a wireless mouse on the table. "I should start with my ability which is unique among vampires. I can mold people, not directly but through their progeny. I've been able to do that ever since I became what I am. I assure you it is a power like none other; close to those of the gods, of which I was one for a while."

"You were a god?" Seth said in a hushed voice.

"Not as such. What I wrought made people wonder and they weaved tales and myths out of it. I stopped tinkering with men and women when the results of my actions became monstrous to my eyes."

"From your description, I take it you can modify genes at the molecular level," Carlisle said.

"I change people's cores, meddling in what the mortals took thousands of years to discover." Kiepel pushed away the keyboard and sighed deeply. "Aro got a glimpse when he touched me at that meeting in Firenze. He wanted me for his guard and I refused, naturally."

Kiepel hit the table with his fist. "My power is not to be played with!"

"Aro doesn't give up easily," Carlisle said.

"I know, Cullen. The Volturi murdered my coven to force my hand; instead, I sailed away in despair. There was no way I could ever join those monsters!"

"How come you were with the poachers?" I said, wanting to find his reasons to talk to us.

"I have contacts which inform me of Aro's plans. I have nurtured them for centuries, so I know they are reliable. Aro has become more unhinged lately and that is worrying."

"Guess those plans have to do with what happened to my fiancé." I had a knot in my throat as I motioned to Edward. "You will note the color of his eyes."

Kiepel nodded somberly. "Indeed, that is the case. It all started when Aro pounced on a tourist. To save her life, this woman hinted at friends of hers who worked cracking the genetic code and manipulating it."

"I supposed Aro was interested," Carlisle said.

"More at her thoughts than her words; after he killed her, he got in touch with those people. Thus, his plan was hatched."

I pointed at my pack mates. "He wants to get rid of us."

"Aro is aware of your tribe, Jacob. He has been ever since he met young Cullen in Volterra."

Edward lowered his chin and said mournfully, "It's my fault, Jacob. When I went to Volterra after I thought Bella had died, I wanted the clean exit from this world which only Aro could provide. But when Felix grabbed my neck and was about to kill me, I pictured your sweet face. Aro must have caught my thoughts, woven into Alice's visions, when he touched her."

Edward closed his eyes and whispered sadly, "I told you that your face is what I want to remember during my last moments."

I gulped thickly and nodded.

Kiepel drummed his fingers on the table. "So Aro became obsessed with wiping out your pack, goaded by Caius. He forced those scientists to work for him, concocting a disease that would wipe out the shapeshifters."

"But why shoot Jacob?" Rosalie said.

"Aro wants Jacob dead because he sees him as a vital piece of the tribe. With the young wolf out, he would sow confusion, allowing him free rein." Kiepel shrugged. "The others acted and shot you without telling me, so I was unable to prevent it."

Kiepel leaned his elbows on the table and leaned towards us, fixing us with a sharp gaze. "You see, they had a conceptual breakthrough and injected themselves with the disease to become carriers."

"But why did I become infected?" Edward said. "Aro only wants to eliminate the pack."

"Because Aro is a fool!" Kiepel said angrily. "Either that, or the people who meddled with the genes had other goals. The Volturi do not see the danger!"

I felt a cold hand wrapping around my heart as I recalled Q'wati's message. "Everyone is at risk."

"That is the case, young wolf." Kiepel nodded wearily. "The modifications were not well-designed. They influenced other genes so the disease acted on Edward Cullen."

Kiepel punched the table. "And the meddlesome fools have been perfecting it!"

"The stolen Quileute blood samples," Carlisle said, hunching his shoulders.

"They shipped them to their laboratory so a more lethal version of the virus would be ready to act on your tribe." Kiepel motioned towards a monitor.

I walked closer and noticed what looked like an Excel spreadsheet, only labeled in strange patterns full of letters in four colors.

"They don't see the dangers of their own contagion, because the Volturi are gripped by hubris," Kiepel snarled. "I managed to alter their files, rendering them unreadable, but they already made the virus."

"It will be like the Spanish influenza," Edward said mournfully. "Spreading through the vampire population and killing us all."

"That is so, young Cullen." The vampire nodded. "Furthermore, in my time with those people, I sensed duplicity. They work for two masters; the signs point to…" Kiepel glanced at the monitors and shook his head warily. "Never mind. It's too farfetched and you won't believe me. What matters is that you have to stop them while you can!"

"How will they spread the virus?" Carlisle cocked his head at me. "Will they use the Quileutes as vectors?"

"They've gone farther, Doctor Cullen. They modified the disease so it is airborne; they intend to unleash it on the Quileute reservation. It will be unstoppable and spread through shifters and vampires until there are no people with magical ability left in this world! They seem to have designed the virus so it would act on the genes that control our unusual abilities."

"Where will they attack? Who's with them?" I said, trying to keep my cool so my voice wouldn't crack.

"Aro is hard to predict, even more so with those people advising him." Kiepel turned to look at a monitor. I followed his glance and frowned at the picture of the Arecibo radio telescope which I knew well from my dealings with Johnny Davenport. Why did Kiepel have it there?

He went on, "My contact tells me…"

"I suppose your contact is Marcus," Carlisle said.

"It doesn't matter." Kiepel pushed his chair to get away from the computer bank, the wheels squeaking against the linoleum. "I tracked your movements through software, which means the Volturi can do it too. They could crack the servers of the search engine, and download your data to find out where you live."

"But when will it happen, man? Did your contact say anything more?" Quil said.

"He said the Volturi will strike within the week. That's why I had to warn you." Kiepel ruffled his black hair, peppered with grey.

The sound of the melody coming from Edward's shirt startled me. He took out his phone and glanced at it, his thumb sliding upon the screen.

"Alice, what is it?"

"Edward, you have to come!" The pixie's voice rose in pitch. "I've had a vision! Leah's child dies!"

"Alice, I thought you couldn't see us!" I snarled, trying in vain to dispel the nightmare coming at us from all directions.

"I saw the baby as the doctors take him out. She will shift and that will kill the baby!"

"When? When does it happen?" Edward yelled.

"I don't know. The hospital... the vision was hardly sharp. Let me think; there was a calendar on the wall, and the date… it's today!"

We dashed out of the warehouse and ran to the cars, speeding up towards Forks. Luckily this guy lived nearby, a sixth of the distance to Port Angeles, so we might make it in time. I took out my phone and called Ben, groaning at the thought that the Volturi had sprung their trap and we were caught in it. Worse, the virus might kill us all if we didn't catch it in time.

We sped away on Edward's Aston Martin V12 and I prayed to our gods, Q'wati, and my ancestors. Gripped tightly Cullen's shoulder, needing his presence as the thread that tied me to the moment so I wouldn't sink in total despair.

oOoOo

Didn't look at the road too much, just glimpsed the water of Lake Pleasant as we took a steep curve on the road. It felt eerily like the time Alice brought me to the Cullens while I was mourning Bella, worried out of my mind at the pixie's description of Edward.

Would there come a time when I could just lay back and enjoy life, now that I had Edward by my side?

"There will come such a time," Edward said firmly, pushing the pedal to the floor so the woods were just a blur. "I promise I'll arrange it for you, Jacob."

"Thanks, man," I glimpsed the buildings on both sides of Bogachiel Avenue flashing by.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop thinking of you, even with the Volturi."

I squeezed his elbow. "Don't be, man. Your love has made it all worthwhile, Edward."

I recognized the strip of the road we were passing through; we were close to the Clearwaters.

"I love you, Jacob, love you so much."

Edward braked hard, and the sports car skidded to a stop just a few yards from the house. As we jumped out of the car I heard Rosalie's BMW just behind us, followed by the steady purr of Carlisle's Mercedes.

The scent told me something was wrong inside. I smelled the stench of the leeches and something else. I looked down and saw a trail of huge paws that led to the woods, starting just a few steps from the porch. Sam or Paul must have felt the leeches and gone out to distract them, hopefully buying time for Leah.

I glanced back and shouted, "Jared, Colin… to the woods! The rest with me!"

Edward burst through the door which splintered in many pieces. I followed him but did not shift; the Cullens and the pack needed space to maneuver inside the house. The situation would tell me whether I should phase or not.

I scrunched up my nose at the odd scent coming from the man seated on the chair who was flanked by the Volturi. It was obvious they were vamps because of their beauty and red eyes, but the man was mortal. I could smell it in the traitor!

There was a weird sensation coming from the man. Felt like he was diseased. Couldn't pinpoint it exactly, but I sensed strangeness seeping from him.

"Where is she?" I snarled at him.

"The girl's gone. It doesn't matter because it brought you here." The man toyed with a metal tube. He grabbed the cap and pulled it up; I saw it had a vial inside. The glass was encased in a sliding cover made out of steel. It had an amber liquid inside, sparkling in the light. So this was the container for the virus.

"Why is your mind closed to me?" Edward said and nodded slightly at what I supposed were the thoughts of his siblings.

"Doesn't matter, Cullen," growled the man. "Soon the Quileutes will be no more."

The man hurled the tube towards the ceiling. After it slipped his grasp, the glass slid out of the protective steel. The windows to my left crashed as Emmett and Rosalie jumped inside. Edward rushed to the center of the room, but he was intercepted by a leech who used his power to cast a black cloud over my beloved.

Edward fell to the floor, writhing in agony as the vial whirled around its axis, lazily climbing towards the ceiling with its deadly cargo inside.

Carlisle made a dash towards us, knowing how important it was to catch the vial, but he was tackled by a hulking Volturi.

I could jump towards the leech that tormented Edward or try to catch the vial; otherwise it would break and the virus would spread, killing us and the vamps. Didn't have time to ponder whether I should prefer Edward or the tribe. Didn't have seconds to reflect on the choice Q'wati mentioned.

I just jumped and phased, allowing my wolf to guide me the way he had done since I was born, as Carlisle had implied. The wolf's mind had meshed with my own so finely, and I had learned from him so much, I was sure he would do the right thing.

For the wolf had always been a deeper part of me. There could be no contradiction where no difference existed.

Thought fleetingly about dad's story of the two wolves as my bones and skin rearranged themselves. Heard it when I was a kid who dreamed of adventures, never knowing how dramatic and frightening the real thing would be.

Kwolie, the wolf who lived inside me, had been fed love and care by Edward; he had also been fed distrust and anger by Bella.

In the end, Edward's love won. With the wolf's instincts guiding me, I would take the correct path on the road opening at this moment.

Cold fingers closed around my ankle but the wolf's thrust upwards prevailed. I stared at the vial, twisting my shoulders so I could grasp it with my jaws. The wolf soothed my worry, assuring me my mate could take care of himself.

This fork on the crossroads, the choice I made this day, belonged to my tribe and ultimately to the world I yearned to protect.

My jaws closed delicately around the glass, just as gently as the she-wolf holding her cub by the scruff of his neck, as lovingly as my mother had held me.

I fell to the floor with a loud crash and the wooden floor splintered under the impact. Cracks zigged and zagged this way and that in all directions. Didn't matter, because the vial was unbroken.

Something very heavy hit the back of my head, though. I shook my head, turning to look at the table. I stood up on trembling legs and gazed towards the back of the house, where the guy who had held Edward was fighting with Rose and Jasper.

Feeling very dizzy, I blinked slowly, my jaws holding tightly onto the vial. Wouldn't let it go until I knew it was safe. If necessary, I was ready to run out of the house, through the forest, until I could bury the damned thing somewhere only I knew.

Somebody jostled me. Didn't know if it was friend or foe as dark spots danced around the edge of my vision. I blacked out for a few seconds.

I felt strong arms under me, carrying me and finally laying me down onto the couch. "Are you all right, Jacob? Come on, talk to me! Tell me anything, please!"

Why was Edward so worried about a simple blow to my head?

Cold fingers touched my head gingerly. The smell was wrong, so I knew it wasn't my Cullen.

"He's fine, son. Just a slight concussion."

"Carlisle, what if the blow affected his brain? He was shot in the head once, for God's sake! I should've taken care of him!"

"It's fine, Edward. It was on the back of his skull." I recognized Rosalie's voice.

"He's doing fine." Doc Cullen gripped my wrist, measuring the pulse. "Jacob, can you hear me? If you are unable to answer, just nod."

I nodded; feeling exhausted all of a sudden.

"Can you open your mouth? I need to get a hold of that vial and you're clenching it too tightly. It might break."

"Mmh?" I mumbled, turning my head when someone tried to yank it from me. I knew it was important to keep it.

I twisted my neck, seeking the elusive scent nearby. Reminded me of home, the woods, and a beautiful meadow.

"Jacob, the danger has passed." Edward's smooth voice lulled me. "Can you open your pretty lips so I can get the vial? It's too big for your human mouth."

I felt heat bloom on my face as I did what kwo pat requested.

"Jake's blushing, which is always a good sign," Quil quipped.

"Leah?" I managed to say.

"I'm here, Alpha." I felt a damp cloth rubbing my forehead and opened my eyes. It was blurry at first, as if I was watching through a smudged window, but it cleared quickly.

Leah was poised above me, frowning at someone.

"Seth, don't just stand there! Get a glass of water for Jacob."

"Fine, sis. Just, don't be mad." I craned my neck and saw Seth kicking a piece of chair on the floor. "How will we explain this to mom?"

"We'll pay for the repairs, of course," said Carlisle. "After all, this was caused by vampires."

"What happened?" I frowned at them. I must have blacked out for a long while and they hadn't told me what had happened with the leeches.

"My family, the pack, and those new members you told me about proved superior." Edward said, carding his fingers through my hair. "Jasper and Emmett are tracking the Volturi who ran away, they're with Sam. Your friend wants revenge on Alec, who held him and Paul with his powers. There were four bodies which we have burned."

"What about the mortal man?"

"He's dead." Edward's fingers smoothed my brow. "By the way, I didn't kill him. It was Felix when he realized they were losing."

"I suppose he did it so the mortal wouldn't betray them, or Aro commanded it in case the plan backfired. I've seen him ordering something similar." Carlisle held up my chin and looked into my eyes. "Good, Jacob's pupils are returning to their normal size."

Leah grabbed the glass of water from Seth and leaned down, cradling the back of my neck so I could drink comfortably.

"What about you?"

She turned to smile at Paul. "My boyfriend helped me."

"Your fiancé, dear."

"Don't you forget it, Paul! Anyway, after he and Sam rushed out of the house to fight them, I had a little time. Ran to the woods and took the path that leads to your house. You remember it goes right up to a big pond?"

I nodded slowly. "Yep, used to go skinny dipping there."

Diplomatically ignoring Edward's heartfelt groans, Leah continued, "It has a distinctive smell if you recall. Hoped it would mask my own and confuse the leeches."

Leah shrugged, and I noticed how radiant she looked. She was always striking with her shining dark hair and beautiful eyes, but the pregnancy made her glow. Then I hastily tried to hide this thought from Edward, well aware of his jealous streak.

I was not successful. Edward's fingers clenched around my elbow as he glared at me, then at Leah. Finally, he shrugged and relaxed his grip.

"I wasn't that valiant, I know." Leah patted her belly, which had begun to resemble the crescent moon. "But I have to think of them."

"Them?" I blinked in confusion. "Alice mentioned only one baby in her vision."

Paul wrapped his arm around Leah's stomach and winked at me. "Found out from the ultrasound this morning. The doc said Leah's expecting twins. Guess it proves the worth of Lahote sperm."

"Don't be so cocky, Paul! In case you've forgotten, it is me who will give birth to our twins." Leah jostled his ribs, and Paul grimaced.

I felt Edward's hand ruffling my hair and I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes and huffing in contentment.

"The Alpha looks happy," said Quil.

I opened my eyes and blushed again. "Guess things are back to normal if this guy starts cracking up his lame jokes."

"Aww, Jake is offended at my sophisticated sense of humor," huffed Quil.

I saw Embry pushing Quil as he winked at me.

"Nope, just tired is all." I lifted my hand to caress Edward's cheek. "What about your eyes, Cullen? And the vial with the disease, what are you going to do with it?"

Edward handed the vial to Carlisle, who grabbed it gingerly. Doc Cullen bowed his head. "I'll make sure it is taken care of. I'll go to the hospital and use their incinerator."

"As for my eyes," Edward said, gently nudging my shoulders as he cradled my head on his lap. "I have read Carlisle's thoughts."

"So, what do they tell you?" I said huskily as I looked up, lost in the wonder of Edward's gaze as he grinned down at me. I reached my hand to touch his cheeks. His eyes looked gorgeous in that strange mix of gold and green. Yearned for them to remain so, but most of all I wanted him to be whole. Mine forevermore.

"I've told you that nothing can take me away from you," he said, bending down until our foreheads touched. "Carlisle is sure that my eyes will return to normal without any further exposure to the virus."

"That's good."

"I caught a glimpse of your thoughts when you jumped." Edward said, kissing my forehead. "I feel the same, you know. You have nurtured my good wolf with your love; that is why I love you so."

I traced his cheekbone with my thumb while I drank the sight of his eyes, and whispered, "Kwop kilawtley."

Edward closed his eyes, his locks brushing my forehead as he leaned over me. "I will stay with you forever, Jacob."

Next, the conclusion.