Chapter 21

How can this be? What does it mean? What will it be?

Not safe. Not right. Dangerous.

Unnatural. Monstrous. An abomination.

We can't allow it.

Everyone's thoughts banged off each other in our heads so that I could barely understand which were my own. Not only our minds but our body's moved in unison, stalking back and forth – letting out strained growls and snarls.

The treaty does not cover this.

This puts everyone in danger.

Jacob sat next to my brother, listening to our incoherent mumbling. The minds were becoming more distinguishable though as we planned it out

They fear it, too. Jared thought

But they won't do anything about it. Quil reminded.

Protecting Bella Swan. I warned, remembering the way Rosalie crouched over Bella protectively.

We can't let that influence us. Paul growled.

The safety of our families, of everyone here, is more important than one human. Sam put in.

If they won't kill it, we have to. Jared agreed.

Protect our families. Quil thought

We have to kill it before it's too late. I decided.

No time to waste. Jared urged.

It will mean a fight, a bad one. Embry worried.

We're ready. Paul rebuked.

We'll need surprise on our side. Sam plotted.

If we catch them divided, we can take them down separately. It will increase our chances of victory. Jared said. The thoughts that jumped around were calming and becoming more coherent. We continued to pace but out of the corner of my eye I saw Jacob shake himself and stand up. Seth stood up too, propping a queasy Jacob against his shoulder.

Wait. Jacob nearly shouted in our heads. It was silent for a moment, but then the pack disregarded it and continued plotting and pacing.

There's little time. Sam told Jacob.

But – what are you thinking? You wouldn't attack them for breaking the treaty this afternoon. Now you're planning an ambush, when the treaty is still intact? Jacob puzzled, worry coated his thoughts.

This is not something our treaty anticipated. This is a danger to every human in the area. We don't know what kind of creature the Cullens have bred, but we know that it is strong and fast-growing. And it will be too young to follow any treaty. Remember the newborn vampires we fought? Wild, violent, beyond the reach of reason or restraint. Imagine one like that, but protected by the Cullens.

We don't know . . . Jacob tried to interrupt

We don't know. Sam agreed. And we can't take chances with the unknown in this case. We can only allow the Cullens to exist while we're absolutely sure that they can be trusted not to cause harm. This . . . thing cannot be trusted.

They don't like it any more than we do. He interjected.

To prove him wrong Sam pulled up the picture of Rosalie, towering over Bella's huddled form, protecting her.

Some are ready to fight for it, no matter what it is.

It's just a baby, for crying out loud.

Not for long. I merely whispered.

Jake buddy, this is a big problem. Quil said. We can't just ignore it.

You're making it into something bigger than it is,[/i] Jake argued. [i]The only one in danger here is Bella. Worry radiated off his thoughts.

Again by her own choice, Sam replied without emotion. But this time her choice affects us all.

I don't think so.

We can't take that chance. We won't allow a blood drinker to hunt on our lands.

Then tell them to leave. Seth piped up.

And inflict the menace on others? When blood drinkers cross our land, we destroy them, no matter where they plan to hunt. We protect everyone we can.

This is crazy. Jake thought. This afternoon you were afraid to put the pack in danger.

This afternoon I didn't know our families were at risk.

I can't believe this! How're you going to kill this creature without killing Bella?

I can't believe that Jake didn't see where this was going. The only way to kill the thing was to kill Bella. As Jake comprehended this he let out a howl.

She's human, too! Doesn't our protection apply to her?

She's dying anyway, we'll just shorten the process. I didn't really mean that as bad as he took it. He leapt for me before I could react but Sam jumped in and grabbed his flank and dragged him back.

Stop! Sam's double alpha voice rang out, causing Jacob to stumble. You will not be cruel to him Leah. He commanded looking me in the eye. Bella's sacrifice is a heavy price and we will all recognize that. It is against everything we stand for to take a human life. Making an exception to that coed is a bleak thing. We will all mourn for what we do tonight.

Tonight? Seth echoed with a shocked yelp. Sam – I think we should talk about this some more. Consult with the Elders, at least. You can't seriously mean for us to –

We can't afford your tolerance for the Cullens now. There is no time for a debate you will do as you are told Seth.

I watched in pain as Seth's knees buckled, his head bowing low at the weight of Sam's command. I couldn't believe how harsh and ruthless Sam had become. Sam turned his head and ignored my brother bowing at his feet.

We need the whole pack for this. Jacob, you are our strongest fighter. You will fight with us tonight. I understand that this is hard for you so you will concentrate on their fighters – Emmett and Jasper Cullen. You don't have to be involved with the . . . other part. Quil and Embry will fight with you. I watched silently as Sam said this, Jacob's knees started to tremble and he had problems keeping himself upright. Paul, Jared and I will take on Edward and Rosalie. I think, from the information Jacob had brought us, they will be the ones guarding Bella. Carlisle and Alice will also be close, possibly Esme. Brady, Collin, Seth and Leah will concentrate on them. I nodded in acknowledgement. Whoever has a clear line on ---- the creature will take it. Destroying the creature is our first priority.

We all mumbled in agreement. The tension zipped through us all, making our steps stiffer and quicker. I took another painful look at my brother, still bowing low over the weighty words Sam placed on him. I felt my hatred for Sam rising up. Sam had always been bossy since he became alpha but he had never been this bossy. He wasn't letting one person even doubt his authority.

Sam continued to plan out our maneuvers but I wasn't as focused. Jacob's mind wandered back to this afternoon. The images in his head pained him and he knew what we were about to do was totally wrong. But I didn't agree with him. The leeches had created something that we have no clue about. Like Sam said, we can't take any chances.

Pull it together, Jacob. Sam ordered. The tribe comes first

I was wrong today, Sam.

Your reasons were wrong then. But now we have a duty to fulfill.

No. Jacob, stood tall with rigid legs. He held his head high and I realized that he's now taller than Sam. Sam snarled at his disobedience and walked up to him, teeth bared.

Yes. He growled. His already short temper was being pushed to its limits. There are no loopholes tonight. You, Jacob, are going to fight the Cullens with us. You, with Quil and Embry, will take care of jasper and Emmett. You are obligated to protect the tribe. That is why you exist. You will perform this obligation.

We all watched as the larger of the two wolves crumpled to the ground, bowing low like Seth had before him. Before Jake could recover Sam started moving the pack. I took point in my section of our pack. Collin and Brady flanked either side of me and Seth lagged behind.

Collin and Brady I want you to take Alice and Esme. I. . . and Seth will take Carlise. I peeked a glance back at him. He walked with a sloping gate, head low and tail dragging. It hurt me to see him like that and it hurt me even more to make him fight today. You got that Seth? He nodded his sandy colored head.

I overheard Embry and Jacob's conversation. Jacob was as bad as Seth. Keep your head in the game. There's no point in fighting it. Embry thought, prepping Jake.

I watched Jake's mind wheel, thinking of any way to escape this. Until suddenly . . . his mind went blank.