Chapter 21

-Jake-

Before I could even register what had happened, Edward caught Bella, mid-fall.

The next few minutes were pandemonium.

Vamps were whizzing by left and right. Bella had been taken upstairs to Carlisle's study-turned-operating room. Rose and Alice were gathering supplies.

My God, this was really happening. NOW.

Edward blurred by, then stopped in front of V and I. He spoke low and fast.

"Will you start a new treaty with us when this is over?"

I don't even know what's happening… I glanced at the balcony, tempted to grab V and jump again.

"Yes, you do, Jacob, please there's no time." Edward begged.

He was right, there was no time at all. The packs were coming.

Upstairs, Bella was screaming. Edward's face was a mask of anguish.

Fine, you have your fucking treaty, leech, but we're leaving.

"We're getting out of here." I said, grabbing V's arm again.

"Vasha!" Carlisle's voice was urgent. We turned and looked at him. He was covered, absolutely drenched, in blood.

"Do you know you're blood type?" He asked, staring earnestly at V.

"I… I don't know… I've never.." V stammered back. Carlisle was next to her in a flash, holding a small syringe and a little machine.

"May I?" He asked quickly.

Hell, no! I said, looking at Edward, too angry to speak. Tell doctor strange to stand the fuck down!

But V had already offered her arm, damn her, and he immediately pricked a vein, not even needing to stop and look for one.

He deposited the small drop on the device, as I looked on stupidly. There was a faint beeping sound.

"She can be a donor." Carlisle said softly to Edward. Edward looked at me, pleading with his eyes.

Fuck you, Cullen. You can kill your woman if you want, but I'm saving mine.

I dragged V down the stairs.

She didn't bother fighting back and I was glad for that. I said a silent prayer for Bella's soul, and for the Cullens, too, they were gonna need it.

Seth and Leah were already outside. Good. Me, my make-shift pack, and my fiancé were getting the hell out of dodge.

My relief quickly turned to confusion, then fear, as I saw how Seth and Leah were standing. Feet apart. Crouched low. Arms out.

Several gigantic muzzles, with glowing eyes were staring back at us from beyond the trees. I quickly moved V behind my back.

I silently counted in my head. There was at least one wolf per Cullen, with a couple more wolves to spare. And Carlisle and Edward would need to stay with Bella, putting the advantage firmly with the pack.

Sam moved slowly forward, huge, formidable and jet black. The pack followed closely behind him.

"I've made a new treaty." I said quietly.

Sam roared menacingly, effectively telling me exactly what he thought of this new treaty. I expected that.

Bella let out a blood-curdling scream. The packs howled. It was a war cry.

"It's over, Sam. Just let them be. She's probably not gonna make it, anyway."

More growling.

"Fine! Live with your own decisions, but let us pass!"

Two more wolves flanked Sam on either side, blocking our escape. So, it's come to this, huh?

I began to tremble as I felt my temperature rising. In a swift movement, I pushed V towards the house, trying to move her as far away as possible while I prepared to phase.

Suddenly, I felt a hurricane force blow past me, sending Sam and the pack flying into the woods, as they scrambled to their feet, the earth rose in a defensive wall of dirt and rocks surrounding the house.

Seconds later, the packs were pounding against the wall, repeatedly. It wouldn't hold for long. Minutes, maybe.

Vasha's arms were raised to the sky. Her eyes were completely white with light. She looked terrifying. Suddenly, she turned and ran into the house and I saw her scramble up the stairs.

"What do we do?" Leah asked. She didn't even look scared. Just ready. She really was one hell of a girl. I should have told her more often how fucking awesome she was. Sam didn't even deserve her.

"Phase?" Seth asked, looking at me.

This alpha stuff wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I had no idea what to do. I was lost between wanting to fight and wanting to run upstairs to make sure V wasn't that demon child's first meal. She was the only human in that house.

"This won't hold, long, Jake!" Leah yelled, as the packs continued pounding at the wall.

We were outnumbered, 3 to 1. Fighting was not the best option, just yet. We had to get some of the Cullens to join us.

"C'mon!" I yelled to them as I ran upstairs, looking for Emmet and Jasper.

The second floor was empty. Nothing there except the sickening blood stains where Bella had thrown up and fallen over. I shook the image out of my head and sprinted up to the third level, Leah and Seth bounding behind me.

I skidded to a halt when I reached the top. In a small room up ahead, Bella lay bloody, naked and mangled on a small table. She was completely still as Edward was fiercely pounding her heart. Carlisle was nearby, applying CPR. Vasha was standing by, holding something in a blanket.

Oh, God.

I scanned the big hallway. There were no other Cullens around.

"Where the hell is everyone?!" I yelled.

"They had to go, they couldn't watch, there's too much blood!" V shouted back.

"Throw that fucking thing out the window! They're coming for it!"

I heard the glass doors on the main level shatter into a million pieces. They were here.

"No!" V held the demon tightly.

I phased instantly, faster than I ever have before. Seth followed, soon after.

The packs were in the house, now. Sam and Paul raced up the stairs and stopped in front of us, surveying the situation.

V was several feet back, clutching the small bundle. As my imprint, they couldn't touch her. I could tell Sam was quickly trying to figure a way around that obstacle.

Seth and I in wolf form stood ready to pounce, and Leah… Wait, where was she?

I turned my large head around and yelped in surprise.

Leah had crept behind V and attacked her, deftly grabbing the thing out of her arms.

V lunged for the bundle, screaming, but Leah kicked her hard, sending her flying across the tiled floor.

"I'm sorry, Vasha!" Leah sobbed. "I won't let Jake or Seth get hurt because of this thing!"

Sam howled in approval, encouraging her to finish it.

Amazingly, Edward was still pumping Bella's heart. It was like he couldn't see or hear or sense that his child was about to be murdered.

Leah raised her arm to strike, and I shut my eyes, knowing that one hit, even at half strength, would likely smash the thing instantly. I was too emotionally burnt out to know if I was happy or sad at this development.

Silence.

More silence. What was she waiting for?

I opened my eyes and looked around. It was like someone had hit the pause button in a movie.

Leah's arm was still raised, but she was frozen, staring at the bundle with wide eyes. The demon spawn must have some type of power. Like how it's dad can read minds. Maybe it immobilizes people. Or confuses them. Leah looked both of those things at the moment.

She slumped to her knees, still staring at it, tears streaming down her face.

Sam and the packs whinnied and whimpered in outrage. Why weren't they attacking? Leah and the bloodsucker were wide open.

I took a tentative step towards her.

Leah? Are you hurt? I called to her telepathically.

Nothing.

Leah, I command you to speak to me! I resorted to my alpha privilege to get her to talk.

Jacob…. Jacob…

What is it, Leah!? Let me help you!

I love him, Jake. I love him. If they kill him, they kill me.