Chapter 21.

Mike found himself surrounded. The wolves inched closer, snarling white foam from their mouths. Fear gripped him, and he frantically searched for a opening, anything that would allow him to escape. The wolves snapped at him. He struck one with his fist, which sent it reeling backwards in pain. Another one pounced at him. Mike grabbed it as best as he could in an attempt to frantically throw it off of him. As he fell to the cold wet ground, the other wolves lunged forwards and bit into him. As they attempted to tear him apart, a loud shrill whistle rang out, which caused them to retreat from Mike and sit in a circle around him.

Mike sat up, coughing and sputtering before spotting Langdon dangling his feet off of a high tree branch. He stood up, and the wolves growled at him, indicating that they wouldn't let him get near Langdon.

He laughed, "Fancy running into you here, Mikey. Been here long?"

"What are you doing here?" Mike snarled.

"Well, I was out for a stroll. You know, I heard something quite disturbing about you last night. Did you go and make an enemy?"

"That's none of your business," he snapped, "All of your kind is going to be destroyed."

Langdon frowned, "I'm sorry that you feel that way, Mikey. But from where I'm sitting, I don't believe a damn word of that. There is a certain girl you want to save."

"Leave her out of this," Mike's expression softened infinitesimally.

Langdon smirked, "Don't worry your pretty little head. As long as she's useful, she gets to live."

"What are you planning to do with her?" Mike demanded.

"Use your brain, for once. The Volturi are after those who have killed their highest members. Guess who killed Aro's shining star?"

Mike narrowed his eyes, "What do you gain from telling me this?"

"It's quite simple, Mikey," Langdon said, "I've got big plans for you. Now, try not to die while saving your princess."

Mike moved to pounce at him, but Langdon launched a metal instrument at him, which caused him to dodge out of the way. When he looked back to the branch that Langdon was sitting on, he had vanished. Mike inspected the metal pole that Langdon threw. It appeared to be a long metallic stake roughly three feet in length with a handle. He pulled it out of the ground just as a case for it fell onto the ground. Mike twirled it around in his hand to get a feel for it before putting into the case and strapping it on his back.

Back at the base, Mike arrived just in time to discover that Connor and Alix were surrounded by the Cullen clan. Emmett snarled at Mike when he arrived, but Carlisle's hand kept him from attacking.

"How's Christian?" Mike asked, oblivious to the situation. Much to the Cullen's collective surprise, Carlisle smiled.

"He is recovering well," Carlisle remarked, "He's still unconscious, but he'll pull through just fine."

"Not that you'll get to see him again," Emmett growled.

Alix crossed her arms, "Carlisle, mind telling us what this is all about?"

Carlisle sighed, "Despite our differences, it is in our best interest to join forces. Thanks to the actions of both Edward and your band of hunters, the Volturi will soon be here in full force."

Connor narrowed his eyes, unphased, "What about the Black pack that you're so fond of?"

Carlisle averted his gaze, "They're gone. We lost contact a week ago. I don't know what's become of them."

Jasper spoke up, "We're not relying on a pack of dogs to do our bidding. This is our fault. There's no reason to get them involved with the Volturi."

Mike considered the pack of wolves with Langdon earlier, but decided against mentioning it. He swallowed before speaking, "And what about Edward? Isabella?"

"We haven't heard from them since the incident at the church," Rosalie said grimly.

Alix rolled her eyes, "Why don't you vegans call it what it is? You're scared. The big bad Volturi has deemed you an enemy, and you desire sanctuary."

Emmett stepped forward, but Carlisle pulled him back. "You're right, Alix. All I want is to protect my children. Please, help us."

Connor opened his mouth, but Mike cut him off, "No. You've chosen your part in this. We're not going to shield you from your stupid mistakes."

Carlisle's gaze met his, "Do you wish to condemn us to death?"

"No," Mike said with determination, "I said I would take out the Volturi, and I meant it."

"You can't fight them all on your own," Connor pointed out, "The Fang Breaker power won't protect you from all of their abilities at once." Instead of responding, Mike pointed into the crowd of Cullens. Everyone's eyes followed the direction of his finger, until everyone was looking at Renesmee.

"I have a plan," he said.