Chapter 25:

Jacob's POV

When I got back home, the Cullens and the pack were all there. Somewhere, Paul was persuading Emmett to go cliff diving, while Jared stated that it was the most ridiculous rush ever. From the sounds of it, Emmett was ready to go jump off a cliff with them, when Rosalie interfered and an argument broke out between the two. Emmett argued that a cliff wouldn't kill an already dead man, while Rosalie threatened to take away sex for 2 weeks, if he joined the crazy Quileute kids on their jump of death. Esme, Emily, Bella and Alice were making dinner from the sounds of it in the kitchen while Edward hung around them. Seth was trying to beat Jasper in an arm wrestling game, while Carlisle and Billy talked among themselves. The two were sitting apart from everyone else and talked in hushed tones. I frowned slightly as I watched them interact. Something was wrong. I didn't know what, but something was definitely up.

" Jake," cried Seth as he looked up from his game, " Come join us."

Giving him a small smile, I made my way over to them.

" Hey kid, Jazz," I nodded at the older vampire who gave me a sad smile, " You okay?"

I nodded. Sometimes, I forgot Jasper was an empath until right about the time, he started makin me feel calm and relaxed.

" Jazz," I said as I inched closer to him, " what is the plan of attack for the newborns?"

" Uhm...Jake, I don't know," he started as he glanced to the kitchen, " I don't if I should be telling you any of this."

" What do you mean? Would you rather I die when fighting these newborns?"

Jasper's eyes widened, and he stumbled through his words, " No. No. Of course not. But, I don't think Edward will let you fight."

" Let me fight?" I cried indignantly, " He doesn't own me. I make my own fucking decisions. Edward had no fucking say in anything. I don't give two shits what he has to say about this matter. I made my fuckin' mind."

"Someone needs to wash that mouth of yours with soap," said Edward from behind me with his smooth velvety voice, " Infront of an impressionable child too. Nice."

" I'm not a child," mumbled Seth darkly.

I chuckled, " Course not, kid. Don't let the big bad vampire scare you."

" I thought we agreed you're sitting this fight out?" asked Edward as his amber eyes bore into mine.

" No. You agreed. I didn't."

" Won't you do this for me, Jake?"

" Jacob," I snarled at him, " and nice try," as I stared at him, refusing to back down. Yes, he was my imprint and I wanted to make him happy, but I had to draw the line somewhere. Plus, I was doing this for him. I needed to protect him.

Rosalie's POV

" Carlisle, Sam and I wanted to go to the clearing so we could practice a little. He wanted to see the newborns' technique of attack," said Jasper quietly as he addressed our father.

The wolves, their imprints, Mrs Clearwater and Bella had just finished eating and were still at the dinner table when Jasper had approached Carlisle. For a moment, the thoughts of the impending fight had left my mind, but the sense of gloom returned at Jasper's words.

Jasper never spoke much however when he did, I found whatever he said enthralling. He was only one in the family with an accent and to hear it every so often was wonderful.

"I'm sorry, y'all," Jasper addressed us, " I didn't mean to spring this on you again, but time is of the essence. We need to start getting ready. We can meet in the clearing," Jacob's, who was sitting across from me, head snapped up at the mention of the clearing and I swore he blushed before his eyes slid down the table to meet Edward's. Glancing at Bella, who was practically in Edward's lap, I saw her frown and glare aimed at Jacob, before the latter returned his attention to Jazz, " Tonight and start practicing."

" You're right, Jasper. Just let us know when you are ready to leave and I will join you too. In fact, let's all go. It will be to everyone's advantage if they're present when Jasper demonstrate how the newborns will attack. He's had more experience than any of us with them and he can handle them," replied Carlisle as he glanced at the wolves.

Sam nodded, " I have to gather the pack. We'll meet you there."

"Gather the pack?" asked Carlisle a little surprised, as were all the vampires in the room, " I thought you were all here, except for maybe those patrolling?"

The alpha shook his head, "We'll meet you there, Dr. Cullen."

Puzzled, Carlisle nodded as I glanced across the room towards Edward. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed as he kept an eye on the alpha and Jacob. But, I guess he couldn't get anything from them either.

A few hours later

We stood in the clearing waiting for the wolves to join us. Carlisle and Esme were talking lowly amongst themselves, Jasper and Alice stood a little further away from the group. Alice had an odd look on her face while Jasper were stretching as if he was getting ready for some serious physical exercise.

"Alice is not very happy about not being able to see anything. The wolves are coming," replied Edward as he came over to where I was leaning against Emmett's legs, with Bella hanging on to his arm.

I glanced over to my sister while she stuck her tongue at Edward, clearly having overheard his remark to me.

"Hey, Edward," greeted Emmett, " Hey, Bella. Are you here to practice too?"

" Emmett, don't give her any ideas," groaned Edward, " It's bad enough Jacob is fighting in his condition. We don't want any mortalities."

" Mortalities?" I snapped at my brother, " Are you saying the pup is going to die? Is that what you want, Edward?"

" No, of course, not. But, he's sick, Rose. His reflexes are not that good. He's lethargic. He can barely stand," ground Edward.

I narrowed my eyes at him before all our heads snapped to the darkness of the forest.

" Woah," breathed Edward, " Brace yourselves. They've been holding out on us."

" What is it?" asked a nervous Alice. Not seeing our future really scared her.

"Ssh," cautioned Edward as his eyes gleamed and he focused on the wolves, " They're coming as wolves."

"But, why?" I asked confused. We've been around them plenty of time without any thing going wrong. We were family now.

" Yes. But..." trailed Edward as he answered my thoughts, " I'm going to have to translate."

Emmett and I stood up and our family members moved closer to each other. Emmett and Jasper positioned themselves at the end of the line that we had unconsciously formed, while Carlisle stepped forward, flanked my Edward who was still holding on to Bella's hand.

"Damn," muttered my mate under his breath, " have you seen anything like this?"

I've only seen the wolves in their wolf forms twice. The first time when Jake imprinted and the second, when we wrestled in our backyard. Though we were used to the wolves, seeing them like this, in these circumstances was different. A chill went down my spine. These were the animals who were born to kill us and tonight they came, not as our family, but as warriors of their tribe.

"What is it?" cried Bella. My eyes slid to them and I saw Edward whisper, " Their numbers have increased," in her ear.

Soon, the horse-like wolves stepped out of the darkness and into the edge of the clearing. There were ten of them now.

Carlisle stepped forward again and greeted them.

"We apologize for keeping you in the dark," came Edward's catatonic voice from behind Carlisle, " it's against our rules to speak of our numbers."

So, that's why Sam had been so cryptic earlier.

" We will watch from the sides," continued Edward in the same lifeless voice, " Colin and Brady are young and are not very familiar with your scent. I can't vouch for their self-control. It's better this way."

Carlisle nodded, " No problem... Sam," he added as he cocked his head towards Edward slightly. The midnight black wolf stepped forward from his pack and nodded his humongous head, before falling back to a russet wolf. His beta. Jacob.

My eyes rested on him. He was different from the rest of the wolves. I remembered Jacob's wolf to be bigger and more muscular. Now, even his coat seemed a little less shinier, his golf ball like eyes were less brighter. I guess the pneumonia had done more damage than he let on.

Edward's head turned and he caught my eye before facing the wolves again. No doubt, he was analyzing his mate.

"As you guys know already, Jasper's had more experience dealing with newborns. He will teach us how they fight, what our strategy should be, and you guys can then apply this to your...hunting style."

Jasper stepped forward, a little nervous and tense, " Newborns are strong. They rely only on their strength. They have no strategy, no skill."

A low rumbled from the wolves was heard across the clearing before Edward's lifeless voice was heard echoing the wolves thoughts, " How do you plan on dividing the number of vampires we get to kill?"

"Well, since right now the numbers stand at twenty, I was thinking we could divide it equally-ten each. But, like we've said before the newborns fight amongst themselves, so these numbers will probably go down. But, Sam," said Carlisle as he took another step closer to the wolves, "we're family. We really shouldn't be dividing our opponents, but taking them on together."

The russet wolf stepped forward to stand next to his alpha and nudged his chin, with his muzzle. Sam whimpered and the russet wolf nipped his neck. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I believe Jacob was trying to get the Alpha to work with us, as one team, rather than having two seperate ones.

" Alright," came Edward's detached voice as he spoke Sam's words, "our pack will work with you, Carlisle."

"You're doing the right thing, Sam," said Edward softly, " it's better this way."

" Alice saw them coming across the mountains in 4 days," started Jasper again as he glanced between the wolves and Edward, " as they get closer, Alice's vision will allow us to intercept them. We'll get a better sense of their numbers and we can then, create a better plan of attack."

A low whine from the wolves and a nod from both the midnight and the russet wolves allowed Jasper to become more confident and step in the middle of the clearing, " There are two important things we have to remember when fight these newborns. First, don't let them get their arms around you-with the brute strength, they will crush you like a soda can and second, don't go for the obvious kill. That's what they will anticipate and be prepared for. Your best bet is to come at them from the side, or the back and keep moving to confuse them. Emm?" called Jasper and he urged my mate forward.

Emmett stepped out of the line with a huge smile on his face.

" Take a close look at how I will fight Emmett. He's a very good example of a newborn attack. Emmett relies on his strength when he's attacking. Just like a newborn will. They're going to be straightforward with their attack. Em, go for an easy kill."

Emmett charged at Jasper, with a grin on his face while he snarled. Jasper was quick and dodged Emmett's hands every single time. Emmett missed by a few milliseconds everytime. Everytime, I thought he was going to catch Jasper, his fingers would close around air. The wolves were attentive, their ears perked and their eyes wide, they watched the brawl with as much attention as everyone in the Cullen household.

Suddenly, Jasper's feet were wound around Emmett's waist while he straddled his back. With his face close to Emmett's neck, I felt my breath hitch in my throat as I watched my mate under a possible attack.

Emmett cussed loudly, and a thrumming hum resonated across the clearing as the wolves glanced around at each other, in what I could only imagine to be amusement.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Edward cock his head towards them and smile, before saying, "Okay, Jazz. My turn."

He stepped forward after giving Bella a reassuring smile. She was still clinging on to him and reluctantly let go.

I glanced around the clearing to see how Jacob was doing-his eyes followed Edward as the latter crossed the clearing to stand infront of Jasper. He stood focused and soon enough both of them started moving. Edward was lithe and he moved like a feline, anticipating Jasper's every move. It was really unfair to Jasper, since Edward knew what move the latter was going to make and dodge it easily. But, I suppose Jasper learned how to go on by instinct alone, and he tried not to think of any moves.

As they closed in around each other, my eyes flickered across the clearing. Jacob sat down and I saw his pack mates look down at him. Sam nudge his second in command, only to receive a lick from Jacob.

I frowned slightly before turning my attention back to my brothers.

Their pace had increased and they both tried to outdo the other. Finally, Carlisle cleared his throat and the pair broke apart, grinning at each other.

We all took turns with Jasper as our attacker before we were ready to call it a night.

Edward's POV

Grinning at Jasper, we broke apart. Jasper had some amazing moves, and I tried to anticipate what his next one would. But, he tried to rely on his instinct and that was hard to guess. So, I had to keep my focus on him at all times. But, in the back of my mind, I could heard the rumblings of the wolves as they focused their attention on Jacob for a moment.

Stepping away from the middle for Jasper to attack Esme, I stopped and watched the pack. More specifically my wolf. The russet wolf was sitting down while the others stood around him. I watched as Quil, Embry and Seth lowered themselves next to Jacob in such a way that they cocooned him.

He was cold.

The wolves never got cold. Rosalie was right. I had noticed it as soon as they walked towards the clearing. Jacob was thinner, his coat was a dull colour and his eyes lacked that warmth and shine that even his human form had. It worried me.

" Carlisle?" I called out and moves closer to my father, " Can you please take a look at Jake? He's cold. He never gets cold."

Carlisle's eyes looked over my shoulder at Jacob, before we both started crossing the clearing towards the wolves.

Jacob stood up and bared his teeth at me and growled, " What are you doing? Get back. Brady and Colin are young. They don't have the same self control we do."

I shook my head at him.

"Get back, you idiot," he growled in his head.

"Jacob," I said as I inched closer to him and stood infront of Carlisle, " Phase back. Let Carlisle examine you."

He shook his huge head, " I'm fine. It's just chilly here. Go back to your side of the clearing." The two smaller wolves bared their teeth and growled at us. Quick on his feet, Jacob spun around and growled at them. Fear of their real Alpha and much older brother, the two wolves whimpered with their ears pressed flat against their face.

Moving closer to the wolf, I crouched down infront of him, and scratched his neck, " Why do you fight everything I say?" I whispered against his fur as I leaned in and pressed my forehead against his.

" Please, Jake. Let Carlisle take a look at you. You guys never get cold..."

Whimpering and stepping away from me, Jacob phased back to his human form. His penis was at my eye level, I gulped and thanked God that no one else could read my mind, before I stood up and faced Jacob.

" I thought I told you to stay the fuck away from me," growled Jacob as his face flamed with anger. I was aware that everyone's eyes were on us. Jasper and Alice had stop squaring off in the clearing. Surely, Bella was curious as well. Thank God for her dulled out senses. She couldn't hear anything Jake and I were talking about. However, I was also painfully aware that Jacob was standing bare naked infront of his pack, my entire family and Bella. He was oddly comfortable about his nudity but a surge of possessiveness passed through me. I knew that I would only irritate him more if I made a comment about his lack of clothes so I kept my tongue in check.

" I'm saying this for you own good, you ungrateful mongrel," I snarled at him.

" No one asked for your two cents."

" Jacob," intercepted Sam as soon as he phased out, " Edward is right. Let Dr. Cullen examine you."

Jacob's snarl was menacing.

"Enough, Jacob," commanded Sam before Jacob's snarls became feeble and low in his throat, "either you let Dr. Cullen treat you or you sit the fight out. It's your choice."

Jacob's gasp echoed the forest and I could see the wheels turning in his head, " You love this don't you, leech? Finally, being able to control me."

" If it means, you not dying, then yes. I do," I replied calmly as I watched his eyes flare up.

" I hate you."

" No. You don't, pup," I replied with a soft smile, which infuriated him.

I stepped aside to let Carlisle pass so he could take a look at the infuriating mutt.

Bella looked like she was about to pass out. I didn't think she would be able to carry herself across the clearing to my Volvo, so I carried her in my arms. True enough, she fell asleep in my arms as soon as I started walking away from everyone else in the clearing. I was painfully aware of Jacob's eyes following us across the clearing. He had finally put on the shorts that he was carrying. The pack and the Cullens were going to be leaving soon too. Well, as soon as Colin and Brady had finished sniffing us. They were the only ones who hadn't been around us and would have trouble differentiating our scents from the newborns. The new wolves were not pleased. The hackles on the back of their neck were raised in distaste and they winced everytime they came closer to us.

Ten minutes later, we reached the Swan residence and I placed a sleeping Bella in her bed. An orange tint of light was streaming through the windows of Bella's room and I stepped away from her bed when Bella yawned loudly and stretched.

"Edward?" she murmured sleepily, " where are you going?"

" I'm going to the Black's," I replied softly.

She bolted up in bed and struggled to open her eyes, " Why?" she demanded, horrified.

" Jacob's sick," I breathed out.

"So? You can't cure him. You're not his doctor. Let Carlisle take care of him," she blurted out. She flushed at my surprised expression.

"I have this theory," I started, moving closer to her bed and sitting down, " Jacob heals faster when I'm around. I don't know why but I've noticed this before too. The imprint...somehow...makes it easier for him to heal if I'm there...with him."

" Edward," Bella mumbled, " I don't want you going there."

" Why not?" I asked, shocked, " He's your best friend? Don't you want him to heal faster?"

" That's not it. I do want Jake to get better. I feel like you're...ditching me to be with him," she mumbled.

" Bella, I'm not ditching you. But, Jake's insisting on fighting. He's seriously ill. I don't want him to die. Not because of me. I'm sorry, Bella, but I have to go," I said before standing up, but not moving away from the bed.

I watched her forehead crumble, " I want to help. I could be in the clearing when the newborns come-it will distract them," she said, going completely off topic.

I shook my head firmly, " No. You're not going to be bait, Bella. I won't allow it."

" But, Edward, it will be much easier."

" I don't care, Bella. No means no. You will not be used as bait."

" I can't be without you," she whispered, " I can't stand if you leave me. I know this sounds pathetic and clingy. But, I don't care. I won't be without you, Edward. I can't."

She stood on her knees on her bed, reached out, and wrapped her arms around my waist.

" I won't be far," I choked out. I felt like a weight was being lowered on my chest, applying pressure. " I'll be with you as soon as it's over."

" No, Edward. I can't," she insisted as she pressed her face against the fabric of my shirt, " How can I stand not knowing whether or not you'll come back to me? I can't."

I sighed, " Bella, there's no need to fear. It's going to be easy."

" No reason at all?"

" None."

" And everyone will be fine?"

" Yes. Everyone," I promised. I hope. I wasn't sure about Jake though and that scared me.

" You, guys won't need me in the clearing?"

" Course not. I'm expecting their numbers to go down."

" Will it be so easy that one of you can sit out?"

" Yes. That's why I've been asking Jake to sit out. We can do without one person."

" Can that person be you?"

Keeping my face composed, I struggled with my emotions internally. No. That person should be Jacob. Not me. He needs to sit out. He was the one who was sick.

" It's one way or the other, Edward. Either there's so much danger that you don't want me there or it's so easy that you can sit it out? So, which one is it?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to use Bella as bait, but at the same time, there was one person who needed to sit out and it was not me. It was Jacob.

" I need to speak to Alice and Jazz," I replied softly, " I'll let you know. But, for now I have to go. One of the wolves will be outside your window tonight, okay? Get some sleep, Bella."

She lifted her face from my shirt and pressed her lips against mine. I kissed her softly, before jumping out of her window and running to the reservation.

Black Residence

I inhaled my way to the Black's residence with Jacob's overpowering smell beckoning me. As I rounded the house to find Jacob's room, I noticed he left his window open. It was in the middle of winter, and I wondered if he left open because he was too hot or if he left it open for me...I was probably deluding myself by thinking the latter, but it made me feel good knowing he wanted me there.

A small smile played around my lips as I jumped through the window and into the small room, that had become so familiar to me in the last couple of weeks. Jacob was fast asleep, on his stomach with his face pressed into his pillow and his one knee bent awkwardly. My smile widened as I took and breathed him in.

Quietly, I slipped into the chair that was still by his bed and proceeded to watch him dream. But, his eyes fluttered open and met mine as soon as I lowered myself in the chair. He stayed quiet for a while as his brown eyes took me in. The light from the rising sun bounced off my skin, reflecting on the walls of his room. I watched in amusement as he debated with himself if I was truly there or not.

"Stop," he whispered, "being creepy, Ed," His voice was thick with sleep and his eyes were lidded and fluttered a couple of times. However when he heard my chuckles, then they snapped open.

"You know, stalking, breaking and entering is illegal, right?" he said sternly, with his eyes on me and his heart beating furiously.

"I know. But, since you won't call the police. I don't have to worry, do I?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked, a little confused. His face was slightly flushed and I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. " Why aren't you watching Bella sleep? Isn't that your favorite pastime?"

I shrugged, but said nothing.

"What's wrong?" he asked sitting up.

"What do you mean?" I asked quizzically.

"Why are you brooding in my room?" he asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"I'm not brooding. I'm just sitting here...Stalking you," I added teasingly.

"Please, Sullen Cullen. You don't fool me. What's wrong?"

I raised my eyebrows at the nickname but didn't comment.

"Come' on. Tell me or get out!" he said harshly and my head snapped up to look at him. He was worried-I found out from his thoughts. He wasn't mad, but worried. Jacob Black was worried about me, I realized. Never thought I'd see the day... The fluttering in my stomach started again as my eyes locked with his. I stood up and walked over to his bed.

He was confused and a little scared...for me.

I felt the mattress dip underneath me as I sat down next to Jacob's pillow.

Creases lined his forehead as he watched me, "Edward," he whispered,"what's wrong?"

"I don't know," I replied truthfully. I was a little numb inside and I didn't know why.

He cocked his head to the side and watched me like a little puppy. He reached out and grabbed my hand. The heat from his palm enveloped mine and I sighed, leaning my head against the headboard of his bed. Inching back on his bed, he sat shoulder to shoulder with me, with my hand still in his.

"Bella wants me to sit out," I said softly, breaking the silence. He stiffened at the sound of my voice, but other than that, I got nothing from him. His mind was surprisingly blank.

"The fight?" he asked softly.

I nodded.

"Why?"

"She wants me to be close to her. I told her this fight was going to be easy. So easy that someone could sit out."

" And she wants that someone to be you?"

I nodded again.

"Do it," he whispered.

My eyes snapped open and I looked his profile. He refused to meet my eyes. I thought he was the one who would understand that I couldn't sit this fight out, but he agreed with Bella.

" How can you say that?" I asked, a little affronted, " What about my family? Your family? You? You're the one who's sick and needs to sit out. Not me."

" You're my priority, Edward," he sighed, " why do you always make this so hard for me? Read between the lines, can't you? I want you to be safe. I need you to be safe. I don't care if I die. All I care is that you live and you're happy. There. I said it. Happy?"

" What about your brothers?"I choked out.

He shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut, " I love them. I do. I would take a bullet for them, but if I had to choose over them or you, I'd choose you. Always," he whispered.

"Jake," I pushed out of my frigid lips, but stopped. I couldn't find the words to express what I was feeling. That fluttering in my stomach returned with a vengeance. My senses dulled out and I couldn't focus on anything else except for the man sitting next to me. The one who seemed in pain as he admitted his feelings to me.

I squeezed his hand and he squeezed back.

" Emmett will be happy," he said with a smile, playing along his lips. As I realized what he meant, I smiled too, " Of course, he will. More for him."

Jacob laughed softly.

" You guys can hide here," he said after a moment of silence. On the Rez.

"No, her scent is too potent and she's been back and forth too much. She's left too many trails. She has to be hard to find because whoever created those newborns will know where to look."

Jacob nodded.

"The mountains? There's a lot of possibilities. Plus, it's accessible. Any one of us can find you..." he said,"...you guys," he added awkwardly at the end.

Ignoring the last bit, " Her scent is too powerfully and combined with mine, it will catch their attention."

As I thought of ways to hide Bella, Jacob thought of ways to save me. He was already assuming that I was not going to take part in this fight.

I was pulled from my thoughts by his gasp, " My scent disgusts you, right?"

I shook my head, "No..." I trailed off. His eyes swung to meet mine in understanding, " Well.. not you necessarily, but...uhm...vampires?"

I nodded, " Hm... Not bad, Jake." He was suggesting that he could confuse Bella's scent with his own. Since wolves were forest-creatures, no one would think twice about their scent in the forest.

"We should let Jazz and Alice know. We'll test it out tomorrow. Same time," I said.

Jacob nodded, and his eyes fluttered a couple of times.

"Why don't you get some sleep?" I suggested, " You've had a long night and another one tonight. You need to rest."

Locking his jaw, he nodded and slid down on the mattress, so he could lay down and rest his head on the pillow. When I made no move to leave, Jacob glanced back up at me, " Are you staying?" he asked almost shyly, pink dusting his cheeks.

" If you don't mind..." I said, " I'd like to stay for a while."

Jacob's eyes widened slightly, before he nodded nonchalantly. Letting of my hand, he curled on his side so that he was facing me and locked eyes with me till he fell asleep. My hand felt more and more empty as Jacob's body heat left it. He looked so young and vulnerable when he slept. The sunlight glinted off his russet skin, giving it a warm feeling. Unable to stop myself, I lifted an index finger and traced the contours of his face, felt the texture of his hair and just enjoyed the warmth radiating off his body

Author's Note:

Hey everyone,

I know I said Wednesday! I do apologize for the delay.. I had some issues with my internet!

I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! Also, I do want to point out that from here on, I've kinda written it together. So, the chapters flow together, so if I mentioned something in the previous chapters, I'm hoping/assuming you know what I'm talking about already! For example, with the fluttering in Edward's stomach, it's going to be repeated through out the next few chapters. So when you're reading kinda try to remember the things I've not expanded on, I do try to explain as we go along with the story.

Okay, so enough of my rambling..

Please review!

Until the next time,

Lisa