/AN: Here's a nice new chapter for you, please enjoy/

/DISCLAIMER: I have yet to achieve ownership of Twilight/


Jacob pushed forward against the crisp, evening air. His paws thundered against the grainy earth as he ran, Sam at his flank and the rest just behind them. They had easily picked up the scent trail that he caught earlier. It was still sharp in the air, rolling into their slack jaws and stinging their throats. Jacob turned sharply, delving off of the path and tunneling into the underbrush that tore and tangled his thick fur. The others followed.

They communicated very little, focusing their attention on the trail. The scent was beginning to burn in Jacob's nose and throat, and he could tell by the way the others were panting that they felt the same. He clenched his jaw and slowed his pace as they neared the border. His eyes refocused when he came to a full stop, his breathing heavy and his lungs burning against the cold.

"Sam… something has to be done," he started.

Sam was beside him, hunched over and gasping, "I know,"

"Now," Jacob finished, his eyes narrowed as he swung his head around to face him.

Sam nodded and, one by one, they all turned back into their human forms.


The atmosphere was rigid and icy as the pack filed into the Cullen's home. They had called Bella and asked her to set up a meeting between the two groups. Together, all of them, under the same roof left an odd sensation in her stomach. She was prepared for absolute disaster. They were in the living room now, and most were still standing, on the defensive. Esme smiled politely and gestured to the sofa as she slid gracefully into the large chair opposite it. Carlisle, too, took a seat in an armchair. Sam glanced at the other members before he took a seat, clearly intending to keep some formality and sense of peace between them, but the serious look on his face spoke of horrendous topics for conversation.

"Is Vivianne okay?" She asked, unable to wait in the silence any longer. She got many irritated glances from both Leah and Rosalie.

Sam smiled kindly at her, "She's fine,"

"She's not the reason we're here," Jake interrupted before the discussion could continue.

Bella looked down, stung by his tone and the coldness in his gaze. She could feel Edward tense up beside her and slipped her hand into his to keep him from overreacting.

"Please," Carlisle nodded at Sam, urging him to state his piece.

Sam took a breath, glanced at Jacob, and then began, "For the past several weeks we've come upon a recurring scent trail on our side of the border. One we've never come across before, but that we're certain is…" he faltered, seeming to be searching for the right word.

"A vampire," Edward put in, he tone stiff, "new to Forks,"

Sam met his gaze, distrust flashing in his eyes, but he nodded as he turned back to Carlisle, "Yes. They've been wondering, unhindered and hardly noticed, through both territories. We were curious…" again, Sam stopped.

"He wants to know if we have anything to do with it," Edward finished for him.

Sam sighed, "Not in so many words… but yes. We know that you wouldn't have crossed the border, nor condoned it, we just needed to know if you had any information concerning this particular… incident,"

Carlisle nodded, showing that he had taken no offense, "I've heard nothing of this…" he glanced around at his fellow vampires, silently asking for their input.

Most shook their head, but Edward's eyes landed on Alice's still frame, "Alice?" he urged.

She took a shaky breath, "Well… I've seen… something,"

All eyes were now on her, a few shocked by this news. She looked uncomfortable and kept glancing nervously at Sam and the others.

"An army… a battle…" she took in a sharp breath, caught up in her vision, "So many of them…"

"Of who?" Jasper's voice was soft as he took her hands in his.

"Vampires… newborns…"

A heavy silence followed her revelation, the pack members casting sidelong glances at each other. Finally, Sam spoke up.

"Newborns? New vampires?"

Carlisle turned to him and smiled apologetically, "Recently transformed. An army of them, Alice? Who's?"

"I… I don't know," she was shaking now and clinging to Jasper. He grasped her hands tightly whispering gentle words that only she could hear. Edward turned away from them, respecting their privacy. Jasper eased her into a seat and set a piece of paper in front of her on the coffee table. Carefully, he put a pencil in her hand and closed her fingers around it, his own hand resting on top of hers.

"Concentrate… and draw,"

Immediately her hand flew to the paper, her initial marks messy and dark, but soon her motions became smoother and a face began to appear. Bella nearly lost her balance in her surprise, her face paling as she gripped tightly to Edward's arm.

"That's… that's the man…" she stuttered, her eyes wide.

Edward gave her an inquisitive look, "Who? Who is he?"

"That was the man… at the bowling alley, working the counter. H-he was talking to Vivianne… flirting, judging by their expressions,"

Jacob stiffened and balled his fists, but he said nothing.

"I've seen that before, too…" Carlisle cut in, his eyebrows knitting.

Esme nodded, "As have I… the newspapers,"

"What newspapers?" Sam asked, eyeing Jacob in concern.

Carlisle stood and walked into the next room. They could hear him rustling around before he returned, a pair of newspapers in his hand. He handed them both to Sam and then pointed to a picture on the front page of the top paper. Alice leaned over curiously and several of the pack members did as well.

"'Riley Biers, reported missing as of April'… months ago… are you sure this is who was talking to Vivianne?" Sam glanced up at Bella, who nodded.

"You let this happen?" Jacob finally spoke, his voice low and angry.

"Jake, sit down," Sam ordered, not allowing any answer to be made, whether defensive or otherwise.

Jacob turned sharply away from Bella and sat down next to his alpha. Sam cast an apologetic look at Carlisle, who nodded in understanding.

"So, is this man a vampire?"

Alice nodded, "Without a doubt,"

"You mentioned a battle," Sam directed his attention to her, "Do you know where this is going to take place?"

"Not… exactly, but…" she met Sam's gaze nervously before gesturing to herself and the rest of the coven, "We're meant to be involved… as is Bella,"

Edward shuddered and turned away again, apparently having seen something in Alice's mind that he didn't like. She seemed to be stalling, as Sam looked troubled by this information. Her eyes then fell to Jacob, who looked up at her when he felt her gaze on him.

In a whisper she added, "As is Vivianne,"

Jacob leapt to his feet, and several of the vampires clustered closer together, Emmet pulling Rosalie tight to his side.

"Jacob!" Sam's voice rang in the quiet of the house and reverberated off the windows, "Go cool off. We'll meet you out there when we're finished. Quil, Paul, join him,"

Jacob shrugged off the hands that landed on his shoulders and stomped out of the house, Quil and Paul at his tail. Sam sighed tiredly and returned his gaze to Carlisle.

"We offer our help… if you'll accept it,"

Carlisle hesitated, glancing between his wife and the alpha, "It is appreciated, however…"

"Carlisle," Edward interrupted, "We have no chance without them," he did not sound pleased about this information, but something seemed to push him to believe it.

Alice nodded, her gaze on the floor.

"Very well… We'll have to work things out, begin training. Learn to fight together,"

Sam nodded his agreement and made to stand, but Carlisle held up his hand.

"I have some information that may… interest you. Concerning the girl,"


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