Chapter Thirty Six

Sam

I didn't trust Cullen but I didn't see what he had to gain by lying, I could see however what he would get if he were telling the truth. He would see us kill all his family if they were still around and Bella too if she were indeed a vampire. I understood mates, they were similar to imprints and as a result, if a mate were dying I could understand the other doing anything to keep them alive although leeches were already walking corpses by definition. Was he so keen to see the rest of his family dead or was this an elaborate trap? I couldn't see the Cullens springing a trap after keeping the treaty for so many years but they were leeches and treacherous by nature.

Jake was fuming, he wanted to head out immediately to track down the leech who had snatched Bella's life away but I wanted to do this properly, with the consent of the elders, especially as they were the ones who made the treaty in the first place. So, I sent Brady and Seth off to find the trail of the leech called Jasper and see if there was any sign that Bella Swan was with him, if so then they would track them down but stay far enough away that they were not discovered. In the meantime, I ordered Jake back to the village with me to summon the elders together while Jared collected the rest of the pack ready to leave when we got their blessing.

It didn't take long, there were plenty in the village who thought the treaty signed so long ago by our ancestors had been a mistake, allowing leeches to live so close to the tribe in freedom and as a result triggering the phasing of its young men into guardians. We were given orders to find Bella Swan and ascertain if she had indeed become a vampire. If so then it was a violation of the treaty and we were free to take revenge for her death and that of her father, a close friend to many of the elders. Later we would find out just what had really happened and if it has been one of the Cullens who was responsible for Charlie's death too then revenge would be all the sweeter even if we had to track down the rest of the Cullen "family" and destroy them all to do so.

"Remember Sam, they are dangerous, do not underestimate their ability to defend themselves and do not hesitate when it comes to destroying the creature that looks like Bella Swan. The girl we knew and loved is gone, it another creature that hides behind Bella's face now."

I nodded at Harry's words, we wouldn't but as I turned to leave Old Quil spoke up,

"Samuel, I know you are good warriors but beware the leech that calls himself Jasper Hale. He is the most dangerous leech you will ever encounter. He was not always known by that name. As The Major, he was the most feared warrior even among his own kind. If you forget that, even for a second, you will pay with your life. Make sure you not only kill the leeches but burn their bodies and scatter the ashes to the four winds. Only then will we be free of their curse."

As we ran we learned from Seth that he had discovered Bella's scent or at least what seemed like it although now it was tainted by vampire stench. So, Edward Cullen had been telling the truth or at least a version of it. There was more to the story I was sure but for now, that wasn't important. Laying Bella to rest and destroying those who had turned her were our main concerns and I could feel the excitement and thirst for revenge coming in waves from the others of my pack.

We met up with Brady half way up the mountain, close to an old hunting shack. The leech stink was strong enough to burn our noses and make our eyes water.

"They were here but they left. Seth told me to wait for you, there are three of them, the one known as Emmett, Jasper Hale and poor Bella and he thinks they are headed for the Canadian border."

So, they had the huge leech with them, well no matter, we had numbers on our side and all of my pack were trained and eager for action. They couldn't wait to sink their canines into vampire flesh and see the end of the Cullens.

I just hoped none of them would hesitate seeing Bella, she wasn't human any longer and the kindest thing would be to kill her quickly so she could join her father's spirit in whatever lay beyond death. To this end I ordered the others to concentrate on the other leeches, Jared and I would focus on Bella. As expected Jake disagreed with my orders,

"I should be the one to take Bella down Sam, I knew her best."

"Yes, you did, which is why you are getting nowhere near her Jake. Your previous closeness to her might make you hesitate whilst I have no history with her. You will follow orders and as one of our best tacticians it will be your job to take down the one called Jasper, you are best qualified. Seth, Jake, and Quil will be under your command. Paul. Jared, you take Embry, and Brady, and take down the giant Emmett. Do not take chances and don't let them get a good grip on you or they will crush the life out of you, they are very strong. Aim for limbs to slow them down or throats if you see an opportunity for an easy kill."

We ran as fast as we could knowing our prey was not very far ahead and then slowed to a trot as we spotted Seth up ahead concealed behind a snow drift and watching down a steep slope to his left. Telling the others to wait where they were I eased forward to join him and peered over in the direction he had been looking.

I could see a group of three figures standing together and watching as another group of five figures grew bigger as they approached from the north. So, our vampires had called on reinforcements. I'd bet good money that Edward was not among them.

It would be better if we could take out the smaller group before their friends caught up with them and calling the others to join us I told them to break into their allotted groups and wait for my signal. I recognized Bella as the figure to the left of the trio and the giant Emmett at the right so The Major was in the center. Well, it would be easy enough to separate them from each other which would make our task easier and I motioned for the pack to attack.

We ran swiftly down the slope and leapt at our allotted targets and the battle was on. I managed to knock Bella to the ground and almost got my jaws locked onto her throat but she twisted out of the grip and I found myself having to move rapidly backwards to avoid being grabbed around the chest. She still looked superficially like the girl I had known but that's where it ended, her flesh was hard like quartz sparkling in the weak sunshine and her eyes were a vivid red, blood red! She was incredibly fast and strong now which helped remind me this was no longer Charlie Swan's little girl.

Managing a quick glance at the others of the pack I saw the giant fall as three wolves tackled him together while The Major was holding his own but only just. We had a good chance of destroying these if we could just do it before the others arrived. From the corner of my eye, I saw Bella flash forward and twisted away to the side but her hand snatched at my ear and I felt it rip free, a pain lancing through my head as I shook the blood free of my eyes. I felt odd, different somehow but I didn't have time to worry about that now, any hesitation would see me dead at her hands.