Chapter Thirty Seven

Jasper

We were halfway to Denali when I got a call from Bella's father, and I wondered what was I going to tell him? He was going to want to know if I'd heard any more from Bella and where she was but I didn't know myself. The feeling in my chest was changing, at first, I had felt Bella strong and vital but then she had begun to fade and I wondered if maybe that had anything to do with the fact she was in the very heart of guardian territory. Now the feeling, once warm and comforting when she was absent, was like a terrible ache as if she were moving further away minute by minute and I pushed the car harder along the silent snow covered road towards Denali praying I would find her there. If I did, then Leah would feel the extent of my rage for her lies.

I pulled over to speak to him, the pain almost crippling me and Peter took the wheel, driving off again as I answered, pre-empting his questions.

"Chief Swan, I'm sorry but I don't know where Bella is. I haven't spoken to her in a few days but last I heard she was with Leah."

"Yeah, I know. I'm with Leah right now in Denali."

I froze, Charlie was in Denali? In the guardian camp? What was going on? I began to panic,

"Is Bella OK? Has she had an accident? Or was Leah telling the truth? If she's sick why is she still in the village?"

"Jasper, where are you?"

His tone of voice stopped me dead,

"On my way back to Denali, I'm coming to the reservation."

"No, I don't think that's wise do you?"

I wasn't sure what he meant by that, did he think I was a bad influence on Bella? Did he think I was responsible for her decision to leave Forks?

"I don't give a fuck if it's wise or not Chief Swan if Bella is on the reservation and sick then nothing and no one will stop me reaching her."

"Jasper, listen to me. I'm going to ask you two simple questions and I want two simple one-word answers. You got that?"

"Yes"

"Good."

I was wary now and Peter glanced at me his eyebrows knitted in confusion but he didn't speak.

"Do you love my daughter?"

"Yes."

That was easy to answer and I wasn't ashamed that he should know of my feelings for Bella.

"Are you a vampire?"

Peter almost swerved off the road into a deep snowdrift and the tyres slid and squealed on the icy surface as he wrestled us back to the centre of our lane.

"Well? It's a simple enough question."

I swallowed hard and closed my eyes to Peter's violent shake of the head.

"Yes. I take it Leah told you. It seems he'd do anything to keep Bella and me apart but it won't work, I love Bella and I'm coming for her".

"I think you underestimate her Jasper, it was her idea for me to ring you. She didn't think you'd believe her if she rang you again and yes I know what she told you, she admitted it"

"She's right of course, I wouldn't after the stunt she pulled earlier. What is it she wants me to believe now?"

"For now, I need you to forget everything Leah said, listen carefully, and trust me because we need your help. Bella's dying."

The phone slipped from my fingers as shock numbed them and only Charlotte leaning through the seats prevented it from dropping to the floor. She handed it back and laid a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Dying? How? What? Are you sure?"

Peter had speeded up as soon as he heard Charlie's words.

"I'm afraid so and Leah tells me you are the only one who can save her."

I was still confused,

"How? You want me to bring Carlisle up?"

I couldn't believe he was going to ask me what was in the back of my mind.

"No, it's too late for that, somehow she contracted rabies and she doesn't have much time. Will you turn her Jasper?"

So he was! Relief flooded through me,

"Yes of course, but you do understand what that means don't you Chief Swan?"

"I don't give a shit Jasper. I want you to save my baby however you can. Leah told me enough, she and I will try to smuggle Bella off the reservation, she says there's a derelict cabin just outside Cantwell which she says is neutral ground. We need you to meet us there as soon as you can. Where are you now?"

I glanced at Peter who answered his question,

"About an hour and a half away."

Charlie heard him,

"Right, leave it with us but you'd better be there when we arrive. I don't know how much longer Bella can last out."

I did and that explained why the pain in my chest was getting worse, I was losing my mate!

Charlie

I was so numb that it hadn't even stunned me when Jasper admitted to being a vampire, if Leah could turn into a wolf then Jasper could be a vampire, and if a vampire was the only being that could save my daughter then I would accept their help. Our biggest problem would be smuggling Bella out of the village and the park to Cantwell but Leah had an idea. I climbed back in the window of my room hoping no one had thought to check on me while I'd been gone and then quickly washing my hands and face to warm them I went back to Bella's room.

She was quiet although still mumbling and drool dripped from her mouth to add to the wet towel laid over her chest. The doctor was alone and I asked him if anything had changed.

"Not really Chief Swan, Bella is so weak now that she's unable to fight us although she is still hallucinating. I have to tell you that I think the end cannot be long."

"Then I'd like to spend some time alone with my daughter if you don't mind."

He nodded looking at me with pity filled eyes,

"I'm sorry there was nothing I could do but by the time I was called in it was already too late. I hope you understand that."

I nodded and as he reached the door I asked him to pass on the message that I wanted to be alone with Bella.

"If I need anything I'll call out."

"Very well."

I waited, listening at the door, as the doctor passed on my message to the others,

"I think it's for the best, he needs time to say goodbye."

"Thank you, doctor. We will leave them in peace. Annie, you stay in the cabin just in case. The rest of us must head out on patrol. I heard that there are some nomads travelling towards the village further north and they need to see we are aware of them. If you need us you know how to reach me, Annie."

"What about Leah Johnny? Will you take her with you?"

I tensed but then heard grumbles from some of the others.

"No, it's too soon to expect the pack to accept her presence. Besides, I think she may have taken herself off to grieve, she feels responsible for Bella's predicament, this situation is very hard for her."

I went back over to the bed and stroked Bella's sunken cheek, she looked even more corpse-like than she had a couple of hours ago and I knew the doctor was right. If we didn't get her out of here and to Jasper quickly it would be too late. I slid the window open looking out to see if anyone was watching but it overlooked an alleyway between cabins and there were no windows looking out onto it besides this one and no one around as far as I could see. Bella's murmurs grew a little louder and I turned, afraid Annie might come in but there was silence from beyond the door and I breathed a little easier. Suddenly Leah appeared at the window gesticulating which caused me to jump. her voice was no more than a whisper,

"The coast is clear Chief Swan, bring her over."

I picked Bella up wrapping her in the bed covers against the cold and she felt as insubstantial as smoke as if she weighed no more than a feather. Her eyes were open but whatever she was seeing, it wasn't me.

I gently handed her through the window to Leah who didn't seem to struggle with her cumbersome burden, obviously, the wolf genes in her gave her added strength. She carried Bella quickly to the transport shed and I followed shutting the window quietly behind me. By the time I reached them Leah had Bella tied in a sledge with furs heaped over her and handed me a rope.

"We'll have to pull her by hand a little way, any vehicle would be heard. Once out of the village there's a workshop where the vehicles go for repair. One of the smaller tracked vehicles is in there and I happen to know it's ready to be picked up. We can take that, then all you have to do is drive towards Cantwell. I'll ring Jasper and tell him you're on your way and if he gets there first he'll find you."

"But what about you? They'll know you helped me when they realise Bella is missing."

"Once you're safely away I'll go back to the village and keep watch, if Annie realises you've gone I'll try to put her off your trail and if I can't then I'll hurry to join you."

"So, you're sure they'll try to stop us if they find out?"

"I know they will. We are intending to turn Bella into the guardians greatest enemy and they won't allow that if they can stop it. Now please, hurry."