Chapter Thirty Seven

Carlisle

We could see that we were going to be too late, there was a battle going on already and our family were heavily outnumbered.

"If anything happens to Emmett I'm gonna rip Edwards balls off and make him eat them"

The gravity in Rose's tone told me she was not joking and I swore that if any of my family, including Bella, were harmed in any way I would be there to help her keep her promise.

We redoubled our efforts to reach them but then were blinded by a snowstorm ripped up by the rotors of a low flying helicopter that came to land close to the scene of the fight. I had no idea who it was except that it could not be Eleazar who was still on his way, and feared it might be reinforcements for the Quileute pack or a ranger who had seen the action and come down to take a better look. If it was then this could be even more dangerous, especially if they discovered the truth about the combatants.

Jasper

I could keep the three wolves attacking me at bay easily enough, none were expert fighters like me and one had gone off to help Sam who was attacking Bella as he seemed distracted by something, a pain in his head by the look of things, but I was unable to hurt them enough to stop them being a threat so I could help the others. Emmett was making a good account of himself but he was injured and that slowed him down. With two skilful opponents concentrating on him I was worried he might soon go down. Bella, on the other hand, seemed to be doing much better. Not only did she have the added strength and speed of a newborn but her very proximity to the wolves appeared to be having an effect on them similar to that of Sam.

I knew we couldn't expect any help from the others, they were just too far away, this battle would be over before they could join it and then I heard the approach of a chopper. It was flying very low and headed straight for us. It distracted everyone and the snow it whipped up blinded us all forcing us to retreat as it came in to land between the wolves and ourselves.

A young man hopped down and stood arms folded as the snow cleared, without speaking. I had no idea who he was but the wolves seemed to recognize him and approached bellies slunk low in the wolf sign of submission. Then I understood, this must be the legendary Johnny H, leader of the guardians and in a row behind him stood six more strangers all with equally impassive expressions but I could see they were ready to act in an instant if trouble broke out. The young leader stood staring at them and I understood they were conversing, obviously Johnny could speak to the other guardians in their wolf state while remaining human himself.

He frowned then watched as slowly they began to phase back to human form. First Jake, who I recognized, then two younger boys followed by the pack Beta Jared but two more seemed to be having difficulties, their wolf forms appearing to shimmer and start to turn human before reforming again and both Sam and Paul, who had gone to help him fight Bella remained in wolf form.

Jasper

Johnny H then turned his attention to me,

"Major Whitlock, I know we haven't been formally introduced but I am…"

"I know who you are, what I don't know is why you are here."

He raised an eyebrow at my curt reply then gestured to the Guardians still in wolf form.

"Please release them."

This request puzzled me until I saw Bella still glowering at them, teeth bared, then the penny dropped.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, it would appear they have triggered Bella's gift."

His eyes switched to Bella who came to stand by my side taking my hand and looking confused.

"Gift?"

"Yes, if she becomes enraged her gift kicks in, self-defense, she blocks other gifts and I'm guessing that's what is preventing your wolves from becoming human again."

"I see, and how long does it last?"

"I have no idea but the first person she did it too is still without his so I would guess it's probably permanent."

There were angry hisses from the Guardians still in wolf form and a low mutter from the remaining Quileutes. Then suddenly the wolves sprang at us snarling viciously, their bared teeth gleaming in the red mouths.

I didn't wait for permission to defend myself, it was obvious the wolves were looking to kill us and I took a grip of the one targeting me around its thick neck and twisted as its teeth skidded across my flesh. These were not Guardian wolves any longer, they were still giants but not supernatural, Bella's gift had trapped them in real wolf bodies!

Only when I had thrown my opponent's body to the ground did I have time to take notice of the others, There were two other dead wolves staining the snow red with their blood and the largest, Sam's wolf form, was still held between two huge white bears. They dropped it at a glance from their leader and phased back taking their places once more behind him.

He continued to stare at the wolves bodies then turned to Jared,

"You are going to need a new Alpha."

"I am slightly confused, it would seem that someone is trying to start a war between us, not a very clever idea."

"By someone, I take it you mean Edward?"

He smiled again, a cold hard smile that did nothing to soften his features.

"Do I? Would you care to explain why you broke the treaty, a treaty that I actually backed at the time by the way."

I studied him, was he immortal too? It was the only one he could have been around at the time the treaty was brokered and still look no older than me.

"Bella is my mate and she was dying as a result of an attack I wasn't going to stand by while she died."

"An attack made by this Edward?"

"Yes."

He sighed continuing to stare at Bella,

"I would have done the same and I don't think you broke the spirit of the treaty, your hand was forced. Are you content with what your mate did Bella?"

She nodded without hesitation,

"Yes, I am and when I get my hands on Edward Cullen he's going to wish he was never born. That bastard not only tried to kill me, he also murdered my father."

"So I understand. Major, are the Volturi involved in this matter?"

"No, not as far as I know, and there's no reason for them to be."

Carlisle and the others ran up at this moment and came to stand beside us silent and watchful.

"You are Carlisle Cullen? The leader of this coven?"

"Yes, the same one who made the treaty with the Quileutes."

"And it is a member of your coven who broke it, do you stand by his actions?"

"Yes, I do."

"What about the other member? The one who is responsible for all this?"

He swept a hand to encompass the wolves and our group.

"Edward? It is my responsibility to clean up the mess when I catch up with him. There is no need for the Volturi or the wolves to be involved any longer."

"I see, and may I ask what you intend to do with Edward? I rather think Bella has first call on his punishment. After all, he did try to kill her and succeeded in killing her father. Not to mention forcing The Major to turn her although I think that was always on the cards in any case."

Carlisle couldn't afford to hesitate now and to his credit he didn't.

"I agree, there is a long queue of people who would like revenge against Edward, myself included for the danger he put everyone I love in."

Johnny H nodded his agreement,

"It's a pity about my guardians but then when you fight supernatural foes you must expect the unexpected. There will be no retaliation from the remaining Quileute wolf pack, you have my word on that."

I heaved a sigh of relief, it seemed a war had been averted but it had been a close-run thing. Now we could concentrate on hunting down Edward and making him pay.

"I will take the remainder of the pack back to Forks and make sure the elders understand exactly what happened."

He gestured to the Quileutes and they followed him to the door of the huge helicopter but with one hand on the door, Johnny turned back to address me.

"Major, as a gesture of goodwill I have a gift for you and your mate."

I frowned and shook my head at Bella's inquiring glance, I had no idea what he meant. At a nod from him two of the silent young men who had accompanied him pulled a figure from the rear of the vehicle and dragged him across the snow dropping him at our feet.

"I assume you have a plan for dealing with him?"

I knew what Bella's plan was and although I didn't blame her for wanting Edward dead I wasn't sure it was the safest solution.

"Oh, we'll think of something I'm sure."

He turned his attention to Bella who stood glaring at Edward as he continued to cower petrified in the snow.

"If I may give you a little advice Bella, murder is never the best solution however much you think your enemy deserves it. Every murder results in the destruction of a small piece of your soul and I think yours is so far unblemished, try to keep it that way."

Then he turned and left.