A/N: There's some time skipping going on here (It is now the end of May/beginning of June).
The poll pertaining to this story will be closed this Saturday (8/13/11) and there will not be another chapter until after Wednesday (8/17/11).
Now onto the story...
Months passed, and though the pack was picking up more scents and had even managed a few near catches of Victoria, she was still slipping past them.
They were growing more frustrated by the day; they were almost at their wits end and the exhaustion was beginning to take its toll on everyone.
"UGH! I just don't understand why we haven't caught her yet; I mean there's seven of us and only one of her." Jared grumbled as they piled into Sam's house
"She is freakishly fast man; if she wasn't a leech and trying to kill Bella, I might be impressed." Seth said
The boys continued to gripe about the elusive leech, while the girls were in the kitchen preparing dinner for them all.
As spring gave way to summer, there were many more nights like this one and the boys begin trying to come up with new strategies.
Some of the strategies included round the clock patrols, which was quickly vetoed by most of the boys because they were barely managing four hours of sleep a day/night as it was. Another strategy involved increasing the number of wolves on patrol at one time; then someone suggested switching the patrol route, thinking that it might confuse Victoria and she would slip up. It was Seth, who suggested that they have one wolf running through the forest while the others masked their scents and hid out; he figured that it would make Victoria think the wolf was alone and vulnerable and she would strike. After careful consideration it was decided that they would first increase the number of wolves on patrol and alter the patrol route. If neither of these ideas produced results, it was decided that Seth's suggestion would be implemented.
After a few weeks of the new strategies, it was discovered that they were getting a lot closer to Victoria than they had previously been able to. They also discovered that she was visiting the area much more often and that her scent was stronger and more concentrated in certain areas of the forest. Realizing that the change of strategies might actually be working they decided that before the end of July, Seth's plan would be implemented.
Those with imprints were given specific nights off so that they could explain to their imprints what would be taking place, except Quil who would just be given a night off to spend with Claire seeing as how she was unaware of the wolves and there was no way he could tell a four year old he was going off to chase a vampire and that he might very well die in the process.
"I don't know if I like this idea Paul."
"I don't much like it either Bella but we've got to do something; none of us want to be chasing this leech forever. Besides, I miss you something awful little swan and until we catch her, our time together is limited."
Bella sighed and buried her face against Paul's chest, inhaling deeply.
"I miss you too wolf boy. And I understand, really I do; I just know how dangerous this is, and I'm worried."
"I'm worried too. But I really think this is going to work." He replied pulling her closer to him
"When will it happen?"
"Sam says before August."
"Just promise me you won't die out there ok; that none of you will die out there."
"I can't promise you that Bella, I want to, but I just can't because I don't know what will happen. But I will promise that we'll be careful and that we'll look after each other."
After a few moments of silence, Bella lifted her head up to look at Paul.
"So who's going to be the one playing bait?"
"Seth."
"Seth? But he's so young and he was the last to phase, do you really think he can do it?"
"We do. He's fast and he's smart Bella, besides it was his idea in the first place and he volunteered to be the bait. And in the end it was between him and Embry, and we all agreed Seth was the better choice."
"Why was it between him and Embry?"
"Sam thought it was best if the wolf playing bait was someone without an imprint."
"I guess I can see why he would think that. But as Alpha, shouldn't he be volunteering himself up for the job?"
"Maybe, I don't know." Paul shrugged
It was fairly quiet for the remainder of the evening and it wasn't until they were crawling into bed that Bella decided to mention the idea that had popped into her head earlier.
"I've got an idea." She said as she helped Kwoli up onto the bed
"What is it?" Paul asked
"Well maybe I could be out there with Seth."
"Uh? Say what?"
"Just hear me out ok. Maybe Seth and I could pretend to just be taking a stroll through the forest, while you guys hide out and then when Victoria shows up, Seth will phase and you guys will jump out at her."
"Have you lost your mind?" Paul asked, staring at her in disbelief
"No. Just think about it. If it's just Seth strolling around, Victoria's less likely to attack because she'll probably think it's a trap. But if you've got me there, well it's me she's after, and she won't hesitate to attack then."
"Which is exactly why I think this a horrible idea! This leech is fast, Bella, faster than you can imagine; what if she gets to you before Seth has time to phase or before any of us have time to get to her? What then?"
"But you guys will be ready! You'll be expecting her to attack, but she won't be expecting the other six of you to be there, so when you come from out of nowhere it's going to surprise her and she's going to falter, giving you plenty of time to get between me and her. Then Seth can take me some place and guard me while you guys take care of Victoria."
Paul hated to admit it, but Bella was making a lot of sense. His number one job was to protect his imprint and keep her safe, allowing her to play bait was in no way protecting or keeping her safe …. at least not in the short term; if he looked at the bigger picture though he could see that by allowing Bella to be there, they might have a higher chance of catching and disposing of Victoria which in the end would make Bella safe. So allow her to play bait, risk her life and possibly give them a better chance at catching the leech or deny her request, her life would still be at risk and their chances of catching the leech might be lower.
"I'm going to have to think about this Bella. Maybe talk it over with the pack."
"I know you don't like this idea Paul, I'm not even sure I like it. But I think it's the best shot we've got at getting rid of her, once and for all."
After a few days of thinking over Bella's idea and being unable to come to a decision, Paul decided it was time to talk to the pack about it.
They were all touched by Bella's concern for them and her willingness to place herself in further danger in order to help them. But most of them were hesitant to agree to it; like Paul they saw the benefits of the idea but they were also wary of allowing Bella to play bait.
For hours they went back in forth, until finally Sam decided that they should just vote on it.
Seth – No
Quil – No
Sam – Yes
Jacob – No
Jared – Yes
Embry – Yes
In the end the vote came down to Paul and with a heavy heart he voted 'yes'.
A/N: Reviews, as always, are appreciated.