A/N: After this chapter the big battle will begin... hope you enjoy this chapter as something very important happens. Thanks for all of you who left me reviews, it means a lot to me, so please keep writing what you think that I really appreciate it a lot! Only three chapters left...

**Beta by Dani...

Chapter 35: Severed Strings

Amelia's POV

I didn't want to open my eyes. Today was the day we were walking to our fate. Today, our lives would take the turn we'd been waiting for so long—either we died protecting our families and home, gave ourselves for enslavement or got out victoriously and with a mind full of new experiences.

It was around four in the morning and I had to get up to do a quick patrol with the guys before heading to the place the Cullens had seen the coven of the south arrive. I felt Kaleb shift on my side but knew he still wasn't awake, so I remained with my eyes closed thinking about what might happen today and about what had happened these past days.

Since the party in Sam's house, we had tried to have normal days, as close to normal as it could get. Everyone was always giving us encouraging words and big smiles, knowing deep in their hearts that we might not come back from this battle. I remembered the day we told everyone about our engagement. Most of the wolf girls were ecstatic while the guys were concerned that we were taking things too fast.

One of the ones who were not so happy about the news was Dad. He tried to hide it but I saw in his eyes how he didn't agree of the decision we had made. I told him that it had nothing to do with the upcoming battle, but he probably saw it in my eyes that it had everything to do with it. He even had a serious talk with Kaleb about what were his future plans. He stopped accusing Kaleb when I convinced him that just because we were engaged that didn't mean we were going to get married in a few months. Kaleb and I had planned to finish school first.

"We need to get up." I jumped a little since I hadn't realized that Kaleb had woken up. I didn't even notice his change of heartbeat. He chuckled a little and wrapped his arms around me. I opened my eyes and saw his brown ones, which were very dark, full of worry.

"I know, I just got distracted by thinking." I didn't want to tell him how many horrible things were passing through my head. He snuggled closer to me as he sensed me tense and started to kiss my neck. "Kaleb, stop doing that or we're never going to get out of bed."

"Well, it would be great if we didn't," he said, shifting so he was almost on top of me. I knew that we had to meet with the others and do patrol, but his mouth was sucking on my collar bone and the sensation was overwhelming.

"Okay, they can wait a little longer." He was now cupping my breast with his hand and positioning himself better on top of me. "They'll understand…" I drifted off, forgetting what I was thinking as we became one.

Even though we wanted to stay in each other's arms for a long time, we knew in the back of our minds that the guys were waiting for us. So with a lot of struggled, we got out of bed and got ready to do our last patrol before the battle.

Just as we phased, we heard how pissed off all of them were for our tardiness. Sorry guys, but we had to do some things before we take this day seriously, I thought, as we ran to where they were patrolling. Luke snorted, Thomas huffed, and Matt and Cody gagged as they saw what things we had to do.

Yeah, hot quick sex is always an important matter, Thomas said with a tinge of jealousy and irritation. The last time he was intimate with Andy was a couple of days ago. She left with her dad for the weekend to visit some family in California.

Ugh! Tommy, can you please stop thinking about that with Andy. I don't want to have sweaty dream that includes your girlfriend, Matthew thought when we arrived at their side. Kaleb and Luke let out a bark of laughter and were rolling on their backs by laughing too much.

Well, at least when the time comes for you to be with a woman, you'll know what to do, Kaleb thought, controlling his laughing a little.

Eww! I don't want to think of girls that way, I'm still too young, he replied.

As much as I enjoyed moments like this, there were important matters to attend. Okay, Matt, Cody and Thomas will do the inner circle. Kaleb, Luke and I will do the outer. Remember to keep your minds connected to the fullest and anything weird you detect, think about it very loud, I said and ran to the outer circle.

We ran for a while, just enjoying the feeling of freedom and the scenery we could see as we passed the endless green of the forest. I never realized how much I loved my home and it would be sad to let those leeches destroy it. Just with the thought of my family and friends being in the mercy of these bloodsuckers, a rage overpowered me, making me release a deep snarl.

Stop thinking about that! Kaleb screamed, making me snap out of those thoughts. He was running next to me, looking me straight in the eye. We're going to get out of this unscratched and in less than a year get married. There's no reason to worry, we are completely prepared. I took a deep breath and started to relax. As we ran my engagement ring bounced on my neck. Before phasing I had put it in the chain around my neck with my mom's pendant and the green rock. Feeling it around my neck gave me the comfort I was wanting.

Those soothing thoughts started to calm me down, but all of the sudden, the wind blew and my nose started to burn. Kaleb and I spun around since that was where the wind was blowing from and Luke quickened his pace to get to our side. When he took my left side, two massive vampires stepped into our view.

Thomas, keep Cody and Matt away, we can take them, I shouted, jumping, with Luke and Kaleb, to the leeches. To my surprise, they were smirking, showing their pearly whites. Just as we were almost on top of them, three more leeches appeared, distracting us. The two that were in front of us moved swiftly avoiding our attack.

We're on our way, you three can't take all of them, Thomas said, running at full speed, followed by Cody and Matthew whom were excited of having the opportunity to sink their teeth on some leeches. On second thought, Ami why don't you order Matt and Cody to stay behind, the four of us can take them…

No way! they screamed at the same time.

Stop the bickering, I said. A leech tried to grab me, but I moved to my left and avoided him. I could still feel Thomas telling me to send his brother back, but all of a sudden, numbness engulfed me and I lost my balance as I avoided the leech that was attacking me.

Ami! What was that? Kaleb asked me, noticing how I was feeling.

I don't know, but it's gone now as fast as it came. It was a weird sensation, like I couldn't control my movements well. I looked around and realized that if Tommy and the others didn't arrive soon we were going to lose someone.

Just as I was looking around, I felt the sensation again, but it wasn't directed at me, instead at Kaleb. I saw how he collapsed and two leeches grabbed him. A loud growl escaped my lips and I felt him lose consciousness after saying an "I love you". I launched myself without thinking at the ones who got him, only to be knocked over by a female leech.

I flew through the air and hit a tree, making me release a deep howl. Luke came to my side immediately. Are you okay? I didn't answer directly but he saw in my head that I was hurting more because I saw them take my Kaleb away. Ami, no, you can't go after them alone, he shouted at me, and blocked my way as I made to start running towards the leeches.

The female leech was the only one lingering still. She was really tall with blond hair that reached her hips. She was wearing a smirk, which was making the hair on my back stand straight and spasms were going through my whole body. When she saw my reaction, she released a little squeak that made me growl more. I sidestepped Luke, and when I was inches from her skinny figure, she only snapped her fingers and I collapsed given that my legs went numb. She did the same to Luke as he also launched at her.

"You're lucky that my orders were to only take your Alpha, or I would have had fun killing some puppies." Her voice was almost a whisper, but it contained a lot of security and strength. "See you in a few hours." With that, she bolted around and left in a run. I still couldn't move, I didn't know if it was because of what she did to me or because the pain I was feeling was incapacitating me.

No, it's her. I can't move, either. I think her power is to numb you and in a higher dose knock you off like she did to Kaleb. When Luke mentioned his name, my body convulsed as I got hit by a strong pain in the heart. The pain made me regain some of the sensation in my legs and I stood up, even if it was a little wobbly.

Oh my God, I'm sorry I ran as fast as I could. Thomas had arrived, followed by Cody and Matt. I could see in their heads that they were disappointed that the leeches got away. It infuriated me that these two cared more about killing some vamps instead of worrying that Kaleb was taken.

Sorry… they both said when they saw my thoughts.

Thomas, don't blame yourself, it was nobody's fault. They took him because they thought he was the Alpha, I said without emotion. I sniffed the air and captured Kaleb's scent, which was mixed with the leeches'. My intention was to follow it and get my love back, but once again, the guys interjected me by surrounding me. Get out of the way.

No, we need to discuss this better, Luke stated with a serious tone. Ami, lets head back, call Jacob and decide what to do with this matter, the few of us can't deal with a whole coven.

My heart was telling me to go and find Kaleb, but my rational part knew that Luke was right. My priority was to make decisions for the better of the pack and the Rez and that meant analyzing the situation in a better way. Okay, let's head to Sam's house, I said with my mind set in alpha mode. I felt that if I came out of that mode, I was going to crumble.

My heart tugged and pained as I turned around and started to run to Sam's house. My pace was sluggish and at one point the guys had to push me so I would continue to move. Once we made it to the house and phased back, I collapsed and curled into a ball. Fat tears were streaming down my face and sobs were shaking my chest in a painful way—I felt deep inside that all was my fault. It was me the one that was supposed to be taken, not him. I felt arms wrap around me and carried me to my old room. Quickly I drifted away, getting engulfed in nightmares of a world without Kaleb.

"Wake up!" I opened my eyes as I heard the whisper in my ear. It was Luke; he was laying next to me on the bed and looking at me with his big, sad eyes. Immediately, tears filled my eyes and they streamed down my face. Luke pressed his thumb on my cheeks, drying them.

"I can't do this, not without my Kaleb," I sputtered through sobs. Luke wrapped me in his arms, bringing me closer and started to soothe me by caressing my hair.

"Yes you can, you're strong. Stronger than all of us. Use that pain to lead us so we can be successful and get Kaleb back," he said with a strong voice so I would pay attention. I loved it when he talked to me like this. It reminded me that he was always here for me when I needed him the most. "Come on, we need to get up. Jacob is here with Seth."

I sat up abruptly. "When did they arrive?" I asked, getting out of bed. My body was sore and tired, like I hadn't sleep in days. It was probably the effects of not having your other half near you.

"Like ten minutes ago, I just saw you sleeping so peaceful that I couldn't bring myself to wake you up," Luke said while giving me a small smile. He was probably trying to make me feel better, but it wasn't working.

"You should have woken me up sooner; we have important things to discuss. Like getting Kaleb back." The last part I shouted it, but at the end my voice broke and tears started to pour from my eyes again. Luke stood up and wrapped me in his arms once again. I took deep breaths and got out of his embrace.

Drying my face, I descended the stair. I heard voices coming from the living room, as I entered it, everyone went quiet and stared at me. I wanted to start crying again, but I was the Alpha and needed to show that I was strong.

My eyes fell on dad and he immediately came to me and embraced me, giving me as much support as he could. "I'm always here for you kiddo, know that," he said in my hair. His hot breath and soothing words made me start shaking and the tears I'd been avoiding came.

After a few minutes of everyone giving me supportive words, we got into business. Rachel and Paul were in a corner holding each other for support. They didn't talk much, but I knew that if they did, they would be messed up like me. I looked at them and told them with my eyes that I was going to do everything in my power to get him back, no matter what came.

"Okay, the Cullens are already in position and waiting for us—" Jacob started.

"How come Alice didn't see anything about…" I began to say, but my voice broke off. I didn't want to blame the Cullens, but my frustration was getting the best of me.

"Us being in this whole situation makes her vision too blurry and she sometimes doesn't see anything. Trust me, she's beating herself for not seeing this coming," he said.

"Sorry…so this is what we're going to do. You and your pack will wait with the Cullens for the coven to arrive at the place Alice saw, while us go in another route and get Kaleb back," I said, getting myself again in Alpha mode.

"Don't you think they'll be expecting you to go after him? It could be a trap. And when you said 'us' does it include Matthew and Cody?" With this, the boys looked at us and grins spread on their faces. Thomas was looking intently at me, waiting for my answer.

"Yes." Matt and Cody whooped while Thomas let out a growl.

"They're too young!" Thomas shouted at me through clenched teeth. His hands were shaking slightly and he was breathing deeply.

"No, we're not," The boys said simultaneously through the babbled that had erupted.

"Shut up, everyone!" I shouted. They all went quiet and looked at me. "They are fighting as we are one man short."

"You can't do this, Ami…" Thomas was saying, but I interrupted him.

"Yes I can, I'm the Alpha and what I say goes." I didn't want to sound so selfish but he was getting on my nerves. Every minute we wasted discussing, Kaleb was with the leeches and I didn't know what they were doing to him. I knew he was okay, as my heart was telling me so, but knowing he was away from me was driving me crazy.

Thomas started shaking more badly and his edges were blurring. Luke and Embry grabbed him and dragged him outside where he phased. I had never seen him so out of control. He was always the dosage of calmness for all of us.

I took off my clothes and phased. He was screaming obscenities in his head and growling like a dog with rabies. Thomas calm down…

Don't tell me what to do, he's not fighting, he thought while he gave me a murderous glare. He started circling me like he was preparing to attack. I remained calmed, even if I wanted to hurt him for wasting time. In that moment, Luke and Jacob phased.

Thomas, this is not the way to take things. We are supposed to be getting ready for battle. Don't waste your energy, Luke immediately said, trying to calm Tommy. Jacob was very close to him, just in case he tried to pounce.

He's my little brother…

I don't care. He's a wolf and he's going to fight. I was losing control. My heart gave a jolt as an image of Kaleb passed through my mind. Thomas started to run towards me, but was interjected my Jacob who blocked him with his massive body.

The rest of the guys phased and surrounded us just in case. Thomas stop being a pain, I can fight like the rest of you. Matt was saying very loud.

No you can't… The bickering continued and all I could hear was a buzz. It was giving me a headache on top of the ache I felt in my heart and whole body. In my heart, I knew what I needed to do and that was get Kaleb as fast as I could, but this dilemma was taking too much time.

Stop! I said with my Alpha voice. They became quiet immediately, but I could still sense their emotions. We're all going to fight and find Kaleb first.

You're just letting this imprint bond blind your reasonable part. You can't seriously make us risk our lives because your love was taken, Thomas shouted at me. I couldn't believe he was telling me to forget about Kaleb. He knew how strong the bond was and how much pain I was in.

We're all fighting and that's final, I commanded them. They all bowed their head at me and Thomas collapsed as the command hit him.

Amelia, ordering your pack isn't the right thing to do. You need their trust to be successful, Jacob's voice resounded in my head.

This is my pack, I'll do with them what I want, you deal with yours as you want, I screamed at him, a snarl escaping my lips. He backed away, giving me some space. He probably knew I was losing control around him and if he didn't want me to fight him, he should get away.

Thomas was murmuring really low and even though I didn't want to hear what he was thinking, I listened anyways. I've always admired you, your strength, but now I don't know what to think of you. You told me once that the pack comes first and I believed you, now you've proven that I shouldn't have…

His thoughts brought me back a little. I remembered the day he asked me why was Kaleb my second and I told him it wasn't because of the imprint, but now I realize I was lying not only to him but to myself. Kaleb was always going to come first in situations like this and I knew that no matter how many times I told myself the pack was first, deep inside it wasn't like that.

I faced my pack, whom was still kneeling in front of me. Okay, I know I'm not making the right decisions and I know I can't lead this pack to battle. That's why I'm giving you to Jacob. He'll be your Alpha from now on. With that, I released them, their thoughts leaving my mind. I felt how their strings got severed from my own being and I didn't feel them anymore.

The sensation was weird, like I was standing without some of my limbs. The guys stood up and looked at me with a lot of emotions playing in their eyes. From sadness to confusion to realization that I wasn't their Alpha anymore.

I turned around and ran. Just because I decided that making my pack save Kaleb wasn't the right thing, didn't mean I thought it was right for me. As soon as I was alone in my head, I knew that my heart was telling me that I alone was supposed to go after him. It was always like this, just me and Kaleb. No one else was supposed to help me get him back and I knew I could do it alone.

In the distance, loud howls covered the air…

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