Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer, but the plot is all mine!
Thank you all for taking the time to leave review's hope you enjoy this next chapter…it may provide answers to some of your questions…keep them coming! Ps Merry Christmas! I wish you all peace and happiness oxoxo
Now the story continues…
Chapter 61 -Change of plan
Jacob slid to a halt his sharp claws finding purchase in the deep loam of the forest floor. "What the fuck was that?" he spat as he shook his massive head trying to clear his mind …Bella… for a fleeting moment he felt her …she was part of his conscience just like his pack…but that simply wasn't possible she wasn't a wolf…
Sam and Paul skidded to a stop beside him having run back from the others up ahead. They could see something was troubling Jacob and they glanced at each other with concerned eyes their Alpha was exhausted all the planning and training for a new born battle was beginning to take its toll…
"You ok boss?" Paul tentatively asked. Jake looked up at both wolves a soft whine escaping from his large muzzle, as he clawed the soft ground with an agitated paw.
"Bella…" Jacob huffed "I thought ..." he hesitated for a moment then continued with a deep sigh. "I just… well I thought I felt her…like she was part of the pack…" He looked up with his large gold flecked brown eyes flickering from one wolf to the other
"Did any of you guys…? I mean…" He fell silent knowing that what he was saying probably sounded a little crazy it certainly sounded crazy to him now he'd voiced it out loud
"Nope" Paul replied his own connection to Bella had not rung any internal alarm bells. "But if you mean did, we feel she was in trouble then no." Jacob nodded as his eyes drifted to Sam who shook his head, but he couldn't help but see the little knowing glance Sam gave Paul
"Is Bella okay Jacob does she need you?" Sam asked knowing how Bella's distress called to his Alpha a pull Jake couldn't seem to resist
"No…" Jake huffed again as he straightened himself up to his full height which towered above the two other wolves with ease. "It wasn't like that this was something else entirely…" He closed his mouth with a snap. He'd said enough for now
"Are you getting enough rest Jacob?" Sam gently enquired "We've had a lot on lately and Cullen has trained us hard. You need down time just as much as we do."
The heckles on Jacobs back began to rise, the Alpha in him seeing Sam's concern as an outright challenge to his fitness to lead his pack. His lips drew back revealing sharp white teeth that were capable of slicing through the marble like flesh of a leech like butter.
"I'm fine Sam" Jacob growled a little shaking his thick fur. "No need to concern yourself with my well-being I'm still fit enough to lead this pack if that's what you're getting at" Sam shook his large head then tipped it to one side displaying his throat in a gesture of submission to his Alpha.
"I'm not trying to undermine you Jake" he huffed "You're my Alpha first and foremost but that won't stop me being concerned for you as a brother." Sam whined as Jakes wolf appeared to accept his submission to his authority. "I don't mind admitting I'm tired" Sam cautiously continued and as his eyes flickered to a worried Paul added "The packs tired so you must be feeling it too."
Jacob said nothing but he was listening and what Sam had said he knew in his heart to be true. Protecting the tribe and Bella had taken over everything else recently. Whichever way he looked at it, the threat of Victoria and her new-borns aided by some sort of vampire soldiers deeply worried him. Despite Jaspers help, they just didn't have enough time to prepare for a battle that they could realistically win especially given the younger inexperienced wolves. He took a deep breath then let it out with a hiss.
"Point taken Sam" he began "Maybe I should listen more and not jump to conclusions" Sam nodded in reply. That was as near to an apology that he was gonna get from his Alpha. "Get the next patrol out" Jake added "And the rest of you can head home for a few hours to eat and sleep."
By now the rest of the pack were gathered around the three wolves they nudged and yipped with each other at the prospect of food and rest.
"The three wolves on patrol" Paul barked "Leave now the rest of us will go back to La Push" he glanced at Jacob who nodded as the remaining wolves waited for the signal. With a loud howl Jake took off for home the pack close on his heels.
But deep in his mind shielded from his pack Jacob wondered why for a fleeting moment it really did feel like Bella was inside his head seeing and hearing exactly what he did. That what bothered him most of all was the strange feeling that always precipitated the shifting of a new wolf for the first time… it was an ache deep in his chest as if he shared some of the pain of that first terrifying change…What he had felt for those few seconds didn't have the same intensity but he knew without doubt that his pack had just grown by one…
Even so there was a part of him that just plain refused to acknowledge what had just happened. It was impossible for starters and it didn't make any fucking sense…even his wolf growled with unease. But some-how he had connected with Bella and for what reason or why so short he wasn't entirely sure.
"Get a grip" He growled to himself but, he was drawn to go and find her just the same… she needed him.
000
Esme fussed around the large living room placing then readjusting the pale pink silk cushions she had recently purchased via the internet straight from Europe. Alice stood nearby arranging fresh flowers in tall crystal vases with Rosalie busy cutting the stems of pure white single roses for Alice to add to her floral creation.
"What do you think ladies?" Esme called out with glee as she stood back to admire the cushions. Both turned towards the woman they had come to regard as their mother
"Perfect!" Alice trilled "Told you so" Esme merely rolled her eyes Alice did have good taste even if it were somewhat extravagant
"What about you Rosalie, do you think these cushions are perfect?" she queried her head tipped to one-side. Esme had a soft spot for the pretty golden-haired vampire. She knew the sad but violent story behind her daughter's transition into the vampire world and how Rosalie would not have chosen this life if she had been given the chance to say no. But there was nothing any of them could do Carlisle had acted with only good intentions when he saved her that night. She was moments from death that was the harsh reality, just as Edward, Emmett and Esme herself had been when Carlisle chose to turn them too.
On reflection maybe it would have been best to let them all die as nature had intended but Carlisle's need for company after centuries of being on his own had over ridden any doubts he may have held and in her own case he had loved her from the moment he set eyes upon her small still body in the hospital morgue.
For Esme, Carlisle had given her the chance to live a life beyond her wildest dreams and she loved him dearly in return. She was rudely awakened from her thoughts by a loud crash and a cry…
"Alice!" Esme and Rosalie cried in unison as they watched the small pixie like woman cover her mouth with her hands as if to suppress a scream then fall to her knees surrounded by the flowers and water that had spilled from the glass vase that now lay on its side across the top of the piano.
"Alice come sit here"" Rosalie spoke with a little more gentleness in her voice as she helped her sister stand and make her way to the sofa. She glanced back at Esme with worried eyes…Alice was having another vision.
Esme took Alice's hands into her own and went to speak but she could see from the dazed look upon Alice's face that the girl was lost to her vision. All they could do was wait for it to end. She glanced at Rosalie who wore the same worried expression as herself. Whatever Alice would have to share both somehow knew it would not be good news.
The door to the lounge opened with a bang against the white painted wall and Jasper blurred through landing at the feet of Alice. Before he could ask a question, Alice blinked once then twice before covering her face with her hands a small sob escaping as her shoulders trembled.
"Alice…" Jasper murmured "Alice look at me…please darlin" he got up from the floor and sat beside her pulling her into his arms resting her head upon his shoulder "Whatever it is darlin…" he began "It cant be that bad and I'm here for you always I promise" Alice's shoulders appeared to rise and fall as if she were supressing silent little sobs but she did not speak…
She really couldn't face Jasper or look him in the eye…not now…not with what she had to do…
Jasper pulled her back from his shoulder a little his gift warning him that something wasn't right with his little mate, that her visions didn't usually affect her this badly. He gently tilted her head back forcing her to raise her eyes to meet his
"Alice," he murmured "Whatever it is please share with me I only want to help" She looked into his eyes and seeing only devotion reflected in their golden hue she opened her mouth to tell him the truth…. she so desperately wanted to tell him the absolute truth when…
"Alice" Edward's voice pierced the tension that had gathered in the room despite Jaspers unseen attempts to control it. He smiled with that sinister crooked smile of his at an obviously unhappy Jasper and came closer to where he and Alice sat.
"You have news to share sister?" he added his eyes capturing hers as surely as the lion captures the lamb…Alice nodded a little "Then do tell." He encouraged
Alice glanced at Jasper then her eyes returned to Edward then took a deep breath she really didn't need…
"You're not going to keep it a secret are you Alice?" He kept the boyish grin on his face even if it didn't reach his cold eyes "You know how secrets always have a way of being found out…"
Alice flinched a little at his subtle threat, somehow keeping her composure but Jasper certainly didn't miss the little exchange the air was electric, crackling with emotion, but he just chose not to let on. He was sure a bigger game was at play like he had suspected all along, and he decide it was best left to play out…
Alice chose to simply ignore Edward and just closed her eyes a little, rubbing at her temples, feigning discomfort when Jasper spoke up.
" You don't have to tell us anything right this minute little darlin" he moved her hands away from her face "If you've got a headache you can tell us all about it later."
Edward however looked as if he were about to explode when Alice caught his eye again. Without breaking eye contact she quietly replied to jasper
"No …it's okay Jaz really it is I will share with you what I have seen its very important that I do so." As Jasper placed a tiny kiss upon her lips, he was not privy to the slight nod from Edward who was relieved that Alice had chosen to go along with his plan.
Carlisle chose that very moment to enter the room with Emmett…
"Alice?" he queried as he glanced around at the rest of his assembled family "We could hear shouting and hurried back inside. What's going on?" His worried eyes flickered to Alice and then settled upon an equally worried Esme
"I'm glad you're here Carlisle." Alice began "What I have to say involves all of us…I've had another vision and…" she paused "It's not good news."
Everyone took a seat as Alice began to tell them all about the glimpse of the future she had seen during her vision and what they needed to do next…
"The Volturi…" She began as her voice quivered a little "The Volturi will call and expect us to go to Seattle tomorrow night" Rosalie grabbed Emmett's hand tightly her worst nightmare was about to come true
"All of us?" Esme whispered her own hand seeking comfort from Carlisle who looked equally dismayed.
"Surely they won't want to see the entire family Alice" Carlisle began as he squeezed Esme's hand in reassurance "I can go alone" Alice shook her head a little sadly
"All of us Carlisle Aro will be adamant I've seen it and if we don't go…" She left the rest unsaid, but they all knew the Volturi would come for them if they dared to disobey. Carlisle rose from his seat and began to pace the room
"For what purpose Alice? Why would he want all of us to go to Seattle its not like we are meeting him in person…"? His words dried upon his lips "Tell me he and his brothers are not coming to Seattle Alice" Carlisle implored his eyes snapping to a shocked Esme and a terrified Rosalie. Alice merely shook her head
"I didn't see Aro here in the US, but he will be adamant that you meet with Jane and the others tomorrow night in Seattle. If we do this then we will be safe" Alice lowered her eyes to her hands which were intertwined to stop herself from fiddling, she was so nervous. Jaspers eyes narrowed a little as he watched her reactions.
"The pack…what will become of them?" Carlisle asked already resigned to his fate that he and his children would never come back to forks that the best he could hope for was to be returned to Volterra and a lifetime of servitude to the Volturi…
If they were lucky…
He glanced around the room knowing only too well how Aro worked. If things went the usual way, then those with gifts would survive the others …. he didn't want to dwell on that scenario as he knew damn well it would include his beloved Esme…possibly even himself
"When we leave for Seattle the new-borns will come here. They will seek out Bella Swan and Victoria will kill her." Alice looked so desolate that Esme whimpered loudly from the seat in which she sat "Without our help" Alice went on "The new born's will overwhelm the pack and they will all die in defence of their land."
Alice had barely stopped talking when the shrill sound of the telephone cut through the tension. Carlisle shot a look at Alice who nodded. He picked up the receiver
"Doctor Carlisle Cullen" he began then his eyes found a bewildered Esme "Aro how good to hear from you again. Twice in one month what have we done to deserve your attention?" his shoulders dropped as he listened, and he turned his back to the others looking down his garden towards the fast-flowing river.
"I see…" he added "of course Aro but is it absolutely necessary that my entire family come along to meet with Jane?" he closed his eyes at Aro's terse reply.
It was just as Alice had predicted…
"Well then in that Case" Carlisle put on a voice that sounded jovial…he was far from it…" we look forward to dinner with Jane tomorrow at 8 o'clock" he replaced the receiver then turned to face his family. There was nothing further to say they all knew future was now unfolding just as Alice had said it would
"Can we warn the pack Jasper?" Carlisle asked but Jasper simply shook his head
"We can but its going to end the same way unless Jacob sends Bella faraway"
"He will never do that" Carlisle sighed "He loves that girl and his land too much. No, he will fight till the end of that we can be sure"
"But…" Jasper began as he stood up abruptly "If I was in Blacks position, I'd want to know" he began to walk to the door "I will tell him Carlisle it's the least we can do for him as a warrior" Carlisle nodded then wiped at tired eyes.
Outside in the forest and miles away from the house Jasper came to a halt. He had to do some thinking and fast. Whatever Alice had seen…well it didn't feel right…something was out of place. His eyes narrowed as he lent against a tree. The prediction about Seattle was spot on after all the call from Aro had confirmed it but something else was going on between Edward and Alice the emotions between the too had almost overwhelmed him
Something was wrong…Alice wasn't her usual self….and Edward…Edward was behind it he'd bet his life upon it …. then he had an idea one he had secretly carried since he first seen the Volturi in Seattle…now he just had to convince Black to trust and follow his lead.
000
The sun was starting to set as Bella chopped and sliced the onions for the chilli she was making for supper. The oil in the pan shimmered with heat as she added the onion and chopped chilli releasing their heady aromas into the air. Turning she reached for the jar of chopped garlic and dipping a spoon into the rich oily mixture she took a large spoonful and popped it into the pan to simmer until the onions were opaque and shiny
As she sliced the large green bell pepper and try as she might to ignore it, her thoughts drifted back to what had happened that afternoon and she caught her finger with the knife…
"Ow!" She yelped dropping the offending instrument which landed with a clatter on the linoleum floor. The rusty salty smell of fresh blood assaulted her senses as holding her finger out in front of herself she dashed for the sink as droplets of blood quickly formed and fell. She held her breath not wanting to smell the blood as she held her finger under the running the water, watching as it finally ran clear down the drain
Bella let her breath out with a hiss the wound had stopped stinging and satisfied the it was clean she wrapped a piece of paper towel around the cut making her way to the bath room to find a plaster. It was too deep to leave uncovered.
"It really not my day…" she sighed to herself as she caught sight of her face in the mirror that hung over the bathroom sink. The young woman who looked back at her was pale and tired, dark circles had formed under her eyes and that awful queasy feeling was back but at least she knew what was causing it and it wasn't just the smell of blood.
One hand softly touched her tummy before she snatched it away shaking her head a little. It still hadn't really sunk in…the fact that she was gonna be a mommy and Jake…how the hell had they got to this freakin point in time? It felt like only yesterday that they were drinking warm soda and making mud pies to sell and here they were making babies!
Bella closed her eyes and sighed a little it wasn't that she didn't want the little one it was just… well…it was too soon they had only just become lovers and oh god they would be teenage parents too the sort of situation she used to despise in others.
She stared at herself wide eyed with worry…" Charlie" she muttered he was gonna shoot Jake for sure. Already she could see that vein throbbing on his temple…and what about College and Renee… she swallowed hard …how on earth would she tell Renee?
Somehow she managed to put aside her worries as she concentrated on finding a plaster for the cut that had started to bleed again when that strange feeling she always got when Jacob was near tingled down her spine. She turned expectantly towards the door her tummy full of butterflies
"Please let him be happy at the news" She prayed out loud gearing herself up to tell him
"Bella!" Jacob called as he entered the kitchen his nose twitching as he scented blood…her blood… his eyes zeroed in on the knife on the floor "What the fuck!" he hissed loudly "Bella?"he called again as he followed her heady scent mixed with blood reaching the bathroom as she opened the door
"Jacob!" she cried as she threw herself into is arms
"Hey now honey" his hot breath tickled her ear as his voice rumbled through her small body." He held her hand up with the offending cut finger "Come on let me dress this wound"
"It was just a silly accident don't make a fuss" she began as he rolled his eyes at her "I tried to find some plasters but all you had were these" she held up an old box of children's plasters that were covered in images of rockets. Jacob grinned at her
"Jeez Bells they are years old probably wont even stick to anything. I think Billy bought them for me when I was about 5 years old" he swiftly kissed the tip of her nose as her face fell then pulled back shaking his head a little "You're trembling Bella are you feeling okay…is it the blood?" his dark eyes were full of concern. She looked up at him and went to say something when his cell rang.
"Whoever that is can wait." he huffed "Let's get you fixed up first" he walked with her holding him tight, her legs wrapped around his waist and he stopped in front of a large cupboard in the hallway. Reaching up he pulled down a large box full of bandages and other dressings. Rummaging around a little he found some plasters and marched off in the direction of the kitchen.
He had just placed Bella on top of the kitchen worksurface when his cell rang again. Jacob expelled his breath through clenched teeth
"Whoever that is they're beginning to fuck me off" he turned towards Bella gently taking her finger and wrapping a plaster around the cut. "There" he smiled looking pleased with himself so much so that Bella giggled a little "What?" he asked looking wounded, but Bella knew he was teasing
"Thank you" she smiled as Jacob pushed in between her thighs pulling her to the edge of the worktop and tight against his firm hot body
"You're welcome" He murmured as his hot lips brushed against hers. Fuck how he needed to be close to her right this very minute. So much so it was almost unbearable even the wolf was lost to it the magnetic pull. Deep inside he questioned why…something had changed he just couldn't put a finger on it.
"Love you so much" Bella replied as Jake deepened the kiss filling her mouth with heat and the taste of the forest. Soft moans struggled to leave her throat as he kissed her breathless. As they pulled apart, they each gave a breathy sigh as if parting was painful
"Jeez you taste so sweet honey" he murmured as his hot lips trailed along her jaw settling upon the pulse behind her left ear. He moved his nose back and forth across her soft skin taking a long breath drenched with her scent his eyes rolling back like an addict taking a hit. He was about to nip at his mark when his cell rang again making Bella jump in surprise. Jacob drew back and reached for the offending device
"What?" he snarled "It had better be good"
"Jacob its Jasper" that made Jacob stand upright and to attention
"What the hell do you want Cullen?" His eyes narrowed as he stepped away from Bella who had tried to stifle a little cry thinking it was Edward
"I need your permission to come onto tribal land" Jasper quietly replied
"No fucking way!" Jacob cursed
"Listen to me please" Jasper implored "There has been a change in plan the new borns and the Volturi will strike tomorrow"
"We'll be ready!" Jacob gripped the phone so hard Bella was sure it was going to shatter
"My family have been told to go to Seattle tomorrow and most likely we will not return" Jasper waited for that to sink in he desperately needed to meet Jacob and preferably in La Push
"You would desert us?" Jacob asked his face a mask of disbelief
"No" Jasper replied "That's why I need to meet with you now and somewhere my family cannot follow Jacob…" Jasper's eyes narrowed "We can't trust some of my family and I have a plan that might just give us the edge…"
000
A/N: Oh, I bet that's got you all thinking!
Till next time oxoxo