Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer, but the plot is all mine!
We are getting closer to the end my friends…Now the story continues…
Chapter 62 – The Plan is revealed
Jacob frowned at what Jasper had just shared and shook his head a little in disbelief as his eyes flickered to Bella who was trying her best to act normal by reheating the chillies and onions, she had been busy cooking earlier. She didn't fool him not for one minute her whole body was tense and she nibbled hard at her poor bottom lip. He made his decision. Whatever it took to keep Bella safe he would do it and with that last thought he spoke.
"I'll meet you at the boundary line in twenty minutes" he practically growled into the cell
"No can do" Jasper hissed "I need to be further into tribal ground Jake somewhere my siblings will think twice about following" Jakes eyes narrowed the treaty hadn't stopped Edward when he trespassed not so long ago, and every fibre of his being was not happy with allowing a leech permission to come to him.
"The treaty didn't stop Edward." Jakes voice was full of anger and even through a cell Jasper picked up on those emotions loud and clear
"I suppose I can't stop that from happening again" Jasper began "But the current situation demands we meet somewhere other than on the treaty line" Jakes eyes flickered to Bella who had turned to face him her eyes wide she too was picking up on the tension in the air
"Ok…" Jacob began "I have a suggestion. Meet me at the old mill on the northern boundary of Quileute land. I'll decide if you can cross when I see you face to face" That seemed to appease Jasper and they ended the call. Jake immediately reached for Bella pulling her into a hug
"Bella honey…" he murmured as she pressed her face into the side of his neck breathing deeply. She was trembling a little and Jake tightened his hold
"What's going on Jake?" she began as she pulled back and looked up into his eyes hesitating a little before adding "Was that…?" she didn't finish as Jacob pulled her back against his firm body
"Shh it wasn't who you thought it was" He began not wanting to utter the name of the one Cullen he absolutely loathed. She looked at him with expectant eyes and he sighed loudly he would have to tell her whether he wanted to or not "It was Jasper he wants to meet on tribal land" her eyes widened in response. That didn't make sense she thought Jasper of all the Cullen's respected both the treaty and the pack
"Things are that bad" she whispered, and Jake nodded in response "They are coming for us…" She added. It wasn't a question more of a statement. Capturing her eyes with his own once again Jacob nodded his agreement.
"It would seem not all of the Cullen's are prepared to fight with the pack against Victoria and her friends" he watched as her face fell and he gently tipped her face back up to his "But Jasper has a plan and I'm going to meet him later so don't think it's over Bella we haven't even started" Jacob looked adamant as he spoke
"What can I do to help?" She asked
"Stay here on the reservation. The pack will guard you…" he hesitated slightly "whatever happens..." he looked at her with his deep brown eyes so full of love and devotion it took her breath away. She stood on tip toe to place a kiss upon his burning lips and Jacob quickly took control his hot tongue mapping her mouth. It was the smell of burning onions that pulled them apart and Jake quickly put the saucepan in the sink pouring cold water upon the blackened contents
"I'll have to start again…Bella rolled her eyes at him sighing deeply. She never burned food but the whole atmosphere had changed following Jaspers call somehow it felt to Bella that time was running out…
"It's ok I'll order pizza" Jacob smiled at her opening his arms for her to run into and he wrapped his strong arms around her little body "I'll come back home after my meeting with the leech so we can eat then." He buried his face in Bella's hair inhaling the sweet scent that emanated from his little mate's body. He swore to himself that it had changed even more since this morning and then he remembered the incident in the forest he needed to ask her even if now didn't seem the appropriate time.
Bella was having the same thought not only was she still wondering whether she had actually connected with him she desperately wanted to share her news about the baby…
"I've got something…" they both spoke at the same time
"No, you go first… "They both added. Jacob smoothed the little frown line between her eyebrows with his thumb and flashed that mega wat smile of his
"You start first Bella" his deep voice rumbled through her chest on a direct course for that dark place between her thighs that pulsed in response. She frowned a little then hitching her bottom lip up into her mouth her teeth nibbled as she thought about how she would start. Jake eased the lip away
"I wanna do that Bells" he whispered "I wanna nip that lip something bad…" his face drew close for another kiss, but Bella pushed him back with a hand upon his huge chest
"I have to ask you a question first Jake" she began almost smiling at the naughty boy look upon his face. "And its gonna sound really stupid too" he rolled his eyes and waited. Bella took a deep breath
"You know how you always seem to know when I'm in trouble or feeling unhappy when I really need you?" She nibbled her lip again as she looked into his eyes "Like a sort of wolf radar you come to wherever I am?" Jacob nodded in agreement "What if…" She hesitated a little "What if I told you I think our connection has shifted into something deeper?" His eye's widened in response. Was she about to say what he thought she would?
"What's happened Bells?" he queried "Because I've got something to say on the subject too" She frowned in response then
"This afternoon I closed my eyes for a few seconds and …" Bella was sure he would just laugh his head off when she told him but she pressed on "I thought I could see what you saw in the forest…when you were running wolf with the pack…like…like I was inside your head"
Jacob looked startled at her revelation and Bella took this as a sign he thought she was crazy…
"Really?" he mumbled his mind in turmoil how the fuck had it happened and why? But before he could utter a word
"You think I'm crazy, don't you?" Bella asked a blush upon her cheeks "I certainly do" She went to pull away, but Jake held her fast
"You're not crazy honey." he smiled at her "Because I felt you too" Her mouth popped open in surprise. That wasn't what she was expecting to hear leaving her both frightened and exhilarated at the same time.
"Really?" She whispered her face full of awe. Jacob nodded
"I thought I was going crazy too Bells. It was just me that felt you I checked with Sam and Paul" Bella looked up at him with a thoughtful expression
"What does this mean Jake?" she asked. He shook his head
"I don't know Bella I really don't know. But I'm sure it's never happened before though" he looked a little concerned. "Maybe we should ask dad and check in with Old Quil?" Bella nodded when a long low howl rang out causing Jacob to tilt his head in a lupine way and listen just as another howl followed this one sounded a little desperate even to Bella's ears
"I've gotta go Bells" he didn't look happy as he placed a gentle kiss upon her brow "We can talk more later" Bella hesitated should she tell him about the baby? But now didn't seem the right time so she simply nodded watching as he headed for the back door. He turned to face her his feature already wolf like...
"Stay inside tonight Bella, don't go out into the forest whatever happens" She nodded thinking it was a strange request "Colin will be outside hell keep you safe" and then he was gone phasing on the fly as he crossed the back yard disappearing into the undergrowth leaving his cut offs on the grass
Bella stood peering out of the kitchen window long after he was gone. She hugged herself something about this wolf alarm worried her it didn't feel right and to be honest she was downright scared. Scared for Jake and the pack…scared for the baby…her hand wandered to her tummy and a single tear rolled down her face. Jacob had left her not knowing he was gonna be a daddy and in that moment, she prayed to the great spirits to bring him home safely.
Turning away from the window Bella realised she had some deep thinking to do. Firstly, Jake had confirmed that she had connected to him in some sort of mind link and she needed to figure out why and secondly, she really needed to find out if she could do it again because she had the strongest feeling both their lives could depend upon it. With a loud sigh she switched the kettle on.
000
Jasper had decided to take matters into his own hands and crossed over onto tribal land. The patrolling wolves had caught his smell on the wind immediately howling for back up. Now the pack and its Alpha raced to the northern boundary to take down the intruder.
He had heard the lupine alarm and knew he had very limited time to get to safety. Either he crossed back or looked for somewhere he had a chance to protect himself until Jacob arrived. He knew the pack were resourceful and he needed to choose his defence with care. The howling drew closer the patrolling three wolves were getting nearer and it wouldn't be long before they raced into the small clearing in which he stood.
Jasper looked around him there wasn't much available to fend off three wolves hell bent on destroying him. In the end he leapt up into a tall hemlock tree and quickly climbed to the highest point. Just in time too as Embry Seth and Leah skidded to a stop in the clearing. They hadn't seen him scurry up the tree, but they lifted their large snouts skyward as the stench of leech burned their throats…they knew he was still near.
It didn't take them too long to deduce the leech was in the large tree and they all jumped against the trunk growling and snarling with eyes turned upwards to where Jasper sat. All he needed now before Jake arrived was for one of them to phase and climb the tree in an attempt to flush him out for the others below…of course that's exactly what happened despite Jasper trying to calm the situation with his gift
"I'm not sure it's a good idea" Embry cautioned as Seth phased before him
"I'm not on board either "Leah growled it was her little brother after all
"Its ok" Seth grumbled as he stood up naked as the day, he was born
"Do you mind…" Leah huffed turning her huge head slightly to avoid his nudity. Walking around in the buff was not unusual for the pack and Leah had gotten used to it but somehow it didn't feel right seeing everything her brother owned out on display…
"You've seen it all before Sis…" Seth chuckled as he hoisted himself up into a large tree beside Jaspers and began to climb "Just wait for my signal…" He added and disappeared into the dense foliage. In a way Jasper was relieved it was Seth of all the members of the pack he was the one most likely not to be shocked by his appearance and listen to what he had to say. He pushed two branches to one side and called Seth's name just as his head aligned with his position
"Seth!" Jasper called causing the young boy to almost fall from the tree in surprise
"Jasper?" He asked steadying himself as he peered through the branches across to the old hemlock tree opposite surely that wasn't who he thought it was…and come to think of it he had recognised the stench earlier he just didn't believe it...
"it's me Seth…" Jasper began "I'm trying to meet with Jacob"
"By crossing onto tribal land…have you gone insane?" The young boy looked totally perplexed and unsure what to do next. It may have been Jasper that sat looking at him high in a tree, but his lupine senses screamed at him that this was still a leech on tribal land in defiance of the treaty. Sensing something was wrong Embry had phased back to the man
"What's going on Seth?" he called as Leah pawed angrily at the ground beside him. Certainly, any element of surprise had been lost and it may be best to get Seth down before anything further could go wrong
"Its Jasper…" Seth called out. Embry couldn't believe his ears neither could Leah who immediately reported into Jake who was at most a minute away. This could be some sort of trick that had brought the pack north whilst the others attacked the tribe.
Jacob skidded to a halt his large claws finding purchase in the grassy clearing and his large head looked upwards to where Jasper was hidden. He immediately phased as the rest of the pack bounded into the clearing growling and yipping as they all caught the deep rotten stench of leech.
"Seth get down now" Jake called out and watched as branches snapped and rustled as Seth climbed down "You might as well come down too Jasper" he added "We can escort you back to your side of the boundary line" Jaspers legs appeared first then he swung himself down onto the ground eyeing the rest of the pack with wary eyes
"I'd be happier if you called them off and sent them away" he looked at Jacob before his eyes darted back to where the other wolves stood growling and snapping their huge jaws. Jacob merely shook his head
"No can do" he replied "You have technically broken the treaty by coming onto our land"
"I have good reason…" Jasper began as he brushed dead leaves from his jacket "I needed to meet with you away from prying eyes" he hesitated a little then added "Edward for one" Jacob couldn't help the growl that bubbled up from his chest at the mention of his name. Jasper smiled a little "If its of any help I feel exactly the same way about my dear brother."
"I don't have time for chit chat and family rivalries" Jacob snarled "The fact remains you are on our land without my express permission despite me warning you earlier." Jasper sighed
"I also needed to see you on tribal land with your pack as an insurance against my dear wife." He stood tall as Jacob met his eyes
"Your wife?" Jacob began not sure as to where Jasper was going "What does she have to do with this"
"A lot more than either of us realise is my bet." Jasper smoothly replied, "I've been watching her for months now and I'm not entirely sure that what she shares is true."
"Problems you have with whether your wife lies to you is still not a reason to be here on our land" Jake was fast losing his patience a fact that was not lost on Jasper
"My wife sees glimpses of the future as you are aware " He began as Jake nodded in agreement he knew the pixie was a witch Bella had told him about her gifts "Not everything comes true, they are subjective dependent upon a change of decision…a whim if you like…" he hesitated then continued " There is one other weakness something Alice cannot overcome…" Jasper smiled then added " Wolves" He looked rather smug as Jake stood frowning " Alice cannot see the future when the object of her interest is with a wolf, we know this from trying to see Bella. There is nothing but a blank hole when she is with you Jacob"
Jake didn't know what to say or think. He was shocked that the Cullen's had tried to see Bella's future…tried to watch her…part of him still thought this whole thing was a trap. Jasper could feel his worry and indecision
"I wouldn't trust a Cullen" Paul growled close to Jacob
"Technically I'm a Hale" Jasper winked at Paul then turned his attentions back to Jake "Look I have bad news about the Volturi and the new-borns" That snapped Jacob out of his stupor
"Tell us the news then get off my land" he snarled
"The Cullen's have been summoned to Seattle" Jasper began "Tomorrow we meet with the Volturi but it's a nothing but a ruse to get us away from Forks and at worst destroy us" Jacob didn't flinch if vampires destroyed each other who was he to interfere
"Not my problem" he snapped
"But I beg to differ…" Jasper replied "When we go to Seattle the new-born army will arrive here in La Push and Victoria will find Bella"
"We will take them down first!" Jacob was getting angrier by the minute his body was starting to vibrate a fact Jasper did not miss
"There are too many Jacob, without us fighting by your side they will overwhelm you and…" he didn't have to say anything more Jake and the pack got the message.
"Then don't go to Seattle" To Jake this seemed like the logical answer
"Can't do that Jake" Jasper sighed "That will bring the Volturi here and into the fight. We don't want that they are well trained and experienced fighters" Hearing this Jacob began to pace he glanced at Embry who shrugged his shoulders
"Check mate" he murmured.
"Maybe you should send Bella away" Paul began "With the other imprints send them somewhere safe" His need to protect Bella at all costs was kicking in again. Leah nudged him with her snout softly whining. Jacob considered for a moment, but Jasper didn't wait
"Bella will never be safe Jacob they will track her down you know that deep down" Jasper shook his head a little if the pack were destroyed by the new-borns nothing would stand in the way of Victoria…Jacob took a deep breath letting it hiss between his teeth as he exhaled loudly
"Sam?" he queried
"Jaspers got a point" Sam replied "Without us the girls don't stand a chance"
"Nor do the tribe" Paul added "If we fall the tribe fall too" Snarling and growling filled the air causing Jasper to stiffen a little his eyes snapped to the wolves then back to Jacob
"Not all is lost…" Jasper spoke quietly trying to keep the stress out of his voice "I have a plan but no-one, but you must know that is why I have come onto your land… the blank spot…remember?" Jacobs eyes grew wide
"You really don't trust your wife that much" he whistled a little "She would betray us?"
"I'm not positive but this meeting tomorrow with the Volturi makes no sense…" Jasper looked a little wistful "Why would they ask us to come to Seattle unless they suspected we were going to fight with you?" He sighed loudly "They shouldn't even be involved with Victoria but there are bigger things at play here and some people have been out to get rid of Carlisle Cullen and his family for some time" He turned to face Jacob who stood frowning at what he had heard
"You think someone tipped them off? Jacob asked the obvious question and Jasper nodded
"Yes, I believe there is a spy in the camp" He smiled a little, but it did not reach his amber eyes
"Your wife?" Jacob replied
"No not directly…" Jaspers eyes narrowed "I think its Edward and Alice is helping him" he waited for a second as that piece of information sunk in then added "Now do you understand why I need to be amongst you and on tribal land?" Jake nodded this whole situation was becoming increasingly dangerous and he truly wondered if any of them stood a chance in hell in the upcoming battle.
"Okay but what's your plan?" Jacob asked
"We take the fight to the Volturi" Jasper smiled his sharp teeth glinted in the moonlight "We take the fight to Seattle Jacob…tonight…
000
"So" Jane began as she let the human body fall limply to the floor. Licking her lips, she gestured to Felix to take the woman's body away. "Dispose of that" Her small burgundy red eyes returned to the young man who stood nearby "What are they planning? Do tell"
"I'm not entirely sure" he replied then flinched a little as Jane's wrath flooded her baby features. In life she must have been a spoilt brat before being turned at about fourteen and now as a vampire and with her infamous gift getting her way was the norm. Jane had been born into a house of minor European nobility used with getting her own way and ideas above her way above her station until that fateful night when her carriage had been stopped on a dark road. In the vampire world everyone dreaded Jane and with good reason too…
Carlisle Cullen liked to believe that maybe vampires still possessed a soul… Jane on the other hand was living evidence that they didn't…
"Not entirely sure simply isn't good enough" She countered rage trickling a little into her childish voice. Demetri stood back in the shadows he knew the signs as to when to keep a low profile, but Felix licked his thin lips with glee maybe someone was about to lose their head… with his help of course
"My brother is being cautious" The young man countered "At least around me but I will break his barriers down eventually I will see all his mind has to offer I always do in the end"
"But time is against you. "Jane turned away her black cloak billowing in the evening breeze and walked towards the edge of the roof. Down below the new-borns were once again fighting amongst themselves and Jane was beginning to lose patience with all of them. "Time is a luxury none of us have if we are to do Aro's bidding" She turned around to face her young visitor "You have until tomorrow morning then we will carry out Aro's orders as planned the Cullen's will not fight with this scum"
"And the wolves?" the young man asked
"We will kill all barre one" Jane smiled a little, a smile that didn't reach her eyes "One wolf we intend to take back to Volterra for experimental purposes of course" Felix smiled too he was eager to kill these dogs that dared to destroy vampires. The young man nodded as he turned to go
"Oh, and Edward" Jane smiled again her cold eyes seeming to enjoy every second of his discomfort "Aro sends his regards and is looking forward to you joining the Volturi as you promised. He can't wait to meet your new bride…"
Edward grimaced but a deal was a deal and if that's what it took to get Jacob Black out of the way and make Bella his wife then a hundred years of service to Aro was worth every moment.
000
A/N: The plan is out in the open at last but is it too late…?
Till next time oxoxox