Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer, but the plot is all mine!
Thank you all for reading my story your support means the world oxo…This chapter is a little short but it felt like a natural break between chapters.
Now the story continues…
Chapter 63 – Daddy?
Edward Cullen nodded and forced a smile upon his un-naturally handsome face he had to play the game if he were to get everything he hoped for especially when dealing with one so powerful and cruel as Jane
"I will find out what plans if any the wolf pack have and report back to you" Edwards eyes flickered to the small vampire who had silently appeared on the rooftop and was listening intently, he hadn't liked her as a human and he disliked her even more as a vampire but her mind was intriguing and maybe useful.
Despite everything that had happened she still wanted Jacob Black, longed for him. Somehow Edward concluded, the imprint must have survived the change to become indelibly etched on her still heart, but she was also consumed with hatred, hatred for Bella and that made Jessica Stanley very dangerous indeed.
"I am of course as always honoured to serve Aro and I too look forward to meeting with him in the next few days." Edward added his attention firmly back with Jane but she merely waved her hand in dismissal she didn't trust any vampire who could read minds as easily as Edward Cullen and a slight frown passed across his face in response to her thoughts before he forced a smile upon his lips.
He glanced around before his gaze fell back upon Jane who watched with narrowed eyes. There was no one gathered there that he could trust each would destroy him without a second thought given the chance…
"You had better deliver what you have promised Edward, Aro does not give second chances." Jane smiled but it didn't reach her blood coloured eyes. "Well what do you want girl?" She snapped her fingers in the direction of none other than Jessica Stanley who promptly flinched. Jessica had already witnessed Janes hideous gift in action and certainly didn't want it turned on her.
"I have a message from Victoria" Jessica replied desperately trying to infuse her voice with confidence but failing rather miserably much to the delight of Felix who licked his lips then winked in her direction. The young vampire quickly averted her eyes and back to Jane who was now impatiently tapping her foot
"Well?" She snapped
"Victoria has assembled the new-borns in the courtyard below as you wished." Jessica couldn't help but take a wary glance in Felix's direction and the burly vampire smiled cracking the knuckles on each hand. Having seen what those hands could do she didn't want to be on the receiving end and one of her own hands involuntarily slipped to her throat making her swallow hard
Jane rolled her eyes she didn't need to be told they were ready she'd been watching the shambles of an "army" from the rooftop and the little control Victoria had over them. Still they would serve as a distraction and if any survived, they could be dispatched later after all part of her mission was the clear up the mess the stupid red head had created.
"Go get out of my sight!" her voice rang clear into the darkness and swirling mist that gathered around them. Jessica with a sigh of relief scampered off. As she neared the stairwell she glanced into the shadows and caught Demetri watching her she gave him a nervous little smile and ran down the stairs, he was always watching her…
Demetri sighed a little to himself remaining in the shadows. For some reason he couldn't explain he was drawn to Jessica Stanley in a way he had never felt since he was turned. He closed his eyes as he imagined her mouth close to his as he took her hard making her his mate…
"Demetri" Jane was looking in his direction and it brought the vampire back into focus. "Come here I have work for you to do" he glided over in his long cloak billowing slightly in the evening breeze
"Jane…" he murmured in deference, but her attention was back with Edward
"Shouldn't you be on your way back to Forks?" Janes eyes were hard as she walked towards Edward
"I…I…" Edward didn't normally stutter but then again Jane could make you do a lot of things you seriously didn't want to "I was about to go" he finished
"Well then don't let us keep you any longer" Jane turned away with a flourish and walked to where Demetri and Felix were standing as Edward shot by on his way to the stairs. Once she was satisfied, he had left Jane turned to Demetri
"Follow him" she ordered "But make sure he doesn't see you and more importantly hear you" She tapped a finger at her temple. Demetri nodded he understood exactly what Jane was referring to. "Make sure he does as he is told I don't trust him"
Then she turned towards Felix who was loitering up against a wall. He had been quietly observing Demetri something had changed about his fellow vampire after years of campaigns together he could feel a distance growing between them, he got the distinct feeling that his friend no longer enjoyed working for the Volturi and that was seriously bad news…
"Felix" Jane began moving towards the burly vampire her patience was wearing thin as she motioned to Demetri to come closer too." Before you go Demetri." she began "You need to be back here by tomorrow morning we must prepare for the Cullen's and our little surprise" A small smile crept onto her thin lips and Felix grinned back in return cracking his knuckles again
"Tomorrow we put an end to the ridiculous experiment Carlisle Cullen has been running and it is the express wish of Aro that we keep only three Cullen's alive." Demetri and Felix both raised their eyebrows in disbelief, that always complicated things.
"Which three?" Demetri asked although he had a feeling he knew. If this massacre followed the pattern of all other's he had taken part in it would be those members of the Cullen clan the Volturi considered useful
"Edward, Jasper and Alice" Jane replied then added "Especially Alice from what we have heard she has an exceptional gift." Both male vampires nodded
"And what of Bella Swan?" Demetri asked as Jane glared at him "You haven't mentioned her"
"We simply don't need her" Jane replied, "She is not vampire and has no special gifts, even when turned she'll be of no value" Her thin lips turned up into a grin "She will die tomorrow with the others."
Demetri merely nodded in reply he wasn't sure if that was the best plan where Edward was concerned but he wasn't risking a moment of sheer agony to disagree
"I'd better get after Edward" Demetri murmured his tracking skills were legendary and there was no- where Edward could hide, he just didn't want him to get too far in front. Within moments of Demetri's departure Jane turned to Felix
"When he returns watch him something is off" Janes eyes narrowed with thought as she made her way to the stair well.
000
Jacob didn't know what to think about Jaspers plan. Taking the fight to Seattle sounded right but it would leave the Tribe and Bella unprotected whilst they were miles away engaged in a battle from which some of them could possibly not return. Grim faced he glanced at first Embry, then Sam and Paul…
"It won't just be us" Jasper smiled a little "Carlisle and Emmett will fight with us too."
"You're sure of this?" Jacob replied "What about Alice? Won't she let Edward know and the element of surprise will be lost?" Jasper shook his head a little
"Carlisle already suspects Edward is up to no good and he also suspects Alice is in on it with him" Jasper sounded a little sad as he spoke but then cheered up a little "Besides Emmett just likes to fight and we need him"
Jacob glanced at the others who nodded their agreement
"I don't think we have any other choice Jake…" Embry began "Whichever way we choose it's gonna be tough"
"But it makes sense from a military point of view" Paul murmured as he glanced at Jasper who merely winked "The last thing they will expect is an attack on home ground"
"Precisely" Jasper replied
"In that case…" Jacob sighed "It leaves me with no choice other than to say, we're with you Jasper." Jasper nodded and offered his hand which after a moment's hesitation Jake shook.
"Okay here's the plan" Jacob turned towards the pack "Sam, Embry, Paul, Jared, Quil and Leah you stay the rest of you go back to La Push. The younger wolves barked and huffed in dismay they wanted to fight too.
"I want to stay!" Seth sounded angry "No way are you leaving me behind"
"You will stay!" Jacob snarled as Seth fell to his knees the weight of the Alpha order making it impossible to disobey, He sighed loudly as Seth scrambled back up to his feet and he walked towards the young man laying a heavy hand on one shoulder
"I need you here in La Push Seth, the Tribe need's you as do the imprints" Jacob looked directly into the young man's eyes "I'm relying on you Seth to look after Bella for me if…" He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what Jacob was implying. Seattle could be a suicide mission and Jacob was risking not only himself but his oldest and best fighters too.
With that sombre thought in every-ones minds the younger wolves headed back home as Jacob turned to face his assembled friends
"We don't have much time if we are to get to Seattle before dawn" Jacob began "But before then I think there is one important thing, we need to do…" He took a deep breath "Embry and I both transcended…. now is the time for the rest of you to take that leap"
Leah grabbed Paul's hand they had discussed this moment in depth but didn't think it would arrive so soon. He lightly squeezed her hand in response before letting go and stepping forward
"I agree" Paul growled
"Me too" Quil stepped up beside him followed by Leah on his opposite side with Sam bringing up the rear. Only Jared remained
"Jared?" Jacob queried at his grief-stricken friend
"What about the imprints?" Jared suddenly queried "We can't leave them in the protection of such young wolves…they don't have the experience" His eyes darted to Quil who winced in return as he thought about Claire, but he stayed where he was saying nothing.
Jake felt a little deflated as he looked at Jared remembering what Old Quil had once said about imprinting, that it could be seen as a test and that for some wolves the gift of an imprint was enough. They were not worthy of transcending into spirit wolves if they put their imprint's safety above the tribe and that of the pack. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath…
"You know how imprinting has been working for this pack Jared, how do you know that Kim is your true imprint, that she is not part of the curse that inflicts us? After all you weren't exactly pleased in the beginning…"
Jared flinched at Jakes words, his Alpha had a point, he had thought Kim ugly and not worthy even to speak to… even now he knew his behaviour towards her was at times downright disgraceful…Without another word he stepped forward to join his brothers as relief rushed through Jakes body like a tsunami
"Let's begin" Jacob growled "There's no time to lose"
000
Jasper stood in awe as the magic dispersed around the last pack member to transcend into the Spirit Warrior, the shift in power that now emanated from the pack flooded through his senses. This he felt could be the deciding factor in the battle they now faced. He walked calmly over to where Jacob stood
"I need to make a call" he began "To Carlisle and Emmett" Jacob nodded his agreement
"We need to get back to La Push…" He didn't finish but everyone knew it was to say goodbye…
"Understood" Jasper murmured "We will meet you on the Forks Tribal land border hopefully Alice will not know what is going on if we are with you" He turned and sped away leaving swaying branches in his wake.
"Let's go!" Jacob growled as he phased into the russet wolf "Say your goodbyes and meet me at the border in twenty minutes. Howling filled the cold night air as the pack raced back to La Push all around them snow began to fall, settling upon the forest floor…
000
Bella almost dropped her mug of tea as Jacob came crashing through the back door and from his stricken face, she knew he didn't have good news
"J…Jake?" She stuttered as he swept her up into his arms and placed his hot mouth over hers. Her mind panicked as she returned his kiss that was full of desire but edged with something else…like…like desperation as if this could be his last… Bella pulled back breathless as he continued to softly kiss along her jaw pausing under her ear where her pulse beat loudly.
"So so sweet honey your scent drives me insane." Jake growled as he nipped at her neck. Some-how she managed to push back form him forcing him to look at her
"What's wrong Jacob?" Bella asked as she saw the pain, he desperately tried to hide so clearly in his dark eyes
"I have to go Bella…" He began
"Victoria?" She asked as he nodded his face now very grave "Is she here in La Push?" Jacob shook his head
"We are going to Seattle tonight to stop them from coming here." He smiled a little as he raised her cold hands to his hot lips placing tender butterfly kisses on her pale skin. Bella frowned she knew he wasn't being entirely truthful
"Its not just Victoria is it?" She whispered hoping in her heart that they were not moving against her…not now. Jacob caught her eyes with his own and nodded
"They cannot be allowed to come here Bell's not to the tribe and not to you." He looked defiant as he spoke sending dread like the touch of ice-cold fingers down her spine
"Bella, I love you so so much!" he murmured as his lips found hers again…then he drew back looking startled his eyes wide with wonder as he studied her face
"What's wrong?" She asked he was really starting to scare her but with out a word Jacob dropped to his knees in front of her gently placing one side of his head against her tummy…"Jake…" Bella cried "Jacob please" but he was already lifting her oversized t shirt placing a soft kiss on her skin. He rose to his feet tipping her head with one finger to meet his eyes
"How long have you known?" He asked shaking his head a little "I knew you smelt different I …. I just couldn't put a finger on it…until I heard a tiny heart-beat…jeez you were sick today too …I'm such an idiot…"
"Today" Bella simply replied as he drew her close against his overheated body the desire to protect her and his cub overwhelming. "Sue did a test and well…. now you know too"
Jacob laughed as he looked down at her worried face then picked her up, her legs wrapping tightly around his waist
"I'm gonna be a Daddy? He asked still looking gob smacked, "Really Bells?" She nodded smiling at the dorky look upon his handsome face. Then he frowned a little "How?" He asked, "I mean I thought we were being safe I could even smell the chemicals in your body." Bella shrugged her shoulders then a serious look passed across her pretty face
"You're not well..." Bella nibbled at her bottom lip "You're not mad are you…? I mean we are so young and a baby…its too soon" Jacob kissed her silent then placed a tender kiss on the end of her nose
"A baby is a blessing Bella; besides we've seen them it's our future" He lay his forehead gently against her own and closed his eyes. "I just wish we'd had more time…" As if on cue a lone howl could be heard in the distance and he tipped his head in that lupine way
Her heart nearly imploded at the grief on his face and laced though his words.
"Come back to us Jacob…" She whispered as he kissed her again a kiss full of longing…of fear…of hope. He placed her gently on the floor kissing the top of her head, inhaling her sweet scent as if it were for the last time. Then turned for the door
"Love you both more than life itself…" He called without turning to face her his voice cracking slightly with emotion as his heart simply broke in two. Before she could utter a word of protest, he was gone. Bella waited by the open door as long deep howls filled the night air, already the falling snow was coming thick and fast a blizzard on its way for sure
"Please keep him safe…" she whispered aloud to the night sky "Great Spirit bring him home we need him" As she closed and locked the door her cell began to ring. The caller flashed onto the screen… Alice Cullen…
000
AN: So, it begins…one last battle and everything to fight for…
Till next time oxox