Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer, but the plot is all mine!
I hope you are all keeping well. Sorry for my long absence but had a few issues to deal with in real life…I also lost a little confidence in my writing and came close to pulling the story from Fanfic. Still I've decided to publish this chapter and hope you enjoy it xx
Now the story continues…
Chapter 70
The Battle begins
As Carlisle finished talking, he took time to look around at the assembled group of friends his golden eyes finally settling upon Jacob who had listened intently through-out.
"Do you have any questions Jacob?" he asked as Jake cast a wary eye around the assembled vampires then rolled his lips in thought.
"I've nothing further to add" Jake replied shaking his head a little "Other than to thank Jasper for what he has shared. He has taught us as much as he can under the circumstances. Time is not our friend." He nodded towards Jasper in recognition, who inclined his head in reply, before returning his dark eyes edged with the yellow of the wolf to Carlisle.
"Now all we can do is wait…" Jakes voice had an air of finality about it, an acceptance for what was to come…
He glanced back at Sam as a wave of regret passed across his handsome face as if he were somehow seeking forgiveness that they had come to this. Sam merely bowed his head in acknowledgement. This day had been on the cards since the Cullen's had returned bringing the bad news with them, written into the very fabric of their lives and destiny.
The moment passed in seconds as teeth bared Sam growled loudly in defiance standing tall and proud, his large paws scraping at the snow on the ground.
Jacob bared his own teeth in reply. He had his packs loyalty and that would be enough, had to be and as like Sam straightened up to his full imposing height, the Alpha mask slid firmly back into place.
There was indeed no time left… no more any of them could do… except meet their enemy here in this small field away from the rez and… fight…with one objective… to kill the leeches before they could get to the tribe…
Whatever the cost…
The rest of the pack who had remained hidden by the undergrowth, had seen and heard Jacob, they too felt his pain and regret that it had come to this. In response they too growled and pawed at the snow-covered ground in agitation just as Sam had done, their loyalty unwavering and emboldened as they felt their Alpha ready himself for the inevitable, his immense supernatural power radiating out and into the assembled wolves.
They all knew what was at stake and the cost as each wolf glanced at another, the younger members of the pack with wary expressions…their stomachs knotted with fear but the excited desire to kill was even stronger. Having seen and heard Jaspers instructions the pack were under no illusion that this fight would be easy. After all they were used to fighting mature vampires. New born's as the blond vampire had pointed out and demonstrated with his brother Emmett, were an entirely different matter.
Nodding in response to Jacobs words and knowing what it had cost the young man to be here with so many vampires, Carlisle smiled a little with relief before taking hold of one of Esme's small pale hands. His mate looked up at him with golden eyes full of fear, for her husband, her children… all of them…
He raised her hand to his lips pouring all his love into that one tiny kiss. They had done all they could…there was nothing more to do but stand and fight.
"How long Jasper?" he asked knowing that Alice had shared these details just before her disappearance
"Minutes" Came the reply as Jasper turned towards Jacob "I suggest you leave the field and fall back to where we planned. We want our uninvited guests to be a little ah surprised…" Jasper grinned in a rather un-nerving way showing his sharp white teeth that loudly snapped together before he spun around to face the others the military side of him on full display.
"Positions!" he shouted and all around him vampires began to fan out and move with speed.
As soon as Jake was under the cover of the dense forest undergrowth he phased, his russet wolf restless at being so near to so many leeches let alone with what was fast approaching…He shook his thick fur and sniffed the air that was rancid with the stench of vampire…
"Thoughts?" he murmured and Sam immediately spoke up
"I like what Jasper has in mind Jake I think it may give us an advantage"
Jacob nodded his huge head in reply as his tail swished from side to side. He looked around at each of the wolves standing in a semi-circle in front of him
"I still think we should keep to our original plan boss" Pauls voice cut through the noise of thoughts as the pack voices reached fever pitch. He was still off to one side of the small clearing just as they had agreed. Jacobs eyes narrowed as he silenced all the other voices in his head and listened with intent to the silver wolf. Paul might piss everyone off but none could deny he was a strategist when it came to a fight and the packs best offence.
"Me too Paul …" Jacob huffed "Me too…" There was still something about all this that irked Jacob, an itch that screamed to be scratched. The biggest question that hung out there? Where was that bastard Edward and his little pixie sister? Whatever the answer it wasn't good he was sure. Paul cut back into his thoughts
"There are too many unknown variables." He began as he paced to and fro. "We don't even know half those leeches out there with the Cullen's… let alone trust them with our lives" Jacob nodded his head again but his eyes were drawn to Embry
"Em?" He growled "What's your thoughts?" His childhood friend drew his eyebrows together in a frown
"I agree with Sam and Paul Jake. Jasper has a fine military mind and I think the rest of the Cullen's can be trusted but the others…" He paused shaking his huge head a little "I think we need to stay on the alert"
"Agreed" Jacob snarled in return. "Listen up!" His Alpha timbre boomed through the pack mind "Don't find yourself cut off from each other and especially not cut-off with one of these unknown vamps…" He didn't have time to add anything more as every fibre of his being knew what had arrived and all the wolves turned as one to look back at the open ground…
There in the distance the first of the new-borns had entered the clearing…the air was still as all the creatures of the forest held their breath in response…
A single sharp command rang through the silence of the snow-covered field and within seconds flaming torches came hurtling through the air thrown by vampires who moved with lightning speed towards the firepits they had earlier dug and filled with gas. Within moments the edges of the clearing were aflame.
As more new-borns entered the field the plan began to take shape as the walls of flame funnelled them towards their fate… into the arms of the waiting groups of vampires. A loud screeching sound like metal ripping announced the demise of the first of the newcomers, as Emmett ripped its head from its shoulders. As the headless new-born slumped forward, others of its kind raced towards them just as a loud howl preceded the arrival of a group of wolves who effectively cut off any escape back the way they had come…
The new-borns were caught in the net… as Jasper had predicted…and fighting in earnest began…
000
Bella opened her eyes and took in a deep breath. It never ceased to amaze her how the air smelt of the sea and how warm the light breeze felt against her skin. She took another deep breath and began to walk toward the small encampment her small hand grasping the tiny leather pouch she wore around her neck. The screech of an eagle high above her reminded her that she was not alone in this place and comforted by that thought of Old Quil she quickened her pace there was no time left to dawdle
As she neared the camp Bella caught sight of two horses in the distance riding fast towards her and she stopped to wait. Within moments she could make out the riders ...Taha Aki and the Third Wife.
"Daughter" Taha Aki began as he slipped down off the large horse with ease and approached her placing a small kiss upon her right cheek "What brings you here on such an important day when there is much work for you to do?"
Bella smiled a little wistfully in return, her eyes glancing towards the third wife who had also dismounted from her own horse. She had so many questions but so little time and she chewed at her bottom lip before answering.
"Last time I was here…" Bella began "I was told of an important decision I would have to make. I…" she hesitated "I believe that moment has arrived but I'm afraid that I may not make the right decision"
The third wife smiled fondly at Bella in response then glanced at Taha Aki who sighed deeply in return.
"I have faith daughter that you will make the right decision you were brought here by the great spirits themselves for your destiny and the ending was written long ago"
Bella frowned in response why did Elders always speak in riddles or so it seemed to her. It didn't answer her fears which knotted more intensely in her stomach. The third wife had dismounted whilst her husband had talked and she slid her arm around Bella's slender shoulders an action that seemed to miraculously ease the tension in the rest of her body. She turned Bella to face her tipping her chin up to meet Bella's eyes
"You love Jacob do you not?" The third wife smiled a little as she spoke. Bella nodded enthusiastically that was an easy question.
"With all my heart and Soul" Bella replied her dark eyes searching the third wife's face looking for an answer she feared would never come.
"Then why do you worry so? Your choice will be right for it is based upon love" The third wife bent forward slightly and placed her lips upon Bella's forehead in a soft fleeting kiss. "Love for your mate and love for your child, nothing can withstand the power of love it is the strongest magic there is"
Bella still fretted deep down somehow; she didn't think love was gonna stop the new-borns. The little line between her eyebrows furrowed deeper.
"You have been given a wonderous gift Daughter" Taha Aki's voice boomed loud "Use that gift to guide the young Alpha just like you did when he accepted his Spirit Warrior."
"Spirit Warrior…" Bella whispered in return her eyes wide
"Yes child…" The great chief smiled a little "Have you not wondered about the timing of these great things?" Bella frowned again as he continued "Why you helped Jacob?" The third wife tightened her grip on Bella
"Your connection grows stronger does it not?" She asked glancing at the tall proud Quileute who stood beside her "Like you know what he is thinking?"
That's when it finally struck her…call it yet another epiphany Bella thought but this would be the most important one of her life as realisation sunk in, why strange events had happened over the last few days
"I think…I think I finally understand…" she whispered almost in awe as the truth buzzed through her tiny body like an electrical charge.
In truth Jacob was a Spirit Warrior she had witnessed the change but now she realised there was more to it than what she had seen that night, something even more powerful and the few times she had shared his mind was testament to that power. This is what was needed to win the battle and with this knowledge she would be his catalyst just as Old Quil had predicted…
Her thoughts were interrupted as Taha Aki laughed out loud both hand on his hips and his broad shoulders rocked. He could see the realisation dawn upon Bella's face
"Now go!" He thundered "Time has run out". The third wife kissed her once more whispering
"I will be with you Bella…always…" She smiled as she stepped back and the scene began to spin…as she tried to focus upon the small light that seemed so far away in the distance…
000
"Bella, Bella…? Answer me child"" Old Quil rubbed at Bella's pale hand she was very cold too cold to be honest and had been unresponsive for far longer than he had expected. So long that deep inside the old Elder had begun to fear that she was stuck in that place and without Jacob he didn't have the strength to call her home.
"Billy!" He frantically called "Billy!"
The door swung open as Billy wheeled his chair into the lounge closely followed by Joy who was bug eyed at the scene before her. She'd seen death before and the young girl who lay prone on the sofa looked just like a corpse.
"Joy!" Billy's deep bass voice seemed to bounce off the walls in the small room and with some difficulty she turned her eyes towards him "Put the kettle on and get some coffee ready" Billy continued "Bella's gonna need it when she comes around" His face remained stern as Joy hesitated for a moment then left. Billy sighed in relief before turning his attention to Old Quill and wheeled himself closer to Bella.
"What's happened? "He asked his voice grave the young girl did not look good at all in fact the last time he had seen her like this…he shut down the thought "What can we do? There must be something Quil?" The Old Elder shook his head in response.
"I fear it's like last time Billy" Old Quil continued to rub Bella's hand frantically. Billy's eyes widened
"If she is stuck you must help her"
"I…I don't think I have the strength" Old Quil replied "I'm too old Billy, too frail" But Billy Black was having none of it
"We have to do something Quil, we can't just let her slip away." He reached out and touched the old elder's arm "I'm right here with you what do we have to do to save her?"
000
Alice stood up abruptly scaring poor Angela with her sudden movement that's if she could be scared anymore to be honest, she was petrified already. Edward was beside his sister in a flash he knew what was happening and from what he could hear in his sister's mind not good either.
"Its time" Alice whispered her eyes unfocused "We need to go now" Edward merely nodded he was one step ahead already as he turned towards Angela
"You!" He hissed "Get the keys to the car" He helped Alice sit down as Angela stumbled towards the small dining table. As she turned with the keys in her hand Edward snatched then from her grasp.
"Now this is the plan and listen carefully as your life depends upon it" Eyes wide with fear Angela merely nodded in reply. "You are going to drive us to Bella understand?" Edward turned the full ferocity of his lethal gaze upon the terrified girl "No silly tricks or trying to tell the dogs either!" Once again Angela nodded but deep down she wondered why on earth the two vampires would want her to drive them to the little red house when they could run there faster. Before she could think anymore Alice shot abruptly to her feet
"Victoria…. Victoria is almost here!" Her voice was full of despair as she turned to her brother "We may already be too late…" She cried as she twisted her hands together in anguish. Edward looked back at his sister with a devastated look upon his face
This was not his plan…not his plan at all…
000
A/N: Its all kicking off and what's holding up Bella?
Till next time XOXOX
