The training with the Cullens didn't last much longer. Jacob was more than happy to share what he learned with the pack by going himself, of course accompanied though by Seth and Embry. Sam wasn't keen on Jacob going by himself, regardless how confident the sixteen-year-old was. Alas, the fighting techniques he learned for newborns couldn't be shared with myself and my own pack.

That meant I had to go with him. Unfortunately, the only other feline shifter still in western Washington insisted on coming with me. Yan-mei was gone now, and Jaio still couldn't shift yet. That left Chi eagerly to follow in my paw-prints. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of him near dangerous new vampires in the first place until Sam reprimanded me. He was adamant that Chi learned, because clearly he had proved himself. Instead of looking through the eyes of an alpha, I'd been watching Chi as a concerned friend. And mother. Chi was only fifteen, still very much young. But the fact there were others in the pack younger than him that would be fighting left me keeping my mouth shut.

I had to trust Sam's judgement. Chi was a capable young warrior. His body was as toned as any other pack member, but true to any feline shifter, our instincts were never raging. Could either of us really be any help in this war? Could we trust our instincts enough to fight, and not cave in to our human sides that wanted to flee?

Fighting was the only option, I ultimately knew. There was too much worth fighting for. Feng, Paul, Stormy… My immediate family and friends. It was a big approaching mess I knew I couldn't back out of.

Thankfully, the others that weren't fighting would be doing their part to help out. Like Billy taking Charlie out fishing for his own safety, Collin and Brady staying in town to keep an eye on things, and Jaio swearing she would try to shift with all her might to keep Emily, Feng, little Harry and Stormy safe at the Uley house.

I figured flowers popping out of her ears would be more likely than sweet Jaio turning into something monstrous on command. I appreciated her determination though.

On less important matters, I was glad the Council had put my job on pause as of late. I did miss the small school and all the students, but a minimum wage job wasn't that important compared to other matters.

Speaking of which, as the fighting lessons went on, I felt more and more rushed. Like the Cullens could sense an impending approach of some unsaid date. Both packs felt it, we just weren't sure when. The wolves all seemed confident enough, or tried brushing it off, but Chi and myself couldn't hide it so well. Unlike the wolves, humanity came easier to us. So to rely on that wild side was a touch more difficult…to trust unstable instincts. Chi and I were anxious alone, unwilling to let anyone on to our fears.

I had to be strong as an alpha. And Chi had to be strong to prove himself. Because we were a family.

And my wolfish side of the family was absolutely insistent I stay out of all this. Of course, Paul only stressed this again because he could read me like a book. He originally consented to let me have my way because of the whole fight with Jacob, but now, with my own confidence buckling, he was doubtful.

Paul would stare at me during dinner, when I was distractedly feeding my family. When I was wondering if this was the last night I would toss raw meat to Stormy and watch him catch it midair, or feed a fussy Feng and argue with a toddler- wondering if the next morning I'd have to rush them and Jaio to Emily's house because of an invading hoard of vampires.

"I won't be able to fight out there if I have to worry about you." He would say, unblinking, scanning my face with his dark eyes.

I would glance at him, unable to hold his gaze long. "It's just a cat thing."

Lame. It would only confuse him- even when I didn't get it myself. How could I explain to him, that when a cat felt threatened, unsure, they literally became scaredy-cats? It was self-preservation. We were never pack animals that united and fought as one. Apparently fighting my instincts to run was enough challenging to distract me for a few days.

I unwittingly thanked my instincts for buying time.

Then, one day when I woke in the morning, the air felt heavy. Like it had been every day this week, only this time I knew. And it didn't take Alice's word spreading all the way to the pack that today was indeed the day for me to know. I felt it. It felt like every hair on my arm rose and every instinct was putting me on high alert. Paul apparently was on guard too, only because he noted my mood.

"Careful, Ross. You look wild enough to send those newborns running."

I shoved the end of a granola bar in my mouth, not even chewing as I dressed Feng up warmly. The normal cold winter outside wasn't even registering. "Help me get them ready." I was distracted. Feng needed his warm jackets and Stormy his play toy to keep busy with-

Burning arms turned me around from my fretting with a hopelessly confused Feng. Paul was waiting to meet my eyes.

"You're staying with Emily."

My eyes flashed up to his. "Don't start, Paul. Especially not today."

"Can you legitimately say you're able to fight if you're this tense." He questioned, his eyes darkening. I held my breath, struggling to think rational even briefly. Would I serve as a hazard? Could Paul even fight if he felt the need to watch me?

I swallowed my feline instincts and summed up every ounce of wolf nature I could. Standing on the tips of my toes, I slammed my lips to his. With my lips to his, my voice was hushed, but fierce. "Tonight, when this mess is over, I'll never make you doubt me again."

Paul's eyes burned with amusement, but trust. The trust he would be alright, and he wouldn't have to worry about my being.

"Just because you got a few extra lives doesn't mean you should be careless about them." Paul warns, lightening his grip on my arms. "When the last bloodsucker is shredded and burned, you come to me Ross Lahote. If I find you hurt in any way-" He shook his head with a deep breath, "you'll regret this. I won't let you live this down. I can't believe I'm letting you do this."

I bit him. Paul jumped away, laughing and rubbing his nose. We left the house in my car, speeding to Emily's house. The morning's light was cold and dark, clouded with snow certain to come. I eyed it warily till we reached her house. Sam was already gone, but at least Chi and Jaio were there. They were waiting on the porch, Jaio the most anxious looking.

As Feng and Stormy rushed inside, oblivious to my worrisome glance, Jaio rushed over to me and wrapped her little arms around me. "You guys be safe, I mean it! A-And if the vampires come here, I'll do everything I can to shift and scare them off!" She warned, stomping her foot with frustration. I admired the way her eyes burned.

She'd make a fierce warrior one day. I kissed her forehead and sent her off inside. Chi stood on the porch, having taken off his shirt and balled it in his hands. He breathed in slowly through his nose, adjusting his footing. My eyes were on him when he finally met mine. The anxiety in them faded and he nodded. Without a beat he ran off the porch and shifted into a ready and waiting tan jaguar by the road. I turned my head, noting Emily was watching in the doorway. I couldn't bring myself to hug her goodbye.

She was surely too nervous about everyone else too. Emily didn't need another worried goodbye. Slowly, I shed my outer clothes and tossed them on my car's hood.

"Take care of them, Emily."

From the corner of my eyes, she nodded. Cold, and possibly the last time I'd be human, I shut the conflicting thoughts from my mind for the last time.

Fur and rippling muscles took over, and the three of us made a bee-line to the others in the woods.

It was time, and there was no looking back.

.

.

.

The wind swept through every furred body on the field. Short, or long haired, it didn't matter. They all felt the same chill whether their bodies burned or not. A plan had been set among the wolves. Something about a trap involving Bella to lead the army a certain way. The pack had been more detailed on it- considering they knew the terrain better than any feline.

All Ross and Chi cared about was slaughtering any vampire that wasn't a Cullen.

Simple enough. Though without a word spoken or shared, the two felines stared into another's eyes. The look of 'be careful' didn't need to be said. Side by side, the two felines looked absolutely enormous and toned compared to a long furred wolf. Their sleek, sharp heads were tuned to every little snap in the woods or grumble of a wolf. Narrowed eyes were watchful to another before they broke their gazes.

Everyone was spread out, away from the direction of the wind. Most everyone, that is. Jacob and Seth were among a few others missing- but Ross couldn't bring herself to wonder.

A distraction was a chance for injury…or worse.

Besides, Ross thought with a flicker of her ears, always listening, she had made a promise to Paul. The wolf hidden within the brush nearby, who's gaze lingered on her till he had to focus elsewhere.

The mental chatter among the pack must've been loud.

'Ross…' Chi breathed faintly in the corners of his mind. 'I… I'm scared. I can't hide it.'

The black jaguar breathed in deeply, feeling her claws unintentionally sheathe into the dirt. A fresh wave of wind gave them the scent of dead blood on the horizon.

A lot of it.

A rumbling, continuous grumble settled in her throat, easing down to hide in the brush. The field had gone dead silent, each wolf and feline hidden perfectly.

Ross whispered a flicker away from her concentration.

'I love you, Chi.'

She eased lower to the ground, long, dangerous claws fully extending into the dirt. Her azure slit eyes were glued across the long field when shadows moved in them. At the last moment, Chi matched the growl in his own throat. The feline male was ready.

Then, there they were. From the snow that started to blow down from grey skies, they came from the woods like shadows. Pale, ghostly shadows in groups. Blaring red eyes hungrily scanning around, and starting closer.

The wind shifted.

They froze, all at once.

Time stopped.

And then, every single wolf, feline, and Cullen sprang out.

Roars and bared fangs, pale blurs all overwhelmed the newborns immediately. Dirt flew out from under paws and shoes, and they clearly hadn't been expecting it. They whirred in place, only allowed a moment of horror and surprise-

The collision was like nothing else. Nothing Ross had heard before. Like a dozen semi-trucks colliding straight into a metal building. Her jaws snapped around the torso of a young female, while Chi from the other side grabbed her hips.

One quick tug each way and icy body parts flew through the air.

Then they broke apart and ran amid the carnage. Ross would eternally be grateful for Jasper's training. Each move a newborn before her could make played through her mind. Each poor attack they could use was met with expertly timed retaliation. Ross felt her luck flashing with each newborn she started for. Skidding through the grass, the ebony jaguar would lividly lock eyes on her target and spring forward. The newborn would be horrified enough by the sight alone to give her better chances.

Not to say without every few vampires she took down amid the carnage, she was without injury. A young male, probably twelve by the looks of it, had elbowed her upside the head. Ross's ears rang as she sprawled back into the woods. The furious red-eyed youth started towards her, at least till a familiar blonde wrapped her arms around his head. Rosalie easily snapped his head off. Her wide eyes quickly scanned her friend over. Ross nodded reassuringly and skidded around the blonde, taking down another youth that tried sneaking up behind her. Rosalie made quick work to rip his arms off before Ross could get hit again.

Then they split up and vanished within the carnage.

Little by little, ever so gradually, the number of newborns dwindled until a few wolves at a time could handle them.

The army was losing.

And then, a horrible, dreaded screech echoed through the air.

Ross dropped the arm in her jaws, feeling terror eject through her veins. 'CHI!' The feline jumped over anything in her way, be it friend or foe. She rounded a small hill to find Chi laying on the ground, panting hard and recoiling from a young female briskly starting for him. There was murder in her blaring crimson orbs. Only, when Ross furiously jumped for her, that small white hand outstretched towards her. To think that tiny little hand could nearly break her sternum and send her flying back.

The massive jaguar helplessly collided back into a tree.

She wheezed for breath- but black spots clouded her eyes. A momentary lapse in consciousness apparently was warrant enough for Paul Lahote to bite the hell out of her. Ross reared up with reflex, sinking her jaws into the wolves' arm. But recognizing his scent, she let her husband go and sent him a furious hiss, scanning the area.

It was dead silent.

Paul's slow huff apparently was letting her know it was over- and that he wasn't hurt. The Cullens were nowhere in sight, and the few wolves around had gathered a big enough pile to push into a fire that was started. Ross eyed the smoke with wary caution and pushed to her feet. Immediately her vision started to blur wildly, leaving her stumbling.

The silver wolf tried to support her too quickly. Ross hissed warningly again- this time less guarded. The last she'd seen was newborns still fighting, and she was having a hard time trusting the pack's noses that they were all gone.

Then she remembered why she'd gotten injured. The worried jaguar started for the small hill, where she saw both Sam and Embry cluttering around something. She wasted no time in rushing over, despite the disorienting headache, and pushed between the two. Ross nearly threw up.

Chi's legs were broken backwards.

The jaguar heaved as reflex, especially as his pained cries reached her ears. Fury, white hot fury overwhelmed her like liquid fire in her veins.

There had to be just one alive- somewhere.

She needed an outlet for this feeling. To withstand Chi's crying in her mind- to escape the heaviness of this being her fault-

Paul tried reassuring her by coming close, but was met with a sudden swipe across his face. Ross screeched at him, refusing to comforted. Instead she took off through the woods, as fast as her paws could carry.

Tree after tree broke through the woods, regardless how thick they were. One after one they shook the ground with a heavy boom, be it from a swipe of her arm or sheer tackle. Her shoulders burned at one point- but she had to let this out.

Her heart was broken.

Furious screech after screech, echoing for miles... Destroying nature and terrifying wildlife till every ounce of energy dissipated. Till there was no more room for anything but exhaustion. Bared fangs turned to pink lips, muscles vanished to shaking, pale limbs. A woman fell to her knees without strength, bare and careless as her eyes painfully scrunched shut.

Ross sobbed while the snow froze her tears away.

.

.

.

The next day felt like a dream.

Ross wasn't fully breathing till she saw Chi again, sitting in a wheelchair at the kid's house and batting Doctor Cullen away from him. "Really doc, I'm fine!" He stressed, smiling nervously. "I don't need as much morphine as Jacob. The guy's pretty out of it." He laughed.

Though his smile faded when his alpha ran over, crying and hugging him. Only then as Chi coughed and tried reassuring he was fine did Ross snap out of it. She recalled everything that happened since Paul found her in the woods and brought her home. The others stayed safe at Emily's house, and Paul tried getting through to her all night everything was fine now. He anxiously held his wife in his arms, pleading to get her attention.

Rightfully so he hadn't slept much when all Ross could do was cry and dread the thought of Chi being crippled. Such deep, heart-broken mournful cries that killed the wolf inside.

Dr. Cullen rubbed the back of his neck. "Please, take care. Give a call if anyone needs anything." The Cullen nodded at Billy Black who quietly thanked him. Chi coughed dramatically and waved his arms.

"Ross! Ross I'm alright! I just need time to heal up."

Once her crying fit was through, she looked him over, struggling to see straight with the tears. "I-It's all my fault." She hiccupped. "You're just a cub and I should have-"

"I shoulda stuck with you, yeah." The tanned youth looked up at her, realizing how deeply his alpha cared for him. "We made a hell of a team, and I lost a life thinking I was as strong as you. But… if it means you're safe, I don't regret it." His features softened as he looked up at her. "Please, don't worry about me, okay mom?"

It took her a moment to realize he wasn't being sarcastic. His voice was too soft. And she remembered him mentioning his family back home. How there was little to mention.

Ross hugged him carefully for a long time. Whether it was wiping a smudge of dirt away or holding him close, clearly she wasn't leaving her cub. They started inside, whereas Billy went to his own house to watch Jacob. Sam and Emily returned with the others, since they figured with everything over, it would cheer them up.

It was endearing to see sweet Stormy rest his head on Chi's lap, knowing something was wrong, and lovingly stare up at the boy. They tried reassuring Jaio and Feng that Chi was fine, and he'd be feeling better soon, when Feng opened his mouth.

"Momma help him?"

All the room could do was stare the tot who'd spoken his first full sentence. Then Chi started cheering and clapping his hands. "Yeah, mom's gonna help me out!" he laughed, eyes shining. He loved the word that Ross was all too happy to welcome. Ross drifted to her husband's side, looking up at him.

"Paul… I'm sorry-"

He pressed a finger to her lips. "It's over." He smiled. "It's all over. We can live normal again, Ross… We can breathe-"

Sam went over to the front door when a knock echoed. None of them noticed until the door eased open, and Sam craned his head back.

"Uh…Ross?"

Something about the alpha's tone had everyone looking over. One by one, all eyes trailed to the shadow in the doorway. Many things occurred to Ross at that moment.

One, the scent by the door was undeniably feline.

Two, it was entirely unfamiliar.

And three, the sharpest pair of feline golden eyes were resting on her alone.

Nothing could erase the cold feeling of Ross Lahote's soul sinking down into her stomach.