Bella PoV
The pizza arrived half an hour later, the delivery guy nearly broken down by the weight of six boxes. I paid him and with the help of Jacob und Seth set the boxes on our dining table. Soon all members of the Black Pack (yes, I really liked the sound of that) were gathered around the table, eating pizza. Even I managed a slice, though I was still full of fish and vegetables.
After about half of the pizzas were gone, Leah spoke up. "So, what now? We are still fighting tomorrow, aren't we?"
Jacob nodded. "Yes, of course and Sam will too. He won't let anything like this stand between us and our fight against Victoria."
"And then? What happens when she's gone?" Leah continued. "We can all return of course, but won't it be strange if we all lived this close in the reservation and still were two different packs?"
"Nah, it will be fine." Embry bit on a slice of pepperoni pizza, tears welling up in his eyes from the hot pepperoni.
"Yes. It will be strange at first, but I think we'll get used to it after a while. We are after all still members of the same tribe although not of the same pack. We've lived side by side our whole lives, that won't change because there are now two packs instead of one."
I looked to Jacob who seemed really miserable and decided to change the subject. "We'll deal with it in due time. For now, we should focus on tomorrow. We'll meet the Cullens on the great plain up in the mountains. Hopefully, Victoria will follow us there which is very likely since I'll be there too."
"Fight side by side with vampires? If you had told me this a week ago, I would have laughed in your face..." Embry sighed.
"My dearest Embry, if you plan to stay in this house and in this pack, you better follow the rules. First rule: No bad talking about vampires. I know how you feel about them, and I don't expect you to become buddies, but this house is a neutral zone. If you want to complain you are welcome to do it outside", I said softly but with such a sharp look in my eyes that Embry simply nodded.
"And what's rule number two?" asked Seth, a slice of pizza in each hand.
"I have the bathroom privilege." My comment made everyone laughed and for a short time all thoughts of Sam and Victoria and everything else that made life so difficult were forgotten.
Sleeping arrangements were rather difficult but nothing we couldn't handle. Leah got the couch while the boys got blankets, pillows and sleeping bags on the floor. There would be a lot of stiff necks and sore muscles tomorrow, but it couldn't be helped. Jake ordered everyone to sleep so they would be at their full-strength tomorrow which led Embry to stand up straight, put two fingers to the side of his head and call out: "Sir, yes, Sir."
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity the day was ending and I found myself in bed, lying side by side with Jacob who looked as exhausted as I was.
"To think that not even twelve hours ago there was only you and me and this bed..." I yawned, placing a hand on his hot chest, and drawing the outlines of his muscles.
"Seems more like twelve years," Jake grinned back and imitated my yawn. He was tired.
"Is it strange to say that I like it? This whole second pack thing? I know it's not ideal, but it feels... I don't know... good."
"Like family." Jake's eyes were already half closed. "That's what it is like to be part of a pack. Like a completely crazy family."
"The Black Pack," I mumbled sleepily.
"Really? That's the best you could come up with?"
"Well, I like it. It rhymes perfectly."
"Yes, too perfectly. It sounds like something a five-year-old would come up with."
"How about The Big Bad Werewolves? TBBW for short?"
"Better but still not perfect."
"So, what do you propose then?"
"A vote..." He yawned heavily. "Let the others come up with something and then we'll pick one."
"Spoken like a true leader." I snuggled closer to him and felt his arm going around my body. "I love you, Jacob Black. So, so much."
"I love you too, Isabella Swan. So, so much."
The next day came far too soon.
The sun was shining right in my face when I was woken from noises downstairs. A quick look towards my left showed me that Jacob had already gotten up and didn't wake me. From the sounds of it, everyone else was awake too, so I hurried up and put on a black top, pair of jeans and my usual sweater. I tied my hair in a ponytail which was much easier than brushing it. A quick trip to the bathroom and my teeth and face were clean too and then I was already down the stairs, nearly tripping on the last one with the nasty crack in it.
But before I could fall, I was caught by two strong arms. Someone laughed and when I looked up, I saw Seth, eyes sparkling with amusement as he helped me to stand up straight.
"Careful there, Bella. Jake would never forgive us if something happened to you."
"He should be used to it by now." I waved it off. "I have a habit of nearly hurting myself involuntarily."
"Don't worry, since you are officially our queen there will always be someone to stop you from hurting yourself."
I blushed and jokingly slapped his bare chest. "Stop it, Seth, I mean it. Where are the others by the way?" He pointed towards the living room. "Leah and Quil made breakfast. We were just waiting for you to get up before we started eating."
"Quil?" Eyebrow raised I followed Seth back to the living room where everyone else was already sitting around the table, loaded with all sorts of food.
"Yeah, didn't you know? Quil's quite a good cook if he wants. Hey there, look what I've found," Seth called.
Four heads shot up, three smiles and an indifferent look greeted me. Blushing again, I quickly slipped on the chair besides Jacob, who gave me a small peck on the cheek. "Morning, sunshine. Sleep well?"
"Not really." I made a face. How could I? Today was the day and I had never slept well the night before something big was going to happen. Usually, it was an exam or moving to a new place and not the fight against a vampire army though... I poured tea from a pot in my cup and looked at the variety of food on the table. I hadn't known that we had still so much food left in the house and I had to say I was rather impressed. There was omelette, bread, cheese, and ham and even a box of cereals I had bought out of a whim a few weeks ago and never opened. I didn't feel particularly hungry but out of politeness I took a small slice of bread, put some butter on it and chewed slowly while the others dug into the rest of the food.
They chatted lightly like there wasn't an imminent battle waiting at our doorstep. Only Jacob seemed to feel that I wasn't feeling quite well. He put an arm around my shoulder and hugged me, kissing the top of my head. "It will be fine, I promise," he whispered so that the others couldn't hear. "Soon all of this will be a thing of the past and we can go on like usual."
The smile I gave him was tight, but his words made me feel a little bit better.
Afterwards we carried the dirty dishes into the kitchen and Seth helped me load the dishwasher. Tension began to grow, and I saw how Quil, Embry, Seth, Leah and even Jacob were pacing around nervously, just waiting for me and Seth to finish. A look on the clock on the wall told me it wasn't even half past seven yet, but all my senses were tingling, and my body flushed with adrenaline.
"So, Quil, Embry and Leah will go first because they are much quicker. Seth and I will stay with you and go on up on foot. It's rather cold up there, so be sure to put on something warm," Jake informed me, looking at my pair of jeans and my sweater. I gulped and nodded.
When I returned, warm socks, boots and a warm jacket in hand, Leah, Quil and Embry had already left. A tense looking Jacob and Seth were at the door, waiting for me to finish up and get going.
When I turned the key in the lock, a chill ran down my spine and I got the dreadful feeling of ending in my stomach, as if this were to be the last time, I saw my house.
I immediately began to sweat in my boots and jacket, the air already mild and warm but I didn't want to carry them in my hands. We walked in silence, me trying to keep pace with the two boys. I did my best, but I knew I slowed them down and cursed myself once more for being such a weak and slow human girl in this world of impossible fast and strong creatures.
We walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Once Jake took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, but the tension was far too big for anything else. Seth, usually cheerful and babbling on about this and that was silent too and I thought about what he was thinking about right now. After all, he was still a child, only fourteen and to him the hunt had always been more like a game than actual war. I was tempted to ask him if everything was alright and give him some words of comfort but everything, I thought of seemed to be wrong, so I let the subject drop.
Soon the ground began to get steep, and the air got colder. I zipped up my jacket and buried my hands in my pocket. My breath came in tiny clouds and my nose started to freeze despite the rays of sun shining through the trees. The ground beneath our feet changed from brown and green to white as we made our way up to the mountain plain Carlisle had told us about. Sometimes I felt like something was in the woods, a presence watching us, watching me but every time I took a look around there was nothing to see.
About halfway up the mountain, Emmet suddenly stood in our way. He was wearing a grey hoodie and a pair of black trousers. His short, dark air was covered by a cap and he looked as tense as we were. But he still smiled when he saw us approaching.
"Hey there," he called out, greeting us with a wave of his hand. Jacob, who had seen him several times already and somehow had gotten used to him, was relaxed but Seth immediately stopped and looked suspicious. I hurried to introduce them. "Seth, that's Emmet. Maybe you've seen him already at the meetings before."
"Hey man," Emmet greeted first Jacob with a nod before he looked at Seth. "You're one of the wolves too I guess?"
Seth nodded slowly, still too tense, so I went to his side and put a hand on his shoulder. "Relax Seth, he's one of the good guys. If you don't trust me, look at his eyes." Seth did exactly that and his surprise was clearly visible when he found them a bright gold instead of the usual dark red which came from drinking the blood of humans.
"So, Bella." Emmet turned to face me. "Carlisle sent me to get you. We don't know how much time we've got left before Victoria arrives and your scent must be clear enough now for her to follow. Carlisle thinks it's better if I carry you the rest of the way and the two of you can follow us."
My throat dried up all of a sudden and tears welled in my eyes. What I had successfully convinced myself to be a dream, a nightmare, was suddenly becoming very real and when I looked at Jacob and saw the same sadness, fear, and love in his eyes I felt, my heart broke into a million pieces.
"He's right," he answered quietly, coming to my side, drawing me to his warm body. "I hate to admit it but this time I have to let you go." He kissed me, a slow and soft kiss, a kiss full of love. A promise. "It will be fine, alright? This will be over soon and then we'll be back at your house, in your bed and nothing bad will ever happen again, I promise you."
I smiled weakly. "I know." Then I added. "But you have to promise me one more thing, alright?" I knew this had to sound like a cliché, coming straight out of a romantic movie but maybe the countless wives, girlfriends and lovers had been right? "Come back to me. In one piece."
Jake laughed quietly and nodded. "I think I can manage that." He then placed his forehead against mine. His hot breath reached my face and for a minute I closed my eyes and let me fall into the illusion that we were lying in my bed, only the two of us and no bad vampires waiting to kill me. "I love you, Bella Swan. I will come back to you, I promise."
"I love you too, Jacob. And you better keep that promise." A last deep and soft kiss followed then Jake let me go. His eyes met Emmet's and the two men nodded courtly.
"Don't worry Bella, I'll look out for him," Seth called before the two boys vanished in the woods, ready to phase and meet us at the plain.
Emmet patted me on the shoulder. "So, ready to go?"
I had travelled once at vampire speed when Edward had taken me on his back to the top of the woods to show me how he looked in the sun. I knew I had been nauseous back then, my body not used to travel this fast. As Emmet did the same Edward had done, holding me on his back while we made our way up to the plain, I felt my stomach turn again in small loops. I was glad I hadn't eaten much for breakfast because if I had I would surely throw up the minute Emmet put me down again on the edge of the snow covered plain. But even now I had to bend down for a minute, my hands on my knees and take a few deep breaths.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to this."
"But it did save you a lot of walking and time, didn't it?" Emmet grinned at my side, waiting for me to come back to my senses. I shot him an annoyed look. "Next time, I'll leave sooner and go by foot."
When the world had stopped spinning, I managed to stand up straight and take a look at the situation. Everyone else was already there, even Jacob and Seth, standing side by side with three more wolves. Farther away were the other wolves, led by the huge, dark black wolf with the teeth as long as my forearm. They were separated by the Cullens who acknowledged me with a nod. Carlisle separated himself and came back to greet us properly. "I see he found you and got you here safely."
Emmet growled. "I am deeply insulted that you ever thought otherwise." But Carlisle simply ignored him and continued to talk. "Victoria will be here soon. Some of the wolves saw her approaching and Alice says she's seen her following your scent in the woods. You'll stay here, away from the battlefield. Jacob has told me that Leah and Seth will stay and protect you but hopefully it won't come to that. Just stay here and move as little as possible then it will be fine." He smiled his usual warm smile but unlike the last times it didn't reassure me or help me to calm down. I could be calm when the battle was over and everyone I knew and cared about would be home safely. Only then would I allow myself to breathe freely and let go of all the tension that had built up in me.
Two wolves, one lean and grey the other a little bit smaller and sand coloured fur approached, so with a last smile Emmet and Carlisle went off to join the rest of the fighters.
If a wolf could look annoyed, then Leah would surely do that. She didn't look at me but kept her gaze firmly on the side of the plain where the others were waiting for Victoria and her army to arrive.
Jake had been right to warn me about the cold but even with my heavy winter boots and my blue parka I was starting to shiver. My nose was freezing and bright red and my fingers turned to ice as well no matter how deep I pushed them in the pockets of my trousers. I sat down on a small rock and watched the woods, looking for a sign of red when I suddenly heart the snow crack and something warm and furry appeared at my side. It was Seth who looked at me with his brown eyes and whimpered lightly. He lay down on the snow, his body as close to mine as he could, his head in my lap. His sister shot him an indignant look but didn't comment on it. The wolf's head was big and heavy but also very warm and when I started to stroke his fur a small, satisfied growl escaped from deep inside his body. I knew Jake wouldn't be happy about this afterwards, but he wouldn't mind too much. Seth only tried to keep me warm and comfort me and I was grateful for that. He was a good kid.
Then they appeared.
I felt it before I saw it, a sudden tension that filled the air, a sudden stiffness in Seth's and Leah's postures. The wolves on the plain began to growl and bark and also the Cullens turned into attack mode.
It was just like in my dream. Victoria and her army of tattered, blood-thirsty, half-crazy new-born army emerging from the woods on the plain where they were greeted by an angry and very determined group of werewolves and vampires.
It wasn't a sight a normal human should ever see.
These weren't the friends and people I knew anymore. This wasn't my sweet and loving Jake, the funny Embry or Quil or the cheerful Alice anymore. These were monsters fighting against monsters, pure animal instincts taking over.
I watched in a frozen state of pure horror how the new-born army began to attack only to be attacked in return by their enemies. At first the blood-thirsty new-borns seemed to be taken aback by the number of enemies they encountered but soon they began to fight back, urged on by a blond kid who couldn't be older than sixteen or seventeen.
Just like in my dream I was doomed to watch, like countless times before. I saw Emmet fighting a small brunette girl who slashed at him with sharp fingers and managed to rip a huge part of his thigh open. He roared and lifted her up, throwing her down so dark her body snapped in the middle. Alice and Esme were fighting a dark-skinned vampire with dreadlocks who snarled and bled from several wounds.
Two wolves, one a light brown and another wolf with dark silver fur I didn't recognise fought against three vampires, two males and a female. Everywhere I looked, fights were breaking out. The wolves and the Cullens fought so bravely but it seemed like the flow of enemy vampires never stopped...
The weight on my lap disappeared as Seth stood up to join his sister. They were both watching intensely the fight which they couldn't be a part of. The fight seemed to go on forever but in reality, it must have been only a few minutes.
All of a sudden, I heard Leah bark two times and then she ran off, straight ahead. At first, I didn't know what had happened but then I saw two dark figures running towards us, one with blonde hair the other with bright red... Seth barked too and growled, his fur standing up, making him look twice as big. But he didn't leave my side even when Leah, who had attacked the two vampires, was tackled down by the blond one and whimpered in pain.
A coldness settled inside my stomach which had nothing to do with the freezing air or the snow surrounding us. The blond vampire stood up. Leah didn't.
Panicked, I looked first at Seth then towards the battlefield. I wanted to scream for help but not a sound escaped from my throat. My eyes grew wild, my heart pounded thrice its normal speed. When the two vampires were only a few feet away Seth suddenly shot forward, fangs bared and threw himself against the red-haired vampire, who fell down under his massive bodyweight. Her friend came to her help and I did the only thing I could think of at this moment. I retreated as silently as possible and tried to hide behind the stone. From there I would try to make my way towards the other wolves and my vampires to alert them about Victoria's whereabouts.
This seemed like a good idea at that time but like a lot of good ideas, this one didn't turn as well as it had been intended too.
After I had hidden behind the stone and prepared my way over to the battlefield, I suddenly felt something cold touching my neck and a low voice at my ear. "My, my, what do we have here? A snack?" The voice laughed an ice-cold laughter that shook me to my bone.
Victoria came to stand before me, her marble features drawn into a hateful grimace. Blood covered her mouth and made it shine like rubies. "And no one to protect you. So, it's true, he really left you, all alone and unprotected. His love for you couldn't have been very great."
I tried to shake her off, shout at her, do something but I was frozen like a pile of ice. "It's a pity," Victoria continued. "It would have been so much fun seeing him suffer because he couldn't protect the woman he loved. Well, it seems like I would have to draw my satisfaction elsewhere. Like from the fact that the girl who caused my beloved's death has met her rightful fate." She smiled coldly and both of her hands crept along my neck. "I grant you one mercy, human. I am not going to kill you slowly as I had intended first. I can see the fact he has left you at the mercy of every monster there is has hurt you beyond everything I could do to you. So, I will end your misery now." Victoria's hands squeezed and I could feel the muscles and the bones protest from the rough treatment. Behind her, Seth was lying on the ground, not moving while the blond vampire towered over him, a satisfied look on his face. His companion, whom I saw didn't resemble Victoria at all despite the red hair, lay unmoving on the ground, her throat ripped out, her body covered in blood. Victoria squeezed more, drawing my attention back to her marble-cold face. I couldn't even close my eyes, had to endure her satisfied look while I felt my life slowly drifting out of my body...
Jake, I love you
Then everything went black.