{Chapter Twenty-One}
He watches as the wolves gather around their fallen leader. He revels in their agony, in her agony. Making her watch as he sank his teeth into her friend's neck and ripped the life from him gave him more satisfaction than he had thought possible. He had to show her that there was no one that could protect her from him. She had counted on her beloved pack leader protecting her, keeping her safe from him... he had shown her how fast he could rip it all away from him. He wasn't done yet. There were still others that she depended on. Others that would keep her from him, that were fighting against him. They would be next, like the pack and their leader, they too would fall.
My eyes fly open as pure agony drives me to my knees. The desolation I feel is all consuming. There is nothing left but a void that envelopes me in a tsunami of pain and darkness. Sam. My friend, my leader... was gone. Where Sam's voice usually is there is nothing but silence. He's gone. Leaving behind an emptiness in my head unlike any other...
The sound of glass shattering echoes throughout the room shocking both Jasper and Kai back to life. Carlisle's voice calls out to us and Kai kneels in front of me, his gaze soft.
"Mia, Amore Mio. You must get up."
I have no response. A part of me knows that I need to move, yet the pain keeps me in place like an anchor weighing down a ship. Kai gently takes my hand and pulls me up, leading me into the other room. The living room is covered in shards of glass from one of the large front windows. Lying in the centre of it all are Esme and Alice, both shocked but unharmed. An earth-shattering roar rocks the room as we turn to the empty space between us and the outside world. With teeth bared and haunches raised, Paul, Quil, Embry, Jacob, and Seth stand before us.
"What is the meaning of this?" Carlisle asks, stepping outside.
The wolves don't respond, only moving closer to the house.
"Answer me!" Carlisle exclaims.
Edward appears as if by magic, his hand on Carlisle's shoulder to stop him from moving any closer.
"I came as soon as I heard their thoughts. Their leader, Sam, is dead and they claim you killed him. Your scent is all over the body. They are calling for your head," Edward says.
Carlisle looks at Edward with wide eyes before turning to face the pack.
"I assure you that I did not kill your leader. I have not left my home all afternoon."
It is silent for a moment as Edward waits for a response.
"They do not believe you."
Carlisle holds up his hands, palms up.
"I promise you that I have committed no crime against your pack or your leader. I hold our treaty in high regard and would do nothing to risk it."
The wolves only growl in response and move closer. Kai gently touches my shoulder, his voice low.
"Mia, you must tell them the truth. They will not listen to Carlisle for he is a vampire. They will listen to one of their own, tell them."
"I can't... I can't tell them what I saw. What Asher did," I whisper.
"You have to Amore Mio or else risk the lives of everyone here."
Solemnly, I step to Carlisle's side. The wolves are still baring their teeth and I wince as I open my mind to theirs. A million thoughts come roaring at me at once and I hold out a hand to silence them, praying that they will listen to me.
"Carlisle did not kill Sam. It was Asher. I don't know how he got it to look like Carlisle did, but I promise you it was not Carlisle."
"Liar! You're covering for them," Quil says.
"I'm not lying. Kai, Jasper, and I saw everything. Asher made me watch as he... as he ripped out Sam's throat."
"She's lying. She's one of them," Embry says.
I look at Embry, "I'm one of you."
"Not if you stand with them. We know it was the bloodsucker's leader," Paul says.
I look over at Seth, "Please. I'm telling the truth. Carlisle did not do this."
"We smelled him, Mia. His scent is all over Sam's body, not Asher's. He is responsible for killing our leader...your leader. Just get out of the way before you get hurt," Seth says.
I shake my head, "no. I can't do that."
"Out of the way, Mia. Let us handle this our way," Jacob says.
"Your way is going to kill an innocent man."
Paul lets out a frustrated growl, "That thing is no man. He is a monster who should have been put down a long time ago. He will answer for his crime against the pack and against the reservation."
This time when I move it is to stand in front of Carlisle, solidifying my place on his side.
"Please, it doesn't have to be this way. If you would just listen...
"I'm afraid it does, Wolfe," Paul says.
I silently look out at my brothers, my pack. To stand against them betrays every fiber of my being but I cannot let them hurt Carlisle. I won't. I look at Seth, my heart breaking.
"I love you but if you fight them then you are against me."
"Mia..."
I shake my head as Jasper, Esme, Alice, Kai, and Edward all step to my side in front of Carlisle.
"Stand down or be put down," I say.
"Mia, don't do this. Don't make me do this," Seth pleads.
"I'm not making you do anything. You made your choice now I am making mine. I'm choosing to protect my family which they are a part of as much as you are."
Paul snaps his teeth, his patience finally wearing out, "so be it. If you want to be at their side, then you will die at their side."
With this final warning, Carlisle ushers us all back inside.
"What do we do, Carlisle?" Esme asks.
Carlisle is silent a moment before speaking, "as grateful as I am to you for stepping up, I will not put our family in danger. We have a plan in place for if something like this happens."
"You want us to run?" Jasper asks.
"I want you to live and see another day. This is a fight we cannot win, not because we do not have the numbers but because it would further damage what we have worked so hard to build here. I will not fight them and give them further reason to think me a monster nor will I give them the ammunition to think it of you," Carlisle says.
"But, Carlisle..." Alice starts.
He turns to face her, "I want you and Esme to head to the safehouse. Edward and Mia, I would like for you to go and collect Rosalie and Emmett. Please, let them know that it is not safe to return home and to meet us all at the safe house. Call Gabriel if you can, he was once their leader, perhaps he can help us. Jasper and I will try to lead the wolves away long enough for you all to leave safely."
He turns to Kai and holds out his hand. Kai grips it in his own, his eyes locked onto Carlisle.
"Kai, I cannot ask you to risk your life for my family. If you wish to leave, you may do so. However, you are free to join us at the safehouse if you wish."
Kai shakes his head, "your family is my family, Mio Amico. I will protect them in any way I can."
Carlisle nods, "thank you."
"Carlisle, I think I should come with you," I say.
He smiles at me and places a hand on my shoulder, "I know you do, but it is not your place to protect me. Jasper, Kai, and I will be fine. Go find Emmett and Rosalie, you say that you are protecting your family then help me protect the members that are not here."
I nod, "okay."
"Good. Now... prepare yourselves."
Jasper, Kai, and Carlisle all take a step outside as we wait with bated breath. We cannot hear what is being said, but before we know it the wolves are giving chase deep into the forest. After a few minutes, Alice and Esme move followed by Edward and me.
"Stay safe, you two. I do not plan on losing any of my children today," Esme says.
"We will. We'll see you soon," Edward says.
I toss him the keys to my car and we climb in. After Alice and Esme leave, we take off down the road like the devil himself is after us.