CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

(JPOV)

Rana only continued to weaken as I ran with her, the sound of her shallow breathing forcing me to push myself to get her to the Reservation. I couldn't lose her. I wanted her with me- with us. Wanted her to be part of our family. I noticed the change in her body temperature and felt her shiver violently as we neared the La' Push border, my head snapping up at the sound of a frantic howl that filled the quiet space around us.

"Almost there, Rana. Hold on for me, okay?" I whispered to her, hauling her back up in my arms as she continued to shiver. "It's okay."

"Thank you, Jacob... For everything-"

Her weak whispered words made me stop and gaze down at her, seeing the paled color in her face that told me she could feel deaths steady and impending pull.

"I'm gonna get you to him- To Billy."

"Tell him I'm sorry."

"No, Rana. Just hold on. Just a little while longer." I pleaded with her, running with new speed on legs that were already burning from exhaustion and becoming numb from exertion. I pushed past the pain and wear, determined to get her to Billy in time.

"You are just like her, Jacob. Every part of you reminds me of Sarah. Your kindness and love for others. Your humbleness and generosity. The fight in you. It's almost like being with her again... almost." She sighed, placing her head back on my chest, her words making me swallow hard as the emotion I fought back made tears form in my eyes.

"... having you here... gives me back a little piece of her too, Rana." I softly admitted, inwardly cringing when she closed her eyes and didn't respond to me.

When I reached the bordering tree of my back yard, I heard Sam's powerful howl linger out through the forest and I knew they were waiting close by. I knew they would be watching and waiting. I stopped once I had cleared the trees, hearing the sharp intake of breath come from Rana when I pressed her closer to me, her body cold and unmoving when the front door to my house swung open. I sunk down onto the grass, my legs giving out as Billy wheeled himself out onto the porch, his eyes wide and the disbelief on his face stopping me in my tracks.

"Dad..." I yelled, the strangled sound of it reaching him as I watched the life drain from Rana. I forced myself back up, running to him and seeing the tears that welled in his eyes when he saw who I had cradled to me.

"Son-..." He breathed, reaching out and touching Rana's paled cheek with trembling fingers, his emotions getting the better of him while he studied her. "Rana."

"Help her... Please." I replied, my own tears now spilling over as I struggled to hold onto her.

"How did you? Where did you- When did-" He began in question, glancing up at me in confusion.

"She saved me, dad. She did... She found me... when I was out there all alone. She freed me from the spirit warrior. She's been watching over us ever since mom... watching from a distance. All this time. Please save her -somehow. We have to."

"Bring her inside, Jacob... Hurry." Billy replied, glancing out toward the back yard where Sam and the entire pack had now gathered in formation. I nodded to Sam and he returned the gesture, his rigid silhouette telling me he was still using caution with her and I understood that reasoning.

I rushed inside with Rana, laying her down on our couch as Billy placed a frantic phone call to the council, his tone full of authority when he told them there was an emergency at our house that required their attention immediately. He hung up the phone and wheeled over to me, his eyes still wide in shock.

"I never thought I'd see her again, Jacob. Is what you just said really true? She's been watching over us all this time?"

I nodded my reply to him, touching Rana's face and taking her hand in mine, the cold feel of her skin and her too shallow breathing making my tears return.

"She promised mom, dad. And she kept her promise. I wouldn't be here without her. She told me not to bring her here, but I had to. She thinks you'll hate her-"

"I could never hate your mothers best friend. Your mother loved Rana so much... they were like sisters and anyone who she loved herself that much, I could never hate."

"She's been alone for a long time, dad."

He nodded, wheeling himself even closer to her, his eyes roaming over her in disbelief.

"Is that why Sam is here now? With the others?"

"Yes. We were at odds over Rana, but we've worked it out. We'll come to an understanding. If she makes it. Do you think the council will be able to help her?"

"I don't know, son. Rana has always had special abilities. Comes from her ancestry of witches magic, it was born in her, but that was before the change. I haven't seen her since that night we lost your mother. It's been years."

"She changes back to human form, dad. I've never known anything like it. Have you? I've seen it happen to her twice now and it weakens her every time. She nearly died freeing me, but she said it would be worth it."

Billy went silent then with a shake of his head, glancing down at her with gratitude in his gaze. He soon took her hand from mine, wheeling himself over so he was right next to her.

The minutes passed as I paced by the front door, anxiously awaiting the councils arrival and hoping they would be able to help her.

"Is there anything we can do for her while we wait?" I nervously asked, seeing Billy's remorseful gaze meet mine.

"No, son. We have to wait for them. They will be here."

I watched in silence as he soon leaned in closer to her, moving a stray lock of Rana's black hair away from her face, his words so low that I barely caught them.

"I'm sorry, Rana. I'm so sorry. I should've looked for you after Sarah passed. You have always been like family to us. Please don't leave now... Please."

I stepped outside, sucking in a lungful of air as I looked up to the stars in the sky, knowing she would be listening.

"Mom- I know you're not far away. I can feel you here. Help me save her, mom. Help her stay here with us."

My plea left me just as a low howl came from Sam and my eyes caught sight of the councils approach.

A/N: Hello all my fantastic readers! I hope you liked this chapter! Please review and tell me what you think. Can the council help Billy and Jacob to Save Rana?

Thank you as always :-) Until next time...