AN: Hello beautiful readers! As you are reading this chapter, I am working on chapter 19. Let me just say, the development over the next four chapters is mind blowing. You guys are gonna be pretty happy (I hope!). Just so you guys know, I plan on taking this story all the way through Breaking Dawn!

Chapter Fourteen

The Plan

We had all weekend to catch the red-headed leech, but she managed to escape us at every turn. Things were tense, and only getting worse. The one that could see the future seemed to be on the fritz, which left us blind. We caught another foreign leech scent while patrolling, but it was stale. Whatever the red-head was planning was going to be big… and bad. I tried to push the thought out of my mind as I threw the SUV into park. I considered dropping our student façade, but we were committed now. Not to mention, it gave me a chance to spend some time with Emmett. The blonde and he seemed to have resolved whatever was wrong with them, which meant she was back to practically peeing on him to mark her territory.

"This doesn't look good." Ty mumbled, his deep sapphire gaze narrowing in on Jacob leaning against his motorcycle.

He lifted his head as we approached, his arms crossed over his chest. "Little far from the rez, aren't you?" I asked with a raised brow. "Last time I checked, you were still in school."

"You sound like Sam." His frown deepened. "I have the right to see Bells."

As if on cue, Bella practically flew out of Edward's car to him. It was strange watching them. Bella claimed to be so in love with Edward, but part of her loved Jacob too, it seemed. I was going to make sure Jacob was on his best behavior, but a chill crawled up my spine. I quietly stepped away from the pack, my eyes seeking him out. By the time I spotted him thorough the arriving cars, he was already on his way to me.

"Well, this is a surprise." I smiled as he came to a stop in front of me. "Finally decided to forsake the others?" I peered around him towards a scowling Rosalie.

"I'm here on official Cullen business." He gave me a mock salute, his dimpled smile following soon after. "Alice found something, so Carlisle wants to hold an official meeting between both packs and us after school."

"Oh?" I rose an eyebrow. "Count us in."

The air inside the Cullen house was heavy, although that might have something to do with the twenty or so supernatural creatures packed into the living room. The tension was already thick, despite the fact that no one had said anything yet. In the center of the circle of wolves and vamps stood Me, Sam, and Carlisle. Next to Carlisle, Alice's eyes darted in and out of focus as she attempted to 'see' around us.

"Jazz and I think we've found Victoria's base, and she's not alone." Growls filled the room at Alice's words. To Carlisle's other side, Edward hugged Bella more to him.

"How many are there?" Sam's face was even more tense than usual.

"We're not sure. We can't get close enough. She's hiding out in the old warehouse district in Seattle. We want to do some reconnaissance, but she would probably smell us coming."

"Maybe a few of us could head down there and sniff around." Sam offered.

"Trust me, wolves walking around Seattle at any time of day wouldn't be a good idea." I shook my head. "And in human form we're too vulnerable."

"So we'll team up." Emmett offered, pushing his way past Edward. "You'll cover our scents and we'll protect you."

"That's not a good idea." Jasper sighed. "If Victoria is up to something, we don't want to tip her off. We need to blend in – pretend we were never there."

Everyone grew quiet. How do you sneak up on a creature that could hear, see, and smell you coming a mile away? "I have an idea…" Bella's small voice drew the attention of everyone in the room. "I know the warehouse district – I spent some time there while the Cullen's were away." She looked away from Edward's disapproving gaze. "There's a big club down there… If we go at night – " Edward gave her a pointed look. "- fine, if you go at night and pair off, you can split up and check out the area. There are so many people, she probably won't be able to smell you."

"That's not a bad idea." I nodded.

"You won't be needing both packs, so mine can stay around here and make sure she doesn't come this way. No offense, but we're not really up to working with you that closely." Sam spoke for his pack.

"That's a good plan." Carlisle's voice was even. "We could cover our home base, and check out theirs. Alex, would you be willing to meet with me one on one later tonight? I think its best we determine the pairs together in order to complement each member. Worst case scenario, we might have to fight our way out."

"Agreed."

The packs left after that. Sam and his returned to La Push, while my pack and I discussed what was to come. We decided that since Nicolas and Lilly look far too young, they would stay behind and watch over Forks and Bella. They weren't exactly happy about being taken out of the action, but it was for the best. We went over several strategies and signals. Wolves or not, we were going to be separated by hundreds of people with only a member of the Cullen coven as back up. The warehouse in question was next door to a club, or so Alice had said. We would have to find a way to get close enough to scope the place out without getting too far from the crowd. It was dangerous, but it was the best shot we had.

Around seven, I headed to the Cullen's house. Alice said that tonight would be the best night to head out there, so we had to move fast. The other pack members would get ready while I met with Carlisle. Nicolas promised to have an outfit waiting for me when I got back. When I arrived at the Cullen house, Carlisle met me at the door.

"The others are getting ready, I thought it would be best to do this in the study." I nodded, but didn't say anything as he led me up the large staircase.

His study was ostentatious, much like the rest of the house. It was nearly all cherry wood and velvet. The whole north wall consisted of ceiling-high bookshelves that were practically overflowing. What really caught my eye was the whiteboard in the center of the room. On it were the pictures of my pack members and nearly all of the Cullen's.

"Alice likes graphs." Carlisle sighed. "She took these from your school photos." He pointed to the large picture of my face.

"That's not creepy at all." I mumbled as I looked over each of them. "You and your mate aren't up here."

"We thought it best to sit this one out. We wouldn't exactly blend in with young club-goers."

I hummed and took Nick and Lilly's pictures down. "They're going to stay behind and watch Bella."

"Good, then we can get down to business." He joined me at the board. "I assumed you and Emmett would be pairing up." I then noticed that our pictures were already next to each other.

"Wouldn't that cause problems? I know how much tension it is already putting on the blonde." It might have been childish, but I refused to say her name.

"Tension or not, I thought it would be best if you and Emmett were paired up. If I'm understanding this imprint thing correctly, you're going to worry about him in this kind of situation regardless."

"That's true." I nodded and moved on, trying to ignore the sense of relief that washed over me. "This one can feel emotions, right?" I tapped the picture of the blond male.

"Yes, that's Jasper. He would do well with someone that could easily control their instincts."

"That would be Matt. He tends to be the most practical." I moved the picture.

"Edward can read minds, and will be connected to each of you. It would be better to pair him with someone that won't distract him."

"Chase. No question." He would be the best at keeping his composure too. "The blonde seems like a hot head. Ty could handle that easily." I knew from experience. I moved Tyler's picture next to hers. "Which leaves the psychic and James."

"Well, that was easier than I thought it would be." He gave me a cheerful smile. "I would hurry if I were you. Alice tends to get a bit anxious when she has to wait."

"She'll live… or not."

Sadly, the only thing that Nicolas deemed 'club appropriate' was a backless black dress that barely covered my ass. I was pretty sure it actually belonged to Leah, because it sure as hell wasn't mine. Next to it was a ridiculous pair of strappy gold heels that had to be at least five inches. I would have screamed at him, but I was the only one left in the house. Carlisle thought it would be better to show up separately as well. Tossing the shoes on my bed, I went to my closet. There was no need to wear them. A growl ripped from my throat when I found my closet floor empty. The little shit…

I heard an engine approach followed by the sound of tires turning into the gravel driveway. Accepting my fate, I pulled the shoes on, taking a quick look in the mirror before heading to the door. Emmett knocked a moment before I pulled it open.

"Wow…" He breathed and looked me over. "You look amazing, Alex."

I couldn't really register his compliment, I was too busy taking him in. He wore a white V-neck under a leather motorcycle jacket with dark washed jeans and dress shoes. The last time I had seen Emmett dressed up was for his sister's funeral, and that was completely different. Lust hit me full force as I met his eyes, forgetting for a moment that they weren't the bright blue I had been expecting. But he was still Emmett… His jaw line, his smile… him.

Emmett took a deep breath through his nose. Closing his eyes, he groaned so low I wouldn't have been able to hear it if I were human. When he opened his eyes again, they were darker and heavy. "You're gonn'a test my resolve if ya keep thinkin' about whatever you're thinkin' about." His voice was husky, and the southern drawl I had once loved was back. A chill ran down my spine at his words, but I tried to refocus. This wasn't what we were supposed to be doing.

"We should go." I breathed, my voice shaky. This was going to be a long night…

AN: Reviews are lovvvvved! Here's a sneak peak at the next chapter:

"Emmett-" I gasped his name as my hands ran through his hair on their own. "We can't… Rosalie…"