AN: Sorry this took so long! I'm sick - yes, again! As soon as the cold weather shows up, my immune system goes on vacation somewhere warm! Ironic, considering it's my favorite time of year!

Chapter Twenty-Three

The Phone Call

Thanksgiving passed in a blur, mostly because it was a whirl of Emmett eating anything he could shove into his mouth, and then throwing it up. I patted his back like a good mate, and cooed over his shoulder while suppressing a laugh. I knew I should have been more empathetic, but how many times do you get to see a vampire puke his guts out?

Over the next few days, Emmett's strength slowly returned. Carlisle had collected several binders' worth of data – which he promised to keep under lock and key. We didn't even fully understand the implications of his research. I shuttered to think what the information in the wrong hands could do.

Other than our little experiment, things were getting boring. The pack was always off doing their own thing in town, having grown accustom to Forks. The rain kept me inside most days, but Emmett didn't share my sentiment. Once again, I found myself at the house alone with Rosalie as the other members scattered. We sat in comfortable silence, too preoccupied with our own thoughts to make small talk. Ever since our little girl talk, things with Rosalie had been far less tense. We weren't quite friends yet, but we were civil. It was a start.

The simultaneous buzzing of our phones jerked us out of our tranquil silence. Exchanging a look with the blonde, I peered down at my phone.

Meeting at the house. Everyone. Urgent.

-Carlisle

Well that seemed promising. I frowned as looked back to Rosalie, my worried look mirrored in her beautiful face. "I wonder what that's about." Her red lips pulled into a frown.

"And here I was just thinking about how boring things have been." I smiled as my phone buzzed again. This time, a familiar number flashed across the screen. "Hey, Bella. How is your honeymoon?" I asked as casually as possible. No need to worry her if it wasn't necessary.

"Alex – Is Rose there?" My eyebrows must have shot into my hairline. Bella had an even tenser relationship with Rose than I did – and that was saying something. Eyeing the blonde, I passed her the phone, fully intent to eavesdrop… It was my phone after all.

"Bella, its Rosalie." Her usually careful voice had a nervous edge to it – one I was sure Bella's human ears wouldn't pick up. "Is something wrong? Does this have anything to do with why Carlisle just called an urgent meeting?" Of course it did. It was Bella after all.

"Rosalie, I need your help…" Bella's voice wavered. I leaned forward in my seat, though I could hear just fine. "I- I'm pregnant. We don't know how it happened, but Edward is freaking out! I need your help, Rose – yours too Alex, I know you can hear me!" Rose's wide honey eyes met mine. "Edward wants to kill it – he's not giving me a choice. I love him already, I can't let Edward do this!" She was sobbing now, her voice small.

I listened to Rosalie try to calm Bella down as her words swirled in my mind. This had a lot of implications – for everyone. On the one hand, I wanted to protect Bella, and if this thing was growing already, there was no telling what it would do to her frail human body. On the other, it wasn't my choice to make. As much as I wanted to protect Bella, it wasn't my place to tell her to abort her unborn fetus. I was pro-choice and all, but this situation was… tricky. Was it really worth Bella's life?

I was still in my mental debate as Rosalie hung up the phone, quickly telling me that I couldn't tell anyone that Bella had contacted us. If Edward knew that Rose – and possibly I – had plans of helping Bella commit suicide, he wouldn't even bring her home. I was so wrapped up in everything, I almost didn't notice when Emmett flew through the door and landed himself by my side.

"Hey, Babe." He waved his hand in front of my face. He had taken to calling me 'babe' over the last few days. I didn't mind as much as I thought I would. "You okay?"

Before I could answer, the rest of the pack and Cullen's began to file in. "Everyone!" Carlisle drew the attention to himself. "We have a problem…"

To say there was tension in the house after the news broke would be an understatement. There seemed to be a serious divide in the house over what to do. Alice and Ty were adamant about ripping the fetus out of Bella as soon as possible – if only to save her life. Of course, that meant that Jasper was along with them. Rosalie and Esme were on the other end, determined to let Bella carry the baby to term. The rest of us fell in a gray area. Either way, I knew this was just the beginning of the fighting.

When the time came to pick Edward and Bella up from the airport, it was pure chaos. We took several cars, and gained more than a few looks. I was still on the fence about what side to take when Bella rushed away from Edward and into Rosalie's arms. The look on his face would have been comical in any other situation. It was watching Bella sob that really sank the message in. I didn't have to pick a side, because it wasn't my choice to make. Placing a hand on Bella's shoulder, I let my alliance become clear. Some of the pack members raised their heads in acknowledgement – well, all by Ty did. He looked hurt but determined. I nodded once to him, letting him know that I respected where he stood, and wouldn't force him to side with me. After all, Bella was his cousin.

Over the next several days the house was filled with chaos. It seemed like arguing was the new past time in the Cullen house. The only time I got any peace was when I curled up in Emmett's arms at night. Ty was still angry at the situation, but not at my role in it. The rest of the pack seemed indifferent – cautious even. I understood their fear too. We didn't know what that thing inside Bella was, and that was made even clearer when Jacob Black visited. This thing could kill us all.

I watched from the second floor balcony as Jacob ripped from the yard to the woods. This wasn't good. My eyes landed on Nicolas standing in the backyard. His mismatched eyes rose to meet mine after looking after Jacob. "Follow him." I spoke in a low tone, knowing he would be able to hear me. "Don't interfere, but find out how the others react." Because I knew Jacob couldn't conceal his thoughts from them. Nick nodded once before jumping, phasing mid-air.

As I watched the brown wolf bound into the woods, a strong pair of cold arms folded around me. I closed my eyes as his cold lips landed on the side of my neck. "Did I ever tell you how hot it is when you go all alpha?" Emmett purred, his lips moving upward.

I fought the smile pulling at my lips as I turned my head sideways to catch his lips. "I don't believe you mentioned it." I kissed him one more time before refocusing on the woods. "This is bad, Emmett." I breathed, sinking back into his large chest. "If you thought the tension in the house was bad…" I shook my head. "Sam isn't going to take this well. He's too young, too sheltered. He fears the unknown."

"I think we all do." He hugged me a bit tighter. "We all want Bella to be okay."

A dozen howls caused my back to go ridged. The loudest one was unmistakably Nick. Pecking Emmett one more time, I threw my legs over the railing, phasing before I hit the grass. The rest of my pack joined me one by one.

'Not good.' Nicolas thought frantically. 'Very not good!'

Lower than his thoughts, I could hear Sam's pack panicking. Not only over the Bella thing, but Jacob had left. I was surprised he had chosen Bella over his pack. It wasn't that I doubted his feelings for her, just that she wasn't his imprint… and she was married… and pregnant. Guess I shouldn't have underestimated the power of teen love.

'Ty, Chase, warn the Cullen's.' I demanded, mentally keeping track of Jacob. He was almost here, and he was seeking me out. 'Lilly, go check on Seth, I know you want to.' She breathed a sigh before bouncing off. 'Nick, Matt, James – I want you to run a wide perimeter. Until we know what they intend to do, only Jacob and Seth are allowed close to the house.' I paused, listening to the thoughts of Sam's pack. 'And Leah.'

By the time I phased and dressed, Jacob was waiting in the yard for me. I took note of all the little muscles in his arms and jaw twitching. He was angry and desperate. Even though he was the one to leave Sam's pack, I could tell he felt betrayed. Sadly, not all wolves were so understanding when it came to vampires and the unknown.

"I want to talk to you." Jacob's jaw was tight.

"I figured as much." I kept my voice and gaze level, noting Carlisle watching from the third floor balcony.

"Sam plans on killing Bella… He'll go through anyone to make sure that thing is killed." He sighed, his face finally showing his age. "I want to join your pack – to protect them."

I gave Jacob a sad smile. "No."

"What?" He was livid again.

"I said no Jacob. It's time you took your place as alpha. Even if I took you into my pack, that itch for power would always be there."

"I'm not like you!" He gestured to me and then Carlisle. "Birth right or not!"

"It's not our birthright that makes us leaders, Jake. It's our ability to instill hope in others – to call the shots and earn the respect and trust they give us. It's not glamorous, it's something that comes naturally to us."

Jacob's face fell. "I don't have that." He shook his head, once again looking between Carlisle and myself. "I don't have what it takes to influence and lead others."

I smiled as my eyes drifted over his shoulder. "Don't you?" His brow furrowed before he followed my gaze to where Leah and Seth stood waiting. As I walked past him, I clapped him on the shoulder. "Welcome to the ranks, Alpha."

AN: Reviews are loved! They help me get better :3

Sneak Peek:

'"You didn't have to get me anything, Em. Actually, I'm not even sure how you did." I laughed. My laughter instantly died when he produced a small worn blue box from his pocket. Holy shit… Is that?...'