AN: I've been slacking . I'm back on top of things now, and just got done writing chapter twenty six! I'm super excited about that one! As always, thank you to everyone that reviewed! Reviews always inspire me to write more! I know people have been asking, and YES, I do plan on finishing my other fics as soon as this one is done, though it might be harder than I realized to say goodbye to Alex and her pack. I've grown quite attached to them! Maybe when all is said and done, I'll do a spin off mini-series or something to make myself feel better!

Chapter Twenty – Four

Starving

"She's starving." Edward frowned as he looked at Bella's skeletal face.

"We all are." Emmett mumbled from beside me. I placed my hand over his and squeezed.

Thanks to Sam's pack we were boxed in. My pack could take them – I was sure of it, but we were growing weaker. Carlisle wanted to try and settle everything without fighting… He was just giving them the advantage. The Cullen's had black eyes from not eating, but they seemed in control. Those of us that ate human food had depleted our supply a week ago and were currently living off small animals that wandered too close to the house.

The hunger was messing with all of us. I was even having trouble on focusing. I cringed as Carlisle handed Bella a small cup of blood. She seemed to enjoy it, but a gulping sound from my left is what caught my attention. Poor Emmett looked like he would cry if he could.

"That's it." I growled as I stood, anger flaring through me. They could starve me out if they wanted, but the second they messed with Emmett, it was game on. I snapped my fingers and my pack was on my heels.

"Where are you going, Alex?" Even Emmett's voice was weak. It took all of my self-control not to phase right there. For the first time in decades, my body shook with the force to contain it.

The rest of the Cullen's followed too, watching as we stripped. Turning, I kissed Emmett once. "We're going to get you some god damned food!"

Esme looked worried. "But Sam…"

"Fuck Sam!" I growled, not turning towards her. I looked to my pack, each of their faces as angry as mine. "They'll try to use our absence against us. Lilly, Nick, you guys stay with Jacob's pack." They nodded obediently. "James, Matt, Chase, Ty… Don't kill Sam's wolves, but knock them on their asses if you have to."

Determination flared in Jacob's eyes. "I can try to buy you guys some time."

I nodded once. "We'll go out, grab a few animals and head back. No games. The Cullen's can have the blood and we can use the meat." James groaned at the promise of actual meat. "Let's go." I gave Emmett once more reassuring look before exploding in white fur.

"Alex!" Emmett's voice reached my ears before I could take another step. He jogged up to me, his hands working into my white fur. I looked into his black eyes and whined. How dare they make my imprint suffer!? "I know you're too stubborn to change your mind, so just be careful out there." He sighed, kissing the side of my muzzle. "I love you."

I rubbed my head against his chest before turning back to the pack.

'Jacob wants to talk to us.' I could hear Quil think to the others. Chase, Ty, Matt, and James fell into step on either side of me.

'What does that traitor want?' It was Paul this time, angry as ever.

'Let's hear him out, man…' Jared urged his friend. 'Maybe he's had enough of the leeches and wants to come back…'

One by one, their voices disappeared as they phased to join Jacob. I silently thanked him as I sprinted forward. The younger members of Sam's pack were left, but they were inexperienced and not much of a threat – even in our weakened state. Sam himself didn't seem to be phased, we could only hope it stayed that way.

'Try to get two deer each' I ordered as the forest flew by me, my boys on my flanks. 'That should be enough blood to hold the Cullen's over, and enough meat to help us outlast Sam's little wall.'

'What if we have to confront them?' Matt asked, his mind already running over several scenarios.

I sighed, knowing that it might come down to hurting our own kind. It wasn't something looked kindly upon by wolves – especially when it was in defense of vampires. 'Try to deter them… If it comes down to it, do what you have to do.'

We worked quickly, easily taking down a mountain lion and three deer before Sam's pack caught wind of us. Nick connected with us, letting us know that they were headed our way. Taking down another mountain lion, I decided we better not push our luck. Ty, Chase, and I ran the food back while James and Matt caused a distraction.

'Split up!' I called, swerving to the left. They obeyed, making their way back to the house. As I ran, I caught sight of a tiny wolf. I could tell by his uncensored thoughts that it was Brady. 'Keep moving pup…' I warned with a growl as he contemplated following me, possibly stopping me. The mountain lion between my teeth bobbed as I turned to meet his eye as I passed him. 'This is out of your league.'

He seemed to heed my word, watching me with wide eyes. I could hear his pack mates curse him, and threaten him. I felt bad for the young wolf, but it was him or Emmett. I would choose my pack and my mate every time. I could see the lights from the Cullen house up ahead, listening to Sam's pack curse as I glided over an invisible line they had drawn. I mentally accounted for each of my pack members, sighing when they were all safe.

When I skidded to a stop in the Cullen's front yard, Esme took the kill from me with a gracious smile. After thanking me several times, she carried it to the backyard where I assumed they were feeding. Phasing back, I was almost knocked off my feet as Emmett barreled into me.

"That's my girl!" He cheered as he pulled me off my feet, spinning me in circles. When he pulled away, I glanced into his golden eyes with a smile. He had fed. It was a primal satisfaction that washed over me. The pride in feeding my mate. "My naked girl." Emmett smirked down at me as he peeled his shirt off and handed it to me. My gaze lingered on his chest a while before I brought his lips to mine.

"Well, you might be fed, but I'm sick of squirrels." I crinkled my nose with a laugh as I made my way to where I could smell deer cooking.

We took turns patrolling that night, our strength back. We were worried about how easily Sam's pack had backed down. It could be because my pack – old and strong – intimidated him, or it could be because he was planning. Opening my eyes, I glanced out the window into the moonlight, my body sinking into the soft mattress. The door to the room opened with a low click, the scent washing over me all together. With a smile I watched Emmett's large frame move across the dark and into the small room.

"Hey you." I nearly purred as I stretched, my muscled finally relaxing. "Where have you been? Usually you're here waiting for me after patrol."

"I was up in the attic looking around." He shrugged and slid into bed next to me, his lips seeking mine out.

"I never thought I would be so happy to see your eyes back to gold." I smiled up at him and ran my fingers over the light shadow under his eyes. He was looking so much more… lively.

"I have you to thank for that." His large arms tightened around me. "You really saved us, Alexandria. I don't think any of us would have been able to deal if Bella went into labor without us feeding."

Despite my pride, I felt myself blush at his praise. "I was just providing for my mate." I gave him a wide smile, one my wolf agreed with. "It felt… right."

He gave me a heartbreaking dimpled smile. "Well, thank you." Pressing his lips to mine, I loved the cold feeling of him. "And I have something for you." There was a glint in his eye, one I couldn't quite place.

He sat up, and I joined him, watching with amusement as he dug through his pockets. "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?...

"Yeah, pretty nerve wracking to look at, huh?" He laughed nervously. It was so unlike him to seem unsure. If my heart wasn't about to beat out of my chest, I might have teased him about it. "It's yours, Alex… It always was." He lifted his golden eyes to meet mine. "Just like I was…"

"Emmett…" He cut me off with a shake of his head. This was something that was difficult for him, I could see that.

"I had a whole speech planned, but that was decades ago." He laughed, his dimples coming back full force. "Times changed – we changed. I don't need a speech, and I don't think you do either. I love you, Alexandria, and when all this is over, I want to marry you and never lose you again."

I nearly gasped as flipped the box open and showed me the beautiful ring inside. It was obviously bought in the thirties. It was timeless and elegant. Exactly what 1930's Emmett would have bought. It was only when Emmett started fidgeting that I realized I hadn't answered. "Of course!" I breathed, launching myself at him. "I love you, Emmett."

I kissed him as he slid the ring on my finger. Perfect fit… "I get to plan the wedding!" Alice's voice rang out from the first floor. Several laughs followed.

AN: When I wrote the chapter waaaay back at the beginning where Emmett goes through his human stuff in the attic, I knew he was going to propose again with that ring. There was no way he couldn't!

Reviews are loooooved!

Next chapter sneak peek:

'"Babe…" He hesitated, looking me up and down. "Are you hurt?" His eyes were frantic as they glided over the blood soaking my fur. With a half-laugh I phased back into my human form.

"It's Sam's."'