SONG: The Con by Tegan and Sara

My breath hitched in my throat when I realized what I had just done.

"Bella?" Edward asked cautiously, hands still restraining Koda, who looked at me with both pride and worry.

"Edward, just… think about it," I managed to get out, but it came across as almost completely inaudible.

His eyebrows pulled together. "I have thought about it, Bella. I haven't stopped."

"Please. Don't kill him, for me. Please, Edward. It… he had no control over it," I begged.

He looked away from me for a moment to look at Carlisle, but when he turned back, his eyes were hurt. "Are you positive, Bella? Think about everything he's done. Taken you away, away from everything," his grip on Koda became visibly tighter with each word. Koda cringed as the pain came.

"I'm sure, Edward." There was no going back now.

"I don't know if I can," he whispered, seeming to talk more to himself than to me. It was impossible to watch him act defeated.

"I know you can."

He looked up with determination and with a quick crooked smile and a wink, darted over to me with impossible speed, leaving me completely dazed. Edward quickly lifted me off the forest floor and bounded towards the edge of the forest. The quick movement knocked me breathless.

I heard the furious growls from behind me, but I ignored them, completely focusing on the secure feeling of being in his arms again. I settled myself as close to him as I could, the longing I was overcome with earlier completely washing away. He stopped abruptly at the edge of the forest, kissed my forehead, and - to my dismay - set me down on the ground. He turned his back to me, but held my hand gently, yet firmly in his.

"You heard what Bella requested," Edward said in a harsh tone, directing his words to Koda, who stood a little limp at the other edge of the trees. The pack walked slowly to his side, eyes watching the Cullen's the entire time. A few limped a little, but most seemed relatively fine. To my relief, all of Edward's family members looked completely unscathed as they walked over to us.

Carlisle stood on one side of Edward, Jasper and Emmett on the other. Alice was at my one side, Esme was behind, and Rosalie was on my other side. I understood their positions.

They were closing me in.

I tried to look around Edward and saw the wolves were in the shape of a "V", Koda leading.

"Believe me, dog, I didn't want it to end like this," Edward continued, causing a few wolves to growl at his words, "but Bella wants no harm done. For an unfathomable reason, but she wants this. I won't deny her it."

Koda's narrowed eyes met mine and instantly returned to being appreciative. I did nothing but watch as he looked back to Edward, his eyes hardening.

No one said anything for a while; they all seemed to be focused on mentally scrutinizing the other group.

Carlisle broke the silence.

"What my son is trying to say, is that we'll be going now," he said in a soothing voice.

Edward growled and directed it towards Koda, whose thoughts must have angered Edward. "You have already escaped death once, mongrel. You wouldn't want to risk it again, I know that I won't be able to restrain myself this time," he said in a velvet voice.

Carlisle placed a hand on Edward's shoulder, trying to calm him. I squeezed his hand encouragingly, hoping to do the same.

He shot me an apologetic glance, but turned quickly back to the wolves.

"We'll be going now," Carlisle repeated, but with more force this time.

I saw Edward turn to Carlisle and whisper something much too fast and too low for me to hear.

Before I could react, I was again being scooped up by Edward and racing through the forest.

"W-what?" I stammered, completely in shock.

Edward smiled crookedly at me. "Keep your eyes closed. I'll explain when we're home."

I nearly smiled at this realization. Everything was fine. Everyone was fine. Koda was alive, as well as his pack - aside from their minor injuries - I hoped. The Cullen's were fine, Jacob was fine…

Jacob.

"Edward, Jacob!"

"Bella, calm down. Jacob is fine. Sam caught up to him after he and Koda…" he trailed off, looking down at me with worry, obviously thinking he said too much. I mentally finished his sentence. 'After he and Koda fought.'

"Is he okay? Where is he?" I asked. Endless questions overwhelming me.

"He'll be fine. I promise, love. He's finishing up his conversation now. He'll be following soon." He chuckled. "Sam certainly was angry." I looked up at him, still dazed. He noticed and looked down at me. "Keep your eyes closed, Bella. We'll be home before you know it."

I obliged silently, nestling in closer to the cradle of his arms. His arms naturally tightened around me, making me feel as if nothing could touch me, no harm could be done.

**A/N: wee! i think is going to be the ending :o) i'm considering another chapter, just to see how charlie and jacob reacted and whatnot.
i'm reallyreally sorry for the koda ending. but you'll see it's necessary...
...for a sequel? hehehe. should i?

yayyy! if i don't post any chapters (which i probably will add ONE more) happy holidays to everyone!

please, no mean reviews. i really tried.
but pleaseee review!

IN OTHER NEWS : new moon comes out november 20, 2009! and midnight sun will be published sometime! yayy!