The Battle

I sped inside Emily's house and right into Jacob's arms, crying as I went. I knew I only had a few minutes before we would have to leave for the clearing, and I wanted to spend as much time as I had with him.

"Bella, it's going to be ok. If it goes well, the Cullen's will be defeated and we can go back to being in love and living our lives," I knew Jacob was trying to comfort me, but at this point, nothing would comfort me.

"Jake, I don't want them to get hurt. I don't want YOU to get hurt. I'm just hoping that both sides will go away with who they came with. I can't lose them, and I won't loose any of the pack."

Just as I was about to kiss Jacob, Sam and Emily came inside and informed us that it was time to go. This was it, the battle was about to begin. And it was all my fault.

Jacob phased, I got onto his back, and off we ran. The clearing was about 5 minutes away, maybe quicker since all the brothers were in their wolf form, and running like the speed of sound. We got their just after the Cullen's, who were waiting on the other side of the clearing. We walked cautiously forward, and I slid of Jacob's back and went to stand beside Emily. Jasper and Emmett had smug grins on their faces, like they knew they were going to win. This was going to be a tough fight.

Jasper stepped forward and began to speak.

"I am presuming that you all know why we are here, so I will cut the pleasantries and begin. Bella Swan betrayed my brother's love and trust for Jacob Black, and for that, it is the shared belief that you all must be punished. May the best side win." And with that, the battle started.

Wolf ran at Vampire with crazy speed, and they began tackling and trying to break each other apart. I cried into Emily's shoulder, not being able to watch, when I heard a loud scream.

"Everyone STOP!"

Everyone stopped fighting and turned to Edward, which is who the scream had come from.

"We can't do this, not without hurting Bella. Can you not see that this is hurting her? I never wanted this; I didn't want to hurt her. I just wanted to get revenge on Jacob Black. But now I see that it will not be possible without hurting Bella."

I could not believe my ears, as I am sure that nobody else could. Edward was trying to stop the fight, though they were here fighting for or against him.

"If Bella loves Jacob, then that is that. Let's just go home, and let them live their lives in peace. We cannot fight those we once called our friends."

The Cullen's let go of the wolves they were fighting and looked at Edward in utter disbelief. They were here, trying to win his love back, and he didn't want them too. I could tell he was doing this for me.

"Let's go, everyone," Alice called to the rest of the Cullen's and they ran out of the field. All except Edward. He ran over to me.

"Bella, I am so sorry for what could have happened here tonight. Know that I do this because I love you, and don't want you to be hurt by my selfishness. If you truly love Jacob Black, then I will respect that and leave you two alone. Goodbye, Bella." Edward kissed my cheek and was gone faster than I could say anything back to him.

The next sound I heard was the sound of 10 cheers. All of the wolves were back in their human form, cheering and whooping like they had indeed won a battle. Jacob came running over to me, and gave me a big bear hug before he kissed me. It was a kiss of victory, like he had finally won, though he had won my heart before this moment.

We left the clearing and all returned to Sam and Emily's house. Crowding into the living room of the tiny house, we waited for Sam to speak.

"Today was a victory, brothers, and while it may not seem as so, it was. We have kept the tribe safe for another day, and protected Bella and Jacob as well. We will remember this day always, the day a war was almost fought for love, and while the battle never truly started, it was the start of something else."

Jacob and I looked at each other and smiled. We knew what he was going to say before everyone else did.

"It was the start of a brighter future, a future for Bella and Jacob."

The boys let out a howl of cheer as Jacob and I kissed. We kissed to our future, together no matter what.