Preparations

Jacobs POV:

As announced, I spent the night with my Dad, Seth stayed with me, he was too upset to be alone in order and he could hardly crawl into the bed of his sister. It took a long time until he fell asleep snuggled up to me. If Edward would see that he´d be so jealous.

But for me it felt properly, Seth was like my little brother, I wanted to comfort and protect him. I had no ulterior motives when he was sleeping in my bed, not even when he wanted such an intense body contact like tonight.

The time passed far too quickly and I would prefer to spent it alone with Edward – maybe in the bed – instead of practicing combat techniques. It was a waste of time anyway.

After what Carlisle and Edward had told us about the Volturi and even more what I had seen in their minds, I was sure that we would have no chance in the fight. No matter how much we trained and no matter how long we would have time to prepare ourselves.

We did not know exactly when they would arrive, but it would be soon. The vampires decided to go hunting again so they were as strong as possible when the battle began; and this time I wanted to accompany them. As a wolf, I thought it was quite natural to feed raw meat, and perhaps I would be stronger with fresh animal blood too.

The hunt was exciting, since I woke up from the coma, I had turned only once into a wolf. Well, I enjoyed it to finally run on four paws again; I picked up the scent of a deer, followed it and killed that animal. It tasted not too bad and the constant burning in my throat eased somewhat. Then Ed was right, my body demanded in addition to normal food also to blood.

I was one of the first back at home; it was pure coincidence that of all Emmett was already there. He made still regretted that he had believed my lies and had almost killed me. Although so, he was more concerned with his brother than with me, but at least for the fractured skull bone he was really sorry.

I gave him a pat on the shoulder, "Hey Emmett, good, that I can just talk to you alone"

He looked at me quizzically when I went on to say "You did say you owe me a compensation for my terrible headaches." I grinned "I know now what you could do for me!"

"Well then, I'll do whatever you want. What is it then?"

I looked at him intently and came to the conclusion that he was serious. "Well, I cannot tell you exactly, for now it´s enough that you´ll promise to stand on Edwards's side when our visitors come. So, I mean right next to him. What I want you to do; I will tell you when the time has come!"

"I promise. But if we all have survived, we're even, okay?" he agreed. I shook his hand to confirm our pact.

One by one the other came back and it was getting full in-house. Not only the Cullen's stood and sat in the rooms, Bella, and the pack also beleaguered the house.

Edward and I soon moved back to our area, the depressed mood in the living room was no longer to endure. We suspected that this would be our last night together.

That is to say, Edward feared the worst and I was sure that our life would change radically. We searched desperately to comfort each other, our bodies merged into one unit. No haunting memories affected us with this last night.

Perhaps the memories of that night would help him later and remind him how much I love him - later, when I would no longer be with him. Of course, only if my plan works.

The morning came. We heard faint rumble of thunder. The sky was gray; the sun was hidden behind dense clouds. We gathered it was distributed hugs and kisses.

I held Edward's hand as we stepped outside, he looked towards the forest and whispered "They're almost there," All heads turned in the same direction and a moment later, a group of vampires emerged from the shadows of the forest.

A murmur went through the ranks of their guards when they noticed the wolves standing on our side of the meadow. The pack - with the exception of Paul that stood next to Bella and me - had transformed just before the arrival of our enemies.

While Aro greeted the members of the Cullen family, Marcus looked puzzled at first to Bella -that he had expected on Edwards side - and then to me. He touched briefly Aro`s hand to show him how our relationships had changed.

Aro looked at me penetratingly and finally said in a conversational tone, "Then you're probably the replacement for the human girl. If we have done, what we're coming for I would like to know more about you. I've felt firsthand how much our young friend Edward loved this girl. But Marcus said that your connection just goes much deeper.

I had seen in Aro's eyes all the time as he spoke and followed his mind closely. He was curious about me. He wanted to know who and what I am. He wanted to explore and understand my nature.

If I wanted to be successful I had to act now before it was too late, before they grabbed Bella.

I turned to Edward, kissed him quickly and whispered in his ear "I love you!" Then I called to Emmett, "Hold him back!" and began to cross the lawn, with each step I approached Aro Edwards was growling louder, but I haven´t turned around. A few steps from the old vampire I stopped.