Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its' characters. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is being made from this work.

I whipped around and strode back toward my pack at a quick pace, loping toward the cover of the trees. I heard the bloodsuckers behind me, keeping pace with me. Once I hit the trees, I phased, quickly finding my brothers. I didn't need to fill them in on anything—their keen ears had heard it all.

We need to get to Bella, I said. It went without saying that we would protect her—not one of my brothers would leave her unprotected, not now that she meant so much to me. My mind automatically envisioned her cowering in a corner, stalked by one of the blood-drinkers. The unwelcome imagery lingered, and I shook my head, clearing it. I refused to think of that. No harm would come to my Bella.

Alright. Let's get to her house, quickly. Once we're sure she's safe, we'll split and find the bloodsucker. Sam eyed Alice and Edward as he spoke. Jacob, you're sure—

Yes. I didn't trust the bloodsuckers—although Alice was starting to grow on me—but I knew what Bella meant to Edward. There was no denying his feelings for her- he would make sure she was safe. I saw him nod his head, looking straight at me. He was taking this as seriously as I was.

We can trust them.

Sam said no more on the subject. I was glad he trusted me. I had only been a member of the pack for a short time, but Sam and the others knew I was capable of protecting humans. He led us through the forest, moving at almost full speed. Jared followed closely, protecting his best friend's back. Bella's house was only minutes away at the speed we were moving at. The vampires kept up well.

When we got to Bella's house, I went forward quickly, phasing in the shadows and sneaking up to the side of her house. I scaled the wall quickly, wrenching the window open as silently as possible.

Bella's room was dark, and I could hear her soft snoring. I let out a breath I hadn't known I was holding. She was safe.

I carefully crept over to her bed, sitting lightly on the edge of it, next to where she was curled up. Her face was covered in her hair; I tucked it behind one ear gently, so as not to wake her up.

I briefly considered waking her and letting her know of the danger, then thought better of it. No need to worry her if we could take care of it without her being any the wiser.

I made sure the blanket on her bed was tucked securely around her, then crept back to the window, over the sill and outside. I jumped the fifteen feet or so back down to the ground, landing on the balls of my feet. I strode back to the waiting pack, who didn't look worried. The mind-reading bloodsucker must have told them that everything was safe in the Swan residence.

I quickly phased back. Alright, I said, looking at Sam. What do we do?

We need to split up. He looked at Edward. Where do you think she is? Can you smell her?

"Over to the west. Her scent is strong— she's trying to track Bella." He frowned. "Perhaps one of us should stay here and keep an eye on the house. I would be able to listen for them and we could come back quickly should she get past us and make her way here."

Paul chuckled a little at the thought of the bloodsucker getting past us. But I thought the vamp had a valid point. I agree, I piped up. So, who stays? I looked around. I knew none of my brothers would be too keen on staying behind, even if it was necessary.

Luckily, Alice spoke up. "I don't mind," she said in her ringing voice, looking at Edward. I was slightly impressed with her lack of a need for translation from her…brother. It seemed she was used to these kinds of conversations. She was still looking at Edward. I wondered if they were having some kind of unspoken conversation. Edward glanced at me.

"She wondered if you're prepared for this."

A chuckle echoed around the circle of werewolves. Was she kidding? Edward smirked a little.

Alright. Alice, Sam thought, disliking using the vampire's name, will stay here and keep an eye on Bella and her father. Jared, Paul and I will head off to the west, near the police station. Jacob, take Embry and the bloodsu—Edward to the school and see if you can find her there.

Edward looked as though he were deep in thought. "She's smelled me. She's trying not to think of where she is, although she's considered giving up."

Sam nodded. Hopefully she'll slip up. Let's move—I want this done tonight.

I had to admire his leadership skills. I would never be this calm directing my brothers, especially on a mission as important as this. Sam ignored my internal monolog; he disagreed, and thought that I would make a good leader. Pft. The only thing I was good at was leading my feet to the kitchen for some grub.

I led Embry and Edward away, taking the quickest route through the woods to get to Forks High School. Alice stayed put, keeping to the shadows while watching the house intently for any signs of the redheaded leech. I glanced at Edward—he seemed very focused. Had to hand it to the vamps. At least they knew how to hunt.

We made it there in record time. I was very surprised at how fast the bloodsucker was. Faster than most. We circled the school, and found nothing. She had definitely been there—the stench radiated all over the place. Disgusting.

Well, she's not here. Good job pointing out the obvious, Embry.

Any sign of her mentally? I asked Edward. He shook his head, looking irritated. It seemed it wasn't often people (or vampires, for that matter) knew how to get around his telepathic abilities.

"She's imagining a brick wall," he said, gritting his teeth. I snorted. I supposed the leech thought she was funny.

I sniffed around a little, letting my wolf senses take over momentarily. I caught a scent and followed it, around the back of the school where the woods picked up again. I found the trail—looked like she was trying to take a roundabout way to the Swans'. I followed my nose. I'd make a damn good Labrador. Edward chuckled slightly, running with us.

I followed the trail a good three or four miles before it started heading me east, back toward Bella's house. I growled. Bloodsucking bitch wasn't going anywhere near her.

I picked up the pace, really pushing myself. I urged my legs to go faster. We came to the street where Bella lived and slowed down, keeping a wary eye out.

"There!" Edward gasped slightly. I looked around, but didn't see anything. I glanced at Edward.

What the hell are you talking about?

He grinned. "She slipped. She's nearby—I saw a tree that looks familiar."

I focused more, willing myself to see beyond the trees. Edward crept forward slightly. Then, he abruptly stopped, whipping his head toward Bella's house.

"Alice caught her scent. She's near Bella's house."

I took off at a run, no longer concerned about secrecy. Let the neighbors see a gargantuan wolf outside at four in the morning—what did I care at this point? SAM. GET OVER HERE, I mentally bellowed. I made it to Bella's house in about three seconds.

"She's coming." Alice sounded quite calm. "I can smell her. I can't see her though—the pack is preventing that." She sounded a little agitated about that fact. I rolled my eyes a little.

We're on our way, Jacob. I saw in my mind where Sam and the others were; they'd be here on a little under a minute. I stayed poised, my upper lip curling back slightly.

I didn't have time to register the change in Edward's body, it happened so immediately. One moment he was standing in a slightly crouched position, waiting just like I was. Then he moved, darting toward me. I almost attacked him furiously, thinking he was turning on us—and then I realized what had happened.

The redhead hadn't wanted to wait any longer. She darted out of the trees lightning-fast, aiming for Edward first. I don't even know that she noticed that I was there. Edward took a swipe at her, snarling gutturally, but she managed to dodge it. She ran for the side of the house, starting to climb up the brick, before I was able to dash over there. I let out a loud growl, sinking my teeth into her calf. She snarled in pain as I threw her to the ground.

The rest of the pack had shown up. We circled her; I watched her scarlet eyes widen at the sight of the five of us, working in synchronization with vampires. She knew she didn't stand a chance; this fight would be over only a minute after it had started. I saw Edward lean forward, taking position to lunge at her. This irritated me. I wanted to finish her. Edward looked at me, his expression unreadable. He jerked out of his stance and stepped back, allowing me to continue. If I had been in my human form I would have grinned.

I lunged, grabbing her arm with my teeth and dragging her down to the damp grass. I went for her throat then. She barely made a sound before I had violently ripped her throat apart. I stepped back when my work was done, vampire blood dripping down the fur on my chin. Disgusting smell. I almost gagged.

"We'll need to separate the body parts and burn them," Edward muttered quietly. "Nice work, Jacob." I nodded in thanks.

"You might want to go check on Bella. I think I heard her wake up." He sounded like he was trying not to sound jealous that it was me checking up on her.

Damn, he was right. I heard her in her bedroom, standing near her window. Her breathing was coming quickly, although I doubted she could see us in the dark—there weren't any street lights near her house.

We'll take care of this. You were excellent. Sam's praise made my chest swell with pride, for some reason. I liked that he knew he could trust me.

Man. You rocked it, Embry said, nudging his nose against my shoulder the way he might have playfully punched it had we been in our human forms.

I trotted over to the house, changing back into my other form as I did so. I climbed up the wall again, jumping through her bedroom window.

I had barely had time to look at Bella before I felt her in my arms. She was shaking.

"Bella, honey," I said, alarmed. What the hell was going on? "What's the matter?"

She looked up at me. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I recognized her. I was afraid."

I rolled my eyes. One day she'd learn. "Bells, I'm not gonna let anything hurt you."

She looked slightly annoyed. "I wasn't worried about me, idiot. You could have really gotten hurt." I laughed.

"Did you even see any of that? We had her taken care of in about a minute."

"Still."

I rolled my eyes, still chuckling. Then I wondered—she had seen the female leech. Had she been able to spot Edward? I didn't know whether or not I could hang onto her if she had seen him and wanted to go back to him—a thought that thoroughly terrified me. But she hadn't said anything, so I wasn't about to bring it up.

I pushed her slightly messy hair away from her face. "You're okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Just worried." She narrowed her eyes. "You better be making sure you're careful. I don't like that you're out there…" The thought that she was worried about me gave me butterflies in my stomach. I kissed her forehead, smiling.

"I've got to go take care of some things, alright?"

She looked unhappy. "Will you be coming back?"

I grinned. "You want me here?" She nodded, looking embarrassed. I loved the way her pale cheeks grew bright red when she was embarrassed.

"Then I'll come back."

I opened the window back up and slipped silently out of it. After all that, Charlie hadn't even woken up. Embry and Paul were still in the front yard; Alice and Edward were slightly off to the side. I approached slowly; it looked like they were having another conversation.

Edward looked my way when I got closer.

"I should get going." He spoke quietly, so Bella wouldn't hear.

I nodded. "I'm, uh… glad you were here. Y'know, to help with the female."

"I was glad to be here." He looked up at Bella's window, and I recognized the look as one o f longing. He missed her.

"Take care of her." He stuck out his hand to shake. I took it in mine; it felt like an ice cube.

"I will. Trust me."

He smiled slightly. "I believe you." He turned around and hugged his "sister."

"I'll see you in a few days," she said. It was good she wasn't leaving with Edward—it would have upset Bella.

Edward sighed. "I'd better go. I'm going to California with Esme and Carlisle. Spent enough time brooding," he muttered, almost to himself. I almost felt bad for him. I knew how much Bella meant to me; it was almost impossible not to love her. I had feelings for her before I had even become a werewolf; I couldn't imagine losing her. And he was having to deal with that.

I saw him cast a wry smile in my direction. "Thanks for the sympathy." He paused, looking as though he were thinking intently. "I really believe she'll be safer with you."

I nodded. "I won't let anything hurt her."

"I know." He looked over to the pack, focusing on Sam.

"Thank you."

He waved casually at Alice, then turned, jogging away. He hit running speed a few yards away… and then he was gone.

I glanced at Sam. "Do you need me any more tonight?" He shook his head. I understood that he was giving me the go-ahead. I nodded, almost to myself, and strode toward the house again, vaulting myself through the window.

A/N: Thank you for your patience- my muse has apparently gone on vacation. More to come soon!