Carlisle

"The wolves don't have to be involved with the Denali's here…" Edward broke the silence that had fallen over all of us a few hours ago. Every so often there had been a quiet whisper, or someone repositioning themselves to become more comfortable, but other than that, complete silence.

Bella groaned and dropped her head into her hands.

"Austin has connections with several strong covens that are always up for a battle. We need to be prepared. He is also amazingly intelligent. He probably already assumes we have the wolves on our side and has found a way around them. He no doubt knows about you four already, and your gifts. If we don't have the wolves help, and we underestimate him, we lose." Jasper emphasised the last word, and Esme opened her eyes.

"We're strong enough without them…" He continued to argue.

"Enough, Edward!" Esme scolded. "You can fight with us alongside the wolves or you can leave. They are your options; choose. You are protecting no one when fighting with the wolves."

He stood up and stormed out of the room. We heard the door slam behind him.

"The temper on that boy…" Rosalie smirked.

"Rose." I warned.

"Esme, don't you think that was a little too harsh?" Emmett asked.

She nodded, "Yes, but his jealousy is getting beyond ridiculous and it needs to stop."

Edward walked down the stairs and towards the front door.

"Where are you going?" Esme asked.

"You said leave." He spoke coldly, and walked outside. Bella stood up and flashed to the door. She threw it open to follow him before she stopped in her tracks. I heard her gasp.

"Bella?" Alice asked. She was frozen.

I walked over and looked outside. "Call the pack…" I said to no one in particular.

Esme walked up behind me and gasped too. She snatched her phone from her pocket and dialled the number.

I pushed Bella and Esme backwards. Edward was standing with 3 red eyed vampires around him, and there were others against the tree line. Too many for our family to take on. How did Edward not hear them? How did Alice not see them?

Austin walked out from amongst the group beside the forest. "Carlisle, how nice to see you again…" He smirked.

"Austin." I nodded as a greeting. "What brings you here?"

"It appears your son has something of mine…"

Jasper walked up beside me, "What might that be?"

"Your little freak girlfriend…"

What did he want with Alice?

I felt Jasper tense up beside me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Alice taking a few steps backwards.

"I thought you despised me, not her." I said.

"I do despise you, but I'm not here for that today. I'm here for Alice."

"What do you want with her?" Jasper asked.

"She is one of a kind. I have never heard of anyone else with her particular gift. She's useful."

"Go to hell." Jasper snapped.

Austin moved his gaze to one of the men around Edward. Edward moved, taking 2 of them down at the same time and appearing on the porch closer to us.

I stepped out and pulled him into the house. "I'm sorry Austin, but we cannot help you."

I saw several pairs of eyes appear in the trees behind the group in front of them. They were silent, and made eye contact with me. The wolves were here.

"Send her out and I'll make a trade." He flashed an evil smirk.

"How did you get her?" Edward asked.

"She was predictable." He pulled Tanya out from behind 2 other men.

She looked terrified. "Don't trade anything." She said. "Keep Alice safe."

"I won't give you Alice, but you can have me if you let her go." I compromised.

"No!" Esme choked out. She tried to move over to me, but I was outside the door and in a vulnerable place, so Emmett held her back.

"No, dad." Rosalie said.

"Was that Rosalie I heard?"

"She isn't why you're here." I snapped.

Austin thought about my offer. "That works just as well."

"Hand Tanya over first." I said.

He pulled her with him and pushed her up the steps. I pulled her inside and took one step towards him, keeping up with my side on the deal, before the wolves pounced. I made sure all of the women were inside and safe before returning outside with Emmett, Edward and Jasper.

One of the wolves was pinned down, and Emmett didn't think twice. He jumped and ripped off the vampires arms. Jasper joined next, seeing 2 gaining on Leah. Edward was hesitant, not wanting to interact with the wolves. I saw Austin standing unharmed. His back was to me. I stepped forwards but Edward stopped me. "Don't."

"He deserves it."

"You don't deserve the guilt and possible harm that may come to you. Let Emmett and I do it."

I nodded and helped Emmett with his 4 vampires surrounding him.

"Go with Edward." I said once we took them down.

He nodded and ran to Edward's side. The wolves had it under control. So Jasper and I stepped backwards. We expected many more, but I figured some of the covens he asked declined.

"Should I help them?" He asked.

"Will you feel guilty afterwards?"

"Not a chance."

"Then yeah, help them."

He smirked and went over to them. They were currently striking at him from both sides, and were definitely winning.

I heard something smash inside. I ran in where 2 vampires had found a way past my watch and had gotten inside. Esme had pushed Alice and Tanya back. Bella and Rosalie were trying to fight them off, but didn't look too successful. Out of instinct, I grabbed Rosalie's attackers' hand just before they hit her. I dodged a few punches and ripped his head off. Alice took in a sharp breathe, obviously not expecting this much violence. She couldn't see due to the wolves' involvement.

I helped Bella out next, as she was now on the ground.

She took a deep breath, "Thanks." I helped her up. I turned and stood protectively in front of them when I heard multiple footsteps approaching. I eased when I realised it was my sons.

"Did you kill him?" Rosalie asked, hopeful.

"Yeah. Easy." Emmett replied.

"The wolves went to change back. I told them to come inside when they return." Jasper said. "They wanted to talk about it with Edward and I."

"Did you make sure you got all of them?"

"Every last one." Edward said, lifting up the limp bodies I had killed and taking them outside to the pile.

"Edward, how did you not hear them? They were right there. They were waiting at the damn door!" Alice said.

"I wasn't paying attention to anything. Why didn't you see them?" He asked her.

"The wolves." She raised her eyebrows, showing she had a reasonable excuse.

Edward went to speak again before Esme stopped him. "Both of you stop now. Why are your children so well behaved?" She asked me.

"Do you not remember why we returned from our honeymoon early? What happened before our honeymoon?"

"Right. Let's call it even…" She stepped forward and put her arms around me.

"Thank you." Tanya said. "That was risky. How did you know the wolves would attack at the right time?"

"I didn't. I didn't expect them to do anything." I admitted.

Esme pulled back and stepped away, "What? You were going to go with them? We already had Tanya, why wouldn't you fight?" Esme asked.

"He always keeps up his end of deals…" Bella said quietly.

Esme snickered and shook her head in disbelief before walking past me and up the stairs.

Jasper's phone rang and he answered. It was Eleazar. "Yes, they did have her. No, we got her back and defeated them with the wolves help. There wasn't as many as we expected. Yeah she's okay." He answered all the questions before hanging up. "They'll be here soon."

"Thanks." She appreciated again.

"I would follow her if I were you. She's angry…" Edward said to me.

Emmett whistled, "Good luck." He slid his arms around Rosalie's waist.

I rolled my eyes and followed up the stairs. "Can you please start the fire?" I yelled down.

I heard Emmett cheer excitedly. "Let's light these suckers!"