Chapter 24

Collapsing on top of Jacob in a sweaty heap, Selene closed her eyes to try regulating her breathing. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, heart thundering against her chest like a beating drum. Her face throbbed, but nothing compared to the delicious ache between her thighs. Selene trembled against him and Jacob couldn't help doing the same, not believing they just made love in the woods.

Not that he was complaining, Jacob just didn't expect their first time to be so rushed and outside. There was no romance involved, though tons of love flowed between both of them, no matter how long or short the moment lasted. Jacob ran his strong hands up and down her back, slowly starting to calm down and survey her body to see the damage Luke inflicted on her.

The only trace he could see was the side of her face heavily bruised.

"I love you." Jacob whispered, causing her head to lift from his chest, beautiful jade locking with dark brown. "We shouldn't have…"

"Yes we should've and we did." Selene kissed him softly, the ring on her left ring finger sparkling in the night, having refused to take it off while with Luke. Surprisingly enough, Luke hadn't noticed and if he did, he ignored it. "I promised myself if I got away from Luke and saw you again alive, I would give myself completely to you. Because you're the only one I want, the only man I've ever loved."

Jacob's heart broke as the tears began sliding down her cheeks and he wiped them away with the pad of his thumbs. "Please don't cry, god please don't cry. I'm sorry, Selene. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I shouldn't have let my anger cloud my judgment." He sat up, her legs wrapping around his waist fully, and held her there as his forehead pressed to hers. "I love you and I don't regret what we did tonight."

"You don't?" She sniffled, knowing it was a bit rushed on her part since she'd basically pounced on him like a cat in heat.

"Of course not." Jacob pulled back, lifting her chin with his strong hand, rubbing his nose against hers gently. "Are you okay though? I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, you didn't. I missed you so much, Jake." She whispered tearfully, pressing her forehead to his, hands resting on his strong broad shoulders. "I love you, I can't say it enough."

"I love you too and I don't mind how much you say it."

They kissed again and just as Jacob was about to take her to heights of passion once more, the trees rustled to his left. "Jacob, we…WHOA!" Seth immediately shielded his eyes with his hand, not believing he just saw the man he thought of as a big brother and Selene Swan completely naked.

Jacob and Selene immediately began laughing at Seth's reaction, standing up to dress. He pulled his cargo shorts on quickly before helping Selene into her own, knowing she would need to bathe later. He ran his finger gently down her bruised cheek, brushing his lips softly against hers.

"Is uh… is it safe to look now?" Seth asked hesitantly, knowing he'd have that vision of Jacob and Selene naked in his head for awhile, groaning. "Cause I really don't need to see your naked butt again or her…parts…"

Jacob couldn't help chuckling deeper at Seth and walked over, pulling his hand away from his face and ruffled his hair. "No worries, Seth, we'll keep this between us." He nodded over at Selene and took her hand, watching as Seth beamed at both of them.

"Hello Seth, I don't believe we've ever met." Selene smiled, extending her free hand to the boy.

"It's uh…it's nice to meet you." Seth shook her hand quickly and then looked back at Jacob, his alpha. "We've got trouble at the Cullen's. We need to leave now. I was sent to get you and Selene. Edward told us you were with her and her friend is demanding to see her."

"Riana…" Selene felt the tears prick her eyes, knowing her best friend was going to be positively devastated at finding out who exactly kidnapped her. "We have to go now, Jake."

He nodded, lifting her up in his arms, knowing she was probably in no position to walk and he had to get there fast. "Just hold on tight, Sel." He whispered and took off through the woods as fast as he could, Seth right on his trail.

Meanwhile, Bella and Renesmee went to the Cullen residence, Alice accompanying them because the Volturi were nearing. They all sat outside of the house, Bella clutching her daughter and trying to remain calm, while Carlisle strategized with the others. Jasper kept a watchful eye on Luke while Riana cried her heart out, shrugging Paul off whenever he went to console her.

"Don't touch me!" She sobbed, moving away from him because she didn't want to face facts that her brother was alive. Even though, he stared her directly in the face right now with beady red eyes.

"Riana…"

She stumbled away from him, needing some space and wrapped her arms around herself, the wind picking up a little more. "We're all in danger." She whispered, feeling Paul right behind her, his body heat seeping through every pore of her body.

"I know, but we will get through this." He looked to the trees, hearing some kind of footsteps, and immediately pulled Riana behind him. No matter if she was angry with him or not for the cold truth, Paul wasn't about to let her get hurt.

Riana peaked through Paul's arm and gasped in shock at the sight before her. "SELENE!" She rushed past Paul and ran as fast as she could, injuries or not, toward her best friend.

"RI!" Selene jumped out of Jacob's arms and ran toward Riana, both of them hugging each other as tears of joy flowed down their cheeks.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for what he did to you!" Riana cried harder, burying her face in Selene's neck, sobs wracking every part of her. "I thought h-he was dead! I thought…"

"Shhh it's alright, Ri. We all thought the same thing you did." Selene slowly pulled back, wiping Riana's tears away, both of them just glad to be together again. "You are still my family, my sister, do you understand me?" She cupped Riana's face in her hands, wanting to make her understand that Luke's mistakes were not hers.

"Selene." A voice sounded behind them, causing both girls to turn around, facing a red eyed Bella Swan. "I'm glad you are safe."

"Hey Bella." Selene didn't know what else to say to her and felt Jacob's arm wrap around her shoulders, pulling her against his warm body. "Listen…"

"There's no need for you to go into detail. Jacob told me everything and I'm happy for both of you. I can only hope you invite me to the wedding, should we all survive what's coming." Bella said almost solemnly, feeling her husband walk up to stand beside her, Paul with Riana.

Selene blinked, not expecting to hear that from Bella of all people, and simply nodded. "Thanks." She whispered, knowing something serious was about to happen. Then she noticed the damage Riana had, immediately going to her with worry in her jade eyes. "What happened to you?"

"We were attacked." Riana said, closing her eyes almost regretfully. "Everything happened so quickly, I don't remember what happened. Paul was there and got us out of there before we were killed."

Selene looked up at Jacob. "Where were you?" She demanded, tears stinging her eyes. "You were supposed to protect her!"

"I was too worried about finding you and Paul was with her. She is Paul's imprint, Selene; I have no responsibility towards her. I would NEVER put her over you, my own imprint." Jacob growled softly, pulling her toward him as their lips met in another passionate kiss. "I love you; you come first in my life now."

"Paul protected me, Sel, I'm fine really." Riana assured her, causing Selene to sigh heavily, nodding in reluctance.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Selene demanded, refusing to leave Riana's side as they both ventured over to the rest of the Cullen's.

Selene swallowed hard at the sight of Luke, who was too busy being controlled emotionally by Jasper. Of course Selene didn't know that, though Jacob did inform her exactly what the Cullen's were. Bella had been changed into one of them willingly and Selene honestly wasn't upset about it, knowing her sister chose the path she wanted. She didn't know how Charlie would react once he found out, but they would cross that bridge when it came up.

"Selene." Luke called out, blue eyes only for her as he licked his lips. "Please…"

"Leave her alone, you monster." Riana ordered in a shaky voice, refusing to believe that was her brother, knowing the moment he was turned, Luke had indeed died. "How could you do this to Selene of all people?"

"I love her." Luke whispered, lowering his eyes because he could feel his sister's rage pouring forth. "I'm sorry; I couldn't let her be with that filthy dog."

"Jacob is twice the man you will EVER be!" Riana shouted, beginning to stalk toward her brother, when Paul's hands came out to restrain her from doing so. "Let go of me! I want to hurt him for putting her through this!"

Paul buried his face in her neck, trying to calm her down the best he could. "Relax Riana, you have to calm down." He whispered in her ear, pulling her slowly away from Luke, sighing when she began crying again.

Paul told her all about the imprinting and Riana couldn't believe she was someone that special. For the ancestors of the Quileute tribe to actually choose her to be someone's imprint, it was an amazing feeling, one that she never would feel again in this life. Riana knew there was something special about him from the moment Jacob asked him to watch over her while he tracked down Selene.

"Alice, how close are they?" Carlisle asked, trying not to sound demanding, but they had to be prepared.

"Ten minutes or so." Alice couldn't quite pinpoint their location, sighing with agitation.

"Should we send the wolves away?"

"No, we'll need all the help we can get." Emmett stated, standing up while Rosalie stood near Renesmee, knowing she would die to protect the little girl. "The Volturi are not coming for a typical visit."

"We will all phase into our wolf forms then." Jacob announced, causing Selene to clutch at his arm, her big jade eyes wide with fear. "Don't worry Sel, they won't touch you, I promise."

"What about Luke?" Selene began trembling, not wanting to go back in his clutches, just wanting to stay in the warmth of her fiancé. "Please don't leave me alone."

"I won't." He looked toward Bella, both of them sharing a silent nod. "You and Riana will go inside the house and stay hidden." Jacob knew the smell of dogs would overshadow the human scent of both girls, not to mention Renesmee. "I promise everything will be fine."

Paul was consoling Riana, knowing she didn't want to leave his side, just like Selene didn't want to leave Jacob's. "You better not get hurt." Selene kissed him quickly and pulled Riana away from Paul's lips, knowing they couldn't be outside when danger arrived.

"Should we make them take Renesmee?" Bella asked hesitantly, causing Edward to sigh with a heavy heart.

"No, they already know she is here. Stay low both of you, do NOT come outside." Edward ordered, glancing toward Alice, her thoughts channeling into him once more.

Bella nodded, watching her sister and Riana venture inside the house, locking the front door behind them. "Jake, I have a favor to ask you." Bella pulled him to the side, carrying Renesmee protectively in her arms. "I need you to get Renesmee out of here."

"What do you mean? Bells, I can't leave…"

"You have to!" Bella insisted urgently, tears forming in her eyes. "Please, I don't want her in the middle of this. They will kill her!"

"Who are they? What are you talking about?" Jacob was confused and blinked when Bella began thrusting Renesmee toward him, not sure what to do. "Bells…"

"You don't understand, they're coming for my daughter, Jake. They want her because she's half human, half vampire. We had a traitor in our midst and we're thinking it was one of the cousins up in Alaska who told the Volturi." Bella explained, trying to calm down and knew if her heart still beat, it would probably leap out of her chest. "You have to do this for me, Jake."

"The Volturi…is that the bloodsuckers from when you went after Edward?" Jacob asked, causing Bella to nod as tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "I can't leave my imprint, Bells. I can't do it…"

"I'll do it."

Both Bella and Jacob turned around to face Seth, his eyes only for the little girl in Bella's arms. "I will take her to safety if it comes down to it, I promise Bella." He looked at Jacob, a knowing gleam in his eyes that told the alpha all he needed to know. "Give her to me, I will protect her, I promise."

Renesmee's big brown eyes looked toward Seth and immediately held her arms out for him, wanting him to hold her. Bella blinked and reluctantly let Seth take her daughter, wondering if this was such a good idea. Jacob waited until Seth took off with Renesmee, knowing he would phase and carry her on his back, before turning back to face Bella.

"He imprinted on her."

Bella's eyes widened in shock and wondered if Jacob was screwing with her. "What?" She exclaimed and watched Jacob nod affirmatively, knowing it was true. "But…"

"It doesn't matter if she's half human, half bloodsucker, Bells. The ancestors choose who our imprints are and we have no control over it. Don't be mad at him because it's not his fault." Jacob placed a hand on Bella's shoulder, hoping she understood the ways of the Quileute tribe. "Just as I couldn't help imprinting on your sister."

"I'm glad you did." Bella actually smiled, glancing up at Jacob with deep seeded red eyes that once were a chocolate warm brown. "Now we'll be a part of each other's lives no matter what, future brother-in-law."

Jacob chuckled at the irony and nodded, knowing Bella had been right all along. "I do love her with everything in me, Bells. Even more than you." He watched as Bella smiled and kissed her forehead, having gotten used to her stench. "You know I still love you too, bloodsucker or not, but it's not the way I love her."

"Good because Edward is the only one for me. Like I told you, it chooses you sometimes."

Jacob nodded and was about to say something else, when his head snapped up, knowing the Volturi had arrived. He ran into the woods and phased, russet fur covering every portion of his body as he walked on all fours. Black, dark silver, brown, grey, chocolate brown and grey with black spots wolves came out of the woods.

A sandy colored wolf Jacob knew was Seth was in the far distance with Renesmee firmly on his back. Her little arms were wrapped around his neck and Jacob could only hope he'd made the right decision in letting Seth protect Renesmee. Together, they all headed toward the Cullen's, who were standing their ground outside of the house as the entire Volturi army descended from the shadows.

"Good evening, Olympic Coven." Aro greeted warmly, flashing his teeth in a bright smile, though nobody was fooled by the polite exterior.