A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay, but this one was hard. Really hard. And I hope y'all weren't kidding when you told me you liked long chapters, because it sorta got away from me. I took some liberties at the beginning . . . I always liked to think Edward was a little more in-the-know than Bella thought he was. Maybe I just like to think that because I kinda wanted to smack her in face in this chapter. Who knows. Anyway, enjoy. Here's to finally getting to rip Victoria's head off! :)

Snap Decision

Dude, how far away are we going, anyway? Edward? Hey, wait up.

I could vaguely hear Seth calling me, but I had no intention of stopping until Jacob's voice was completely out of my head. I'd promised Bella privacy, and I was going to give it to her. Plus, it seemed like a really good idea to have him out of immediate striking distance, in case things didn't go . . . in my favor. Not that I would actually attack him, I thought, sighing. Bella truly did hold my fate in her hands at that moment. There was nothing I could do but wait.

When I was content that I'd put enough distance between us, I stopped in my tracks and waited for Seth. He seemed to be trying to rationalize my quick exit.

Guess it makes sense. That's not a conversation he'd want to hear. Jeez, what's it gonna be like in the pack if she actually ends up with Jacob –

My snarl stopped his thoughts, and his eyes were wide as he trotted up beside me.

Sorry. It's just . . . none of us were expecting this.

"I know the feeling."

Are you gonna go after Jake if Bella picks him over you? 'Cuz I know I just joined the pack, and I'm itching for a fight they'll actually let me participate in, but I really don't mind you, and don't particularly want to kill you, and . . .

"Enough." I'd already told Jacob I wouldn't fight him, no matter what Bella's decision was, and I wasn't particularly in the mood to discuss it with Seth. My chest was tight, and there was an ache in the pit of my stomach like I'd never felt before. I was worried. Worried about what I would do if Bella chose Jacob. Worried about what Jacob would do if after all this, Bella turned him down again. Perhaps I should have left Seth at the campsite. What if he was angry, and phased too close to her?

To top it all off, for the first time since the wolves had joined our fight, I was worried for the safety of our family. Not because of the newborns – that fight would be over before Emmett had had time to really start enjoying himself – but because Alice had seen the Volturi. It seemed unlikely, after all the devastation they'd already allowed, that they'd chosen now to come to Forks to put an end to it. I would need to talk to Alice directly, see exactly what she'd seen, but I was fairly certain they were coming to check on Bella. I also had the feeling they were hoping to find most of our family obliterated, so Alice and I would have no reason to stay behind. Aro wanted nothing more than for us to join them in Italy.

So, are you going to fill me in on all this Volturi stuff? Who are they, and why is everyone so freaked out?

"The Volturi are very powerful. That's the most important thing you need to understand about them. They are not like us in their beliefs. Human life holds no value to them. They do not tolerate humans having knowledge of vampires, and Bella and I escaped their punishment only because they were certain Bella would soon be one of us. The fact that she is still human is definitely a problem."

Well, how many of them are there? Can't we just take them out when we're done with these new vamps?

"That would not be possible. In fact, it's very important that none of the pack be anywhere near us when we speak with them. They would not think twice about killing all of you – "

We'd stop them. Let us help!

A half-smile pulled at my lips. Now I understood why the pack had been so insistent on keeping Seth out of the fight. He was headstrong and impulsive, and that would get him in trouble.

"I appreciate your willingness to help, but I assure you, it wouldn't do any good. Our best chance at coming out of this encounter alive will be to act diplomatically, and to focus on the facts. Bella will be one of us very soon."

Assuming she still wants you.

My eyes clenched shut, and he looked instantly sympathetic.

I didn't mean it like that. I just meant, you know, if she chooses Jacob and doesn't want you to turn her into a bl– I mean, one of you any more, then what are these Volturi going to do?

That was a very good question, and one that I didn't think I had it in me to consider. "I don't think that will happen," I said, glad I still sounded somewhat sure of the fact. "Bella was very upset that she hurt Jacob, but I still believe her mind is made up about the life she's choosing. She just agreed to marry me."

Yeah, that part I heard. Did you really need to spill it to Jake like that? Right before the fight? You had to know how much it would piss him off.

"I am sorry for the timing, but I felt he deserved to know."

But was that really your call to make? Don't you think he should have heard it from Bella, when she was ready?

I wanted to argue with him, but deep down, I knew he was right. It bothered me that Bella didn't want to announce our engagement to anyone. It was killing me that she'd given me her ring back, even if her reasons had made sense. I wanted everyone to know, Jacob included, and perhaps that desire had caused me to act out of line.

"Perhaps you're right. Do you think Jacob would accept an apology from me?"

I think that depends on what's happening right now.

I'd been trying so hard not to think about it, not to imagine exactly what was happening right at that moment, but Seth was forcing my thoughts. All I could think was, please, Bella, stay with me. I need you.

It wasn't doing me any good wondering what was going on, and I searched for a distraction. I would have my answer soon enough – which made me feel better and worse at the same time.

"Seth, can you ask Sam to go find Alice again? I need to know if she has any more knowledge of when the Volturi will be arriving. All we can hope for at this point is that they don't show up until after the fight."

Sure thing. Sam! Go get the psychic.

"She has a name," I muttered.

Sorry, force of habit. The rest of them –

"I know. It's all right." It wasn't Seth that was upsetting me. It only took a moment for the rest of the pack's minds to join in. Of course, they must have been there the whole time, just muted into the background. Ironically, I realized the pack must have learned how to block out the noises in their heads just as I'd had to.

Is Jake ever gonna get here? He'll miss the whole fight if he doesn't hurry up.

What's going on up there, anyway?

Yeah, I thought he was on his way back and then he disappeared again. Is he still with Bella?

Seth, what's going on? Is Jacob with you?

No, he's with Bella. They're –

He paused, his eyes meeting mine for a split second before he ducked his head to the ground.

They're discussing something.

Well, Sam wants him back here. Now. And if he's not gonna phase so he can hear that order, then you'd better go get him.

Got it. Give me five minutes.

Seth shocked me, then, phasing right before my eyes. "This is for you, not them," he explained. "Edward, listen. I know this whole mess is making you crazy, but I gotta go get Jake. I understand that you don't want Bella left alone, so I think you need to stay close enough to me to hear when we're about to leave. It's just . . ." He paused like he wasn't sure quite how to phrase it. "Well, Sam wants him back, fast, so he's gonna phase. As soon as he does – "

"His thoughts will be in your head, and the rest of your brothers' as well. I'll hear everything that happened between him and Bella, in stereo," I finished.

"Whether you want to or not."

"Thank you. I'm not sure I deserve the kindness you're showing me, but I'm grateful for it nonetheless."

"You're not so bad. For a stinky leech," he added with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and managed a small laugh, glad at least to have one friend in the pack. Carlisle would be thrilled. He'd always beeen convinced that, given time, the wolves would begin to accept that we truly were different from the Cold Ones they'd always feared.

A moment later, Seth phased back. With a knowing look, he motioned back toward the campsite with his head. His expression was weary, almost sympathetic.

"Don't worry. I'm prepared for any outcome." I attempted a smile.

He grunted, though it sounded almost like a laugh. Yeah. Sure you are.

I tried to keep Jacob blocked out as long as I could, determined to give Bella the privacy I'd promised her for as long as possible. I thought about everything and nothing, concentrating hardest on Seth's rhythmic steps, and the way his mind turned itself over to instinct as he ran. It reminded me of how I used to think about nothing when I ran – it was the time when I felt the most free. Now, I found myself thinking about Bella when I ran, usually because I was running to get back to her. That line of thinking, of course, forced me think about her and what I would find when we were together again.

Seth's voice was suddenly in my head. Edward, stay back, okay? Just hang out for a minute. You really don't want to see this.

But of course, I could. I could see everything. I was in Seth's mind, and Jacob's, and it was my own private hell. Jacob and Bella were locked together in a tight embrace, her fingers knotted in his hair as she pulled him closer. He was kissing her, and she was not protesting in the least. I wondered briefly if she'd asked him to, because whether she was protesting or not, I had promised to break his jaw if he kissed her without her permission. And I was a vampire of my word.

It was impossible to ignore her body language, though. She was clinging to him, and when he finally pulled away – he pulled away, not her, I realized with a stab of pain – she looked up at him almost dreamily. The only time I'd ever felt pain anywhere near what I felt in that moment, was when I thought I'd lost her forever. I tried to console myself with the knowledge that this time, at least, she was alive and safe, even if she wasn't with me.

The whole scene, miserable enough on its own, was made much worse by the fact that I was seeing her through his eyes. It was like I could feel every emotion pulsing through his body, and I wondered for a moment how Jasper could stand the feeling. I wasn't myself. I was furious at Jacob, and in agony at seeing my Bella in someone else's arms, yet I could still feel Jacob's joy resonating through it all. It was infuriating.

"I have to leave," I heard him whisper. I wished I hadn't seen the flash of terror in Bella's eyes, but it was there, as clear as her contentment as she'd stood enfolded in his arms.

"No," she pleaded.

"I won't be long." She doesn't want me to leave. She wants me with her. She wants me.

I was frozen where I was standing, because I heard what he wanted to do a moment before he did it. And I was powerless to stop it.

"But one thing first . . ."

My heart sink as I watched him kiss her again, his mind endlessly repeating, Bella, I love you. When he pulled away again, he hugged her body to his and said, "That should have been our first kiss. Better late than never."

Bella's face was pressed against Jacob's shoulder, so he didn't see when she began to cry. Seth was watching with confusion and curiosity as the tears began to fall.

Humans are so weird sometimes . . . he thought, finally stepping through the trees and making his presence known. Bella looked startled, and then embarrassed, as she realized Seth had seen everything. She was blushing from ear to ear as Jacob headed toward to clearing with an easy, "I'll be right back."

I watched through Seth's mind as he and Bella were locked in a very pointed stare. Seth was still baffled by her expression, and even found himself wishing he could read her mind, as I so often did. Bella's eyes were still filled with tears, though they'd stopped falling down her cheek. Her breathing was shallow, and she looked as if she was about to collapse. Eventually, she retreated to the tent, and I waited as Seth resumed the position of watch dog. I took a few more steps until Seth came into view. He was pacing nervously, eyes wide as he stared into the trees and waited for me to come out.

Edward, I know you're there, and I know you saw that. Don't freak out, all right? I mean, don't, like, go off and try to kill Jacob, okay?

I rolled my eyes, though I understood his concern for his brother. Knowing he would be worried if I stayed hidden much longer, I took the few steps needed to reenter the campsite. It felt like a strange, insignificant gesture, considering all that had happened, but I shrugged my shoulders at Seth and attempted a half-smile. He sat down, shoulders slumped down and looking relieved.

I stood staring at the tent for awhile longer, still unsure of what Bella was going to say to me. She'd kissed Jacob, yes, but did it mean she wanted to be with him, or only that she didn't want to lose him? She'd cried after the kiss, and I knew Bella well enough to be certain they were not tears of joy. She was conflicted, and I supposed I had no one to blame but myself for that.

I'd known for a long time that Bella's feelings for Jacob went far deeper than she'd ever been willing to admit to herself. I had hoped, in the beginning, that her feelings were mostly that of friendship. After all, he'd been a friend to her long before I'd left. Then, when I'd made the foolish mistake of taking myself out of her life, he helped make her whole again. Just as I'd never forgive myself for having made his presence necessary, I would never stop being grateful that he was there to bring her back – to make her Bella again.

It was impossible not to see the way her eyes lit up when she saw him, and how worried she got when he wasn't happy. She loved spending time in La Push with him and his friends. Bella fit into Jacob's life far better than I would have imagined, and, yet again, I knew I was to blame for that. She'd had plenty of practice with creatures of myths by the time she found out what Jacob was. If she hadn't already known that vampires existed – and managed to lead a fairly ordinary life – would she have accepted him so easily?

I was lost in my thoughts, rationalizing all the reasons I might have to accept why Bella would want to be with Jacob. It was with a very heavy heart that I finally joined her in the tent, the ache in my chest intensifying when I saw her. She was lying with her face buried in her sleeping bag, and I could tell she'd started crying again. I sat down beside her and ran my fingers through her hair. It was tangled and slightly damp, and I felt her shiver beneath my touch.

"Are you all right?"

"No. I want to die."

"That will never happen. I won't allow it."

She let out a low, miserable groan. "You might change your mind about that."

She must not have realized how much I had seen, and I was content to let her think I'd still been miles away. She was upset, and I had no desire to make her feel worse.

"Where's Jacob?" I asked.

"He went to fight."

I paused for a moment, reluctantly letting in the voice I'd been trying to block out.

So amazing, so perfect. I can't believe it. She kissed me. She kissed me. And she was totally into it. Really, really into it . . .

I heard Seth's voice for a split second, and was surprised to find it was directed at me. Sorry, man. A moment later, the hum of the pack joined in.

I can't believe she kissed him.

We're never gonna hear the end of this.

Jake, I swear if I catch you thinking about this during the fight, I'll rip your head off.

Yeah, don't go spoiling our fun with your pathetic little love life. We seriously don't want to hear about it.

Will you guys just shut up! If you don't like it, don't listen!

Right, like that's possible. I mean, there's only so much you can ignore when you're practically shouting it.

Yeah, get your head back where it belongs – on the fight!

As Seth starting wondering whether or not Jacob would be too distracted to fight, he found himself unwillingly replaying the scene over again in his mind.

Jeez, I'm gonna throw up if I have that stuck in my head all day.

To both of our endless frustration, Seth couldn't get the image out of his mind, and I tried not to cringe as the pain stabbed at my heart all over again. In a desperate attempt at self-preservation, I reminded myself that there were still missing pieces of the puzzle. I had been keeping my word, not listening in on Bella's conversation with Jacob, so I didn't know what had brought them to that moment. Desperate to get some insight into what had led up to their kiss, I forced myself to focus in on Jacob's mind.

Just like I figured he would be, Jacob was watching the scene play out like a movie again and again in his mind. He, of course, had a tendency to see things exactly the way he wanted to – like it had been the most perfect and romantic of settings. It was fortunate for me that his brothers were not quite as biased.

Dude, stop obsessing. It's not like she declared her love for you or anything.

Yeah, from what I can see, she only asked you to kiss her because you were being an idiot.

Much to Jacob's dismay, laughter erupted through the pack as they recalled Jacob's speech to Bella. He could sugar-coat it as much as he wanted in his own mind, but there was no hiding the truth from the pack.

Just because Bella thought kissing you was a better alternative than letting you run off and die, doesn't mean she's ever gonna ask you to do it again.

"Oh," I breathed, starting to understand a bit better. And feeling more than a little smug. I couldn't stop a small laugh from escaping. "And I thought I fought dirty. He makes me look like the patron saint of ethics." Bella's breath caught and I heard her heart jump. She was peaking up at me with pleading, apologetic eyes. "I'm not mad at you, love," I promised. "Jacob's more cunning than I gave him credit for. I do wish you hadn't asked him, though."

She buried her face in the sleeping bag again. "Edward, I . . . I . . . I'm –"

"Shh." I reached out to touch her cheek, wishing she would really look at me. If she saw my expression, she'd know I wasn't mad at her. I hadn't even really been mad before. Hurt, and very unsure of what the future would hold for us, yes – but never mad. Now, with the new understanding that she'd only acted because she thought she was protecting Jacob, I was practically giddy. There was certainly no reason for her to be feeling guilty.

He'd manipulated her, and done a remarkably good job of it. The only one who should be feeling any guilt here was Jacob, though I knew better than to expect him to feeling anything of the sort. From what I'd heard, he had actually been expecting her not to say the words, and contemplating whether or not she would punch him again if he kissed her anyway.

It was killing me to watch Bella torment herself with unneeded guilt. "That's not what I meant," I said softly. "It's just that he would have kissed you anyway – even if you hadn't fallen for it – and now I don't have an excuse to break his face. I would have really enjoyed that, too."

"Fallen for it?"

"Bella, did you really believe he was that noble? That he would go out in a flame of glory just to clear the way for me?" Reluctantly, Bella lifted her eyes to meet mine. Her lips were curled up into the cutest pout, and I had to hold back another chuckle as the tension lifted even further. It was amazing how quickly everything disappeared with the realization that my future with Bella was as certain as ever.

"Yes, I did believe that," she mumbled, looking slightly embarrassed. It wasn't my intention, though I understood her response.

"You're such a bad liar, you'll believe anyone who has the least bit of skill."

"Why aren't you angry with me?" she asked, still sounding miserable. I wished I could take all her hurt away as easily as she'd taken mine away. "Why don't you hate me? Or haven't you hear the whole story yet?"

"I think I got a fairly comprehensive look. Jacob makes vivid mental pictures. I feel almost as bad for his pack as I do for myself. Poor Seth was getting nauseated. But Sam is making Jacob focus now."

Bella didn't appear to be appeased in the slightest, and I wondered if there was anything I could say to make her understand. "You're only human." I spoke softly, a small smile on my lips, but she wasn't looking at me. I continued running my fingers through her hair, trying to pour all of my love into the gesture since she couldn't see it on my face.

"That's the most miserable defense I've ever heard."

"But you are human, Bella. And, as much as I might wish otherwise, so is he . . . . There are holes in your life that I can't fill. I understand that."

"But that's not true." She was exasperated and instantly defensive. Always trying to reassure me of her decisions. "That's what makes me so horrible. There are no holes."

"You love him." It was easier to utter the words than I would have imagined. Perhaps it was because no matter how true the statement was, I knew it would never change anything. Bella was mine, and I was hers. She'd chosen me and my family – my entire world – long ago, and she was as committed to that today as she'd ever been.

"I love you more."

"Yes, I know that, too. But . . . when I left you, Bella, I left you bleeding. Jacob was the one to stitch you back up again. That was bound to leave its mark – on both of you. I'm not sure those kinds of stitches dissolve on their own. I can't blame either of you for something I made necessary. I may gain forgiveness, but that doesn't let me escape the consequences."

"I should have known you'd find some way to blame yourself. Please stop. I can't stand it."

"What would you like me to say?"

"I want you to call me every bad name you can think of, in every language you know. I want you to tell me that you're disgusted with me and that you're going to leave so that I can beg and grovel on my knees for you to stay."

"I'm sorry. I can't to that." I sighed, thinking of all the reasons why I couldn't and wishing I could convey them to Bella. She still seemed to be worrying about my feelings, and wondering why I wasn't more hurt by the knowledge that she loved Jacob, too. Maybe that was the problem to begin with. She was endlessly trying to only love one of us, when I'd already accepted that she could love us both. In fact, I had no doubt that she loved us both, but in different ways. I was content because I knew which love was the one she wanted to fill her life with. And I would spend forever grateful for whatever miracle had caused her to desire the love we shared above all else.

I watched as Bella tried to reconcile my seemingly easy acceptance, but she just kept shaking her head in disbelief. "At least stop trying to make me feel better. Let me suffer. I deserve it."

"No."

"You're right. Keep on being too understanding. That's probably worse."

I was about to argue with her further, but Seth's voice interrupted my thoughts and filled my mind.

Edward, you two are going to need to put this on hold for awhile. Your psychic says the army will be in the clearing in about five minutes.

I took a deep breath, having almost forgotten where we were and why we were there. I felt an unexpected twinge of guilt as I was reminded that everything – the night I'd spent watching Bella in Jacob's arms, their kiss on the mountaintop, all of it – was ultimately because of me. We were sitting here, waiting for all the ones we loved to fight an army, because of me. If I'd had the strength to walk away from Bella in the first place, leave her to her life and let her live in a world without monsters and violence –

"It's getting close," Bella said, stopping my incredibly painful line of thinking. Her voice was nearly shaking as she watched my worried expression, and I knew it was probably the last time I would be able to bring myself to offer her an out. If there was any chance some part of her desired a normal life – or as normal a life as Jacob could offer her – I would find a way to give it to her. No matter how much pain it caused me.

"Yes, a few more minutes now. Just enough time to say one more thing . . . ." I almost had to shut my eyes against the pain of what I was trying to say. I'd never been more conflicted, because I'd never been so close to having all of my selfish desires.

I could see it all so clearly. Bella, beautiful and perfect on our wedding day, promising herself to me forever. Then, she would say goodbye to her human life and join my family in the truest sense of the word forever. I would never have to worry about her safety again, or fear a world without her by my side. It was everything I feared, and everything I needed, all at once.

It was so close, and the immediacy of it only made me more resolved to give her one final chance to change her mind. When I found the courage to speak, my voice was barely a whisper. "I can be noble, Bella. I'm not going to make you choose between us. Just be happy, and you can have whatever part of me you want, or none at all, if that's better. Don't let any debt you feel you owe me influence your decision."

I don't know quite the reaction I was expecting, but I was shocked when anger flashed in her eyes. "Dammit, stop that!"

I stared at her, confused and a little concerned. I needed her to know I was giving her the option, not simply placating her. "No – you don't understand. I'm not just trying to make you feel better, Bella, I really mean it."

"I know you do. What happened to fighting back? Don't start with the noble self-sacrifice now! Fight!"

"How?" I asked, still completely clueless. My confusion only intensified as she closed the tiny bit of space between us and hurled herself into my lap. Her arms locked tightly around my neck, and her face grew red as her eyes brimmed with tears.

"I don't care that it's cold here. I don't care that I stink like a dog right now. Make me forget how awful I am. Make me forget him. Make me forget my own name. Fight back!"

Determination flashed across her face for the briefest of seconds before she lunged at me and pressed her lips to mine. I wasn't as ignorant as the last time. I knew what she was suggesting.

"Careful, love," I warned, hoping she wouldn't feel crushed and rejected as she had before.

"No." She was persistent, but it was a battle that was lost before it had begun. There was nothing right about this moment. It wasn't romantic or intimate. There was no bed, no flowers, and I was pretty sure if she remembered Seth was outside, it would have turned her face an even deeper shade of red.

I carefully pushed her back until I was looking into her eyes. They were fierce, though already less determined than they'd been only moments before. "You don't have to prove anything to me."

"I'm not trying to prove something. You said I could have any part of you I wanted. I want this part. I want every part." She pulled me closer, kissing me again, and I allowed it only because I was so afraid to see the hurt and rejection on her face again. I moved her gently away again when I felt her heated skin beneath my touch.

"Perhaps this isn't the best moment for that."

"Why not?" she asked, already defeated.

"Firstly, because it is cold." I noticed her shiver slightly as her raised body temperature started to come back down, so I pulled the sleeping bag around her protectively.

"Wrong," she argued. "Firstly, because you are bizarrely moral for a vampire."

"All right," I laughed. "I'll give you that. The cold is second. And thirdly . . . well, you do actually stink, love." She sighed as I cringed melodramatically. "Fourthly," I paused, reminding myself that this was a particularly sensitive subject for Bella. I didn't want her thinking for a moment that I didn't want her. Because I did, so much. "We will try, Bella. I'll make good on my promise. But I'd much rather it wasn't in reaction to Jacob Black."

Embarrassment took over every feature and she hid her face against my chest. "And fifthly . . ."

"This is a very long list."

I laughed again, glad she sounded only moderately perturbed. I hoped she knew that when we did try, I was going to do everything in my power to make it perfect.

"Yes, but did you want to listen to the fight or not?"

As if she, too, had forgotten where we were, she pulled her face back, eyes widened. Seth was howling outside, a forlorn call to his brothers whom he couldn't be with. I heard Bella's heart start to race, and all the color left her face.

"It's going to be fine, Bella. We've got skill, training, and surprise on our side. It will be over very soon. If I didn't truly believe that, I would be down there now – and you'd be here, chained to a tree or something along those lines."

"Alice is so small."

I laughed for a moment at the thought of Alice fighting some huge, ignorant newborn. He would lunge at her, and before he'd know what was happening, he'd be on his back, locked in a headlock. She would probably smile angelically before Jasper would do the honors of ripping his head off for her.

"That might be a problem . . . if it were possible for someone to catch her."

Can't believe I'm stuck up here. Missing out on everything. This is so unfair.

Seth was complaining, pacing back and forth as he realized just how close the army was.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked, misinterpreting his cries.

"He's just angry that he's stuck here with us. He knows the pack kept him out of the action to protect him. He's salivating to join them." Bella narrowed her eyes in disapproval.

I watched through the eyes of the wolves as Seth showed me everything that was happening, and I felt a wave of gratitude for the connection to the fight. As certain as I was that things would go smoothly, the frustration of not knowing what was going on would have been almost unendurable. I might have been tempted to chose a closer vantage point, one that would have allowed me to hear everyone's thoughts, though the closer we were to the newborns, the more danger Bella would have been in. Just one stray newborn who caught her scent, and all our hiding would have been for nothing.

"The newborns have reached the end of the trail – it worked like a charm, Jasper's a genius – and they've caught the scent of the ones in the meadow, so they're splitting into two groups now, as Alice said. Sam's taking us around to head off the ambush party."

I barely realized I was speaking as one of the pack. When I noticed Bella watching me cautiously, I whispered, "Breathe, Bella."

Seth's connection with the pack was amazing. I actually found myself in awe of the wolves, the way they thought and acted as one, as those who threatened their safety grew closer. I worried it would be hard to follow the action with all their thoughts pouring into his mind at once, but their collective voice was a hum of absolute unison. They were prepared, and nothing was going to stop their victory.

As the first newborn entered the wolves' line of sight, I felt the excitement building. I wished I could hear my family as clearly as the wolves, but I trusted if anything went wrong, one of the pack would notice, and I would hear. As the army stepped into the clearing, all coherent thoughts disappeared. The wolves were acting on pure instinct. It wasn't long before I began to hear the medley of cracks and snaps I recognized instantly as vampires being torn apart. My arm tightened protectively around Bella

"The first group is in the clearing. We can hear the fighting."

Above all the other noise, I suddenly heard my family. Well, Emmett, at least. He was laughing, and shouting, "Is that all you've got?" I couldn't see him, since the pack was so focused on the enemy, but I could imagine his face all too well.

"We can hear Emmett," I told Bella. "He's enjoying himself." I didn't look down at Bella, afraid seeing her would make me lose my focus on Seth's mind.

Over there! One of the wolves shouted. There are more of them just behind those trees.

Not for long, there won't be.

Let me at them. The first group was way too easy.

I watched as the wolves took several careful steps toward the new arrivals. It surprised me to hear them calculating their attack. I knew they mostly relied on instinct, but as the fight progressed, they seemed to be planning their moves more and more. Perhaps I'd underestimated them.

"The second group is getting ready – they aren't paying attention, they haven't heard us yet." I repeated the pack's words, watching the army's approach through their eyes. My teeth clenched together when they were close enough to hear the newborns speaking.

"The girl is here – somewhere."

"No matter what, don't let her escape!"

"No chance of that, my friends. She's so close, I can nearly taste her."

I snarled as I watched them practically salivating.

"What?" Bella asked nervously.

"They're talking about you. They're supposed to make sure you don't escape . . ."

"Quickly! There are more of those creatures just beyond the trees –"

The moment the wolves' presence been noticed, Leah attacked and took the group's leader down. His back had been to the pack, which was exactly the sort of foolish mistake we'd been counting on this entire time. It was exhilarating to see them respond the way we'd anticipated. I hoped that wherever Jasper was, he was feeling very proud of himself for knowing just what to expect.

"Nice move, Leah! Mmm, she's quite fast." I heard Bella's breath catch. "One of the newborns caught our scent, and Leah took him down before he could even turn." I repeated Seth's words, and it didn't escape my notice that he was including himself in the commentary, itching to be down there with his brothers. "Sam's helping her finish him off. Paul and Jacob got another one, but the others are on the defensive now. They have no idea what to make of us. Both sides are feinting . . . ."

I could feel Seth's agitation as he paced around the campsite. He had a better understanding of the fighting tactics than I would have thought, and I wondered if Sam was aware how helpful he could have been, with a little training.

I focused my attention to Sam – he was practiced, and a natural leader. He was motioning for several of his brothers to come at the nearest group from three different sides. The newborns were learning, faster than we would have liked, and bunching together in groups so they could see multiple lines of attack. Sam seemed to be the only one who recognized it.

"No, let Sam lead. Stay out of the way. Separate them – don't let them protect each other's backs," I said.

I wasn't expecting Seth to be listening to me with so much else going on, but he heard my words and repeated them to his brothers, howling as he yearned to help in whatever way he could. To both of our relief, they listened, and followed Sam's lead. They surrounded the newborns from behind, forcing them forward.

"That's better, drive them toward the clearing."

I felt Bella's fingers clench around mine as her breathing sped up. I was about to reassure her that everything was going perfectly, but I was interrupted by the only thing that could have possibly distracted me from the fight. Everything froze. I heard a sadistic laugh – faint, almost an echo – but it was unmistakeable.

Victoria.

She was close. Too close, I realized miserably. There was no way to get Bella to safety. My arms wrapped tightly around her, and I tore out of the tent, leaving it in scattered pieces on the ground beside us. Seth's eyes were instantly locked with mine.

What the hell? I can smell it, and it's not one you yours. Did one of those new bloodsuckers get away from the group? I thought you said they'd all stick together!

I wished there was time to explain, but I knew if Victoria spotted Seth, she would crush him before he had time to realize he was in trouble. Seth might have been ready for the newborns, but there was no way he was ready for Victoria. He wouldn't have time to go get help, I was certain of that. Perhaps if he hid in the trees and caught her by surprise he could be of some help –

"Go, Seth!" I pleaded, before I asked him to do something that would most likely be useless, and almost certainly get him killed. This was my fight. It had been from the very beginning.

And it was going to end today.

The moment Seth was out of sight, I focused all my energy on listening to Victoria. She knew I could hear her – I was sure James had made certain of that – and she was very carefully guarding her thoughts. I couldn't tell which direction she was coming from, and I didn't know what her plan of attack was. Of course, she'd been planning it that way. She knew I'd be with Bella, and would be so distracted knowing my family was off fighting, I wouldn't be paying attention to my surroundings.

Her wild excitement couldn't be silenced, though, as much as she was trying. I could hear the hum of her elation that she was finally about to avenge her mate. I caught a fleeting, but vivid, flash of what she wanted to do to Bella, and I fought to keep myself from lunging into the forest that very second.

Instead, I grabbed Bella's waist and moved her out of the center of the campsite, wishing the openness of it didn't make leave us so vulnerable. It was better with her standing alongside the cliff face, knowing Victoria couldn't come up behind us. I was staring wide-eyed into the trees, listening, and anticipating. Wishing with everything in me that someone else was here to guard Bella while I ripped that abomination limb from limb and burned every last piece.

Like an answer to my silent plea, I heard Seth's voice, and relief washed over me. I'm still here, Edward. I'm not going anywhere. I'll help if I can, I just wish I knew what was going on.

I wanted to tell him, prepare him, but there was simply no time. The best chance we had of Seth being any asset at all was if she didn't know he was there.

"Are they close?" I heard an unfamiliar voice ask her. My hands clenched into fists. She wasn't alone.

"Silence! Not another word until we have them in sight!"

I nearly smiled as I realized this was Victoria's biggest mistake. She might be able to guard her thoughts, but surely her companion wouldn't be as practiced. I listened carefully as his mind replayed the events of the day. He'd been confused when Victoria's plans had started to change, momentarily questioning her motives before reminding himself that he'd sworn to follow her no matter what. The fight was turning into a massacre for those he'd helped create and train, and he was troubled by the way events were playing out. He was young, though definitely not a newborn, and it seemed he was in position of authority. Victoria had chosen him specifically, and he'd always believed it was because she knew he was special. I could heard that he cared deeply for Victoria, and it seemed as if he truly believed she cared for him. That could quite possibly come in very useful.

I still don't think it's right that we're not helping the others. Are we really just going to let them all die? He sounded like he wanted to question her, but was afraid of the consequences. I almost felt sorry for him. He was in the dark, nothing more than a pawn in her games.

Suddenly, Victoria's thoughts were screaming at me. She was losing focus, frustrated that my scent was being obscured by another scent, and I realized Jacob must have run back over the path I'd taken to get here.

He's here, I know it. I smelled him. And wherever he is, she is!

I instinctively took two more steps back, blocking Bella as best I could. Part of me wanted to look into her eyes so I could promise her I was going to keep her safe. The other part of me knew that nothing could make me take my eyes off the woods in front of us. I wondered for a split second how Alice could have missed this. If everything had been about Victoria getting to Bella, why hadn't she seen her planning. Then, I realized. Victoria knew us too well. She'd done her homework.

The one with her was her puppet. All of the decisions had been his, up until this final one – the one that she didn't make until she caught my scent. I wondered idly if Alice had seen it when she'd finally decided to follow me here, or if she was still busy with the fight.

Seth was no longer paying any attention to the goings on of his brothers. His every thought was focused on what he could do to help Bella and I. I never thought I'd be so grateful for the presence of a wolf. As we both waited silently for our own fight to start, I heard Bella's shaking voice.

"Who?" she asked. I exhaled an agonized breath as I remembered she still didn't know what was happening.

"Victoria. She's not alone. She crossed my scent, following the newborns in to watch – she never meant to fight with them. She made a spur-of-the-moment decision to find me, guessing that you would be wherever I was. She was right. You were right. It was always Victoria."

Still unwilling to tear my eyes from the forest, I listened carefully to Bella's heartbeat. It was surprisingly steady, considering what I'd just told her. My own heart sank at the thought that she was getting too used to danger for even her body to react properly to it.

A moment later, I heard a faint rustling of leaves to our left. The air was still around us – I knew our time for preparation had run out. Victoria's companion was first to step out of the trees. His face was fixed determinedly on Bella, and I fought to remind myself that his entire existence had been a lie, and his hatred toward Bella was merely a product of that. Not that that would stop me from ripping him apart if he made even the slightest motion toward her.

Of course, that must have been the reason Victoria had brought a loyal follower along. She knew if he attacked, my focus would be on stopping him, and Bella would be left unguarded. I shifted my weight again, as if my blocking her from sight would do one shred of good. As I stood protectively in front of Bella, Victoria's face came into view. Immediately, her cold, black eyes locked in on Bella.

She was no longer guarding her thoughts. What point would there be? Her plan had gone perfectly, and she was now standing mere feet away from the girl whose death she believed would avenge her mate. Victory was so close, I could see her twitching as she fought to wait for the perfect moment.

She didn't appear concerned, simply anxious. There was no doubt in her mind that it would all be over very soon. There were two of them, one of which was a fairly new and likely extraordinarily strong vampire, and only me to protect Bella. At least as far as she was aware.

She gestured toward me, silently urging him on. Come on, Riley. What are you waiting for? Do what you were made to do! she thought impatiently.

But I couldn't focus on Victoria's thoughts. They weren't important right now. She wasn't going to attack until Riley did. The only thing that mattered was keeping him focused on me. I could see his hesitation as much as I could hear it. He wanted to please Victoria, but he was having a difficult time understanding why this human girl that stood before him was so important.

"Riley." His eyes grew wide and disbelieving as he heard me speak his name.

How does he know – ? This isn't right, none of this is. He's not like she described at all.

I wasn't so foolish at to believe Riley was feeling the pangs of guilt. I had no doubt the short life he'd lived with Victoria had taught him to be everything most vampires believed they had the right to be. I couldn't try to stop him by appealing to some shred of compassion, because it was far too likely he had none. My only chance was to use his confusion, and Victoria's lies, against him – distract him by shaking his confidence in his maker.

"She's lying to you, Riley. Listen to me. She's lying to you just like she lied to the others who are dying now in the clearing. You know that she's lied to them, that she had you lie to them, that neither of you were ever going to help them. Is it so hard to believe that she's lied to you, too?"

It's not true. I'm different. She loves me.

"She doesn't love you, Riley. She never has. She loved someone names James, and you're no more than a tool to her."

You'll die for this! Victoria hissed at me, though her eyes were still locked on Bella. You'll watch your mate die and when you've suffered like I have, you'll die too!

Riley turned to Victoria frantically, but she paid him no attention.

"Riley?" I said softly, bringing his attention back to me.

I should kill you now, for speaking such lies. His mind was trying to argue with me, but his eyes told me my words were ringing too true for him.

"She knows that I will kill you, Riley. She wants you to die so that she doesn't have to keep up the pretense anymore."

His face contorted as he tried to fight the sea of images that flooded his mind, but there were too many questioned moments. Too many times he'd wondered if he cared more deeply than she did. In the beginning, he'd felt unworthy of someone so powerful, but had eventually deluded himself into believing that his ability to control the newborns would make him special in her eyes. Yet, the doubt was still there – and I knew I could fuel the fire.

"Yes – you've see that, haven't you? You've read the reluctance in her eyes. Suspected a false note in her promises. You were right. She's never wanted you. Every kiss, every touch was a lie."

No. No!

Then, from the quiet of the wood surrounding us, I heard Seth's mind. He'd been watching closely and he was prepared for what he had to do.

He's distracted enough, Edward. Let me at him!

Knowing Seth was close enough to attack at a moment's notice, I chanced two small steps in Riley's direction. I could feel Victoria's excitement as she watched me out of the corner of her eye. This was exactly what she wanted. Every step I took toward Riley was one I took away from her prey. All I had to do what glance in Seth's direction, and he would rip Riley to shreds. A small voice in the back of my mind reminded me that no one should ever die without one final chance for redemption. I didn't expect him to take it, but I knew the words had to be said.

"You don't have to die. There are other ways to live than the way she's shown you. It's not all lies and blood, Riley. You can walk away right now. You don't have to die for her lies."

Then, I heard the same silent laughter that had first alerted me to Victoria's presence. You really think after he's dined on humans all this time, that he could give it all up for your sorry lot? Fools, all of you.

I took another tentative step and Riley repositioned himself, mirroring me. Seth was practically salivating, ready to attack.

"Last chance, Riley."

Victoria? His eyes were pleading as he looked at his supposed love. There was nothing but fire and hate in her eyes.

"He's the liar, Riley," she said calmly. "I told you about their mind tricks. You know I love only you."

She loves me. She has to. His eyes narrowed as his stare returned and locked with mine. I wasn't sure whether he even believed himself in that moment, but I saw with utter certainty that he'd decided to fight for her to the death. My gaze darted to the trees behind Riley for a split second, and that was all it took. Seth's growl echoed and surrounded us. Riley didn't even have time to realize what was happening to him.

"No!" Victoria screamed, but it wasn't a cry of pain for her lost love. It was laced with fear and contempt as she realized I was not alone, and Bella would not be left unprotected for one fraction of a second.

Within seconds, Seth had ripped Riley's hand off and hurled it backward. His teeth snapped, his claws slashed, and Victoria didn't so much as glance in his direction. She was too focused on what had only moments before seemed like a certain victory, but now looked miles away.

Bella. She was frozen my side, and I didn't dare look at her expression. I couldn't stop to think about what witnessing this violent scene was doing to her. I couldn't listen to her racing heart or her gasping breath, because if I did, I might lose focus. Just like Victoria had been so excited and ready for the end to come, so was I. I could end this monster – forever – and she would finally stop poisoning our lives.

Content that Seth was more than capable of finishing Riley off, I moved until I was almost completely blocking Bella from Victoria's sight. She snarled and glared at me as I stood protectively in front of Bella.

"No." She tried to infuse her voice with some amount of determination, but I could hear her thinking of an exit strategy. She'd never intended on having to fight me, and although she'd only minutes before been screaming for my death, I knew her plan had always been to kill Bella, and then run.

Come here, little human, she taunted, still trying to move around me to get a clear view of Bella. In her mind, she saw a thousand different ways to kill her, most of them taking less than a second. My body tensed as rage built up inside me. Every muscle twitched and ached to destroy her. I watched each step she decided to take before she took it, and she was quickly tiring of my anticipating her every move.

Behind Victoria, I could still see the movement of Seth and Riley's fight, though I wouldn't take my eyes off of Victoria long enough to see any of the details. I heard a crunching sound and Seth cried out, but he quickly assured me, I'm fine. This leech isn't going anywhere.

Just then, I heard the sounds of another limb being torn from Riley, and his cries of agony stunned Victoria. Her eyes darted to him for the quickest of seconds, though there was no concern for him behind her glance – only fear for herself. She knew in that second that his pain could soon her hers, and her thoughts shifted from those of Bella's demise, to her own escape and survival.

So much planning – can't leave her – all just a waste.

Her thoughts were jumbled, trying to convince herself to attack, but Riley's screams were still ringing in her ears. Her eyes darted between Bella and me and the forest that could grant her escape. She knew I wouldn't go after her. Even with Seth there to guard Bella, I wouldn't let her out of my sight. She was weaving through the trees, and as I pictured her disappearing into them, I knew as well as she did that it was now or never.

"Don't go, Victoria. You'll never get another chance like this." I hated the image my next words would bring to her – even through her imagination, I could hardly stand to think of Bella being her victim – but I also knew it would give her hope. If she thought perhaps she could still get what she so desired, I might be able to get her to stay and fight – and if she fought me, she would die.

"You can always run later." I slightly emphasized later, letting the picture of Bella dead at her feet wash over her. I fought the cringe that surged through my body. "Plenty of time for that. It's what you do, isn't it? It's why James kept you around. Useful, if you like to play deadly games. A partner with an uncanny instinct for escaping. He shouldn't have left you – he could have used your skills when we caught up to him in Phoenix."

NO! She snarled and her eyes narrowed. It was a physical effort for her, now, not to lunge at me. Even though it was Bella she wanted, Bella whose death would avenge James, it was me she hated, and everything in her was suddenly bent on my destruction. It was exactly what I wanted. She was no longer focused on Bella, and her thoughts gave away how distracted she was from her original plan. She was being forced to improvise, and as her natural instinct told her to flee, I kept baiting her. It would be over in minutes.

"That's all you ever were to him, though," I continued, ignoring her silent pleas to stop. My words were filling her with doubt, and the pain was almost unmanageable. "Silly to waste so much energy avenging someone who had less affection for you than a hunter for his mount. You were never more than a convenience to him. I would know."

With a grin, I gestured to my head, and as her expression registered understanding, she shrieked and lunged back out of the woods toward me.

You'll both die for your lies! She spat as she fought to regain the upper hand. Of course, it was useless. No matter how hard she tried to act on instinct, I saw every move she was going to make. She wouldn't get one step closer to Bella, and the moment she tried, I would make my strike. I'd never taken pleasure in killing – even in my darkest days when I'd killed for the purpose of feeding, it had been hard to feel anything but guilt – but as I watched Victoria circle us, knowing she wanted nothing more than to end us both, I felt a surge of excitement.

I heard Seth cry out in pain again, and it was just enough to catch Victoria's attention. Once that beast is taken care of, Riley will help me, she reasoned. She'd always wanted to kill Bella herself, but in her desperation, she began considering commanding Riley to attack Bella while she focused on me. Then, her fists clenched as she watched Seth snarl and lunge, forcing Riley to retreat. Useless! she thought, glaring at him.

Her wild gaze then turned to Seth, who was now mere inches away from me. She abruptly remembered a time when James had been tracking a werewolf for sport. James had attacked, provoking him and using the wolf's engrained hatred of vampires to spur him on. All Victoria had ever known of our two kinds was our instinct to kill one another. She couldn't understand this creature in front of her, and his apparent loyalty to me. She wondered briefly whether he'd simply been fighting the vampire closest to him, and now that I was within range, if he would instead fight me.

"No, he won't turn on me." I smiled as another wave of fury took hold of her. "You provided us with a common enemy. You allied us."

More lies! I've seen his kind before. There could be no alliance!

"Look more closely, Victoria. Is he really so much like the monster James tracked across Siberia?"

No! Another trick! She wanted to argue, but she was quickly taking in Seth's protective stance beside me.

"Not the same?" she growled. "Impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible." She was nearly paralyzed by her confusion, and, with Seth guarding Bella, I took the opportunity to move another step closer to her. "Except what you want. You'll never touch her."

She will die today! she spat, regaining a trace of confidence as she observed the growing space between Bella and I. She tried several times to dart around me, but it was futile. As she willed her instincts to take over so I would have less knowledge of her movement, she crouched to the ground. This, I could see, was her favorite position to strike from, and a tiny smile played at her mouth as she caught sight of her target. She moved infinitesimally closer. I smiled back as I saw her first strike before she made it.

We lunged at the same moment, and as our bodies collided in mid-air, I felt something near adrenaline course through my veins. I felt alive as my fists clenched around her shoulder, my teeth snapping at her neck. I remembered vividly how I'd fought James for Bella's life, and felt grateful that this time, Bella was not laying broken and bleeding beside me. In that fight, I'd been too late to spare her from injury, but this time I would ensure she walked away without feeling one moment of pain.

Victoria clawed at me, desperately trying to get me in a headlock, but I laughed at her efforts, making her impossibly more furious. She spat and snarled as I anticipated each twist and turn. When I finally sank my teeth into her and ripped the first piece of her away, her body froze and her thoughts drifted to Riley, wondered idly if he was still alive. Her vision was blurred as the pain took her, and she knew if she continued, she would fail.

Victoria rolled away from me and leaped back to her feet at the edge of the forest. I took her moment of stillness to glance back toward Seth and Riley. Seth was lying in a heap in front of Bella, and I almost panicked, before realizing his thoughts were too clear and focused for him to be in real trouble. He was waiting – biding his time until Riley was close enough to attack again. He was crafty and cunning, and I was once again filled with gratitude that he had risked his safety to assure mine and Bella's.

Admittedly, I'd been using a bit of decoy myself, letting my attention appear to be focused solely on Seth's well-being. Victoria took the bait exactly like I'd been expecting, not wanting to miss such a prime opportunity, and continuing the fight before she was ready. Seeing her next attack, I hurled my body toward her feet, grabbing her by the ankles and bringing her to her knees. Her teeth were bared, her fingers extended like claws, but she was snapping and grasping at air. As I dug my knee into her back, pinning her completely to the ground, she hissed and snarled, and I knew the end was close.

Then, everything seemed to disappear. I couldn't hear Victoria or Seth or Riley. All I could hear was Bella's sharp intake of air. Victoria and I both froze at the same moment, and, although we should have been staying focused on each other, inexplicably, both our heads snapped up. Bella's eyes were full of what appeared to be a mix of fear and determination. So intent on her expression, I almost didn't see the object she was clenching tightly in her hand. As I listened to her racing heart, my gaze darted to the stone that was pressed to her skin. Understanding washed over me, and I felt a sigh of frustration escape.

What tricks are you playing, human? The sound of Victoria's confusion snapped me back to the present, and I realized that Bella's plan, not even fully set into motion, had already had the desired effect. A fraction of a second later, I sent Victoria sailing through the air, and into a nearby tree. As she found her footing, I lunged at Riley, braced myself against his back, and pulled at his arm until it snapped from his body. He wailed as the pain took him, dropping to his knees as Seth charged forward and attcked.

Victoria listened to Riley's cries, showing no remorse for his pain – only happiness that my focus was not on her at that exact moment. She knew it was likely her last clear shot at Bella, so she sprang forward without another thought. With all my strength, I launched Riley's arm straight at her, knocking her backward once again. The tree she hit crumpled beneath her, but it was only seconds before she was ready for yet another attack.

I've got your back, Edward, Seth called to me, his voice laced with anticipation and excitement. Just one last little detail to finish off.

My stare remained locked with Victoria's as we listened to Seth rip Riley to pieces. He cried out for her, but she didn't spare him a glance. We listened to the distinctive sounds of Riley's destruction, and as his shouts disappeared, realization start sinking into Victoria's mind.

I'm alone. Alone and outnumbered. How did this happen? It was all so perfectly planned! As her thoughts raced, she began taking small, careful steps backward. When she chanced one final glance at Bella – the revenge she so desperately wanted, so close, yet out of reach – I felt my fists clench and my eyes narrow. My lips were curled back over my teeth, ready to finally end her. She must have read the pure and utter hatred written all over my face, because fear suddenly overshadowed everything else in her mind. For a split second, she didn't even care that she had failed. All she could think of was her own survival.

Run. The word echoed through her mind as if she was commanding herself to obey. Forget everything she'd come for, the revenge she thought mattered more than anything else. Leave it all behind. Run!

"No. Stay just a little longer."

Then, like her every instinct has been telling her to do, she turned and ran. I greatly enjoyed the knowledge that she was moving as fast as her legs could carry her – and knowing it wouldn't be nearly fast enough. She hadn't even reached the forest when I threw my arms around her neck. This moment had been such a long time coming, the world seemed to move in slow motion, as if granting me time to savor the finality of it all. My teeth clamped down on Victoria's neck, and after I'd ripped a large chunk away from her, I spat it back out onto the ground. I wanted to rid myself of every bit of her, once and for all. Staring with a sick smile at the hole I'd left at the base of her head, I twisted and pulled up, ripping it off in half a second. I threw her head to the ground beside the other mangled pieces of her, and the slow-motion feel of it all allowed me a moment to simply marvel at the fact that I'd finally done this one thing right by Bella.

I'd forever taken away her greatest fear.