Disclaimer: (Sorry, not mine. Yet I find myself wishing anyway)

holy jeez guys i'm soooo sorry
i really didn't mean for this to take so long to get updated
it's been at least...well it's been a long time
you might need to re-read the end of the previous chapter to get back in the groove
sorry
so here it is, chapter thirty-two
i hope you like it and i really hope you can forgive me

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Injuries and Updates

"So is anyone going to say anything?", Jacob questioned.

"Well", Seth spoke. "It's like this"

"It's obvious what he's doing!", Leah interrupted, barging into the argument. "Now that blue eyes over there has imprinted on him, he thinks he gets to say what goes!" Seth glared at his sister in disagreement.

"Shut up Leah!", Seth yelled. "Like usual, you don't know a fucking thing!" The look on her face seemed shocked once her brother yelled at her. Apparently he hadn't done that before.

"Calm down", Jacob demanded. "We'll work this out. Quil, Embry, take Newton back to the garage and tie him up". Both boys started for Mike, but I interrupted.

"Stop", I ordered. Jacob quickly averted his eyes from Quil and Embry to me.

"What?", he asked.

"Seth has a good idea that he wants to share with you". As soon as I said it I heard a whine from the left of me.

"Bella…", Seth moaned. I gave him a reassuring look.

"Just tell them"

"What's the idea Seth?", Jacob questioned.

I could tell that he was trying to be patient, but I knew all to well that he was beyond mad right now. It's when Jacob acts serious that it's time to worry. Seth rounded the kitchen table and went up to Jacob. Then he did something that I did not expect. He pulled Jacob around to face the opposite direction of the hallway and started speaking just to him. The rest of us stood in silence while we tried to figure out what was going on. Embry turned to me with a curious expression.

"What's this about?", he asked.

I continued to watch Seth and Jacob speak quietly. Seth was making hand motions as he talked and Jake was nodded his head in earnest. Apparently whatever Seth was saying was catching his interest. Or making sense in some way. I answered Embry without turning my head.

"I don't know"

A couple of minutes passed and both of them turned back to meet our awed and confused faces. Seth walked back to my side and smiled.

"Newton will be staying here", Jacob alerted.

"What about Sam", Quil pointed out. "He's the leader, doesn't he have a say?"

Jacob frowned and looked from Quil to me.

"While Sam's unable to act as leader, like now", he motioned. "I will be giving orders"

"That's bullshit!", Quil yelled. Jacob returned his gaze to him.

"You know the rules Quil", Jake informed. Then he looked around the room. "Newton stays", he finished. He waited a few seconds in case of another objection and then turned back to his room, where Sam and Carlisle were waiting. The door shut and everyone stood in silence. It was evident that there was nothing more to discuss.

…

After another two hours Carlisle and Jacob finally came out of the room. It was now past midnight and Charlie had already fallen asleep by the couch. Billy wheeled his way across the kitchen tiles towards Jacob's room as soon as Carlisle walked out. Jacob walked up to me and pressed his lips on my forehead, then lowered them to mine and kissed me.

"Is everything okay?", I asked. Jacob nodded. I could see that he was tired.

"Everything's fine", Carlisle announced. "He had a lot of bleeding, but he healed fast". Everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief. Their leader was going to be okay. "But it will be a couple of days until he'll be on his feet again", he continued. "A couple of ribs were broken"

Since no one knew what this would mean for the war, everyone decided to stay silent. If Sam, their leader, wasn't going to be able to fight then the chances weren't going to be good. Yet they all knew, including me, that the fight would still happen. The war would continue. Carlisle wiped his hands on a white cloth and placed it on the counter.

"Thank you for letting me help", he smiled. Jacob made an odd face with a scrunched up nose and knitted eyebrows. Then he put out his hand towards Carlisle.

"Dr. Cullen", he acknowledged. Carlisle reached out and shook his hand. The look on Jacob's face was priceless. I could see the actual pain it took for him to do this. Jacob dropped the pale hand quickly and forced a smile. Carlisle smiled back and then headed for the door.

"Take care Bella", he smiled. I forced a smile in return. I still felt odd being near him. Knowing that he most likely blamed me for what had happened to Edward. But I guess it was fare, because I was the reason his son left in the first place. But I pushed this feeling back and thanked him.

"Thank you", I smiled. He tilted his head in understanding and opened the door and left.

Once the rest of the pack was sure that the vampire, as they would put it, was gone, they all rushed towards Jacob's room. Slowly I followed behind. From my position at the door I could see that Jacob was sitting near the bed while the rest encircled him. Leah was standing in the far corner holding a face of remorse. Even though she put off a hard front it was easy to see that Sam's pain bothered her. She was in love with him after all. A few seconds passed and a muffled cough came from Sam as he rolled on the bed.

"Who touched the vampire?", he questioned in a half dazed tone.

Jacob quickly rubbed his hand along his pants and grimaced. Sam eyed him suspiciously and cocked an eyebrow.

"It was you wasn't it?"

"It's not like I had much of a choice", he retorted. "He saved your life"

"You should have seen yourself", Seth interrupted. "There was blood everywhere!"

Most of the room turned to look at Seth. A moment of silence followed the glares the rest of the pack were sending him.

"You know what you might find interesting Sam?", Embry grinned.

"What?", Sam asked.

"The fact that our little hostage is no longer a hostage"

Sam's eyes popped to their full width, then sliced daggers at Embry.

"And why not?", he spit through his clenched jaw.

"Well apparently little Seth here-"

"SHUT UP!", Seth yelled. Jacob turned towards Embry and gave him a dominating look.

"Leave him alone Embry"

"No, I think he should know", Leah added with a bit too much perkiness as a smile crept on her otherwise irritated face.

I turned my gaze to Seth. The poor kid didn't know what was happening. The thing between him and Mike was already confusing enough, he didn't need the rest of his pack making fun of him because of it. I frowned as I heard Embry's next words.

"It's a really romantic story Sam. I'm sure Seth wouldn't mind telling it"

Sam arched an eyebrow and seemed to be trying to force information out of Seth my concentrating on his reaction. His eyes scanned him up and down and finally he gave up with a frown.

"What is it Seth?", he demanded.

"It's nothing", Seth mumbled below his breath. "He may have imprinted on me"

Embry rolled with laughter.

"Maybe?! There's no maybe about it! The half breeds in love with you!"

"SHUT UP!", Seth roared.

"Well", Sam started. "That doesn't change anything". He looked around the room and stopped, sending a stern look pointed at Quil. "You and Embry can put him back in the garage"

With that Leah's half smile quickly formed into a grin and Seth's whole face dropped. I wasn't going to stand for this. I didn't care if Sam wouldn't take me seriously, but Mike was not going back in the garage. Just as I was about to speak my disagreement, Jacob spoke up.

"Quil, Embry, he's not going in the garage"

Sam abruptly turned to his second in command and sent him a daggering glare. Half in amazement and half in anger.

"Excuse me?", he questioned. Jacob shifted nervously in his seat, but ended it there. I could see the change in him as he spoke again. Jacob was no longer a follower. He lead.

"I said he's not going in the garage. Newton is on our side now"

Sam attempted to rearrange himself on the bed, but failed when it looked like a sharp pain in his side prevented him from moving any further. He flustered a hand along his waist and hissed.

"I decide who is and who isn't on our side Jacob", he breathed harshly. "I'm the leader, I make the choices"

Jacob shook his head. Long strands of ebony black hair fell forward then limped.

"Not anymore", Jacob informed. "Things have changed"

Sam's expression seemed almost stuck in a state of shock at this declaration.

"You said you didn't want the alfa position, so I kept it. You can't change your mind Jacob"

"It's not a matter of changing my mind Sam", Jacob firmly noted. "It's just what has to happen"

Sam slumped back against the headboard, seeming to accept what he'd just been told.

"Get me Emily will you?", he quietly asked Jacob. Jake nodded and started his way out of the room. With a motion from Sam the rest followed him out.

…

And now I sit.

It's been an hour since we all left Jacob's room and took residence around the kitchen. Once Emily came, her and Jacob went straight into his room and shut the door. She probably wasn't going to take Sam's injuries well. And it didn't help much that no one bothered to pick up the bloodied towels in the hallway. When her eyes caught sight of that she was in instant tears. But Jacob assured her that he was fine and then lead her into his room. That was the last that any of us saw of them.

For a place that was always filled with fun-loving games and rowdiness, someone could mistaken it as a wake. Looking around at the surrounding faces in the room, it seemed just that. Something had died in each of us and we were now mourning it individually. No one seemed able to look anyone else in the eyes. Too much had happened and nothing could be said. When a groups leader falls, so does their willpower. Tonight things were going to change and people were more than likely going to die. What a crappy realization.

At that thought a tear escaped my ever hardening stare and trailed down my cheek. I didn't want to lose anyone. Looking around the room I saw the faces of people that I loved. Quil and Embry were Jacob's best friends, his brothers. Mike was someone of my past, who was now interestingly involved in my present and I couldn't possibly think of losing him. He was Mike after all, just Mike. And seeing him now as he casually leaned against the counter I couldn't not be reminded of the fair-haired boy who welcomed me with just a tad too much enthusiasm on my first day in Forks. He didn't deserve this fate, just like Billy didn't. My eyes quickly darted to him, he was still seated in his chair facing the livingroom so as to keep an eye on the window. He probably still sensed the danger of another attack. I could see the worry in his expression as he watched the window with his stone set glare. He worried for his son and the rest of the pack. It just wasn't fair to see so much pain thrown upon such a buoyant person. I didn't want to see the day that Billy wasn't there to crack a joke.

Slowly my eyes adverted towards Charlie. My father didn't deserve this either. He was always a good man, with a loving heart. He didn't show it, but he was worried. For everyone. Even though he didn't know the specifics of the situation, he knew things weren't right. And he wasn't dumb, he knew a bear didn't attack Sam. A pained lump constricted my throat. If I lost him…no I wasn't even going to think about it.

And then there was Seth. I almost smiled at the bored expression he held as he mindlessly scratched his arm and occasionally snuck quick glances towards Mike. It's odd at how quickly I took a liking to the ruff and ratty boy. If I'd ever compare someone to a brother, he'd be it. It was always just me and my parents and then me and my mom. But just after a short year with Seth, it seems like he was always a part of me. If there was anyone here that didn't deserve to die it was him. He was just so young. Silly all the time, but always masked with seriousness. Contradictive, but for some reason the spirit suited him. And I loved him.

More tears started to collect around my eyes, blinding me in a treacherous wall of fear. I didn't want to see the people I loved drop away from me. Heck, even Leah didn't deserve to die. She was a bitch, but no one deserved such a gruesome end. And if the attack on Sam was a preview for what's to come, I don't think anyone would need to stretch their imagination much. It was going to be bad.

I took a deep breath and gave one last scan of the people I was doomed to lose. Then I chose to give up on my wait. The meeting in Jake's room was probably going to take a while. Making my way to the couch, I slumped down with a pillow and closed my eyes.

…

Bright lights. Always bright lights. Sam sits in the corner holding a small block with a moon symbol roughly painted on it's side. This confuses me, so I slowly take a step towards him. I can almost make out the smell of dying grass.

"Don't Bella"

I look over my shoulder and see Billy.

"Where's your chair?", I whisper. It seemed almost self-conscious, as if I should already know the answer.

Alls he does is chuckle in response. But quickly his face turns into stone seriousness. It's almost like slow motion that I turn to look back at Sam. Now he's turned the block and a new symbol appears. A blur takes over my eyesight and I can't see what it is. Billy laughs again.

"Don't bother Bella. Just do what's needed. Don't think about the wolf"

I arch my brow in confusion. I have no idea what he's talking about.

"There's no wolf here", I inform him. It seems almost imperative that he knows this.

"Oh actually there's quite a few. But you don't need to worry", he corrects. "You just need to do your part and that's it"

A brown flash crosses behind Billy and disappears. I try to follow it, but the blur takes over my sight again.

"What part?", I ask.

"You'll know", he starts but is cut off when the brown flash appears beside him. For just a second I can almost make out who it is. It's clearly a person, but who it is I can't fathom to know. Yet the face seems familiar.

"Who is it?", I question Billy. He shakes his head with a frown, pointed at the unknown face.

"Go away"

…

"Wake up Bells", a soft whisper catches my ear. I roll over from the couch and see Jacob's smiling face looking down. Slowly I start to realize that I'd passed out while waiting for his meeting with Sam to end.

"I think I fell asleep", I informed him.

"I'd say so", he laughs. "But I think it's time to get up"

After his words sunk in I looked around and saw that nobody else was in the room. It seems oddly quiet.

"Where'd they all go?"

"They're just outside", he answered as he kissed my shoulder.

The small gesture was so small and simple, yet unyielding. Instantly I was in his arms, touching and grabbing for more. Finally I found my way to his lips and then I was home. So much was wrong with everything, but this feeling right now was for certain. More than anything I just wanted to melt into his body and stay there. With the before silence, the room was now filled with warm breaths caught between us and the slight squeak of the couch as he better positioned himself over me.

In a hurried pace his lips caught at my throat and sucked a kiss just at the base. At the contact my breath hitched and I arched back to give him better access. Slowly he trailed blazed kisses across my shoulder and up my neck. A moan erupted from the silence. If it was myself or him, I didn't know. All that mattered was that he was here right now and he was kissing me. God, it felt like I'd just gone home with his kiss. A chuckle caught my ear and I felt him smirk against my neck.

"Hey Bells", he questioned.

"Yeah", I responded. All too aware of my breathless speech.

"I think we should probably go outside"

"Yeah, okay", I agreed. Still unmoved due to the six foot-seven hunk of werewolf currently on top of me. Jacob arched an eyebrow in humor.

"You know you kind of need to get up"

"I would, but you're kind of acting as a human body brace at the moment", I laughed.

"Oh", he grumbled as he made his way off. "Lets go"

Taking my hand he pulled me off the couch and attacked me in a hug. Warmth instantly covered me as Jake's arms tightened. I couldn't help but feel like a candy bar wrapped in it's foil packaging. Well, I thought to myself, at least if I was going to be food product, it was a Jacob Bar. He let out a hot breath against my neck and sighed.

"This really sucks", he mumbled.

"I agree"

"I just….I don't….why can't things just be more normal", he continued.

"Normal never existed Jake", I half smiled.

"Yeah, well…lets go find the rest", he decided and unwrapped me.

Taking my hand, we walked to the door. Just as he turned the knob, he hesitated and let go. Almost lightning fast he pulled me up into a kiss that attacked all my senses. Before I even knew it I was responding to the attack with more passion than I'd thought possible. It almost felt like a last kiss and that scared me on a level so dark that my brain didn't know what to think and without warning tears started streaming down my face. Clinging tighter to him, I hid the treacherous cry into the side of his collar. All too soon he heard the muffled sobs and pulled me from him and gave me a curious look.

"Come on, let's go", he stated and kissed my forehead.

"Sorry", I groaned.

"Bella", he mused as he pulled me tighter to him. "Nothing's going to happen. We'll be fine and everything will get better. Besides", he added. "we've got Mike now"

"Mike!", I joked. "Okay, we'll see how that goes". Now with my smile back, I snuffed out my tears with my sweater and sighed. "Let's go"

Now with the door open, we both left our little moment and went outside. As the cold air caught my face I could feel the tingle of the fall weather setting in. It's certainly interesting how fast time can pass when you're under the threat of an antagonistic nomad tribe of werewolves. God, if that wasn't mouthful. A split second passed and Jacobs hand tightened exponentially in my own with a threat to crush. Instantly the atmosphere changed into something dark and the air felt thick with anticipation. Slowly my eyes traveled up to Jake's and I could see the same feeling in his own expression. Something was wrong.

Then a howl erupted from the woods.

"BLACK!", it yelled.

Jacob's eyes darted from me to the intruder, who was still invisible behind the trees. Quickly he scanned the tree line as he stepped in front of me in a protective stance. All sound evaded me as my ears rang with my quickening heart beat. I could almost taste the impending ruin. Then I noticed that everyone else was gone. No Quil, no Seth, not even Embry or Mike. The clearing was completely empty except for us.

"BLACK!", the voice screamed again.

Jacob grabbed me tight.

"RUN!", he urged in my ear. "GET OUT OF HERE BELLA"

My heart stopped and he let go, rushing to the woods he headed straight towards the threat. I felt immobile as I watched him disappear with distance, but then my legs took control and as quick as I could I dodged past a tree making my way to the garage. Nearly tripping over a shredded tire, I slammed my back against the garage door. Whatever the hell was happening it wasn't good.