AN: Sorry it took so long to update! But here's the next chapter! I'm sorry if it was a little choppy. it underwent quite a few editing sessions, and i was having a little bit of a hard time putting it together. hope it suits all of you though!

*Disclaimer: I own nothing except for this version of the telling of TWILIGHT, Selene, and Connor. No property infringement was intended. And, though maybe i should be, i'm not being paid for my works.

READ! ENJOY! AND FOR THE STORY'S SAKE- PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

Chapter Twenty-One: Hunted

(Selene's POV)

I felt bad about what Bella was about to do. She had come up with a plan to cause James to believe that she wasn't coming back. Unfortunately, it involved hurting Charlie in the process. She was going to make him think she meant to leave and not come back ever again. That was going to be a hard thing for both of the Swans.

We pulled up in front of their house, parking the jeep in the deep darkness where it couldn't be seen; Bella and Edward got out. My brother laid down the law on how long she had until he needed her out of the house. She agreed. Then, with a miserable look on her face she choked out:

"Edward. Don't listen to anything I'm about to say." She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him. Then, she went through her front door, slamming it behind her. Edward moved in a flash up the tree and through Bella's bedroom window.

Emmett and I slipped out of the car, blending flawlessly into the night and listened. Neither of us spoke or even breathed as we moved to cover the backside of the house. When we stopped, Em reached for my hand as the scene unfolded in the house. My senses pricked as soon as Bella started breaking Charlie's heart.

At the front of the house, hidden among the trees, was James. He was intently listening to the "conversation"- taking place. It took all of my restraint not to leave my position in the darkness of the trees and take care of James right then and there. But I kept telling myself that doing so would only endanger Bella further. I squeezed Emmett's hand a little too tightly and he let out his breath in an almost silent hiss.

Sorry Em! I thought towards him. I hadn't meant to squeeze so hard.

It's okay Selene. You've got sights on the tracker? I nodded in reply. We continued to talk aimlessly, for the next two minutes; through our thoughts because it was just too nerve racking to sit in silence and it was too dangerous to allow James to hear us talking.

Emmett was fully confident in the plan, but I still couldn't help thinking about all the ways it could go wrong. What if James figured out our plan and changed course without us realizing it in time? What if, after that, Jasper and Alice let their guard down for just a second and he closed in for the kill?

No! I couldn't think like that! This was all going to work! I had to believe that.

Finally, after what seemed like forever in my stressed out thoughts, the front door of Bella's house slammed shut again, and I heard Bella getting into her truck. The engine snarled to life and she began driving with Edward following behind on foot in the shadows. Letting out a sigh, I let Emmett's hand go.

Ok Em. Start following them, and I'll take the jeep.

Through the darkness and in my peripheral view, I saw him nod. Without a word, he slinked away from me. I went the opposite direction back to the front of the house. Quietly and quickly, I slid into the jeep and started the engine. Thanks to Rosalie's and my constant mechanic competitions, the engine purred too low for human ears. Glancing around, I knew that James had followed Edward and Bella down the road. Putting the truck into drive, I sped off down the road towards my house.

Just a minute after leaving, I heard Bella give off a scream that was quickly choked off. Edward was telling her that the noise was just Emmett. He'd jumped onto the back of Bella's truck, and it had frightened her.

Emmett!

Sorry! Didn't mean to frighten her!

I gave out a huff of air and rounded the next corner. My headlights beamed onto the truck and Emmett's back. Bella let of another startled yelp. Oops.

"It is just Selene," Edward was whispering.

I followed them all the way back to the house. We hastily parked, not bothering to pull into the garage straight. I was out quicker than a human could blink and at Bella's door, right behind Edward. Emmett opened the door to the house, and we raced her in without hesitating.

The smell hit me too late to react. There were others in the house other than our family. Two of James' coven was in our home. Were next to where Bella was. They were coming down the stairs. I didn't realize there were four pair of footsteps, and neither did Edward, as we lunged forward- feral hisses ripping through our chests. We both came to a halt when Carlisle and Rosalie came into view before the others.

But, as soon as the one called Laurent and the one called Connor walked down behind them, Edward gave another hiss. I was distracted by something else though. Rosalie had one hand tucked behind her. Glaring, I zeroed in on the little sight of Connor clasping Rosalie's hand in one of his. Still glaring, I turned my gaze to Connor, then to Rose. She smiled, a nervous grin, back at me. I searched her face and her mind quickly and found nothing but finality in Connor being here. I flash a quick grin at her, and then turned my attentions to Laurent and Carlisle.

"Edward! It's fine. He came to warn us!"

Carlisle had a hand up to stop Edward from lunging at the red-eyed vampire. Laurent nodded in agreement to the statement. My eyes wouldn't leave him though. I could feel the scowl etched into my face, as I probed his mind.

"I've grown tired of his games, and I have no quarrel with you. I joined James' coven for convenience- nothing more. He has unparalleled senses- the best tracker I've ever met- and is absolutely lethal. He'll stop at nothing now that he's started his game." Laurent explained. I relaxed a little, and so did Edward. We could both see that he meant Bella no harm, unlike James.

Esme, Alice and Jasper made their way into the entry hall, and Alice and Jasper came to stand with Edward, Emmett, Bella and me. Esme stood slightly behind Carlisle. I'd never seen the dark gleam in her eyes before, which I saw in them now.

"And the woman?" I asked, still unable to wipe the hiss from my voice, as I focused again on Laurent and the issue at hand.

"Victoria," he stated her name with just a small hint of longing, "is just as fierce as James in her own right. She is an escape artist. I believe that is why James was drawn to her. She always found him a way out if need be."

We all nodded. And with that, he was out the door and gone into the night. Connor remained behind Rosalie. So we had a new member of the Cullen Clan. Very well.

Welcome to the Cullen family, Connor. I sent. The look on his face was priceless. Shock shot across his features as he looked around. I smirk as he whispered what had happened to Rosalie. She shot a glance at me, and explained to Connor what I could do.

"Where's he going?" Edward demanded, in response to Laurent's hasty departure.

"To the Denali clan. He was interested in our life-style, so I sent him there-"

"Ok, we don't have time to sit around and just chit-chat! Let's move!" I said, cutting my father off. He nodded his agreement, and we all headed to the garage.

"What's the plan?" Carlisle asked as Esme shut the door sharply behind us.

"We'll all lead him off, Alice and Jasper are going to drive her south. Once Bella is clear, we take him down!" Edward hissed out the last bit.

My father sighed a grim noise. "I suppose we don't have much of a choice now." His face was dark. He hated the idea of taking another's life, even in the case of a sadistic vampire like James. I didn't like it either, but there really wasn't a choice anymore. He had threatened Bella, and that was an insult to the rest of our family. He was done!

(Rosalie's POV)

Carlisle handed me a jacket out of Bella's bag.

"Rose, put this on. The jacket will mix up the scents. It will help lead James away from Bella," Carlisle instructed.

I leaned away from the strong fragrance surrounding the fabric. Retreating backwards, I hopped lightly onto a counter and crossed my legs there. I felt the glares from Selene and Edward on me, but I kept my sights focused on Carlisle.

"Why? What's she to me? A human being hunted doesn't sound like a good reason to risk-" I was cut off my a low growl from Edward. With my chin still lifted, I side glanced over at him. My brother had a murderous look plastered on his face, waiting for me. He looked as if he was about to start tearing at me, when Selene spoke up.

"Rosalie Lillian Hale! She's one of us now! Put the damn jacket on!"

Carlisle put a hand on Selene's shoulder, and Emmett wrapped an arm around her, to calm Selene down. She was breathing heavily and her glare was almost as murderous as Edward's.

More calmly than Selene had, Carlisle said, "Rosalie, Bella's with Edward now. She's a part of this family and we protect our family." He pushed the jacket to me again, and with a sharp glare for my father, I snatched it out of his hand.

Connor came over to my side and started rubbing my shoulder, calming me down. With a huff, I leaned into him, and listened to the directions being given,

"Esme and Rosalie will take your truck, Bella," my father said as he passed the weak little human. My resentful glare never left Carlisle's back though.

"Alice, Jasper- take the Mercedes. You'll need the dark tint in the south." My sister and my "twin" brother both nodded.

"Connor," Carlisle hesitated a second before figuring something out for him, "you stay and watch the house."

Connor nodded dutifully. He was proud to be trusted with something so soon after trading sides. He wore a smile as he kissed my cheek and disappeared back into the house.

"Selene, Emmett, Edward and I- we're taking the jeep." They made up the hunting party. Carlisle shot Alice a questioning look. My sister's eyes went out of focus a second later- after Selene transferred the thoughts. When Alice focused again, she nodded.

"He'll track you. The woman will follow the truck. Jasper and I should be able to get Bella out after that." Her shrill pixie voice shook a little, but her face was confident.

"Alright, let's go," said Carlisle. He, Edward (after giving his human a kiss good-bye), Emmett and Selene got into the jeep and quickly were gone out of the garage. This left only Jasper, Alice, Esme, little Miss Bella and myself.

This was ridiculous! She was just a human! Why should we risk everything we've built… for her? At least Edward and Selene weren't around for those thoughts. They surely would have ripped me to shreds for that. Selene was oddly protective of the human. It must be because she and Edward were always dangerously close friends. What ever though! I didn't think her family. I should be able to stay and just watch the house with Connor!

Esme's phone vibrated loudly. She pulled it out and pressed it to her ear. When she snapped it close she turned to me.

"Now."

I walked to the human's truck without even a glance at her. Esme stopped in front of her, and told her to be safe. The truck was way too noisy when I started it. It snarled to life, and I swear it shared a resemblance to Edward's growls. Esme and I drove off into the night- her caring deeply what happened to…grrr…Bella…and me not caring what the hell happened to her.

(Selene's POV)

As soon as I heard Esme's thoughts- I refused to look into Rosalie's most likely, vile ones- ten miles from the house, I told Edward to call Alice. His phone was at his ear in less than a second.

"The woman is on Esme's trail. Get the car and go now! And Alice…keep your thoughts on her future to yourself." With that, his phone closed with a snap. We were on the dark road, our headlights off, and everyone silent. This was one of the most dangerous things I could remember ever doing, but I would proudly risk my existence if it meant Edward could finally be happy.

(Jasper's POV)

I was being careful…standing on the other side of the garage from Bella. We looked at each other and I felt her doubt. She didn't feel worth any of this trouble. If she had known, or just seen Edward before she entered his life, she would see the difference she'd made. My brother used to slunk around and mope all the time. Now, he was smiling so much more, which brightened Selene up and, in extension, brightened Emmett. With Emmett being the family clown, him being happier made all of our lives better.

"You're wrong, you know," I told her quietly.

A look of confusion crossed her features.

"What?" she gasped.

"I can feel what you're feeling now – and you are worth it," I explained. Disbelief flashed in her eyes. She would never believe me on this, but it was so true.

"I'm not though," she mumbled. "If anything happens to them, it will be for nothing."

I shook my head slowly. Then I let a kind smile spread across my lips.

"You're wrong," I disagreed.

There was no time for any other words. Alice revved the engine of Carlisle's black Mercedes and I guard led Bella to the back seat door, where I carefully helped her in, shut the door and went around to the driver's side. Alice crawled over to the next seat and I climbed in behind the wheel.

I took one of Alice's hands in my free one, and we took off into the night. Feeling around with my empathic powers, I felt all of Bella's conflicting emotions: fear for my family, fear for what was coming, sadness, feeling unworthy of all of this. Through all of that, though, she was never scared for herself. What a good choice Edward had made. He had found a selfless girl that loved him no matter what kind of monster he thought himself.

AN2: I have a poll open on my page concerning the future of this story! Please vote and i hope this chapter will tide y'all over.