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Chapter 22

Sam jumped to the side and yelped. Jacob? What have you done?

But we heard no response from Jacob. He stood there, standing above Sam but his mind was silent.

You would . . . you would choose your enemies over your family? Again there was no audible response. What had Jacob done?

Sam snarled, This isn't about them. This is about Bella, she has never been the one for you. She has never chosen you, but you continue to destroy your life for her!

We were all clearly confused but what was happening was covered up by Sam's rage. We have to protect our families!

It was extremely annoying hearing only half the conversation. Jacob – you can't turn your back on the tribe. Jake's eyes narrowed to tiny slits. I felt the alpha voice radiating of the command but Jake didn't budge. He unbelievably seemed to stand stronger than before. A tiny sliver of what was going to happen ran through Sam's mind, Jacob was going to fight him. Jacob was a new alpha.

Is this it, then, Jacob Black? Sam spit his name like a cuss word, snarling and baring his teeth. Paul and Jared responded and took a defensive pose. Even if you can defeat me, the pack will never follow you!

Jacob took a step back and yelped, eyes widening again. But we couldn't hear his response.

Then what's your plan? I'm not stepping aside so that you can protect the vampire spawn at the tribe's expense. There was a pause while Jake responded. If you order then to follow you –

Jacob's next words stung Sam. Sam twitched his tail in aggravation. He took another step closer, baring his teeth again. There cannot be more than one Alpha. The pack has chosen me. Will you rip us apart tonight? Will you turn on your brothers? Or will you end this insanity and join us again? He didn't correct himself and add 'or sister' like last time but the irritation I felt was dull. Was Jacob actually leaving this time?

Do you belong to a coven now, Jacob? Sam spit, snarling again. But Jacob's next words made him shrink back. Jacob was our rightful alpha. Then Jacob pivoted on his hocks and darted away.

A chorus of howls ripped from our throats. We had lost him again and this time it was for good.

Jacob is right, what we are doing is wrong! Seth growled, interrupting our mourning. He stood tall like Jacob had but he wasn't a strong alpha like Jacob.

What are you planning on doing Seth? You belong to this pack. Sam snarled, layering his thoughts with the alpha voice.

But I didn't hear a response. Seth!! I screamed in my head, taking a panicked step forward. A whine slid from my chest but Seth dashed off after Jacob. He was gone.

Involuntary howls surged from us again, mine being the loudest. I was only doing this wolf thing to keep him safe and now he was gone. We kept op a steady stream of howls for a long time, grieving for the loss of our brothers.

This mission is off, Sam muttered. His emotion was indescribable a mixture of rage, sorrow and lack of authority. His thoughts were teamed with his alpha voice, proving he was our alpha. He didn't want to lose anyone else. First thing tomorrow we will talk to the elders to discuss this. For now we'll break off for patrols.

Do I have permission to go home. I thought quietly, he stared at me – wondering if I was leaving too. I need to tell my mom what happened. I added.

Sam's expression softened. Yes you can. But you will be at the meeting tomorrow. He was using the extent of his authority and I felt the words crush down on my head forcing me into a bow. I scrambled back up to my feet and took off, running for home as fast as my legs would let me.

When I made it home, mom was asleep. I walked to the kitchen, deciding to leave a note. I grabbed a scrap of paper and a pen but my hand froze. I slumped back away from the paper, the thoughts of what had just happened ringing through my head.

There were two packs now, separate from each other's minds. We couldn't hear them and they couldn't hear us. I felt a pang of jealousy towards Jacob, being able to just up and leave like that. I had tried everything to get away from this curse, out of Sam's head, but it availed to nothing.

I leaned back over the paper about to start writing but I froze again. The whole reason I didn't try as hard to get away from this curse was Seth. The first week of my curse, I promised myself I would keep him safe. I was failing, letting him go and guard the leeches. I remembered how easily he left, and I could probably do the same. But did I really want to be the vampire's guard dogs? Protect the monsters I hated most in this world?

I slid away from the paper again. But if I did leave, I would be in Seth and Jacob's mind. I hated Jacob but in my opinion it would be better than Sam's. The positives seemed to outweigh the negatives.

I leaned forward this time and wrote a brief note, explaining what was happening. I sighed and reread the note over and over. The sun was rising now, so I slid off my chair, dropping the pen on the table.

As I walked out the door I felt as if a heavy burden was lifted from my shoulders. It was defiantly a new day.