"No!" I shriek and lunge at Joel, pulling him off the branch.

"Leah!" shouts Joel "What's goin-"

But the rest of his sentence is lost as, with a howl, I burst out of my clothes and into a giant wolf.

I turn to face the leech, who looks shocked and furious that something is going to deprive it of its meal.

I raise my head and howl. I can't hear anyone in my head. The howls from before must have been from a member of Sam's pack.

Sure enough Jared suddenly leaps out from the woods. For once it actually sucks that we can't hear each other's thoughts.

I stand protectively over Joel, but I feel torn. I want to keep him safe but if the vampire runs towards the rest of the party I'll have to follow. Even if Seth is there to save Mom, if Embry's there to protect Lizzie, I'll need to guard Toby. I have no choice.

It hits me all at once. Toby's in danger. Joel's in danger. And I realise that if I had to pick, I'd chose Joel.

Rachel was right. Mom was right. Lizzie was right. Because even though I'd never realised it, I loved him.

I love him. What am I doing with Toby? I love Joel, I want him, I need him, and I will have him. This bastard bloodsucker will not take him from me.

The leech snarls and I growl back in response. Then to my utter shock, he speaks.

"I recognise you, dog." He points a long stone finger at me. "You killed my Jocelyn."

I take half a step forwards and his face contorts in fury.

"She showed me your face as she died!" he roars "And I will have revenge!"

He jumps for me. I would leap out of the way, but that would leave Joel unprotected and I won't do that. Besides, I have backup.

Jared attacks, as I knew he would. The force of his jump pushes the leech of course and then I make my move.

I dig my teeth into his shoulder and tear. There's a hideous, inhuman screech of pain and then the wind is knocked out of me. The smell of leech is burning my nose so badly, it's painful. I hear and whimper of pain as Jared is flung across the sand and I howl.

Holy shit!

Quil! Thank god, thank god.

Fuck.

Seth too, and now Jacob. And I can see Paul and Sam running towards us.

I'm still trying to protect Joel. I chance a glance at him, but I think he's fainted.

When I turn back I nearly pass out myself. I'm not the only one with backup.

The one armed vampire has been joined by at least eight others, standing shoulder to shoulder.

We're forming a barrier orders Jacob Line up Leah.

I stay in my place for a second, snarling as the other wolves' line up, but I have to obey the alpha and I take my place as the second at Jacob's right. Joel is still protected. It's ok.

The first leech has reattached his arm. They are the vilest things to ever exist. That is sick.

A tall black parasite takes a couple of steps forward and, after a second of mental consultation both Sam and Jacob mirror his actions.

"I am Jeffery." He said in an oddly deep voice. "And this is my coven. We were once ten, we are now nine." He pauses then points at me.

"One of our number was destroyed by you, mongrel." He spits. "Filthy half-breed dog! You murdered Jocelyn. We came to find you, to let Edgar get his revenge on you, but instead we seem to have discovered an infestation. A pack. And the one we want most seems hell bent on protecting one thing."

Oh, please, please God no.

The first leech crouches and leers at me. I take a step forward and snarl.

Back Leah! Commands Jacob. I move back, albeit reluctantly, but the bloodsucker doesn't.

"Peace, Edgar." Smiles Jeffery "You'll get your vengeance."

Not on Leah he won't! Shouts Seth in his mind, his hackles rising.

Thanks Seth, I think back.

Sam's going to phase so that they can talk interrupts Jacob.

WHAT?! I scream IS HE MAD?!

But I am ignored and Sam phases. The parasites look shocked at his nakedness, but he has his shorts with him and he pulls them on. One leech, a small female looks oddly impressed.

I take the opportunity to look back at Joel. He's conscious again. I try to tell him to run, but all that emerges from my mouth is a snarl. He scrambles back, clearly terrified. And I'm the cause. I want so badly to reassure him, but my attention is needed in front.

"We are not going to allow you to kill any member of our pack." Says Sam flatly. "Your vampire Jocelyn was going to drink the blood of an innocent human, but we protected her. Now leave our land. We will not harm you if you go now."

Jeffery smiled. I didn't like the look of it. It was cold, calculating. "We must kill the killer. But I am generous. I will give you 24 hours." He says. "If you do not give us the murderer we will fight and you will all die."

A/N Sorry this is another short chapter. I'll update soon promise.