Chapter XII

Note

I do not use and have never used anything like ChatGpt or other such applications that I am accused of here. I'm just translating someone's work in the traditional sense. The story is not mine as I managed to mention at the beginning. I love learning new languages so I decided to translate this story from a foreign language into English as an exercise for me. I am not a professional translator, therefore linguistic shortcomings may appear. The only thing I use is a dictionary! I do it for free in my free time. If someone doesn't like what they're reading, they don't have to. Nobody forces anyone to do anything!

Anyway, let's get to the story...

Conflict of interest

We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.

Ken Levine

We were going straight to La Push. I was expecting a call from Charlie at any moment. I knew he would want to control where I was and what I was doing. But I wasn't going to give up, but, without hiding the truth, calmly inform him that I was with Jacob, making it clear that I wasn't going to let myself be subjugated.

Leah went with the boys, and the two of us decided to surprise her and stop by for some muffins.

As we got out of the car, Jake took my hand, completely unconcerned with the possibility of meeting my dad, who, due to his profession, could theoretically appear anywhere at literally any time, and we walked into the bakery together. Knowing Leah's appetite and the number of people willing to snack on these cookies, we asked for a whole box of chocolate muffins and were about to leave when Jessica and Angela walked into the store. They threw themselves on my neck, glad that I had already been discharged from the hospital. Of course, they were also convinced that we had met bears in the wild forests of La Push.

Jake, who obviously had a terrible desire to announce that we were a couple, preferably through a megaphone in the city center, stood behind me, put his arm around my waist and, quite naturally, buried his face in my hair. My friends tried to show interest in my hospital report, but I could see that it took a lot of effort not to ask directly about our relationship. Besides, I had the impression that Jake's very presence was a distraction.

"Listen, why don't we have a party as soon as everyone feels up to it? What do you say?" Angie asked excitedly about the party.

"I feel up to it already," Jake replied in a sensual voice. "And you, Bells, how's your energy?"

I knew perfectly well that he wanted to embarrass me, but I bit my tongue to keep from bursting out laughing.

"It varies during the day, but at night I want to go crazy."

This time he got boiled and hid his devilish grin in my hair.

"Cool! Next week?"

"Okay, we're pre-arranged."

"Excellent! Just remember to grab all the company!"

"We will!"

We parted in the parking lot.

"I wish I had brought some cream puffs for myself now."

"Puff?"

"Hmm ... I feel like something delicate, hiding an even more delicate interior…"

"Jake! Soon I won't even open the fridge without the right associations."

"Or tubes of cream... I like to stick my tongue in as far as I can to get as much cream as possible..."

"Hmm... and I like cupcakes with a cherry. If you press it with your tongue, sweet juice gushes out."

"And yeast rolls with raisins, shapely, soft, just the right size to enjoy, but not too big to overeat."

"Cones with chocolate! Like an ordinary piece of puff pastry, but so much sweet delight inside!"

We burst out laughing. We arrived at La Push in great spirits.

Leah, along with her mother and all the company, were sitting outside the house. It was the first time I saw her so relaxed. She left the reservation heartbroken, uncertain about my life, not reconciled with imprinting, but returned calmer and more mature. Strength emanated from her, but this time without the coldness she had felt before.

We sat with everyone for a while.

"Bells, let's go for a walk. I miss the forest." Jake offered.

"The last time I saw him was under specific circumstances..."

"Time to make a move!"

Holding hands, we walked towards the forest.

I could smell the forest as clearly as ever. We walked slowly, and I was surprised that for the first time I didn't feel lost among these tall trees, lush bushes and ferns. As if I've known this place forever. I knew exactly where we were going; I don't know where, but I could have led him there safely myself. Leah lived across the clearing where Jake and I were sitting, taking a pit stop on our way to Emily's bonfire. It was the same summer, and yet it felt like ages since that evening.

Oddly, even though I've always been known for poor coordination, I didn't trip at all now. You could say that I gained some previously unknown agility. Jake didn't say anything, but from time to time he looked at me and seemed to read my mind.

"You have changed because your phasing has begun. Bella, we don't know if it's going to end or stop. Know, however, that the Volturi and the Cullens are not the only vampires we face from time to time. In our world, at any moment you can be covered by a heat wave that indicates the appearance of a predator in the area. You'll feel it, Bells."

It was hard for me to get used to the idea.

"But..." he added, "wolf qualities have their advantages."

"What?" I asked him.

"Strength, perseverance, more sensitive senses... Do you want to see?"

We have just reached the stump where we had been sitting before.

"Sit down and close your eyes. what do you hear?"

"Rustling... the wind, the creaking of trees, the chirping of birds..."

"What else?"

I focused.

"I can hear the sound of water..."

"Bravo, there is a waterfall deep in the reserve. Something else?"

"I can hear... your heartbeat."

"Bells, it's the same with smell, sight, even touch and taste."

"I want to try."

"What, honey?"

"Your sense of touch and my sense of taste."

"Bells, you're getting dangerous," he said delightedly.

"Now you close your eyes, Jake," I whispered in his ear.

He obediently closed his eyes. I tried to silently get closer to him and surprise him with my touch. However, when my mouth was a millimeter from the nape of his neck, I saw him smile, as if knowing perfectly well where the kiss would land. I changed my mind and kissed him below the ear.

"Wait, until I'll distract you." He warned.

"Don't tease," he chuckled.

"All right, Jake, here's the deal: you can't interrupt me!"

"Sounds tempting."

"So yes?"

"Yes..."

I sat on his lap, facing him. I slowly ran my finger across his lips. This movement was immediately followed by an identical one, but this time with the tongue. He purred. I played with his lips, and he indulged in these caresses with all his being, asking for more. I liked being dominant.

I got off his lap and gave him a little push so that his back was against the tree behind him. I slid my hands under his shirt. I could feel his skin twitching rhythmically where his heart was. He was hot, perhaps even hotter than usual.

"Help me take it off."

He obeyed.

I kissed his chest, shoulders, arms, stomach. Reaching his belly button, I slowly unbuttoned his pants.

He already knew where I was going.

"Bells..." He moaned.

"Shhh... you were supposed to be a good boy..."

"But I can't..."

"Jake, you're not giving up, are you?"

I slid everything off his hips that separated me from the part of my body I intended to devote most of my attention to, and at that exact moment I stopped toying with him. I gave him what he didn't ask for. He groaned and slid his hand into my hair.

If I ever felt that I was in control of a man, it was then, looking at his face, which was painted with nothing disturbed, primal delight. I was excited by his impatience, and I couldn't resist the pleasure of looking into his eyes, when you could see in them that he was closer to heaven than to earth.

"Bells..." he whispered, losing touch with reality for a moment.

It was wonderful to hear my name said like that.

It was hard for us to break away from each other and come back. We felt drunk with love, saturated with forest air, and unable to think of anything except the intensity of our feelings. I did not believe that once I could want to give up life, with its physical manifestations, with the appetite I felt, with the stony sleep I fell into, tired of pleasure, with the heat of our bodies, the sound of our hearts beating, with the vitality symbolized by the rapidly circulating blood. in veins. Since waking up in the hospital, we haven't broached the past once. We had a good time together and we didn't want to spoil it, and we both had a feeling that we wouldn't be comfortable talking about it. I knew the Cullens would return to Forks. They hadn't sold the house yet, and they probably had reasons to leave it. I also knew that Edward, as promised, was somewhere nearby. Close enough to protect me, but far enough away so as not to irritate the wolf's senses. We walked slowly back towards Leah's cabin. We hugged, kissed, our bodies clung to each other as if bound by an invisible thread.

The first thing I noticed when I entered the clearing was my father's car.

"Well, we knew you had to fight a few battles before you won the war, right?" Jake said with a smile.

I did not share his enthusiasm.

Charlie sat with Sue Clearwater and listened thoughtfully to what she was saying to him.

As we approached, he stood up, sighed, and said solemnly, "Isabella Swan, so you chose to completely ignore your father's wish."

"Dad, I'm sorry if you're offended, but you won't even let me explain how I feel."

"Get in the car, we'll talk about it at home," he said resignedly.

Asking Charlie to let me stay makes a lot of sense right now. I knew my father was furious and disappointed with my behavior. I hoped that maybe one day he would understand that I broke his rules because I couldn't do otherwise.

I said goodbye to Leah and Sue, walked over to Jake, and wordlessly kissed him on the lips. I decided not to hide my feelings.

I went home with my father.

"Bella," he began unexpectedly softly. "What's going on with you?"

"I'm in love. And believe me, I didn't plan all of this. I fell in love despite myself, I don't know when."

"I want my daughter to be happy. You know, Sue reminded me of some things. Her late husband and my friend Harry also started fighting for her when they were kids. I understand, or at least try to, that love is the most powerful of the elements. I just loved your mother so much. But, Bells, love can incinerate a man," I felt sorry for him, for it seemed to me that he was talking about himself now. "And leave an unhealed wound behind. I'm afraid you're too prone to sudden outbursts of affection. I remember well what happened to you when Edward left. And Jake... he's still a boy. What guarantee do you have that he won't hurt you? Boys his age love many times and always think it's just as much. If you could only choose what is good out of love and reject what hurts..."

"Dad, if this feeling lasts only a month, then I will remember those thirty days as the most wonderful time of my life."

"I spoke to Renee." He said.

"When?"

"Today. You know, women seem to understand feelings differently. Your mother and Sue are of the opinion that love is worth the risk. And that there are moments in a child's life when he has to find out what's best for him. And even jump into the fire to see how burnt skin burns. Bells, I'm having a hard time."

"I know, Dad, but trust me. Jacob won't hurt me."

The father said nothing more. He was sad and thoughtful. It felt strange knowing that his daughter was already a woman. He was aware that I had feelings for someone that had once made him suffer. But I was glad he didn't bring up the physical aspects of love again. Images of Jake's naked body were too fresh in my mind.

Evening was approaching. I lay on the bed trying to read, but I couldn't focus on any line of text. My thoughts circled around topics I wanted to forget. I thought about Edward, about Charlie's words, about betrayed feelings, about empty vows, about eternity that was love for some and suffering for others, about Leah, how the end often gives a beginning. I was thinking about the Volturi. I turned on the music. The soft sound of Sarah Fimm's delicate, slightly melancholy song "Paradise" filled the room slowly sinking into darkness. I walked over to the mirror, unbuttoned my shirt, dropped it to the ground, and gently ran my fingertips over the tattoo that covered a large part of my arm. I saw myself changing physically.

There was already a faint outline of muscle under my skin, and my physique was beginning to look like Leah's: stronger, as if ready for a fight. I brought my face even closer and examined my eyes. There was sadness in them. Or maybe adulthood? If this is the awareness that one's own happiness sometimes sprouts from the harm of others, and life can be a great unknown. In a short time, I became the subject of life's struggle with death many times. The outcome of this skirmish was predictable. The only thing I could influence was the postponement of the sentence. Life was valuable in itself. I finally understood what Edward was trying to convince me of. Time starts to matter when eternity doesn't concern us. Love gains strength if it is limited by time.

Never before had I valued the passing minutes so highly.

Falling asleep, I kept thinking about the past, about the changes, about what had happened in the last few weeks. I didn't want to blame myself endlessly, I didn't want to cherish my past love for Edward, but subconsciously I felt that the story wasn't over yet, and that there were many knots in my lifeline. My biggest fear was that when the Cullens returned, my transformation would be complete. If I become a wolf, will my only obsession be killing vampires? On impulse, a new, wild nature, would I be able to bite Edward? Alice? Esme? I couldn't hate all of their species. But I felt a burning urge to murder the Volturi. If it wasn't for them, Leah wouldn't have had to give me her blood. I wouldn't have changed, and I wouldn't have had to fear what these metamorphoses would lead to. Little did I know then that a noble family of vampires would give me more reasons for revenge.

That night Jacob came too. He saw that I was sad. I didn't want to explain the reasons, I had to digest my fears and memories myself. He lay down on the bed, extending his hands to me in an inviting gesture. I snuggled into his broad arms, burying my face against his chest so I could hear the soothing rhythm of his heart. He stroked my hair gently. We spent half the night listening to soft music and dozing in each other's arms. I needed his touch, the certainty that whatever fate had in store for us, he would stick with me. As long as my heart beats, as he once said. He left before dawn, and I caught a few hours of deep sleep.

A mirror of the soul, a cocktail of experienced scenes, a screen for unspeakable desires, a joke of the subconscious. I was afraid of them. I had reasons for this, as my life had shown before. That night I dreamed of Edward again... and Jane's cold face. Her eyes are the color of congealing blood... She watched Edward's body contort in spasms of pain. I woke up pissed off afterwards. I was on fire. However, I felt that this was no ordinary fever...

While I dreamed of Jane's cruelty, there was a council in the Volturi court.

"There's been a code violation," Aro said.

"We've lost our best guardsmen," added Caius.

"Two of them died at the hands of our kin," Aro spoke up again. - I don't really understand... What rules this boy?

"Love," Alec smiled sarcastically.

"Love is a collection of human fantasies and desires, only slightly sprinkled with the illusion of happiness," Jane snorted contemptuously.

"Jane, you talk as if you didn't know that even lower motives are caused by people," Alec interrupted her.

"Lust and greed," Aro added.

"These are no strangers to me, only their object is quite different," laughed Jane, referring to her appetite for blood. After a while she added, "Their pursuit of the illusion of colors... when there is so much noble blackness around. I really don't understand their hierarchy of values."

"Edward once again broke the law to protect the life of a girl who rejected his affection and did not fulfill her promises. To him and us. It must not be forgotten that more is required of our race than of mortals, so I blame him more than her, although justice will be served to both of us," Caius interjected.

Aro nodded. "Revealing our existence to a human, taking the life of a soldier of the Volturi army and preventing the capture of a new adept is punishable by the highest penalty."

"Death," Alec suggested.

"Preceded by torture," Jane smiled.

"Wouldn't it be more torture for him to HAVE to join us and watch his beloved die?" Mark suddenly spoke up.

There was silence in the room. His wife had died, and he was the only one who was not contemptuous of the subject of love. He himself experienced pain that death could not shorten. This was the punishment he demanded for his enemy. The silence of the rest of the Volturi meant agreement.

I woke up in an even worse mood than last night. Recently, I was worried that I was going away to college, and that would mean missing Jacob. Now I feared the Volturi's vengeance and trembled for Edward. And what terrified me most was that I probably wouldn't get a chance to be part of what was about to happen again in Forks. I was supposed to be miles away. The duality of my own feelings was driving me crazy. Part of me couldn't wait to meet Jane. I was almost physically aroused by the thought that perhaps, if the transformation was complete, I would be able to sink my wolf fangs into her snow-white neck. However, I hadn't become a wolf yet, and I was no stranger to fear and fear for a vampire's life. Is it possible to exclude one specific person from hatred of a species?

From a human perspective, finding yourself in a world of magic, where werewolves and vampires fought an eternal battle with each other, was difficult. From the perspective of half wolf, half human who, willy-nilly, became a party to this conflict... even more difficult.

I wanted to be on the reservation as soon as possible.

Without breakfast, just coffee, hastily combing and dressing, I ran out of the house and got into the car. Charlie was already at work, so at least he wasn't able to comment on my rush. Jacob was still sleeping when I got there.

He was lying on his stomach with one arm under his head and the other across the bed, effectively preventing me from taking a seat next to him. I wanted to wake him up, even though I knew he probably needed a little more sleep. I sat down on the tiny patch of free space next to his hip, propped myself up with my hand, and lightly brushed my lips against his neck. He didn't even twitch. I ran my fingers through my hair a few times, then kissed him again, this time on the shoulder, just above the tattoo. Nothing.

"Jake," I whispered in his ear. "Wake up."

Nothing. I started to uncover it, slowly sliding the sheet off it. He didn't sleep under a duvet or a blanket because he was too hot, as always. I uncovered his back, staring at the golden smooth skin and visible muscles beneath it. I brushed my lips against his shoulder, then his shoulder blade, whispering at the same time, "Get up, honey."

He opened his eyes and smiled.

"I'd pretend to be asleep longer, but I'm too eager to kiss my girlfriend!"

"Jake, you really got me."

"What kind of wolf would I be if I wasn't vigilant?" He said as he sat on the bed and pulled me to him."Did I already say that you are beautiful?" Without waiting for an answer, he started kissing me. Gently, caressingly, tenderly... I don't know how he knew that was exactly what I needed. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling perfectly in place. I cuddled up to him like a baby looking for affection.

"Bells?" he said after a moment. "What are you worried about?"

I was afraid that telling the truth would hurt him.

"I'm thinking about studies."

"A few more weeks, we'll worry about it later, okay?" he suggested cheerfully.

And then he added seriously, "I know that's not the point. Why aren't you honest?"

"Jake, my dreams are back. I dream about Edward."

"No," he groaned. And then, in a playful tone, he added, "If I had dreams like that, I'd sad too."

"Jake, that's not the point... In short, I'm dreaming of Edward being tortured by Jane," I summarized one of his dreams.

"And that's pretty cool," he replied sarcastically.

"Jake, I'm perfectly aware that you don't like Edward, but I..."

"I do not like?"

"Well... you hate it."

"No, Bells, what I feel for him is more than that. It's a concentrate of hate. Not only is he a vampire, so I have a dislike for him literally in my blood, but I still remember the whole time when I woke up every day wondering if he had already turned you before I could... Anyway, I'd rather not go back to that."

"But I don't know if you know, he helped us with the Volturi Guard during the fight."

"How did it help?"

I told him about Charlie's investigation and my reconstruction of events.

"That's odd, because under the laws of their aristocratic assholes, a vampire can't stop their guards from following orders."

"Jake, he risked his life for me again."

"And first he put you through all this, not being able to back out when it was time."

Jakob couldn't forgive him for coming back just as I was getting used to the idea that he wasn't there, but he was.

"Bells, his presence, and not only him, but the entire Cullen family, is responsible for our phasing, including yours, don't forget it. Without them, we would have a normal life. huh? Have you thought about the consequences? We can treat your transformation as a natural curiosity for now, because you have a tattoo and a fever. You are physically fitter and you feel an almost animalistic desire for your beloved ," he looked at me playfully.

"Humble!"

"But..." he continued,"think about what it might look like if you turned into a wolf for the first time. Can you control WHERE this will happen? And when? Vampires are everywhere, what if you feel their presence on campus and you want to tear one apart between classes? What if you imprint on someone? I wish it was me, but after Sam and Leah, wishes don't really matter."

His good humor burst like a soap bubble.

I was silent and thought about his words. I felt fear. I wasn't ready for change, and I certainly didn't want to shock some random observers of my transformation into a wolf. I don't remember the insertion...

Jacob was right a lot. Edward affected the lives of all of us. But I didn't resent him. I desperately wanted him to live. Unfortunately, I had no allies.

Our gloomy silence was broken by the sound of an approaching car. Jake put on baggy sweatpants and staggered to the bathroom, and I went outside to see who was visiting.

At the door, I collided with Leah and young Seth, who, as always, faithfully accompanied his sister.

"Bells, did you sleep here or what?" Seth greeted me.

"What do you care, you bastard?" Leah snapped at him, then smiled at me and asked, "Do you want something? We're going shopping."

"My sister has run out of cream for crow's feet." Seth joked.

"Speaking of hens, you want someone to rip you off..."

"Hey," Jacob interrupted them. "We'll go with you. I only have two pairs of shorts and three T-shirts in my closet."

"At this rate of clothing destruction, the clothing stores are going to capitalize on us," Leah forgot to finish her threat.

"Sis, get yourself a dress, because the doctor is coming tomorrow," Seth wisely reminded. Leah rolled her eyes skyward and ignored the remark.

"Ok, we're going together, but I have to eat something. And you? I'm without breakfast," I said.

"Me too," Seth shouted.

"Liar! He ate five rolls this morning," Leah explained.

We went to the kitchen to check what was in the Blacks' refrigerator.

I put on water for tea and coffee, found bread and ham and cheese in the kitchen, and made toast for everyone in the oven. I don't know when we ate three loaves... I've never had such an appetite in my life. I was starting to get used to my altered metabolism, and I enjoyed it, especially since the energy was bubbling right out of me. Fully fed, we got into the car and drove to Port Angeles to do some shopping. I felt good in their company. Leah and Seth were constantly teasing each other, so after an hour our bellies were hurting from laughing. Jake was treated like a rock star by all the saleswomen, which I could only endure with indulgence, it's hardly surprising, since he looked significantly different from the others. In fact, even without that background, he stood out. Leah bought two pairs of shorts, black and white, three tops, cream, black, and red, and a lovely little dress with tiny blue flowers that, to her own surprise, made her look like a small, sweet woman, and in the current fashion leather ramones jacket.

Seth persistently urged me to try on all the miniskirts because, as he claimed, he really wanted to advise me, until finally I helped him and he left the store with a large armful of sports clothes worthy of an oversized 15 year-old. All this fuss with shopping made me feel a lot better. The only thing that bothered me was the constantly rising temperature of my body.

We came back in the afternoon and drove straight to Sam and Emily's. Leah might not have been very enthusiastic about hanging out there, but recently her former hostility had been replaced by a mild indifference. Emily was glad of this unexpected incursion, especially since Paul and Quil were already there. I was debating whether or not to talk about the Volturi and my dreams today. Ultimately, the tortured Edward and the possible extermination of the Cullens did not have to interest anyone. Even though I felt like family with them, I was suddenly stung by a piercing feeling of loneliness. Then I made a decision.

I will contact Edward, if only through Alice. We used to send e-mails to each other sometimes, so I can give it a try now. Meeting in person was out of the question because I was afraid of my reaction. I was afraid of completing the transformation. Of course, if Jacob found out about my plan, he'd be furious, and so would the rest of them, so I can't admit it. I felt that in this one area of my life I was now allowed to keep secrets. Especially that if the Volturi return, wolf fever will grip each of us... And telepathy will start working again. I wanted to warn Edward, though Alice might have already done so if she had had visions of them. I also considered that the Volturi, knowing about Alice's abilities, had already learned to avoid her insight into the future, like Victoria had before. I had to see if he knew.

I was so engrossed in these thoughts that I didn't even hear what the others were talking about. Suddenly I heard my name.

"Yes?" I asked, trying to put on a reasonably conscious face.

"I asked if Angie had confirmed the party on Saturday?" Leah repeated.

"No, but I'll call her myself. I'm still not home, so she probably couldn't catch me."

Paul and Quil were beaming with joy, it was obvious that the vision of a repeat of the June event suited them very well. Seth, on the other hand, sat grumpy, knowing that because of his age he would stay at home.

I got up from the table to stretch my legs and walked outside. Jake joined me moments later.

"Bella, I feel like you're kind of absent. You're thinking about something, and my gut tells me it concerns me a bit."

"Jake, I'm thinking about my dreams."

"Bells, we must not spend our time in fear of what the future holds. Life is a risk from the moment of birth, and being on the border of two worlds is even more so. Stop worrying. If the Volturi come back here, we'll confront them, or maybe they'll get to Edward some other way, not necessarily here."

"And how and if you are no longer interested in me at all," I added sadly.

"Bells, if your mood is always to depend on the safety of an ex-lover, I'll admit I'm not thrilled at the prospect. Hmm... I assume love is ex?"

I didn't answer because I was so annoyed by his indifference and the stupid question that I was at a loss for words.

"I see..."

"Jake, sure it WAS! I love you, and just because I was rocked by sleep doesn't mean I feel the same way about Edward."

"Bells, I'm worried that you have feelings for him at all. It seems that I snatched you from him after all, not without a fight, I want to remind you, you still shake his hand yourself."

"Jake, can't you look at everything without that male mindset of yours?"

It wasn't a compliment.

"Because you act like you want me with my past and my future... and what's in my soul."

"Yes, I'm possessive."

"I won't be anyone's property."

"You want to be your own mistress and give your grace to whomever you want," he smirked.

"Jake, this discussion isn't going anywhere."

"Well, then we'll be silent."

He crossed his arms over his chest and sat down on the steps of the house with a grim expression on his face.

I wanted to hug him and comfort him, but I was afraid that in doing so I would admit the inappropriateness of my concerns and Jacob would take it as an acquiescence to not accepting those fears. And I really felt that this concern was due to Edward. I sat down next to Jake. Equally cloudy.

At the same time, in the palace of Volterra, a plan was being born.

"I see no reason to rush," Caius began.

"Yes, better plan this game in detail," Aro spoke up. "Chelsea, you, because of your talent for breaking bonds, will be a key player in all of this," he added.

"Excellent."

"You can't manipulate Bella, that's her strength, but Edward is not immune to our influence," Jane laughed grimly. "To get him to do all this, you'll have to modify his memory a bit... and his feelings. And then, at the crucial moment, bring it back to him. He will be our puppet. I love mental torture, I don't even know if not more than physical."

"Sister, there's an opportunity for both," Alec smiled at her.

"What do we know about the reserve? We have no insight. The soldiers were attacked by wolves. Looks like he's being guarded," Aro mused.

"Wolves?"

"Wolf mutants. Nothing else is known."

"Calm down, we have time," Mark interrupted unexpectedly.