Chapter 8:

Humming a grim tune, Esmè buzzed about the ghostly quiet kitchen. She flipped a pancake in to the air, making Nicky and Mattie laugh joyously. She threw them a sweet grin and poured the orange juice into two small glasses. She whipped them over to the laughing boys with her inhuman speed and was back at the stove in time to lay out the smiley face pancakes and syrup. They laughed and applauded her as she set the plates down before them at a more human speed and bowed gracefully to them. She patted Nick's cheek and smiled to Matt. They were darling children that made her feel more motherly than she had since Nessie had 'become' a teenager.

The days had been long since Allie and Leah's absence. As the time grew closer to the conclusion of the first week, their families grew more and more anxious. She did as well but, tending to the children and pregnant Kim, helped divert her attention from the increasing worry that pressed down on them heavier each day. Poor, distraught Seth and Embry had been running themselves ragged, and only stopped when ordered. They hardly ate a peck of the delectable food that anyone placed in front of them. Carlisle had taken some extended vacation time and along with Alice, had been working to divulge the girl's locations. Sweet innocent Nessie, now at her full age, had become immersed in the hunt for her friends. She had become almost feral with rage at first and raced through the forest straight to New Mexico. When she returned, slightly more gum and deflated, she locked herself and Anna into Anna's bedroom and they sobbed together for hours.

"Aunty Esmè? Aunty Rosie is at the door," Mattie pointed at the door.

"I definitely heard someone outside," Esmè said bemused and went to the door cautiously.

She flung open the door and expected to see Rosalie standing drenched in the pouring rain but, she wasn't there. Esmè waited a full minute before Rosalie emerged from the forest and ran into the house in a sad attempt and dodging the rain drops.

"Brady is running to the Canadian border and he won't be back until dawn tomorrow," Rosalie reported as she smiled and patted the boys' heads.

"Any other news?" Esmè asked hopefully.

"Unfortunately not," Rose grimaced. Mattie climbed onto her lap and she smiled.

"Is Bella back yet?"

"No, she and Emmett ran to Fulton Crest last night and won't be back until noon," Rose shook her head.

"When is Aunty Allie coming home?" Nicky asked Esmè with wide hopeful eyes.

"We don't know sweet heart, she hasn't been back in a while," Esmè smiled softly.

"She was here yesterday," Mattie whined quietly.

"Now honey," Rose cooed softly, "We've already explained that the woman who came by yesterday was Aunty Allie's twin sister."

"Mommy said that Aunty Cam hasn't been home in a long time," Nick said.

"That's true," Esmè nodded and sat beside him.

"Why did she leave?'

"I think," Rose said slowly, "that you should ask her that."


"Aunt Anna?" Nick prodded her leg.

"Yes dear?" Anna paused her CD stacking in the living room.

"Can you get me a cookie please?" He asked innocently.

"Did your mommy say you could have one?" She narrowed her eyes at the little devil.

"But, Aunt Allie always lets us have a cookie whenever we want," he whined.

"She's not here right now," Anna hummed.

He huffed, "I want Aunty Allie!"

"She'll be home soon," Anna promised him.

"When?"

"I'm not sure," Anna muttered as Collin and Ryan burst through the door.

"We have a lead!" Ryan shouted.


Allie groaned quietly to herself as the weak early morning light landed on her eyes. She opened them and let her blurred vision clear. She was still at the cabin and the room was just as it had been yesterday except that now, everyone was gone. The silver tray and blood stained knife were gone along with Helena the horrid hag. Glancing down Allie realized that someone had mopped up most of the blood on her body and laid a damp cloth over the wound. On the mattress her raw blood had stained and dried around her like a ring of fire. Her hands now void of any restraint, Allie cursed silently to herself. They had left her without any form of bondage because they expected her to know that she had no chance of escape. They must be very sure of themselves.

Sitting up slightly, Allie felt the wind knocked out of her as if someone had punched her in the stomach. Sucking in a fatigued breath, she forced herself to withstand the numbing pain on her chest and sit up against the pillows behind her. She allowed herself a minute to rest after the strenuous task preformed and then gingerly plucked the towel off of her chest. Still inked in a red tinge of a newly closed wound, a perfect wolf bearing a bright M on its forehead was howling at the moon. The wound must have truly been deep for the wolf not to have vanished in a few hours but, Allie feared it would scar and be a permanent reminder of her torment here. She gently replaced the towel and sighed contentedly a the cool touch to her aching skin. She closed her eyes and listened to the early morning birds flutter by and call for their friends. They would always hear the other and dutifully call back. If only Allie could do that. If only she would be able to sing a tune and have her family find her.

She could hear the doorknob turning slowly and she carefully opened one eye. A young girl no older than thirteen, held a tray laden down with a pile of eggs and toast. She had smooth creamy skin, several shades lighter than any Madrisee she had seen and a withdrawn heart shaped face. The girl set the tray down on the nightstand and reached for the bowl of cool clear water. She carefully peeled back the towel and set it aside before producing another towel and dipping it in the water. Allie opened both of her eyes and carefully studied the girl who had yet to notice.

"Hello," Allie smiled to her and she jumped.

"You scared me," The girl chuckled unsurely.

"I'm Allie and you are?"

"Celia," She mumbled and replaced the towel.

"Thanks, if you don't mind my asking, how are you related to the pack?"

"Thade is my half-brother and Helena is our mother."

"You can't be Helena's daughter!" Allie refused.

"Trust me I am," She grimaced, "Blood tests proved it."

"You had to take a blood test?"

"Everyone has to prove their blood status," she reported.

"And yours?" Allie arched an eyebrow.

"Demi-status," She scowled, "Madrisee mother, Irish father."

"Wow, that explains the skin," Allie smiled, "The pack brothers must go crazy over you."

"No," Celia scoffed, "That makes me a maid to the pack. I'm nothing but, a mistake and believe me, my mother tells me enough without them reminding me."

"You shouldn't believe them," Allie frowned, "You are a kind and wonderful person."

"You don't have to patronize me," Celia shook her head.

"I'm not and you don't have to take treatment like that."

Celia laughed bitterly, "Where could I possibly go?"

"Home with me and my family," Allie offered.

"How could I ever leave, let alone you?! You're priority number one."

"I'm flattered but, I'm sure that we could find a way out." Allie smiled.

"There's no escape," Celia shook her head shortly.

"I'm sure we-"

"There's no escape. Here's your proof," she said harshly and yanked up the sleeve of her dress to reveal four scars the shape of X's.

"All four after escape attempts," She muttered, "My own family hunted me down."

"My- Our family is searching for us right now! They'll find us in no time."

"If you say so," Celia replied disbelievingly.


"Anna dear?" Esmè called from the stairs, "Pack meeting in ten minutes!"

Anna threw down the busy work she had been forcing herself to do and raced down the stairs with Lisa in tow. All of the girls were already seated and Nessie and Esmè were setting out sandwiches and lemonade. The pair of them found their seats beside Ryan and Kevin and waited patiently as half of the pack filed in along with half of the Cullen clan. Brady sullen faced but, somewhat lighter than yesterday, threw himself down beside Anna and pulled her close. Edward, Carlisle and Bella stood beside their respective partners and when everyone was settled they began.

"We have a lead for where Anna and Leah might be," Brady announced.

There were shouts of applause.

"Cam and Quil called from Montana today to tell us that Camilla realized where Allie and Leah would be," Ryan said.

"She realized that they are at Allie and Cam's old cabin," Brady continued.

"How could she possibly know that?" Anna asked confused.

"She had a 'feeling'," Paul snorted.

"Is that really reliable?" asked Bella.

"It's the best we've got," Brady shrugged.

"I don't think it's a good plan to just rush into this on a feeling," Rachel grimaced.

There were signs of agreement around the room.

"What else can we do? Let the bodies stack up?" Embry demanded.

"We can't let our bodiesbe stacked," Rose huffed.

"What should we do?" Brady asked them all.

"I think that it's worth looking into before rushing in head first," Anna voted. More than half agreed to scope it out before attacking.


It was decided that vampires would be the best choice to scope the area incase they recognized the Quillute scent. Edward pointed out that the wolves had been present around the Cullen's enough that they would have too much wolf scent on them to patrol so, they asked a friend in the area to help out. It was nearly six hours before they heard a report back.

By that time, Camilla and Quil had returned. For five hours, Camilla paced the floors of the house until Brady had to order her to sit down. Even then, her foot tapped incessantly. Anna was sitting beside Cam on the living room couch when Edward's phone rang. He snatched it up and began taking notes on the ally's report. When he hung up, he told Ryan to call a pack meeting immediately and he called for the other Cullen's. Anna clung to Cam's hand fearfully as they waited the four minutes it took for everyone to be in place.

"One girl, about the age and description given for the first girl is located in the bedroom closest to the river," Edward read aloud, "Another, probably a maid no older than fourteen, delivered her meals and spoke to her. The other girl is in the bedroom in the front room facing the road. She is being severally beaten because she refuses to eat. The house itself is constantly over run with at least four men at all times. In the woods, two are constantly phased and running the perimeter of the house. There appears to be only two humans. The afore mentioned girl and a rather large, middle aged woman who assist in the torture inflicted on the captives while the young woman does not. It is a difficult task to approach the house but, it is possible to do so which I have proven."

"Holy shit," Emmett swore.

"Now we know where they are and we need to attack," Brady said boldly.

"We have to leave enough protection to ensure that they can't counter attack," Anna pointed out.

"That's true," Brady nodded, "Ryan, Kevin, Anna, Cam, and Collin are staying here."

"What?!" Came from all five of them.

"Those are your orders!" He snapped, "Cam and Anna can't go anyway because it's way too risky for them. And you three can't go because someone has to protect the imprints!"

"I hate being useless," Anna grumbled and crossed her arms.

"Welcome to Imprint 101," Rachel said offering her hand, "Where you learn that we are basically damsels in distress."

"Shut up," Anna rolled her eyes and slapped her hand.

"When should we go?" Someone asked.

"We'll need the cover of the night," Jasper noted.

"When's the next new moon?" Asked Embry.

"Three days," Emily reported after consulting her phone.

"In three days, we attack," Brady nodded.


"EAT!" Allie heard someone shout and a loud slapping sound.

"When... you.. eat my... shit," panted Leah.

"Wow," Allie mouthed as another slap resounded against the thin walls.

"EAT THE BREAD," he demanded.

"I don't... think so," Leah snorted through pained breaths.

There was a loud scraping and then a door being thrown open. Heavy marching boots, resounded on the wooden floors and her door was thrown open. Minding the new bruises on her arms and legs, Allie pulled herself into a tight ball. Thade snatched her wrist, and yanked her off of her bed. She landed on her feet and struggled to keep up with his long strides. Pushing the door open to Camilla's old room, he shoved Allie inside. Catching herself before she fell, Allie looked up to see Leah lying on the bed, covered solely in deep purple bruises to match hers. Allie started to move to the bed but, Stryker held her wrists. Thade snapped the door shut and motioned for Thade to bring her to sit on the chair in the middle of the room. Allie sat down on the wooden chair and studied Leah carefully. Her eyes were sunken and she was thin. Several days without food would do that to you.

"Make her eat," Thade demanded.

"I can't make her do anything," Allie fixed an icy glare on him.

He slapped her.

"That won't make me want to help you," Allie spat at him.

"What will? Huh? What will make her eat?," He demanded haggardly, "She's nearly starved to death and yet she won't eat. I have orders! It's nearly killing us to fail our orders. Nothing is wrong with the food. Why would we want to poison the mothers?"

"Mothers?" Allie and Leah blanked.

"He meant sisters," Stryker covered quickly.

"She'll eat," Allie pursued, "and you can be burden free if you tell us what you meant by mothers."

"I can't tell you that," Stryker shook his head.

"Do you have orders?" Leah asked coyly.

"No, we don't but-"

"Then there's nothing stopping you." Allie said joyfully, "Leah will eat and nothing will go wrong. We promise. Right, Lee?"

"Absolutely," Leah agreed readily.

"Thade?" Stryker asked skeptically.

"I suppose," He muttered, "No one's here and what harm could it do?"

"It's not like we could do anything about it anyway right?" Allie offered.

"That's true," Thade scratched his chin.

"I say go for it," Stryker shrugged noncommittally and leaned against the wall.

"They want you well fed so that you can bear stronger children," Thade said monotonously as if it were the most common thing in the world, "You are supposed to bear the next generation and when the others arrive in the next week so, will they."

"Who are the others?" Allie swallowed disgusted.

"From your home," Stryker piped up.

"Well shit," Leah deflated.


"Can't you stay a little longer?" Anna whined softly in Brady's ear and clung to his shirt.

"I have to go so someone else can rest," He rationalized and gently rubbed her shoulders.

"You've been running yourself ragged," Anna argued and stuffed a pillow under both of their heads.

"So have Embry and Seth," He retorted with a knowing look.

"But I love you the most," she whispered to him smiling.

"I love you too my Annie," He grinned at her.

"Then don't go yet," She told him, "Just five more minutes?"

"I have to rally the troops," He sighed.

"Please?"

"Anna! You're killing me here. I have to go now," He pleaded with her and started to pull away.

"I know," She grumbled defeated and allowed him to stand.

"At least you understand why I have to go," he rationalized more for himself than her.

"I do," She straightened up on the bed.

"Thank you," He whispered and kissed her softly.

"I'll miss you," She promised and held his gaze steadily.

"Me too, love."

"Happy hunting," She smiled grimly as he made his way to the window.

"Stay safe," He ordered her and sprang from the window. She watched him spring into the woods and sighed sadly.

"That was sickeningly sweet," Kevin smirked at her from the door.

Anna groaned irritably, "Someday you'll imprint (God save the girl) and you'll feel the same way. Then you'll understand what this is like."

"I'm never going to imprint," He rolled his eyes at her, "You can't tie this stallion down."

"Stallion?" Anna scoffed, "You mean mutt?"

"No, I meant stallion." He grinned, "You can't find a woman in a ten mile radius who doesn't want this hunk of gorgeous man."

Anna laughed aloud, "I can hardly think of one who wants to take on that curse!"

"Melissa's one," He smiled.

"I always thought she had a thing for Ryan," Anna said thoughtfully.

"Lies!" Kevin snapped, "She wants me."

"If you say so," Anna smirked. Single stallion her ass...


The pack and Cullen's were having a giant meeting one last time before they all headed off into the unknown. It was teary and depressing but it was worth it. Brady and Anna clung to each other for a solid forty-eight minutes, a new record for the imprint cling. It took Ryan, Emmett, and Paul to pry them apart in time for them to catch the plane. After they left, it was past nine in the night. Rachel volunteered to put Nick and Matt to bed and the rest made hot cocoa and tea. They sat around the living room sipping from over large mugs and having whispered conversations of no more than four sentences.

They were all miserable but, none were as miserable as Kim. As soon as Jared left, the baby would kick her constantly. She had no rest as the little monster made her life hell. They all took turns massaging her feet and back but it was when Cam laid a hand on her stomach that the baby was soothed slightly. They guessed that the devil missed Jared's wolf temperature. So, Cam and Anna took turns cuddling next to Kim and letting her stay calm. They passed the night on the couches in the living room hoping to hear from the boys soon without avail.

Anna awoke early the next morning. The sun had hardly peaked above the horizon when she gazed around the room. Emily and Rachel were cuddled up to Lisa on the love seat while Nessie, Cam, Kim and Anna herself were all huddled together on the couch. Nick and Matt had snuck downstairs at some point last night. Nick was wedged between Cam and Nessie while Matt had climbed into Anna's lap. She stirred carefully attempting not to wake anyone but, it was a failure. Matt was up already and fixed her with a sleepy gaze. She smiled at him and pressed a finger to her lips. He mimicked her and she gently unwrapped herself from Kim's side while holding Matt on her hip. He snuggled into her shoulder as she walked them to the kitchen.

"Want some orange juice?" Anna asked smiling.

"Uh huh," he nodded and reached for the cup she held out to him.

Anna set him down at the table and poured herself a glass. She sat down opposite him and shrank under his stare.

"What is it honey?"

"When's daddy coming back?"

"When Aunt Allie and Aunt Leah come home," Anna answered.

"When's that?"

"I don't know honey."


Allie watched as Celia slipped into the room carrying yet another tray of food. She silently set it down across her knees and sat down at the foot of the bed.

"Thanks," Allie grumbled begrudgingly.

She looked down at the tray and her eyes widened. They had definitely been giving her enormous portions since her stay here but this was just monstrous. Allie looked up at Celia questioningly and the grim girl pointed to Allie's stomach. Feeling the color drain from her face, Allie mouthed 'today?' Celia nodded silently.

With a choking sob, Allie moved the tray from her legs and began to pace the length of the room. How was she supposed to escape this? What about Leah? One look from Celia told her the answer she already knew. Everything would happen tonight. She leaned heavily against the wall and held back a sob. They would have to escape tonight. But if they failed, no doubt someone would die. The question was who would? Celia? Leah? Herself?

Drawing up her courage and stifling a teary cry, Allie crossed the room and snatched the knife from the tray. She shoved it under her mattress and pulled Celia's escape bundle from under the bed. She untied it and carefully wrapped three dinner rolls in a napkin along with the cookies for dessert. She shoved them into the bundle and retied it tightly. She replaced it under the bed while Celia watched anxiously. Allie gently set a pitcher of water on the side table and then pushed the rest of the meal towards Celia.

"Eat," She whispered.

Celia nodded and tucked in as if she hadn't eaten in days. She probably hadn't... Walking to the closet as quietly as possible, Allie opened the doors carefully and looked around for anything useful. An old sweater, blanket, moth balls, and a few wire hangers. She folded the sweater and blanket and put the in the bundle along with a hanger she had bent into a blade of sorts. She pinched the end of it flat so that it resembled a point and tested it on her finger. It was kind of dull but, it would have to do. Celia finished the meal and left Allie a good portion but she directed Celia to finish it off.

"Tell Leah," Allie muttered as Celia picked up the tray to leave and she nodded silently.


Helena and swept into the room with a withdrawn Celia trailing in behind her. The door closed with a snap and Celia watched with her head bowed as her mother strode across the room and slammed the windows shut and locked them tightly. She whipped the heavy black curtains together and blocked out the night sky, plunging the room into further darkness. Allie could just make out Helena's round form and hear her heavy footfall on the old wooden floors. She struck a match and lit the candle on the table. She ousted the match and nodded in approval at her own work.

"You are to watch her until the alpha returns," Helena ordered Celia harshly and left the room.

The pair waited to hear the footsteps fade away. When they did Allie sprang into action. She seized the knife from under her mattress and carefully sliced a thin line down her palm. She snatched a book off the desk and threw it at the window. The glass smashed loudly and she carefully dripped her blood on the grass below the window. Celia held the glass of water out to her and Allie splashed the cut with its contents. They could hear the footsteps on the stairs now and Celia dashed to the bed and withdrew the heavy bundle. Meanwhile, Allie held the knife in her hand and pulled her arm back. She flung the knife out the window, sending it flying into a nearby tree at the edge of the forest with a thwack. The thin wound was closed now and only a rapidly fading pink line remained. The door swung open just as Allie seized Celia and concentrated hard on being neither seen nor heard.

Dean let out a roar of despair he caught sight of the smashed window. The others could smell her blood now and were diving out the window faster than she could blink. Dean was last to go, hitting things from their shelves as he went. Allie and Celia slipped outside and found Leah waiting just by her door. The three of them cautiously tip toed down the stairs out of fear someone might still be home but they found no resistance. Celia pushed open the garage door and they found Manny waiting for them. The girls froze in their tracks and waited for him to howl for the others to come and kill them but he didn't. He held out his car keys to Leah and she took them slowly.

"Leave before they come back. Take the dirt path down until you get to the passage going around the woods to the stream. At the end of the trail you'll get to Main Street. You should be safe on the main road," Manny muttered to them.

"Thank you," Allie whispered in awe and hugged him tightly.

"Good luck," He smiled softly and hugged her back, "You'll do great things in life."

"So will you," She promised, "This is one of them."

"I'll save you a spot at the coolest lava pit in hell," He joked and made her chuckle.

"I love you wolf brother," She said tears starting to pool in her eyes.

"You too sister."

She let him go and they climbed into the car. Allie pressed the keys into Leah's palm because she was the fastest driver. They backed into the darkness and waved goodbye to Manny as they left. They could just see him run into the woods. They followed his directions and found that he was correct. They didn't meet a single wolf on the way down to Main Street. Despite the hour there were still a few cars on the road. Mostly wild eyed teenagers haunting the road and hooting at them.

"Take the road down to the exit onto the freeway. Stay in the middle lane," Allie directed her and Leah followed her instructions.

Allie finally breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back as they entered the highway. Dozens of cars were speeding past them. She glanced down at the dash and read the time to be close to three.

"Should we drive straight home or stop for the night in the city?' Allie asked.

"Stop for the night? Why would we?" Leah asked her shocked.

"We could call our family and tell them not to worry," Allie offered, "and then we can fly out tomorrow."

"Or we could call them when we stop for gas?" Leah said.

"What do you think Celia?" Allie asked.

"I've never been to the city," She shrugged.

"Neither have I," Leah grumbled.

"So hotel tonight and fly home tomorrow?"

"Sounds good," Leah agreed and changed directions.

"Hey Allie," Celia whispered, "Do you think he's dead yet?"

"Yeah," Allie frowned, "I think so."

"Who? The guy who helped us?" Leah asked, "I doubt they even know yet."

Allie shared a pitying look with Celia and sighed tiredly.

"He probably confessed and they're going to torture him or he killed himself," Celia whispered.

"Why would he do that for us?" Leah asked amazed, "He was the beta!"

"Allie," Celia muttered without looking at either of them.

"You?" Leah glanced at her.

"He was a good friend," Allie said as a few tears slipped down her cheeks.

"He tried to kill us a few years ago!"

"And today he sacrificed his life so we could escape," Celia pointed out.

"I wonder what made him change his mind," Leah mused.


"Hi," Allie grinned at the shocked woman behind the counter, "I'll need a room for the three of us, a first aid kit, a massage therapist in an hour, selections for new clothing an hour after that, and you can charge it all to the Monte Demiurge Industries account."

The young woman nodded vigorously and handed Allie the card keys. She sent off orders with the others around her. They started running around to satisfy this very clearly rich heiress who had just shown up looking like she had been dragged through a forest.

"Enjoy your stay at the Plaza Hotel!" The perky desk clerk called after them as they strode to the elevator.

"How did you do that?" Celia whispered shocked as the elevator doors closed.

"Money," Allie shrugged and tapped her foot impatiently, "God I can't wait for that massage."

"Right after we call the guys," Leah pointed out.

"And I have a proper shower," Allie grimaced.

"Your dad was Monte Demiurge?" Leah wondered aloud.

"Yes ma'am,' Allie smiled.

"Damn, you are rich," Leah whistled as the doors of the elevator clicked open.

They clambered into their fantastic room set high above the city and Allie and Leah clambered over to the phone. They began punching in numbers quickly as Celia looked out the window.

"Whoa," She gasped as a sudden fear swept through her.

"Rachel?! Rachel it's Allie and Leah!" Allie shouted into the phone, "We've just escaped and we're at the Plaza! Tell everyone-"

"Where's Seth and Embry?" Leah interrupted and snatched the phone from Allie.

"Speaker phone," Allie rolled her eyes and pressed the button.

"OH MY GOD!" Rachel shouted and they could hear her call for the others, "They went to rescue you last night! They caught a flight out and should be running there now!"

"We have to tell them to leave!" Leah shouted.

"Tell whoever is still with you to phase and try to get contact," Allie ordered briskly, "There might be too much distance and we can't phase here but they have to know! Tell the wolves with you not to hesitate in running for Madrisee! Anything to get close enough for contact!"

"Only Ryan, Kevin, Anna and Cam are here, Allie," Rachel said worried.

"Send Ryan and Kevin," Allie demanded, "Tell Anna that I said to run the perimeter until someone else comes back."

"And Cam?" Rachel asked.

Allie paused, "Tell her to cover Anna. They'll be poised to attack the imprints."

"Got it," Rachel promised, "What are you going to do?"

"Well, there's no time for a massage," Allie sighed, "I'll get Celia and Leah on a flight home and then try to get to the guys."

"Who's Celia?"

"She's a girl that we met in Madrisee," Allie said impatiently, "That's not important right now. Tell Sue that she needs to get to the airport with Charlie to pick up Leah and her new friend."

"Sure." And Allie hung up.

"Allie you can't possibly believe that I would let you go back there alone right?" Leah demanded.

"Lee," Allie sighed, "You have to get Celia to La Push or even Forks. If they catch her they'll kill her. It's important that she's safe. We didn't risk our lives breaking her out to leave her here."

"You can't go alone," Leah insisted.

"I'm just going to try to head them off before they get there," Allie promised.

"If you think that you can do this," Leah trailed off unsurely.

"Celia?" Allie stood up, "I need you to take a quick shower and get dressed. Leah's going to take you to your new home now."

"Okay," She nodded and stepped into the bathroom. When the door closed Allie turned back to Leah.

"I'll get you your flight and give the time to your mother," Allie told her avoiding eye contact.

"Good luck," Leah hugged her almost- sister-in -law

"Thanks," Allie smiled and left the hotel.

Stepping into the early morning sunlight, she hailed a cab in no time. By the time she had gotten her spare car out of the lot it was nearly seven a.m. She drove until the trees could provide enough cover and launched herself in to the woods. She could already hear her pack brothers.

"Allie!" There were a hundred questions and Seth claimed he would run to her immediately.

"Calm down," Allie chuckled and rolled her eyes, "I need you all to turn around right now! If you attack them you'll lose."

"Have you lost your mind?!" Jake demanded of her, "They kidnapped you and Leah and killed two young girls!"

"I know," Allie grimaced, "We only escaped last night and I'm afraid they'll be looking to go after the other imprints."

"Where are you? Come meet us," Seth pleaded.

"I will," Allie promised and changed directions.

"Where's Leah?" asked Embry.

"Catching a flight with Celia to Forks," Allie told him and showed him the images of Leah saying goodbye.

"She's okay," Embry sighed contentedly.

"Who's Celia?" Jared asked.

"A new friend," she smiled and could begin to hear them better now.

"You're getting closer," Sam grinned.

"I missed you," Seth told her.

"Me too," Allie beamed.


"She said to run?" Anna clarified with Rachel.

"And I have to tail her?" Cam confirmed.

"Yes," Rachel insisted impatiently, "Ryan and Kevin have already left and we're defenseless right now! So get your furry butts out there!"

"Yes ma'am," Anna smirked and raced out the door and phased on the fly.

Fresh air! Finally! Racing around the perimeter was pure heaven. She dodged the thick tree trunks and skirted around the thin paths carved through the woods. With Cam on her tale, the pair rejoiced in the freedom they had been denied in the past week.

"When is Leah supposed to get in?" Anna asked Cam excitedly.

"Another two hours," Cam grinned, "Sue and Charlie are going to pick them up."

"I wonder who this Celia girl is," Anna said bemused.

"It would be just like my sister to get attacked and make a new friend along the way," Cam rolled her eyes.

"Seems like something Allie would do," She agreed and poised herself to leap over a boulder in mid-sprint.

Just as she was airborne a sudden rush of air flew from her lungs. A massive force had collided with her and sent her flying into a nearby tree. Her back connected with the rough bark and she could hear sickening cracks. Whether it was her bones or the tree she couldn't tell. Forcing herself to breathe, Anna searched for what she had hit. Lying a few feet from her a snarling wolf was wincing in pain and attempting to right itself.

"Cam! A mile north from the beach! Help!" Anna called in her mind as she forced herself to stand with the foreign wolf.

"I'm coming honey! Hold on!"

Blinking slowly to regain focus, she crouched low and encircled the now upright wolf. Studying carefully Anna knew she would lose of Cam didn't get here soon. He was almost twice her size with long sharp teeth and dark eyes that held cold fury in them. She forced herself to stand straight and accept the challenge until she got some help.

The wolf snapped his teeth at her menacingly and matched her strides with easy grace in his movements. Keeping her eyes focused on his, she refused to take her eyes from him. Charging at her suddenly Anna rolled to the side and was back to glaring at him as he struck the tree. The trunk snapped cleanly in two and tumbled to the ground. With a pained whimper he collapsed into the wreckage and ceased to move. Hoping that was all, Anna watched him carefully, unaware of the new wolf charging from behind. He tackled her to the ground and two more wolves followed. They successfully managed to surround her and she was terrified.

"Cam, I'm in trouble," She said monotonously.

"I'm right there but, I can't find an opening," She said and sure enough a pair of brown eyes were peering out of the woods and over to the circle of wolves.

"Hurry! Before they attack!"

The pack of snarling foreign wolves pressed closer until she struggled to turn in any direction. A large charcoal colored wolf snapped at her heels. Blundering blindly backwards, her body connected with a solid mass behind her. A sharp blow to her head sent her crumbling to the ground just as Camilla launched her form through the ring of trees. Barreling into the horde of fierce wolves, she leaped on top of the first she could get her paws on. Unfortunately, he happened to be the biggest. With a quick flick he had he slammed against a tree. Fortunately, that gave Anna all the opening she needed. Darting from the circle she was swiping furiously at her attackers.

"Hold on Cam!" Ana shouted over the growls.

She kept at it but could feel herself being backed into a corner by three of them while Cam was holding her own against two. Dodging quickly against a furious paw swipe, Anna was prepared to dodge again but the quick, sharp blow to the back of her head left her shocked. She swayed slightly and fought the darkness attempting to shroud her vision. Camilla was howling in pain and she was knocked to the ground, unconscious.

"CAM!" Anna shrieked in her mind but it didn't matter.

The spots on her vision were growing despite her best efforts to push them back. She could feel herself slipping as the circle of snarling wolves closed on her. She managed a fierce snarl but they weren't buying it. They knew she was wounded and that it was only a matter of time.

"Stay fighting, Anna," She told herself, "Stay up!"

With a last ditch effort, she snapped her jaws at the nearest wolf and dug her teeth into his hind leg. The wolf yelped and flung her off to the side, his leg spraying blood. She landed not far from the broken circle and forced herself to stand. Her mind was shutting down and she could feel it.

"Come on Anna," She roused herself.

The wolves recovered from shock and swarmed her again. This time she was weaker and in no position to fight. The largest made a quick snap at her left side but missed. The circle was tightening again. Her head was swimming in darkness but she couldn't let her family down. Slamming her entire body into the smallest, they both tumbled forward breaking the dangerous huddle for a second time. Anna groaned but forced herself to stand. She gave herself a second to stop swaying from to side to side and then dodged a swipe to her head. She wasn't quite as successful on the second attack. Claws connected on her right side leaving searing pain down her hind leg.

With a cry of pain she fell to her knees. It was too much. Her head was pounding furiously and her side was gushing blood like a volcano. Her body wouldn't let her continue. Was she to die like this? No, if she did die she wanted Brady to know that she loved him. Why did she waste so much time when she had him? She hoped that he couldn't feel this pain.

Another sharp tear to her back. This time darkness was inevitable.