Author's Note: Thank you to all my kickass reviewers! This chappie is for Twilightlover212 who was the first to review last chapter. Hope you guys like this one – as I really needed to show what was going on with Jacob. This is written entirely from his perspective. I know that I could make this a little more descriptive but I hate wallowing in minutia when the action is right around the corner. =) So you'll have to forgive me. Lol. Onward!

The Truth and the Consequences

Chapter 20

My pack stops instantly when I give the command.

What's up Chief?

My phone. I got a text from Bella. Or at least that's who I think sent it. I have a generalized idea of where she could be. I need to get out of the country immediately. But I'm not sure how I can do that. Any ideas?

You're not leaving us behind are you?

Everyone else mumbles in agreement.

If there's an opportunity that we can take advantage of I'd take all of you. But I need to get to her. I can't wait any longer than is necessary. That fucker is unhinged.

So what do we do boss man?

Fuck. I don't know. Do we keep following the bastards til we hit the North Pole or turn around? I don't like the idea of facing trained fighters without full strength. And it's possible that text came from that bastard – leading us on a wild goose chase halfway around the world. But if it came from her and I ignored it… I couldn't live with myself. I have to try. I have to turn back.

We're just going to let the rest of the leeches escape?

Everyone jumps in with a cacophony of disagreement. My head is buzzing.

Quiet! I'm not happy with this either. But our number one mission remains: bringing Bella home. If I fail… you know what the consequences would be. When one of us loses an imprint… we've all heard the legends. We turn back… unless anyone has an idea?

DANGER.

We all instantly shift into a crouched position. Leeches are approaching… two of them.

As much as I want to give the command to tear them apart, something is holding me back.

Steady everyone.

The blonde one speaks from only a half mile away. "We come in peace. We have broken with the Cullen's. We will not support our brother – not after what he has done."

The huge one holds up his hand. "We know where he's taken her – and we don't have a lot of time to get you to where you need to be. Jacob? We can get you on a plane if you come with us now."

As hard as it is for me to be vulnerable at this point I make the decision to phase human. "Give me one damn reason why I should believe anything you have to say. You helped him."

"Neither of us directly helped Edward kidnap Bella – in fact we didn't know it had happened until they were in the air. Alice informed us. It seems she was the one who helped poison your lookouts so Edward could sweep in and whisk her away. Alice is just as crazy as Edward – if not more so. She came from an asylum – you know that Jacob. And Rose tried to get Bella to leave – gave her the money and passport she needed to do so. Does that sound like someone who would turn around and help Edward to attain the exact OPPOSITE result? Think about it," Emmett snapped.

"This could all be a setup – every bit of it," I respond.

"Do you think we would seek you out – all of you – alone? We may be fast and really strong but we're not that stupid. And the only way we can be telling you any of this at all is because we're now hidden from Alice because we're with you. She can't track us and she can't track you. Not as long as we stay together. But she will know something's up when she can't find us shortly. That's why we need to move this little party along."

"Why are you helping us? Other than the fact that suddenly you're not best friends with Eddie anymore?"

"If it were only up to me," Emmett said, "I wouldn't. Not that I don't like Bella. But Rose has a reason that even I can't argue against. You see – Rose came to this life because she was raped – by her fiancé and a group of men and left for dead. Carlisle found her before she died and turned her – but that was never something she wanted. Bella was outmatched and raped the same way – if not by several people – but in just as brutal a way. He could have killed her. That has made this personal. That's why we left our family – why we're helping you. This is the last time I'm going to ask you to leave with us. We need to go NOW."

Rosalie stares fiercely with her chin held high in defiance, challenging anyone to call her a liar. She's angry – that much I can tell. Whether it's because her horrible past has been leaked to us of all people, or whether it's directed to her former brother Edward I couldn't say. But I can tell she means business.

So do I.

I stand there breathing deep and make my decision. "Let's go then."

I phase wolf.

"Jacob – you need to know that Alice is planning an ambush on anyone that follows them. If you are able to get close enough you'll know that it's been set. I recommend not getting within striking distance. Carlisle won't want to fight but he will to protect Esme. Jasper will follow Alice's lead and is the most dangerous. You might have numbers but they have gifts," Emmett says quietly.

Before I go running off into the sunset with the two leeches, I give my pack instructions to follow. Knowing the Cullen's plans will be beneficial – yet I still don't trust that the information we've been given is completely accurate. But I don't have much of a choice at this point – I need to get to Bella. I'm going on alone with the blonde and the hulk. And if I'm betrayed – my pack has orders to follow and hunt down all of the Cullen's – one by one – until they're all dust.

I will reach her or I will die trying.

It's strange – running with vampires. As we cut through the forest, all the creatures still as if they know evil is passing by. The stench is awful, even with the wind whisking it away. I'm not sure how they're planning on getting me onto a plane – and its causing me a great deal of anxiety. But I can't phase human and ask questions now. Once we reach civilization I'll have a chance to grill them.

I think all of these things on the surface of my mind – shallow water that is see through. But deep beneath the surface, there is only one thing rooted right down into the core of my being, and it's pulsing with the beating of my heart. I can't lose her now – she is the entire reason for life – the only thing that is tethering me to sanity.

I've been so preoccupied with all the possible outcomes that I am jolted with surprise when we reach a highway. I can see we're on the edge of a town in British Columbia.

I reluctantly phase human. If they're going to kill me, now is their best shot, while I'm most vulnerable.

"There's an airport here," Rosalie says, tossing her hair behind one shoulder.

"How am I getting onto a plane?" I ask. "I don't have any other clothes with me, no shoes – I have no identification. What's your plan?"

"We're going to charter a plane ourselves. It's the easiest and fastest way. We'll pick you up some duds on the way," Emmett answers.

"You're coming with me," I say flatly.

"Unless you know how to pilot a plane?" Rosalie says haughtily. "Or maybe we could stuff you into a dog kennel and fly commercial – although I don't think they'd have one big enough."

I don't answer which is answer enough.

We make quick work getting into town. In no time I'm suited up and we're at the airport. It takes less than 30 minutes before we're climbing into a plane. The rich really can do whatever they want. Money talks.

Rosalie turns toward me. "I'm going to be piloting this craft – I don't want any distraction from you. Emmett will sit with me and we're going to close the door to the cockpit – no reason we have to suffer your stench any more than necessary."

I give her a cocky smile. "Well that suits me just fine. Any grub on board?"

Rosalie rolls her eyes. "Emmett," she whines.

He sighs. "There should be food on board in the back. And try not to go wolf in here, all right?"

"Sure, sure. Let's get going," I say, crossing my arms over my chest. This is taking too long.

They go into the cockpit and shut the door. I take in a deep breath of air and am pleased to note that their rotting floral garbage scent has dissipated somewhat.

"I'm on my way, Bells." I whisper, hoping she knows I'm coming for her. "Stay strong."