Emily's screams echoed hauntingly in Sam's ear, the vision of her as she fell only to be swallowed by the darkness - her hand outstretched out towards him—.
Sam's heart raced, his stomach heaved. He couldn't rest, couldn't eat, couldn't breathe without forcing each breath. Guilt for his part in hurting Emily, in being the cause for her being out there at that time of night, for her running in anger away from him only to trip and fall before he could reach her—-it ate him alive. But what hurt him most, what truly fueled the guilt-crazed state he was in, was the fact that he was still alive.
Losing one's Imprint was the worse thing that could happen to a wolf, with the Imprint's death the wolf was supposed to desire to die as well - shoulddie as well. It was why an Imprint was protected by other wolves. So what did it say about Sam that he'd not only hurt his Imprint by scarring her face, but had unintentionally caused the events which had led to her death - hadn't been able to get to her on time - and yet was still alive?
Was there something wrong with him? He should be dying now! Why was he still alive? He didn't deserve to be alive anymore! He should be withering to nothing! And yet he was still here.
Something was wrong. Something was horribly wrong.
It's the vampires' fault.
It had to be!
They were the ones who'd tricked Jacob into believing that his Imprint was a true one. Sam knew it couldn't be true - no matter how convivial the mortal enemies now were. Vampires were their one true enemy, were the reason they'd become wolves in the first place! It was their duty to destroy every single leech - there was no way that they could actually Imprint - something so sacred - on those bloodsuckers!
That meant that those leeches were using magic or something on them! They were weakening the pack from within, and Sam was the only one who realized it. He'd heard the whispers within his own pack, had felt the confusion, but he'd been too confident that they'd realize how idiotic it was that he hadn't really paid much attention to it. But now… now he knew what Jared had done while he'd been in mourning.
His Beta had not only made an alliance with the Olympic Coven and Black Pack behind Sam's back, but he'd captured leech scouts and let them live. Not only that, but because of this those leeches were tainting the wolves around them. It had probably been their plan to get captured in the first place!
Emily's screams echoed in his ears.
Sam pressed his hands hard against his ear.
He needed to do something. Emily wouldn't rest in peace until he'd made this situation right. These vampires were the reason she'd died. They were at the root of everything.
If Edward Cullen hadn't wagged his ass at Jacob this whole thing would never have happened. Jacob would've never joined forces with those other two vampires, and Seth would've never been enthralled by this new lifestyle, which meant Sam never would've had to make an example of the boy - Leah never would've defected - and Emily wouldn't have been so pissed off at Sam. She wouldn't have left that night in anger, and if she hadn't left he wouldn't have raced after her to bring her back home only to watch her fall to her death.
Nausea rolled in his stomach.
It was those leeches fault.
THIS WAS ALL THEIR FAULT!
The image of Emily falling backwards into the blackness played over and over again before his eyes…
And he suddenly knew what to do.
This was all the leeches' fault.
This couldn't end, Emily wouldn't stop haunting him, until he'd put it right.
He was going to kill every leech around - starting with the scouts being held on the Rez.
…
Alice gasped in horror, hand to her heart. She'd been sitting next to Bella's still body, getting to know Victoria, who had been the one to turn Bella. This was probably the first time the other vampire had really spoken to Victoria, and while anyone else would be disillusioned by her barbed comments Alice knew they'd become friends in the future so she wasn't put off by Victoria acerbic tone.
"What happened?" Victoria asked from the other side of Bella's bed. "Was that one of those visions you have?"
Alice nodded, head killing her with the ferocity of the vision. "You need to call Leah. Tell her to get her Imprintee out of the Rez right now. Sam's planning on killing all vampires around him, starting with the three on the Rez!" She was already reaching for her own phone to call Collin, Quil and Embry.
"Shut up, Leah!" Victoria started her conversation the second Leah answered. "You need to get Chelsea out of the Rez right now! Bring her home, you've got to hurry! Your ex has gone batshit crazy!"
While the Olympic Coven and the Black Pack were working with Jared and the others, if Sam was truly planning on killing them all Alice knew she couldn't trust the Rez Wolves. Not when thy were forced to do what their Alpha wanted due to the Alpha Voice and Bond.
No.
The only wolves who could be trusted on the Rez were the Imprinters and those who'd already showed interest in leaving Sam's pack.
They had to hurry.
If they didn't, the vampires and Imprinters would be in deep trouble.
…
This was wrong. THIS WAS WRONG!
And yet no matter how much he tried to open his mouth to tell Sam this, Jared couldn't. Sam had silenced him earlier when he'd tried. That, and what he knew was going to be an ugly black eye from when he'd tried to reason with his Alpha - who was mad with grief and guilt - proved that if Jared was going to be any sort of help to his pack, the Beta had to stop fighting, even if only right now.
He had to find a way to get through to his grief-stricken Alpha, had to show him that an alliance with the Olympic Coven and the Black Pack was the only way they were going to survive not only the confrontation with the Volturi, but the future.
Jared hadn't wanted to believe it, but he'd seen Collin and Leah firsthand, as well as their interactions with their vampires. Werewolves were Imprinting on Vampires, and in their own way, it was causing a sort of Imprint from the Vampires to the Werewolves as well - which was different than normal Imprinting on humans.
Collin was feeding Jane his own blood for crying out loud! She should've used that opportunity to kill and escape, but instead she were merely remaining in her cage (which, to be fair, kept getting more and more luxurious and comfortable with all the things she had Collin collecting for her).
If only Sam would just stop and see—he'd realize that there was no way that Jane wouldn't suck Collin dry and escape if there wasn't actually something instinctual keeping her from hurting him! Given the fact that they barely knew each other, Collin was young, and Jane was being a captive there was no way this could be something like falling in love. No way. This wasn't emotional, it was instinctual.
But Jared was beginning to suspect that Sam didn't want to see it, didn't want to admit it, because then he'd have to admit something Jared had been wondering given the fact that Sam's problems were all self-inflicted: Sam wasn't dead because Emily wasn't actually his Imprintee.
That would mean he'd hurt Leah and Emily for no justifiable reason, and that was more than Sam was able to handle right now. That was why Jared's Alpha was redirecting his self-anger and self-hatred into this insane, murderous plan.
If there were no vampires around, Sam wouldn't be able to Imprint on anyone else and prove to himself what Jared knew his Alpha had to be suspecting.
How can I get him to see? The Beta worried. How do I get him to accept the truth before he does something he can't take back? Before he ruins the chances of Imprinting and happiness of the pack?
The Beta tried to come up with some sort of plan, some sort of way to stall his Alpha, because if he didn't, he had a sinking feeling it would be the beginning of the End.
…
Jane looked up from Captain Hops in surprise as the door flew open. Her odd captor stumbled into the room, keys in his hands. He was unlocking her cage, and that should have her full attention, but it didn't. Collin was terrified, he stunk of it. What was happening? Why was he so scared?
"You need to leave!" Collin shocked her as he flung the barred door opened. "Please go!"
She should escape without a second's thought, and yet her grip merely tightened slightly on Captain Hops. "Why?"
"Sam's—our Alpha—he snapped! He wants—-!" Collin looked not only terrified, but utterly sick. "I'll try and get your friends out as well before he can—but I need you to go! Please! Before he gets here!" His eyes flashed gold in utter determination. "I won't let him hurt you."
So the Alpha had ordered them killed. And her little snip of a captor, the boy who kept going on and on about how they were mates and it was his duty to care for her, was actually defying his Alpha. This had to be a trick, right? Wolves weren't supposed to be able to defy or disobey their Alpha. This had to be some sort of ploy to get her to run and to give them an excuse to hunt and kill her.
"Please." Collin's voice broke in emotion. "Please go."
Staring into those wide eyes, Jane could only see fear, and she realized in shock that he was telling the truth. His Alpha was coming to kill her, and Collin was—he was protecting her. His pack would know he was the one who'd set her free. He'd get hurt.
Collin glanced behind him, the fear in his scent rising, before he turned to look back at her. "Jane! Go!" He entered the cage and grabbed her, being rough with her for the very first time as he shoved her out of the cage. "GO!"
Stumbling slightly, Jane turned to look at him before she turned back to the door. "You'll never see me again. I'll never come back."
"I don't care as long as you're safe," Collin whispered.
The blonde tightened her grip on Captain Hops, took a step back, and another, before she took off towards freedom.
…
"This couldn't be happening at a worse time," Jacob groaned as he paced the room. "Quil, Collin and Leah are trying to get the Scouts over to where we are, but even if they manage to get through the forest alive Edward and the others mightn't have the containment rooms in the basement ready for them. They're going to get away and get back to Aro and—-."
"Calm down, Jake." Even though it was impossible for Jasper to use his ability through the phone, his words somehow seemed to calm the wolf down. "We've got Bella safe and sound. She's been sleeping for almost two days now. We only need one more and then she'll be a newborn and less vulnerable to attack. Until then Emmett and Rosalie are helping stand guard." He sighed. "We'll keep her safe, so don't worry about her. Concentrate on everything else."
Jake ran his hand down his face. "Why did Sam have to snap out of his funk only to enter into a homicidal rage right now? This is the worse timing!"
"To be fair, there's never a good time for homicidal rage," Jasper muttered in dark amusement.
That was true. "Just—be careful, okay? Those wolves you say he's got guarding the borders of your lands are to keep you boxed in and unable from coming to our aid, but that doesn't mean he mightn't decide to try and attack you guys as well."
"Victoria got out undetected," Jasper reminded him. "And Carlisle and Esme are here as well. Carlisle used to be a part of the Volturi, he knew them during the Werewolf Wars, we won't fight unless we have to - but we'll be able to protect ourselves - and Bella - if push comes to shove."
"Hopefully Sam will come to his senses before that happens," Jake whispered, not liking the idea of fighting his old pack.
"If you are being overpowered Alice will see - we will find a way to come to your aid," Jasper promised.
"Thank you, but that might be exactly what Sa wants." Jake ran his fingers through his hair. "Has Alice seen anything about James or Seth?"
"No," Jasper sighed. "She's trying though, but for some reason she's unable to focus on them. She'll keep trying, and I'll let you know the second she does."
"Thanks, Jasper." Jake stared out the window of Hunter House, trying to will James, Seth and the others to be outside in the driveway, but so far not only weren't the vampires and werewolf there, but he'd been unable to communicate with them for the last day. There was no way to warn them that Seth's old pack were now the enemy.
They could be walking into a death trap.
…
"He's going to kill Dimitri!" Chelsea whispered in terror, trying to dig her feet into the ground, but somehow wasn't as strong as Leah in human form.
"Quil and Embry are getting him out," Leah promised her as she hurried through the forest. "If Alice hadn't been able to get us that heads up—-." She tightened her grip on Chelsea's hand. "You're not allowed to escape to Aro. Just because you're not in that cage anymore doesn't mean you can go back to those assholes and their brainwashing. You wouldn't be able to, anyway. Sam's got his pack combing the woods for you guys, you wouldn't make it out."
Chelsea allowed herself to be taken through the forest towards what she suspected was Leah's pack's place. The vampire was shocked, honestly, by the fact that she had no interest in returning to Aro's side. Now that she knew someone was trying to get Dimitri out, and that he hadn't been abandoned to be murdered, she stopped trying to get free and instead matched Leah's strides.
Where did Leah's pack live? Were there many vampires? Did any of those vampires like Leah?
Chelsea frowned at the thought. Leah had been coming into her cage recently, and she'd been eagerly waiting the werewolf's each venture, and the way she lingered inside longer and longer. The vampire hadn't even considered killing her, and while that would've normally bothered her, Chelsea hadn't given it a second thought.
Clearly she was Leah's Imprintee, and really, that explained everything away for her. But Leah hadn't exactly come out and admitted it to Chelsea despite everything, which meant a part of her was fighting the fact, and the only reason Chelsea could see for this was if Leah was already in a relationship with someone else.
The thought made her growl softly, but thankfully Leah was too busy trying to get her to safety to notice.
It was a good thing, she supposed, that she'd get to go to the other camp and find this other person who thought they had some claim on Leah. As soon as Leah turned her back Chelsea would make sure to break those bonds. Aro had given Chelsea a mission, but she'd found her own: block or not, she was going to break up Leah's current romantic relationship. She'd never thought she'd have another chance of having a mate after Afton's death, and she wouldn't let this opportunity slip through her hands.
Edward Cullen had proved vampires could have healthy, happy relationships with their werewolves.
Chelsea wanted in on that. She'd spent far too many years helping Aro get what he wanted. It was time she focused on herself and what she wanted.
And she wanted Leah Clearwater.
Movement off to the side caught her attention, and she noticed Jane standing there next to Dimitri, the two had apparently escaped their captors and were free. Oddly, Jane was holding a bunny. That was weird in itself, but so was the distinct violet of the vampire's eyes. Chelsea had never seen a vampire with that eye color before, but she didn't really have time to wonder what it meant.
She caught Jane's gaze, and when the younger vampire motioned for her to come, for them to escape together, Chelsea shook her head. She could see the shock on Jane's face when she did that, and the curvy brunette ignored the blonde's motioning her to come with her.
Instead, she tightened her grip on Leah's hand and hurried her pace to overtake the surprised werewolf. With a look towards Jane and Dimitri, Chelsea pulled the much taller Leah down to kiss her on the lips.
Leah's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed as she pulled away. "Now's not the time, Chelsea!" Her face was utter scarlet in embarrassment. "We've got to get you to the Hunter House before my old pack finds us, it's the only way to keep you safe. So—-stop distracting me."
Proud at the fact that she'd gotten Leah to admit she found her distracting, Chelsea sent a look behind her at Jane and Dimitri - catching their shocked expression.
That's how it is, so go if you have to.
Sure her message had been delivered, Chelsea merely smiled up at Leah and allowed herself to be dragged through the forest by her Imprinter.
…
"How many new shifters have phased in the last couple of months?" Esme wondered as she peered out of the window. "There are so many that I do not recognize. In fact, I do not recognize any of the wolves I've seen out there today."
"Jared said that more and more wolves are shifting daily, most probably as an instinctual response to the fact that the Volturi are getting closer and closer," Carlisle responded, expression calm yet she could read the uneasy glint in his eyes. "I'd say Sam has a good twenty or so wolves right now, but many of them are young and untrained."
Esme sighed as she let the curtain fall back in place. "What are we going to do, Carlisle? If the pack kills any of the Volturi's Guard there will be no stopping the war Aro will bring upon us all."
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his cool embrace, resting his cheek against the crown of her head.
…
A scent she recognized all too well shook Jane out of her shock as she forced her gaze away from where Chelsea and the werewolf had just disappeared from sight through some bushes. So—what Collin had told her was true? Vampires and werewolves really could become mates? That was the only explanation she had for Chelsea's actions. Not only had the brunette believed the story, but she'd accepted it.
Jane gulped.
"We have to go," Dimitri broke into her thoughts. He'd tracked her the second he'd managed to escape his own werewolf escort, and had been the one to help them find Chelsea. "If we don't go now I'm not sure we'll be able to get out of these woods."
That scent was stronger.
Jane turned to fully stare in the direction it was coming from. "I'm going back."
"What?" Dimitri asked in utter shock. "Why the hell would you do that?"
"Because I forgot something," she muttered in annoyance while rubbing Captain Hops' head.
"What could you possibly have forgotten?" Dimitri wanted to know.
Suddenly bushes shook, and then Collin toppled out of them. He'd clearly been running in his human form and must've tripped on something and gone falling. Some other guy who looked around his age was there with him.
Jane just stared at him, unable to believe he was there.
Collin's eyes widened as he looked up at her, and a large, embarrassed blush crossed his face. "You're okay! Brady, she's okay!" He cleared his throat. "Why, um, are you still around? I, uh, I thought you'd be long gone by now."
"We have no time for this!" Brady grabbed the back of Collin's shirt and yanked him up to his feet. "They're on our heels!" He turned his gaze on Jane and Dimitri. "This is your fault! We shouldn't have to be running from our own freaking pack!"
Collin's eyes widened. "You have to go. You can still make it out if you go now."
Dimitri, the Volturi Guard's Tracker, shook his head after a whiff in the air. "No. We can't."
Weirdly okay with that, Jane huffed as she held her head high, "Then I suppose you should escort us to the Hunter House."
Collin's eyes widened, as did his grin.
Brady rolled his eyes. "I will never Imprint." And with that promise he took off.
Suddenly the bushes moved and two older native Americans jumped out, and yet instead of attacking, they raced passed the trio, seeming to be going in the same direction of Brady - overtaking him quickly with their longer legs.
"Get your ass moving, Dimitri!" One of them yelled over his shoulder. "We didn't spring your pale ass out just for you to get caught because you're lazy!"
"Why is no one in their wolf form?" Dimitri asked no one in particular.
"Sam can't use his Alpha Voice on us if we're in human form," Collin answered as he grabbed Jane's hand. "We have to go. Now!"
Jane didn't know who was more shocked - her or Dimitri - when she allowed herself to be dragged away.
Dimitri, clearly realizing he had no other choice, followed rapidly after.
…
Leah and Chelsea were the first to arrive. The holding cells in the basement weren't even close to being completed, but honestly they'd been abandoned halfway in favor of securing the Hunter House, which was on the outskirts of Forks so hopefully they could keep this from involving any civilian. It didn't appear that they had to worry about Chelsea at least, though, because she kept by Leah's side, letting the werewolf order her about in assisting preparations. It could all be a trick to make them lower their guard, but Edward had assured Jake that Chelsea wasn't going anywhere.
"We've got another group incoming," Edward proclaimed after a long silence. He turned to Chelsea. "Your friends are coming with ours."
"Really?" Chelsea looked utterly shocked.
"Yeah, I hear Jane and Dimitry as well as Quill, Embry, Collin and Brady," Edward responded.
"Brady?" Victoria asked in surprised. "What's that pipsqueak doing coming here?"
"Apparently he knocked out two of their packmates who were taking Collin to where Sam was when they discovered that he'd freed Jane." Edward was obviously listening into the thoughts still, his eyebrows nearly touching in a frown. "He's just as much persona non grata as the others now."
"Boss, your pack is getting too full of dogs," Victoria complained with a glance towards Jacob almost accusingly. "It's a good thing Riley's on his way with James, we need some more vampires to help counter the scent of wet dog."
Leah flipped her the finger. "Screw you, Sugar Barbie."
"I thought we agreed I was Ginger Spice," Victoria countered.
Leah snorted and sent her a toothy grin.
Chelsea frowned as she glanced between them.
Jacob ignored this, too many questions and worries going through his mind right now.
Honestly, who said Brady or Riley were going to be a part of his pack? And yet it seemed from everyone's non-reaction to her words that everyone else thought this the case as well. Jacob had never really wanted to start a pack - had done so by accident - and yet it kept growing against his best efforts.
Vicki, James and Bella had sort of become a pack without him even realizing, and then after Seth had put himself in danger to protect them Jacob had no other option but to accept him and Leah into the pack, and then Edward had slowly become more pack than Olympic Coven member since he'd come back. Then there was Quill, Embry, Collin and Brady, whom he'd have to accept in order to protect them from the Rez's wrath - just like he had Seth and Leah. That was eleven people.
Edward motioned very discreetly towards Chelsea and mouthed: Twelve.
Oh god.
Jacob was still living at Charlie's! And James and Victoria couldn't be expected to house everyone! Their place wasn't big enough anyway! Just what in the world was he going to do?!
Edward opened the door seconds before Quill and Embry stumbled through, going at top speed given the fact that they were still in human form.
"They're behind us!" Quill leaned hard against the wall while Embry collapsed on the ground.
Dimitri and Brady crossed the threshold seconds afterwards, followed by Jane and Collin.
Edward shut the door rapidly and pressed his back against it as his gaze met Jacob's. "They're almost here."
He fought the nausea rolling through his stomach and turned to Jane, whose glare was on him.
"This isn't an alliance," she informed him stonily while… petting a white bunny. "This is just a temporary, strategic truce."
Jacob didn't have time to respond because a howl echoed close by, and then it was joined by another, and another, and another…
They were surrounded.
This was it.
…
The image of Emily falling back into the nothingness, hand outstretched towards him, her scream—-it continued to play like a haunting loop in his head, and now that he was in wolf form, Sam knew that that image, that sound, was haunting the minds of his whole pack as well. It augmented his shame of his weakness, fueled his fury as he stood tall, staring down at the Hunter House.
There were multiple leeches in that house, leeches that had no business being in Forks.
Kill every single leech, he ordered his pack through their mental bond. And cut down anyone who tries to stand in your way.
And with that, as one, the pack attacked.