Well, been a while since I've updated this – but at least I'm starting back up with an exciting chapter! Hopefully you all enjoy the little changes I made. Special thanks to my wonderful Beta Angel of the Night Watchers for all her wonderful work making me look as good as I can!

Enjoy!

Chapter Eighteen - The Hunt

They emerged one by one from the fringe of the forest, looking cat-like and very different from the Cullen's in all their odd, amplified similarities. The first male into the clearing immediately fell behind, allowing the other male to take the front. He was bigger, taller and dark haired - confident enough to lead the pack of killers. The third was a woman, from the far distance I could see nothing more than that her hair was possibly on fire, licking at the ends to set the rest into the colour of flames.

They closed rank before they came up to Edward's family, looking like a pride of lions who met a larger pride - one with bigger, more intimidating males. It was humble in comparison.

As they approached, I scrutinized their similarities and differences from the Cullens. Their gait so feline and threatening that it looked like they were ready to pounce at the drop of a dime. They were dressed in ordinary clothing, but it was old and frayed. They were also barefoot. Something told me that did not affect their speed. Both men had cropped hair, but the woman's orange hair was filled with debris that had hit her during her journey.

Their sharp eyes took in the group before them, not really looking at me thanks to the distraction of Emmett, Carlisle, and Jasper - the latter of which suddenly looked just as intimidating as Emmett did. Without any communication, they walked toward each other, preparing for a verbal exchange to break the ice.

The man in front was easily the most beautiful. His skin was olive-toned beneath the pallor. His hair was glossy black. He was of a medium build and hard muscled, but he would never stand a chance against Emmett. Something told me that no single vampire ever would. He smiled an easy smile with appallingly white, glossy teeth.

The woman was more wild, her eyes shifting restlessly between the men of the group and the grouping around me, her chaotic hair was quite a distracting sight. She did not try to hide her prowess, feline nature. The other male hovered behind both of them, slighter than the leader, but not nearly as striking with sandy hair and average features. His eyes held an intensity that even Edward's didn't - something much more sinister.

That's when I saw it. The difference that made the worldly comparison and completely separated their kind from the kind that I currently was surrounded by. Where the Cullen's had gotten me used to a gold or even threatening black colour to their eyes, these travelers had a deep ruby colour that was much more terrifying.

The dark-haired man stepped towards Carlisle with the same smile.

"We thought we heard a game," he said in a relaxed voice with a slight French accent. I kept that to myself - no whispering to Edward in French, then. "I'm Laurent, these are Victoria and James." He gestured to the vampires behind him.

"I'm Carlisle. This is my family, Emmett and Jasper, Rosalie, Esme, Alice, Vivienne, and Edward." He pointed us out in groups and made sure not to call attention to anyone. I had never been so proud to have such an old-fashioned name like the rest.

"Do you have room for a few more players?" Laurent asked sociably.

Carlisle was pleased to match his pleasant tone. "Actually, we were just finishing up. But we'd certainly be interested another time. Are you planning to stay in the area for long?"

"We're headed North, in fact, but we were curious to see who was in the neighbourhood. We haven't run into any company in a long time."

"No, this region is usually empty except for us and the occasional visitor, like yourselves."

I could feel how relaxed everyone, including myself, was and I looked quickly towards Jasper. He looked no different in posture, but it was quite obvious he was using his particular gift. So long as he used it to calm down the bloodlust, I didn't care if he made me do the chicken dance out of euphoria.

"What's your hunting range?" Laurent casually inquired.

"The Olympic Range here, up and down the Coast ranges on occasion. We keep a permanent residence nearby. There's another permanent settlement like ours up near Denali."

Laurent rocked back on his heels and raised his well-sketched eyebrows.

"Permanent? How do you manage that?" The curiosity behind his voice made me more anxious as he made the conversation last much longer than I would have liked it to.

"Why don't you come back to our home with us and we can talk comfortably?" Carlisle invited. "It's a rather long story." That was a lie. They didn't like killing humans - they drank from animals, no one suspected. I could have easily told it for him, but I no longer wanted to do such a thing. In fact, I had never been so excited to get rid of someone. I'd rather spend a month alone with Lauren.

"That sounds very interesting, and welcome." His smile seemed genuine. "We've been on the hunt all the way from Ontario, and we haven't had the chance to clean up in a while." His eyes moved appreciatively over the Cullen's and their fashion-forward clothing.

"Please don't take offense, but we'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in this immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand." Carlisle explained.

"Of course," he nodded. "We certainly won't encroach on your territory. We just ate outside of Seattle anyway," he laughed. I cringed away from him, Edward reacted by going further in the way of their line of sight from me.

"We'll show you the way if you'd like to run with us - Emmett and Alice, you can run with Edward and Bella to get the jeep," he added casually. I nodded, trying to keep myself part of the group - which was the worst thing I ever could have done.

I noticed three things at the same time, much like the adrenaline-vision from the day Tyler's van nearly killed me: My hair ruffled with my nod, the breeze carrying it around me; Edward stiffened; and the second male, James, snapped his head toward me, sniffing the air.

A swift rigidity fell on each figure in the clearing as James lurched one step forward into a crouch. Edward bared his teeth, crouching in defense, a feral snarl ripping through his chest. It was not carefree and fun like he had done this morning in his room. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed to hostility and poison.

"What's this?" Laurent asked in surprise. I looked at him, nervously, then back at Edward, then to James, who had eyes for both Edward and I, and back again.

"She's with us." Carlisle said firmly, all politeness gone.

"You brought a snack?" James asked, his expression bemused as he took an involuntary step towards me, smelling the air again. I took a step back, and then another when Edward let out a snarl that was so terrifying, for a moment, he wasn't Edward at all.

"I said she's with us," Carlisle corrected.

"But, she's human." Laurent protested, still in shock.

"Yes." Emmett was very obviously rigid beside Carlisle and his eyes did not leave James. James slowly straightened himself out though his eyes did not leave me as he sniffed silently, taking a step back. Edward did not relax, so neither did I.

"It appears," Laurent began soothingly, trying to appear calm. "We have a lot to learn about each other."

"Indeed." Carlisle's voice had never been so cold, not even when I questioned his son's presence at the car accident. He was no longer collected.

"But we would like to accept our invitation." His eyes flickered toward me then back. "And, of course, we will not hunt in your range, as I said. We will not harm the human girl."

"You most certainly won't." Someone whispered. I realized after a moment it was me. I leaned away. "Marde."

James widened his eyes and sniffed again. I leaned back a little farther as he watched me in frustration and disbelief. He shared a look with Victoria, who's eyes flicked from face to face, judging us one by one. My breath began to rattle in my chest as it tightened against me, Edward almost took his eyes off James to check on me but instead I felt Esme place her hand on my shoulder. I could have sworn I heard someone whisper "try to wait to take your puffer until they're gone, we don't want them to know your weakness", but it was so quiet it may have just been my conscience. I wouldn't be able to wait long. I was beginning to panic and that meant that I was becoming more and more breathless.

Carlisle measured Laurent's open expression. "We will show you the way. Jasper, Rosalie, Esme?" he called. They gathered together, blocking me from view as they converged. Alice was instantly at my side, and Emmett fell back slowly, his eyes locked on James as he backed toward us.

"Let's go, Liv," Edward's voice was low and bleak. He must be furious with me...

"Edward-"

"Now." There was no arguing with that tone, nevertheless, Edward had already gripped my elbow and was pulling me sharply towards he forest. Alice and Emmett were close behind us, hiding me from view. I stumbled alongside Edward, still stunned with myself, and my fear. I couldn't see past Emmett to see if the main group had left, even though we moved at a human pace towards the edge of the forest. I had no time because he didn't want me to.

When we got to the edge of the forest, there wasn't even a break in stride as Edward slung me over his back. I did not complain, but choked him with my arms and, were he human, bruised him as my legs wrapped around him. I squeezed my eyes shut and nuzzled into his neck, trying to keep from sounding like a fish out of water, which was exactly how I felt.

"I'm so sorry," I gasped. "I didn't mean to..."

He shushed me, but didn't answer as he started running and I didn't have the strength to close my eyes. I felt nauseous, but I knew it was not from the journey. How could I have done something so stupid? How could I have let my mind wander off like that and hurt myself to the point of talking back to a vampire?

Edward's anger drove him to run faster through the trees, faster than the exhilaration I was used to seeing him have when he ran like this. Now it was fear. He could no longer mask it. I squeezed him tighter until I thought that I may bruise. I still did not feel close enough for his protection.

We reached the jeep in an insanely short amount of time and Edward all but threw me off of him, somehow he had his puffer out of my jacket pocket and in his hand. He did my job for me as I took three doses, just because I knew that I would need it. It took a few seconds for me to be able to breathe properly, but he was already throwing me into the backseat.

"Strap her in," he ordered. Emmett climbed in the back and did so as Alice got in the passenger's side. Edward had already started the engine. He was growling something too fast for me to understand, but both Emmett and Alice seemed to. It sounded much like Spanish profanities.

The trip was bumpier than it had been the first time around and suddenly, it was not as exciting. I was gripping onto the seat like it was the only harness I had, even though I trusted Emmett's handy work. None of them wore the harnesses.

When we hit the main road, he accelerated and it took me a moment to realize that we were headed south, away from Forks.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

No one looked at me.

"Hello? Anyone home? Do I need to knock on a coffin? Someone answer me!"

"We have to get you away from here - far away - now." Edward pushed the gas harder. The speedometer read one hundred and five miles an hour - how did they get away with it?

"Don't even try it, I need to go homeright now." I corrected. I struggled to get out of the harness, trying to remember the rules of a Tuck-And-Roll like in the movies.

"Emmett." Edward whispered simply.

Emmett grabbed my hands. I glared at him, he apologized quietly.

"Edward, you're crazy. You can't do this."

"I have to, Vivienne, now please be quiet." I seethed more.

"Are you kidding? Charlie's going to call the FBI, the Military, the Mounties if he has to! They'll be all over your family, you'll be in hiding forever. Take me home!"

"Calm down, Vivienne. We've been there before."

That made it worse.

"Not over me, you haven't and I refuse to let you be."

Alice spoke for the first time and I was happy to hear she was calm, rational. "Edward, pull over."

He flashed her a hard look. He sped the car to one hundred and fifteen.

"Edward, let's talk this through."

"You don't understand," he roared in frustration. "He's a tracker, Alice, did you see that? He's a tracker!"

I felt Emmett stiffen beside me and I stiffened too. I may not be able to understand all the vampire-lingo, but I knew what tracking meant. And if he was a tracker that means he could track things. Like humans. Like me.

"Pull over, Edward." Alice's tone was still reasonable and yet filled with authority. Something that looked so strange for the petite pixie.

The speedometer went to one twenty.

"Do it, Edward."

"Please." I added to Alice's plight, she shot me a sympathetic glance.

"Listen to me, Alice." Again I was not there. "I saw inside his mind. Tracking is his passion, his obsession - and he wants her, Alice - her specifically. He begins the hunt tonight."

"He doesn't know where-"

"How long do you think it will take him to cross her scent in town? His plan was already set before the words were out of her mouth."

I gasped, chafing my wrists in Emmett's hands as my lungs started closing again, even against the medicine I'd just dosed myself up on. "No, Charlie! Take me back right now. We can't just leave him, Edward!"

"She's right," Alice said. The car slowed, slightly. Only back down to one twenty, but it was better than the one thirty it had been a minute before. He looked at me through the window, watching to see how I was doing - he must have heard the rasping of my lungs.

"Let's just look at our options for a minute," Alice coaxed.

"There are no options," Edward hissed.

"I'm not leaving my father," I puffed. "Just like you wouldn't leave yours."

He winced. "Emmett, use her puffer."

Emmett did as he was told, holding both my wrists in one of his giant hands as he gave me another puff. It calmed my breathing and my lungs, but it didn't calm down any other part of me. I was panicking and at this rate I would have an anxiety attack, which would turn into an asthma attack, and I'd be a sitting duck for the tracker.

"We have to take her back," Emmett said finally. I threw him a glance of appreciation.

"No."

"He's no match for us Edward, he won't be able to touch her." He pushed.

"He'll wait." Edward said simply, but with a growl.

"I can wait, too." Emmett smiled.

"You didn't see, you don't understand." Edward groaned. "Once he commits to a hunt, he's unshakable. We'd have to kill him."

Emmett did not seem disturbed. "That's an option." I shot him a look of surprise. "What can I say? You're a pretty cute little firecracker."

"Wait 'til you see me go off." I muttered. "Edward, please."

"The female. She's with him. If it turns into a fight, the leader will go with them, too." Ignored again. I was getting more and more annoyed than hurt by the snubs.

"There are enough of us." Emmett reminded.

"There's another option." Alice said very quietly. I looked at her, confused by the softness of the words - what could she be shy about at a time like this? Don't show weakness in front of him, I wanted to scream, he'll catch it!

"There - is - no - other - option!" The roar was like that of a lion and it stiffened both Emmett and I. Alice did not look surprised. The silence lasted a long minute as Edward and Alice stared each other down.

"Edward, he's my father." I whispered.

"I'm sorry Vivienne, but I can't." Edward whispered back, at least he was acknowledging me.

"You can at least hear my plan."

"No." Edward growled. Alice glared at him, finally provoked by his harsh words to me. Yes, we would be fast friends.

"Just take me back and-"

"No." He interrupted.

I rolled my eyes and continued on anyway. "Take me back. I tell my Dad I want to go home to Phoenix. I pack my bags and when the tracker's watching, we run. He'll follow us and leave Charlie alone and no investigations will need to be done on your family with so much to hide. Then, if you want to, you can take me anywhere from Spain to Saturn. I don't care. Just let me make the ones I care about safe, just like you want to keep me safe."

They were stunned into silence.

"It's not a bad idea, really." Emmett's surprise was insulting. I glared at him.

"Yeah, I have them every now and then. Don't think that the falling on my head has effected it that much." He smiled.

"Yep. I like 'er."

"It might work - and we simply can't leave her father unprotected. You know that," Alice said.

Everyone watched Edward, who seemed to be melting in front of our eyes.

"It's too dangerous - I don't want him within a hundred miles of her."

"Edward, if you don't want him within a hundred miles of me you don't have to let him be - after we keep Charlie out of danger."

"But until that time you want to be?"

Emmett, however, was smug. "Edward, he's not getting through us."

Alice thought a moment. "I don't see him attacking. He'll try to wait for us to leave her alone."

"It won't take long for him to realize that's not going to happen."

"If you don't take me home, I will never speak to you again." My voice was hard and confident, so confident that I even surprised myself. Edward winced.

"I'm sorry, but that is a consequence I'm willing to have you live for."

"I know that you-" I cringed. "That you love me." His eyes finally met mine in intensity, he was intrigued by my direction. "And if you do, you need to let me do this. I can't live with my Dad dead at my cause."

He looked in my eyes for a long moment, seeing the dread, seeing the determination.

"You're leaving tonight, whether the tracker sees or not. You tell Charlie you can't stand another minute in Forks. Tell him whatever story works. Pack the first things your hands touch, and then get in your truck. I don't care what he says to you. You have fifteen minutes. Do you hear me? Fifteen minutes from the time you cross the doorstep."

I took a deep breath of relief as the jeep started again and raced back the way we came. He drove just as quickly. I looked to Emmett with raised eyebrows.

"Hey, Emmett? Don't want a firecracker to go off in your hands." He looked confused for a moment before I looked at his hands which still gripped mine. He blinked.

"Oh, sorry." He let me loose.

"Not a problem, now." A few minutes passed in silence, all of us worrying privately before Edward spoke again, authoritative as ever.

"This is how it's going to happen. When we get to the house, if the tracker is not there then I will walk her to the door. Then she has fifteen minutes." He glared at me in the rear-view mirror. "Emmett, you take the outside of the house. Alice, you get the truck. I'll be inside as long as she is. After she's out, you two can take the jeep home and tell Carlisle."

"No way," Emmett broke in. "I'm with you."

"Think it through, Emmett. I don't know how long I'll be gone."

He shook his head. "Until we know how far this is going to go, I'm with you."

I smiled at him. He really was a giant teddy bear. A loyal, giant, rippling-muscled teddy bear. Edward sighed to him, but seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"If the tracker is there," he continued. "We keep driving."

"We're going to make it there before him." Alice was so confident that none of us questioned it and Edward moved a little faster.

"What are we going to do with the jeep?" she asked.

"You're driving it home."

"No, I'm not." She said calmly. The string of profanities sounded again, this time including my name and James, I rolled my eyes.

"I can still hear you." I looked at Alice, who seemed to be the most reasonable. "We can't all fit in my truck."

Edward did not show signs he heard me.

"...I think I should do this alone."

Oh, but he heard that.

"Vivienne, please just do this my way, just this once." He said between clenched teeth.

"Listen, Charlie's not the brightest bulb, but he isn't blown out." I protested. "If you're not in town tomorrow, he's going to know something's up. He saw how much I liked you. He'll think we've eloped or something."

"If only," he sighed. I blushed. "Either way, that's irrelevant. We'll make sure he's safe, and that's all that matters."

"Then what about the tracker? He saw the way you defended me automatically. He's caught on to what we are." I shook my head. "No, he's going to know you're sticking with me. It's too obvious to everyone if you come with me."

Emmett was impressed again. "Edward, listen to her. I think she's right."

"Yes, she is." Alice whispered.

"I can't do that." Edward was hissing again, almost in pain from the thought.

"Emmett should probably stay too. You're a little bit of a bright beacon, bud."

Emmett glared. "I don't like you so much anymore."

"You'll get a better crack at him if you stay," I was glad Alice was helping me out.

"You think I should let her go alone?" Edward asked incredulously to Alice, who immediately was insulted.

"Of course not," she responded with a scoff. "Jasper and I will take her."

"I can't do that." He said again. This time, his voice was not so steely. I saw my chance and pried at the harness. This got a dark look from him. He was about to tell Emmett to hold me back when I pried myself free and touched his shoulder. He seemed to shrug into it.

"Listen," I started softly. "Stay here for a week...don't look at me like that, fine, as long as you can stand that is over three days," I sighed. "Let Charlie see you have not kidnapped me. Lead James on a wild goose chase. Far away - to China if you can manage it. Then, come meet me, indirectly of course. Jasper and Alice can go home and you and I can go vacation in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean if we have to."

Was that - could that possibly be him considering it?

"Meet you where?"

He was! He was considering it! I almost felt my chest explode with relief.

"Phoenix." He shook his head before the second syllable was out of my mouth.

"No. He'll hear that's where you're going," he said impatiently.

"That's why! With everyone splitting up, he'll know we have a plan and think it's a ruse. Who looks for the presents under the tree before Christmas? No. You go look in the attic and the closets and the garage - but never the tree."

"She's a walking, diabolical analogy!" Emmett chuckled.

"And if it doesn't work?" Edward whispered, his resolve almost completely diminished as we neared my house.

"There are millions of people in Phoenix - the best place to hide is in plain sight. In the sunlight."

"It's not that hard to find a phonebook." He murmured.

"That's why I won't go home." I said as if that had already been decided and was really obvious - which, in my mind, it was. Put my brother, sister, Mom, and step-dad in danger? Also not on my list of priorities.

"Oh?" He inquired with a hiss.

"I'm quite old enough to get my own place. I have money for a hotel room."

"Edward, we'll be with her," Alice reminded him.

"What are you going to do in Phoenix?" he asked her scathingly.

"Stay indoors." There was a silence.

"I kind of like it." Emmett nodded, most likely thinking about how he'd have the 'best crack' at killing James. He also wouldn't have to split up with Rosalie now.

"Shut up, Emmett."

"Look, if we try to take him down while she's still around, there's a much better chance that someone will get hurt - she'll get hurt, or you will, trying to protect her. Now if we get him alone..." He trailed off with a slow smile. I was right. Emmett was a real bear. Not a teddy. Cute...then he sees a treat.

"Vivienne," Edward's voice was suddenly very soft. "If you let anything happen to yourself - anything at all - I'm holding you personally responsible. Do you understand that?"

"Of course, Edward." My grip tightened on his shoulder.

He turned to Alice. "Can Jasper handle this?"

She sneered. "Give him some credit, Edward. He's been doing very, very well, all things considered."

"Can you handle this?" He asked pointedly.

Graceful little Alice let out a sound of a real snarl so ferociously that I froze with my grip hard on Edward's shoulder. He smiled at her, but suddenly narrowed his eyes, looking back at the road.

"Just keep your opinions to yourself."

Aw, poor Alice. She should be trusted. I always liked her, from the first time she was introduced in the series. I would love to thank my lovely reviewers:

Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967: I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Thanks so much for reviewing and I'm sorry for the wait!

seymourblogger: I'm sorry that you feel that way. Hopefully you aren't torturing yourself by reading this far.

Angel of the Night Watchers: Ha, if Jacob imprinted on me...I think my boyfriend would be very intimidated. He's already expressed how he's not sure he can measure up to the romance I write – which is why I write it, not live it. I'm much more simplistic than wanting to be chased around by blood thirsty vampires or being pushed off cliffs. That is an awesome theme for your wedding, if I haven't already told you. I'm so excited for how it turns out – when is it set for again? May? I could be completely off the mark, I just have some memory of it being said. Anyway, thank you for everything – you're my favourite!

msjackson: I'm glad that you like this story. I also am not a fan of Bella, which is why she needed to be replaced, in my books. I also agree that she is quite selfish – she just needs to be dumped by both men and they should move on for real women with real emotions. Haha, thank you for reading and reviewing!

Anyway, thanks for hanging in there! I hope you like this chapter and please check out my other updates. Reviews are more than welcome!

-Egypt