Chapter Twenty Five

Carlisle

Once Jasper explained who he was and why he was here everything made sense and I was only too happy to welcome him,

"I could hardly refuse your request. After all you saved my friend and a very unpleasant end for the Police Chief's daughter. But what I don't quite understand is what they expected to gain from this insanity Jasper"

"I'd say it was pretty obvious. The Quileutes want you gone and if they could force a vampire to kill a human then they have an excuse to kill you or get her father to run you out of Forks."

"That sounds a little extreme, after all they are guardians. They have no right to hurt human beings."

"Well I guess its up to you to sort that one out. In the meantime what do we do with her?"

We both looked at the unconscious girl. I had thrown my jacket over her naked body to give her some dignity but the way I felt at the moment I was beginning to wish it was six feet of earth.

"One wolf escaped you said?"

"Yes the leader Sam Uley."

"So by now the whole pack will know the plan failed and Bella is still alive. They have to find a way to limit the damage although with no humans hurt will anyone believe our story? They want the treaty to end so they aren't going to do anything to make themselves look bad but they will try again I'm sure. Perhaps the best thing would be for us to move on now before someone does get hurt or killed."

"I think its a little late for that Carlisle. They have three dead wolves and one a prisoner. I think they'll see that as a declaration of war and if they put the right spin on it you could find yourselves fighting for your lives if they get the support of other tribes."

I groaned, of course he was right.

"I think we need to get Bella back to her father, at least that will be one problem solved. He can see she isn't harmed and even if the Quileutes lie about the attack they can't prove anything. Do you think there's a chance Bella might have seen who ran them off the road or attacked Garrett?"

"I have no idea. You'll have to ask her yourself. I take it she and Garrett are something special?"

"No I don't think so. He met her a few months ago when he visited and again at the airport although I'm not sure that was an accident but there's nothing between them as far as I know."

"Well if she does know anything she will be at risk of further attacks from the wolves. It's the only way they can cover their tracks so maybe we'd better head back."

Jasper picked up the unconscious girl and threw her over his shoulder,

"This might come in handy as leverage. Oh and if you have cell phone reception I'd ring Bella's father and tell him she's safe. You might want to ring the Quileute elders too and warn them if they make any trouble you'll kill their female."

"I couldn't do that Jasper. Not take her life just to pay them back."

"You don't have to. I'll do it if they make any trouble. Just tell them The Major has her."

He turned then and walked slowly away in the direction the others had taken while I followed fumbling to get my phone out of my saturated pants. The Major? Now I had heard of him, so this was the fabled Major Whitlock. I would never have guessed but it explained a lot, like how he had taken the wolves so easily.

Jasper

I was uneasy, I didn't understand all the dynamics at work here but I didn't like the fact the Alpha of the wolf pack was still running free and now wolves had died there would be more phasing, possibly a lot more, and this could easily spiral out of control. If it did so then the Volturi would become involved and that never ended well for anyone outside Volterra. Picking up speed I felt a sense of urgency but still listened to Carlisle's conversation.

"Chief Swan. I thought I should let you know we have located Bella and will be bringing her home as soon as the weather permits."

"Thank God. Can I speak to her?"

"She's with my daughter Rosalie and son Emmett but as soon as we reach them I'll make sure she phones you. Can I ask if you've heard anything from the Quileute elders?"

"No, why?"

"Well it seems some of their pack were out tonight and I think they might try blaming us for Bella's accident. I just thought I should warn you"

"Right, well if they do contact me I'll keep that in mind. Bella is OK though? Garrett didn't hurt her?"

"No, he didn't. She sustained slight injuries in the crash but she's awake and lucid. I'll get her to speak to you soon."

Well that hadn't gone too badly but then he rang the reservation,

"Mr Clearwater this is Dr Cullen"

"What do you want?"

"I think you know why I'm ringing."

"Do I? Why don't you enlighten me."

"Your pack tried to kill Chief Swans daughter. Three are dead and your daughter is with us."

"Leah? Is she alive?"

"Yes she is, so is Sam Uley. No doubt you've already heard from him"

"No I haven't and I was not a party to what happened tonight Dr Cullen. I want my daughter back."

"I'm sure you do but for now she will remain in my care. A guarantee that you don't try blaming the deaths on us."

"If not you then who Dr?"

"I think you might have heard of their killer. Major Whitlock."

There was a long silence which only went to prove he knew exactly who I was.

"I suggest you talk to the council of elders and reign the pack in before anyone else dies."

Carlisle cut the connection, probably a wise move for now, give the elders a chance to think about what they'd done and what they should do next. The girl murmured and struggled across my back trying to escape my grip so I swung her head to hit an overhanging branch, not hard enough to kill her but it put her out again. I didn't have time to worry about a phasing wolf right now, I scented danger up ahead and broke into a run followed by a questioning Carlisle.

We reached the truck I had thought they might bring but it was empty, the doors stood open and the seats were soaked.

"What happened? Where are the others?"

I dropped the girl and cast around for signs finding two sets of enormous paw prints in the mud under the trees,

"It seems Sam wasn't ready to give up too easily, he found a friend."

"But surely Emmett and Rose could hold them off with Garretts help, I know he was weak but even so"

"I think they went off first, their tracks lead away from the truck and the paw prints overlay them. The wolves arrived after they left and now they have your daughter and the human girl."

"Do you think they'll kill them?"

"Not while we have her, no."

I kicked the girls unconscious body where it fell when I'd thrown it on the ground,

"As long as they think there's a chance we might trade they'll keep them alive, it's what I'd do."