Chapter Twenty Seven

Bella

I was dying, I knew that and all I could think of was that I hadn't even lived yet, it was so unfair. To die at the hands or fangs of a supernatural entity seemed so surreal but I couldn't deny the evidence before me. The huge wolf prowled back and forth its tail swishing angrily but for some reason it couldn't approach me, something was keeping it at bay and for that I was thankful. To die was one thing but to be ripped to pieces by a giant wolf was something so terrible I couldn't allow it.

Suddenly the wolf turned and snarls erupted from its mouth, foam flecked teeth like razors in the dark. I couldn't see what agitated it until another wolf broke free of the shadowy trees and stood looking at me. The two beasts seemed to be communicating although I couldn't hear any words then the newcomer approached looking at me before testing how close it could get. Realising it too was prevented from reaching me the two sat down to watch. Were they going to wait until I was dead and then take my body home? Why were they doing this? I felt my head becoming light and looking down at my shoulder I could see the travel rug was red with my blood. It wouldn't be long before I was too weak to move and I had to do something so I staggered to my feet swaying but managing to stay upright.

I staggered forward not heeding the snarls and growls and the wolves backed off as if being pushed back by an invisible wall. I caught a tree to help me stay upright and continued on in this way with no idea of direction or time but it was suddenly important that I keep moving, as if something were pulling me on like a magnet. I stopped to hold my shoulder and vomited with the pain but then I went on again still shadowed by the two beasts but ignoring them in my hazy existence of pain.

Something changed in the atmosphere and I looked ahead to see a figure running towards me, I was safe, I'd been found but the spitting and snarling of the wolves reminded me they were still following me and whoever was coming would run straight into them.

"Go back, get away"

I tried to warn the figure but I had no idea if I even made any sound I felt so weak. I tripped over a root and went sprawling as the wolves launched their attack and all I could do was close my eyes and wait for the screams of terror that were sure to come.

I heard snarls, yelps, and the growls of the terrible beasts but there was another sound too, a different deeper snarling and the sound of flesh on flesh. Was the figure fighting the wolves? How was that possible? Unless...Garrett or the Cullens. I looked up to see the figure wrestling with one of the wolves while the other circled looking for an opening like the coward it was. I couldn't let this person die for me so I staggered back to my feet and limped forward slowly shouting to get the wolf's attention. As its head swung round the other wolf screamed and went limp in the figures arms. The second hesitated then ran for the shelter of the trees and escape. As I started to fall again the figure came over and caught me,

"Bella? Can you hear me?"

I nodded although the words were indistinct and woolly,

"Yes, I can hear you"

"You've lost a lot of blood. I don't think you're going to make it. I can save you but it means biting you. It means you becoming a vampire. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"No, yes, what?"

The trees started spinning and I felt myself floating away, I was dead but at least I hadn't died at the claws and teeth of the wolves.

Jasper

I was almost too late, maybe I was too late, I felt Bella's fear but also her determination, she wasn't going to give up without a fight and I admired her for it. It took too long to fight off the wolves but at least she was still conscious when I got to her. I tried to explain the situation but she was too far gone to understand so I scooped her up and ran with her back into the trees and out of the worst of the rain. Laying her on a fallen tree I pulled aside the travel rug and saw the ugly wound in her shoulder. It was bad but luckily the fabric of the rug had staunched the flow or she would have bled out long ago. Now I had to decide if I could save her human life or if I had to make the decision to turn her.

Wiping her hair away from her face I thought how beautiful she was. Although her skin was waxy pale there was just a hint of red to her cheek bones and her lips were still tinged pink. I couldn't vacillate, change her or save her as a human. I smelled her scent, she still smelled human enough, I could chance it but then if I did and she died in my arms how would I explain it to the others? Equally if I bit her how did I explain that? Why was I worried how the others viewed my actions? I was the one here not them. I sighed,

"I'm sorry, I can't take the chance of you dying on me whatever the consequences."

I turned her head to one side and bit into her throat injecting my venom into her until I knew I'd done enough then I ran my tongue along the wound I'd made to seal it.

"I'm sorry Bella, truly sorry."

I picked up her seemingly lifeless body cradling it as gently as I could and waiting for the terrible agony of the change to start. When it did she reacted strangely, yes she writhed in my arms but she was so quiet, no cries escaped her lips and I wondered if I'd been too late...but no, her heart still beat and her lungs drew oxygen in. I couldn't tarry any longer I needed to get her inside before the other wolves, if there were any left now except Sam Uley, came to take her from me.

I sucked up as much of her pain as I could and still function, running fast through the forest towards Forks. Did I take her to her father's house or to the Cullens. The latter would have been better but it might look as if I were trying to hide what I'd done so I changed direction and finally saw her fathers house before me, the monster truck parked up outside so at least I'd have some allies.

Someone must have seen me coming because the door was opened and Bella taken from my arms which felt suddenly and strangely empty.

"Bella? Oh God"

I recognised Bella's father as he held his daughter in his arms,

"What happened? Is she OK?"

I shook my head wiping the rain from my face with a towel Rosalie had handed me.

"I'm sorry Chief Swan. The wolf attacked and she was bitten. By the time I found her she'd lost too much blood. I had no choice if I were to save her."

He looked at me his eyes opened wide,

"What did you do?"

Carlisle came to my aid,

"Chief, what Jasper is saying is that he was forced to change Bella to save her."

"But she's not dead?"

"No, but she is becoming a vampire Chief, as Jasper said it was that or let her bleed to death."

Sorry folks I wont be posting tomorrow but things should be back to normal at the weekend. many thanks to everyone who reads and those who review. Jules x