AN

Hey,

I hope every body's ok. Especially with all the problems with uploading lately. I know the updates are dragging on Amaguq, but they will be coming slowly but surely. In the meantime, here's the next chapter for you all. I hope you enjoy it and thanks to all the reviewers as usual!

By the way, if your looking for something to read (during the time between my updates, that is) and haven't already come across it, take a look at a story by dontcallmeleelee called The Two Sides of The Moon. It's a great Leah fic and it seems only fair after she recommended my story on her blog that she also gets the attention she deserves!

Anyway, love you all as always. xx

Cris POV

We reached the outskirts of Barrow and our usual storage rock. Phasing back, we all dressed quickly and in silence. No one bothered to put on their heavy clothes, only throwing on trousers and shirts which wouldn't be a hindrance. We knew that there was no time to delay. We had already heard the screams of our people as we got closer to the city limits and they still weighed heavily on everyone's minds.

By the looks of things, the leeches had broken into the fuel lines that ran around and under the city. We had come across a destroyed pipe line on the way back and it made sense when we considered the speed and aggression with which the fire was spreading. Sadly, it meant that the situation was even worse than we first thought. There would be no way that, even with the city's fire services and emergency procedures in place, the fire could be stopped before it spread. It was simply going to burn until there was nothing left.

At least it made our objective clear. We would have to get in and get as many people out as we could and do it as quickly as possible. There was no doubt that it was going to be dangerous for everyone involved. Not only were we going to be faced with scorching flames, thick smoke and crumbling buildings, but we would have to be on a permanent lookout for any attacking vampires. Once inside the city limits, we would be divided and almost as vulnerable as our people.

As soon as we were dressed, the whole pack stood in a circle and looked at each other. There was a mixture of emotions coming from each member of my pack, although I picked up mostly anger and anxiousness. It was understandable. None of us knew what to expect when we reached Barrow and, as much as I hated to admit it, there was a chance that this would be the last time we were all together. It was amazing how suddenly all the squabbles and fights we'd had over the years seemed so unimportant to me.

I took in each of my packs' faces before I spoke. "It's not too late if anyone wants to drop out. There's no shame in it." My eyes fell pleadingly on the twins. They were the youngest and the ones I tried to protect the most.

"We've already been through this," Alex said, frustrated.

"We are going," Dylan added firmly, with an identical expression of determination as his brother.

I sighed, already knowing that would be their answer. I looked around once more. "Anyone else?"

A huge part of me wished that all of my pack would stay behind. I had a really bad feeling about what we were about to do. Everything was too well planned and my gut instinct as alpha was telling me that something was very, very, wrong. What could I do though?

Even if this was a trap, we couldn't just leave our people to die. This was the exact purpose of our existence. It left me with no choice but to trust in my pack, after all they were strong and they had been training for this for years. It still didn't stop me wanting them safe though. They were my family first and pack second.

Despite my anxieties, Shay, Jaden, Lee and Corey solemnly shook their heads at me. It was unsettling seeing them so on edge. Even Shay's usual anticipation for a fight had dried up. There was nothing fun about this situation or the prospect of fighting when people's lives depended on it.

"I guess that's it, then." I said, reluctantly. "And, we are all agreed on who goes where?" I'd already been over the plan several times on the run here, but I wanted everybody to be sure.

There were nods and mutters of acknowledgement all around.

I forced myself to continue my little pep talk. It was my job to be their reassuring leader, no matter how nervous I was on the inside. "Ok. Good. Well, be safe and don't be reckless. If you come under attack do not hesitate to back off – especially you smaller guys. The priority is to get people out safely. We can deal with the leeches later as a pack. Everyone has their skills so use them and remember, no phasing in front of people." I took a deep breath and hoped that they had listened. "I guess that covers it, so I'll see you all on the other side."

Seeing that I was finished, the guys immediately started wishing each other good luck and to take care. I didn't rush them, knowing that they were hesitant about being apart as a pack, but I did hold myself back from joining in. I knew that it must have looked bad on my part, but as alpha I was trying to convey a sense of confidence in the hope that it would filter down the pack. If I was to appear apprehensive in any way then everyone's moral would be dented.

My pack seemed generally disappointed that had I separated myself from them, but they at least seemed to gather some resolve from it and so, after a few respectful nods in my direction, everyone went their own way, leaving Corey and I standing alone.

I looked at my brother and gathered myself, before walking over and slapping him on the back. I tried to ignore the lump building in my throat. "Let's do this then, little bro."

Corey gave me a half hearted smile, and in silence we headed off towards a nearby dirt road. As soon as our feet hit the old track we pushed forward, finally meeting the fork that would take us to different parts of Barrow. I looked down the path I'd chosen for Corey and was glad to see that the city ahead was still untouched by the fire, although it wouldn't be for long.

"This is it, then. You go right. I go left." I pointed out our paths.

Corey hesitated and looked at the thick smoke crawling towards us along the road that branched left. He seemed uncertain as he looked back to me. "Cris, I never really told you..."

I stuck up my hand commanding his silence. I couldn't handle any sentimental thoughts from my brother. I had to put Cris away and become Suka. "Just be safe, and I'll see you later."

My brother frowned and brushed his hand through his short black hair. "I hate not being able to phase."

I sighed. "I know. Me too, but we can't phase unless we meet a leech. It will only freak people out more."

"It makes us easy targets and we can't communicate." Corey met my eyes concernedly. We both knew that we were more vulnerable this way, but it was also the only way to cover the most ground.

"I know, so like I said - take care, Tupit." I allowed myself to awkwardly pull him into a hug, and he returned it, patting my back forcefully.

"You too, Suka." He released me and quickly turned his back on me before jogging off towards our parent's house.

I had put the rest of my pack on similar missions, knowing that first and foremost they needed to be sure that their families were safe. In the mean time, I planned to head straight into the worst hit area to see what I could do to help. I knew it could be seen as reckless, but if anyone was trapped in the middle of the fire then I had to try and help them. It was my responsibility, and even if I saved just one life, it would be worth it. I refused to abandon anyone as a lost cause.

Finding my determination, I turned from Corey's path and started my walk towards the city outskirts. Within minutes, I was standing at the edge of Barrow staring at the raging fire ahead. Orange and red flames flickered brightly on the horizon, highlighted by the night sky as they consumed roof tops and toppled walls. I put my hands out in front of me and could feel the heat coming off the city, even from where I stood. It was then that I noticed the smoke swirling around me and the air thickening.

I inhaled in an attempt to use my sense of smell and get my bearings, but my nose was met with a stinging sensation and overwhelmed by the harsh acrid smell of things burning. It caused me to cough violently, as my lungs desperately tried to find some clean air and as the hacking worsened, I had to force my body to stop and take only small breaths - I would be no good to anyone if I collapsed with smoke inhalation.

With my sight and smell hindered by the smoke, I instead focused my hearing. Immediately, I picked up the high pitched shriek of a car alarm in the distance and the desperate voices of my people from all directions. I was relieved that I could at least hear there were people ahead of me. It meant that I wasn't too late, and that thought spurred me on.

I took off at speed, methodically going house to house and checking for stragglers. The first street seemed to be deserted, as did the second, however when I reached the third street I came across an old lady who seemed dazed and confused. I immediately escorted her to the outskirts and pointed out the direction of the assembly point, before returning to my duties. I helped several more people in this way, men and women, both young and old. I even came across three huskies chained in a back yard, whimpering as they cowered in their kennels, which I released.

Eventually, I became so absorbed in my task that I lost track of time and as I moved away from the suburbs I saw less and less people. It was then that I changed direction slightly and started to head towards the thicker smoke and epicentre of the fire. As I altered course, I started to hear the sound of sirens and men giving rushed orders. It pleased me that the emergency services obviously hadn't given up either and I wanted to see if I could help.

Unfortunately however, with every step I took towards them my visibility lessened and by the time I was a half mile away it had gotten so bad that I couldn't see further than a metre ahead. Undeterred, I continued forward at a slower pace, taking my time to work my way through the deserted streets without becoming disorientated. All of the sudden, I picked up the light patter of footsteps moving towards me at an inhuman speed. I was well aware that if the leeches planned on attacking me then now would be their best chance, and aware of the potential danger, I crouched down, defensive and ready to attack.

As the footsteps got closer, I waited patiently for their owner to show themselves, but, to my surprise, they changed course and seemed to circle me several times from a distance. I spun around cautiously following the sound of their movement. It definitely wasn't normal behaviour, so I decided to let myself be known and released a deep warning growl. At the same time, the sound of a large engine came roaring up from behind me and an ambulance flew past with its sirens blaring. I automatically threw myself back from the road, out of its way and rolled over awaiting an assault. Unfortunately, by the time the van had passed, the sound of footsteps had also stopped. It made me desperately wish for the use of all of my senses, but the thick smoke made it impossible.

I briefly considered if I should phase and signal the pack, but I decided against it, trusting that they would contact me if needed. Besides, I didn't want to worry or distract them unnecessarily and I couldn't even be sure that it was a vampire I had been circled by. Everything out here seemed so distorted and it could have just been a disorientated person - I had never seen them after all.

As I relaxed and stood up, my concentration slipped and thoughts of Leah resurfaced. I had been fighting them all night, knowing that if I dwelled on them I wouldn't be able to do my job. The reality, however, was that the words of the red-haired leech from earlier had haunted me. The leech had said that they were hitting La Push as well, and I was terrified by what that meant. None of it seemed to make sense and the names the redhead mentioned were completely foreign to me as well.

For one, who the hell was Joham? Was he the monster responsible for this attack on us? If so, why? What did he hope to gain?

And, who was Sophia? The half breed that Leah recently had a run-in with mentioned a Sophia, too. Was she, in fact, responsible for all of this?

Also, how had the leeches even connected La Push and Barrow together? How long had they been watching us? What else were they responsible for?

My biggest concern of all however, was what if Leah got hurt in the midst of it all? She was too stubborn to ever back down from a fight and had no sense of self preservation. I wouldn't be able to bear it if anything happened to her. She meant too much to me and this whole situation had really put that into perspective.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I suddenly heard a woman's desperate scream to the left of me, followed by the sound of a roof collapsing roof and whimpering. I immediately sprinted in the direction of the sound and as I came across an old house engulfed with flames, I heard someone banging on something inside trying to get out. I automatically threw myself at the front door and rammed it with my shoulder several times until whatever debris was blocking it shifted. As I moved inside the house, I was hit by overwhelming and unbearable heat and had to move quickly to the side as a piece of the hallway ceiling fell off and landed where I had been standing. As more things crumbled around and above me, I realised that the house was going to go at any minute, but I refused to leave the woman behind and quickly started peering through the smoke trying to locate her.

Unfortunately, what was left of the hallway was dark and narrow. "Hello?" I yelled at the top of my lungs, coughing as the toxic air caught in my throat.

In reply to my voice, I heard the whimper again and moved further along the corridor. I passed the stairs and noticed a closed door at the end and the sound of movement behind it.

"It's ok. I'm here to help." I shouted again, as I carefully opened the door.

As the door creaked open, the familiar glow of orange behind me lit up the room which was clouded in smoke. I realised it was a kitchen and I edged further in, trying to locate the person. I didn't know what kind of state they would be in, even with my shape-shifting abilities, I was struggling, so a human would be completely lost.

"Are you hurt?" I called out again.

"Hello?" a small female voice whimpered, from the corner of the room. "H... H... Help me."

Hearing the voice, I quickly moved forward and finally sought out her crouched shape. I couldn't help but notice she had a hood up, which fell over her face and hid her expression from me.

Tentatively, I reached my hand out. "Here, let me help you."

As I inched closer, her body shifted ever so slightly and became tense.

"It's ok," I reassured her.

My hand finally reached hers, but I knew it was a mistake as soon as ice cold skin met the warmth of my fingers. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to react as I was immediately thrown backwards into the plastered wall behind me. I felt the house creak around me and the full impact and force reverberated through my human body. I also heard something crack somewhere and realised my shoulder was dislocated. There was no time to dwell on the pain though as the leeches' hood fell down, revealing her bright red hair as she flew towards me, teeth bared and aiming straight for my jugular.

I knew it was unlikely that I would be able to phase quick enough, but nevertheless, I felt my bones crack as my body shifted shape. I howled out in pain at my shoulder, and this time, felt my body being slammed chest down into the ground as the leech towered over me. I heard her hiss as her hands firmly clasped my head, ready to break my neck.

Thoughts of Leah rushed into my head once more. I couldn't let this happen, especially with so much still left unsaid between us. I refused to let our last conversation be a bad one. Finding more strength from somewhere deep inside, I fought again against the blood sucker and managed to get to my feet, despite the fact that she was holding on like a vice. I snapped and snarled and tried to twist myself to shake her off. My back leg managed to scratch at her and I heard a low hiss as her fingers dug into my skin and drew blood.

"What the ..." the leech started to curse as her weight was lifted off me.

I immediately threw myself up to see a small ball of brown fluff tumbling around the room with the red head. As two long legs bucked out and kicked the leech in the stomach I realised it was Lee in his Hare form. I hadn't even heard he was phased until now.

"Lee, get out of here now." I yelled, launching myself towards the leech.

I knew he was no match for her. He was all about speed and hearing. I continued towards them as they battled around the kitchen. Lee's thoughts were a jumbled mess, focused only on getting the leech off me and buying me some time. It seemed to be working as the leech took several blows to the face and torso from Lee's strong legs. His claws also scratched across her, leaving deep marks in her marble skin. I could feel his satisfaction as my body flew through the air towards them both.

It all seemed to happen in slow motion. The leech saw me coming and, in a split-second move, her hands managed to get a hold of Lee's waist. Her blood red eyes glistened as they met mine, and I heard the sound of breaking bones as her grasp tightened around Lee's small frame. Finally, she kicked him backwards, pushing him through the glass kitchen window and launched herself at me, all in the blink of an eye.

"NO!" I yelled in my head, but I couldn't hear Lee anymore and I knew I had to get to him. That thought was enough to push me, and without hesitation, I met the leech mid air and twisted my body around hers, quickly tearing off her head with my teeth. Her body was now blindly clawing at me, but undeterred, I swiftly flew through the broken window to find Lee. I phased back as soon as I spotted him.

He lay sprawled in a twisted shape among the glass and debris in the dark alley. He was human and naked, and his normally russet skin was pale and sickly looking. I ran to him, my own arm hanging limply by my side and my chest aching. The smoke continued to spiral around us, cutting us off from the world. His small chest thrummed up and down at the speed of a humming bird's wings and he was struggling for breath.

"Lee, it's ok." I gently felt over his small frame, trying to figure out where to start with his injuries. I felt beneath him and pulled out my hand only to realise it was covered in his blood.

"Cri... Cris..." he stuttered as he failed to catch his breath.

"Shh. Don't talk. We're going to get you help."

I looked him over once more, and realised that his torso was completely crushed. I felt for the source of the blood on his back and found a raised lump. Despite carefully lifting him onto his side, he let out a blood curdling scream. I laid him back down straight away, but not before seeing a chunk of his flesh was missing and teeth marks denting his skin – at some point tonight he had been bitten. I held on to him as he started to convulse. I knew that vampire venom was poisonous to us; the wolves had made it a well known fact.

"Lee, I have to get you out of here." I started to lift him into my arms.

"No." His hands grasped my shoulder and he coughed harshly, still unable to breath. "Too... late... attacked... couldn't... kill... bitten... ran... help... you... failed."

"You didn't fail, buddy. You saved me." I gripped his hand tightly in mine. "You need medical help though."

"Protect... the... secret." He whispered, as his eyes fluttered.

"Screw the secret. I'm your alpha and you are not going anywhere on my watch." I was already sprinting out of the alley and down the street, carrying him in my arms. I was quite a few miles from the assembly point, but I hoped my speed could make up for it.

Lee coughed again in my arms, this time bringing up blood, which trickled down his chin. His body started convulsing even more violently, and he began to scream and thrash his legs. "Put me down!"

Unable to safely carry his jerking frame, I reluctantly did what he asked, all the while keeping a look out for more leeches. I couldn't believe I had been so stupid to let this happen. I was so busy trying to save everyone that I didn't consider it would be a leech in the house. I should have been ready. I should have protected my pack mate - I was his alpha and it was my duty.

"Burning... it burns, Cris." Lee shuddered, thumping his hands brutally against my chest. His blood was still pooling around him as the city continued to burn.

"I know, brother. I'm sorry." I let him hit me as hard as he wanted, hoping it would bring him some relief. "Please, I can get help."

"Don't..." he whispered, and I noticed that all of the sudden his convulsions were lessening and his grip loosening. His eyes were slowly falling closed.

"Come on Lee, stay with me." I shook him, trying to get him to open his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere, but you have to stay awake."

I started to become overwhelmed by the situation. My pack brother was dying in my arms and I was unable to save him. I continued to shake him, becoming more violent in my actions when his eyes didn't open.

I quickly put my hand over his mouth, terrified when I felt no breath. I watched his chest that had fallen still and felt for his pulse point, but there was nothing. Without a thought I started to perform CPR, but as I pushed against his ribcage, all I heard was a crack. Horrified I had broken him further, I tried it more lightly, using mouth to mouth at the right time, but he still didn't wake up. I didn't care though, I was resolved that I would save him no matter how long it took and so I kept going.

In the end, I had no idea of how long I stayed in the street trying to bring my pack mate back to life. It was only when the smoke around me became so thick that I couldn't breathe, I finally stopped and painfully admitted to myself that he was gone. I felt the tears as they ran down my face and I sobbed silently into my hands. Remembering that I had to get out, I brushed my face with my soot and blood covered hands and picked up Lee's limp broken body. I had lost all of my clothes phasing, but I was beyond caring and so I sadly made my way back towards the assembly point.

I lost count of my footsteps and the miles I walked, forcing myself to look ahead and not at the dead body in my arms. Finally however, the smoke started to clear and I realised it was dawn. I suddenly noticed people moving about up ahead, but I couldn't make out who they were. I knew I had been seen however, when several voices called out to me.

It felt like I was emerging from a dream as my lungs took in the fresher air, and before I knew it, Lee was being lifted out of my arms and a blanket was wrapped around me. Fearing for my friend, I snarled and automatically tried to pull his body back to me – I had to protect him.

Corey quickly appeared in front of me. "Cris, calm down. They aren't going to hurt him."

"He's dead." I stated, as the numbness set in and I fell to my knees exhausted.

My brother crouched down beside me, his face looked aged and his eyes red raw. "I know, but it's going to be ok, Cris."

I took a deep shuddering breath and tried to focus on something else... anything else than the memory of Lee's broken form. Pushing myself back up to feet and rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand, I slowly looked around.

In the distance, a temporary shelter had been built, much like a marquee and people were being offered medical help and warm clothes. I saw Lee's body being carried into a small but long enclosed tent and shortly after, the man came back out empty handed. I recognised him by face, but not name, and he caught my eye and gave me a solemn nod.

Fighting the pain, I looked around at the other victims of the disaster. Many of the residents around me were injured in one way or another. The majority seemed to have suffered burns, but a few appeared to have head injuries and broken bones.

I noticed many families stood huddled together, silently looking back at their homes. I, too, looked back at the ruins of our society. The residents of Barrow had lost everything - their jobs, their homes and their possessions. Dark smoke was the only thing left and it billowed from the remains of the charcoaled buildings. As if in some sick consultation, instead of snow, a light blanket of ash covered the ground and swirled around us on the light morning breeze.

Somehow, night had come and gone without me even realising.

Corey came and stood by my shoulder in silence.

"How many?" I eventually asked.

"Cris..."

"How many died?" I snarled, not taking my eyes of the ruins.

"We don't know yet. The majority of people are accounted for, but there's about 100 confirmed dead so far and lots missing." Corey paused.

"Shit." I dragged my dirty hands through hair, tugging at the roots in desperation. I turned and looked Corey in the eye. "What about the rest of the pack?"

"Shay's ok, he suffered some pretty serious burns though getting people out. Dylan's also recovering, he broke a few limbs." My brother paused.

"Jaden and Alex?" I questioned, as a lump rose further in my throat.

"They're missing. Dylan got attacked and split up from Alex. He managed to kill his leech, but he broke his arm and leg and couldn't find his brother. Shay found him and dragged him back here. There's been no word from Jaden either." Corey's voice seemed distant and robotic.

"What about you? Did you get attacked?" I looked him over and could see no signs of a fight.

"No. I got Mom and Dad out and came back here to guard the survivors like you asked. I did see some leeches circling around the camp, but I guess it was too big a crowd to risk exposure. Shay took out four though, and Dylan took out one. We obviously don't know about Jaden and Alex. I'm guessing you had a run-in, too?"

"Yeah, I don't think I'd be here if it wasn't for Lee." My breath caught as I fought back the grief, and I wrapped my good arm tight around my chest holding myself together.

"What happened?" he asked sadly.

"I can't. Not yet." I shook my head vigorously.

Corey bit his lip and his eyes glazed over. I knew he too was trying not to break down. "I'm glad you're safe, brother." He put his hand on my shoulder.

I shook it off, unable to stand sympathy or compassion. I had to be strong. "We can grieve later. Right now, we have to find Dylan and Jaden."

"Well, why don't we get your arm sorted and get some clothes and then you and I will go and look for them?" He cautiously put his arm around me and tried to turn me towards the tent.

"No. You can fix my arm. It's dislocated, not broken, and I don't need clothes. We are phasing." I said firmly.

"Cris, I can't. What if I make it worse?"

I could see the worry in his eyes.

"It will be fine, but let's just get away from everyone in case." I was already pacing away from the crowds and towards the city.

Corey kept up. "What about Shay and Dylan?"

"Better resting." I grunted, picking up even more pace.

My brother nodded and remained silent until we reached the outskirts. We then slipped down a side alley, where I leant back against a cold stone wall.

"Do it." I motioned to the arm that hung by my side.

Corey swallowed nervously. "You sure about this?" He felt around the socket, before grasping my shoulder in one hand and my upper arm in the other.

"Just do it." I grunted through gritted teeth.

"On the count of 3?" he suggested.

I nodded.

"Ok. 1... 2...3"

I heard my arm snap again as he pulled it and realigned it in the socket. The sharp pain that came with it left me quickly, leaving only a heavy ache in body. Now I could at least heal properly.

I bent over and caught my breath, before looking up at my brother, who looked incredibly guilty.

"Is it ok?" He asked nervously.

"It'll heal." I replied solemnly.

We both fell silent for a moment and started at each other as a wave of sadness seemed to wash over us. I finally broke it with a question that had been burning in my mind. "Is there any word from La Push?"

"Honestly? I don't know. The lines are down." He replied with a worried expression, which I guessed matched mine.

"Fuck." I tugged at my hair before calming myself. "Ok. Let's just phase. With luck, someone will be there. They have to be because I can't lose anyone else today." I threw the blanket on the ground and turned away from Corey.

Shifting into my wolf, I felt Corey join me, but there was no one else there. Jaden and Alex were either unphased or...

"Don't think it." Corey scolded.

I sighed as Corey's own anxieties were added to mine. As a distraction, I felt for the alpha link hoping to at least find Leah. My heavy heart skipped a beat when I caught the heavy tones of two alphas. Unfortunately, neither belonged to the she-wolf I craved for.