Cris POV

I was resting in a clearing not far from the coast line feeling very much deflated. We'd been searching for hours. I'd sent the twins out looking in another direction, while Jaden had taken to flying along the coast line for any sign of Leah. The last time we'd spoken, he'd just phased out to rest near Anchorage, and I was now waiting for him to phase back in.

Corey and Shay were currently talking to Seth and Embry about where to go next. I tried to shut out their conversation as I willed Leah to phase in and talk to me.

It was a fruitless wish. I was pleased when Jaden phased back in.

"Cris, I met some fisherman in the City and managed to get them talking about anything odd lately. They said that there's a game range at McNeil River down the coast, it's normally great hunting grounds, except every animal in that area, all the way to the point, has cleared out. It's not much, but if I was an animal and leeches moved into my neighborhood suddenly, I might take off too. I'm going to check it out."

"Thanks, Jaden, we've already checked that area of coast, but there's no harm in a second look. Keep me posted."

"Sure thing, Cris."

"Jaden, you've been flying for hours. Take a break," I ordered.

It was night time and he'd been going up and down the coast all afternoon. Alex's death was weighing heavily in all our minds. There was a huge void in our pack. I guess I couldn't really blame him for pouring his energies into something else. He ignored me and started to hoot. I rolled my eyes.

"No harm in trying, right?" he muttered.

It was on his third or fourth call that my heart skipped a beat.

On the wind carried the slightest whisper of a name...

"Did you hear that?" I sat up alert. My pack, who were near me, turned around, alerted by my movement.

"Yeah... there, again," Jaden confirmed.

I watched through his eyes as he sailed across the ocean. "Where are you going? Where did it come from? This could be our only chance, Jaden."

"I know, Cris, so you've got to let me concentrate."

I remained silent, but within seconds he had crossed the ocean and come across an island. He swooped low, sighting the ruins of a huge building sitting on a cliff. Parts of it had already broken off into the waves below, but there were lights scattered throughout. Someone, or something, was occupying it.

Keeping low, he swung around the corner of the building. That's when I saw her face. Leah was staring hopelessly into the night. She looked tired, but at first glance unharmed.

"Jaden, you see her?"

"I see her. I'm going to try and break the windows," he suggested.

He didn't hesitate to hook his feet onto the bars that were blocking Leah's escape and pull them out. They were old though and deep into the building. Jaden was strong in a different way to me. He couldn't do it.

"I'm sorry." He thought, whether to me or Leah, I didn't know. He swept backwards, giving her some room to see him clearly.

He was contemplating a way to talk to her, but Leah solved the problem for him.

"The girls are in the room next to me. Emily's sick, but they are all ok. Nessie's kept separate. They are trying to make her drink human blood, I think. I've seen Megan, she's safe. There's half breed and vampires here, don't know how many. We're in the cellar or something leading off a big hall. I can't phase they are injecting me. I don't know how much time I have left to stall Joham before he carries out any threats."

Even now, she was thinking about others before herself. She put the rest of us to shame. While we were selfishly only thinking of our loved ones she was always thinking of the bigger picture. I admired her so much for it; she was strong and clever. and had given us as much information as she could neglecting her own fears.

I growled and Jaden screeched as she was suddenly hauled backwards. I could hear a struggle, followed my a loud thump, then silence. My blood boiled. I would rip apart any vampire that touched her.

"Get out of there, Jaden. You need to put a safe distance between you and that place until we can regroup. You've just given us the lead we needed though."

Jaden agreed and took off towards the main land and our location. I phased back, my hope renewed. Seth and Embry had been alerted by Corey and joined us.

I looked at all of them. Fear, anger and anticipation on their faces.

My blood was pumping hard, my wolf fighting to be freed. "Someone better get Sam and the Cullens; Jaden's found her."

The sound of our movement across the forest was like thunder to my ears. The drum of each set of feet against the floor like a war cry. When I had first left Alaska, I never imagined such a raw power could exist, but here we were. Any animal that hadn't done so already fled before us as we passed. Vampires and shape shifters alike, ready to rain death and destruction against our enemies and bring our loved ones home.

Jaden had turned the tables; I couldn't be prouder. Not just because we could now attempt a rescue mission, but because my long under estimated pack had their chance to shine and we weren't done yet.

We reached the coast line just outside of Anchorage, skidding to a stop. The moon was sinking slowly towards morning. In its light you could easily see Sam's pack, chomping at an imaginary bit. They were finding it difficult to still themselves. Sam himself was pacing the end of the dock, waiting for our transport.

Seth and Embry joined me, shoulder to shoulder. I couldn't talk with them through the alpha link, but I nodded. We all knew our aims.

"Where's the doctor?" Corey asked me.

I turned my head towards him as he brought Shay and the twins to join us. They still couldn't quite hold our speed.

"He'll be here," I confirmed.

Carlisle had diverted from our path and gone into Anchorage to rent a boat. While we were all more than capable of swimming, we needed transport. We didn't know what state anyone would be in coming back home or what we would find when we arrived.

Everyone's anxiety was growing quickly. I looked around taking in the remaining Cullens and Denali clan who were each dealing with their own demons. Most of them were grouped together, waiting patiently like statues, with the exception of Emmett and Rosalie who were talking softly, heads bowed together, and Edward.

I almost felt sorry for the state Edward was in. He was crouched low, head bowed and with a desperate expression on his face. Jacob was pacing not far from him.

My ears twitched and pulled my focus back to the ocean. The low whirring sound of a motor was coming closer. As we caught sight of Carlisle and the motor boat, we all proceeded to phase back ready for boarding. We had already agreed we went together, on mass.

The boat dipped back and forth as we climbed aboard, dropping lowest when Shay got on last of all. Jaden remained phased and in the air above us, acting as our guide and scout.

Little was said by anyone. We had already discussed the plan. We were to attack as one, but as soon as we could safely do so, make a gap so that whoever was in the best position could slip through and search out the girls. We would then follow as soon as possible, or allow them time to escape, depending on how the building was laid out. We couldn't plan anything in more detail than that until we were inside.

A part of me was frustrated that I might have to rely on someone else to find Leah. Seth, Embry and I had already agreed she and the baby were on our priority list. It meant whatever happened, one of us would have to be able to make a break for it. We couldn't trust anyone else.

The boat moved forward away from the dock and spray splashed up at us. The silence, anxiety and anticipation began to build among us. It was only fueled on by the mist that had suddenly appeared around us. The further we got from land, the thicker it seemed to get. Visibility became so low you could almost imagine a ghost ship looming out ahead of us. Jaden eventually dropped down lower to the boat to lead. We had been going quite for some time now and were well past the point, away from Anchorage, and out to sea. An eerie silence had long fallen around us.

Eventually, the boat began to slow. I looked up to see a shadow of land ahead. As we drew in closer, Carlisle looked for a dock. It took a while, and when we were finally anchored we climbed off one by one. There was a shiver that rippled through all of the packs. This land was dead. Nothing lived here anymore. You could hear it. The silence was too deep. No birds, no insects and, appropriately today, no sun. Even though dawn was breaking, there was simply a cruel cold mist.

Embry was the one who finally broke the tension. "I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

Everyone sniggered and the load we each carried lightened just a little.

Even Seth smiled. "Out of all the movie quotes to choose from - The Wizard of Oz - really?"

Embry just shrugged it off. "So, are we going to do this or what?"

A growl reverberated around in agreement as bodies curled and bones twisted. Hands and feet turned to paws, skin sprouted fur, and dozens of teeth grew long and sharp, ready to tear limbs from anyone who stood in our path. It was a dark day. I didn't know who would be here at the end of it, but we were all just as willing to move forward.

I spoke privately with my pack.

"The monster responsible for Lee's death is ahead of us. We all want revenge for him and we will get it, but we can't let that drive us. Maxine's child is in there. Leah's in there. Bella, Rachel, Kim, Emily - all of them are in danger. You have to remember, that everything we do from now affects them too. This is different to the attack on Barrow. We get to be a team now and have each other's backs. No one needs to be a hero. It's not a movie. There's no shiny gold medal at the end for bravery. If you're lucky you get your life and that of your friends."

Corey continued for me. "Use your individual skills. Don't fight like a wolf if you're not a wolf. Dylan and Alex, I'm directing that at you. Stick with side attacks and working with each other. You can anticipate each other better than anyone else ever could. You have the best chance of slipping ahead as well. If you get the opportunity go for it and don't look back."

"We stay together for as long as possible though." I added. "Seth and Embry are working with us. They are as good as our pack. Treat them the same." I paused. "I'm proud of each and everyone of you."

"I wouldn't want to fight beside anyone else." Shay thought warmly.

Jaden swooped down low and over our heads. "Me either, brothers."

"We won't let you down." Alex's determination shone through.

Dylan was just as adamant. "We're ready."

I looked to Corey.

He bumped my shoulder and snorted. "If you're waiting for me to confess my undying love for you all, don't hold your breath... I guess we could do worse as a pack though." Although he tried to lighten the mood, the underlying concern and appreciation for us all came through all the same.

"Let's go then," I ordered.

And, just like that, we moved forward on mass into the unknown.

Who would still be standing at the end was uncertain, but I finally felt like my pack was ready for this. It was on our terms this time, and to me, that counted for everything.

AN

Beta credit to the brilliant Dontcallmeleelee who someone how manages to fit me into to her very busy schedule. Very appreciative Stella, couldn't do it without you!

Thanks to all the reviewers and followers too. I hope you enjoyed this update and would love to hear your thoughts as always!