Leah POV

We ran hard. We could smell blood and sweat on the air in the opposite direction to the mansion and used that as our lead. Seth and Embry kept up with me. I had to admit I was impressed - they were getting faster. We took formation with myself leading in the center and them both flanking me. Embry was to my right and slightly more forward than Seth on my left.

We had covered about a mile when we came across the clearing where I had stabbed Anna. We approached cautiously. Sure enough no one had come to save her. She lay abandoned, curled up in a foetal position; her hands gripping the spear through her middle. Her eyes were wide open and still. Her chest didn't rise. Embry stepped forward and prodded her with his paw angrily.

"Dead," he confirmed.

My lip curled. "Good." The bitch had caused enough problems.

We continued on. I showed them that this was where Edward had intercepted Joham. There was no one in sight now though. I eventually caught a sweet scent on the wind and followed it. We moved more slowly, listening to our surroundings for clues. Up ahead, there was shuffled movement and whimpering. Breaking the undergrowth we found Nessie.

Sensing us approach, she turned towards us snarling protectively over a body, but as soon as she realized it was us she relaxed.

It dawned on me with horror she was protecting Edward, or what remained of him. A part of his face was scarred and damaged, burns featured over his body and he was missing an arm. He was still alive physically, but in his eyes he looked as dead as Anna. He sat on the ground, his remaining hand gripping Nessie's and keeping her in place.

I phased back, keeping low to the ground. "Nessie, what happened?"

Edward didn't look my way or release her and she didn't dare leave her father's side and come to me.

"Joham," she shuddered. "Grandpa found them fighting, but before he could intervene the monster threw some sort of vial at Dad. The majority of it hit Dads arm, burning straight through it like acid, but he some got his face and body as well. It won't heal. Grandpa thinks there might have been venom in it. Joham ran after that."

"Where is Carlisle now?" My eyes searched the clearing. "Why are you all alone?"

"I was looking for Jake, but got turned around in the forest. I made Grandpa go back to the dock where he was needed and promised to stay to with Dad. I think he's catatonic. I've seen Jake though, he charged through here with Cris." She started to cry. "They didn't even stop... I didn't know what was happening... From the look on their faces I thought everyone was dead."

"It's ok." I soothed. "You've done really well. Everyone's ok." I lied. No one was ok - faces flashed behind my eyes... Bella, Sam, Colin, Brady, Lee, Emmett - none of them were ok, but what could I tell the girl? A lie was better than the truth right now. She needed to have something to hope for until I got her back to her family. "What way did they go?"

She pointed towards the forest and the broken undergrowth leading away from us. I should have noticed sooner, it looked like giants had crashed through before us.

I phased back and looked at my brother. "Seth, listen to me. I was in the forest earlier around this area. I had Megan in my arms and another kid, but I had to hide them it was too dangerous. If Joham and the guys are tumbling around the forest they could be in danger. I need you to find them, ok? They weren't far from the coast, in an old tree stump hole."

He was seething. "You can't expect me to leave you. I thought we agreed we were doing this together."

"I know, but they are just children, Seth. Megan's Barrows blood too. We have to make sure she is ok and get her back to the dock. The boy might not be there." I flashed them an image of me hiding the children and the conversation in the mansion with Sophia. "Please," I begged.

He knew I was right, but that didn't stop him from arguing. "Why me? Why not Embry? Don't you dare dump me babysitting the kids and Nessie, I know that's where you're heading."

"Look. No one is getting a baby sitting job. To be honest, I don't care which one of you go. The end result is the same - someone needs to get Megan, grab Nessie and Edward on their way back, and get them all to the dock." I growled. "I picked you purely because you're faster than Embry and if Edward's going to respond to any wolf you have the best chance."

"This still isn't fair. I don't like it." Seth muttered.

"I agree, Leah. We should stick together." Embry added.

"I know, but we have no choice. It's too dangerous and Megan's innocent in this. Please, just get everyone safe and wait for us at the dock, Seth." I didn't physically put an alpha order in place, but Seth knew I expected him to follow my request.

With a snort, Seth relented and headed off towards the scent of the ocean. I kept a part of my mind with him as he went. "Love you, Little Bro," I thought lightly.

He warmed a little. "You too."

I smiled and nudged Embry in the direction of the debris. "Shall we."

"Yes, let's go," he agreed.

Embry and I could easily see where the fighting had taken place. What worried both of us was the amount of blood among the trees - someone was injured.

We had traveled about another mile when the sounds of snarling and growling could be heard ahead; if possible we picked up pace. My heartbeat increased as we drew nearer, there was a thunderous sound of trees breaking and then a single shot rang out followed by a yelp. We broke into the area of the fight and my body shook. Joham was locked in a battle with Cris who had his canines around Joham's head, but Joham equally had his hands around Cris's neck and was ready to break it. They were caught in a stalemate position and I realized the blood was coming from Cris' injury; he had a huge gash on the side of his body.

To the left, trying to stand was Jake. He had phased back and was bleeding from the shoulder, his eyes fixed across the clearing. I followed his gaze. Sophia stood opposite him, a hand gun raised and aimed. Embry had frozen along side me, witnessing the stand off. I thought Sophia would have run for the hills with her kid.

"Welcome, Leah." She laughed, not even glancing at me.

I could feel the atmosphere changed.

Jake's eyes met mine. "Leah..." he whispered in amazement.

Cris let out a mixture of a growl and a whimper, his teeth still locked tight on Joham, but I couldn't see his face. I wanted so badly too.

"Embry, if you get the chance to take out Joham, do it." I ordered.

"What about you?" he questioned.

I laughed bitterly. "I'm going to antagonize Sophia."

His concern shone through. "Leah, she's got a gun. What kind of leech uses a fucking gun? This isn't a game. She's mad. Be careful."

"Trust me, I know." I phased back, angrily.

Embry growled and moved in front of me defensively.

"Give it up. It's over. Four against two," I called out.

"Leah, just get out of here," Jake yelled, furiously.

I glanced his way, but not for long. Sophia still had her gun trained on Jake, but the corner of her eyes watched me.

"It's never over." Sophia laughed. "Let him go and your friend will get to live another day."

"And then what?" I asked. "You come back and kill us all later. I don't think so."

"Then I'm afraid there's just no winning for anyone of us." She cocked the gun back and there was a click as a bullet slid into place.

I needed to distract her and buy some time. "Isn't a gun a little humanoid for you? I would have thought such items beneath you."

"You forget. I'm part human. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box when dealing with shape shifters. I'd like to see you heal from a bullet to the brain. Quick, easy, clean. What's not to like," she snarled.

My hand felt down and gripped Embry's fur, making him hold his ground.

"Leah." Jake sighed. "Just go. Embry, get her out of here. We have this."

I wasn't leaving either of my boys to handle this alone and from Embry's defiant growl neither was he.

"Sophia, just shoot the damn dog," Joham snarled between gritted teeth.

He and Cris still battled on neither gaining ground. Cris was unrelenting in his hold as was Joham. Neither could get the grip to finish off the other without risking their own death. Cris' side was still pouring blood too. I didn't know how long he'd been like that and how long he could hold out for before he weakened.

Panic finally rose in Sophia's voice. "Which one?"

"Leah. Shoot Leah!" Joham shouted.

My stomach sunk. Jake yelled and ran towards me. Cris twisted in Joham's grip, seeking release. Joham's hands were tightening around his neck as he moved.

Life turned to slow motion. I could see exactly how this would play out. Joham knew their weak spot... after years of feeling like no one cared, I would be the down fall of them all.

I made a split second decision. It was all the time I had. "Now!" I yelled, releasing my grip on Embry.

He did as ordered and took off towards Joham. Sophia's gun swung in mid air away from Jake and towards me. Jake was closing the distance between us. He was going to intercept. I couldn't let him. I was faster. With all my strength I surged forward towards Sophia phasing. A bang resounded around all of us, my chest felt like it had been punched, but my eyes were fixed on my prey. I saw Embry in the background, tackling Joham who released Cris.

I focused on Sophia. My jaws gripped down on her arm, grinding through to the bone. She released the gun with a scream as her arm shattered in my mouth.

"I'm a mother. Please no," she cried.

My heart was black. She had never cared about that before. She punched me violently with her free hand, trying to get me to let go. I scratched my claws down her body, drawing blood through her torso. Her hand found my face, scratching at my eyes. She managed to claw across one eyelid and I found myself blinded on one side. I felt my body struggling for breath and the urge to cough, but I fought it back. Jake phased and joined me, jumping on her back and pulling her away from me. I fell slumping on the floor as I phased back, grasping at my chest. My right side was bleeding. I thanked god that her aim was shit, a few inches to the left and the bullet would have hit my heart. I could still tell it wasn't good. The adrenaline and anger was currently feeding me, but I only had so long.

Jake had Sophia pinned beneath him and was tearing into her. She was screaming, her throat gurgling. I tried to stand, but felt too weak. My hand fell on something cold and metal. I clasped it and brought her gun up in front of me. Pushing myself into a standing position, I cocked it back much like she had and limped towards her. One of my eyes was still closed so I wanted to get close enough to make sure I didn't miss.

"Jake, stop," I ordered.

He looked up at me confused, but backed up at the sight of a gun. Sophia gasped and tried to crawl away, the scent of her fear was pitiful. I approached her, slowly, my body heavy and numb.

She realized she wasn't getting far and turned to face me. "You're going to shoot me? I helped you, Leah, remember? Can you murder me in cold blood? Can you live with that?" Sophia's voice was not nearly as confident as it had been earlier.

I paused. I tried to remember who I was. Could I live with it?

In human eyes, this was essentially murder. It was then I remembered that none of us were human. Wasn't that the point of all of this? My mind fluttered... I imagined Maxine as Cris had once remembered her in his mind. I remembered Sam. I gulped and looked her dead in the eyes. "I'll take my chances."

I pulled the trigger.

I watched as the bullet struck her forehead. Even with just one eye, my aim was true. I tried not to stare at the hole left in its wake and the blood that trickled out as her head fell limply backwards.

My body went weak. My chest tightened as the adrenaline wore; I unwillingly collapsed. Jake was human again and caught me, holding me protectively against him as we sunk to the floor. I could tell he was injured and couldn't take my weight. I leaned my head back against him. My vision was fading.

"Cris... Embry..." I muttered, my head bobbing back and forth.

"Stay with me, Leah," he whispered. Somehow he managed to turn us and lifted my head so I could see what was happening. Embry and Cris circled Joham like vultures. He was missing several chunks and panic was beginning to show in his crimson red eyes. I honestly believed he had never considered losing.

I desperately wanted to see him die, but it was too hard. Every breath I took hurt, and it was like I couldn't get enough air. My chest crackled and I started to feel cold. I tried to cough up whatever was on my lungs, I felt moisture in my mouth.

"Shit, Leah..." Jake cried, touching my lips with his fingers.

"Kill him." That was all I managed to whisper as the pain became too much and I closed my eyes.

I hadn't been resting long when firm hands gripped me, lifting me from Jake's warmth and into another. My head was cradled in someone's hands and kisses peppered my eye lids. "Leah, come on, baby. Wake up."

My heart which was struggling seemed to find new force at the soft voice calling me. I opened my good eye.

Cris was smiling at me. "It's ok. You're going to be ok."

I smiled and touched his face. "Is he?" The words had barely left my lips when I had another coughing fit.

Cris tried to lay me down, but it only made me worse. My lungs screamed out and breathing became even harder.

He quickly lifted me back up. "Shh, don't try and talk. He's dead and burned. See..."

He turned me gently and sure enough there was a fire. I could make out the body of Sophia and other body parts. It was over.

"Come on. Let's get you to Carlisle." Cris kissed my forehead tenderly.

I felt myself lifted from the ground. Embry took my hand as Cris carried me and I squeezed it lightly. Jake was walking ahead, leading us. I kept fading in and out. My brain couldn't process everything. I knew it was over, but a part of me still felt like we could be attacked any minute. I couldn't believe we had finally done it. It was over.

We eventually reached the coastline not far from the mansion. I managed to peak a glimpse and there was a group of people near the water's edge. We made our way down to them. I heard my name called along with that of my group. Footsteps surrounded us along with desperate murmurings.

"Carlisle?" Cris yelled.

Cool hands touched me; they touched my wounds, felt my head and took my pulse, while ordering instructions. Something pierced my skin and I felt myself being lulled into a dream. This time I didn't fight back.

AN

Beta credit to the amazing dontcallmeleelee!

Thank you to all the reviews and adds as well. They really are encouraging and make my day.

There's just two chapters left now, I wanted to give you fair warning. I'd love to know what you think of this chapter though. xx