AN: Thank you everyone for sticking with this story! I am absolutely the worst with cliffhangers aren't I?! I'm sorry! Haha, but I hope I will make up for it with this chapter. Split point of view again, sorry.
I'm writing chapter 26 right now, and man it is hard! I think this story will have 27 chapters, so we're getting close to the end! Your reviews and advice have helped shape this story, so please keep them coming xx
Anony: I know! Poor Henry! I can't help but feel sorry for him, he really is such a pathetic character…Hopefully I can turn things around for him in later chapters! :\ Coolfun: So glad to hear that you're still enjoying, thanks for the review. xxTeamJacobxx Haha, you read my mind! Yes that would be lovely wouldn't it? BellaGirl: Yep, poor Henry, just hanging around so he can get eaten – I'm so mean, aren't I! J: So glad you enjoyed, thanks for the review Guest: Thanks for the review, omg can you imagine if I turned Bella into a vampire and her and Henry lived happily ever after? I think you guys would kill me! 4Gracie04 Thank you for being such a lovely dedicated reviewer. This chapter will probably keep you on the edge of your chair, sorry! But chap 25 will be up soon I promise xx Vickyaisha: Yay I'm so glad you enjoyed! Jul5857: Thanks for your reviews! Now Jacob is pissed, lol! AA1991: SO glad to hear it makes you smile! It makes me smile writing it – hope you enjoy this chapter, finally get what you've been hoping for :) serenity1006: Thanks for the review! I so agree with you, Bella needs to learn to trust, I think she has got better, but she's still not great. Hope you like this chapter.
Enjoy! xxx
Chapter Twenty Four
Henry stood in front of me, his face pale and ashen, dark circles under his blood red eyes. His beauty had been magnified tenfold and for one crazy moment, I remembered why I had first been attracted to him. His blonde hair still flopped over his forehead, and he pushed it back, crouching low on the ground and showing his teeth in a predator's snarl.
I screamed.
Jacob was suddenly behind me, the screen door slamming as he ran out into the garden and I screamed at him to stop. What was he doing? Jacob was human! There was no way he could stop a newborn vampire. He'd get bitten, he'd get killed.
"JACOB NO!" I screamed, reaching futilely for him as he raced towards the new vampire. Henry's muscles tightened as he prepared to jump.
Jacob sprinted at full speed and then there was a rip of material and with a growling snarl, the huge russet wolf exploded into being, knocking Henry to the ground and rolling in the dirt.
Vampire and wolf circled each other and I grabbed my chest, trying to breathe through the panic. Jacob had transformed at last.
"Jacob get back!" A familiar voice to my left called out, and Carlisle, Edward and Emmett appeared from around the side of the house. They ran past, grabbing Henry's arms and pulling tight, restraining him. Edward leapt onto his back, grabbed Henry's head and prepared to twist.
"No!" I shrieked. "Don't kill him! Please Edward, that's Henry – you can't kill him."
Edward met my eyes, clearly torn between my plea for Henry's life and his instinct to dispose of the newborn. He heaved a sigh in frustration and yanked Henry's hair back.
"Fine, we'll get him out of here. Jacob, get Bella to the rest of the pack, they'll keep her safe."
I didn't wait for Jacob to turn around, but ran to him and leapt on his back, winding my fingers tightly into the fur of his neck and holding on tight. The wolf yipped, turned and ran through the forest towards the La Push border. Three wolves joined us along the way and one I recognised as Leah.
Jacob began to slow as we emerged into a clearing where the rest of the pack was gathered, a mix of wolves and half-naked humans. My mind was whirling – what had happened? Henry had been gone four days – who had he met? Who had bitten him?
Shakily I released Jacob and slid to the ground, my whole body shaking in fear. Fear for Henry, fear for myself, and finally, the fear that Jacob was no longer mine.
I nearly fell but Seth caught me and steadied me to my feet.
Jacob and the other wolves took off into the forest and I watched them go, feeling my heart break into a million tiny pieces.
Jacob's POV
I felt Bella's weight slide from my back, but I couldn't turn to look at her. I didn't want to see the disappointment in her eyes. I wasn't her Jacob anymore, now I was Sam's Jacob again. And I had probably just lost Bella forever.
The excitement in the minds of my brothers overwhelmed me as I sprinted with them through the trees. The power in my body felt incredible and I had forgotten how much I loved to run. Scents streamed through my nose and I picked up the sickly sweet smell of the vampires, memorising each burning scent. I knew Carlisle's, Edward's and Emmett's smell instantly. The new smell was stronger and meatier. A fresh vampire. A newborn.
My brothers and I crashed through the forest, following the stench until we arrived as one at the Cullen house.
Edward Cullen was standing on the front steps with Alice. His face was set in a mask of worry.
How did this happen? Sam demanded silently.
"Last night, we decided to follow Alistair's scent. It led us to the cliff face by the ocean. The ground was stained with blood that smelt like Henry. We assumed that Alistair had killed him, although there was no body anywhere to be found. Carlisle thought he may have thrown the body into the ocean so as not to leave a trace of his hunting.
"But it seemed that Alistair bit Henry, who then fell into the ocean. The venom was already in his veins and he started to turn. Alistair clearly couldn't be bothered to follow and so left Henry on the ocean bed, changing into a vampire."
My blood ran cold at the thought. How had the Cullens brought such a monster into our area where our families and friends lived?
Edward turned his eyes on me. "We deeply regret that decision."
Now what? demanded Sam. Will you destroy it?
No, I thought urgently. You kill him and what do you think that will do to Bella? She was the one who brought him here. It will destroy her!
"We won't destroy him," said Edward quietly. "Newborn vampires are hard to control due to their thirst, but Henry seems to have brought some interesting human traits with him into his new existence. Loyalty being one of them. If we can keep him away from humans and teach him about our lifestyle, he may be an asset to us."
And how will you control him when the Volturi arrive and we are all standing together in battle? Who will babysit him then?
"Kate will watch him. Remember, her power is with electricity. She can keep him here, under control with her gift. We still have enough numbers that we can overpower the Volturi without her."
Fine, Sam said finally. We will meet in the field at daybreak tomorrow for our final practise.
The Cullens nodded and went back inside, and we faded back into the trees. Sam gave orders to Paul and Jared to stay at the Cullens house, circling the perimeter and keeping watch. Quil and Embry had their normal rounds to do. Sam and I trotted back towards the La Push border.
I tried desperately to keep my thoughts blank but they kept leaping to Bella.
Bella's POV
Seth took my hand and led me through the forest. I was unaware of where we were going and simply watched my feet trudge over the damp ground. I wasn't wearing socks and soon my boots began to rub blisters on my heels. I stopped walking and drew a shaky breath, trying to prevent the breakdown I knew was descending on me.
Seth let go of my hand, stooped and hooked his arm under my legs, lifting me effortlessly. I let myself be cradled in his warmth, clinging to his neck as he began to jog with me through the trees.
Closing my eyes, I tried not to think. Tried to ignore everything and focus on the strong arms holding me. Tears flowed freely from my eyes and I didn't bother to wipe them away.
Another set of hands were on me. Seth gently set me down on a sofa and Karin stroked my hair back from my forehead, quietly murmuring for someone to bring her a blanket and make a cup of tea. I let her take care of me, barely registering that we were at Sam's house.
I tried to speak, but Karin shushed me and I closed my eyes, glad for a moment that someone else was looking after me. That I didn't have to think for a moment.
I must have drifted into an uneasy sleep because when I awoke I was very conscious of a warm body cuddled into my chest. I opened my eyes and looked down. Maxim had wriggled under the blanket and wedged himself into the crook of my arm. He was breathing deeply and I couldn't help but smile at the small sleeping child.
"He has no sense of personal boundaries," rumbled a deep voice behind me and I slowly lifted myself into a sitting position, careful not to disturb the sleeping toddler.
"It's fine," I replied, turning my head to see Sam. "I didn't mean to fall asleep, what time is it?"
"Just gone noon," Sam replied handing me a steaming mug of tea, which I accepted gratefully. "You had quite the shock this morning."
I didn't reply, but looked around the room, searching for the others.
"Most of the pack are patrolling," Sam said, answering my unasked question. "And the others are at the beach, enjoying this rare sunshine."
Maxim stirred and I stroked his back absently, my mind on Jacob and Henry.
"Henry is with the Cullens," Sam said quietly, taking a seat in the armchair. "And Jacob went home to change." Then Sam told me what had happened to Henry, and how he had been bitten by Alistair. I was disgusted and felt sick to my stomach.
"What's going to happen now?" I asked.
My phone buzzed on the coffee table and I quickly grabbed for it, not waiting to hear Sam's answer. Alice's name flashed on the screen and I answered the call desperately.
"Alice?"
"Bella? Are you with Sam and Jacob?" she spoke quickly, and I could hear the urgency in her voice.
"Just Sam, why?"
There was a slight pause and then she said, "I've had a vision Bella. Of the Volturi."
ooo
Sam called the other members of his pack and then drove me to the clearing. The valley looked different in the bright sunshine. Every blade of grass glowed green and even the trees, nearly leafless this late in November, were richer, deeper browns. The azure blue sky was completely clear and a flock of birds flew high overhead, migrating south before the deep freeze of winter truly set in.
The other tribes had begun to arrive, a mix of humans and shape shifters filling the field. I was once again struck by the sheer number of supporters who would stand by us in this battle. But it did nothing to soothe the feeling of dread sitting heavy in my stomach.
I waited anxiously for everyone to arrive, standing by Sam as I would in the final battle, his large furry black body protecting me.
Then I spotted the Cullens racing towards us through the trees and they were by my side in a moment. Alice hugging me gently and stroking my hair.
"It's going to be okay," she said.
"How do you know?" I mumbled into her shoulder. "I thought you couldn't see anything with all of these shape shifters around?"
She smiled and drew back. "I'm trying to make you feel better, Bella."
Edward nodded at me and I smiled tightly at him. "How's Henry?" I asked.
"He's okay. We went hunting and the deer blood has settled him for the time being. Kate is with him now, keeping him under control at our place."
"Can she control him?" I asked desperately.
"I promise she can," Edward said quietly, meeting my eyes with such an earnest look that I trusted him. "Jacob and the others are nearby. We'll wait until they arrive and then Alice can explain everything."
The dread in my stomach rose and for a moment I worried I would be sick. Jasper took a step closer and I felt his calm wash over me. It eased the nausea and I smiled at him gratefully.
When Jacob arrived, as a wolf, who would he see? Would it be a Paiute crow from Missouri? Beautiful and elegant with black feathers braided into her hair? Or would it be a female Kalapuya mountain lion, muscular and strong? I felt like that moment the russet wolf had exploded into existence, my life, my future with Jacob had disappeared. How could I face him now?
The minutes dragged by in silence as we waited for everyone to arrive. And then I saw movement through the trees. A line of huge shaggy wolves emerged from the dark understorey and loped into the clearing towards us. Like a coward, I hid behind Sam, not wanting to witness the moment when Jacob's eyes fell on his soulmate. I knew that if Jacob imprinted, it would destroy me.
As the remainder of the pack made their way towards us, I sank to the ground behind Sam, drew my knees up to my chest and buried my face in my arms. I wanted so badly to be somewhere else. I scrunched up my eyes and pictured myself back in the small hotel room in Friday Harbour, listening to the rain drops patter on the roof, safe in Jacob's arms. A sob wracked my body.
And that's when I heard the communal howl of the wolf pack, jolting into my daydream. Alice's voice asked, "What's happening?"
And Edward, his voice low and dangerous, replied, "Jacob Black just imprinted."
Oh no another cliffhanger! I promise promise promise the next chapter won't end in a cliffhanger…. if I get lots of reviews ;)
I really hope you enjoyed and please give me feedback!
Xxx Annie
