Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all rights to the characters and everything else. I just get to mess with them.

Chapter 18

Paul's POV

Bella ran forward wrapping her arms around my waist crying, her tears soaking through my shirt. I looked meaningfully over at Embry who walked up on hooking her arms from around my waist and holding her back so that she wouldn't come after us. I glanced back one last time memorizing her features before turning and walking out the door where the guys and Leah were waiting.

Now that they were in action everyone was much less grim although they were still focused which was what they needed to be if we were going to keep Bella safe. I glanced back at the house where Bella was with only Embry to protect her and turned jogging into the woods eager to get this over with.

Jared clapped a hand on my shoulder, his eyes understanding. He knew what it felt like to have an imprint and knew that it would be horrible if he had to leave Kim in the face of danger. I nodded my silent thanks to him. It actually helped to have someone that understood what I was going through.

Bella's POV

Embry held me while I cried until my tears were dried out and his shirt was soaked.

"Sorry," I mumbled pulling away from him.

"There is nothing to be sorry for," he said looking slightly uncomfortable," I can only imagine how that would feel."

I didn't really think anyone could understand how I felt except for the other imprints. I turned beginning to head down the hall to the bathroom to clean myself up when Embry called me back.

"Bella I want you to know that he loves you and would do anything to get back to you remember I've seen in his head," Embry said tapping the side of his head," he'll be fine. They all will," I nodded wanting to believe him with all my heart, but my gut was telling me something wasn't right.

"We have five minutes," he said checking his watch. I hurried to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face refusing to look in the mirror because I knew I looked like shit. When I walked into the living room a couple minutes later Embry was waiting, holding my coat. I slipped it on and he opened the door. I took a deep breath and let out a stage laugh as I stepped out onto the porch just in case Victoria was watching.

"Let's go this way," Embry said leading me into the trees.

"Are you sure we should be doing this?" I said acting," They said to wait till they get back."

"Aw come on Bella. Don't let Paul boss you around besides we'll get back before they are. They won't even know we were gone."

"Alright," I conceded before following him into the woods.

Victoria POV

I watched Isabella follow that mutt into the woods. This would be yo easy. I had sent the others to preoccupy the other dogs and now there was only one between me and avenging my mate.

Bella POV

Embry and I hiked through the woods fake laughing and joking around when suddenly there was a howl. I tried to fake indifference, but I could tell this wasn't the howl we had been expecting. This howl held surprise and panic rather then the howl of chase that we had been waiting for. One look at Embry's face told me he felt the same.

"Bella, I have to go."

Was that real panic or fake? Keep it together Bella.

"What? Why Embry?"

"I'll explain everything later. I promise, just head back to the house and wait for me inside," he turned and ran out of sight. I stood frozen in the middle of the woods alone. I knew I wasn't supposed to but I chased after Embry anyways. Something was drawing me in that direction like a magnet.

I stumbled through the brush after him until I couldn't run anymore. I looked around looking for something that would tell me where I was at but only seeing trees, trees, and more trees. Now I was really lost.

There was a flash of red out of the corner of my eye and I spun around to see Victoria standing a few yards away.

"Hello Isabella," she purred smiling a wicked smile that sent chills down my spine.

"Hello Victoria," I said trying to repress a shiver.

"It is such a coincidence seeing you out here alone. Where are all your guard dogs at?" She smirked and I could tell that she knew something I did not, but I had to be careful about what I say.

"Yes it is quite a coincidence," I said," Well it was nice seeing you but my guard dogs are waiting," I started to turn away but in a flash she was on me.

"I don't think you are going anywhere," she said still smiling she inhaled a deep breath,"Ah you still smell as good as ever." Her face was now inches from my neck now and I closed my eyes. Goodbye Paul. I love you. I thought just before her weight disappeared off of me. There was a loud metallic screech and then a whoosh.

"Bella are you alright? Did she hurt you?" I peeked an eye open to see Sam leaning over me.

"No I'm okay," I said," just a little shaky." He reached a hand down and helped me up off the ground. I looked around seeing Jared, Embry, and Quil tossing pieces of Victoria into a fire while Leah inspected a cut on Seth's face and Collin and Brady wrestled nearby. I searched for a certain face and when didn't find it I turned back to Sam.

"Hey Sam. Where's Paul," One look at his face and the way he froze at Paul's name told me that something was seriously wrong.

I passed out before he could say a single word.

A/N Only one chapter and the epilogue left. I am starting another story the first chapter should be up today or tomorrow depending on how soon I finish this story. Thanks for reading please review!