~ Jacob's POV ~
I cursed loud enough for Nessie to hear, earning a giggle from her room and a growl of disapproval from Esme's.
I cringed at both their reactions and the wound in my stomach. Naked, I stood before the full-length mirror in my bedroom, wincing as I dabbed the slice a set of nails had left in my skin. Training with Paige had gotten a little out of hand when she'd accidentally swiped a little too close to home. She'd apologised, loads, and I'd explained how the wound would heal before the end of the week but they didn't take away from the sting.
I finished cleaning up and dressed in fresh clothes. By the time I'd put on my boots – ready to take Nessie out to hunt – there was a knock at my door.
"Yeah?"
Surprisingly, Rosalie entered. "Got a minute?" She closed the door behind her.
"Sup?" I asked. She and I had never been close. The hated that had fuelled our relationship previously had died out, burning now as only slight dislike for one another. Our mutual love for Renesmee had seen to that.
She tucked her hands into jean pockets, shrugging a lump of thick, blonde hair away from her face. "A few of us are heading out again, trying to recruit others that might want to join. You want to come?"
"Me? Why?"
"You said you saw the battle through the eyes of a wolf called Brady Fuller, right?"
Carefully, I sat She was right. Brady – who'd fought as hard as he could being only fifteen years old and a new member to the Pack – had seen it all. Every wound inflicted, every killing blow, every member of our family…slaughtered.
"You said you'd thought he'd died, right? Otherwise, you'd still be able to hear his thoughts? Talk to him?"
"What are you getting at?"
"Juan." She answered. Juan, and his mate Caroline, had joined the army just a few days ago. Nervous, quiet pair who'd hadn't left their secure hiding spot in southern Mexico until word spread of our army. "Juan just so happened to let out that he'd heard of the Shifters in Forks and, on the way he, he was sure he came close to one." At this, I stood slowly. "Said he heard the howl."
"He's sure it wasn't an ordinary wolf?"
"Not the way he's describing it," Rosalie answered.
A smile crept its way onto my face. "Brady could be alive?" I might not be the last of us?
Rosalie shrugged, "Who knows, but if he'll listen to anyone, it'll be you."
It meant going back out there, out in the open where we were less in numbers and more open to an attack but…it meant finding Brady, helping the last of my kind who were alone and probably terrified to death. It meant fulfilling my role as rightful Alpha of our tribe, fulfilling my purpose but…it meant leaving Renesmee.
"She's safe here," Rosalie answered as if hearing my thoughts. "Everyone in this building adores her, would die for her, will do anything to keep her safe. Do you think I'd be leaving if I didn't think she'd be here when we get back?"
"How long?" Renesmee had haltered playing with dolls and now listened in on our conversation.
"A week?"
Renesmee set down her book, the thump of it against the hardwood floor audible even to my ears.
"When do we leave?"
Rosalie headed for the door. "Tomorrow."
Asher's Note:
Hello! In this chapter, Jacob decides to leave and seek out Brady Fuller.
Laurelleafsinger: Ha-ha! It might be! Thank you so much for reviewing.
~Asher~