Chapter 12

PAUL BELLA IS MISSING! Brady shouted in the pack's mind. He was clearly in panic.

WHAT?! Paul's body froze mid-leap and landed on his four legs in the middle of the stream he was jumping over.

I took her to the store, and then she just vanished.

WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN SHE JUST VANISHED?! Why was she out of the house?!

Brady whined under the rage of his alpha.

S-S-She wanted to buy some diapers.

Are the babies at home with Quil?

Yes.

I'll go home and check the girls. You look for every possible lead that could tell us where she is.

There isn't a trace of any leeches. I was just checking the parking lot where I last saw her.

SHUT THE FUCK UP and look for leads!

Paul ran the fastest he ever had and was at their home in record time.

He rushed inside and found Quil lying on the couch watching tv.

Rage filled Paul, and he leaped at the unsuspecting pack mate and smashed him against the wall.

"WHERE IS BELLA!?"

"S-she's with Brady getting more diapers."

Paul heard that the noises woke up the twins.

"SHIT!" he swore and released trembling Quil. He went to the girls.

Both were crying in their cots. Paul was too agitated to be able to soothe them. He scooped them both into his arms and returned to the living room where Quil was standing, looking terrified.

"Call Sue and ask if she can come to take care of the babies for a while. I need to go and find Bella."

His mind was in full panic mode. What the fuck did this all mean? Where the fuck was she? No vampires were anywhere; what had she been thinking?!

Paul's phone buzzed in his ankle. He hadn't even pulled any shorts on after bolting inside, ready to mash Quil's head.

He gave the babies to Quil, who took them and cooed at them. They stopped crying.

The caller was Patrick.

"Patrick, I don' have time; Bella is missing."

Patrick didn't know anything about wolves and leeches, but Paul didn't give a damn if he might say something he wasn't supposed to.

"I know where she is," Patrick said. "I'm following the car she's in."

"What?! Where?!"

Paul was already running outside but stopped.

"Wait a sec, Patric. Quil! I know where Bella is. I'm going after her. You stay here with the babies and if you need Sue's help, call her."

"Okay."

"Speak!" Paul said to Patrick.

"As I said, I'm following the car that Bella hopped into at the general store. Something felt wrong with how she behaved, so I decided to follow the car. I'm on the 101 just past Beaver."

"Okay. Follow the car and let me know if the car stops. I'm coming after her. She's in danger. I'll send you a few numbers you can call if you don't get hold of me."

Paul texted Patrick all the pack's and Carlisle's and Rosalie's numbers.

He called Carlisle and told what Patrick had told him. Carlisle wanted to come with them and leave Alice and Rosalie to guard at the border of the reservation. It's where they'd been the last two nights. They had agreed that they wouldn't come into the reservation until needed.

Paul phased and was ambushed by shouts of his phased packmates

COLIN IS HURT! Leech has attacked him. Embry shouted He's bleeding badly. He needs help!

SHIT! Paul realized what had happened. They've taken Bella's mother and brother and contacted her. That is what this was all about. Damn Bella! DAMN! He should have sent more protection for them or, better still, had them live with them until the danger was over. FUCK!

I'll call Carlisle and ask him to take care of him. Wait there.

Paul phased back and called Carlisle.

"Carlisle, can you go and help Colin. He is in Forks at Bella's mother's house. One of the leeches has attacked him."

"Sure thing. I'll take Alice with me. The rest of us follow you."

Paul phased back again and told them they would be going after Bella. They would be faster if they ran as wolves, but he didn't know how long they could stay as wolves, so they needed the car.

Embry, stay there, wait for the doc, but come to wait for us at junction 101 in Forks. We'll pick you up in 20. Jacob, Seth, Brady, wait at the big rock by the highway. I'll be there in 5. Sam, you stay in the rez to protect the imprints. Jared, go to patrol around my house. Quil is there with the twins.

Paul knew Sam wouldn't want to leave Emily, and he didn't even ask. Jared felt the effects of not knowing where Kim was, and it was better he stayed behind to guard rather than come with them to fight. Jacob was faring better for a reason Paul couldn't phantom. There were five of them and three of Cullens. It was enough to take down the Italian fuckers.

Paul ran to his truck and thanked the spirits that the keys were in the ignition. He drove off, and in five minutes, he stopped to collect Seth, Jacob, and Brady. Paul told them what he thought had happened.

"That girl lacks the self-preservation," Seth commented.

Paul didn't say a thing. That woman was going to get her ass whipped after he got her home safely. What the fuck had she been thinking?! But Paul knew that it was all that Bella was about. She needed to help the ones closest to her even though it meant she could get herself killed. Paul shook his head, trying to get rid of the feeling of dread that threatened to consume him. They would get to her before it was too late. They must.

They stopped to collect Embry, and Paul called Patrick to get an update. Patric said they were still on the road 101, driving towards Port Angeles. They were 20 minutes behind.

They drove in relative silence, all thinking about what they would encounter when reaching the destination, wherever it was.

"What if Milly and Kim are there?" Jacob asked.

No one said a word. All of them knew that if the imprints were behind this, the imprints would die. It was part of the shapeshifter world, where modern-day rules didn't apply. Paul's wolf demanded blood. He wasn't going to give second chances. The ones betraying the alpha and the pack putting his mate in danger had signed their own death sentences.

"You and Jared need to get ready to be separated from your wolf," Paul said coldly. There wasn't any other way.

It would be a bloody affair since no wolf could knowingly let their imprint be killed, even in a situation like this. It would be painful; the wolves would feel the same pain as their imprints, but also the separation of the spirit warrior, but they would survive. That's what the ancient papers told them anyway. Paul hoped it wouldn't go to that. He didn't mind killing the bitches, even the man agreed that they didn't deserve to live if they were behind all this, but he hated the idea of having to fight his packmates, hurt them, and cause them pain. The whole pack would suffer too. So he fucking hoped that the stupid imprints weren't behind this.

They had driven past Port Angeles half an hour ago and were just 5 miles from Sequim when Patrick called again. "Now the car turned into a small road from the 101. Third intersection after Sequim. It's slowing down. Yes, now the car stopped."

"Stay behind so they won't see you," Paul said.

"She's getting out of the car, and the car drove off," Patrick told them. "Someone is coming out of the house, and they are talking. It's a small blond woman. Can't see properly. Is she wearing a cloak? Bella is going in." Patrick continued his live commentary.

It calmed and terrified Paul in equal measure to know what was happening.

Then Paul heard a terrifying sound that froze his blood: Bella screamed.

"WHAT HAPPENED!?" he shouted at the phone.

All the wolves inside the car growled at the same time.

"I don't know. She went inside and then screamed," Patrick said, panic lacing his voice.

"DAMN!" Paul pressed the accelerator.

"Stay in the car, Patrick."

For the ones in the car, he shouted, "Check where we can stop and phase!" There was no time to waste.

"Another mile, and then we can leave the car," Embry said.

"Let the Cullens know that we are stopping soon."

To Patrick, he said, "You should leave the place in the next 15 minutes. You don't want to be around after we arrive."

"Why?"

"I'll tell you later. Keep an eye on the place for the next 15 minutes and then leave," Paul repeated.

Embry made a quick call, and as Paul stopped the car and hopped out, another car parked behind it, and Rosalie, Emmet, and Jasper came to them.

"They won't know we're coming," Jasper said. "Let's keep it that way as long as possible. I called Alice if she's able to see anything, but she's not."

"When we get close to the cabin, we need to listen and evaluate how to take them down. Bella's shield must work because Alice can't see her or anybody else. It might help us to get close without them noticing. And even Alec and Jane don't have their powers; they are still strong."

"I want Demetri," Jasper continued.

"Paul, you are strong enough to take down Felix, but Emmet helps you to be on the safe side. We need to kill them fast. Rosalie, Embry, Jacob, and Seth are left to deal with Alec and Jane."

"That sounds like a plan. But we need to make sure that the humans there are safe. Rosalie, you make sure they are safe," Paul said. He didn't mind that Jasper had taken the lead. He knew the leeches, and all he cared about was to kill the fuckers and get Bella home safely.

"Let's go," Paul said, and he phased. Others followed suit. They set to move as fast as possible. They had gone through the battle tactics when the Cullens arrived at La Push two nights ago. Now they were ready to kill.

As furious as Paul was that Bella had risked her life, Paul knew that this was the only way they were able to get their hands on the fuckers and kill them.

It didn't take long for them to reach the cabin. They stopped as far as possible to stay unnoticed but close enough to hear what was happening.

People inside were clearly making arrangements to leave the house. The area was remote, and there weren't other houses close by. It would give them space to take leeches down.

"Please let them go." It was Bella. She was crying.

Paul had to use all his strength not to phase back human and run to her. He heard Ben crying, and he imagined Bella carrying him. Was Renée there too?

"My mum is hurt. Please let them go."

"No. We need them till we're in Italy. Now let's go."

There were two cars parked outside the cabin. The doors opened, and Paul couldn't understand how the leeches didn't notice that they were there. Could it be Bella's shield?

Bella was carrying Ben in her arms, and the little boy had his arms wrapped around her shoulders and head buried into her hair, and he was sobbing. Bella was whispering something to him. Paul couldn't hear what.

Renée followed them, limping and holding her head. She looked like she was going to faint at any time.

Paul and Jasper glanced at each other, and not wanting to wait any longer, they attacked.

Volturi guard had no chance against the raging wolves and three Cullens. The surprise was their most vital asset, and they used it well. Before Paul even had time to think about what he was doing, he had ripped two of the leeches into small pieces, shifted back, and pulled terrified Bella and her brother into his arms.

Bella was sobbing against his chest.

"Shh, baby, I've got you. They are all gone. You are safe now," he chanted, kissing her head and pulling her closer.

"Did they hurt you? Are you unharmed?" Paul asked. He cupped her head between his hands and brushed her hair behind her ear. His hands were shaking. "Are you okay, baby?" he whispered.

Bella nodded.

"I... I'm okay. My mum... she's hurt," Bella sobbed.

"She's going to be okay," Paul said. Rosalie nodded. She was taking care of Renée, who had lost consciousness.

Embry, Jacob, and Seth were throwing pieces into the fire.

Only Emmet and Jasper were still fighting against Demetri, but Paul saw it was to make the fucker suffer. Jasper wanted to rip him into pieces slowly to get back at what he'd done to his mate. Paul hoped he would make it quick, though. The sounds of screaming bloodsucker were terrible for Bella and Ben to hear.

He got up from the ground and carried them inside the cabin.

As he stepped inside, he noticed a dead body on the floor. It was Old Quil. His wolf growled, disappointed that he didn't get to be the one killing the bastard. Killing two of the leeches had satisfied him somewhat, but he had graved to be the one shredding the traitor into small pieces while he was still alive.

Were Milly and Kim somewhere here? If so, they weren't dead because Jacob and Jared were still wolves.

Paul went to a big room that was a combined kitchen and lounge. He sat down on the sofa and pulled Bella closer to him. Ben settled under his other arm. He was still trembling but wasn't crying anymore.

"Paul... I'm so sorry," Bella sobbed, "I had to save them.." Bella said, squeezing Ben's hand tightly in hers.

"I know, baby," Paul said. Now wasn't the time to let her hear what he thought about her foolhardy mission. And he understood her, although he doubted he could never fully forgive her; their babies had almost lost their mother. He had nearly lost her. Paul didn't know if he had survived if he had lost her, not even for their girls. His whole being was entwined around her, in her; they were one. He didn't want to exist without her - not the wolf nor the man.

He took long deep breaths inhaling her scent and felt his body relax.

"It was Old Quil," Bella said.

"Yes. Did you see anybody else?" Paul asked.

Bella shook her head.

Seth came in. Paul heard him gasping at the sight of Old Quil's body.

"Wrap him in a carpet. We must take him back to the reservation, although I would rather leave him to the wolves. Check the property if anybody is here and ask Embry or Jacob to get the car," Paul barked orders to his packmate.

"Okay," Seth answered, and Paul heard him deliver the orders to Embry and Jacob, and then he went to check the cabin.

Rosalie came in.

"Are they finished?" he asked.

"Yes, he's burning with the rest of them. Bella's mother is still unconscious. I think her mind is blocking her, and she'll be out for a while. And all things considered, it is probably for the best. Carlisle just called and told me that the wolf will be okay."

"That's good. Thank you, Rosalie."

"No problem. I have to listen to Emmett boasting about taking down the Volturi guard for the next few decades, but it's all worth it." Rosalie grinned. "Anyway, this was what we were supposed to do. I'm certain that none of the Italians or other of our kind will ever bother you and Bella again."

"I sure fucking hope so."

AN:

I'm not a big fan of fighting scenes. I don't like to read them (except taoist elf's Paul kicking Edward's ass phasing between wolf and human, that's epic), and I totally suck at writing them. That's why I didn't even try. I hope you're not too disappointed.

Thank you for the comments! I love them! Few more chapters to go. What would you like to read about?