Author's Note: Ah, summer. The time for movies, bowling, sleeping in, college searches, and continual bouts of obsession over your Wii console. Also, a great time to read, chilax, stress over the inconsequential things while looking for a job, and, perhaps more importantly, to write! I know I've been a slow updater (and that is probably why most of my subscribers have lost interest in my story while there are so many other great stories out there) but I'm hoping that I'll be able to update faster with the upcoming chapters since it's less filler and more of the juicy stuff (at least, I'd like to think so). [Please look at my author's note at the end for a more recent comment!] Anyway, on with the show! This next chapter is a continuation of the previous Another Side…, but instead of Edward's point of view it is in Jacob's point of view – so don't be confused! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All characters and rights of Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse belong to Stephenie Meyer alone and not to me whatsoever.

… Another Story

I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

It wasn't like the nausea type of sick you get typical of the stomach-flu – nor was it the kind of painful sick I felt after going to the movies with Bella the day… well, the day I figured out that all the myths revolving around my life were true. Instead, it was the kind of sick, instinctual, almost butterfly feeling one gets when they're unsure about something…

The kind of feeling you get when you know something is definitely wrong.

The weather was as usual as anything you could get in Washington. It was a nice, almost cheery morning – but by the afternoon the clouds were already rolling in from the west – following Bella as I watched her nonchalantly walk towards the silver Volvo right in front of her. But as I watched, I knew something reeked of wrong.

I had no idea why my insides rolled and why my body trembled as soon as I laid eyes on the car. I figured it was just what the car had come to represent for me – everything and anything relating to what I have sworn to stop. And the fact that I pretty much hated the guts of the guy who sat in the driver's seat. But, no, there was something else – and as I turned away from the car and walked slowly around the bend in the road, it began to dawn on me.

The smell was off.

Sure, it was still that awful, sick sweet that made me gag internally. But this – this was uncommonly sweet – a thick sweet. It was like walking through a perfume aisle while everything was on sale. Too much – way too much – and also vaguely familiar…

Then there was the car itself. Hadn't Bella just said the car was totaled yesterday after the crash? The hairs on the back of my neck rose. I stopped and sidestepped into the woods, my mind whirling. Of course there was no-denying the Cullen's financial capabilities – but, hey, come on. A crash like the one Bella described? Even if I worked on the car from dawn until dusk it would still be in the shop for at least a week or probably wouldn't even be reparable at all… Unless –

Unless they somehow got an identical car in less than twenty-four hours.

Were the Cullen's able? Sure.

Would they do it – after everything that happened the night before? For some reason, that seemed unlikely – even for them.

Before I even realized what was happening, I was lolloping on four legs with my clothes wrapped around my ankle after the car. The bad feeling was not going away – I had to – needed to – make sure Bella was safe.

It only took two seconds for the badgering to begin.

Jake – what the hell are you doing?

I groaned mentally and ignored him.

Jake, if you keep going you know I'm going to have to bring Sam into this! Seriously – stop – this is ridiculous.

I narrowed my eyes but proceeded on. I wasn't going to chicken-shit my way out of this, even if Sam was going to get involved.

Jake – are you listening to me?

Would you shut up Quil? I thought snappily. Ever since Quil became one of the pack, he had become an obsessed man. He loved the action – he loved the chase – he loved the abilities. Part of me believed that he thought he was some-sort of parading superhero. But, for whatever he thought of himself, it was nothing compared to the idolizing way he worshipped Sam. And I knew that, despite being long-time friends with Quil, chain of command meant everything to him.

Please Jake – I don't want to turn you in, but you have to be realistic here. You could start a war! Don't do it.

God dammit Quil – would you just leave me alone? I was rounding the bend where I left Bella just in time to see the Volvo turn around and head back into Forks. Cautiously, I neared the boundary line that ran right in front of me where I stood in the forest. Why, despite everything I wanted to do, was I still questioning whether to cross the line?

Man – it's just an imaginary line.

Then it hit me. An imaginary line. The line that I believed to be totally fictitious until a couple months ago. Wasn't it, even now, just some mythic creation? Was this all that was separating Bella and me – a stupid line? Without a second thought, I crossed the line I had done so many times before without thinking. No more did I think about what my actions may or may not cause.

Silently I moved through the woods. The wind rushed past me, flattening my ears to my head and whipping my tail behind me. Never would I get tired of the speed – or the freedom. I could focus on one thing and drown out everything else. It was my one respite in a world of never-ending problems.

As I zoomed past the trees, I could see the car nearing up ahead. I could also see something else –

He wasn't driving the car.

Instead, it was the petite one – the one with the weird, short, spiky black hair. The leech who could tell the future. Lucky for me, she couldn't see my future. I smirked as I continued to get closer to the car.

Apparently the bloodsucker was doing all the talking. Bella seemed to be sitting there in shock of what was being said. I wish I could hear what was being said.

Jake.

Oh shit.

Jake – I know you can hear me.

There have been several times over the past couple months where I have tried to shut the others' thoughts out of my head as well as my own thoughts out of their heads. Unfortunately for me, I suck at holding back my emotions. I'm pretty sure Sam understood what I wanted without me thinking in a clear sentence: To get the hell out of my head.

You had better have a pretty good reason for crossing the line Jacob. You know what we've all been through to stay true to the treaty…

Jake – it's Embry – come on. I'm sure Bella will be fine.

We'll get the Cullen's some other time Jake, Quil thought this time. We – well – we really need an actual plan until we cross into their territory.

Exactly. Sam's voice changed from authoritative to more concerned. I mean, look at what happened last night Jacob. If you want the girl to be safe, you should be more worried about the red-head leech and the one we saw last night – in fact, I want to –

But I suddenly wasn't listening to their discussion anymore. I almost knocked into a tree – and my stomach was free-falling. When the others saw what happened through my eyes, it became absurdly quiet in my head. I slowed my run down until I was following the car unseen and at an easy, tracking pace. It was my turn to contribute to the conversation.

Guys? Did you just see what I saw?

Shit, was all Quil was thinking.

Immediately, I was thinking back to the previous conversation with Bella that day…

"What? The car flipped over?" I had said.

"Yeah - but it wasn't Edward being stupid or anything. No – we were flipped over by someone else… a vampire, but not like the Cullen's. She was really tiny, with this white-blond hair and red eyes. And despite how little she was, she was able to grab the entire car with us in it and toss us to the side like a piece of trash. And afterwards, she, more than anything else, scared the hell out of me."

"And she was the one we saw last night too?"

"Exactly."

I could tell Sam was listening astutely to all the memories that flashed before my eyes of that day with Bella. It was creepy how I could almost hear the gears turning in his head as he thought out strategies, plans, what we had to do…

Because everything had changed when the bloodsucker took off the wig to reveal herself as the same girl Bella was talking about… the bolt of lightning we chased last night…

And it became personal when she stun-gunned Bella so that I could see her lying lifeless in the front-seat.

The anger that I had been trying so hard to control in the past months bubbled over until I could barely concentrate on what I was doing. If I was human right then, there would have been no doubt I would have exploded into a wolf. There was nothing that could have restrained me. Luckily I didn't have to think – my mind was so muddled with overflowing emotion and rage that I couldn't think straight, let alone rationally. Sam was suddenly there – my eyes, my ears, my thoughts:

Jacob – I want you to track her. I have a feeling this is all related – this one is going to take us to the red-haired one. Stay far enough behind the car so that she can't smell or hear you. Your job is to be silent and to track – nothing more. Don't do anything stupid Jacob! I know what you're thinking – don't let your emotions get a hold of you!

It was a good thing that he had ordered that – the mental picture of ambushing the car from behind was so tempting, so alluring… and tearing that parasite to shreds was the best part. But in the long run, it was impractical and stupid. We would never be able to find out the other's hideout and the red-haired leech responsible for the whole dilemma. Plus, I realized with a jolt, that if I was to stop the car, it would be Bella's second car crash in twenty-four hours.

We're coming after you Jake – I'm assembling the rest of the pack as we speak. Just don't lose the car!

I nodded, focusing on the car and using all my strength not to freak out as I watched the leech reach across the passenger's seat and lithely toss Bella's body in the backseat. There it would be concealed to all oncoming traffic. A low growl emanated from my throat.

And it was answered by another deep snarl somewhere in the woods.

The air was suddenly dense with sweet.

Jake – someone's tailing you! Embry called into my thoughts, amidst the pack's rambling minds as the rest of them popped suddenly into existence.

Keep following the car Jake – that's your main priority – try to lose whoever it is! Sam ordered, increasing his running pace to catch up with me.

My eyebrows furrowed in concentration as I gazed around the darkening forest. I could hear the other following me from behind. For the strangest reason, I had to briefly admire the blond-hair one holding Bella captive – she had thoroughly thought this thing through. After last night and after seeing me with Bella today, she knew I'd follow at any cost. And she kept a sentry waiting for me. Clever bloodsucker.

But it's no match for me.

I turned and dodged simultaneously just as the leech leaped out of the shadows at me, teeth barred.

Go for the sides Jake! Focus there! Sam was suddenly shouting. The rest of the pack was growling and shouting too, imagining there own maneuvers. I tried to suppress their thoughts, focusing instead on my own strategies and skills.

Something about the leech was strange. It seemed young – far too young – as compared to the other parasites I've seen. Between snaps and dodges, I gazed intently at its features – obviously male – unusually crimson eyes – babyish looking face – brown hair that stopped at its shoulders. It looked no more than thirteen or fourteen. How long was this guy a bloodsucker?

Watch it – watch it – WATCH IT! Sam was cautioning.

It was fast, moving behind me in an instant. But I was expecting it.

NICE ONE! Quil roared boisterously as I whipped around and sunk my teeth into its shoulder and ripped its arm off. The leech's howl of rage pierced the forest like razors.

You know what would be funny? Jared thought.

What? Embry replied.

If Jake picked up the arm and started slapping the bloodsucker with its own defenses!

Jared's mental picture of me running around the leech with the arm in my mouth distracted me. The packs answering snickers of amusement drowned out all the other sounds.

Would you guys shut up?! If you haven't noticed, it's a little pissed! I yelled, when the bloodsucker took my momentary distraction to try to take a chunk out of my elbow with its teeth. I swerved just in time.

Sam was annoyed. Don't lose the car Jake! It's getting away! Why do you think she set him here? He's a distraction – nothing else – so you don't follow –

I got it okay! I growled, wheeling around until I was again zigzagging through the trees to catch up with the speeding car, now a couple of miles ahead. The bloodsucker saw my intentions and sped to catch up. We were suddenly dancing together through the trees and leaves – each of us trying to cut the other off.

I think you're going to have to take it down now, Paul mused, his teeth clamping down. I knew that he was itching to participate.

Jake – here's what you're going to have to do, Sam reasoned, understanding my predicament. You're going to have to take off its head. That's the only way it'll stop for any length of time. Shortly we'll be where you are so we can burn the rest of the remains – don't lose the car!

Easier said than done, I thought in monotone as I moved amongst the trees. Eyeing the area, I noticed a huge tree whose thick branches occupied a vast area around the forest, approaching me from the right. A thought occurred to me at that moment as I changed course and started to run directly towards the tree.

Huh, I guess that couldn't hurt, Sam thought, regarding the situation.

Whatever works, was my response.

Just as I had hoped, the bloodsucker behind me changed course until it was right behind me, thinking I was stupid enough to run straight into a tree. Yeah right.

The tree was getting closer and I wasn't slowing down. I could hear the bloodsucker behind me backpedaling – trying to slow down. Despite this, it was still following. Just what I wanted.

Right before my nose scrapped against the trunk of the tree, I sidestepped to the left just in time, my speed barely decreasing. As soon as my turn was complete, I seized the nearest thick branch in my mouth, careful not to break it, and pulled it back against the trunk – a coiled snake ready to strike…

Just as I thought, the leech was paying little attention to what I did and was concentrating more on trying to control its speed and agility in order to dodge the tree. As it was rounding the corner right behind me, I released the branch.

There was a sound like a gunshot explosion as the branch broke off the tree when the leech ran straight into it. Although I wouldn't deny that fact that it would have been awesome if the sucker's head had fallen off in the whiplash of the tree branch, like something out of the movies, it was just unfeasible – the thing was as hard as granite! I didn't wait around to see its reaction though – no matter how entertaining it could have been. I ran as quickly as I could around the tree just when the parasite snapped out of its transitory stupor.

The distraction was all I needed – its back was unguarded.

YEAH! Quil shouted victoriously, as I pinned the monster's shoulders to the ground and began to snap angrily at its neck – it made a sound like scrapping metal. The bloodsucker started to shriek in terror – fumbling to get off the ground – but I wasn't having it. My whole weight was on it and after a mere ten seconds, its head rolled lazily to the side.

Jake – trap the body somewhere! Sam ordered.

Jumping off the body, I leaned and picked it up in my mouth. Without so much as a second thought, I walked it over to the tree, threw my head back, and launched it into the tree branches. It sailed twenty feet into the air until it was trapped up in the canopy. I sniggered to myself as I stepped back and watched its one arm flail wildly in confusion.

Jake – we're almost there – we'll take care of it. Get to the car!

Without a second glance, I shot back through the woods, already about five minutes behind the car. I put on as much speed as I was capable of. I smiled, knowing I could go as fast as I wanted – but a car was limited in more ways than one.

After about two minutes of empty road, I saw the silver car appear in the distance. My stomach dropped as I watched the car take the turn off towards the freeway – away from Forks.

This is bad guys – really bad – I could be seen, I worried.

Follow to the right of the car – stay in the woods off the road – shouldn't be too hard, Sam said.

No – but has it occurred to you that it could change lanes and take a turn-off going in the completely opposite direction? There's no wood cover if something like that happens and – Sam? Guys? No wait! Don't freak – it's the Cullen's! I recognize the scent! STOP!

I could see the rest of the pack nearing the boundary line, all of their noses squished in disgust, and their ears flat against their heads. The smell was stifling, even though I was more familiar with it than the rest of the pack. As they rounded the bend in the road, where I was not more than fifteen minutes ago, they were in for an impressive gathering.

They could be here to start a war Jacob – have you ever thought of that? Paul snapped, the pack closing in the distance between the two forces.

No -, I replied, confused by the Cullen's stance. Something was off. I think it's something else.

There they were – all of them – standing in a horizontal line that ran parallel to the boundary line. At the forefront was their apparent leader – with blond hair and compassionate eyes. Flanking him on either side was the other slightly darker blonde, his features rigid and expression controlled, something deep in his eyes conveying annoyance, and the small, spiky-haired female – the fortuneteller. Something about her disturbed me. Her doll-like face was shaped in such a way as to always look perky, but her expression didn't match the shape. It was dark and, almost, frustrated looking. Like a deranged wind-up doll out of a Chucky movie.

The rest of them stood on either side of the three at the front – a caramel brunette female, a hauntingly angelic female blonde, and a buff male. But as I took in the image through the pack's eyes, I noticed something startling –

He wasn't there.

The hairs on the back of my neck bristled and I stared cautiously around my present surroundings. I was edging the forest, preparing to cross the road as the car turned left onto the freeway entrance ramp. I sucked in some breath.

The car's heading north – just where we thought the other's hideout was initially.

Just keep following the car – at least we have something that these guys don't, Sam replied mutely, trying to control his jittery body as he approached the Cullen's aligned sullenly on the road. And keep a look out for the bronze-haired leech – he's not here, Sam added roughly. He could be following.

He's not – Bella said he was… supposed to be with his "brothers" today. The rest of the brothers are there.

Huh, was all I got in return.

The car was going down the ramp now, and I struggled to stay hidden in the forest. I had crossed the road – twice now – and the low shrubs at the beginning of the ramp forced me to crouch. The rest of the pack was getting antsy – especially Paul who was trembling with anger. Quil seemed to be jumping on all fours. Sam seemed the most in control.

Sam – jeez – you're going to have to be human. I think they want to talk, I explained remotely.

Sadly, I don't know how much I can control myself.

Abruptly, something calm washed over me – a warm, comforting sensation that was hard to explain. It affected not only me, but, evidently, the whole pack as well. Even Paul seemed to be lulled into his own private bubble. I watched numbly as the leader, the blond one in the front, stepped easily towards the pack, careful not to cross the boundary line.

"Greetings," he said, overtly formal. "I am Carlisle and this –" he gestured behind himself. "– is the rest of my family. We have come to you today with some troubling news."

Troubling – huh? Paul thought, but he didn't snort like I would imagine him doing. We all seemed too relaxed – almost relaxed against our will.

"We are not here to start a fight," the one called Carlisle reassured. "We just want to talk – if one of you could…"

I could hear Sam groan mentally, but he nodded infinitesimally in the Cullen's direction. With that, he bolted into the woods and his presence left my mind. I switched point-of-views until I settled on looking through Embry's timid eyes at the scene before them.

Sam emerged out of the forest wearing nothing more than a pair of sweat pants. He strode across the pack until he was in front of us. His features were hard, but he seemed in control enough to speak. As I stared, I got the impression that he could take down all of the Cullen's easily – except maybe the muscle-y one at the end – since he was clearly the tallest. He took a breath and immediately got down to business.

"You're missing one," he said.

"So you've noticed," spat the fortuneteller.

Sam eyed her darkly.

"Alice -," the one called Carlisle threatened. "This isn't the time." He turned back to Sam. "Yes, Edward is missing. And, as I think you already know, so is Bella. Alice told me that one of your pack members took her from the mall today."

Sam jerked his chin towards Alice. "Shouldn't she already know where Bella is?"

For some reason, Alice nearly exploded – and I realized that Sam had triggered the source of her frustration.

"What do you think I've been trying to do for the past two hours?!" she hissed, scowling. "I came immediately here first with Esme -," she flipped her hand impatiently to the soft looking, caramel colored brunette next to her, "- looking for Bella – she'd already crossed the line so I couldn't just come and take her home. And her future was already wiped from my mind because one of you was around her all the whole time! So, what do I do? I go home ready to tear my hair out waiting for Bella to call or Edward to come home first. He was going to go berserk! But no – Esme and I come home to Rosalie, Carlisle, Jasper, and Emmett -," she pointed to each one as she said their names, "- already talking about Edward somehow disappearing during their trip. Next thing I know, I keep seeing this log cabin in the woods around the edges of my mind. Please tell me that Bella is here with you. Please tell me -," she struggled to say the next part, "- please tell me Jacob has her somewhere."

I gulped as I stared forward at the metallic car heading north.

Well – I have her somewhere, I thought meekly.

Paul snickered.

Sam frowned at Alice, clearly not wanting to answer. Instead he turned back to Carlisle.

"So he disappeared, huh? You can't be more specific?"

Carlisle opened his mouth to reply but was cut off when Alice suddenly obtained this glassy-eyed look. She bit her lip and then whispered something very softly to Carlisle that Embry couldn't hear.

What did she say? I demanded.

None of the pack heard. I snorted and continued running between the trees, car in sight.

I watched as Sam raised an eyebrow in their direction, and Carlisle sighed.

"Well, apparently, Alice just saw what happened to Edward – although it has already happened – which is odd in her case. She thinks someone is playing with the holes in her vision," he said.

Sam furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm sorry; could you explain that, from beginning to end?"

Before Carlisle could reply, Alice cut him off again. "We came here only to know what happened to Bella and nothing more. Once you tell us, we'll be on our merry way."

Not a good idea, Paul thought. The rest of the pack nodded their assent, although Sam was out of the loop.

"Actually," Sam replied, "How about you tell us everything, and then we'll be on our merry way?"

"Listen you -" Alice began, but Carlisle interceded.

"Stop, stop. This is getting us nowhere. I think that today we both need to put aside our differences and work together."

I barked a laugh at that. He sounded like the captain at a soccer game.

Sam grinned. "I don't think you remember, but the ways of the universe don't allow werewolves to work together with parasites such as yourselves."

"I don't like this Carlisle," said the other blond male, Jasper I think, speaking for the first time. "How can we trust them?"

"We must," Carlisle said. "We both have information the other needs."

Esme nodded next to Alice, seeming to accept this. The rest of the Cullen's looked horrified.

"Carlisle, I can't see what will happen if we involve them. We don't know how many there are – one of them -," Alice eyed the pack – counting possibly? "- is already involved in this. I can't see what's going on in the cabin. I think the only reason I can see the cabin now is because Edward's future is already there."

"But with all of us combined – can't you see the possibilities?" Carlisle mused.

"I can't see anything," Alice fumed.

Carlisle ignored her. "Listen, we'll tell you what happened, if you give us an account of what happened on your side of the line. I think that is a fair deal."

Sam looked thoughtful for a second, and then replied, "Give us a moment."

The second he was in the woods, his voice appeared in our heads again.

I think it is a good idea, I said quickly. We need them, they need us, we could both benefit. The other bloodsuckers have one of ours and one of the Cullen's.

Um, Jake – if you haven't noticed, she's not one of us anymore. She's been hanging out with leeches! Paul exclaimed.

Bella's still human, Embry chimed in. And she's nice. She deserves our help.

Yeah – she's pretty tough to be hanging out with rocks, Quil grinned.

Guys! Sam silenced everyone. I think Jake is right.

What?! You can't be serious? What about the treaty?! Paul shouted, appalled.

The treaty is going to have to be temporarily voided. Otherwise, an alliance between our kinds can never be formed.

An alliance? No way, Jared's head shook.

It's the only way – to save the girl and to get rid of the trespassers at the same time. Sam sighed, clearly aggravated with this choice. Well, let's get this over with.

Sam left and I looked on at the Cullen's through Embry again. Paul was growling and Jared was stiff. But nobody went against Sam's decision. I noticed that the Cullen's were also having there own group discussion. The blond female, Rosalie, although whispering, looked as though she was shouting voraciously at Carlisle. She seemed to be the only one with doubts – the rest looked complacent enough. Carlisle waved her away as soon as Sam appeared in human form in the clearing.

"Well?" he asked politely.

"We will agree to a temporary alliance, in exchange for any information you have on the situation," Sam said smoothly.

"Agreed – of course, you will tell us what happened to your pack as well?" Carlisle inquired.

Sam nodded. "You first."

Carlisle took a breath, but suddenly the big, curly brown-haired guy was in the way. Emmett?

"You want to know what happened to Edward first?" he asked, his expression serious.

Sam shrugged. "Let's just go from beginning to end."

Emmett nodded once and began, "Jasper, Carlisle, Edward, and I were out looking for big game today close to Olympic park -" he ignored the pack when they visually cringed, knowing everything that that entailed, "- and we weren't out for very long. Edward – seemed distracted. Actually, I don't think he was really 'with' us for any part of the day – and I couldn't blame him considering –"

"Anyway," Jasper interrupted, giving Emmett a warning look. "Edward wanted to go home early. The rest of us agreed. Next thing we know, this guy -," he jabbed a finger at Emmett who was grinning, "- comes across the scent of one of the other's we chased last night. I'm assuming Bella told one of your pack members the whole ordeal, or must I explain it?"

"We know what happened," Sam replied coolly, inclining his head for the two of them to continue.

"Good. It was the blond female we encountered last night. Emmett was about to bolt off by himself until I felt his intentions," he explained.

"Felt?" Sam asked.

I snorted. I remembered the day Bella told me about the Cullen's special gifts. I thought this guy's was the weirdest. Although the rest of the pack remembered with me, Sam had no idea. I realized then who was causing us all to feel relaxed before.

"Yes – I – I can feel what people are feeling…" he seemed reluctant to go on. "Anyway, the three of us followed the trail until we reached a clearing. The clearing had Edward's scent all over it – as well as Bella's, but it was much older and faded. There were also three others' scents that I didn't recognize. We were able to determine that there was a struggle – but –"

"He was captured?" Sam finished.

"Yep," Emmett said grimly. "We followed the trail for about five miles, but it ended at a road. There was a car there."

"We went home and Alice shared her story with us," Carlisle said. "We all thought it best to come here first, to get Bella safe before Edward. And now, I think it's your turn to explain, since you know what happened to us last night."

Sam exhaled slowly and nodded. "Well, you weren't the only one's to have an ordeal the night before…"

"Oh?"

And then Sam went through the grueling task of explaining how the pack followed the blond female last night as well (we concluded that she must have crossed over the boundary line and that's why the Cullen's lost her and we took up the trail), my "kidnap" of Bella at the mall, and Bella's capture when "Alice" came to pick her up (the real Alice appearing astonished at this part), and the fact that I was following the car right now. Sam also mentioned the vampire run-in I had along the way and the fact that we had to get to the body before it reassembled itself.

"I'll go take care of that," Emmett offered, a look of dark pleasure crossing his features.

The blond female hissed in his direction.

Carlisle grimaced, but nodded, "You and Rosalie can go and burn the remains, but come back here as soon as you're done; we've got to create a plan."

I barely paid attention as the two Cullen's left the clearing. The rest of the pack became a soft voice in the back of my head, separate and detached – because just then the silver car swerved to the right, getting ready for the next exit ramp. My heart leapt.

She must be getting close – she must be nearing the others! I thought ecstatically. The run was starting to get long and disorienting – what with having to track the car, pay attention to my surroundings, and listen to the whole conversation with the Cullen's at the same time. The only thing I wanted to do was get to Bella and to destroy the others in the process. The urge to sink my teeth into the others throats and rip them apart was so strong, my teeth clenched audibly. I'd make them pay for all they did to her.

Guys – get Sam's attention. I'm getting off the freeway – the exit is really obscure. It's near the Canadian border too, just like we thought. I saw a sign for border patrol up ahead. The road name is "Hill Pass".

Embry was the first to react. He strode up to Sam and nudged him gently in the shoulder. Sam turned and stared at Embry momentarily, nodded once, and spun his head around to face the Cullen's again.

"I think Jake's getting close," Sam explained. "We're going to need to hurry with these plans."

At that point, I tried my best to ignore the rest of the pack's discussion with the Cullen's as best I could, putting all my focus and determination into the task ahead of me. I was only acutely aware of them sharing strategies and battle tactics and I only half-acknowledged my astonishment of Jasper's expertise on the subject of destroying vampires. A part of me yearned to know more about where this guy came from, but I smothered the emotion. Distraction was not something I could afford at the moment.

As I followed the car, I watched the sky change from being a gray sheet to an almost apocalyptic like scene. The clouds had become so thick and dense that the shadows they created beneath them were like a black omen. I eyed the nearest cloud approaching from the west and groaned. It was a monolith that towered over the world in a sinister show of force. It looked like it was defying the laws of nature – not even gravity could hold it down. To make everything even eerier, pockets of light filtered through some of the gaps between the clouds, showering certain areas in illumination while leaving others to revel in darkness. A part of me just wished it would rain already. Anything was better that this scene that looked like something out of European painting during the Black Death that I remembered from history class.

The forest became thicker as I careened around the road. It was hard for me to find a large enough opening for me to fit through in between the trees. I realized that the forest was taking every advantage of the absence of human life. I gulped – "absence of human life" had become to mean more to me than it ever did before.

I almost stumbled when I abruptly felt the urge to do two actions simultaneously: one was this overpowering feeling to stop – and the other was my duty to keep tracking the car ahead of me. The compulsion to stop was fostered by a smell that wafted into my nostrils from what seemed like everywhere.

It was blood.

My first thought was that it was Bella's and that I was too late. Lucky for me, I realized almost at the same time that Bella's blood did not smell like any of the aroma's that were floating around me – plus, I knew she was in the car ahead of me. But I knew this much: they were all human – and it was as if all of them were buried right under the ground beneath my feet. A low rumble began in the back of my throat and was beginning to escalate into a full-fledged howl when Embry was suddenly shouting at me.

Jake! You'll be heard – I know this sucks, but you got to control yourself!

Sucks? Ha! I laughed sardonically. Yeah, it sure does suck.

Listen Jake, we're coming after you now. Emmett and Rosalie have already taken care of that other vamp you destroyed in the woods. Esme is staying behind and covering for Bella so Charlie isn't suspicious. When we get to this "cabin", or whatever it is, we're going to split into two groups to confuse them. Jake – Sam wants you to focus on getting Bella out of there alive – he knows you're the only one with the self-control and the ability to do it. Alice and Carlisle are going to focus on getting out Edward.

I snapped my jaw once and said, Fine – but so much murder close-by and we never even realized it?! How can this happen? How many of them are there?

Alice said around 9 or 10 – she's not exactly sure, replied Jared matter-of-factly.

Oh – then this battle is going to be cake. We outnumber them easily!

Not so fast Jacob, Sam exclaimed, his voice concealing none of his authority as alpha male. If you were paying attention, you would have heard everything that Jasper said about these vampires. They're older and surer about their abilities. They should be able to fight just as easily as we can. It's going to be a pretty even battle. And that is why we have to be on our guard at all times – one of us might not make it.

My eyes widened. What Sam had said was certainly sobering, but I brushed it aside. I was too confident in our abilities that failure seemed like a distant, inconceivable thing. Plus, there was no way I was going to miss this battle.

The road steadily turned into gravel and the pockets of light that shone between the edges of the clouds slowly faded like someone turning the dimmer down on a light-switch. Soon, everything was covered in a murky gray that silenced the entire forest, save the trees whose leaves would rustle in a violent wind. The hackles on the back of my neck rose as the car veered onto a narrow, hidden path through the woods. I followed until the forest and brush thinned to reveal a small, secluded meadow. In its center was a rustic-looking wooden cabin large enough to house maybe eight people.

Hey, guys – tell them I'm at the cabin now. God – that little bloodsucker was right… I thought, adding the last comment unconsciously.

Cautiously, I approached the cabin, crouched low and hidden within in the tall grasses. From my position I was still able to see the silver car pull up in front of the cabin and park. I watched with a sick stomach as the blond leech exit the car, walk lithely around to its side door, grab Bella from inside, and slam the door shut. In the leech's arms, Bella looked like nothing more than a rag doll – her head rolled to the side and her arms and legs draped limply around her. If I didn't know any better, I could have sworn she was dead.

The small vampire entered the cabin, shutting the door behind her.

Wait Jacob – don't do anything stupid! Wait a minute until the coast is clear before you approach the cabin, Sam warned quickly.

I grimaced, hating having to be sneaky. I wanted this to be over with. I wanted Bella to be safe again.

A minute passed after what felt like a millennia. I carefully moved toward the cabin, barely making the strands of grass rustle around me. Soon I was close enough to the cabin that I could see through a small window at ground level. The dirt-encrusted window looked into a very deep basement – which surprised me. The house looked too old and disheveled to ever have the capabilities of a basement. But I stopped pondering about the cabins structural abilities when I saw movement within the basement's dark crevices.

There were shadows – difficult to tell how many. I could see one pacing back and forth and three clumped in a far corner – almost far enough away to be hidden from the window. There were others in various locations in the basement, still and stone-like. The sweet stench was becoming sickeningly unbearable again.

My eyes flicked to the side when I noticed movement out of the far left corner of the little window. Immediately I could tell what the dark shape walking into the middle of the room was and I clenched my teeth to keep from howling. The small leech stopped in the center of the window and placed Bella in a wooden chair that I had not noticed was there before. Another shadow moved behind the chair. It bent down until its hands were moving rapidly – I didn't understand the movement.

Jake – I think they're tying her to the chair, Embry pointed out as my eyes widened.

As soon as the shadow behind the chair was done, it withdrew and the small leech stepped forward again. This time, it reached up until it flicked on a single light-bulb hanging from the ceiling over Bella's chair. The light illuminating the room was creepy and dim – having the ability to simultaneously reveal the tiny dust particles floating around the chair, but also showing little else in the room besides Bella's lifeless form. However, I was able to see the three figures in the far corner more distinctly. One was kneeling on the floor with a sack over its head. Two were guarding it – a gangly male with black hair and a brown haired female. I gasped internally, comprehension dawning.

That's him, I thought.

I'll relay the information, Sam thought. Listen, we're going to be the first one's there Jacob. Don't do anything until we get there – we're attacking first. The Cullen's are going to stay back in the surrounding forest and sneak in for a surprise attack.

I didn't say anything with my thoughts, but I knew he understood that I understood. I was more focused on watching him under the sack. He knelt, unmoving and unbelievably rigid. I snorted, unable to help myself from thinking that if he truly loved Bella, he'd have figured a way to rescue her by now.

Out of the corner of my eye, I observed as the delicate blond one wave something under Bella's nose. My hair stood on end as I watched Bella jerk violently out of her stupor and gaze around at her surroundings with a look of pure terror. I dug my claws into the ground, growling softly.

The two vampires guarding Edward removed his sack then to reveal his face. He was still blind-folded and his mouth had been gagged. I realized that in order to shut him up, they had used a steel chain and duct tape.

Wow, I mused. They really had thought of everything.

I eyed the two leeches as they removed his blindfold. What I saw made me physically recoil from the window. If looks could kill, I would have been dead hours ago.

Edward looked half mad. If he were human, his eyes would have been bright red around the rims and bulging from his sockets. As it was, his eyes were just wide and murderous – his eyebrows slanted deep and hideously. His hair was disheveled and there was dirt molded to his cheeks. To be honest, it was the most he had ever looked like a vampire since I had first met him.

When he caught a glimpse of Bella in a chair, his carefully built expression almost completely collapsed to reveal un-distilled despair and horror. But he was cautious not to show it totally. Instead, an insane determination took hold of him and he launched as far as he could toward Bella's chair before the two vampires dragged him back. Actually, two wasn't enough – it took four of them total just to drag his struggling body back over into the corner of the room. I realized then that Bella had turned around to watch this and was yelling something incomprehensible, her eyes streaming with tears.

Just then, Edward, Bella, and the other vampire's heads twisted in unison to the approach of another shadow from the opposite side of the window. As the figure stepped into the light, I nearly shouted in my head, Target sighted! I have her in sight!

Victoria was standing in front of Bella with a look of triumph written across her face. Her hair shown like a firestorm in the dim room light and her slender figure moved with a poise that had everyone, minus the small, blond vampire, staring. She walked around Bella strapped to the chair like a cat that had caught a thoroughly entertaining mouse. As she did so, she talked but the words were too soft to understand from up here. However, I could read Bella's face – she looked mortified.

Guys – where the hell are you?! I shouted.

About another half hour away – we had to make a pit stop, Quil explained.

What? I exclaimed. As I watched my father's face swim into view and Sam explaining to him a cover story he should use for the rest of La Push and for anyone else who asked where we were, I understood.

Was that really necessary? I mean, this thing is going down like now! I yelled.

We're going as fast as we can Jacob; you're just going to have to be patient and wait," Sam reassured. Despite this, I didn't feel at all reassured. If anything, I was more stressed.

Victoria continued to revolve around Bella, engrossed like a moth to a flame. She stopped when she was in front of Bella's chair and grabbed her chin to look at her properly – saying something that sounded like a question. Bella closed her eyes and clenched her jaw in defiance. I couldn't help but smile somewhat at that. Victoria raised her eyebrows in amusement. Releasing Bella's chin, Victoria acted as if she was just going to walk away, before she turned around so suddenly that I hardly caught the movement myself, and slapped Bella across the cheek.

Bella screamed in agony despite her obvious attempts at controlling her emotions. In turn, Edward was screaming with her. My whole body shook with the force of their dual sounds. It was so horrifyingly chilling, it felt like my heart had froze over. I was rooted to the spot, to numb to completely comprehend the deep, angry, blue-brown bruise developing on Bella's right cheek.

You're lucky Jake – Victoria was holding back. She could have killed her in that one hit, but she didn't – at least, not yet, Embry reasoned.

Still shaking, I listened as the screams subsided to painful sobs. Victoria had walked away, and now the blond one was in front of Bella. She was speaking to her as well – delicately, almost kindly. Bella was shaking her head at her and biting her bottom lip. Displeased, the blond one grabbed Bella's left wrist and twisted it back as if it were clay to be molded. I heard a faint "pop" sound, and I could feel the tears in my own eyes, imagining the pain.

The screams were even louder than the first time – so deafeningly loud that I was on the verge of screaming myself. Edward was pushing with as much might as he could against the combined weight of the four holding him back. By this time, he had broken through the steel chain that was in his mouth and had bitten through the duct tape. They both were lying on the floor beside him as he screamed curses at the two women torturers in front of Bella. By that time, I had reached my limit.

I'm going in, I roared, standing on all fours. I can't take this anymore!

No Jake! Stay where you are – that's an order! Sam demanded. I can't let you revealing our plan to them! I could feel the weight of the alpha dog's command on my shoulders – the insane compulsion to listen to him. But this time, I did not give in.

No! I shouted back. Before I knew it, the packs protestations had faded into the back of my mind – faded until they were there no more. My four legs had disappeared until I was only standing on two. I pulled on my clothes so aggressively that I thought my pants were going to rip into two. With utmost vigilance, I crossed passed the hidden window in the ground and moved around to the side of the cabin until I was at the front door. I knew I probably should have thought through what I was going to do next, but my mind was so steadfast and acting on a combination of instincts and impulses that I just did the first thing I could think of: I knocked on the door.

In just two seconds, the door swung open to reveal a severe looking bloodsucker with gold-blond hair and bright red eyes that stared at me in the doorway. To me, he looked just as young as the other vampire I had killed that day.

"Pizza delivery?" I said.

And then I punched the bloodsucker straight in the face.

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AN: Hey guys – I actually updated!! -shock- I know, it's taken me almost a year to write this, but, to be honest, I have almost completely lost my inspiration to write this fan-fiction. In fact, I was just going to stop this completely. After reading Meyer's Breaking Dawn, watching the Twilight movie, and participating in an inordinate amount of intelligent discussions on the series in general, I can hardly call myself a fan anymore. Sorry guys, but I've truly lost my initial love for the series. It just doesn't seem as real and relatable to me as it once did.

However, I had written most of this chapter back in July, August, and September of last year – I only needed to finish the final parts of it. As I was looking through my computer files, I found the document for this chapter and my curiosity got the better of me. I opened the file and re-read what I had written. I have to say, it's one of my more exciting chapters; pretty soon I was itching to write the last parts of it, so I ended up spending most of last night finishing it. I thought back to my original plans for this story, and I know that I'm towards the end of it – and it gets pretty intense. After all, this is the ending I had originally predicted for Eclipse, and I had wanted to get a chance to write for the past two years this story has been going on for.

So – I'll make you a deal. If you guys want me to continue this story, please review!Even if you don't like this story or would like to offer some critiques for me – I don't care! Anything is welcome! :D If I reach a certain amount of reviews (I'm not going to tell you how many – so just review please!) I will continue with my original intentions for this fan-fic as planned. So it's all up to you guys whether this story lives or dies!

Again, I'm sorry to all you fans of this who've stuck with me through this very lagging story. It's for you guys that I truly finished this chapter and why I'm actually considering wrapping up the entire story! Thank you guys so much – you're all so awesome!!!

So please reviewand I'll try to update as soon as I can!