48; the biggest threats

[this is mixed between the events in the book and the movie of breaking dawn. You don't need to read the book to understand. Enjoy]

Just to clarify; Elias didn't like feeling helpless, but for the two weeks he'd been glued by his best friends side, it's hard not to.

Bella's health declined more as the bump between her hips increased. The whole family had spent their time trying to help. Medically speaking, there wasn't much to do- her body neglected most food and drink, the use of a drip filled with nutrients didn't work. They couldn't use scans or needles to see if the baby was okay.

Emotionally, Elias was there, supporting whatever she does, soothing her from Edwards sour attitude towards the situation. It isn't that he doesn't care, he cares too much- he wants Bella alive, he wants Bella happy, but he can't have both when the baby is draining her life to live itself.

Yes. For the biggest predator on earth, all of them felt utterly useless.

"Hey Elle," Bella croaks his attention, literally. The strain in her voice only showing how weak she is.

Elias blinks, turning away from where he'd been staring at one of the white walls. They're on the couch again, Elias reclining back so Bella can relax on his marble chest- she likes the contact, the warmth Elias churns around them. Apparently the baby does too, but Elias doesn't know if that is Bella being honest or her hopeful imagination.

"Yes?" He answers, looking down at her, lips tugging to break his emotionless mask when spotting Bella is still twirling the black band on his ring finger.

"It doesn't feel so different from when we used to camp out in my room," she sighs, stopping her fiddling with the engagement ring. Her eyes are filled with a nostalgic happiness. "Do you remember?"

There's hope in her tone, like always. She'd been asking- secretly, when Elias is sure no one was listening- about his turning. About the pain, the instincts, the way his memories sieved and blurred out unless he kept hold of them. She asked because she wanted to prepare herself when she turned.

If. If her heart doesn't stop first, the negative part of Elias' mind reminds, the words more Edwards than his own. He scowls at the negativity, washing it away before Bella can see it.

"I'd make blueberry pancakes and we would eat them in your bed," his lips pull apart in a smile, dangerous, as speaking means breathing and Bella's scent makes his already coal coloured eyes darken. "You have blue stained pillows because I tripped one morning and dropped the plate."

Bella laughs, quietly, the best she can muster with her depleted energy. Elias likes the sound, likes how for a moment he can pretend her sunken in eyes are from sleepless nights, her odd heartbeat is from her being clumsy, that the bump producing from her stomach isn't killing her.

Elias doesn't feel pain in this new body, he doesn't feel much. Temperatures, sure, when he's not expelling heat. He can feel it in the air, he can sense it, he can change it.

Now, looking down at her, he can't change the cold realisation electrocuting every nerve- his best friend is sick. The girl who's a sister, a twin, is dying.

Ironic, in a twisted sick way. Like laughing at a funeral. Because Elias realises that this is what Bella must have felt like when they sat in that hospital room, words like tumours, cancer, life expectancy, being thrown around.

Bella tilts her head back to look at Eli, sensing the sadness of his thoughts, her skinny and fragile throat open to him entirely as she asks, "Can you still make me pancakes even though you don't eat?"

Eat. Elias is hungry- told by his black eyes. By the way he freezes once exposed to her jugular, thumping so temptingly that his sight goes dark for a moment. His eyes linger on a vein for a second before Rosalie- sat next to her own 'twin' across the living room- hisses a sharp warning, "Elias."

Eli's body spikes in temperamental heat as he turns to snarl at her. "Fuck off blondie," he growls, because despite them being on the same side- Bella's side- it's for completely different reasons.

Jasper shifts in his seat, waiting to move, eyes tracking him, ready to go over incase Eli loses control (of his thirst or his temper is the real question) but Bella places a dainty hand on Eli's rumbling chest. It's so soft on his skin, like a feather on stone. Elias almost wants to say let go, don't hurt yourself.

"Stop it you two," she forces, voice stronger in demand. She looks between Eli and Rosalie pointedly, who in return turn away from each other with a scowl. Their alliance, their bond from his birthday is still there, only strained with the pressure of Bella getting sick. It makes the newborn want to twitch in nerves, in annoyance.

"Darlin," Jasper calls, now on his feet, arms drawn behind him. Elias feels his scowl melt into something nicer, something that lights up his dark eyes. "Shouldn't you be leaving now?" He suggest, or tells.

Elias sighs out, wanting to disagree, yet Jaspers pleasing expression cools his fire. He knows when to listen and Jaspers only worried for the newborn as he's around the human- its no secret whilst Elias has good control, yet he needs to feed a lot more than his family.

"You should take someone with you," Bella says, concerned too as she moves to sit up from his chest so he can leave. Elias places his hands lightly on her back and shoulder to help her. Rosalie matches him.

"I should stop swearing, but I'm not gonna do that either," he grins jokingly, pretending to not notice the way her heart stutters and misses a beat as he moves. She's always so stressed about him, especially concerning his hunger. Force of nature, that woman.

Bella blushes, a faint pink of her sunken cheeks. "Idiot," she whispers fondly. 

Elias stands up, one moment in front of her and the next there's a leather book in one hand and a quilt in the other. Bella makes a small gasp as he fits the cover over her cold body.

"This is one you haven't read," he informs, even going as far to open the first page of the 'Bella' titled journal before passing it her. Anything to not take her energy away.

She smiles weakly, happy from the small snip of trust he shows by allowing her to see the memories they share from his perspective. Elias lingers over her, taking in her sunken features as if his memory isn't perfect. This is another part why he's been pushing his hunts days longer- the idea of leaving scares him. Bella had deteriorated so quickly, so much can happen in a few hours...if he misses anything, he can't even grasp the pain that lashes in him. Like razors in his lung, every breath bleeds sharply. 

Rosalie filters past him, taking the spot he once sat. Bella doesn't lean against her like she does him, already too cold, but she allows the blonde to grab the book from her hands so she can read the words out loud. Eli watches them for a moment in contemplation, but hunger takes makes up his mind. Jaspers press of his hand on Eli's spine makes up his mind. He moves out the house. He hears Carlisles footsteps trace to the living room, time to check Bellas vitals again, and Eli's glad he can leave for a while. He doesn't like feeling helpless.

Jaspers faster, so by the time Eli is out, he's leaning against one of the closest trees of the house. The darkness of his clothes clashes against the shining scars on his skin but Elias loves that about him. He wants to trace everyone one and paint them with his tongue, he wants cover him in gold so he really matches the way Eli sees him- glowing.

He doesn't love the worry on the blondes face. "Don't say it," he warns, finally breathing freely now Bella's scent isn't tinting the air. The razors in his lungs are gone now, forgotten for a moment.

Jaspers open mouth snaps into a thin line. Despite not saying anything, his words display easily across his face, making Eli sigh yet again.

"I'll be quick, don't worry. I'm the scariest thing in the forest, remember?" he grins, stepping up to Jaspers chest so he can press their lips together for a short moment. It's sweet.

Or it starts that way, until Jasper grabs Elias by the hips, pulling him tightly as he deepens the kiss. His tongues warm and welcome in Eli's mouth and there's this humming sound coming from the vampires chest that makes Eli pleased. Without thinking, he's pushing Jasper against the tree, chasing the high that is Jaspers body against his own. An addiction of euphoria that comes from teeth tugging on lips and tongues meeting each other and trying to undo his jeans- they're completely hooked.

Jaspers the one to pull away-because Eli's black eyes aren't just hungry for the blond in front of him. He needs to hunt- alone, because the family's torn into two sides and Elias doesn't fully trust Rosalie to protect Bella alone. He doesn't trust the others to not do something to 'save' her.

"Be careful," the blond orders, lips tugging into a favourite crooked smirk.

"You just couldn't help yourself, could you Major?" the newborn murmurs, shaking his curls disappointedly.

Eli can't help himself too, so he turns back to the house, unable to see past the reflection of glass with his enhanced eyesight. He knows Bella is on the second floor with Rose, Emmett and Carlisle, just like he knows Alice and Nate are far away from her since Alice gets 'headaches' trying to see her. He knows Edward is a room away, looking like agony in the form of a man as Esme tries comforting him.

Helpless.

"We'll be fine," Jaspers fingers smooth over Eli's jaw, turning his sight back. There's a fierce determination in his eyes, "I'll make sure of it Elias."

Elias really does love the blond, every part of his body sings it every time there even look at each other. That's why when Eli starts running through the forest, ducking under hanging branches and past the streams of sunlight managing to escape past the looming trees, he feels guilt course his stomach.

He hated lying to Jasper, too. But sometimes, the truth causes unnecessary panic. He will tell him once he's back, because he's not comfortable with keeping secrets with Jasper, not big ones. Not dangerous ones.

Once Elias is sure they're unable to hear him, to track his direction of running, he banks harshly east. He's smart enough to make a course that isn't near the treaty line or near his home, leaving him to curl safely to the main population of Forks.

It's dangerous and stupid. Especially as his throats fire travels down to his stomach in hunger. Yet Elias is sure now is the only time to do it- when Edwards too worried to read his mind, when Alice is too busy concentrating on Bella to be able to try track him. Not that she can. Once Elias is alone, he's a smoke trail.

It takes only a few minutes, a few fragile minutes to get to his destination. Eli slows to a silent stop, paranoia flooding his guilt as he peers through the trees. He doesn't need to be meters away to see, but a human part of him urges him to get closer.

"Can I have avocado on my sandwich?" Easton's cheery voice is recognisable as he sits on the picnic bench on the Sherwood garden. They're all there, fluttering around with pans of food and drinks, enjoying the summer sun whilst it lasts.

Easton swings his legs back and forth on the bench, his messy curls fluttering in the wind- it travels in Eli's direction, coaxing the monster under his skin.... but not as much as he thought it would, no. No. This is Easton, his brother- he'd never hurt him.

"Avocado?" David scoffs, taking a seat next to the ten year old, bumping his large shoulder against the kids small ones. "Who are you?" He jokes.

Easton giggles, the sound like light. Eli's lips twitch up naturally at the happiness he sports.

Eli's Mom walks out to then, the glare creasing her eyes showing she heard David's comment. "Leave him be, it's healthy," she chides, as if she means it. "You eat seven avocados if you really want to Easton."

Easton hums as she places the chopped vegetable in front of him. When his smile flattens out, Eli's feels his brows tug in concern, until the boy asks David, "did Elle like a avocados? I can't remember."

It's so innocent, so painstakingly childlike. But it's a chain reaction that falters both his parents, like a puppet masters wrist jerking to the right and ruining the smoothness of the act. Elias knows, in that instant, that his name isn't said by them. Not his full name, not outright. Much like Elias couldn't even think of the word Jasper when he left, his parents are dodging everything that reminds them of Elias.

They're ignoring it. Him. The memory of Elias Sherwood is exactly that, a memory. Their son is a ghost in photos and something they push back in their mind. They don't recall fondly on their time together, they don't try to remember. They're purposefully forgetting.

They've buried him in every way possible except by grave.

It shouldn't hurt. It shouldn't. He can't even say he doesn't understand them, because he once did the same when Jasper left- and oh god, did that feel like a death to him. Like something was stolen. So being mad at them, being hurt- would make him a hypocrite.

But he's the biggest hypocrite going, because it hurts. He mourned for them every day, he missed them with every moment he lived and will live. He did everything possible to check on them, to look out for them. He asked Alice watch their future incase they needed help, he made his werewolf friends check up on his brother so he wasn't lonely, he asked Nina Cameron to help their mourning. He asked Carlisle to pay for therapy and grief counselling.

Yet they're making the same mistakes they did with Elias, but to Easton.

It's the last nail in the coffin and Elias knows in that moment, as they brush past to another topic, as they refuse to acknowledge Easton's question, as his brothers looks downwards at his plate with saddened eyes, that he can never, ever visit again. He will never come back to the Sherwood home that still holds part of his heart, he will never check up on his parents again. Because the temptation to step in, to change their ways is too strong. He remembers the methods of their parenting, the conditional love, the way he never felt like he fit in. He doesn't want that for Easton because Easton's the only one who wants to remember, Eli won't allow it.

Yet if he sees it going in that direction, if he notices Easton stepping into the footprints of Eli's past, following the same feelings- he'll take his brother, he'll raise him as his own. David and Cassandra will have no children left. And that's not entirely fair either, because they're trying their best, but to Eli's mind, his dark mind, not some vampire instinct... he can't allow Easton to feel the same that Elias felt. Alone, loved by what felt like obligation, completely misunderstood.

The vampire takes one step back, set in his mind, when Easton's face turns directly to the forest. To where Elias is hidden, where he can't be seen, surely- but that kids looking out with a expression even he himself can't understand. Elias makes eye contact only visible to him, his dark irises connecting to a ocean blue- and every memory of Eli's life comes flushing back. Easton, pink and soft in a blanket, born in the hospital. Every birthday, every instance Elias looked out for him, looked after him.

Elias knows in that instance, he'll come back for his brother if absolutely necessary and for that only. Elias will carry on looking on from afar, be a protector, but as the ghost that he is.

He might be dead, but he'll always be his brother, just as Easton knows.

•••

Eli's mind is instant in its warnings. With all senses aware, it should be the scent, the noise of paws, that warns him first. It isn't. It's the map in his mind, normally a dormant darkness that's showing heat around him only when it's close, that goes glaringly loud. It's like another sight other than his eyes and suddenly it's lit up, flashing red like an alarm, warning of the three sources of heat coming up a few miles behind him.

He's running fast, each step barely touching the floor, a ghost to the true meaning with no noise. He's coming back from feeding and far from the house and Eli knows he's on his own territory, so why the hell is he being chased?

He can't ponder for long, can't even want to- the instinct of predator, the feeling of something is wrong and he's being chased and if he's first, his family is going to be next, drives him into a dark instinct. His skin burning, smoking, the material of his shirt hot and leaving sparks behind- practically a fucking trail to find him. With a pissed off snarl- how dare they hunt him- he's jumping, swinging up into a tree branch and hiding. Not hiding, biding his time.

There's three wolves, their hearts give them away even without the map in his mind that flickers in and out. They stop just as Eli's scent does, noses twitching in use as they look around to find him. Elias recognises Sam, he's sure he's the black furred one- but the brown wolves next to him are foreign. They're not here to talk, he knows that by the way they're snarling as they search.

Elias silently grins, his silent heart heavy with adrenaline. He moves, grabbing a handful of dead leaves that haven't managed to fall to the ground yet with the season. The heat from his skin plunges to an inferno, immediately the leaves turn black and smoke emits between his fingers. Maybe it's the sizzle of noise of burning foliage, or the laugh that echoes Elias, but the wolves finally spot him up in the trees with a snarl. He sends them a dark look that's intent of pain, of pushing back against the hunt they've lead, and swings his arm forward to scatter the foliage in the air. It falls, smoke exploding around them from burning and from the way Elias wills it to spread, to steal the sight of the wolves, to hide Elias in the element he controls.

There's a snarl of panic and anger, they've lost sight of Elias, but they can't hear him moving. He isn't taking the distraction to run- silly little wolves. Elias isn't human now, he doesn't choose flight over fight. Especially not when they're the ones trespassing on his property, when they're the ones that's pissing him off.

He drops to the ground, lighter in hand, and flicks it to life. He knows where they are with a track of heat, their outlines moving and blurring as they try back up to each other for cover, to see past the smoke. Elias looses the image as fire catches in his palm- his gift works either mentally or physically, never at the same time.

The light of fire is a give away to his position. A wolf snarls, too close for comfort and chooses fight too. He jumps with perfect aim but is blind by smoke, it's too easy for Elias to side step him- instinct from the play fights he had with Emmett- and sends a kick to the wolves ribs. It goes flying, smacking against a tree and cracking it in two, but is up again just as the other two wolves jump for Elias.

He flips over Sam, the wolves jaws snapping as he goes, and lands heavily on the seconds wolves back, clinging to the animal with his arms around his middle . The fires dancing red, red, red, up to his elbows and it's burning the wolf- a howl of pain is heard and Elias tightens his grasp, more strength to crack his bones, more fire that burn the broken bones. It's enough to make him stay down and not kill.

Elias rolls off him just as Sam catches him in a weird tackle, Elis hands come up to grab his jaws so he doesn't get bit but Sam's claws make contact, tearing Eli's shirt and cracking the immortal skin on his chest- pain blossoms and roars, true pain he hasn't felt yet. It makes the fire explode in relation, in protection, Sam jumps just as Elias throws him off before anymore harm can be done to either of them. Smokes coming from Sam as burn wounds litter his side.

Elias gets up again, moving into a hunting stance, allowing the flames to race higher up. The two wolves remaining are circling him, Elias watches them with all his senses, his instincts blaring every time his back is bare to one of them.

They move in sync. They lunge for Eli. He drops and rolls under Sam, getting space between them, allowing them both to be on the same side. Then Elias attacks, he dances between their jaws and claws and throws his palm out so the brown wolf gets the mist of a mini explosion of fire, then he swings his leg round to his head, knocking him out- he's not fast enough to stop the way Sam moves to jump him, to land on Eli's exposed back and push him to the floor belly first, the flames that come up from the vampire being tolerated by Sam in attempt to kill Elias.

For a fraction of a second, there's teeth brushing against the back of his neck, there's the dark shape of death trying to grasp him. There's a blink of Elias eyes, the burn of his skin roaring, the image of Jaspers smiling face behind his eyelids.

Then Elias swings his elbow back blindly, hitting Sam in the snout that leaves a snarl, theres the weight off his back and the ability to flip around and fight. He's burning badly now, there's the forest setting on fire around them by accident, there's Sam relentless with the attack, with true purpose to kill- there's Elias pinning him down on his side, his knee holding the wolves front paws down, his hands are stretching Sams thrashing jaws away, burning him as he's trying not to get bit- there's Sam's neck bared, so Elias leans down in a lightning quick motion and catches the skin of his shoulder, bites down and tears.

Blood splatters along his face, so utterly raw scented and warm that it makes him disgusted. Sam is howling in pain, in fury, but he's stopped thrashing- he's too far into his injuries to stand up again. He's a goner. 

But Elias doesn't make the killing strike. He spits the blood and skin from his mouth and stands, extinguishes the flames from his skin, and presses his boot clad feet onto Sams neck in a warning that if he moves, he'll die.

"The only reason you're not dead right now is because of the upmost respect I have for my friend Jace. Your death would sadden him and I will not cause him any unnecessary pain," Elias looks down at the wolf, his curls and face drenched in blood, his eyes glinting orange like the fire he posses, the intent of his words as deadly as himself, "But know this Sam Uley, your pardon on life goes as far as here. Come after me or my family for any reason and your wife won't have any of her pack members to help her as she buries the scraps of your body, because they'll be in matching coffins."

Jace Cameron

Recently, when the time got away from me as I patrolled the land for hours on end, my mind wondered to Elias Sherwood.

It's like a magnetic pull I can't stray away from. I can distance, distract, but I always stray back to thinking about him. Its inevitable, especially with Jacobs mind twirling around how the Cullens would play Bella Swans death- because, after all, its die human, or die a vampire. Both choices make Jake want to rage war and battle the vampire family- which now includes Elias.

Elias, the human who'd actually died fighting a vampire. All the pack had watched through Seths disorientated eyes as flames flared up his hands, arms and shoulders, melting his clothes. Their look of danger was nothing in comparison to the determination coursing Eli's attack on the red head.

They'd rolled- white and red swirling in the snow. A aura of smoke bursting around them as one of them tried getting the upper hand- and it wasn't the human.

We all heard the noise of the red heads teeth as she tore into his neck like a present, as his blood sprayed between them with no stop- as he died in place of the others.

I wasn't there, but through Seths memories, it felt like I was. Stuck, frozen, only kicking into action a fraction too late to save his human life. To stop the bleeding, Jesus, there had been so much blood. I didn't even know there could be that much blood in a human body.

Bella tried stopping it with her hands, she'd completely painted herself in the colour to try to save him. She hasn't realised, like Seth and Edward, that the woman's venom was tracing his body. That it had already started to thickened his blood, to slow the bleeding, to change him. The kill him.

Not my best friend after that, not exactly. His eyes flowed red now, his smile too sharp, his heart didn't beat... But his dimples were still there, and the playfulness of his eyes shined brighter than any red- still my Elias, a little. If you read between the lines.

I missed my best friend.

Seriously, get over it already. Jared's voice broke my nightmarish dream as it pierced through the pack link. His annoyance clear as the other wolves listening to my turmoil. You're worse than Jake with Bella.

I turned away from my watch point, across the mountain tops, to pull my muzzle back at him so I could match the growl of words I directed. The difference is I'm not in love with him, he's just my best friend. I'm allowed to mourn the human he was.

Theres a collective wince of the other boys, their minds in sync with my twins opinion on the matter. I felt the bristle of fur pull up against my body in defence, even before Paul mutters a sarcastic, He was your best friend.

Yeah, he's a leech now. Egged Leah, surprising my anger with her agreement.

I felt my muzzle pull back more, pointed to Jared sat across from me in the woods and to where I could see through all the other shifted wolves eyes. I hated this part of being a pack, no privacy, my mind sprayed out to all of them, especially as they were all so narrow minded.

All the wolves- minus Sam and Jake, as they latter wasn't shifted- simultaneously argued back with my statement of being narrow-minded. The merge of voices swirled in my head like hissing bees. Jared and I shrunk down on our stomaches with a whine, as if it helped the noise.

Give it up guys, Sam ordered, waves of his voice feeling like a ripple of power as he used his alpha command. The silence was almost instant as we all obeyed, leaving him to continue on. Elias Sherwood died protecting one of our own, even if he was one of... them, now.

Seth whined, his guilt travelling all along us. It was our job to protect the humans, we had all felt like we failed that day.

And one of our enemies, Quil reminded, I could see him running around the closet watch point of the ocean, Embry next to him.

Sam huffed again, not in the mood for our bickering- he'd had enough of that ever since Jake finally returned back to La Push, too late for the wedding, much to his guilt. He sacrificed himself so the mind reader could kill the red heads, without that would might have hurt your brother.

His name is Edward, Seth added quietly, like it meant anything to the others like it did me and him.

Evident when Leah hissed a sharp, Great, another leech lover.

I wasn't going to argue with her- it was a losing battle. I'd learnt long ago once someone made up their mind, it was hard to change it. Maybe that's why I still believed Elias is my friend, even if we weren't as close now, our species didn't matter.

Jared, Jace, switch positions with Brady and Colin. Sam huffed, and I had a feeling it was to stop my track of thought going deeper.

Colin and Brady shifted to their feet from the floor, happy with getting the wide land to protect. Always eager, the younger ones.

I blurred out the background noise of the packs thoughts, an easy task as long as everyone wasn't thinking the same thing. Since everyone was in duos on patrol, small conversations lit up between the link like sparks.

Come on Jace, Jared taunts, brushing against the side of me, the deep brown of his fur mixing like sand and soil with my own. I exhaled a sigh, as if I wasn't in the mood, but quickly dug my claws into the forest floor so I could shoot forward in speed. We took off towards the treaty line in a race, my longer and powerful legs working overtime just so I could kick dirt up in my twins face. Down the dulled pack line I felt their amusement, their bets of who would win. I was in the lead- I was the fastest runner after Leah.

This was a good part running. The exhilaration of working yourself hard, to finally exert the power lingering in my form. The wolf hummed happily at being in use, being surrounded by pack mates, even if they didn't think like us.

We were half way to the treaty line when another presence joined to the link, completing the eleven members of the pack. I felt the ripple of surprise all over- after Jakes fit from not being permitted to kill Edward if something happened to Bella, we all thought he'd ignore shifting for space for a while.

Then we saw where he was, across the treaty line. His distress ran as clear as the images pouring into the link. Bella, sick looking, the bump of a child. The agony of Edward face when admitting it was growing fast and draining the life from her even faster.

The image of the two blondes- Eli's boyfriend and the girl- standing over Bella as Jake went storming in. Their protective hunting crouch over her, as if Jake would hurt her. Where was Elias? Was he protecting her too?

For once, the pack was silent, myself included. That was impossible... wasn't it?

Sam started ordering us to meet without an answer. As if we all hadn't started running towards the clearing of logs ten miles away from La Push the minute Jakes memories surfaced.

I felt the buzz of enraged thoughts almost bruise me, it was hard to push down as I raced across the forest, leaving my brother entirely as I headed towards Jake.

I caught up to him just before we all grouped. I slowed to a trot, panting in my effort of the race and traced towards Sam next to Jake, wanting to talk to him over the swirl of arguments happening, but knew I couldn't.

Sams thoughts were furious, I felt it like a water level rising up, slowly choking me. I couldn't swim out of it. The continuing stream of snarls as he paced around, black fur bristled, matched his mind. I didn't realise all the pack was following his lead, to swarm and circle in synced angered thoughts until I stood in the circle of the storm- I wasn't alone. I was in the middle, Jake and Seth either side of me, the latter whimpering at the madness tearing at us all.

Abomination. Unnatural. Monster. Death. Destruction. Kill. Attack.

I couldn't pick a voice out- they were coming from everywhere, everyone. I shrunk back, looking around, trying to figure how to calm them, to make everyone stop. We didn't know anything yet, we needed to think straight, to understand before we took action. Next to me, Jake and Seth brushed up close in comfort, their thoughts a match of my own.

We have to protect the tribe, Sam almost howled, stepping from the wild race around us, taking lead like a true alpha. His muzzle pulled back to show every dagger like teeth. What they've bread won't be able to control its thirst. We'll kill it before it is born.

I almost staggered on my paws- I had to dig my claws into the wet floor. What? I demand, Seth not far being me in a cry, kill Bella?

Sam pulled the images from Jakes head- Edward apprehension of his own child, Rosalie and Jaspers attack crouch to protect Bella, her corpse like features.

The safety of our families, of everyone here, is more important than one human. He didn't like saying the words, admitting them, but he wouldn't change them- people don't change their mind.

Jake took one step to him, eye level to Sam. Only then I'd noticed he was bigger than him, that his longer red fur stood on angered edge. Around us the pack shivered, the clear alteration making all our trails twitch. She's human, the treaty says- Jake started.

I say, Sam stepped upon to Jake, the power emitting off him like a heatwave. I felt my need to sink to the floor, to obey his silent command, just like I felt the need to breathe. I couldn't stop it, I twitched to the floor in submit without command. I didn't like it and I didn't want to but I had no choice. Even Seth wasn't so lucky to have some restraint, he dropped to his belly in its intensity.

I say we fight, Sam hisses, again around us agreement surged in his command- my legs buckled under me, making me obey- I fought against it uselessly, just like Jake. Please, I wanted to beg, don't command us Sam. This isn't right.

Sam continued the attack, despite it all. He knew of of our lack of agreement, our lack of eagerness to kill, but wouldn't stop even if he didn't like taking away our will like this. Our humanity was in the way to him, our connection to the blood suckers was clouding our judgment. We'll surprise the Cullens, take them on in teams. They won't stand a chance.

You didn't want to fight them, I manage to whisper past the pull of alpha command, it felt like blowing air into a hurricane, you trusted them to not hurt anyone earlier today.

Sam turns to me with another snarl- the rest of my argument is lost with the intensity of his power. I rest down in full submit. Next to me Seth whines, ears flattening on his head. I could only lean against his side in silent support- my body wasn't my own anymore, I felt a puppet on a string.

I do not trust the abomination they've bread, and we all see they'll die to protect it. Bellas choice hinders us all, and to take a human like is everything we stand for. Her sacrifice is something we'll all mourn for. Sam spoke, a shine of guilt in his voice. But no regret.

Sacrifice, like she's already dead. Memories of happy times in a garage fixing bikes with Jake and two human friends made a cry tear past my muzzle. No, i didn't want this. But I couldn't fight, as much as I wanted to, as much as my wolf wanted to throw itself forward with exposed teeth- I was lost.

Like Elias? Seth mumbles, playing us all the memory of his throat being torn out. Smart kid. He saved me, he reminds, the judgment clear. The, 'Did that mean nothing now' of his words was silent but heard.

Sam turns to us again with a outraged snarl, no ounce of sympathy anymore as we continued to try disobey him. You will do as you're told Seth, all of you will, the ripple of his order lashed us all. We were goners, all of us, puppets on a strings, surrounded by soldiers that didn't mind their mission.

We couldn't do anything. I knew Sam hated the command, we all could feel it under the anger in the link. But he'd never pushed it like this before- he'd made us do what he thought was right, as Alpha.

Everyone knew a single wolf was nothing without an alpha.

The three of us laid in the eye of the storm, completely stolen of will as the attack raged around us in the form of eight kill ready wolves. They talked, planned, the best technique of attack, to kill all the Cullens.

I felt sicker than a dog as all I could do was listen, obey. Sam assigned people, tasking us who to kill as if it was a big card game. Sam saved Edward for himself, he was the biggest threat with the mind reading ability, he wouldn't let another wolf take that risk.

Then there was the second biggest challenge, challenges. Flashes of memories tore into the link- the blond vampire who taught us to fight newborns- he moved like a ghost, struck like lightning, Sam was scared of him. Jasper was the form of death in the shape of a man.

...And Elias was his counterpart- he still had his newborn strength, paired with his human ability of fire, he was the biggest threat. Itd only take seconds for us to burn to a crisp when in a arms distance- just like that dark skinned vampire in the clearing.

Elias Hale and Jasper Hale will be the greatest threat, Sam spat the names, the earlier kindness of Elle saving a pack long gone. With a sharp tug of his claws, our alpha turned to the middle of the pacing group.

Jake, Jace, you two will take care of them, you're our best fighters, the intensity slid between his clenched jaws, past the murderous growl.

Take care- Kill. Kill Elias, kill my friend. The guy who I spent months with fixing bikes and cracking shitty jokes, healing the broken expression on his face, who smoothed the doubt of my problems before I shifted- the guy who'd given me a motorcycle because he knew I like them.

No! Never! I scream, thrashing against the command, only managing to wiggle up to my paws- there was steel cables, a invincible force, shoving me down to the ground. I won't do that Sam.

The black wolf itched closer, towering over us- Jake included, who was also screaming in disagreement, in rage, trying to disobey. He'd managed to get to his feet. Around us the pack whined.

You will kill with us tonight, Sams blistering voice doubled in intensity, forcing me down again, trying to force Jake down again. Seth almost had his nose in the dirt, I did, hell, the pack around us too.

Tonight? We thought as a collective.

Sam stopped in front of Jake, animal, not even wolf anymore- pure monster snarls possessing him, trying to force Jake down again. You will fight with us.

Jake lowered slightly, fighting it, unlike me and Seth. I couldn't move against Sam, I couldn't ignore the packs pleas to listen, I couldn't think for myself- I could only lean against Jake, trying to silently portray my support.

It was almost like magic. As the snarls from Sam increased, the bounds sounding over us started lifting, as if their hold had changed, they'd snapped around my body. I didn't understand, I didn't get why my will started coming back- until I realised how Seth was next to me cowering, and my side leant into Jakes, and our bounds no longer tied to Sam.

We will not, Jake thought every word in purpose, in joy of being without a command. I shook out my fur, feeling free as I stood to my feet, Seth seconds behind me.

Jake towered over Sam now, his status, his blood, ruling more power than Sam ever possessed. I am the grandson of Ephraim Black, I am the grandson of a chief! He snapped his jaws, Sam slinked back carefully, I wasn't born to follow you, or anyone else!

We were bound to a new alpha now and we knew it- Jake, his mental plan shared with us, turned and knocked Sam to the side. We moved as a pack out of there. I ran in sync with every one of their paws, finding it as natural as breathing as I took place in Jakes beta position. Seth, his thoughts echoing in joy, took place at Jakes left, his third.

We shot into the forest like bullets, leaving the chorus of howls into the morning air- the realisation of turning on our brothers, my twin, didn't hurt as much as the thought of killing innocent people. Vampires or not. I'd always been raised to do the right thing, to help people.

We ran with a new sense of urgency- Jakes voice smoothed out all our thoughts, we need to warn them, we needed to tell them Sam was planning a attack. They could be right behind us and we wouldn't know.

I pushed myself forward, gaining inches in front of Jake, feeling my jittery nerves power me through. I could see myself through my two pack members eyes, I could feel their shared determination. We all had different reasons for turning our backs on home, but we knew it was the right decision.

We planned as we ran- now to protect the land, how to warn them. We didn't know when Edward would be able to hear us, but we was nearing onto the glass house.

I'd only been the Cullen house once, and that was a high school party. It looked a lot different now, almost eerie, as if the events happening on the inside reflected on every pane of glass and every wooden beam.

Okay, what do we think? What's a peace like opening so they know we mean no harm? Seth enforced, his mind and vision tinted in enthusiasm. He truly liked Edward, and Elias. 

Jake snorts, pulling ahead of me as my mind slowed my body. I know, he sounded smug, still urgent in protection. Hey, Edward. If you can hear me— circle the wagons, bloodsucker. You've got a problem.

We, I correct, and as we got closer, we almost stopped in sync- the stink was.... strong, to say the least. It burned the inside of my nose. Damn.

They were waiting, of course. Edward was on the front steps, Emmett and Jasper by his side, unease settled on their white faces. I felt myself stiffen in my own unease, trying to see into the house, to where the hell Elias was. He was a protector, he should have been out here.

"Guys, what's wrong?" Edward asked, stepping down, his scent carrying to us- I took a step back at the sharp smell, like Seth did. Jake pulled closer, starting to think of the recent actions.

I stepped up too, showing the scene from my angle, surprised at how Jakes mind had oriented over saving Elias much like Bella- he cared, as much as he hated to admit it. He cared about both of them like he used to.

Once Edward got the gist of the situation, a hissed escaped his mouth furiously, he jumped down the steps,  "They want to kill Bella?"

Jasper and Emmett were next to him in no time, their teeth gleaming in a snarl as they crouched into a hunting potion. Seth whined, stepping back as I moved to cover him, Hey, hold it guys, he huffed defensively.

"Not them, the others," Edward explained to them, stopping their attack. "They might be on their way or they might hesitate in attack as they've lost three of their fighters, either way they'll be around us soon enough," he read out loud for Jake. 

You might want to gather everyone, surround the place, I thought, my tail twitching as I wanted to start pacing around the place. I hate staying still- I covered less ground that way.

The blond vampire, covered in scars, his expression weakened into something I could only describe as hopeless. "Elias," he chokes out, turning to Edward, a craze look in his eyes.

Whats wrong? Jake huffed, this time we both stepped closer to the vampires.

Edward looked pale, paler than any normal vampire. Something uncomfortable settled in all of our guts. "He went on a hunt alone only a few minutes before you arrived earlier Jacob," he explains.

And he's not back? How long does hunting take? Seth bombards, another whine escaping his muzzle.

Edward didn't hear it or didn't want to answer as he started talking in a quick and worried tone. "Jake, Seth, boarder the house just incase Sam follows in a attack," he turned, nodding at the on edge vampire who looked ready to bolt. "Jasper, take Jace with you to follow Elle's trail."

Jasper stiffened, only looking at me with indifferent eyes for less than a fraction of a second, but it was enough so that I could see the desperate need to protect and find Elias. I felt myself tense, stand tall, ready to aid the hunt.

Jasper ran like a man on a mission. I felt adrenaline spike my heart as I dug my claws into the ground and chased after him.

It's easy to hunt Eli's scent- its still like when he was human, a campfire like smoke. The stench of being a vampire is little compared to the rest, but the way it burnt matched him. Smoke and fire matched Elias.

Jasper ran fast- but I wasn't going to get lost behind him. Every four of his steps matched one of mine, so we hunted nose to nose- or snout to nose after the smoke trail that was Eli's scent. In the background, through my pack mates mind, I heard and saw them continue talking to Edward at the house. He paced, the mother vampire behind him. They looked sick in worry.

We ran faster through the forest, banking a harsh right to follow the trail, feeling my own stomach churn.  Their reaction was a bad one.

"He said he was going to be quick, he didn't need anyone with him," Esme voice tipped into my mind with a sigh. I saw her step to Edward, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop his pacing. When Edward didn't say anything, she turned to the wolves, Jake specifically, and explained, "he wanted everyone to attend to Bella."

Sounds like him, I thought glumly, forcing my legs to kick harder on the earth. Jasper shifted away from me slightly, I could see him looking sideways as he ran- as if I was a threat. I distanced us a little more, to not push him- I remembered Elias telling me the blond didn't trust easily.

We were heading to the general public area, to town, still extremely far into the Cullen territory- it made no sense when I smelt three of my pack mates- my old pack mates- scent lingering around.

I'm coming, Jake growls, turning to where we'd gone into the forest. Seth wasn't too far behind.

NO, I order, just as we pass one of the civilian roads- both of us too much of a blur to be seen even if anyone was round. We've got this, protect Bella.

Jasper snarls, the sound so furious I felt my fur bristle as a reaction. I side eyed him again, trying to understand his fury, it took me a second. Eli's smoking scent turned harsher. It wasn't just a scent anymore- actual smoke, from something burning, leaked into it. That wasn't a good sign too.

We heard the footsteps together- fast, light, agile and human. Well, at least not wolf. Jasper stopped mid stride, disappearing from my sight as he frozen in the forest. I had to bury my claws in the ground to stop and turn back to him.

What's happening? Jake asks, but I force him voice out, instead making him look with my eyes.

I snarled low in my throat as I paced around Jasper, alert of the footsteps getting closer, ready to attack incase its a enemy. To my utter surprise, a deep laugh bounces around the area as a reaction. I bolted, already knowing who that dark laugh belonged to. Just as I knew the sight of dark curls against pale skin shifting into my quick sight.

I got a good look as Elias' ran at us. His button up white shirt was partially gone- three tears ripped down his chest, not that much was left to begin with. His sleeves are black and charred up to his elbows, and everywhere else littered in burnt holes.

He ran straight to Jasper, lips- painted in red blood, spilling down his chin and neck- spread in a relieved smile. He didn't slow or try to stop, Jasper simply caught onto him and stopped his run before pulling him close. 

Elias laugher again, almost amused. I saw how the sound made Jaspers tense muscles ease, especially as Elias rested against his body. I lingered one their embrace for a moment, then looked from them, instead making a wide circle around them, eyeing the woods incase something else snook up. Another wolf.

"Are you okay?" Jasper asks, fury I couldn't even try to produce dancing in his tone.

At the prospect of Elias hurt, I stopped my pacing, inching closer to them, trying to scent anything out of place- but I didn't know the scent of vampire injuries.

"I'm fine," Eli assures, gazing at Jasper softly before he turned to me, orange gold eyes turning kind. "I'm fine," he repeats, holding his hand out to me, palm down.

I step to him, ignoring Jaspers stiff form, allowing his fingers to tread through my fur. I'm secretly glad his skins isn't cold, that it doesn't feel much different than he used to.

"What happened?" Jasper asks, still sounding so angry, I saw how his black eyes lingered on Eli's ripped shirt, the blood on his chin.

Blood. I sniffed, thinking and dreading it was humans- but no. It wasn't entirely human. It was animal too- it was werewolf. I whined at the thought of my old pack hurt, shifting back from Eli's frame. They could have killed him, I know, but it hurt either way.

Elias didn't look guilty, his features sharpened into a scowl.  "Three wolves were running past the treaty line when I was on my way back from my hunt, they looked pissed as hell. I wasn't too happy either, them being on our land, but I was more bothered about getting back here."

Jasper held him a little tighter, getting the message in his words. "Everyone's fine," his lips rises to show his sharp teeth again, "Did they attack first?"

I felt my muzzle pull back to let out a snarl as Elias nodded. They had no right. Elias looked over at me, giving me a dimpled smile, as if to apologise for his next words.

"I tried running around them, they didn't like that, I tried jumping, they wouldn't let me. I managed to kick the silver one away, but Sam-" he broke off, head cocking to the side, "He's the big black one right? My human memory didn't mess that up?"

I nod at him, then turn to pace around them again, looking out into woods.

"We had a tumble, it's safe to say wolves run hot but I can burn hotter- that didn't stop him from trying to snap at me, so I snapped back," he bit his teeth together for emphasis, I shivered out another whine.

I side eyes the scarred blondes reaction. He looked downright furious, he still held Elias tightly as if he was going to disappear. I felt pity line my stomach- until he started to snarl at me.

I shrunk away from him, snarling too- not understanding. It took me a moment to realise he probably thought my earlier noise was sympathy for my old pack. It was, slightly, but it was one thing else too.

"He's cringing at the thought of venom, it's poison to them remember?" Elias explains, smacking blondes chest playfully, stopping the growl. I felt a little smug that he still knew me well enough to know my train of thought.

"So, what's happening?" El asks, looking back from his vampire boyfriend and to me, "I guess the fact you two are here that's shit has hit the fan?"

Jaspers hard mask finally cracked from worrying, just enough for his lips to twitch. "The pack has split, they found out about Bella and want to kill her and the baby," he held my gaze for the first time, now no longer ruled in the moment emotion. I felt  surprised again to see little to no hatred in his face.

Elias snarls, darkness brewing between his eyes. Even from a few feet away, I felt his body emit a harsh heat- I staggered back on my paws, not in a mood to get my fur singed. Funnily enough, it didn't effect Jasper one bit, he stayed surely next to Eli's heat as if he couldn't feel it.

"Let's go, it's not safe out here, the pack might attack," Jasper scowled again as he spoke.

Elias shook his head, sending me another guilty glance, "I doubt it, I left your ex-alpha with some serious wounds, it'll take at least a day for him to heal," he purses his lips, "I made sure to not let my venom touch his bloodstream, so he won't die."

My ears flattened down, trying to show my thank you. Just because I wasn't on Sams side, it didn't mean I wanted him dead. Especially by vampire venom- I knew the legends of how it burned. If it were anything like Eli's heat, it wasn't a good way to pass.

Huffing at my own thoughts, I made a exaggerated motioned to the direction of the house. I wanted  to get back to safer numbers too. The two got my action, we ran seconds later. 

I trailed behind them, listening for the thudding of paws that indicated we were being followed. There wasn't, not that I could hear in the minutes we traced back to the house- I could only hear the soft thoughts of Jake and Seth as they waited on our return.

They weren't the only one waiting- the kind doctor was outside too. All of their obvious worry eased at the sight of Elias with Jasper returning to them. The woman, Esme? She reached out and hugged Eli to her chest as soon as he was close enough. "Elle, are you hurt?"

Elias shook his head, giving her a smile I'd only seen him reserve for Cassandra Sherwood, only this one wasn't as sarcastic. It was completely real. "Nope," his eyes twisted mischievously, "Just the wolves who attacked me." He straightened out, looking at the blond coven leader. "How's Bella?"

Carlisle sighed, casting a look out around the yard momentarily. I backed up as his sight passed me- I hadn't realise I'd been trailing after the couple still, as if there was still danger.

"Come, let's discuss this properly, with all the family," Carlisle spoke before mentioning to Jake, still shifted and standing to attention near the porch steps, "Jacob if you could come, please."

Edward, Esme and Carlisle went inside as Jake paced to the woods for covered when shifting to human.

I'll run first patrol don't worry Jace, Seth yipped at me, turning too, almost too happy.

I shifted on my paws, wanting to stay around the house- despite the smell- and wanting to help on patrol. I didn't know what to choose, what boundaries I had now. Luckily enough I didn't have to.

"Come on Mr wolf man," Elias called in the doorframe of the house, still half tucked under his boyfriends arm. He sent me a soft smile- as soft as you can look with blood covering your face. "I need to hear what's happened from you personally."

What surprised me more than that was how Jasper didn't even question him, or look offended at the offer. He simply pressed his lips into Eli's temple, muttering a simple, "I'll get you both a change of clothes."

Oh yeah, I thought embarrassingly. I didn't even get clothes to change before I ran from home. Great.

Elias smiles at the blond as he went into the house, calling out, "And get a cloth please!"

He turned to me with a sarcastic shrug, "Your kind don't taste very nice Jace."

Okay. So the attack on Elias happens just after Jace, Jake and Seth split from the pack. Sams pack is coming back to La Push, near the treaty line, when they catch Eli's fresh scent trail and realise he's alone- they think they have the element of surprise still and hunt him before anyone else can come. Obviously that's not how it goes.

Also, just because Elias says he won't see his parents again, doesn't mean he won't see Easton- remember that.

Two updates in two days! How you like it?

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