"You did this!"

I react out of anger at seeing her swollen and bruised belly, knowing this is exactly what I talked to her about a week ago and whatever this is..it is a danger to our people. I glare daggers at a numb looking Edward, he no doubt hearing everything I'd like to say, and not only because of how this will affect Charlie but what this could possible mean for those I'm supposed to protect.

"I didn't know it was even possible." Carlisle interjects as Edward looks to me, but I don't focus on him. I need to know what this is and how we can protect ourselves from it.

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure. Ultrasounds and needles won't penetrate the embryonic sac." Carlisle sighs frustrated, obviously having never encountered something like this. That thought makes me nervous.

"I can't see it, either. And I can't see Bella's future anymore." The pixie-haired one states with frustration. Suddenly all the different, movie-like, things I can think of start to swirl in my mind and for each version I try to think how we might be able to combat it...

"We've been researching legends, but there isn't much to go on. What we do know is that it's strong. And fast-growing." Wow, so if it's too strong for you bloodsuckers, you should probably find a way to get rid of it.. I scoff mentally.

"Why haven't you done anything? Take it out of her!" My irritation mounts, and I have to ask the most obvious question.

"This is none of your business, dog."

"Oh, this is all my business. Especially if I'm going to have to protect my people from whatever this is." I've had it with Blondie telling me what to do like I'll ever listen to her..she has no right to tell me what does and does not concern me.

"Rose! All this fighting isn't good for Bella." I contain any more angry responses, knowing talking like this isn't fair to Bella–while she's in the room, but I'm done letting these bloodsuckers believe they can just push the wolves around when they no longer need our help.

"The fetus isn't good for Bella." Alice responds sharply and I'm slightly surprised that the Cullen's are so divided over this matter.

"Say the word, Alice. Baby. It's just a little baby."

"Possibly." She responds sourly.

"Carlisle, you've gotta do something." I jump in, tired of hearing them all go back and forth on each other. We need answers and we need to figure out something as soon as possible.

"No. It's not his decision. It's not any of yours." Bella weakly interjects and before I can respond Edward is gaining my attention.

"Jacob, I need to talk to you." He simply walks outside after that and with a roll of my eyes, I follow the short distance.

"I always knew you'd destroy her." The venom lashes out before I can correct what it is I want to say, but I just let that sit with him for a bit.

"She thinks Carlisle can turn her at the last minute, like he did for Esme and I." He says, but not very convincingly.

"Can he? You don't sound so sure."

"The probability is slight. And if her heart fails... Look, Jacob, I need you to do something for me." I can't help the bitter laugh.. It's not like he's ever done anything for me.

"For her. You have a connection with her that I'll never understand. Maybe you could talk to her, change her mind. You can keep her alive." Any other time, before I had Adelaide, I'd really enjoy this broken and desolate Edward, but I don't have that relationship with Bella anymore.

"And if I can't?" Doubting Bella will actually listen to me..she's too stubborn to listen to me.

"If she dies, you get what you always wanted. To kill me." I roll my eyes, always the dramatic. Making my way back inside, I take a seat in the chair near Bella once she sends Blondie on her way and I sigh.

"So, Edward sent you in here to talk to me?"

"Sort of. Though I can't figure out why he thinks you'd listen to me. I mean, you never have before." We both laugh at the truth of my words, but I'm quickly sobered up by how weak she sounds.

"Since when are you and Blondie BFFs?" She gives me a deadpan look from the nickname, but otherwise ignores it.

"Rose understands what I want."

"What are you thinking, Bella? Seriously." Why is it that she thinks she has to be the martyr in every situation, has to get herself as close to death as possible just so she can deem herself significant?

"I know this seems like a scary thing, but it's not. It's like this miracle or something. I can feel him." She tenderly places her hands on her bruised stomach and I can't see how her being beat up from the inside is some sort of miracle..

"So, it's a bouncing baby boy. I'm sorry I didn't know. Should've brought some blue balloons."

"It's just a guess. When I picture him, I see a boy. We'll see." She becomes slightly defensive after my comment, but this is all ridiculous, she's being unreasonable and my frustration is reaching a whole new threshold..

"You won't."

"Jake, I can do this. I'm strong enough."

"Come on. You can spout that crap to your bloodsucker, but you don't fool me. I can see what that thing's doing to you. It's a killer, Bella." She won't listen to me going around the subject, so I'm just gonna be blunt.

"You're wrong. And anyways, why do you care so much? Shouldn't you be doting over Adelaide? That comment triggers my frustration to switch into anger, and I can't stay here any longer in fear I might just shift in their living room.

"And when you die, what was the point? Of leaving behind Charlie, your mom, and now Edward. How is that right for anyone? Because I sure don't see it. But if you don't think I can't care for you as a friend to talk you out of this, then I'm just going to leave."

"Jacob, don't go." She feebly attempts to correct what she's done, but I'm truly over it..

"I know how this ends. And I'm not sticking around to watch."

I turn to leave, making the decision to not turn around and barely make it to the tree line before I hear my clothes tearing and I begin hearing the thoughts of the others as they are no doubt being bombarded by the images and conversations I just had. My mind is filled with my name being said in several different voices, and I can't make sense of any of it, and finally find myself at First Beach, the rest of the pack quickly showing up.

Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake! Jake!

Is it true, Jacob?  Paul is the first to chime in, the shock evident in his thoughts.

What will it be?  Quil questions.

It's growing fast.

It's unnatural. Leah's overprotective voice sounds and I can't help but agree.

Dangerous.

Monstrosity.

An abomination.

On our land.

We can't allow it.

They chorus together loudly, and I'm suddenly thankful that Sam speaks up, silencing the endless chatter of the other's thoughts.

We have to protect the tribe. What they've bred won't be able to control its thirst. Every human will be in danger.

We're ready.

No time to waste.

Now? I question, especially since everyone was so quick to jump on this.

We must destroy it before it's born.

You mean, kill Bella? Seth chimes in, and I feel his concern and his want to be good, to protect Bella.

Her choice affects us all.

Bella's human. Our protection applies to her. I add, knowing that they're jumping the gun and not thinking this through clearly. We will not become murderers.

She's dying anyway! Leah snarks and even though she's right, it frustrates me and I lunge toward her, wanting everyone to just think for a second!

We have real enemies to fight tonight. Sam cuts us off.

Tonight? Seth and I chorus disturbed at the thought. Sam looks to us and Seth bows out, but I hold his gaze challenging this whole idea and I can tell he's not happy.

You will fight with us, Jake.

I feel the invisible hand on the back of my neck, trying to force me to bow under the weight of an Alpha order. I feel my joints buckle as the weight gets heavier, but then I'm struck by a revelation.

I will not. I am the grandson of Ephraim Black. I am the grandson of a chief! I wasn't born to follow you, or anyone else.

My voice heavy with the strain of resisting an Alpha order, but I am suddenly filled with strength as I finally step into my birthright, step into being the true Alpha of the pack. After my declaration, I feel a mental break as my tie to this pack is severed and after a brief feeling of loneliness, I'm content with the silence in my mind as I head back towards the Cullen's to warn them of what's coming.