𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙁𝙄𝙁𝙏𝙔 𝙁𝙄𝙑𝙀
ミ★ ( bewitched, act four ) ★彡

     Edward had eventually let Jacob into the house. It took some convincing, but, after reading his mind, he could see that the shapeshifter was being truthful about his intentions with Lilith, and that he wasn't there to harm her or their child.

"Sam's lost the element of surprise, and he doesn't want to take you in outnumbered, so, he's not gonna come at you head on." Jake informed the Cullen family and the Bailey parents almost immediately once he was let inside, not wanting to waste a single second, "He's got the place surrounded and he'll wait for his opportunity."

     After Leah had left the pack and went straight to Jake and Seth, she had told them Sam's plan and they all knew that the Cullens had to be informed as soon as possible in regards to the plan to make sure that they were safe. Thankfully they were willing to listen due to the fact that he had information on how they would be able to keep Lilith safe, and that override the want to kick him off their property after his previous actions.

     "We won't get through without a fight." Emmett realised. If anyone were to step out from the home, the pack would pounce without hesitation. Emmett wasn't scared of a fight with some wolves, he was more scared of the aftermath. The Cullens had the treaty with the wolves for decades now and the fact that it was being ripped apart in their faces was a bit of a shock, but, once everything was over, he wasn't sure what the outcome would be. Would they continue to be enemies? Would they regret their actions due to having to kill Lilith and her baby?

Emmett had no doubt that Edward would hate them more than ever because of it, especially since Lilith had worked so hard on making him enjoy their company. He was sure that Lilith most likely was feeling betrayed on the fact that the wolves that she once ran to for protection when the Cullens had left, were now the same wolves who were planning on killing her and her unborn child. And if Emmett would have to fight them off to protect her, then that was fine by him, but, he just didn't want Lilith to resent them all because of it. She always had a big heart that she would try to protect the same people that hurt her once before.

     She did it to the Cullens when they left and she would most likely do it now with the wolves. It was who she was and it would always be that way.

     Carlisle turned towards him, "No fights." He disagreed. He wanted to get out of this situation as calmly as possible and without no fights, "We won't be the ones to break the treaty."

     "Like we said before, the treaty is void. It might not be to you, but, it is to Sam and the rest of the pack." Oliver crossed his arms as he leaned back further into his seat, glaring at Jake. He didn't really like him anymore after the things he had said to his daughter, "While it was void to us the second we chose our daughter and her choice, it spread to you almost immediately also."

     "Oliver is right." Jake agreed, "Sam won't hesitate with any of you anymore." He explained from his experience, "We need to play this carefully, one wrong move and he snaps more than he already has. If we play it right, we could buy ourselves more time than we could think of."

     If Sam was willing to kill the person he once considered family and was extremely protective over without a second thought, then he has clearly lost the plot and anyone who would try getting in his way from what he wanted would unfortunately pay the price. And while he trusted the Cullens' fighting skills from what he had seen from the previous battle that they had to fight against the newborn army, he worried that they wouldn't match up against Sam's rage and thirst for bloodshed. Sam was running on instinct, his only thought was that Lilith's unborn child was a threat the the pack and it needed to die—and whether Lilith would go with it wasn't his problem anymore because she was the one who is willing to let the threat be born.

     "Carlisle, we might not have time. No one's hunted for weeks." Emmett reminded his father again. If they weren't going to be able to step too far out from the safety of their own home, it was going to be a problem—especially with Bella in the house. Emmett trusted his control, but, that didn't mean he didn't worry in case the worst happened and everyone was too hungry to care about the consequences.

     "We'll make do." Esme reassured Emmett. They would figure a way to make the blood last or lure animals in another way. She was sure that the Baileys would help in any way they could.

     Carlisle looked at Jake and nodded his head, "You've done us a great service, Jacob. Thank you." He said appreciatively.

     Emmett's eyes soon caught the sight of a light blue coloured border going up over the house, the border was still see through despite the blue tint and it was creeping up and over the house like a dome, "What is that?"

     "It seems our Lilith has come up with a plan to keep the pack off of your property for the time being." Sierra spoke out loud as she watched the border continue to grow before it had met in the middle and the blue tint disappeared, meaning the spell had been completed and the house was now protected, "She's created a border—like the one we had at our home to keep the supernatural out when Victoria was a large threat to her."

     "Yeah, I remember that. It was quite strong." Edward recalled. He couldn't get through it no matter how hard he tried. He tried to fight the border, beg for forgiveness and just push through it, but, it never budged unless he had permission to enter.

"Hers will be stronger, and it will spread further." Oliver elaborates. They would do the same, but, even with both of their magic combined, it wouldn't compare to Lilith's

"Which is a little worrying since I don't want her getting exhausted from using too much magic. I'm going to go check on her." He sighed as he stood up and walked towards his bedroom, passing by Bella.

     The brunette looked at her now ex-boyfriend and glared at him, along with crossing her arms, "What are you doing here, Jacob?" She questioned him angrily, watching as Jake flinched from the full name.

     "I'm trying to right a wrong." Jake answered her and Bella rolled her eyes, not believing a word he was saying to her.

     As much as she wanted to run into his arms and cry for how he had changed his mind, the only thought she could think of as to why he would do such a thing was because the imprint bond forced him to change his mind, and not because he genuinely wanted to protect Lilith. Jake wouldn't be able to stay without Bella for a long period of time because of the bond, and it would force Jake to change his views in order to make Bella happy.

In Bella's mind, it didn't make her happy one bit because it felt like it wasn't sincere. In her mind, she felt like Jake would snap at any moment and betray everyone just to get a chance at killing the baby. In her mind, she was worried that he was just using their bond to try and get close to the baby while under everyone else's noses. There were so many different ways things could go and until she could full trust that he was there sincerely to make her happy and to protect Lilith like he usually did because he saw her as family—then she wouldn't trust him, and she wouldn't jump into a relationship with him.

     "Whatever." Bella scoffed at him. "Just stay away from Lilith, and stay away from me." She ordered him before turning back around and walking towards Lilith and Edward.

     For the days following that, the Cullens kept a tight watch over the home—and so did the wolves too. Whenever they looked out the windows, they would see at least one set of eyes by the boundary watching their every move. Their growls and howls were heard constantly, which was fine for them but a little worrying towards Lilith who was sometimes unable to sleep because of it being so loud and keeping her up. However, exhaustion would take over and be too much to the point that she would sleep right through it. Lilith felt she would be able to sleep easy knowing that the Cullens were keeping watch, and Leah, Seth and Jake were outside watching out for them also.

     With every day that passed, it seemed that the baby was growing stronger and stronger while Lilith was growing weaker. Keeping the boundary spell up and strong was also taking the energy out of her, causing the baby to not have much to feed on also. The Cullens and the Baileys were constantly trying to search for answers and clues on how to fix this, and how to keep her healthy, but were usually coming up short due to the fact that there wasn't much information to go off on in the first place.

     While everyone else was reading, Lilith was trying to figure out the high priest's words and what they meant. It would be the only way to figure out how to get her strength back and keep the baby at an adequate health also but her mind kept coming up blank. She would try and blame the pregnancy brain that she had as she wasn't usually thinking straight, she was constantly being forgetful and it was the only explanation she had for silly things that she kept forgetting about.

     Bella and Rosalie—who had surprisingly gotten quite close during their time together—were usually trying to cheer her up and take her mind off of things by pampering Lilith and trying to keep her calm. She appreciated their gestures constantly; but, whenever she looked out the window or into the mirror it would remind her of her situation all over again. There was only so much they could do while being restricted into staying in their home constantly. There were only so many times they could massage her, paint her nails and do her hair to keep her calm before she absolutely went crazy.

     "Hey." Lilith heard someone say from the doorway, looking up from her book she saw Leah standing not too far away looking at her with a look of sympathy on her face, "Can I join you?" She asked.

      Lilith immediately nodded and moved over on the sofa for Leah to sit down beside her. She could see she was a little uncomfortable and awkward considering that they had never really spoken before but Lilith was happy to have a little company in that moment and was willing to let Leah take her time.

     "How was your day, Leah?" Lilith questioned as she turned the page of her book again. She wasn't even sure if her brain was actually processing the words or if she was just reading them and they were going no where, but, it was better than having to watch Leah awkwardly try to keep eye contact and failing.

     "Uh, I had a stare off with Jared earlier, he tried to cross the border but failed, and that was interesting, I guess." Leah answered her question and Lilith couldn't help but roll her eyes. Of course Jared would be the one to try and cross the border, "Which I would like to say good job on that one by the way."

     Leah trying to be nice instantly rang some alarm bells within Lilith and she quickly closed her book and looked up at Leah suspiciously. Leah was always cold and bitter—not that she blamed her for everything that had happened to her—despite Lilith always making an effort to try and make her smile, her trying to be nice was weird and it seemed out of place, "Are you okay?" Lilith questioned her. "Is there something you want to tell me?" She pressed and she watched as Leah's shoulders dropped and she sighed.

     "No, I—uh, I just wanted to check in on you, and so did Emily." Leah told her and Lilith's eyebrows instantly shot up.

     "Emily sent you?" Lilith asked, "Well, that makes a lot more sense." She commented. She looked over to see Leah sending her a look and Lilith shrugged, "I didn't think you liked me that much to decide to leave Sam's pack to protect me and the baby alone."

     Leah thought her words over before shrugging herself, "I like you a little bit, you were always nice to me even when I wasn't nice myself." She admitted and Lilith smiled at her, "But, Emily and I decided that we weren't going to let Sam and the pack hurt you or the baby."

     The high priest did say that there would be an unexpected alliance that would be her saving grace. And while Leah and Emily were cousins, they weren't exactly on the best of terms so for them to team up to protect her made her heart soar.

     "That's sweet of you guys." Lilith's grin hadn't dropped yet from how happy she was that Leah and Emily were getting along properly again, "I have been meaning to ask how you've been doing. We haven't been able to talk for a while." And by talk, Lilith meant by her pestering Leah with questions that Leah would only bluntly respond to. Leah appreciated the effort though, it was a lot more than what she would normally get with anyone else and after a very long and tedious time, she began to open up to her just the tiniest bit more.

    Progress was progress to Lilith though and she was determined to befriend Leah. She felt like she needed someone in her corner because it seemed as if everyone invalidated her constantly. All she had was Seth and sometimes Emily; and to Lilith, that wasn't enough. She deserved more than that.

     Leah let out a sigh, "I finally feel free, Lilith." She expressed and Lilith looked shocked as she wasn't expecting her to truthfully say much, "The moment I left Sam's pack, I had a weight lifted off my chest. My mind was quiet for the first time since I phased. I wouldn't have to hear Sam constantly apologising over and over, and I don't feel like I'm the pathetic and bitter ex-girlfriend that he can't get away from. I don't feel as if I'm constantly connected to Sam. I'm just... free. It's nice."

     "I'm glad you feel that way, Leah." Lilith stated, "You deserve to feel that way, and I'm happy for you. Even though you're stuck having to protect me with a bunch of vampires that I know you don't like."

     Leah shrugged, "If you like them, I'll tolerate them. It's the least I could do after everything you've done for me."

     Lilith giggled, "I don't think I've done a whole lot, I think majority of it was all you." Lilith admitted. Leah was making progress because she wanted to, not because Lilith wanted her to. Everything was on her terms. It was Leah's decision to leave the pack and it was her decision to try and seperate herself from Sam for Emily's sake, and it was her decision to help protect Lilith and the baby.

     Both Leah and Lilith smiled at each other, it was a nice and peaceful moment when Lilith saw something flash in front of her eyes, a vision that made her smile turn into a large grin, "What?" Leah questioned when she saw Lilith's happy expression turn to one of excitement.

     Lilith simply just placed her hand on top of Leah's, instantly trying to calm herself down before she delivered the news, "This might come to you as a shock, and very awkward timing, but, you're gonna find that person you've been looking for very soon, Leah. And you're going to be so happy with them that all of this is just going to be a painfully awkward memory that both of you laugh at."

     "I imprinted on someone? Or someone imprinted on me? You saw it?" Leah's mouth dropped. There had been so many questions that had been left unanswered because she was the first female wolf who had shifted in the tribe, and she always wondered what would happen to her imprint in the future if she ever got one.

     "Yeah, I saw it." Lilith nodded, "You looked so peaceful and happy, I could barely recognise you." Lilith joked and Leah fake scowled, lightly punching her arm.

     A large hiss was heard and Dakota quickly leaped onto Lilith's lap, hissing again at Leah. Lilith rolled her eyes endearingly while stroking her fur, "Ah, there's the famous Dakota I've been hearing about." Leah raised an eyebrow, "Definitely see the protective tendencies that's been mentioned once or twice."

     "Yeah, she's a bit more protective than usual at the moment because of the baby, but, she's a softy." Lilith chuckled. "And an attention seeker; she'll take whatever she can get—even if it's from a wolf." Dakota would constantly be by Lilith's side unless she had to be forced away, if she wasn't by her side she was at least in the same room with her eyes on Lilith at all times. But, she was a cat at the end of the day and as soon as someone laid a hand on her to pet her, her attention was completely on them and it was as if Lilith was nothing to her which Lilith found hilarious. She had slowly warmed back up to Edward after their arguments but she followed him around just as much—along with Emmett strangely.

     Leah reached over to stroke Dakota's forehead and the black cat let out a small purring sound, causing Leah to smile, "Yeah, I think you and me are gonna be friends, Dakota." Leah mumbled to the cat.