Lunar Dusk

Chapter One: Jacob.

   Pain. Searing, blinding pain shot up my left side. I remembered stepping into the line of fire, between Leah and that leech with the long-sleeved shirt. I remembered the sickening crunch of my ribcage as the vampire hooked its fingers into my side. Heat blasted through my body. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't move. I didn't think about being angry with Leah, or how she would be pissed at me for taking her glory. She was nearly in a chokehold, I'd rushed in forgetting the first rule of fighting newborns. Jasper's country twanged voice filled my head. Don't let a newborn get their arms around you. The pain was so intense, my canine body couldn't hold its form. Involuntarily, I phased back. The pain didn't stop. I remembered being carried by my brothers back to the reserve, like pallbearers jogging through the fog and light rain. The pain didn't stop.
   Icy fingers brushed my skin instantly as I was laid on my twin mattress, touching my shoulder, assessing my shattered ribcage under my skin. They didn't bother with the blankets. I was curled in a ball of sweat, my damp hair clinging to my forehead. The pain didn't stop.
   "I'm going to have to re-set your bones so they can heal correctly." The young male voice, like musical wind chimes sounded in my ear. "This isn't going to feel pleasant. I'm so sorry, Jacob." I didn't believe he was sorry. He and Edward asked for our help to fight Victoria. He knew there would be casualties. The scent of his breath wreathed around me, sweet like honeysuckle. And rot. I choked on that smell, it was enough to make me vomit. I did so, barely having the strength to lean onto my good side and heave over the side of the bed. The shooting pain probably caused my wretching for the most part, but I took satisfaction in knowing his presence didn't make this any better for me.
   His cold hands were on me again, bracing my back with one sturdy palm and gripping my shoulder in the other. It sent goosebumps up my arm. The pain didn't stop.
   "You're going to have to brace yourself." The kind tone did not soothe me. He jerked, a deep crack sounded, and a guttural scream tore itself from my throat. I blacked out.

~

   Even when your heart stops beating.
   Days later, the words I said to Bella stuck to the back of my mind. I would fight for her, always. It didn't matter that she didn't want me the same way I wanted her. She was my charge. I felt responsible for her safety, even if it came between she and her murderous boyfriend.
   I was still on bedrest, per Dr. Bloodsucker's rules, though I was hoping that would change today as I was getting around completely normal by now, and bored out of my mind. I hadn't tried to phase back, though gotten close to it yesterday when Sam came over and updated me about the Cullen situation. They were taking in an outsider. Someone from the redheaded leech's army. Someone who wanted to kill Bella. Brianna or Brynn or whatever. I asked him what he thought of this, and he gave me one of his classic Sam Uley non-answers. "We'll have to just see what happens." He would always keep his reservations a secret, even from our pack. I flipped back and forth often about whether he was a great leader, or if he just did whatever he could to avoid conflict.
   "Well, they know she can't hunt humans on our territory," I said, attempting to push him into giving me any sort of opinion.
   "They're going to teach her their... way of life," Sam grunted as he shoved a 24-pack of beer into our small fridge, no doubt my dad had asked to bring some when he came to talk to me.
   "And if she doesn't adjust well to their 'way of life?'" I prompted, putting air quotes around those last few words.
   "Then we'll take care of it." He shut me down. I'd have to go to the Cullens' place myself to assess the situation.
   "I don't want you going over there. It's their business." He read my thoughts even as I tried to conceal them.
   "Bringing a new vampire on our land is Quileute business," I countered.
   "You're not going." he said again. "You're not well enough yet anyway." That was an order. And I had no choice but to follow. "This has been stressful on all of us. Leah's pissed that she has to double down on your patrols. If you hadn't gotten in her way we might all have enough sleep to come to a sound decision on what to do about the new girl." Ouch.
   "Carlisle's coming tomorrow to look at the healing process. He'll decide if I'm well enough." Sam acted like he hadn't heard me as he strode out of the house and phased before trotting into the woods, his huge black form disappearing beneath the tree's canopy.
    And here I was today, kicking rocks in the gravel driveway and waiting for Carlisle to pull up to the house and decide I'm healed enough from the newborn incident.
   Even when your heart stops beating. I was relaying the conversation with Bella in my head when a car turned from the highway on to the gravel road leading up to my house. I couldn't see the black Audi yet, but my senses picked up on the sound of the pebbles beneath the tires, the purr of a brand new engine. If we were friends, I realized, I might want to pop the hood on that car and see what sort of manifolds it took. Could I put a turbo on that thing? A few moments later, the shiny black exterior came into view, swerving with brisk pace around the potholes and large stones in the long driveway. This is why we drove trucks up here, I thought with a scoff. But Carlisle seemed to know exactly where the obstructions were and didn't let it slow him down.
   When he stepped out of the car, he put a kind smile on his unnaturally handsome face. It was unnerving. Carlisle was the easiest bloodsucker to get along with, but I couldn't help feeling twitchy about his undead features. He held out a hand for me to shake.
   "Hello, Jacob. It's nice to see you up and around." After a moment's hesitation, I took it.
   "I'm good as new," I said without hiding the contempt in my voice. An apologetic expression came over Carlisle. I suspected he knew that Sam informed me about the new girl, but he didn't let on.
   "Let's see that left side." I lifted my arm to let him examine my ribs, wary about exposing my middle to a vampire, even one I was supposed to trust. He brushed his cold fingertips along the bones, taking his time and politely ignoring my sharp intake of breath at the icy touch. He gave a soft grunt of satisfaction.
   "It looks like the fractures and breaks have healed completely. I'd tell you to continue to take it easy, but I know you're itching to get back out there, and there's really nothing to worry about. Remarkable. I've seen your kind healing quickly before, but it amazes me every time." He was being kind, I knew he was. But it felt condescending. Like a pediatrician talking to a child.
   "Has the new girl had any contact with Bella or other humans?" I demanded, yanking my arm back down and stepping away from him. He didn't frown, but the disappointment shone in his eyes. Did he think this one act of kindness would make me forget what he is?
   "No," he said simply, not offering any more.
   "Where are you keeping her?"
   "In a small house at the edge of our territory. More of a cottage, really." Not exact directions, but I bet I could find it by the end of the day. There wasn't that much space between their side of town and ours.
   "Is she still hunting humans?" Give me a reason.
   "No."
   A long pause.
   "She's fine, Jacob. Even the cut on her arm has healed." I didn't forget that little detail. Bella's narrow escape from the two bloodthirsty vampires had been decided by the scent of her igniting the hunt between them as a distraction. It was entirely too close. Edward alone hadn't been enough to protect her. She'd had to maim herself to get free.
   "Yeah, forgive me if I don't take your word for it."
   Again, that face became apologetic. Always the polite one.
   "Can you even switch from a human diet to an animal diet completely in five days?" The question was out of honest curiosity, but the disdain in my voice made it seem like I doubted them. I did, so I wasn't going to apologize for it.
   "Bree is... new. She hasn't been on the human diet for very long, but just in case, she's having a detox period. She's on blood bags for now, from my hospital, then moving on to carnivorous animals next week after she's had more time to settle. Bella isn't going anywhere near her, I promise." What did it matter? He made it sound so easy, so normal, but Bella had once told me Carlisle and the blonde one were the only two vampires in their Coven that had never tasted human blood. It was probably easy for them, they had nothing to compare it to. I pictured the girl as ravenous as the other members of the army had been, eagar to sink their teeth into the woman I loved.
   "Am I healed enough to visit?" I asked, remembering the loophole in the Alpha's orders. Sam specifically said I wasn't well enough to go to the Cullens' place, but if Carlisle graced it, I could pay Bree a visit.
   "If you're careful to mind that left side, you're welcome on our land at any time." Carlisle was much too polite to say I wasn't allowed on their territory, he knew I was the correct choice for Bella. Could be better for her than his son.
   "Great, thanks." I sounded sarcastic, but I did mean it. I was grateful to not have to go to a real hospital, grateful not to have to explain my miraculous recovery to a human doctor. "My family won't forget this." It seemed so formal, to thank him on behalf of my pack. I hated the Cullens so much, but Carlisle wasn't asked to help me. He'd come on his own, either because he was genuinely kind or felt guilty for asking a 16 year-old kid to fight for him. It didn't matter, I realized, as I backed away to allow room to phase. They were still our enemy, and Bree's situation was so volatile. I had to see what she was up to. Did she have a vendetta against Bella, too? Was she waiting for the right moment to strike, as Victoria had? I needed to know.
   Not waiting for Carlisle to drive away, I phased, feeling a dull ache in my left side, leftover from re-breaking my ribs. It wasn't enough to worry, just a tightness I was aware of as I shed my human skin and thick, russet fur replaced it. I was on all fours now. I launched into the trees, keeping my thoughts restful and quiet as my pawsteps thundered over the thick forest floor. It felt good to have the wind blowing through my fur again. I didn't turn back to see the Audi tear off the driveway as the foliage covered the rays of the rare sunny day completely.