Aurora - *FELIX V. PAUL*

Ch. 19

"You need to come with us, I'm not kidding, Swan!" Jacob shouted at Aurora for the sixth time since she'd been back to the clearing where the newborn army had been defeated. While the Cullens had been busy disposing of the multitude of bodies, Edward, Jacob, and Bella had been telling Aurora that she needed to get as far away as possible before Felix showed up.

"I'm not kidding either, Jake. I need to confront him and come clean! Felix deserves that!" Aurora argued. None of her words would fall on anyone's ears.

Edward interjected. "This is the kind of thing you come clean about when you have the proper protection. Felix isn't a rational being. He's a killer, Aurora!"

"I know what he is!" Aurora was frustrated. She had to admit that she didn't know why this was so important to her, but Aurora needed to be real with Felix. He meant something to her still, she just couldn't explain it.

"Just take a second and think about what it is you're expecting to happen and the reality of what will happen," Jasper appeared and tried to rationalize with her. "You're hoping you'll tell Felix the truth and that he'll be angry, but understanding."

Rosalie came up behind him and finished Jasper's complete thought. "But 'understanding' is a human trait that he's lost long ago. Maybe some of us can still remember what it's like to be humane, but I seriously doubt his capability of remembering such a menial trait."

"It's worse than that," challenged Edward, "doubt would imply that he may still be understanding. What you really should expect is rage and forceful takeover. Without Paul, we wouldn't stand a chance."

"You need to listen to him," Bella attempted ordering her younger sister. "What happens if he takes you and kills everyone else?"

Aurora hadn't thought of it like that. The more she considered it, maybe she was being selfish? Her conscience would be clear, but all her friends would be dead. What was she expecting from Felix honestly?

Jacob, seeing the obvious change in her demeanor, took her hand in his to wake her back up from her mind prison. "Let's go. Now!"

She nodded profusely and started after him when a newborn emerged from the brush coming straight for Bella. Leah was quick to react, but in an instant the newborn vampire grasped onto Leah from behind. Jacob shifted and sprang to action, rushing to her aid, confusing his opponent for a moment long enough for him to release Leah. In taking heroic action, Jake himself took the fall and found himself entering the death grip and was crushed, damaging his ribs and arm. Other shifters attacked the vampire and brought him to his end, but the damage had already been done to Jacob.

Bella cried out to him and Aurora ran to his side.

"Bella," was all the Jacob could say in his blinding pain. Had it been a year ago, Aurora might've been hurt.

The pack gently lifted Jacob while groans of pain escaped him. Aurora followed after but heard Carlisle call out to the Cullens.

"The Volturi. They're near."

"The shifters will be sensed. With Jacob injured and being transported, they're sitting ducks." Jasper pointed out.

Edward glanced at Aurora, hearing the unspoken thoughts she was too frightened to say. If she stayed, she'd give them a head start to get to a safe place where they would no longer be sensed. They'd make it back to the reservation. But Aurora would be back to plan A: confronting her mate with improper protection and the risk of everyone's lives out on the line.

He gave her an unsure expression. Aurora had spent too long taking her time with tough decisions, and maybe that was good practice for what came next. She turned back around and stood amongst the Cullens.