Aurora - *FELIX V. PAUL*

Ch. 20

Jacob's screams of pain were intolerable, but the pack stayed outside his house in support. Carlisle had arrived after the altercation with the Volturi and brought with him the Swan sisters who were desperate to know what was going on with their friend.

Billy Black, who was once a shifter himself, despised the immortal beings for the innocent lives they took without cause. He had been acquainted with the Cullens due to the treaty, but having experienced Carlisle as a recent ally and coming to understand his ways as a "vegetarian" vampire, he was willing and needing Dr. Cullen's help. He was the only one strong enough to care for a shifter with enough knowledge on the supernatural being and attained a medical degree.

Bella and Aurora stood outside with the pack and cringed at each and every blood-curdling scream of pain. Aurora turned to Embry and buried her face in his chest, holding him tightly to hide the tears. Embry pulled the back of her head closer, feeling the same unease.

"It's my fault," she whispered to Embry. Aurora pulled away and looked up at him. "If I had left when he said the first time then this never would've happened to him."

Embry shook his head. "A bloodsucker crushes Jacob's ribcage and it's somehow your fault?" He gave a lighthearted chuckle, but it was brought to an immediate end when they heard another scream. "If it didn't happen to Jake then it would've been somebody else. Most likely Bella." Aurora hadn't thought of it like that. "Don't beat yourself up about it."

Aurora dug her hands in her pockets and pushed herself back into Embry. She wished Paul was here.

Aurora couldn't help but think that if she'd never been imprinted on by Paul that Embry would be a nice guy to go out with. He was sweet and thoughtful and warm. It reminded her of the conversation she had with Paul before they broke up about how her and Embry had gotten close after they got together. But maybe she only felt that way because he wasn't here to remind her how much she needed him and wanted him.

Moments later, Carlisle came out of the house and spoke softly to Billy. Billy offered his hand to Carlisle and the two shook. Aurora smiled to see that something very small but really promising came out of this tragedy.

Carlisle looked to Bella. "He's asking for you." She entered the house to see Jacob. He then turned to Aurora. "Might I have a word?"

Embry let go of her and she followed after Carlisle away from listening ears. He took a wet wipe from his bag. "May I?" Aurora had almost forgotten about her nose and her lip. She nodded and he began wiping the crusted blood and cleaning the injury which Riley had made.

"I wanted to ask if you're alright?"

Aurora blinked. Her first answer was going to be of course, but tears began falling all too quickly for her to even catch herself. Carlisle gave her a gentle hug and allowed her to regain herself.

"Nothing is alright." She said wiping her face and pulling away to face him. "I was kidnapped from my own home and I'm afraid to be anywhere alone: Paul is gone, Jake is hurt, you guys live too far away." He nodded and allowed her to continue. "I couldn't save the newborn girl. I tried. I was going to go with him and do whatever he wanted; risk my own life. Why couldn't I move? I wasn't scared, but I was in so much pain that I couldn't move."

"I believe it was Jane." Aurora listened to Carlisle. "Her gift, I'm sure you've witnessed it, is to cause pain using only her eyes." She had recalled seeing this happen back in Volterra. "I believe it was her getting her way by not allowing you to save the girl that she ordered he destroy."

She stared at the gravel beneath her and thought of how he spoke to her and demanded her to do as he commanded. His humanity truly had left him. That Jane would use her as a pawn to get her way and that he would be the one to do the Volturi's bidding at any cost was sickening to her stomach.