Luna

• 40 •

Carter

A uneasy silence settled over the entire group. My mind was trying to conjure any image of the battlefield miles below us. I had unwavering faith in the pack, but the thought of any of them getting hurt was causing my stomach to lurch.

Paul wormed his way closer to me after sensing my unease. His fur pressed against my hand and without a thought I ran my fingers through it.

My voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm okay."

"It's going to be fine," Edward spoke aloud, reassuring both Bella and me, "We've got skill, training, and surprise on our side. It'll be over very soon."

Paul let out a slight growl from besides of me. He was intently focusing on a tree, but the look in his eyes were far away. He must've been watching the scene through the pack's mind link.

"What is it?" I pressed, looking to Edward for an explanation.

"The newborns arrived," He answered dazed, no doubt watching it from Paul's head. "They reached the end of the trail. You're a genius, Luna- it worked like a charm." Edward continued, "They split up into two groups and the wolves are lying in wait to ambush them. The first group is in the clearing... we can hear them fighting."

I held tightly onto Paul's fur as a constant reassurance that he was still here with me. I kept my eyes locked on Edward, wanting every verbal relay of the fight.

Edward and Paul both suddenly growled, my grip on his fur tightened.

"What?" Bella breathed out in fear.

"They're talking about both of you," He explained, "they were to make sure you don't escape- Nice move, Leah!" He broke off, complimenting her and glanced to Bella. "A newborn caught our scent and she took him down before he could move. Cole's helping her finish him off. Jared and Quill took out three more."

A few more minutes passed as Edward became absorbed by the fight. His replies and sudden movements kept me engrossed, as did Paul's slight whines.

My mind was picking up on every movement he made, from the wines, ear twitches and foot stomps. I was waiting for it- anything to tell me that something went wrong in the clearing.

Then something did happen.

Paul immediately stiffened, his gaze locking with Edward's frantic eyes. There was an indiscernible concentration between the two for a moment before they immediately acted. Bella was suddenly pressed against the cliff face while Edward held a defensive position in front of her.

The fight in the clearing dissipated from my mind. The imminent danger wasn't there, it was here.

I couldn't even question it as Paul stood to his full height, practically blocking me from view. He continuously kept backing up, forcing me to move with him until I was like Bella, with my back to the rock wall and him in front of me.

My heart hammered in my chest while the throbbing beats pulsated in my ears. I couldn't even mentally process my fear as my body began reacting, the horror filling my bones and submerging my veins. Adrenaline was coursing through my blood and I was straining my senses to pick up on anything.

"Who?" Bella asked, thoroughly understanding the threat.

"Victoria." Edward growled. "She's not alone. She caught my scent and Paul's and assumed the two of you would be with us."

Paul's ears twitched before flattening against his skull. He looked towards the middle of the forest where two vampires emerged.

A boy was the first person that emerged. His hair was a sandy blonde that horrifically contrasted against his blood red eyes. He seemed only a few years older than Bella and I, yet he was strangely familiar.