Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [68]
I focused all my energy to control that reaction. I would not fall into a pointless, destructive fight with Sam. He was my brother still, even though I was rejecting him.
There is only one Alpha for this pack. Im not contesting that. Im just choosing to go my own way.
Do you belong to a coven now, Jacob?
I flinched.
I dont know, Sam. But I do know this-
He shrunk back as he felt the weight of the Alpha in my tone. It affected him more than his touched me. Because I had been born to lead him.
I will stand between you and the Cullens. I wont just watch while the pack kills innocent-it was hard to apply that word to vampires, but it was true-people. The pack is better than that. Lead them in the right direction, Sam.
I turned my back on him, and a chorus of howls tore into the air around me.
Digging my nails into the earth, I raced away from the uproar Id caused. I didnt have much time. At least Leah was the only one with a prayer of outrunning me, and I had a head start.
The howling faded with the distance, and I took comfort as the sound continued to rip apart the quiet night. They werent after me yet.
I had to warn the Cullens before the pack could get it together and stop me. If the Cullens were prepared, it might give Sam a reason to rethink this before it was too late. I sprinted toward the white house I still hated, leaving my home behind me. Home didnt belong to me anymore. Id turned my back on it.
Today had begun like any other day. Made it home from patrol with the rainy sunrise, breakfast with Billy and Rachel, bad TV, bickering with Paul How did it change so completely, turn all surreal? How did everything get messed up and twisted so that I was here now, all alone, an unwilling Alpha, cut off from my brothers, choosing vampires over them?
The sound Id been fearing interrupted my dazed thoughts-it was the soft impact of big paws against the ground, chasing after me. I threw myself forward, rocketing through the black forest. I just had to get close enough so that Edward could hear the warning in my head. Leah wouldnt be able to stop me alone.
And then I caught the mood of the thoughts behind me. Not anger, but enthusiasm. Not chasing but following.
My stride broke. I staggered two steps before it evened out again.
Wait up. My legs arent as long as yours.
SETH! What do you think youre DOING? GO HOME!
He didnt answer, but I could feel his excitement as he kept right on after me. I could see through his eyes as he could see through mine. The night scene was bleak for me-full of despair. For him, it was hopeful.
I hadnt realized I was slowing down, but suddenly he was on my flank, running in position beside me.
I am not joking, Seth! This is no place for you. Get out of here.
The gangly tan wolf snorted. Ive got your back, Jacob. I think youre right. And Im not going to stand behind Sam when-
Oh yes you are the hell going to stand behind Sam! Get your furry butt back to La Push and do what Sam tells you to do.
No.
Go, Seth!
Is that an order, Jacob?
His question brought me up short. I skidded to a halt, my nails gouging furrows in the mud.
Im not ordering anyone to do anything. Im just telling you what you already know.
He plopped down on his haunches beside me. Ill tell you what I know-I know that its awful quiet. Havent you noticed?
I blinked. My tail swished nervously as I realized what he was thinking underneath the words. It wasnt quiet in one sense. Howls still filled the air, far away in the west.
They havent phased back, Seth said.
I knew that. The pack would be on red alert now. They would be using the mind link to see all sides clearly. But I couldnt hear what they were thinking. I could only hear Seth. No one else.
Looks to me like separate packs arent linked. Huh. Guess there was no reason for our fathers to know that before. Cause there was no reason for separate packs before. Never enough wolves for two. Wow. Its really quiet. Sort of eerie. But also kinda nice, dont you think? I bet it was easier, like this, for Ephraim