51.
The night air crackled with intensity. We were standing near the cars half-hidden underneath the trees. They lay as sleeping beasts in the shadows. Seth slowly released me, the mate mark rejecting him. He stepped in front shielding me from the rogue one, facing us. I couldn't see Jacob but I could sense him in every movement around, his scent hovering over Seth's skin. Just having him near made me stronger.
"I have no business with you, shifter," hissed the vampire. His face glowed in the gloom. His blood eyes piercing with animosity. Growls rose from under the trees, low and menacing.
"We have business with you," several voices echoed. I clearly heard Jacob among them. I scanned the shadows behind me but couldn't pick out his silhouette concealed within the foliage. Why was he hidden? The vampire threw his head back and laughed. A vicious sound sent shivers down my spine. Making the hair at the back of my neck stand. He rested icy eyes on me.
"Bella Donna, I will savor killing your beloved shifters and tear the heart of your mate. I'll lick the blood from it and will squeeze it between my fingers." His tongue darted out in a rapid movement in anticipation. He turned back to Seth. "You don't know who you are messing with, dog boy," he smirked.
"You are not leaving here alive," Seth snapped. A smile curled on the vampire's face. The blood smudged on his chin rapidly drying. Behind us, in the house, the commotion went on. Voices rose and fell. Someone was crying—a girl—so much sorrow and despair.
"I agree, some won't leave here alive," he said. In a blur, he struck. Seth smashed into me sending me to the ground. I had one second to brace for impact. But it never came. I lifted my eyes and gazed in warm intelligent brown eyes set in a huge wolf face.
"Jacob—" I whispered. He rubbed his wolf head against my face very gently and he was gone. Leaped forward into the scuffle of fur and claws and fangs. They hissed, bit, and slashed. movement too quick to follow. I struggled to my feet, my heart drumming with dread. Please, please let my wolves win, I prayed.
A long howl of agony resonated as Quil limped away from the group. His fur was covered with blood. A shudder went through the whole pack. The vampire took that one second of hesitation to escape the hostile wolves. He dashed into the darkness under the trees. The wolves chased after him, hot on their trail. A large brown wolf lingered next to bleed Quil.
"Jacob—" but my voice died. He turned his head towards me. In his eyes was such sadness.
"We will meet again," his mental voice was a caress. Then they both disappeared into the darkness after the wolves in pursuit. I stood there long after they were gone and their presence too far for me to detect.
"Renesme!" Genni called from the steps leading to the house. Jared was standing behind her. "Where have you been?" She looked scared. Her face was pale. "It's getting nasty by the second here. We need to get out of here. They called the cops. Your Grandfather will be here at any minute now. You are going to be so fucked," she rushed to my side, grabbed my arm, and pulled me towards the car.
"Grandpa Charlie?" I stared at her finally letting the information sink in. She nodded with crooked eyebrows.
"My parents will kill me if they have to bail me out of prison tonight." Jared was already behind the wheel. He peered at us from the driver's seat.
"Let's get out of here." I nodded in agreement. As the car sped away into the night I couldn't help turning back to the tall trees with my heart tearing in my chest. Jacob, my love, we'll meet again, I let my prayer float into the velvet air of the night.