Title: Blood on the Moon Part 14 Type: Alternate Universe (Eclipse)

Pairing: Jacob/Edward – Leah/Jasper Rating: 12

Summary: The Volturi are making their presence in Forks & La Push felt. Now Charlie is in on the supernatural – what can the Cullens and Quillets do to protect themselves, the innocent tribe and citizens and Leah's new baby from such a deadly force?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Twilight characters or anything from the universe of Twilight. I am just taking the characters and playing with them a while – promising to restore them whole and unblemished! Thanks to Stephanie Meyer for creating these toys for me to enjoy. Please don't take any of my playing as having any bearing on the actual books. Enjoy.

()()()()

JACOB BLACK

What's worse than a horde of your sworn enemy floating toward you?

These vampires were nothing like the ones I had gotten to know of late; their bright, blood red eyes attesting to their murderous appetite. These vampires feasted on human blood. They were murderers.

I watched them float towards us in the northern most clearing to the Cullen house; their movements so graceful and seamless they appeared to hover forward... closer to La Push... closer to me.

A heavy, sickening feeling stirred in my gut. Was there anything worse than this?

Edwards hand tightened on mine.

Oh – yeah... there was...

"Just try and relax." He hissed from my side.

Yeah – right. Sometimes being me really sucked.

The relentless advance halted and stood in an impenetrable line. They were ruthless, trained killers after all.

My hands trembled in response to the threat.

"Relax." Edward insisted.

I watched the cloaked front-line of vampiric soldiers part and fall in on themselves, creating a misty walkway in the dusky, eerie light of a waning moon.

The nervous tension of my pack, concealed in the tree line, heated my human back. This was a deadly gamble. The elders were quietly cautious. Even Paul chose to let the Volturi come into Cullen land and assess them before further moves to protect out tribe were considered.

The younger, newer members of the pack were edgy. They had, after all, heard the stories of the last, dreadful tale of the packs battle with vampires.

Edward moved infinitesimally closer, "Try to smile."

I felt my teeth grind together as my lips peeled back.

"That's not good enough."

My eyes squeezed shut. I let the sharp, stinging wind flush through my lungs. There was a reason I was doing this. There was a pretty damned important reason.

So I manned-up.

Swallowing the bile that was doing its best to claw up my oesophagus, I threw my eyes to the heavens... the night scene above me made me pause... Blood; there was blood on the moon.

"Here goes." Edward exhaled.

The wolves at my back tensed.

I looked forward to see three dark figures float forward from the night.

A picture, clear as crystal, formed in my head. Leah. We were doing this for her.

So I plastered on my best poker face, flung an arm about Edwards shoulders and beamed a welcoming smile to the leaders of the Volturi.

As Aro approached with the pale, lithe blonde, Caius, and the taller, sorrowful, black-haired Marcus, I felt Edward slip his arm about my waist and stretch up to deliver a small kiss to my cheek.

It was a cover, so that he could whisper, "Whatever they say... try to stay calm."

I nodded.

"I can't believe they're all here." Esme gasped from the side of me.

"It is unusual." Doc Cullen replied, reaching an arm about her for comfort.

What are they going on about?

"The elders never usually leave Voltora. They aren't keen to leave the protection of their city."

I cast an eye about the soldiers and body-gaurds that had taken up position on the opposing side of the field.

"This is hardly the true army of the Volturi."

So this is just for show?

"I think this is a distraction..."

Our conversation was cut short as Aro stepped forward, clapping his hands together in delight, "You see. They interact so naturally."

Each hair rose on my neck and down my spine. Man! He gives me the creeps!

Edward nodded slightly as Aro laughed with glee.

Marcus moved forward, his sombre face taking on a pained and distant expression, "We were sorry to hear of your loss, young Edward." He said, shoulders drooping with an invisible weight. "To loose one you love so deeply... it is a terrible thing."

Prickles spiked on my skin and I tried my best to fight off the unbearable feeling of loss that this vacant being had stirred.

"I have found reason to go on Marcus." Edward answered, though his voice was equally tortured by memory, "She is with me always. But we must find solace where we can."

For the briefest of moments, Marcus' crimson eyes darted between us, transferring decades of loneliness and centuries of solitude for the hope of completion; "Perhaps it is not too late."

Edward nodded to the unfortunate immortal and my heart pulled after him as he moved back behind his kin and out of sight.

This left Aro, who had been watching the exchange intently; his scarlet focus tight on the point where Edward and my hands joined. It was then I noticed how tightly we held each other.

My instinct was to snatch myself away, but I fought it. This mad idea of Jaspers might just be working.

"Any thoughts," Aro asked to the air, before turning, "Ciaus?"

The sickly-thin blonde Volturi leader floated forward. "Curious."

I noted the distance he kept from me, while moving toward us – he managed to keep to Edwards side as he approached.

"These... dogs-"

"Ciaus." Aro disapproved.

"You are certain they can be controlled?"

I couldn't help the snarl that rolled from my lips, somewhat amused that the high-and-mighty leader of the Volturi darted back several paces.

What is with him?

"Ciaus," Edward soothed, "Jacob and his brethren are not like the werewolves you encountered all those years ago."

Ha! That's it! Big, scary, creature of the night got bit on the b-

"But that does not mean they are not worthy of your respect."

Ciaus grimaced, "Respect?" He questioned, sneering at me. "Tell me what respect I owe to a mangy, house-trained, mut."

My eye twitched, can I show him now?

Edward nodded.

With a snap of my fingers, three of my brothers lurched forward out of the woodland.

Embry, Quill and Josh strode to my side, snarling.

The sound was so ferocious that the entire Volturi guard took an involuntary step back.

Josh, one of the new kids, made an extra lurch, his ears slick to his head and hackles raised.

I delighted in the nervous murmur that whispered through the vampires in my sights.

"I think you have made your point." Edward disapproved.

Grudgingly, I snapped my fingers a second time and my wolves sat in a sharp movement.

I watched the vampires before me take in the size and control of my kin.

Suck on that! I thought.

Edward laughed.

"You see, Ciaus." Aro's wistful voice hummed, "Not like anything we've seen before." Then his white hand was on his brother's shoulder. "This is something... new."

My first instinct was to move forward and strike at the enemy. But Edwards arm tightened on my side.

"New." The bronze vampire agreed, giving me an extra squeeze as though trying to convey something, "worth further consideration."

Giagantic, crimson eyes locked on me, before Aro began again. "I was greatly saddened to hear of your family loss."

Edward was stumped.

"Carlisle, my friend... it was with deep regret that I learned of young Alice's demise."

I had all but forgotten the presence of the other Cullens in this place.

The Doc came forward, flanked by his mate, "It was more of a loss than words can express."

Aro nodded solemnly. "I saw her death in young Jaspers mind. It was a devastating blow."

None of the Cullens seemed able to form words; Doc Cullen was only able to nod dumbly.

"And yet, there seemed to be a hope lightening his thoughts."

Wordless and unbound, a moment of panic shot through my mind. Jasper said that he didn't have a clue...

"I saw so many losses on that fateful night..." Aro continued, content on watching the reactions of his captive audience, "I believe young Jacob's impressive pack sustained losses..."

I moved before the emotion filtered through to rational thought. Edwards vice-like grip snatched me back to his side as he hastily snatched me back to his side.

"You will excuse my..." he hesitated while reaffirming his hold on my wrist, "Jacob's emotions are close to the surface."

I found myself being dragged behind the bronze-haired vampire as he sought a private location in the woodland.

"Can you please try to control yourself?" He spat at me, "Aro is playing a very basic game. He's trying to shake your emotions so that, when he gets the opportunity to touch you, your thoughts are so scrambled you will be unable to hide any memories from him."

Yanking my hand away, with a little more force than necessary, I snarled, "I know that, genius."

He snapped me back to him, bringing us face to face, "Then what's with the attitude?"

My palms hit his shoulders, sending him staggering back before I advanced, "He's expecting me to react. And if I didn't then he might figure something was up."

"So... you're telling me that you are acting along to give Aro what he expects?"

"Yes," I hissed.

A moment of doubt flashed in Edwards caramel eyes, "That's actually quite-"

"Clever?"

"For you," he smirked.

In felt my head shake in exasperation, "You are the most arrogant..."

His smirk broadened into a smile which reached his eyes and, to my dismay, I found I was smiling right back at him.

Gently, he placed a widespread hand on my chest and closed his eyes, feeling the strength of my heart pound through to him.

I am calm... I reminded myself... calm.

"Oh my," the light, ringing sound of a vampire intoned behind us, "am I disturbing anything?"

My eyes shot open and I span to see the slight outline of a girl, her blonde hair almost hidden beneath the Volturi cloak she wore, her scarlet eyes glinting in the moonlight.

"Not at all, Jane," Edward swallowed.

So... this is the little witch you warned us about?

"One and the same."

The Volturi's look hardened, "What was that?"

I felt the grin spread over my face, "Nothing."

She didn't seem to buy it and took a predatory step forward before Edward shouldered me to the side.

"Shouldn't we get back to the others?" He asked her, letting a rolling snarl sound at the back of his throat.

Jane was snarling as well. Light and threatening, never breaking the disturbing smile or level look she shared with Edward.

That's when it dawned on me – Edward was trying to protect me.

The wolf in me twitched and I reached out to drag the presumptuous vamp back a pace.

"Hey – kido. Give us a moment here." I smiled, turning Edward to me and locking an arm about his waist. "We got some... stuff to work out."

I saw the panic in Edwards eyes.

Just trust me and chill...

Then I folded forward, resting us forehead to forehead.

We remained, for a time. Neither moving nor thinking until...

Is she gone?

Edwards head shifted up and down.

How long?

I felt him shrug. "Is there any reason for this?"

"This wasn't my idea."

Edward huffed a laugh. "No."

"So, don't bite my head off for trying to make it seem convincing."

He huffed, nodding to himself.

"C'mon," I insisted, "let's get back to the in-laws."

()()()()

I mean... it's not that I don't get the need to support our Beta and her unearthly, monstrous, mutant-baby, Paul began, I just don't get why you and that Cullen have to make googly-eyes at each other...

I felt my lips curl into a snarl as we branched out our patrol from the reservation to the beach.

Paul, you find it hard to understand most things.

I felt a wave of indignation pulse through his mind, unable to form thought to sharpen his feelings, Paul huffed.

Look, I sighed at the prospect of going over this again. You guys are just to keep low and protect Leah. The reason she and Jasper are out of the way is so that the Volturi-creeps will never figure out that they...

Got groinal?

My mind spluttered... Can we please never use that phrase again.

Oh – sorry... that their beautiful love created demon offspring.

I wondered if he was being a dick on purpose. Right – try not to think through this next bit.

Paul huffed.

I took that as confirmation. So... Jasper came up with a way of fooling Aro.

The dude that can read every thought you've ever had just by touching you?

I snarled.

Sorry. There are just so many leech-

The way he explained it was information over-load. Think of a similar situation to your and bombard the bastard with thoughts and emotions... So Jasper needed to cover the scent of Wolves in the Cullens and explain how the pack wasn't a threat and how come they were so close to a bunch of vampires...

And he had to choose you?

Would you prefer to be the Alpha?

Paul tried to stop the thought but I got the distinct warmth that came with overconfidence.

Well then you can play the part.

Disgust washed over the link between us.

Hey – I'm sure Edward wouldn't be too pleased about the alternative either.

I'm sure he wouldn't.

I felt the earth bunch beneath the pads of my feet before I acknowledged I had stopped in my tracks. My heckles were up and I felt my spine curl into an attack pose as Paul swooped round and stopped before me.

You want to explain that? I raged.

Paul lowered his body close to the floor and whined an apology.

Man, I hadn't realised I was that angry... I concentrated on calming my stance and continuing with my reasoning.

I have formed a... friendship with Edward. I won't have anything else said about him. He's not having it any easier than I am.

I watched Paul very closely but, at least for now, he kept his reactions and thoughts silent and still.

"Didn't know you cared so much."

I cringed. I could hear that damned smile in his voice. Should have known the bloodsucker would sneak up on me while I was defending him.

"I do seem to have a knack for that."

Paul started snarling as Edward approached.

I gave him a warning snap, but a second voice joined Edwards.

"Well, well..." the irritatingly floating voice intoned, "do tell me this is not dissension in the ranks."

Paul reacted to the anticipation in Aro's voice with a further snarl; I'll rip that damned smile from his pasty face!

"Aro wanted an opportunity to see your patrol route." Edward said to me, eyes intent and trying to convey something...

"I was curious..." the old Volturi explained, "I wanted to see you in action."

I'll give the old bat action.

Paul!

"I told Aro that I would guide him to you." Edward said again, his eyes widening. There was definitely something he wanted me to get... but I couldn't figure it out...

"Yes. Interesting how this bond between you is so deep it allows young Edward here to focus on you with such ease."

I tried to shake off Pauls repulsion and focus on Cullen... his eyes were now so wide it seemed they made up most of his face.

What?

Then I noticed how close Aro was drifting toward us.

Jacob... Paul shifted, sensing the old vampire closing on him. I'm thinking I should either split or split him...

"No!" Edward said. "If everyone remains calm and remembers what I said..." he looked to me again before covering, " that no Volturi will harm a Quillet... then everything will be fine."

Just stay still. I told Paul.

With a speed that shocked even me, Aro was at Paul's side running his hands through the rough hair on the wolves neck.

Everything will be alright. I chanted in my head, knowing Paul could hear me, Edward said there was nothing to fear from the Volturi at this time and he hasn't let me down before. Came damned close... too close... nearly lost what we had on several occasions. But every relationship has its ups and downs and that's what we've gone through... pretty low downs and more recently...

My brain back-tracked before heading down that avenue of thought. You can get through this Paul, try to keep your head. It wasn't easy for me either, at first. Edward was always rummaging around in my brain and not coming out and saying what he really meant or telling me what he really felt...

Wrong turn – try again. Just got to think calm thoughts and meditate on life and how things have been improving recently. It was hard to loose Bella but without the loss of her and Sam and the others our pack and coven would never have accepted... we would never have become so...

A surge ran through me as I analysed my recollection of the past few months. I never wanted them gone. But things are finally starting to work out and I might be... I looked at Edward, his wide caramel eyes were still focused on me... happy.

With a sharp intake of breath, Aro released Paul.

My brother looked up at me, scowling through his canine features.

"How very..." Aro began, staring at his outstretched hands and then up to me, "fascinating."

It was then that I realised... as I looked to all three of them... Aro, Paul and Edward... none of them had heard anyone else's thoughts than mine.

A sickening wave of awareness ran through me as the Volturi began to chuckle. "You have a very loyal partner there, my friend." He slapped Edwards arm.

Jeez, Paul rolled his tongue as if removing a terrible aftertaste. Can I leave now?

I felt my great head bob up and down and then Paul was gone.

"Who would have thought that the pack was so focused on their alpha that his mind acted like a blanket."

"It was something I had considered." Edward admitted, bowing his head and cringing away from me.

"I wonder if it works while they are in their human state..."

"I think it is safe to assume that none of the pack would trust you enough to let down their biggest advantage."

"No..." Aro pondered, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

Edward hissed; the sound reverberating menacingly from the trees around us, "Jane will not go near him."

Aro chuckled happily in response. "Of course not. It was simply an idle thought..."

I was still unable to defend myself, somewhat embarrassed that I had admitted some pretty dark thinking to my enemy, my subordinate and my... and Edward.

Of course I hadn't wanted Bella dead. Or Sam, Emily, Alice and Seth. It was stupid to think that.

But if that night hadn't have happened. If everyone had pulled through... what would my life had been? I couldn't imagine a time without Edward by my side. I didn't want to.

Avoiding Edwards eyes, I looked up to the Volturi and found his crimson gaze studying me. "Very interesting..."

I felt my skin crawl.

"Perhaps we should leave the Quillets to complete their patrols." Edward suggested, still not looking to me.

"There is no need to escort me, young Edward, you can see my mind. I will return to Carlisle and allow you both your time."

And with that, the ancient being turned and disappeared into the forrest.

I shifted back to human and slowly clothed myself, feeling Edwards presence only a few feet away.

We were silent for a time... neither certain of what to say or what to think. Part of me was glad he hadn't left with Aro. I wanted him to tell me it was alright.

"It is."

"You heard what I thought." I spat, feeling the swell of frustration watering my eyes.

"You didn't wish them dead."

"But I didn't wish they were back."

Edward sighed, filling the air with an acid burn. "All I know of life is that it changes. And yet we manage and adapt. Times and people move on and those who are left make their lives around that."

I felt my head nodding as I opened my eyes in an attempt to ward off tears. "You can't vindicate me."

"And you can't torture yourself for a moment of natural truth."

Truth.

The word smouldered on the back of my tongue. Then Edwards hands were on mine. "I am glad you are a part of my life, Jacob Black." He insisted, urging me closer to him, "I wouldn't change that. Ever."

There was more than need, more than desire... I had to have the comfort of him, the taste...

I moved forward and claimed his lips before he had a chance to react, locking my arms about his neck and pressing my burning flesh to his iced skin to hear the sizzle as I finally surrendered to the moment.

I had once wondered about kissing a vampire. Once imagined it was something akin to kissing a statue; imagined the immovable surface and smooth, cold feeling of polished marble unable to express true feeling.

Perhaps it was the strength of the wolf within me, but I felt Edward move to me, his fingers brush around the waist of my shorts and rest at my back.

His kiss was gentle and reassuring, but as I responded with all the mixed emotions that surrounded us his understanding became heated, his timeless patience morphed to need. The gentle hands at my back hardened as they pressed up my spine and urged us closer.

I felt my body flame and wondered if fire could burn ice as he moulded to me and I was consumed.

His mouth smouldered acid, but after the initial sting of venom the taste became sweet and I acclimatised, expecting each wave that passed through us to fire a new level of contact.

It's only a kiss. I kept thinking. A kiss means nothing when it comes down to it.

But as I tried to convince myself, a smaller and clearer voice in me warned that there would be no turning back from this.