Chapter 18

The remaining day passed, with only three more hours until the Volturi's arrival. After so much planning and discussing, the day was finally here. Jacob's entire frame stood silent as he stared out the glass door at nothing. Emmett sat on the couch, staring at the back of his wolf.

With Jacob's arms folded, and the shine once again absent in his eyes, Emmett saw that Jacob was practically a statue of domination. He had once again become the portrait of the alpha. Emmett couldn't help but dislike this side of Jacob, not because he found it intimidating; because he longed for the Jacob that was…his Jacob. Not this compassionless, empty shell. Not even considering the state of mind that Jacob was in, Emmett got up, walked over to Jacob and put his arms around his waist.

Emmett was slightly hurt when Jacob tensed in arms, a low growl rumbling in his throat.

"Jake," Emmett whispered into his ear. "It's me."

Jacob's shoulders relaxed. "I know…I'm sorry."

Jacob leaned back into Emmett's embrace. "I'm just a little jittery."

Emmett kissed his cheek. "We all are."

Jacob sighed. "Only three more hours, right?"

Emmett nodded against Jacob's cheek.

"What's going to happen to us?" Jacob said, his voice for the first had become timorous. "What's going to happen if we lose? What if we aren't strong enough to stop the Volturi?"

"We've been over this, Jake," Emmett stated. "Alice has seen the outcomes. No one of our coven or the Denali coven are to perish."

"But what about you and me?" Jacob pressed. "Alice said she couldn't see us. Besides, so what if Alice has seen the outcomes of your family and the Denali coven not dying? Haven't you said yourself that the future isn't written in stone? What if the future changes at the last minute?"

Emmett stepped back, grabbed Jacob's shoulders, and gently turned him around to face him.

"Jacob, you have to trust Alice," he said firmly.

"I do trust, Alice! I just―!"

Jacob went silent when a wave of nausea swept over him.

"Whoa…I don't…feel so…"

"Jake? What's wrong?" Emmett demanded.

"I don't…know…" Jacob fell to his knees. The room seemed to tilt; Jacob felt his stomach lurch.

Jacob's hand flew up to his mouth when he felt something rising in his throat.

"Toilet…" Jacob hissed urgently.

Emmett immediately grabbed Jacob's waist, and within seconds they were in the bathroom, over the toilet. Jacob wretched violently and puked into the toilet. Emmett gaped and rubbed the Jacob's back, completely scared for his mate.

"CARLISLE!" Emmett shouted.

In five seconds, the blond doctor stood in the bathroom doorway, Esme by his side.

"Emmett, what's the matter with Jacob?" Esme demanded, gliding to Jacob's side.

"I DON'T KNOW!" he cried, actually feeling helpless. "CARLISLE!"

"It's okay son," Carlisle said serenely.

Jacob flushed the regurgitated contents. "Ugh…I feel like hell…"

Emmett scooped Jacob up into his arms and carried him over to his bed, gently lying him down.

Carlisle walked over to the weakened Jacob and touched his forehead. "His body temperature has gone down."

"What?" Emmett shrieked. "How?"

"I haven't the slightest idea…" Carlisle answered.

Jacob then felt a contraction in his belly.

"Oh!" he cried, touching his stomach. "What…the hell…?"

"Wait…" Carlisle reached down and pulled up Jacob's sleeveless jacket until his stomach was revealed. Carlisle touched Jacob's stomach…and then gaped.

"That's…impossible…" he whispered.

"W-What is?" Jacob groaned.

Esme touched Carlisle's shoulder. "Dear…"

"What's impossible?" Emmett demanded. "What's wrong with him?"

"I…don't know how it's so…" Carlisle admitted. "But…I can feel a new life growing within Jacob."