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“I can’t see anything past you, dog,” Alice said condescendingly to Jacob.  Jacob just growled at her.  I pinched the bridge of my nose.  We were supposed to be finding Bella and they could not stop fighting. 

“Stop,” I said.  They looked at me.  “Your constant bickering is not helping in the least to find Bella and Jasper.  We need to work together.  If you can’t do that,” I said looking at the wolf in front of me, “then you will have to leave.”

Okay, Jacob’s thoughts said.  I sighed.  I couldn’t believe we had the wolves helping us.  You know Jacob is in love with her.  He probably figures that if he can find her before you do, he can prove to be the better competitor for her affections.  I’m sure he would love to fight me, to fight all of us, but that would have to come later.  Right now, the woman I loved more than anything was missing and my backstabbing brother had her. 

When we find her, I will make that slut pay for stealing Jazz.  I growled at Alice.  She turned to me, eyes wide.  She hadn’t meant for that thought to slip out.  “I’m sorry, Edward.”  I narrowed my eyes at her.  “Bella is not a slut.  She had a rocky past, yes, but that does not make her a bad person.  And I don’t know what happened that made Jasper betray us like this, but there has to be an explanation.  He loved you, Alice.  He was loyal to the family.  Why would he suddenly turn?”

She shrugged.  “It doesn’t surprise me, Edward.  I mean, really, she slept with that…thing,” she pointed at Jacob.  He growled again.  “I’m surprised she didn’t go after the whole family as soon as we came back.  You know, in retaliation?”

I lunged at Alice and knocked her to the ground.  She kicked me off and jumped up.  I started to run at her and she held her hand up.  “You see?  This is what she wants, what Jazz wants.  They want us fighting so that we won’t find them.”  I stopped.  It made sense.  Running my hand through my hair, I looked down at the ground.

“I’m sorry, Alice.”

She smiled.  “I’m sorry, too.  I shouldn’t be blaming Bella, my sister, for Jazz’s actions.  He’s perfectly capable of saying ‘no.’”

I still had a hard time believing that she was gone and that Jasper was responsible.  Why would he do it?  He was a Cullen as much as the rest of us.  Why would he betray those that loved him?  It made no sense!

As if Jacob could hear me, his thoughts invaded my mind.  Maybe he doesn’t know you’re alive.  Maybe he thinks you’re dead and he feels like he is the only one who can protect Bella.  I hadn’t thought about that.

“That’s a good point, Jacob,” I said patting his furry head.  He licked my hand.  I laughed.

“What’s a good point?” Alice asked.  I explained what Jacob was thinking.  She cocked her head to the side for a moment in thought.  “That would make sense.  But why would he suddenly want to sleep with her?  Or her with him?  They have never shown interest like that before.  Besides,” she stopped for a second and glanced at Jacob.  “You and I both know he wasn’t very good with his control.”

It was true.  The whole reason I had left in the first place was because Jazz had tried attacking her at her birthday party when she got a paper cut.  Could he really have gained that much control?

“Stranger things have happened,” I said.

We came upon a run-down building that Alice had seen in a vision.  I took a deep breath and froze.

“Smell that?” I asked, turning to her.  Her nose wrinkled.  “Yes.  Like a dying vampire.”

Suddenly we heard maniacal laughter.  Victoria, I thought.  We ran towards the front door, Jacob breaking away and heading for the back.

It was unlocked.  We walked in and were assaulted by two scents.  One was definitely Victoria.  The other was still that dying vampire smell.  We followed it until we found some steps leading to a basement.  There was a steel door at the bottom. 

I charged the door.  It didn’t budge.  I charged again.  Nothing.  After the fourth time, the door fell off.  I somersaulted across it and immediately sprang into my crouching position.  It was the one used when on the defense. 

Alice drew in a sharp breath.  I followed her gaze.  My jaw dropped when I saw it.   

Good.  Her plan is working. 

Hi!  Remember chapter 6?  That is from Jasper's POV; it should give some insight.  :)

Thanks for reading!

Thanks!  :)

Thanks!  :)

I hope so too! 

I should have the next chapter up in a day or so.

You seem to know Jasper's mind.  ;)

The answer will be revealed in chapter 23. 

Thanks!  The next one will hopefully answer everyone's questions. 

Yeah, I know.  Luckily it'll all be over soon.  :)