WARNING: there are some slightly graphic scenes coming up. I will try to keep it as pg-13 as possible.

Chapter 3 A Tale of Two Men

(EPOV)

We were gathered around the dining room table trying to decide an appropriate course of action. Carlisle had spent the better part of the last hour calming me down enough to participate.

“I believe that we are going to require the aid of the werewolves,” Carlisle added thoughtfully.

“Werewolves,” Rosalie said with disgust. She still hadn’t completely forgiven them for Paul attacking Emmett when we were hunting Victoria. “We don’t need the help of those foul-smelling furballs.”

“Actually,” I broke in, “I believe that if we are to go up against two of the oldest vampires around, and one of their guards, that we shouldn’t be terribly picky who we ask for help.” I paused, considering. “Last I heard from Seth, Jacob still hadn’t returned. They may not be in a very charitable mood.”

“We can but try,” Carlisle conceded.

“I think they will respond better if the request comes from you, Carlisle,” I suggested. No matter how grateful the wolves had been to us for helping Jacob, we’d also been the reason why he’d abandoned them. I feared that they would hold a grudge and leave us to fend for ourselves. Still, there was the fact that at least some of the pack were close to Bella. And she was still human. That might be enough.

Carlisle nodded and plucked his cell phone out of his pocket and stepped outside.

A subtle smell wafted throughout the room. Emmett let out a low snarl and flew out of his chair to the window. The rest of the family followed suit, all in fighting stances. Carlisle entered the room with Demetri and Heidi at his side. “Relax, they are here to help.”

Heidi sauntered up to me in a brown leather skirt that barely covered her assets and thigh-high boots that buckled up the side. “Damn, Edward, you’re not looking too good right now,” she purred as she planted a kiss on both of my cheeks staining them with her crimson lipstick.

“I would be better if you two had gotten here in time to be of any use,” I retorted.