I watched as the pack began trying to gauge the scents of the Cullen's, Sam in lead, Jacob behind him, I was behind the pack, it was the second in commands job to ensure nothing comes from behind.

I watched everyone as they moved through the group. Leah was looking between the Cullen's, she didn't have the same effect as the others did towards the vampires, but she was still on edge.

Her genes demanded it far more than mine did.

I heard a small whine from in front of me. Seth was left in between Emmett and Carlisle, and he wasn't really comfortable with it. He wasn't exactly scared of them, but he was nervous, Emmett was huge. Plus, his mind told him he had to be weary, with everything the others spewed about vampires. It was like they were the boogie man.

I nudged Seth slightly 'just keep moving Seth, you'll be fine'

He nodded and started making his way through the group, I knew the Cullen's wouldn't do anything, but he needed that reassurance. I walked through the line with him, the scents hitting me far differently than the others.

But it was the first time that I actually got to really discern their scents. I, of course, knew Rosalie like the back of my hand and the others seemed to take more time trying to imprint her scent to their mind. None of them wanted to hurt her, even if she were a vampire.

It was our most sacred law; we can't hurt another's imprint or mate. They couldn't risk hurting her, the others – well accidents happen. I walked beside Seth, the youngest of the pack at 15. We passed by each of the Cullens, and the scents started coming together.

Rosalie first with the scent of wild berries, her hand reached down to run through my fur as I passed, I did my best to smile, but it wasn't really something wolf's could do. Then Lucia, Vanilla and Bay Rum, a tropical scent. Emmett smelled like pine trees and spearmint, typical manly smell you'd get in a soap bottle. Though it smelled fresher, like the plant was growing in front of me. Jasper smelled like leather and burbon, a masculine scent but older kind of like something a grandfather would smell like. Carlisle smelled clean... like I just brushed my teeth and washed laundry. Esme, well just think of a bakery and that's her, cinnamon rolls. Edward and Alice both had a citrusy scent, Alice was very citrusy with oranges and limes, Edwards was toned down with a hint of honey.

I let the pack see it all through my mind, committing the scent to the person. It allowed them a better reference and gave them a better chance to recognize our allies. I walked Seth through the last of the Cullen's, his muzzle pulling back after each sniff. 'one more' I told him never leaving his side.

Leah and Seth seemed to pick up on it better than the others, though the still smelled the sweet chemical scent in there. But with the Amarok DNA further back the Quileute genes were starting take over.

"Ew! Gross, Jake!" Bella complained from the side jumping back and smacking at Jacob. He dodged out of the way, and the coughing bark that came through his teeth was obviously laughter.

Sam watched on in anger and disappointment.

Once we were finished I stopped by Rosalie. Sam watched as all the wolves began descending into the woods. Seth trotted along. Jacob stayed by Bella until Edward approached.

He and Jacob glared at each other before Jacob stalked off, complaining the entire time. Sam watched him go making sure everyone was moving, following Jared – the third in command.

I gave Sam a nod 'I'll figure out what they plan to do with Bella. I know I need to convince my mom and Eve to stay with Emily. And I'll see if Alice knows anything else then I'll inform you'

I watched as the others left before going to phase back, dressing in a pair of shorts and a sports bra.

"where'd they go?" I heard Bella ask looking around the meadow.

"Alex went to change; Jacob went back to La Push" Edward said. Bella looked upset about this; Edward spoke again. "it's his punishment"

"punishment?" Bella asked.

I approached Rosalie who handed me a jacket with a stern look, though I saw her eyes flick down to my exposed skin. I smiled pulling it on and zipping it up enough to cover everything.

"for last night and the other night" I gestured at her hand. "I'm emasculating them one step at a time." I joke slightly. The pack was working on being more open and understanding of Leah and I's needs. "He really could have hurt someone last night and it's not okay. Plus, he hasn't been doing his job recently, so Sam thought making him help prepare the young ones was best. Plus, he can't be objective, so it was better for me to handle the communication"

"that makes sense" Bella replied relaxing into Edward's arms more.

"what do you plan do with Bella on the day of the fight?" I asked the vampires around looking more so at Edward.

"I've not quite figured out all the details yet," he said.

"well, that's important. it'll determine where the battle is"

"how so?" Alice asked. I looked at her before glancing at everyone else.

"they'll search for her. Jacob wants her to be on the reservation, but that'll put more strain on the ones we leave behind. And could force more kids to change. We can't have that. She needs to be someplace they have to go through us to get to her. Otherwise, we have to track them down and risk more lives."

"Alex is right" Jasper added. "we can't leave Bella in La Push or Forks"

"Charlie?" Bella gasped.

"he'll be fine, Billy has it covered, he'll be on the reservation night fishing. Billy and Mark have a ton of old games prepared for them. Worse case they get a little drunk and have to stay overnight. But it won't protect them if Bella's there"

"She's been back and forth too much," Edward said agreeing with me. The others watched as we discussed everything, Rosalie kept her hand on the small of my back, under the jacket. "She's left trails all over the place. Alice only sees very young vampires coming on the hunt, but obviously someone created them. There is someone more experienced behind this. Whoever he" - Edward paused to look at Bella - "or she is, this could all be a distraction. Alice will see if he decides to look himself, but we could be very busy at the time that decision is made. Maybe someone is counting on that. I can't leave her somewhere she's been frequently. She has to be hard to find, just in case. It's a very long shot, but I'm not taking chances."

Bella stared at Edward who explained "Just being overcautious,"

I looked around "so hide her here. There are a million places to hide. If we can have the battle here, guide them to the meadow then we can limit human interaction. And Bella's been here, her scent is all around."

Edward shook his head. "Her scent is too strong and, combined with mine, especially distinct. Even if I carried her, it would leave a trail. Our trace is all over the range, but in conjunction with Bella's scent, it would catch their attention. We're not sure exactly which path they'll take, because they don't know yet. If they crossed her scent before they found us . . ." Edward looked at me a grimace on his face. "you see the difficulties?"

"so, mask it"

Jasper and Lucia perked up. "that's a good idea" Jasper said suddenly. "we can't smell Alex, maybe she can hide Bella's scent too"

I could feel Rosalie tense at this. I wrapped my arm around her waist squeezing it gently.

"what if she can't?" Edward asked. I thought for a moment before smiling.

"simple, the wolves. They can follow, leaving their scent everywhere. Seth could do it, spreading his 'wolfy' musk" I used finger quotes as I wasn't sure what it smelled like, but I assumed it was something like the werewolves.

"hmm. Not bad." Edward replied looking at Jasper. "Jasper? Lucia? You guys would have a closer sense as the newborns"

"Okay, Alex" Edward amended. I squeezed Rosalies waist one more time before stepping closer to Bella.

"We're going to see if I can confuse the scent enough to hide your trail," I explained. "we can do this two ways. Either I carry you or you hope on my back"

"it's probably best for you to carry her, that way your scent will be behind her." Jasper said slowly his gaze barely meeting Rosalies. I nodded.

"okay" I moved over to Bella, wrapping her arm around my neck before grabbing under her knees. With a nod to Jasper and Lucia I began fast walking through the woods.

"I don't think I'll get over the fact that everyone can just haul me around like sack of potatoes" Bella shook her head.

I gave a little smile "sorry"

"So, emasculating the pack?"

I gave a grim smile "yeah, I mean you heard Billy and Old Quil. Taha Aki's sons... I'm a descendant of them too. They think only men can be in the pack... or lead."

"you want to be the alpha?" Bella asked a little shocked. I shook my head.

"no, I wouldn't make a good alpha. But it would have been nice if they offered it. They did Jacob"

"why?"

"his great grandfather. Ephraim Black was the last Alpha."

"isn't he your great grandfather too?" I nodded turning the final turn of the arc. It wasn't very big, but enough that the others could accurately gauge the possibility of this working.

"they didn't offer it because you're a woman" Bella realized suddenly.

I shrugged "I always thought it was because of my Amarok DNA, and it's part of it. Sam's always seen me as a part of the pack, but he battles with trusting me as a fighter and protecting me. I've been the Beta of the pack practically since I phased. But before Sam would always be around, I never got to patrol without him, but Embry did the first time he joined. And Jared and Paul... after Canada I got a little more, free reign and after Laurent they started seeing me as a leader. But you saw last night, Jacob doesn't respect me and Quil and Embry wouldn't hurt me, but they'll stand by Jacob."

"so, things are getting better?"

I nodded and walked back to the field where Edward and Rosalie were waiting "a little bit, there was a time when I was more emotional than before and was practically treated as a toddler throwing a fit."

"stupid" Bella added.

I chuckled as I came to a stop. "yes"

Out of nowhere, Lucia, Jasper and Alice stood beside Edward and Rosalie. I took one more step, and then set Bella down a few feet from the others.

"Well?" I asked.

"I think it worked well enough; the scent is faint" Jasper replied. "probably because she's been here. We could be smelling her residue"

Lucia stepped up "I don't think the newborns will be able to find it, it's so faint that we had some difficulties"

"A success," Alice agreed. Edward seemed a little weary.

"I'll ask Seth or one of the others to follow behind just to cover anything else." I added "better safe than sorry."

"And it gave me an idea." Jasper added.

"Which will work," Alice added confidently.

"Clever," Edward agreed.

I sighed "does that ever get annoying?" Rosalie laughed into my neck while Lucia only smirked. "all the time."

"We're - well, you're - going to leave a false trail to the clearing, Bella. The newborns are hunting, your scent will excite them, and they'll come exactly the way we want them to without being careful about it. Alice can already see that this will work. When they catch our scent, they'll split up and try to come at us from two sides. Half will go through the forest, where her vision suddenly disappears..."

I smirked "good"

Edward smiled at me, a smile of true comradeship.

"Not a chance," Edward said suddenly, his voice disgusted. It made me tense, but his eyes were on Jasper.

"I know, I know," Jasper said quickly. "I didn't even consider it, not really."

Alice stepped on his foot.

"If Bella was actually there in the clearing," Jasper explained to her, "it would drive them insane. They wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything but her. It would make picking them off truly easy. . .."

Edward's glare had Jasper backtracking.

"Of course, it's too dangerous for her. It was just an errant thought," he said quickly. But he looked at me from the corner of his eyes, and the look was wistful.

"No," Edward said. His voice rang with finality.

"You're right," Jasper said. He took Alice's hand and started back to the others. "Best two out of three?"

"well, you could always leave some of her blood in the field. It'll be just as good." Jasper nodded at me, and Edward seemed to be thinking about it.

"we'll discuss it" he amended. Edward got back to business. "I'll bring her here Friday morning to lay the false trail. You can meet us afterward, and carry her to a place I know. Completely out of the way, and easily defensible, not that it will come to that. I'll take another route there."

I furrowed my brows "I'll bring Seth. He can stay with Bella, that way there's still a connection between everyone and if she needs to leave Seth can bring her. He's not fighting anyway, but this will make him feel like we're not completely shutting him out."

Bella looked confused. "As long as Seth Clearwater is in his wolf form, he'll be connected to the pack," Edward said. "Distance isn't a problem?" he added, turning to me.

"no, at least not in this instance. We can go to the Canadian border and still have a good connection."

"Canadian border?" Bella asked.

I nodded "yeah when Harry... I ran. I could still hear the pack in my head. It was maddening because I just wanted some silence..."

"It's a good idea." Edward seemed reluctant to admit this. "I'll feel better with Seth there, even without the instantaneous communication. I don't know if I'd be able to leave Bella there alone. To think it's come to this, though! Trusting werewolves!"

I grimaced "not werewolves. We're nothing like those beast" Rosalie's free hand landed on my ribs right where the scars from the werewolf was. Edward looked ashamed for a moment.

"sorry"

"it's okay. You've never seen one. Before I would have thought they were more like me, but they actually are more humanoid. Than I thought."

"really?" Lucia asked.

"yeah, it's kinda like a mix. Not quite wolf but not quite human. the smell is the worst part... if you thought the pack smelled bad" I shook my head earning a chuckled from the others.