CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
A WHOLE DAMN ARMY

"Okay, everyone, listen up!" Jacob raised his voice to be heard.

Montana's response to Dakota faded from her lips and the casual chatter between the two girls, Quil and Embry quietened. The four of them turned their attention to Jacob, who was leaning an arm against the Volkswagen Rabbit.

"If I'm gonna be the designated driver for tonight, I want to lay down some ground rules whilst you're all still sober."

"Oh, here we go." Embry rolled his eyes. "Don't touch the car, in fact, don't even look at the car–"

Montana elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up. Embry frowned and lightly pushed her shoulder back in response. After recovering from her momentary loss of balance, Montana shoved him back extra hard. He stumbled into Quil, who threw a disgruntled look in their direction and straightened out his jacket.

"First of all," Jacob began, ignoring Embry's words, though he did briefly make a point of glaring at him. "And there will be no arguments over this. Montana gets to call shotgun–"

Embry, Quil and Dakota all let out sounds of protest.

"No–" He held up his hand, silencing them. "–Arguments."

Montana smirked. Dakota pulled a face at her.

"Secondly," Jacob continued. "Any damages done to the car will be paid for in full. Which leads on to thirdly, if you think you're going to throw up on the way back, do not, and I cannot stress this enough, even bother getting in the car."

"But then how will we get home?" Embry questioned.

Jacob shrugged. "Walk," he answered simply. Dakota raised her hand. Jacob sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yes?"

"What if I do that but on the way back Victoria kills me?"

Montana gaped at her. "Oh my god, don't say shit like that–"

"What?! I'm just concerned for my safety!" Dakota defended. "Plus, you would have to live with that guilt for the rest of your life. Do you really want that?"

"Okay, okay, okay, I won't force you to walk home," Jacob assured. "Happy?"

Dakota's lips curved into a satisfactory smile. "Very."

"Any more questions?" Jacob asked exasperatedly.

"Yes," Embry stated. Montana closed her eyes and exhaled. "What–" He pointed at Jacob's shoes. "Are those?"

Jacob looked down, utterly baffled. "Shoes?"

"Dude, they're horrible," Embry grimaced.

"Horribly uncool," Dakota chimed in.

"Did you borrow them off your dad?" Embry asked.

"Yeah–"

"Ah, so that's why they look like they're from the 1950s," Dakota teased.

Montana touched Jacob's arm comfortingly. "Hey, leave him alone. He's giving you a ride to this party out of the kindness of his heart–"

"He's giving you a ride out of the kindness of his heart," Embry pointed out. "And for a little extra..." he raised his eyebrows, exchanging a grin with Dakota, who failed to stifle a laugh.

"Well, you could always walk there," Montana suggested.

"I think that's a great idea," Jacob added, eyes narrowed in Embry's direction.

Embry's mouth clamped shut. "Have I ever told you how much our friendship means to me?"

Jacob simply stared at him, and then shook his head. "Shut up, Embry."

"Hey, I have a question," Quil spoke up.

Jacob titled his head back and groaned. "Oh for the love of God–"

"I just wanted to ask whether we can go yet," Quil said, a little irritably. Montana's eyes drifted over him. Quil impatiently tapped his feet on the ground as he waited for an answer. When he noticed them all watching, he froze. "What? I just don't want to be late."

"You know it's cool to be late, right?" Dakota said.

"He wouldn't know that because he's not cool," Embry quipped back.

Montana glared sternly at him. "Wow, you really are on fire today, aren't you?"

"Thank you."

"I wasn't complimenting you, I was telling you to stop." She directed her gaze subtly towards a dejected looking Quil, hoping Embry would get the hint. Though, Montana was entirely aware that she'd probably need a miracle for that.

"Come on, everyone in," Jacob urged, stopping the seeping awkwardness in its tracks.

Quil moved quickly to open the car door, getting into the left side without a word. The four of them watched after him, looking back at each other with furrowed brows of confusion. They all seemed to dismiss any concern with a shake of the head, and got into the car.

"Can't believe we all have to squeeze into the back whilst Montana sits up front," Embry complained as he climbed in after Dakota. "She's literally the smallest person here."

"Everybody in?" Jacob asked, glancing up into the rear view mirror.

"Embry, move your fat ass," Dakota snapped, trying to push him out the way, presumably so she could click her seat belt in.

"No."

"Embry!"

"Bite me!"

"I literally will–"

"Christ, dude, just move," Quil huffed.

Embry and Dakota stopped bickering and looked over at him. Embry eventually moved further to the side, allowing Dakota to strap herself in.

Quil shifted as far away from them as possible so that he was facing the window. He leaned on his elbow and looked outside.

Montana swiveled around. "Hey, Quil, are you okay?"

"Yeah, what's got your panties in a twist?" Dakota asked, taking a typically less gentle approach that made Montana want to slam her head against the dashboard.

"Nothing," Quil muttered. "I'm fine."

Montana's eyes lingered on him for a second longer, unconvinced by his answer. He had been unusually quiet for the entire day.

"Don't worry, he's just nervous about fucking up in front of Dina," Embry informed.

Quil gave him an icy stare.

"Wait," Dakota's voice cut through the tension. "Quil has a crush on Dina?"

Embry turned his head to look at her in disbelief. "Have you been living under a rock, Dakota?"

"If you weren't too busy staring at Sian, you would have noticed this," Montana added."

"And if Jacob wasn't too busy staring at you we'd be on our way to the party by now," Dakota fired back.

Jacob's cheeks instantly flushed red and he quickly moved to start the car. Dakota and Embry exchanged grins. Montana felt heat rising to her face, and quickly focused her attention outside the window to avoid being teased.

"Hey," Embry spoke up again barely a few minutes into their journey. Montana closed her eyes with anticipatory dread. "Are we gonna see four drink Montana tonight?"

"Probably not," Montana shut down his hopes.

"Dammit."

Dakota turned to Embry with a frighteningly mischievous glint in her eyes. "Embry, I think we should make it out personal mission tonight to uncover four drink Montana."

"Dakota, I think that's the best idea you've ever had," he replied.

"I thought your mission tonight was to get laid?" Montana queried her cousin.

"I've got plenty of time for two missions," Dakota assured her. "I can multitask."

"I wonder what four drink Montana is actually like," Embry pondered. "Is she happy? Sad–"

"Two drink Montana is sad," Jacob reminded.

"True."

"Hey, don't you get involved with this as well," Montana chastised. He glanced over at her with a cheeky grin.

"Maybe four drink Montana is angry," Dakota put forward.

"Or argumentative?" Embry suggested. "Loud? Horny?"

"I am so close to kicking you guys out of the car," Jacob warned them.

Dakota and Embry laughed impishly again. Montana shook her head at their childish antics – something she ended up doing for the entire duration of the journey. Thank god it was only twenty minutes.

When they eventually arrived at the Cullen's house, the graduation party was most definitely in full swing.

A few people loitered outside, mostly surrounded by cigarette smoke. Montana could already hear thumping bass of the music from the distance they were parked at.

Jacob opened her side of the car door and helped her out of the rather low seat. It was a bit of a struggle maintaining her composure in a short dress and heels. Montana had never quite mastered the art of successfully walking in heeled shoes, and tended to stick to wedges so not to accidentally break her ankles.

Before they went inside, Montana took a few moments to actually stop and admire the Cullen's house. It was beautiful. She wasn't entirely sure what she had been expecting, perhaps the stereotypically dark, gothic looking place that's general aura would just ward you away from it. The Cullen's home was nothing like that. In fact it was quiet the opposite; modern and architecturally stunning, open, with huge glass windows to let in the light, rather than shut it out. Montana was amazed.

Dakota led the way indoors, sauntering inside with so much confidence that Montana temporarily forgot they had just entered a home belonging to seven vampires. The boys clearly hadn't forgotten that detail though. Jacob was clutching Montana's hand so tightly that she had to nudge his arm to get him to release his grip a little. He apologised and instead settled for keeping an arm loosely wrapped around her waist. Montana had a feeling he was unlikely to let her out of his sight.

"Ew," Embry stated, his nose scrunching in distaste. "It stinks."

The four of them came to a stop near the bottom of the staircase, gazes drifting around their surroundings for entirely different reasons. Montana, personally, was admiring how pristine everything looked. She'd even spotted a board on the wall full of graduation caps, which, she had to admit, was quite funny for someone who knew the inside joke.

"Can anyone see Dina?" Quil asked, craning his head to get a better look into the lounge, where most of the drunken teenagers were herded together.

"More importantly–" Dakota placed a hand on Quil and Embry's shoulders for balance as she rose onto her tiptoes. "Can anyone see Sian?"

Jacob leaned closer to Montana, lowering his voice to speak by her ear. "We should talk to Bella."

Montana tried her best to ignore the temporary rush of feelings in her body as she felt his breath hot against her neck.

Quil let out an impatient huff. "I can't see her."

"Same."

"Same."

"Maybe Bella's upstairs?" Montana suggested to Jacob, who pulled a face at the thought. "What?"

"I'm not going upstairs," he said.

"Why not?"

"He's scared because it's where they keep their coffins," Dakota responded, eyes remaining elsewhere as she scoured the room.

Montana frowned. "Do they actually sleep in coffins?"

Jacob glanced down at her fondly, a smile tugging at his lips. "Of course not, they don't sleep."

"Oh," Montana said, glancing up at him sheepishly. "I know nothing about vampires."

He chuckled. "Clearly."

"Shit! I see Sian. And Dina!" Dakota grabbed Quil by the arm before he had the chance to protest. "Come on, let's go and get our girls."

"Wait–"

Embry gave Quil a shove in the direction. "Nope, have fun!"

Quil looked back at Montana with pleading eyes, but she merely gave him an encouraging smile, hoping for the best out of the situation.

As Dakota and a hesitant Quil disappeared into the crowd, Embry turned back to face Montana and Jacob with a smirk. "Well, that's them both getting laid tonight. Now, you two..."

"Embry?" Montana began.

"Yeah?"

"Trust me when I say that there have been many times in my life where I've wanted to punch you in the face..."

"Thank you–"

"But none of them have come anywhere near as close as tonight," Montana finished.

"What about that time I copied your homework and you got detention for cheating?"

Montana thought back to it. She had come particularly close to strangling him that day. "That's a close second."

"Damn," Embry muttered. "I must be pissing you off real bad then."

"You think?"

"Quil's talking to the girls," Jacob reported.

Montana and Embry whirled their heads around to take a look. She could barely see past the various different bodies in the way. The boys, both at over six foot in height, did not ever need to worry about that.

"He just kind of...standing there," Embry noted.

"Yeah."

Embry spared a brief glance at Montana and Jacob. "Do you think he's malfunctioning?"

"He tends to do that in the presence of girls," Montana reminded. "So, it's entirely possible."

"Oh no," Embry stated. "He's walking back over. Quick, act natural!"

Montana's eyes drifted past a solemn looking Quil, landing on Dakota, Dina and Sian linking arms in the distance, heading towards, what looked like, a karaoke machine. She'd barely had the time to come up with possible theories of what had happened before Quil reached them, sort of resembling a zombie.

"Dude, you okay?" Embry double checked. "You look kinda brain dead. Did something happen?"

"They're doing karaoke," he replied simply.

"Then join them?" Embry responded, as if it were the most obvious solution in the world.

"I'm not embarrassing myself for a girl's attention."

"Why not?" Embry asked s

"Because, unlike you, I have at least some self respect," Quil shot back.

Montana bit back a grin. "Ooh, burn."

"So, what happened?" Jacob asked curiously. "We saw you kinda just standing there."

"Yeah, I thought there would be more of a show," Embry said disappointedly. "Like, isn't this the first time you've seen her since you shifted?"

"Yes."

"So where was the dramatic reunion, man?"

"Oh, I don't know actually, I think it disappeared when I fucking imprinted on her," Quil snipped back, keeping his voice low.

Embry's mouth fell agape, eyes almost bugging out of his head. "Holy–"

"–Shit," Montana and Jacob finished simultaneously.

"I don't want to talk about it," Quil dismissed, before any of them could ask any questions. Montana had plenty – Quil had just imprinted on one of her newest friends, this was crazy!

Embry patted him on the back. "Sure, man, whatever you want."

Jacob and Montana nodded in agreement.

"I think I'll need a decent forty eight hours to process this," Quil told them.

"Don't worry, man, it took Jacob weeks to come to terms with imprinting on Montana," Embry reassured him.

"That was different," Jacob countered. "We already had an established friendship. I could have ruined everything."

"Not once in the history of imprints has any woman ever rejected the man that imprinted on her," Embry pointed out. "I don't think it's even possible."

"I would be impressed if someone out there had," Montana admitted. Jacob looked at her worriedly. "Not that I would ever want to do that," she quickly recovered.

"You already having doubts?" Embry asked teasingly. "Of course, I don't blame you. Can't imagine having the thought of having to spend the rest of your life with him."

"Better than having to spend it with you," Quil defended Jacob.

"He makes a point," Montana agreed.

"Whoever marries me is going to be a lucky lady," Embry said confidently.

Both Montana and Quil scoffed. "I highly doubt that," she said.

"Guys...I think I see Bella," Jacob stated, capturing the trios attention. He reached for Montana's hand again, leading the way towards the pale brunette, who stood unassumingly near the stairs.

Not wanting either Quil or Embry to escape the awkwardness of whatever situation Bella was going inevitably to place them in, Montana grabbed Embry by the wrist and dragged him along with them, meaning Quil had no other choice but to follow.

Bella was staring aimlessly into the distance until her eyes landed on the four approaching. She straightened up immediately, glancing between them. "Jacob...Montana...what are you guys doing here?"

"You invited us," Jacob reminded plainly.

"Right," Bella nodded. "It's just, well, I didn't expect you guys would come."

"Wow, it's so nice to know your presence is wanted around here," Montana said sarcastically.

"No, no, I didn't mean it like that," Bella quickly tried to save face.

Montana flashed her a reassuring grin. "Relax, I was just joking."

"Seriously, I'm glad you guys are here..." Bella trailed off, her sincerity faltering as her attention landed elsewhere. "I'll be right back."

Montana followed Bella's line of sight to find Alice Cullen stood in the middle of the staircase, eyes distant, not looking entirely present.

She was aware that some of the Cullen's possessed unusual talents. Edward could read minds, and Alice could tell the future. Montana wasn't entirely sure what that entailed, but if she were to make an educated guess, it seemed as if Alice was having one of her visions.

They followed closely after Bella, crowding round the bottom of the steps as she asked, "Alice, what did you see?"

Alice's golden eyes slowly focused over them. "The decision's been made."

Bella frowned. "They're not going to Seattle?"

"No," Alice shook her head, voice filling with dread. "They're coming here."

–

Ten minutes later, Montana, Jacob, Embry and Quil were stood in the back room amongst the Cullens and Bella. It was the first time Montana had actually been in the presence of the entire family, and, she had to say, the rumours of their beauty did not lie.

She felt more than a little uncomfortable being in a room full of people that could kill her at any given second, but Carlisle and Esme's warm smiles had been reassuring, and Montana, for some unexplained reason, was feeling an odd sense of serenity that she wasn't entirely sure was the right mood considering the situation at hand, but she went with it anyway.

Jacob wasn't happy that she was there, but Montana had threatened to kick up such a fuss that he had no choice but to give in. He wanted her to be aware of what was happening, and he certainly didn't want to let her out of his sight, but he didn't wish for her to be trapped in a room with the entire Cullen clan. It was a lose, lose situation, and, in the end, he thought it best to keep her close.

They were stood in a nice little spacious hide out from the rest of the party, able to talk freely without being overheard. Montana kept catching herself admiring the Cullen's home, including when she should have been listening more carefully, but she couldn't help getting distracted, especially when they were talking about things she didn't fully understand. Plus, the Cullen's house was absolutely stunning, how could she not be admiring it?

"How long?" Edward questioned, breaking the grim silence that had weighed down the room.

Music continued thumping in the background, the party continuing on without a care, an entirely different world than the one Montana was currently living in.

"They'll be here in four days," Alice informed.

Carlisle maintained an aura of calmness, but his furrowed eyebrows gave away a hint of concern. "This could turn into a blood bath."

Edward sat up straighter, the muscles in his shoulders tensing. It was the first time Montana had actually seen the man himself, and she wasn't entirely sure what all the hype was about. He looked pretty, well, average.

Shit, would he be able to hear her think that?!

If he did, Edward gave nothing away, and addressed his sister instead. "Who's behind it?"

"I didn't see anyone I recognize..." Alice trailed, looking back at him. "Maybe one..."

Edward met her eyes, recognition dawning on his expression. How could Montana forget he could read minds? She really needed to control her thoughts better around these people.

"I know his face. He's local, Riley Biers." Edward shook his head. "He didn't start this."

"Whoever did is staying out of the action," Alice noted.

"They must be playing with the blind spots in your vision," Carlisle said.

"Either way, the army is coming and there aren't enough of us to protect the town," Jasper spoke up.

Montana felt her pulse spike at the thought of an army descending on Forks. And what kind of army? An army of vampires? What the fuck?!

"Hold up," Jacob interrupted, clearly on the same train of thought. "What damn army?"

"Newborns," Carlisle answered. "Our kind."

"What are they after?" Embry questioned.

"They were passing around Bella's scent," Alice replied, worried gaze shifting towards the brunette in question. "A red blouse."

"They're after Bella?" Montana's voice came out a little higher than she'd intended it to. All of a sudden, she felt that odd feeling of reassurance wash over her again, and her racing pulse began to settle.

"What the hell does this mean?" Jacob demanded.

Carlisle did not mince his words. "It means an ugly fight, with lives lost."

Montana swallowed thickly. She knew exactly what was coming next.

After a moment of weighing up the options, Jacob turned his head, catching Montana's eyes. He titled his head slightly, and she knew he was asking for either some sort of permission, or reassurance. It wasn't up to her, she wasn't going to be the one fighting an entire army of vampires. But she was part of a town he had sworn to protect, and if they didn't defeat the newborns, then what kind of havoc could happen?

Montana pressed her lips together tightly and gave him a look that conveyed enough for him to understand. Jacob's stare shifted past her to Embry and Quil, who both nodded in support.

"Alright," Jacob said. "We're in."

"No," Bella instantly protested. "You'll get yourselves killed, no way."

"I wasn't asking for permission," Jacob bit back.

"Edward," Bella attempted, but it fell short when he shook his head at her dismissively.

"It means more protection for you," Jacob argued.

"Jacob–"

"Bella," Montana addressed. "No offence to anyone in this room, but I doubt that seven vampires can hold off an entire army. You need the pack. Have faith in them."

Carlisle met her eyes from across the room. "Montana's right." She fought back a small smile at the thought of being acknowledged like that by a literal vampire. Cool. Carlisle's gaze drifted towards Jacob. "Do you believe Sam will agree to an understanding?"

"As long as we get to kill some vampires."

Ah, Jacob. Always finding a time to be petty. She really did love him.

The corner of Edward's mouth twitched.

"Jasper?" Carlisle prompted the wavy haired man, who was stood seeming lost in thought.

"They'll give us the numbers," Jasper decided. "And the newborns won't know they even exist. That'll give us an edge."

Carlisle nodded. "We'll need to coordinate."

"Carlisle!" Bella exclaimed, still agitated. "They're gonna get hurt."

"We'll all need some training," Carlisle continued, addressing the boys instead. "Fighting newborns requires knowledge that Jasper has. You're welcome to join us."

"Alright," Jacob said. "Name the time and place."

"Jake," Bella interjected. "You don't know what you're getting yourself in to." She looked helplessly towards Montana. "Surely, you won't let them do this?"

"I don't want it either," Montana levelled with her. "But there isn't another choice. You have to let them help."

"This is what we do," Jacob reminded Bella. "You should be happy. Look at us, working together. You're the one who wanted us to get along, remember?"

Jacob's words hung sour in the air, and eventually, Bella had no choice but to give in. As strangely reassured as Montana felt, given the situation, dread still began to fester in the pit of her stomach. A room full of vampires was scary enough, but an army? Montana just hoped they'd all live to tell the tale.

A/N

It's going downnn.

Embry being the captain of every ship, such a mood.