Chapter Three

Alice

Poor Bella looked like a condemned man as she walked in. They made a beautiful couple but I knew it wasn't to be, Edward wasn't her type anyway but I thought he might be due for a rude awakening, my little brother was beginning to show a little too much interest in Miss Swan! We sat together and both Nick and Bella were good conversationalists once over their initial shyness. Edward coaxed her to dance a couple of times, a little closer the second time and he smiled, something Edward rarely did. Nick was a good dancer and I knew by next weekend he'd have a steady girlfriend so I'd done my bit. All he'd needed was a push in the right direction. My next task however might be a little more tricky. By the end of the evening Edward was more than a little smitten by the intelligent and well read girl Bella turned out to be.

Bella

I enjoyed the evening and the company although I liked Nick better than Edward who tried to monopolize my attention. He was intelligent and well read but he wasn't warm or finny, two things I liked in a guy. He drove me home and got the car door walking me to the door then turned and lowered his head to kiss me, so I turned my cheek to him. I wasn't into kissing on a first date, especially one I wasn't that keen on.

"Thank you for a lovely evening Bella. Perhaps we cam do it again sometime"

"Next dance maybe. I have to go Edward I'm really tired. Thank you"

I slipped inside leaving him on the doorstep, definitely not my type.

Alice

I waited for Edward to come home grinning at his crest fallen expression

"So you didn't exactly whisk her off her feet Edward."

"Thanks for that insight Alice, do you have any more?"

"She's not for you Edward"

"Oh why?"

"Because you aren't her type. I'd have thought that was obvious"

"To you maybe but not to me and I'll get another chance at Christmas."

I smiled at him,

"Not a chance."

"Don't be so sure. I can turn the charm on"

"Yes but not her type of charm. Give up Edward I've seen..."

"What?"

"Oh no, you get to watch and learn along with everyone else. My thoughts are my own"

I could keep my dear brother out of my head as could all of us when we wanted to, a fact that really annoyed him!

Things were getting a little more complicated but there was no change in what I'd seen. I was looking forward to Christmas this year even more than usual. Esme and I went to do the Christmas shopping a few days earlier than usual with a two night stay in the city so we could take in a show.

"Christmas dinner is going to be a little awkward Alice"

"We can eat just for a couple of days, it wont kill us"

"No but you know how Emmett gets"

"He'll behave, I'll speak to him tonight. Now what about presents?"

"Carlisle wants a new watch, goodness knows why he's got hundreds but he likes the new ones, says the style reminds him of the first watches. Emmett's easy, the latest video game, Rosalie will love one of those silk scarves we saw and I found a first edition history book on the net for Jasper."

"What about me?"

"I'm not deciding on your present Alice so you'll just have to wait and see. As for Edward...he's such a problem to buy for."

"Not this year, I found some antique sheet music he'll love. Now there's just Bella"

"It's a little difficult because I don't want her worrying we've spent too much on her but I'd like to get her something nice. Any ideas?"

"I thought a pair of boots might be nice, hers are worn out. Nothing too expensive but good quality."

"Do you think she'll mind?"

"Maybe but I can see her needing them in the not so distant future"

"What do you see?"

"Oh no, no telling."

Bella

As Christmas Eve drew closer I began to panic, I didn't know most of the Cullens who would be there, I didn't know if they had any social rituals like dressing the tree at the stroke of midnight or leaving brandy and caviare for Santa, it was making me hyperventilate then Jake arrived unannounced just as Charlie left for work.

"Bells will make you a drink, she hasn't got any plans this evening"

Thanks dad I thought going through to the kitchen and putting the kettle on,

"Coffee OK?"

He nodded but I noticed he wasn't wearing his usual sunny smile.

"You OK Jake?"

"No"

"What's wrong? Can I help?"

"Yes you can. Don't go to the Cullens house for Christmas"

Why? Alice is my friend and it beats being here on my own"

I changed my mind when Jake started, sue me!

"You can come to the Res for Christmas, we asked first"

"What?"

"You should come to the Res, its safer."

"I'm missing something Jake, are you telling me there's a Psychopathic Santa going to attack me if I go to the Cullens for Christmas?"

"I wish"

I shook my head, he was talking in riddles so I made his coffee and put it on the table in front of him.

"Lets start again, Hi Jake"

"Don't go Bella, its dangerous"

"You already said that, care to elaborate?"

"Not really, but it's not safe for you at the Cullens. They're bad news Bella"

"I'll remember to look under my bed for monsters"

He threw his head back and laughed.

"You wont need to go looking for them"

"Jake, make sense or shut up."

"Bella, remember when we were little and my dad used to tell us stories, legends of the tribe?"

I thought about that,

"Oh yes, the wolf men protecting the tribe from the monsters. Just a minute...the...cold ones. Yeah I remember. Why?"

"Sometimes legends have roots in fact."

"What?"

"Legends aren't always just stories."

"You mean the Cullens turn into wolves? No wait that was the tribesmen... they must turn into the monsters then. Jake you've been smoking wacky baccy or something"

"I've never been more serious Bells, the Cullens are dangerous. You should stay away."

"If they are so dangerous why haven't you told Charlie? I take it no one has?"

"He wouldn't believe us."

"And I will, because?"

"Your safety, even your life, may depend on believing me."

"I tell you what, I'll take my cell phone and if I see any monsters I'll call you."

"You wont know until it's too late Bells."

"I don't believe I'm hearing this crap from you."

"Then come with me and listen to Harry and Billy."

"What? You've roped them in to this conspiracy?"

"No, they knew before me."

"OK I'll call your bluff, let's go"

I picked up my purse and keys.

"Ready?"

To my surprise Jake nodded,

"We'll take the truck but I'll drive if you like"

"How did you get here?"

"I ran"

"Yeah sure Jake, in wolf form I assume?"

"Make fun if you like"

He sounded so serious it made me nervous but he didn't speak again as I drove to the Res and pulled up outside Billy's."

"Right I'm calling your bluff Jake, you got me here so game over"

He turned an anxious face to me,

"No bluff Bells come on"

He almost dragged me out of the cab and into the cabin he and Billy called home.

"Jake this is ridiculous"

He pulled on my sleeve almost ripping it as I was hauled in to find Billy and Harry sitting in the kitchen drinking beer, Harry looked up,

"So she didn't believe you?"

Jake shook his head while I stared at the two men, they were all crazy!

"Sit down Bella and have a soda"

Jake handed me a can as I sat opposite them and I pulled the tab taking a sip to give myself thinking time. Was this some kind of hoax? A sick joke? Were they jealous I wasn't spending Christmas with them?

"OK I'm listening. Tell me more about the scary monsters at the Cullens"

"Don't make light of such things Bella Swan. We didn't want to have to tell you the truth but you are about to put yourself in grave danger and because of the love we have for Charlie, we are breaking with tradition and telling an outsider the truth."

Truth seemed to have a capital T when Harry said it.