(A/N: Hey guys, so so sorry for the hiatus, but I'm back :) I'm also working on a flashback chapter as well, though I'm not sure if anyone even noticed the hint-dropping ;) and yes this is a short chapter, I just wanted to give you guys something while I'm busy being a stupid perfectionist :P
anyway enjoy, and don't forget to R&R :)

DISCLAIMER: All of Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer, not me. I just mess with the characters :)

UPDATE 27/05/2014: I did not have a Beta for these two chapters until now - I couldn't wait to share them with you - so thanks Ben for your help spotting the things I didn't :3 I also took the names off the chapters.. I don't think they are necessary... do you?

CHAPTER FOUR

Cullen walks towards me slowly, taking it all in.

The clearing, strewn with cigarette butts, butchered foliage, broken and mangled tree trunks.

A silver flask glinting in the dim light of the moon.

Me - in my giant wolf form, covered in dirt and wood - down on my haunches in the middle of it all.
Ears flattened, fur raised, muscles poised, eyes following his every movement as instinct screams through me.

Enemy. Kill.

He stops at the edge of the clearing, hands in the pockets of his dark grey chinos.

Chinos. I forgot he even dresses like an old coot.

He's even wearing a beige sweater vest. And a white dress shirt with dress shoes.

Mentally laughing at how stupid he looks, especially in the forest, I calm a bit.

"Glad I could do something to lighten your mood," Edward says coolly, and I sour again, as there is nothing I can do to keep this bloodsucker out of my mind.

"It looks like you have been doing a bit of redecorating while we were away," He continues conversationally, taking a hand out of his pocket to gesture at the mess around me.

Our eyes meet, and I know he isn't just talking about clearing.

I snort, then open my mouth and attempt to remove the splinters lodged in my gums with my paw.

He looks around again, eyeing Dad's flask.

Edward nods, then puts his hand back in his pocket and looks down at the ground for a long time.

So, Bella off with a bestie tonight, leech? Decided to go for a walk, or to come and see me? I'm sure you've been lonely the past couple of hundred years, but pal, I don't swing that way, so -

"Enough. You know exactly where I was. With Bella."

Busted.

"Indeed. A good idea, I must say. I could not hear your mind." He smiles slightly.

"However, you did all but send me a beacon with the smoke from that fire."

I mentally kick myself. Jake, you moron.

Ah. That's how you clocked me, huh?

"That is how." Cullen eyed the flask again. "How are you doing, Jacob?"

Great. Super. Super fantastic even. Why do you care?

"Your actions seem to say differently. You are out here, alone at night, drinking, watching Bella, and attacking the foliage. "

Damn right I am. She's mine, and I have to protect her from you. The forest was.. collateral damage.

"I see."

Look, my actions are none of your damn concern, leech. Got a problem, leave.

I look up, and Edward just stares, as if assessing me and the situation.

Hang on...

You knew I was listening. That's why you started getting all hot and heavy...

The fur at the nape of my neck bristles and I snarl, baring my teeth and dig my claws into the dirt.

Edward smiles and shrugs in admission.

You bastard... I'm going to tear you limb from limb and-

"Forgive me. That was childish."

All good, buddy. Come over here and we'll kiss and make up.

"I'm not here to fight, Jacob Black" He says finally, "But it has come to my attention - quite imperatively – that we need to talk."

I snigger.

Didn't like my welcome home gift?

A flash of anger crosses Cullen's face.

"Your… gift was unfortunate, and left Esme quite hurt and upset." He pauses, then steps into the clearing and looks me dead in the eye.

"But not what I am here to discuss. It's Bella." He explains, and it's not until now that I notice how tense the vampire is.
He's keeping his face in check, but his jaw is clenched, and every word he speaks is clear and concise, devoid of any emotion.

Something is very wrong.

Edward crosses the wood and leaf carnage and gingerly sits down next to me.

"After the crisis in Volterra was averted, Alice and I took Bella straight to the nearest airport, and took our leave of Italy the next flight out.

"While in the air, Bella refused to sleep. She seemed to believe everything that had happened was a dream, and to sleep was to wake up.

"Alice cannot watch all things at once, you see. She is not omnipresent; she must focus on places or people. Needless to say that up to this point, she had been totally focused on myself and Bella. When that ordeal was over, she began to catch up on everything she has missed.

"After the crossover in Atlanta, Alice had a vision of your… gift, through the eyes of humans. She could not understand why she could not see the perpetrator or why she did not have a vision before it passed…" He pauses.

"Well, there has only been one being that has confused or blanked out the future for my sister, and that was you. Or rather, the Quileute werewolf pack."

Oh come on. What I did had no effect on Bella's –

Edward is suddenly in front of me, hands out of his pockets in clenched fists, face contorted in rage.

I yelp in surprise and backpedal out of his reach, angry at myself for letting my guard down around the bloodsucker.

"I am not here to talk about what immature, spiteful things you have done to hurt me and my family!" He seethed, "I am here because Bella is in danger, and I believe you are the reason why!"

WHAT?! How dare you-

"There is a dire tantamount reason I have explained the past lapse in Alice's visions," He seethed, crouched low to the ground, as about to attack.

"Because, en route to Washington, when Alice finally did focus again on Bella's future…"

He paused, and began shaking considerably.

"She could not find it." Cullen spat out, his voice now choked with emotion.

"In about six months…

Bella's life disappears."

(A/N: Dun dun dun :P will post more regularly now, i promise. by the way, what do YOU think this 'gift' is that Edward and Jacob keep talking about? Hmm... peace out :)