Chapter 4: Protectors

Bella POV


"So, do you want to start or should I go first?" Jared asked me with a smile, not shaking at all.

By now, I was figuring that meant something wolfy, and probably dangerous, based on his reaction to Jake. Jake! How could I forget about that?!

"Oh no, Jake! Jared, is Jake gonna … is that why he was shaking like you do?" I asked desperately but deep inside, I was almost sure of the answer.

"Oh Bella," he sighed, "Yes. Well, he hadn't phased before today, but I think his anger may have triggered it. I'm so sorry about that, because I know you two are really good friends." He answered without looking at me.

"Will he be OK? I mean, I know what you are and I know I feel safe with you. But, I've only ever seen you in this form and I have no idea how any of that works. Will he be dangerous? Are others safe while either of you … um… change?" I asked since I was so worried, only to have him laugh at me.

"She's in hospital bed, girlfriend of a vampire of all things, and worried about her werewolf friend and newfound brother." I heard him rambling to himself, between his laughter.

This caused me to shoot daggers at him, even if he wasn't looking at me. When he finally noticed the look on my face, he started laughing again, even louder. He managed to further piss me off when I heard him say, "Better avoid bringing out the Angry Kitten again right now." If I didn't think I'd only hurt myself, I would had have clonked him over the head.

"Bella," he breathed out while trying to calm himself. I couldn't understand why he found my concerns so funny. "When we change, it's only dangerous for a human if they are standing too close. We are still ourselves after we change; just in wolf form. We remain completely in our right minds. We are known as The Protectors of our tribe. We don't hurt people, we protect them." He explained, and I breathed a sigh of relief and managed to smile back, relieved that no one would be in danger.

He went on, "Jake will be fine, it just takes some getting used to, at first. That's for sure. It's sort of hard in the beginning, trying to learn how to change back, but Sam will take good care of him."

"WOW!" I exclaimed, but felt like I need to know more. "So who is Sam, is that who took him out of here? If he is gonna take care of Jake, I guess that means he's one too. How many of you are there?" I asked, fascinated.

"Counting Jake now, that brings the pack up to 5." He answered and I was floored, but he continued. "Sam was the first of us to change, so he's our Alpha. He endured it all alone for almost a year, too scared to mention anything to anyone. He never imagined anyone in our tribe would believe him anyway. Second, came Paul and I was third. After me, came Embry and now Jake."

"I know I already said this but, WOW!" I said, making us both laugh. "You said you're The Protectors, which is entirely too cool for words, but what do you protect people from? This is Forks after all, not much happens here". But as I said the words, I burst into a full-on laugh attack and corrected myself.

"Oh, who am I kidding? Forks has Werewolves and Vampires; what else have I been missing out on?" I asked not really thinking there could be any more. Unfortunately, his smile dropped and I realized there must be more.

"Bella we exist, solely, because of and to protect humans from vampires." He answered me softly.

"What?" I asked, his words having sobered me quickly. Scared of the answer, I had to ask. "But how, they are too strong, incredibly fast and basically indestructible?"

I could already tell that I probably didn't want to hear the answer to that. Were these two species enemies? If so, how bad was it? – I wondered.

"We exist, because they do. It's a long story, and you'll probably learn it all one day. Ultimately, we are just as strong. We're also fast, if not faster in wolf form, than they are." He said, and paused for me, obviously seeing that I needed to let all that sink in.

"We can and we have destroyed their kind before." He whispered, and had I not been so close to him, I may not have heard him at all.

"Y- You…" I tried to breathe, I did. "You can kill a vampire?" I wasn't sure I could really wrap my head around this... but I knew that I had to try to force myself to breathe. I could not afford to pass out again, not at a time like this. "You're actually telling me that you can actually kill a vampire?" I asked with a nervous edge of fear.

"Yes, Bella, it's what we are here for. We protect our Tribe, our land, and its people from harm. And what's more harmful than vampires?" He stated calmly as if he were informing me the sky was blue, but he wasn't done.

"We're taught that as the world's magic forms a species, the balance must be kept. For any creature or being, there must be one that can defeat it. We like to think of it as the Checks and Balances, of the supernatural World. No creature can ever truly be immortal." He said, and while it seemed to make complete sense, part of me wanted to go on believing that Ed- that he couldn't ever be hurt, and much less killed. This new knowledge was earthshattering to me and it completely terrified me and broke my heart, all at once.

"Does that bother you?" Jared asked me, while I was still trying to process everything he'd just told me.

"Of course!" I shrieked, automatically.

This means the wolves could go after them, and hurt them! I needed to warn them, but how could I get to them? Think Bella! - I urged myself. I had no idea where they could be headed. This breakup couldn't have come at a worse time. Jared was looking at me like I'd grown a second head. I just couldn't stand the possibility of them being hunted or killed... especially by brother, my friend and the wolves. I felt on the verge of a panic attack.

"WHY? Why does it bother you so much?" He demanded, and starting to shake. How could he ask me that... didn't he know? Sure, James had been pure evil at its worst, but …

"Not all of them are evil, Jared. They, um, some of them are…" I trailed off not really sure how to explain.

Granted, Jasp - or that one tried to eat me and then he broke my heart, and told me they all left me, but that didn't make them evil. Then, my thoughts brought something to light, which distracted me from what I was trying to explain. That realization kicked my brain into almost overdrive.

Edward left because Jasper almost attacked me… not for the stupid reasoning about Carlisle's job… and not because he didn't want me… not because I don't belong in his world… and not because he didn't love me.

First, I was stunned that I could think all their names again without pain. Secondly, I was overwhelmed by how true this concept was. Edward always told me he would do anything to keep me safe. What should I really believe? The many times he'd saved me, said and showed me he loved me, just as they'd all gained my trust... or him and them leaving… coincidentally, the very next day after the birthday fiasco?

"Some of them are…?" My brother asked, urging me to finish what I was saying before my little epiphany.

"Wonderful." I confidently answered. "The Cullens are kind, generous, intelligent, strong, brave, and loving… they are wonderful, Jared."

"Wow sis, were you brain washed? Granted, we don't attack them because of the treaty, but a leech is a leech. You shouldn't be around them, much less be dating one of them." He said pretty accusatorily, but with less shaking.

"Jared, if you haven't learned this about me yet, you will soon." I told him. Then, I looked deep into his eyes. I wanted him to understand the truth behind my next words.

"You might be a Protector, Jared, but I am as fiercely protective of those I love, just as well." I waited until he nodded at me to go on because I wasn't done, and he knew it.

"Charlie, my mother Rene and her husband Phil, along with my closest friends, including Jake – and now, you – all fall into the category of people I love and will protect in any and every way that I can. But Jared, please understand and accept that The Cullens, every last one of them, is also in that category for me." I stated as firmly as I could, and I sure he could tell my patience was running pretty thin.

"Do you understand me, Jared?" I asked him, knowing I couldn't have been any clearer on the matter. Before he had the chance to answer, I continued, "I love Carlisle, Esme, Emmett and Alice of course, even Rosalie and Jasper too. They are family to me. That said, I'll also add for your benefit, that I will never love anyone as I will always and profoundly love Edward Cullen. Them leaving, doesn't change anything in heart." My heart pounded heavily with the truth of my words.

"They left?" He asked confused, and at that, I deflated.

"If they're so wonderful, why did they leave you?" he asked me and I knew I'd have to explain what happened, along with my recent epiphany. This might not end well, knowing how protective he already was of me.

I looked at my new brother's face and could see no hint of judgment at the moment, only concern for me. My heart swelled because of that and I held his hand to answer him.

"If you loved someone, but it was dangerous for them to be around you… would you keep them around you anyway?" I figured I'd have to let him in on my little epiphany. Maybe hearing it spoken, I might get a sense of whether I was right or if I whishing against hope.

"Jared, I'm not entirely sure, but I'm starting to think he may have been scared for my safety." I looked up into his eyes and asked, "Would you sacrifice your feelings, to keep someone that you love, safe?" I asked in a small voice. This was, after all, just a theory and I was hoping his answer would help me feel better.

"Absolutely." He said reassuringly and smiled, making my heart soared.

He went on, "About a year ago, soon after my mom died, you moved Forks. I finally worked up the nerve to try and become a part of your life. Unfortunately, I soon phased for the first time. After that, my apprehensions magnified into actual fear. Instead of worrying about whether you and Charlie could accept me or not ... I also had to deal with the fear of what might happen to either of you, if you were brought into this world. So, I stayed away, as much as it hurt to be alone." He said softly.

With his confession, I realized a bit more of just how good my brother truly was. He looked out for me, before I even knew of him. This was just another side of him I got to learn about. My brother was definitely A Protector, and sacrificially protective of me and Charlie, as well. My heart swelled with love and appreciation.

Then he added, "I guess you were meant for this world one way or another. I was so stupid, Bella. I've hurt so much being alone and I missed out on knowing you and letting you know me, for so long."

"We'll make it right Jared. We will." I told him, trying to fight back the tears forming in my eyes. "I'm also grateful for your protection and sacrifice you were making for me all along, even if I didn't know you yet. I love you, all the more for it." I hugged and tried to comfort him, as best I could.

"We'll tell Charlie and I know we'll all make this work. I just know it. We're family and you won't be alone again." I stated firmly. I know Charlie and I'm sure that after the shock, he wouldn't or couldn't turn Jared away.

Just then, I knock came from the door. We looked up to see Charlie himself opening and walking in. He was putting down some bags on the chair by the door and hadn't really looked our way yet. When he did, he immediately went from calm to panic and approached me.

"What's wrong sweetie, why are you crying? Are you in any pain or something?" He asked me, then looked to Jared and asked him. "Did something happen to her while I went home to get her things?" He was almost frantic.

I almost laughed at the comical deer-in-headlights look on Jared's face. As it were, a small giggle did escape me before I could hold it in, and they both turned to me. I tried to think of something to say, but at that moment, they shared the same 'what's-so-funny' look. I was able to really notice the actual resemblance between them, for the first time. Regardless of Jared's tanned skin and Charlie's mustache, there was a resemblance. My laughter calmed out into a peaceful smile as I looked between the two men before me.

I took one of their hands in each mine and said to my dad, "I'm OK Dad but…" I looked to Jared silently asking if I should proceed. He unfroze, sighed and then nodded, so I continued. "But Dad, we have some important things to talk about."

Charlie looked beyond confused and maybe a bit apprehensive when he saw my hand holding onto Jared's tightly. He kept his Daddy-means-business-and-I-can-take-it face on.

"Ok Bells, shoot." Dad said as he kept looking from me to Jared, then to all of our joined hands and back to me again.

It didn't seem as though Jared could form words yet, but he nodded mostly to himself. Finally, he seemed to snap out of whatever his mind was wrapped up in. Jared looked at me as if asking if he should do this. I smiled with encouragement and nodded, then we both turned our gazes to Charlie.

"Did you know that Nevalyn Inak was my mother?" Jared asked my dad, and I saw him freeze at Jared's words.

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Charlie POV

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I momentarily startled at the name I hadn't heard in years, but I didn't know what to make of that question. Just as these two, looking at each other cryptically and this whole Bella-lost-in-the-forest thing… I suddenly felt so tired.

Naturally, I assumed because of his last name that they may have some sort of relation between them, but I hadn't really thought of Nevalyn in so long. At least, not until I heard of her passing, and not since then. What in the world could she have to do with whatever these two were cooking up?

"Well Jared," I looked at him still trying to understand and answered him, "I, um… never really thought about it. I guess I figured there might be a possible relation because of your last name, but I never really gave it much thought." I answered truthfully and added, "I did hear of her passing away, and I'm sorry for your loss."

Jared didn't say anything at first but nodded his head solemnly. He looked like this talk was started to take its toll on his emotions, then Bella jumped in.

"Dad, the reason we're bringing up Jared's mom is because she confessed something to him, before she died." She said so slowly as if talking to a child. I couldn't tell why, but I was beginning to get uncomfortable with where this was going.

"Um, well I don't know what any of this has to do with us. Nev's private affairs and what she told her son is between them, Bells." I told her trying to end this awkward conversation.

There were just certain things these kids didn't really need to know about. I had a happy marriage with Renee, while it lasted. I believe Nev's husband was good to her before he died all those years ago, too. I couldn't understand why, but I started to feel a clammy, so I tried pulling my hand back from where Bella held all our hands together. She didn't let me, she just held on tighter and kept talking.

"Dad, I can see you're starting to get uncomfortable and although I can imagine a couple of reasons why that would be, we need to get certain things out." She said.

"Chief, my mother confessed to me before her death, about my dad. He died when I was 8, and although he was good from what I remember of him, Mom told me he wasn't my biological father." Jared spoke so low for the first time since this all started.

He wasn't looking at me when he spoke, he was looking at where Bella held our hands. Inexplicably, some sort of instinctual reaction caused me to pull my hand out of the bunch as memories flooded my mind.

Nev and I were high school sweethearts, but it didn't last after graduation. Soon after, I met and fell in love with Renee. I do remember, sometime after I was already with Ren, Nev came to me, needing to talk. I remember her telling me about the new guy she had started seeing, and I told her how great things were going with Renee in our new marriage. I had thought she only wanted me to know she had moved on with her fiancé, and never thought of that day again. Did she have more to tell me then? I remember hearing she married soon after that, and never hearing much from them again. Could this boy … be … oh my god … is he trying to tell me … could he be mine?... my son? – My head felt like it was spinning.

I stared at Jared, seeing his face as if for the first time. I searched it for any form of recognition. I looked terrified but hopeful. I kept looking at him and felt something trying to click, but I was so overwhelmed. Then, he sadly looked down, appearing deflated... probably at my lack of response. I felt so lost and switched my gaze over to Bella.

She wore the same expression Jared had only moments before... and what's more, the recognition I was looking for on his face, it finally clicked as I stared into Bella's brown eyes. My eyes – They both have my eyes - I gasped.

"I have a son?" I asked myself, not realizing I'd spoken out loud until I heard my choked up, dry voice.

I was now staring at him, but he hadn't raised his head yet from where only his and Bella's hands held on tightly to each other.

"Yes." they both whispered. When his eyes finally looked up at mine, I knew the truth.