"I'm telling you Sam, I smelt it. Do you think I'm losing it or something?"

"No. Of course not. But don't you think..." Sam glances sidelong in my direction. "You are a little...over protective in this case?"

Jacob growls at Sam, and I can't help but step back. The last thing I want is to be in the middle of a fight between two massive wolves...Emily's scarred face bursts unbidden into my mind.

Sam sighs. "Ok, Jake, I'll give. Paul and Jared can go and check it out."

"Paul?!" Jacob's voice jumps up and octave. "Moron extraordinaire?"

"Jacob."

"C'mon, Sam. Embry, Quil and I can check it out."

"No."

"Why not?"

Sam takes a deep breath, like he is preparing to explain something to a child. "Because you are too closely involved, which means so are Embry and Quil. We need someone impartial."

I place my hand on Jacob's arm, nervous at the shiver of skin I can feel, but sure in this case Sam is actually right.

Jacob's eyes flicker to mine, anger and love fighting for dominance. "Fine." The muscles under my hands cease flex, but the skin ceases its movement.

I release the breath I hadn't even realized I was holding.

"Now." He spits at Sam, before grabbing my hand and stalking away. As usual, my exit is less than graceful, I trip over everything.

* * * * *

I sneak glances at Jacob every few minutes, but he remains unchanged; completely still, his arms crossed over his bare chest, frowning at some far away thought, but listening closely for any sound. I could see how he would be frightening to some people, huge as he is, but to me....he was just the sun, albeit currently behind a cloud.

Jacob shifts abruptly, and I hear the faint sound of a wolf's cry. Jacob streaks out the door, tugging his pants off as he goes, leaving me open mouthed; on the verge of wondering what it might be they have to say.

Forty five minutes later he returns, his shaggy hair bedraggled and sopping from the rain that has just begun to bucket down.

His face could rival the clouds for darkness.

"What?"

"They found it. Paul recognized the scent. Not a Cullen, "my chest twisted, although he didn't notice, "but someone who was here last summer."

A shiver slipped down my spine. It couldn't be James; he'd taken care of that. So, Victoria then? Laurent had gone to Denali, unwilling to join the game of 'hunt Bella', so not him, surely. But in my room? Why?

"They seem to think whoever it was is...hunting."

Again? I gulp audibly.

"You're not going home. Not until we've caught the leech."

"What about Charlie?" Déjà vu sweeps over me. Like the last time, my Dad was in the crosshairs...

"Quil's on that. He's keeping an eye on him. The rest of us will be following the trail." Jacob's mouth quirks up at the corners. "Quil's not impressed."

"I'm sure." I say dryly. "Who would want to miss out on a piece of the action?"

"Exactly." He nods, allowing my sarcasm to drift right over his head. "Now, stay here, you can have my bed. Call Charlie; let him know you won't be coming home. It's time for the fun to begin."

He steps towards the door, then spins around crossing to me in two massive steps. My tiny frame is crushed against his hot skin, my hands span the muscles of his chest, and he blinds me with a passionate kiss, all tongue and mouth.

He laughs at me when he breaks away. I am doubled over, hands on my knees, trying to recapture my ability to breathe.

"That good, huh?"

"Psh. Go and do your job." I pant, glaring up at him, then grin, hopefully it comes off as mischievously as I plan. "Next time I don't want an interruption."

Fire flares in his black eyes. He takes one step towards me, but I wave him away. "Go, Jake. I'll be here when you get back."

He runs. I like to believe my attraction is so much it's the only way he can leave.

* * * * *

Four hours later and still no sign of Jacob. I know I worry too much, but still...werewolves just can't be strong enough, despite all their stories, and what if something has happened to my Jacob, my sun? I think it would kill me, I truly do. I give him another hour before I decide to take matters into my own hands, conveniently ignoring his request that I stay right where I am.

It doesn't take me long before I am completely lost in the never ending green of the trees, calling quietly for Jacob.

The echoing silence is painful, and depressing. I keep walking and see the same particular tree I have seen ten times already. I only know it's the same one from the faint carvings scratched into it years ago, now covered slightly in a green shadow.

As the light grows fainter and fainter, I become more frightened, call for Jacob a little louder.

Still, the silence crushes in around me, tightening my lungs, again opening the now smaller hole in my chest.

A faint crunching sound behind me has me whipping around in relief. Finally, it seems, he has found me.

A figure emerges from the trees, not Jacob, but still familiar, my relief remains, even as it is colored by surprise.

"Laurent!" This is a...shock."

The figure freezes, in a way that only a vampire can, completely still, like a statue.

"Bella."

There is no question in the way he says my name, no surprise. Only a faint underlying...something. I can't pin down exactly what it is.

"I thought you were in Denali."

"I was." The strange inflection remains in his tone.

"Then, why..."

"Victoria." He states at the same time I notice the crimson gleam of his eyes through the dim light. I gulp audibly.

"Victoria, huh?" I choke out.

He raises one eyebrow, a corner of his lip twitching.

"Come now, Bella. Surely you knew. Your friends have been doing an astonishing job of keeping you safe."

Leah's words from the other night make sense, although I wonder whether they were as aware as Laurent seemed to think.

"But not now." He steps forward slowly, at the same time I retreat, predictably tripping over a raised tree root.

I fall, landing on my backside on the ground.
"Oh, they're around." I try for bravado, giving myself away by peering hopefully through the trees.

"I'm sure." He steps closer, deliberately and slowly, drawing out my fear.

I whimper, I can't help it. I'm terrified, and I can't hide it.

Laurent's mouth curves wider. "There's nothing to be frightened of. I am generally very...well mannered in my eating habits. And I just can't wait for Victoria. You're scent is too tempting."

I moan again. To my shock and relief, quickly followed by another wave of intense fear, a russet wolf breaks through the trees, stalking angrily in my direction. Jacob. He snarls in Laurent's direction, whilst peering questioningly at me, still seated on the damp leaves.

Laurent smirks. "Just the one? That's not really a challenge, now, is it?"

The russet wolf snorts, and two more wolves emerge. A monstrous black and a small light grey. The grey one glares at me, then takes her place beside the others. Leah.

Laurent steps back quickly, and I find wolves to be as fast as vampires; Leah is behind him before I can blink, herding him back towards the other two, who are both growling in what I can only describe as anticipation. Another wolf howls somewhere in the distance.

"Well," Laurent seems considerably less sure of himself as Sam and Jacob close in. "Surely we can talk about this."

With a blinding movement and an ear piercing shriek, Jacob has one of Laurent's arms in his mouth, still snarling at the rest of him.

Laurent wobbles, unbalanced by his missing arm, in that moment of uncertainty; Leah removes the other, spitting it out delicately with a look of sheer distaste, and another glare in my direction. It seems she is disgusted at what she is forced to do for my safety. Another wolf emerges from the trees, a darker grey, and the black one, Sam, rolls a growl in Jacob's direction.

Jacob saunters to me, nudging me with his muzzle, pushing me away from the others. I scuttle back slightly, then pick myself up, leaning against his fur for support. Once the others are out of sight, he backs away slightly, phasing and dressing quickly as I stand shivering with cold and shock.

"Let me take you home, Bella." I lean into his warm body as he encircles me with his arm. Already I feel much more secure, now that I am again in the light of my sunshine.