Chapter Nine

-Vasha-

The next day we were in a clearing, practicing with Jasper on fighting newborns. The wolves joined and watched. I was determined to fight, as I didn't want Jake to go alone.

"No way, honey. The answer is no." Jake was standing his ground on the subject.

"Jacob, I'm not going to sit around like some fifties housewife while you risk your life. I'm sorry." I retorted.

"It's too dangerous, Vasha. You have no idea what you're up against." Edward chimed in with his maddeningly soft voice. Since when could he tell me what to do?

I turned on him. "Don't you tell me what to do. It may be all well and good to ask Jake to protect your little mortal girlfriend, but I guess no one ever considered that someone else actually cares for Jacob, huh?" I spat.

Edward was in my face in half a second. "Don't say another word against her!" He yelled, enraged.

"OR ELSE WHAT?!" I yelled back. Thunder clouds rolled in and lightning began to flash in the sky. The ground trembled in response to my rage. I turned and stared at precious Bella. She looked terrified. Good.

"Woah." Emmet said, moving his considerable bulk to stand between me and Edward.

Jacob was there in a flash. "Back off, Cullen!" He placed his hands on my waist and pulled me close, whispering in my ear for me to calm down. His warmth melted my anger and the sky cleared instantly.

"Actually, Vasha, we were hoping Jacob would play a different role in this battle." Edward said, regaining his composure. I looked at him with all the hatred I could muster.

"For him to carry me." Bella finished, stepping out from behind Edward.

I looked at Jake who seemed to be hearing this for the first time, as well. I raised my eyebrows at her. "Oh?" I asked, with feigned interest.

Bella stared back at me.

"I see. So, now Jake has gone from being your emotional punching bag, to being your mule." I said derisively.

"It would be impossible for the newborns to smell Bella over Jakes wolf odor." Jasper explained.

"No." I said, simply. "Not happening." I looked at Jake, daring him to argue. He had been through enough. These people are done using him.

"Baby….." Jake said, looking into my eyes. "You're not holding her, Jake!" I shrieked, as the sky started to get dark once more.

"Listen, come with us." He continued, soothingly. "This is better than us fighting together. Forget Bella, it's about you being safe." Bella looked taken aback. I looked at her. That's right, honey, it's not all about you, I thought to myself. Edward stared hard at me. I didn't care.

I sighed, heavily. "Fine." I replied, defeated. "But we all go together."