"Bella slow down. "Jacob called.
"no. leave me alone Jake. Just let me be."
"yeah, right, you can't and shouldn't be alone right now."
Bella sighed. he was right but she didn't want to be indoors all day either. "alright, but can we go to first beach?"
"Sure, sure," Jacob said he put his hand on the small of her back and guided her. Bella had to refrain from flinching away. She loved Jacob but only like a brother. She wished he would understand that.
"I'm sorry about Emily, she didn't mean it. But I do have to ask, who gave you the bracelet Bella?"
"Embry gave it to me ok. It was just a graduation gift same as yours and quit making excuses for her. matter of fact just do not bring it up. Look, Jake, I gotta go. I haven't even unpacked my stuff." Bella said as she turned back around
"Wait! Wait! Bella, why is Embry giving you gifts? and would you please slow down."
"No! I will not slow down and Embry is giving me gifts because he's my friend, ok. just like you. Were all friends and friends give gifts so back off."
Instead of responding to her, Jacob simply grabbed Bella and held her to his chest. "Ssh. Just relax bells. I know everything has been chaotic for you. "
Bella sighed and quickly pushed herself out of Jacob's embrace. Embry was the only one allowed to do that now.
"Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it but I have to go now. I'm really tired."
"ok bells but at least let me escort you home."
Bella nodded, too tired to argue. Her mind was on Embry any way.
Sam dismissed the pack while he talked to Emily. She was continuing to make muffins even though everyone had left by then.
"Emily. Come here and sit down please."
"I can't sam. Chief black has called for a bonfire in a few days and I have to get things ready."
"It can wait. Emily, what were you thinking? talking to Bella that way?" He asked
"Excuse me! Since when do you start defending the leech lover!?"
"The leech lover? Emily where is this rage suddenly coming from?"
Sam was shocked. He knew his imprint could be feisty, but she rarely showed it in front of the pack. So, for her to just lash out and especially at Bella Swan, it was strange. Her hormones were fine, so her period wasn't going to start soon. She had seemed fine all day? So, what could be the problem?
"How dare Embry make her that bracelet! Doesn't he know how special that is!" Emily grumbled as she mixed the batter. What many people didn't know and that included Sam, was that Emily had had a lover before she was Sam's imprint. He was a fine man of Makah descent named Jackson. She would have married him but then she met Sam and it was over from there. Deep down it had nothing to do with Jackson but everything to do with the leather cuff he had given her. The symbol of the life she could have had. The symbol of the life that she would not be a part of and now a life she had never wanted any part of, but Bella Swan was throwing herself into willingly. It made Emily sick. She, however, didn't get to tell Sam any of this because three howls sounded.
Sam dropped his cup of coffee and dashed out the door. Emily watched him go. Scared out of her wits. Three howls meant a leech was on their land or close by anyway. Too close. Always too close.