I don't own Twilight or any of the characters.
A/N: Thank you for reviewing etc.
The wolves are introduced in this chapter but there will be no B/J romance. (I really don't like Jacob, I'm team Edward all the way)
Enjoy.
J.
Chapter 11. Game.
Due to the mother-daughter drama I still hadn't officially met Chief Swan. I was about to, though. It was eight am on a Saturday morning and I stood in front of the door, waiting for my Bella to open.
Our date last night had been more pivotal than I would have thought. We had more or less decided that I would change Bella. No date had been set yet but I knew she was adamant.
"Hey" Bella greeted me. She looked wonderful as usual.
"Hello." I stepped forward and took her hand in mine.
"Come on; Charlie's impatient." Apparently Bella had made her father stay home from some fishing trip so he could meet me. He was trying very hard not to blame me.
Bella led us into the familiar living room where Chief Swan sat in his recliner, peering at the oversized flat screen. He held a beer in one hand and the remote in the other. He looked up as he saw us approach.
Huh, did he get taller?
"Dad; this is Edward Cullen. Edward; my dad." She waved a hand at him.
"It's nice to meet you, sir." I said in what I hoped was a polite, respectful voice.
"You too, Edward." Charlie had gotten up from his seat and held out a hand for me to shake. I was grateful for my leather gloves. I took his hand and gave it a shake.
Wow, boy's got some muscle. Charlie surreptitiously flexed his fingers. It seemed I had used a bit too much force. I grimaced.
"So, what are you kids up to?" Charlie was eager to leave. He hoped to get lucky and catch some fish in the afternoon. Bella seemed to know his intentions and threw him a nasty look. I had to cover my laugh as a cough.
"We're going to be playing baseball with my family." Alice had seen a thunderstorm coming and Emmett immediately jumped on the opportunity. Esme had invited Bella to keep her company, seeing as how Seem never played.
"Baseball, huh?" She must really like this kid. She usually goes out of her way to avoid anything remotely sports-related. "Well, have fun." It was clearly a dismissal.
We said a brief goodbye and made our way outside. Charlie had been genuinely pleased that Bella had found some friends in my family. Even if it involved her dating me. He realized that she was growing up and acknowledged that he would have to let her go some day.
We got in my car and I drove out towards the clearing. On the way Bella told that she would be visiting the Indian reservation tomorrow with her father. They would be having diner at his friend Billy's house. She invited me to go along but I declined. She asked me why but I told her we would talk about it later. I still hadn't told her about the wolves; or the treaty. I knew that I would have to soon. Bella obviously visited the tribe and would ask questions if I kept making up excuses. And I wanted to be honest with her. It was nothing to be ashamed of.
§§§-LSS-§§§
Carlisle was marking bases as we entered the clearing. Emmet had just finished creating the pitchers mound and Jasper was taking swings at imaginary balls. Alice skipped over to us as soon as she saw us.
"Hi, Bella!" She grabbed Bella's hand and towed her to where Esme was sitting on a large boulder.
"What am I, chopped liver?" I complained.
Esme greeted us both warmly while Rosalie pretended neither I nor Bella was here. At least she wasn't yelling or trying to kill me.
Carlisle, Jasper and Emmet joined us shortly and we picked teams. Alice and Rosalie were the captains. Emmett and I were on Alice's team and Jasper and Carlisle were on Rose's. Emmett had jokingly called their team The Dumb Blonds which earned him a smack from both Jasper and Rosalie. Carlisle just shook his head.
Esme quickly explained the rules to Bella and they took their places on the boulder. Esme told us to play and Alice took her place as pitcher. Emmett was catching and Rose was batting for the other team.
Alice daintily threw the ball towards Emmett. I saw the trajectory of the ball through Rosalie mind and knew where it would end up before the bat had struck the ball. I started running a sixteenth of a second before the ball. I reached my destination and caught the ball. I hurled it over to Emmett and Rose was called out just before she hit home base.
"Whoo!!! Yeah brother! That's what I'm talking about!" Emmett boomed. Rosalie silenced him with a glare.
I glance over at Bella who was looking very impressed. I winked at her and took my place again as Alice threw the ball at Carlisle.
The game progressed swiftly; only an hour later we were playing the last inning. Our team was up by a few points but they could still win. It was my turn to bat and Rosalie would be pitching. She was taunting me in her mind; trying to distract me but I focused solely on the small ball in her hand. I anticipated her move and hit the ball easily. I dropped the bat and launched myself across the field. I pushed myself as fast as I could; determined to win. I arrived at home base three point seven second after I took of. The ball was gone.
Emmett and Alice broke out in a triumphant chorus and Rosalie pouted. I made my way over to Bella wearing a big goofy grin.
"What do you think?" I asked.
"Wow, I could hardly keep up but it looked far more interesting than the games Charlie watches." She grinned.
The others were already starting to gather our stuff when Alice suddenly froze in the middle of singing We Are the Champions.
I looked at her and my mind was carried through her vision.
It was all us, standing in the clearing. We stood in a semi-circle with Bella in the middle. Across from us, five giant wolves emerged from the trees.
The vision ended and Alice flitted to where we were standing.
"They'll be here in two minutes." Her voice was serious for once.
"Who?" Carlisle asked urgently. Everyone had gathered around us and they were all thinking it was other vampires.
"The Wolves." Alice and I said in unison.
The thoughts around me swirled from confusion to anger to worry. Alice and Jasper hadn't been with us yet when we first encountered the wolves of La Push but the rest of us immediately understood.
Rosalie was disgusted with the dogs and huffed in annoyance.Oh just wonderful!
"I thought they were gone." Emmett said.
"I guess not." I answered. "What do we do?"
We were all thinking the same thing. Bella. Everyone apart from Rosalie was worried about her safety; she was pissed because the wolves could give us trouble for hanging with humans.
"We talk to them." Carlisle said. "We have done nothing wrong and we should probably get to know the new generation of wolves and perhaps renegotiate the treaty." We all took our places. Carlisle at the front; Jasper and myself on either of him; Bella stood closely next to me; surrounded by Alice, Esme and Emmett. Rosalie stood behind Jasper.
Bella had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the whole exchange and I was wondering what was going through her mind. She looked at me with wide inquisitive, slightly frightened eyes. But before I could say anything I heard the approach of five furious animals.
I didn't believe it at first but I can smell her.
Does she know what they are?
Ugh how can she stand to be around them?
They're probably planning on eating her.
I will not let them harm Bella!
They had found out about our relationship from Billy Black, who knew from Charlie. They wanted to find out what our intentions were.
The one named Jacob seemed to know Bella personally. He was quite infatuated with her and wanted nothing more than to get her out of here. I held Bella closer and she tightened her arms around my waist.
"Just relax." I told her. "Everything will be fine."
The distinct scent of wet dog permeated the air. Ugh.
The wolves emerged from the woods. The alpha, Sam, was in the front. He was flanked by two brown wolves who were slightly smaller than him but not by much. Behind them were a tall grey wolf and a white one. They were all eager for a fight, especially Jacob.
Bella's eyes were wide as she took in the giant beasts before us. She cowered into my side.
"Shh." I tried to comfort her.
Filthy bloodsucker. He should just keep his hands of her. Jacob's jealousy was growing with the second.
Focus, Jake! Sam told him. He didn't like the fact that this was so personal for Jacob.
What do we do? The one named Jared asked. He was vey calm and wanted to solve this without violence. I decided I liked him.
I'll go phase, I need to be able to talk to them. Don't attack! Sam said. He disappeared into the woods and returned thirty seconds later in the form of a tall Indian man wearing only cut off jeans. Bella almost choked on her breath as she saw him. I rubbed her arm in a comforting gesture. I looked at her and gave her a small smile.
Should I speak? Carlisle mentally asked me. I nodded.
"Greetings; my name is Carlisle, this is my family." The wolves mentally scoffed at the term family.
"I'm Sam, this is my pack."
"What can we do for you this morning?" Carlisle asked politely; like they were long time friends instead of mortal enemies.
"We heard about your involvement with a human." Sam was trying to be diplomatic.
Bella snorted and I cocked an eyebrow at her. Alice giggled and patted Bella's arm. I was confused by the exchange.
"No offence, but that isn't your concern. As long as we uphold the treaty you have no reason to get involved." Carlisle's voice was kind but firm.
Like hell, we don't! Jacob growled and Sam silenced him with a look.
"True; but we wanted to make sure you were aware that if you break the treaty there will be consequences." He was trying to ensure Bella's safety.
"Of course." Carlisle smiled.
"If you don't mind me asking…" Sam hesitated "What is your interest in Bella?"
Bella did that snorting thing again and I couldn't help but smile at her annoyance. Our eyes locked and I seemed to get lost in their endless depths.
Wow, it's almost like they're in love. Jared thought.
I took a step forward and answered Sam's question. "Bella and I are in love."
My declaration was followed by several growls and some serious mental attacks. Jared was the only one that wasn't close to ripping my head of. Sam seemed shocked more than anything. He thought she was just some pet or a toy or something.
"Really?" Oh, now there's a surprise. I didn't know they could love, let alone love a human. Unless he's lying of course. It could be a trick.
"Yes, Edward and Bella are a couple." Alice proudly declared. She took several steps forward so she stood next to Carlisle.
"We have no intention to break the treaty so there is no reason for you to be here." Carlisle amended. He sounded slightly brusquer than before.
"I see." There's really nothing we can do. If she's here by her own will, we can't do anything. Billy won't be happy. "We'll leave you be, then. But remember; we're keeping an eye on you. If there is any inclination any of you harmed a human we'll be ready to attack." Sam said.
"Of course." Carlisle responded.
Sam disappeared into the woods again. There was a lot of commotion among the wolves. Sam gave the order to retreat and they reluctantly left. We all sighed in relief.
Bella turned to me and raised her eyebrows. Her voice was calm and steady as she asked "What the hell was that, Edward?"
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