Chapter 12:
I stood in the kitchen making myself some breakfast when the back door opened. I looked up to see Jake. I hadn't seen him since I'd left him at Bella's. Which was good as I still had every intention on hitting him.
He sat himself down at the bench and I just continued to cook. Neither of us spoke but I could feel Jake watching me. It wasn't an uncomfortable stare either. More of a lazy one were he wasn't paying much attention.
"Looking forward to graduating?" he eventually asked. I wasn't sure what was up, but his voice sounded incredibly, dull. I glanced at him, he was still watching me.
"Yes." I answered as I placed my breakfast down. I think I surprised him a little when I placed a plate in front of him. Truthfully, I could hear him coming from a mile away, though I might not pay much attention to who it was, I would know the sound of thundering paws anywhere.
I sat down at the bench next to him and we began to eat in silence. Jacob glanced at me from the corner of his eye every few minutes.
"So you coming?" I asked him. He glanced at me again "To my graduation ceremony." my family was coming, including Billy and Sue. I wasn't sure which of the pack was coming but Sam and Emily said they would. Embry and Quil would be there, we'd all made a promise when we were little to go to each others. Jacob had been distant from me — granted for a reason and I was avoiding him too — so I didn't know if he was still planning on coming.
"Your dad is." I confessed. Jared and Paul would probably want to come, Leah hadn't seemed all too excited. Fair enough, she'd been to her own, plus, the vampires would be there.
Sam was probably going to keep Paul away from me incase I tried to kill him again, so everyone but Leah and Paul — who'd probably be put on patrol — were free, as far as I knew anyway.
He didn't answer me.
I stood up and walked away from the bench, leaving my plate there. What was the point in him coming here when he wasn't going to talk. No one else was home, my parents had gone to pick up Billy while James was on patrol somewhere, so he could only be here to see me.
Or he just came to use me for my food. Which, by his current behaviour, wouldn't surprise me.
I walked to my room and found my ugly yellow robe. I don't know why they picked yellow, it doesn't look good on anyone.
I looked at the clock, my parents should be home soon. And James, I didn't know if he would come home and drive with us, or meet us at the school.
I turned to the door when I heard Jake's footsteps as he appeared at my doorway.
"Lex, I'm sorry." he eventually said as I eyed him.
"For what? Kissing Bella or being a complete dick about it afterwards?" I wondered casually.
He was silent and I looked back at him to see the confused look on his face.
"Do not tell me you have no idea what I mean." I said seriously. He sighed and walked over to the bed, sitting down.
"How can you not understand how much of a dick you were?" I questioned "I mean, first off, kissing her without permission, and then acting as if it was the best thing ever." I said "Jacob, if she enjoyed it she would have kissed you back, and not have punched you."
"She did kiss me back." Jacob answered. I stood there stunned with my mouth hanging open.
"Have you seriously never kissed a girl that you don't know what it feels like to have them kiss you back!?" I asked shocked. I was his best friend and I did know everything but that was just ridiculous.
He didn't answer me and I took that as a bullseye.
"Do you also not know how to read their body language?" I asked again.
No answer.
You'd think with a body like that — he was sitting there shirtless, again — he'd have several girls from school falling over him and he'd know what a flirting girl would want. He'd know how to interpret such a thing.
"Oh god." I muttered as I crashed and sat next to him. "I can't believe you'd be so clueless."
"Not my fault." Jacob mumbled. I sighed, that was kinda true.
I looked towards my door as I heard the sound of my parents car approaching the house. Jake followed my gaze as the door opened.
"Alexis, you ready?" my mother called up
"Pretty much." I said, as I looked at the ugly yellow gown and hat.
Jacob got up and left my room as his father's wheelchair was heard. I got up, grabbed my gown and hat and went to follow before my phone began to ring.
I pulled it out and saw Alice was on the ID.
"Hey Alice." I answered
"Bella figured it out." she sad immediately
"Figured what out?" I asked slowly.
"The intruder!" I paused
"What does she think?" I asked slowly, seriously.
"Because it's too coincidental."
"What is?" I wondered
"How is it that someone could use the holes in my vision to create an army and visit Bella without me knowing!" I could see how that made sense. "Bella figured it had to be the same person."
"But…" I wondered "What does that mean…" I questioned
"The new born army. They're after Bella! They took some of her belongings, things with her scent on it. Bella thinks they're doing it to find her."
"But why?" I questioned "Who would want to set a heap of newborns on Bella…" my voice trailed off at the end.
I only know one person who would go to such an extent. Victoria.
I remembered Victoria's last visit. All my theories.
"Alex…?" Alice asked
The thought that her last visit had been her testing Alice's visions. She had been testing them, testing to see if they'd know she was coming. Testing to see if she could evade them. But she couldn't, that was the point, Alice would see no matter what she did… so how? How could she have created an army of newborns? And without Alice knowing?
"Alexis?!" Alice's voice was strong and stern, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Sorry, Alice, was piecing everything together." I mumbled "So what are you going to do?"
"Well, they have a target, and it's with us. That may help. I haven't told anyone else yet. Edward will flip and go into worry mode if he finds out." Alice confessed
"Good thing he can't read my mind then." I muttered
"Exactly why I told you."
"What are you going to do?" I wondered
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve." She said with a sigh. "But make sure you're wolf buddies don't know. They're coming I presume?"
"Majority of them yes." I nodded "When are you going to tell them?"
"Later, after the graduation. Hopefully after the party too."
"Wont Jasper notice something?" I wondered
"Maybe, but I trust him."
"I know but can he keep his thoughts clear of it as well if you tell him?" I wondered "He is going to be at the party isn't he?"
"Yes…" she said. I heard her sigh. She couldn't tell him yet either.
"Come on Alexis, or we'll be late!" my mother called
"I'm coming." I said back.
"I'll let you go, I'll talk to you later."
"Alright. Good luck Alice." I said before the phone cut off.
Oh god we were in trouble.
I grabbed the ugly yellow robe and hat and anything else I needed and ran downstairs.
"Alright, let's go." I said, James was at the door with my parents, as well as Billy and Jacob.
"Are we all going to fit in the car?" I asked, looking at the two wolves.
"We'll take two." My father said after looking at the boys also. James rolled his eyes and Billy chuckled.
"Ready sweet pea?" mum asked. I rolled my eyes at her.
"It's over anyway." I smiled
"Only high school." My mother sighed. I smiled some more and my dad opened the door.
"Let's go then." he said, everyone filed out of the house, I climbed into my car — passenger side as dad was driving — with Jacob while Mum, Billy and James got into mum's car.
When we got there I was immediately surrounded by giant bodies. The pack.
"I can't believe you're graduating!" Embry grinned
"You're school life is over!" Quil patted my back
"Not over Quil." My mother suddenly interrupted, placing a hand over my shoulder "She still has college."
"Hopefully." dad added. I sighed.
"Alex!" I turned to see Alice.
"Hey." I smiled
"Come on, we have to line up round the back." she took my hand and dragged me away from the guys and towards the back door to the gym.
I saw Edward lined up near the front with all the 'C's and Alice squeezed my hand before joining him.
"Alex!" I suddenly had Hailey fling her arms around my neck. "Can you believe it! We're graduating!" She squealed. I laughed
"Who would have thought you'd make it." I smirked. She scowled at me as Adrian came up and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"You two are going to be high school sweet hearts at this rate." I rolled my eyes.
"We both got accepted into the same university." Hailey confessed
"Of course." I rolled my eyes.
"Miss Westlake!" I turned to see Mr Varner as he waved me down to the end of the line.
I sighed, waved to Hailey and Adrian who also turned to take their places, and walked towards the back, being a 'W'. I passed Bella and smiled at her before standing by the back.
I pulled on the ugly yellow robe and we all moved to sit inside. Eric was the valedictorian this year. He began to ramble on about commencement meaning "beginning" and all the rest of the trite nonsense.
It was a good speech. But I could tell it didn't reach the hearts of a few certain people sitting here.
Suddenly Mr Greene was calling out names, giving out the diploma's. Alice and Edward went up quickly, being at the front of the line. Alice danced across the stage in her perfect way to take hers, a look of deep concentration on her face. Edward followed behind, his expression confused, but not upset. Only the two of them could carry off the hideous yellow and still look the way they did. Bloody vampires.
Bella's name was called and she joined the line behind Jess, walking up to the stage and taking her diploma in her good hand.
There was a heap of cheering in the back of the gym, and I swivelled around in my chair to see Jacob pulling Charlie to his feet, both of them hooting in encouragement. My parents were clapping and smiling also. I could just make out the top of Billy's head beside Jake's elbow. I grinned but saw the rest of the pack rolling their eyes.
Eventually I heard my own name. The cheering that came from that filled the gym. I stood up and saw the entire pack on their feet along with Charlie and my parents. Everyone turned in their seats to see who was making the racket as I stood in line. The racket settled down for a bit, until Mr Greene was handing out diploma's. It started up when I took my own diploma from Principle Greene's hand.
"Congratulations Miss Westlake." he murmured
"Thanks." I said with a smile. I shot the pack a look. "Shut up!" I mumbled. They all just started laughing, not at all being quiet.
Mr Greene congratulated us all as he addressed the crowd and everyone cheered, throwing their hats in the air. I threw mine towards my family and James caught it with a shout.
I laughed and then made my way over to them. Jared reached me first.
"Congratulations!" He picked me up and spun me around. I laughed
"Thanks." he placed me on my feet and the same thing happened with Embry, Quil and Seth. James lifted me to sit on his shoulder for a time as he cheered with the others until mum made him put me down.
I hugged her and then dad as my mother cried, typically. I hugged Billy and he congratulated me happily. I grinned.
Emily hugged me as Sam congratulated me also, Emily had teared up a little and I placed my hand on her cheek smiling as I thanked her.
Sue was just like my mother, having been a second one to me and kissed my forehead and both cheeks. Seth had to drag her away, though as soon as he did, my mother basically did the same thing. Dad took her hand and pulled her away with a smile.
And then came Jacob. He placed his arms around me and gave me my favourite hug.
"Congratulations." he said in my ear.
"Thanks." I smiled "Thanks for coming." I added.
"Oh Alexis, you need to find Bella and congratulate her." Mum decided as she looked over the people.
"We need to get going." Sam decided, the boys sighed and nodded.
"Hey, we can all have a party tomorrow." I allowed
"Why not today?" Jared questioned
"Cause I already have one." I smiled. Lot's of eye rolling followed before they filed out of the gym.
I turned and looked around before I spotted Edward's unusual bronze coloured hair.
"Over there mum." I pointed.
"Oh yes!" And I lead the way through the crowd.
I met Hailey and Adrian, Valerie and Oliver who were all celebrating together, followed by Jordan and congratulated them all before I finally reached Bella.
"Congrats Bells!" I said as I pulled her into a hug.
"You too." she said. I looked up at Edward to congratulate him to, but I was surprised by what I saw. Edward's face. He was even whiter then usual, if that was possible. His eyes were huge, wide with panic, dazed and horrified.
And then, that passed, and was replaced with pure fury that was suddenly plain on his features.
"Oh…" I muttered, I looked at Bella. "So Alice called me before I left home…" I said slowly. Bella nodded and looked at Edward "Guess he knows too now." she nodded again
"Okay, awesome." I nodded. My parents made an appearance having gotten lost in the crowd.
"Bella! Oh Congratulations sweetie." my mother said hugging her. My father patted her back before mum placed her hand on Edward's shoulder. He seemed to snap out of it for two seconds and then smiled — though it was the fakest smile ever — and thank her as she congratulated him too. Despite it not being his first time.
Dad talked to Charlie for a second before Charlie turned to Bella
"So where do you want to go out for dinner?" Charlie asked. "The sky's the limit."
"I can cook." Bella assured him
"Don't be silly. Do you want to go to the Lodge?" he asked with an eager smile. I could see the slight expression that just crossed Bella's face before she answered.
"Sure, the Lodge, cool," she said.
"Will you come Andrew?" he asked
"Oh no," Dad shook his head "We have a meal at home waiting." I raised an eyebrow, we did?
"Alright." Charlie smiled wider, and then sighed. He turned his head halfway toward Edward, without really looking at him.
"You coming, too, Edward?"
Edward pulled his expression together just before Charlie turned to see why he hadn't gotten an answer.
"No, thank you," Edward said stiffly, his face hard and cold.
"Do you have plans with your parents?" Charlie asked, a frown in his voice. Edward was always more polite than Charlie deserved; the sudden hostility surprised him.
"Yes. If you'll excuse me…" Edward turned abruptly and stalked away through the dwindling crowd. He moved just a little bit too fast, too upset to keep up his usually perfect charade.
"What did I say?" Charlie asked with a guilty expression.
"Don't worry about it, Dad," Bella reassured him. "I don't think it's you."
"Probably the whole graduating thing." I said
"Are you two fighting again?" Charlie wondered.
"Nobody's fighting. Mind your own business."
"You are my business." Bella rolled her eyes.
"Let's go eat."
"See you later Bella." my mother said "Charlie." she kissed his cheek. Dad shook his hand, congratulated Bella once more before I gave her a hug, a farewell to Charlie and followed my parents outside.
The wolves were all gone already, Billy was in my parents car. Mum got in next to him and dad next to me in my car. Though I was allowed to drive this time.
Mum got home first and was already setting up the table when we got there. It was just the three of us, James was off on patrol. It was nice, just mum, dad and I, no bad mannered wolves around to gobble everything up.
When that was done, I ran up stairs, changed into a dress and heels before I went back down stairs and to the front door.
"Oh, don't you look gorgeous." Mum smiled
"It's Alice's party, I legally have to." I rolled my eyes
"Are you going to be alright?" she wondered with a sigh
"Mum, it's a party. I'll be fine." I assured her. "Vampires or not." I sighed. She smiled and nodded.
"Alright, well have fun," she said, stroking my cheek
"Promise." I opened the door and walked out.
I drove towards the Cullens house. To be perfectly honest, there was no way I could miss the usually concealed entrance. Alice had decorated the trees on either side in thousands of twinkling lights.
I turned down the drive, and found she'd done the same thing for every twenty feet or so. The entire drive was lit up.
I drove away from the front of the house and to the side of the garage so that my car wouldn't be in the way. Several other cars were already here and I could hear the music from several kilometres away.
I walked around the house to the back door and snuck in before turning to see the first floor of the house.
Wow.
The interior of the Cullens' home had been transformed into a nightclub — the kind that didn't often exist in real life, only on TV. It looked like a chic rave.
There were heaps of people everywhere. Including the Cullens who were scattered around, keeping up the human facade.
I saw Bella walking around talking to everyone, getting the door, actually looking like a hostess. She looked too busy to worry about her epiphany. I wonder if I was the only one to realise that Victoria was the only possible candidate to be the cause.
The music was infectious, the lights almost hypnotic. From the way the food had obviously disappeared, that must have been good, too. The room was crowded, though never claustrophobic. The entire senior class seemed to be here, along with most of the juniors. Bodies swayed to the beat that rumbled under the soles of their feet, the party constantly on the edge of breaking into a dance.
I grinned when I saw Hailey and moved over to give her a hug.
"Isn't this awesome!" she called over the music.
"I've never seen anything like it." I confessed.
Valerie appeared and greeted me. We danced to the music happily before Adrian appeared and crashed his lips to Hailey's. Valerie rolled her eyes and groaned
"Jealous." Hailey managed to get out before Adrian kissed her again.
I laughed and looked around. The lights flashed brilliantly and the food was empty, stocked every few hours I guessed. The music was loud and comforting, easy to sway and dance too.
So like Alice.
Speaking of Alice, I looked around and saw her mingling.
"I'll be right back." I said and I walked over to her.
"Alice." I grinned
"Hey," she greeted me with a hug but almost immediately I knew she was putting a good front on.
"Are you alright?" I asked. She sighed.
"It's nothing."
"Yeah right." I said "You're so worried you can't even enjoy you're own party." I said seriously "Alice isn't enjoying a party." I emphasised. She sighed and looked at me before suddenly her face went blank.
That was a look I'd gotten too used to.
I just stood in front of her before Edward appeared. He just watched her.
"Excuse me for a minute, Jess," I heard Bella mumble over the music and babble.
Edward glanced at her before he moved away, leaving Alice.
"Alice." I said strongly, she didn't answer, the same expressionless look you see on the face of someone who has just witnessed a horrible accident was still on her face. One of her hands gripped the door frame, like she needed the support.
Bella reached us then.
"What, Alice, what? What did you see?" Her hands were clutched in front of her — begging. She looked at me, but I didn't have an answer yet.
Alice didn't look at me, she was staring away. I saw Edward as their eyes locked. His face was empty as a stone. He turned and disappeared into the shadows under the stair.
The doorbell rang just then, hours after the last time, and Alice looked up with a puzzled expression that quickly turned into one of disgust.
"Who invited the werewolf?" she griped at me. I held my hands up in surrender and she turned to Bella. She scowled
"Guilty."
"Well, you go take care of it, then. I have to talk to Carlisle."
"No, Alice, wait!" Bella tried to reach for her arm, but she was gone and her hand clutched the empty air.
"Damn it!" she grumbled. Bella turned and began to look around.
I glanced at her before I vanished up the stairs to where I heard the Cullens.
"What's going on?" I asked when I walked into the room.
"When did you get here?" Emmett questioned
"Ages ago, I came through the back door." I confessed
"Why?" Alice asked, slightly disapproving
"Didn't want to draw attention," I looked at them all and saw the serious expressions. I looked at Alice.
"Alice, what did you see?" She looked at everyone else.
"The newborn army." she began "They're coming here." she admitted
"They decided to come to Forks?" I asked walking towards her. Alice nodded. "Are they after Bella?" I asked, confirming. Edward hissed.
"They were handing around her red blouse." Alice nodded again
"How long?" I wondered
"Four days."
"How many?"
"Twenty-one today. The numbers change."
"They're killing themselves?" I wondered. She looked a little surprised I guessed but nodded.
"Who did you see?" I wondered as everyone else stood and watched
"No one I recognised." she confessed.
So Victoria was still keeping out of it… was she the one behind it all or not?
"What are you going to do?" I wondered
"We need to protect Bella." Edward jumped in
"No durr. You know that twenty-one newborns vampires may kill the entire town right?" I said, I looked at Jasper as if to confirm, he took a deep unnecessary breath. "If they're coming here then she can't be the only one at risk, though she does have the most risk as perusal." I said when I saw he was about to argue.
"How do you plan on protecting her this time?" Rosalie sneered.
"The original plan still stands." Carlisle said, ignoring Rose and Edward
"But what about it being uneven? Did you not get any help?" I asked. No one answered
"You guys can't go and do that." I disagreed
"We don't have a choice." Carlisle sighed softly.
There had to be something that could help.
I took a deep breath.
"Then let me see if I can help." I decided. They all looked at me. "You guys said Jasper needed to train you all?" I didn't wait for an answer "Let me come too, see if I have any effect on you guys and if I turn out to be able to help, then I will."
"Alexis," Esme began
"I have family and friends who live here, and I can't let you guys go out and get yourselves killed. One other person could help a lot." I argued
"Or you could just get hurt." Carlisle argued "We can't ask you —"
"You're not." I interrupted "This is not a request," I said firmly "It's a demand. And I'd like to see you stop me." I tempted. I saw them all glance at each other, expect for Jasper, who seemed to be calculating a little.
"I will only do it, if I can stand up to you guys first." I assured them. "If I stand a chance."
"What about you're pets?" Rosalie questioned
"They don't control me." I said annoyed at her "As much as they try to, they don't."
"So, when're you planning a 'meeting'?" I asked
"Later tonight." Jasper admitted
"How late?" I asked
"Three o'clock." Jasper said before anyone could intervene.
"That too late for you?" Emmett grinned. I shook my head. I'd be there, no matter what.
"If you come here first you'll be able to find where." Alice confessed. I just nodded. That as good enough for me.
There was now silence, other then the booming bass downstairs.
"Are you all going to tell Bella?" I wondered, breaking the silence. They all looked at each other before Alice looked at Edward. I knew he was going to let Alice tell her.
Alice walked past me and out of the room, down the stairs.
I looked at Carlisle to see a grave expression on his face. I just turned and followed Alice.
I walked down the stairs, looking around. It wasn't difficult to find them. The three wolves in the corner was hard to miss.
Jacob, Embry and Quil were leaning over Alice and Bella. Jasper ran past me and was standing next to them. Jacob removed his arm.
"We have a right to know," Jacob muttered, still glaring at Alice.
Jasper stepped in between them, and the three werewolves braced themselves.
"Hey, hey," Bella said, adding a slightly hysterical chuckle. "This is a party, remember?" Nobody paid any attention to Bella. Jacob glared at Alice while Jasper glowered at Jacob.
I walked down the stairs and quickly made my way over to them, walking through the crowd of people easily.
"Jacob." I said and I stood in front of Jasper between him and Jake. The three wolves looked at me a little surprised.
"Lex," he said, Embry and Quil didn't look any different as they held the same expressions.
"Back off Jake." I said simply, calmly.
Alice's face was suddenly thoughtful.
"It's okay, Jasper. Alex. He actually has a point." Alice said
"What?" I wondered. How was a newborn army anything to do with them?
Jasper did not relax his position.
"What did you see, Alice?" Bella asked. Jacob looked from me to Alice behind me. I turned and looked at her, she looked at me for a second and then back at Jacob. She stared at Jacob for one second, and then turned to Bella, evidently having chosen to let them hear.
"The decision's been made."
"You're going to Seattle?"
"No."
"They're coming here," Bella choked out.
The Quileute boys watched silently, reading every unconscious play of emotion on our faces. They were rooted in place, and yet not completely still. All three pairs of hands were trembling.
"Yes."
"To Forks," Bella whispered.
"Yes."
"For?" She nodded, understanding the question.
"One carried your red shirt." Bella tried to swallow.
Jasper's expression was disapproving. Guess he didn't like the wolves knowing, but he had something to say anyway.
"We can't let them come that far. There aren't enough of us to protect the town."
"I know," Alice said, her face suddenly desolate. "But it doesn't matter where we stop them. There still won't be enough of us, and some of them will come here to search."
"No!" Bella whispered. She looked around at everyone.
"Alice," Bella mouthed her name. "I have to go, I have to get away from here."
"That won't help. It's not like we're dealing with a tracker. They'll still come looking here first."
"Then I have to go to meet them!" If Bella's voice hadn't been so hoarse and strained, it might have been a shriek. "If they find what they're looking for, maybe they'll go away and not hurt anyone else!"
"Bella, they're crazed, it wont work like that." I disagreed
"Hold it," Jacob ordered in a low, forceful voice "What is coming?" he asked
"Our kind. Lots of them."
"From Seattle." I said, he looked at me
"The raging bloodsuckers killing people?" Jacob asked me. I nodded
"Seems the Cullens have a plan now." I confessed
"Why?" Jacob questioned
"For Bella. That's all we know."
"There are too many for you?" he asked.
I looked at him, I knew what he was thinking and I couldn't believe he was considering it. They were enemies remember.
Jasper bridled.
"We have a few advantages, dog. It will be an even fight."
"No," Jacob said, and a strange, fierce half-smile spread across his face. "It won't be even."
"Excellent!" Alice hissed.
"Wait, you're actually considering it?" I asked surprised. Embry grinned at me while Jacob's eyes stayed on Alice.
Bella stared, still frozen in horror, at Alice's new expression. Her face was alive with exultation, all the despair wiped clean from her perfect features. She grinned at Jacob, and he grinned back.
"Everything just disappeared, of course," she told him in a smug voice. "That's inconvenient, but, all things considered, I'll take it."
"We'll have to coordinate," Jacob said "It won't be easy for us." There it is. "Still, this is our job more than yours."
If I had known they'd reacted like this I would have directly told them and asked them ages ago, then this threat wouldn't be happening.
Typical.
"I wouldn't go that far, but we need the help. We aren't going to be picky." Alice confessed
"Wait, wait, wait, wait," Bella interrupted them. Alice was on her toes, Jacob leaning down toward her, both of their faces lit up with excitement, both of their noses wrinkled against the smell. They looked at Bella impatiently.
"Coordinate?" Bella repeated through her teeth.
"You didn't honestly think you were going to keep us out of this?" Jacob asked.
"You are staying out of this!"
"Your psychic doesn't think so."
"Alice — tell them no!" Bella insisted. "They'll get killed!" Jacob, Quil, and Embry all laughed out loud.
I just looked between them all.
"Bella," Alice said, her voice soothing, placating, "Separately we all could get killed. Together —"
"It'll be no problem," Jacob finished her sentence. Quil laughed again.
"How many?" Quil asked eagerly.
"No!" Bella shouted. Alice didn't even look at her.
"It changes — twenty-one today, but the numbers are going down."
"Why?" Jacob asked, curious.
"Long story," Alice said, suddenly looking around the room. "And this isn't the place for it."
"Later tonight?" Jacob pushed.
"Yes," Jasper answered him. "We were already planning a… strategic meeting. If you're going to fight with us, you'll need some instruction." The wolves all made a disgruntled face at the last part.
"Guys, newborns are different. You'd rather have every advantage then take the risk wouldn't you?" I questioned. They all looked at one another.
"No!" Bella moaned.
"This will be odd," Jasper said thoughtfully. "I never considered working together. This has to be a first."
"No doubt about that," Jacob agreed. He was in a hurry now. "We've got to get back to Sam. What time?"
"What's too late for you?" All three rolled their eyes.
"What time?" Jacob repeated.
"Three o'clock?"
"Where?"
"About ten miles due north of the Hoh Forest ranger station. Come at it from the west and you'll be able to follow our scent in."
"We'll be there." The three wolves turned to leave.
"Wait, Jake!" Bella called after him. "Please! Don't do this!" He paused, turning back to grin at her, while Quil and Embry headed impatiently for the door.
"Don't be ridiculous, Bells. You're giving me a much better gift than the one I gave you."
"No!" she shouted again. The sound of an electric guitar drowned her cry.
He didn't respond; he hurried to catch up with his Quil and Embry, who were already gone.
"Lex!" Bella turned to me.
"Bella, it'll be fine." I looked back after them "They're smart enough to be okay." I muttered more to myself. I turned to her.
"I have faith in both them and the Cullens, they may not get along but I'm pretty sure they'll work together enough for everyone to be fine." I looked at Alice and she nodded, looking at Jasper.
"We have to tell the others." Alice said
"They probably already know," I said but followed her as she towed Bella to the stairs. Edward appeared and took Bella's waist, leading her.
"So we're siding with dogs now." Rose said when we were all in the kitchen.
"Either that or someone in your family dies." I snapped. I saw the disapproving look on several faces. That was a bit harsh.
"I see you didn't mention to them how you were coming." Emmett smirked
"If I did that they'd chain me up again." I muttered annoyed.
"Maybe then you'd stay out of trouble." Alice sighed
"Not likely." I disagreed, remembering Victoria again.
"Alexis!" I remembered Bella. She was staring at me horrified
"Oh, don't worry, I'm just going to come and see how well I can handle it all, and if I don't stand a chance, I'm not participating." I assured her
"And if you do?"
"Then Jasper's going to help me be very good." I said placing my hand on his shoulder. I saw Jasper raise his eyebrow "Just go with it." I muttered quietly.
Jasper looked at Bella and nodded.
"Nothing will happen to her." he assured her. I smiled
"See." I said "Plus," my tone changed "James would never let anything happen to me." I muttered.
James was going to slaughter me.
I sighed.
