CH 15

EPOV

I watched dumbstruck as Bella turned and ran from the clearing with the boy in her arms. I barely had enough time to register my own shock before the angry thoughts and matching howls erupted from the wolves. Everything in me itched to race after Bella and I had to forcibly stop my feet from following after her.

Just before she ran, I recognized that stubborn flash in her eye and protectiveness. I knew she had misunderstood the situation. She didn't understand that these were Jacob's people. He was perfectly safe with them. Probably more so than with her. I let my gaze linger for a moment longer on the empty forest in front of me before breathing out a frustrated sigh. I left my ruminations regarding Bella's motives for a later time. Duty first- always duty first. Chasing after her would make me feel better, but the real danger to my Bella and my family lay here, behind me.

Alice was already scanning the future for Bella. She too didn't want her to run into any unsuspecting humans or other trouble. Although it was hazy, which confused both her and me, Alice's vision seemed to confirm that Bella was headed for Charlie's house. No humans would run in to her. She would be fine for the moment.

I turned around to find my family now in line with me, effectively blocking the wolves from chasing after Bella. I needed to deal with this situation first.

Sam had returned to his wolf form in the excitement of the moment and all three wolves were beyond upset. Their minds buzzed with fear for the boy and anger at the 'leeches' blocking their path to save him. They were on the verge of attacking us to get to Bella. Their thoughts clued me in on who the boy –Jacob, I corrected myself - who Jacob's father was in their tribe. They had high expectations of Jacob joining their pack and becoming a leader one day. Of course, my trouble magnet had picked the perfect human to feel needlessly protective over. I almost rolled my eyes. It was so Bella.

It was fascinating to gleam all this information from the unsuspecting collective pack mind, but I focused in on the task at hand. There would be plenty of time later to worry about getting Jacob back to his people. The trouble was currently directly in front of me.

I gave a pointed look to Jasper, who instantly settled a calm bubble around the clearing. From their slowed and more calm thoughts, I assumed Jasper's power was more directly concentrated on the wolves but I also felt a draining of tension within my own body. Carlisle spoke directly to Sam. He wisely addressed their immediate concerns first.

"Bella doesn't mean any harm to the boy. She won't attack him." He added a mental "Right?" in my direction. I nodded slightly. She wasn't panicked or suffering from blood lust. I don't know exactly what she was thinking- but knowing Bella it was probably something completely ridiculous and self-sacrificing. I focused back on the conflict.

In case it wasn't painfully obvious from the growls, I spoke their thoughts allowed to Carlisle.

"They don't believe you." I said simply. I chose to edit the more malicious thoughts floating through their minds. They didn't know I could hear their thoughts and I didn't want to give away my ability to listen in yet. The collective pack mind was simply fascinating. I was learning so much.

Carlisle responded calmly. "You have my word" he assured.

One of the smaller wolves mentally argued to Sam, feeling quite justified in his position. "They have so totally broken the treaty, we have every right to attack them right now. They can't be trusted. Just look what they did to Charlie's daughter!"

I responded angrily to his thoughts, looking directly at him. "We didn't did that to her- we tried to save her!". They'd find out sooner or later that I could hear them anyway, I justified to myself.

The shock that I could hear their thoughts rippled through their minds, and also registered in their renewed tense stances. Their reaction was pronounced enough to make Emmett snicker quietly at their surprise. I held back a smirk of my own. Sometimes my extra abilities came in handy.

Carlisle tried to bring their attention back to the issue, rather than allowing them to focus on my ability. He was careful to smother slightly irritated thoughts at tipping our hand because I couldn't hold my temper where Bella was concerned. "We will return the boy to you, unharmed. You will have to trust that what happened to Bella was not done by us and did not breach the terms of the treaty. We can explain the situation. Today's incident was an unfortunate misunderstanding."

Sam seemed to consider Carlisle's assurances while the other two wolves continued to barrage him with their doubts. They clearly didn't believe Carlisle and were afraid that if they let us leave now there would be nothing to stop us from running and taking Jacob with us. They were concerned that we had somehow realized Jacob's position as their potential future leader and had taken a valuable chess piece. They also seriously doubted we didn't kill Bella.

The smallest of the wolves, the one who had attacked earlier, was urging Sam to fight through us and save Jacob now. His mental pictures of Bella biting Jacob and drinking his blood while they stood wasting time were almost humorous. He highly underestimated his own stink. Even a new born obviously had better senses than to want to take a bite out of something that vile smelling. I hadn't gotten close enough to JAcb to discern if he smelled as bad as the rest of his kin, but clearly Bella had been able to control herself. He was in more danger of being crushed accidentally by her than of her biting him. Clearly this young wolf lacked any practical experience with vampires, yet he was so anxious to have a "rematch" with me as he thought of it.

No aware that I was listening in on their mental conversation, and consequently learning quite a bit of information, Sam cut the other wolves off. I was grudgingly impressed with his mental control and his leadership. He looked at me tentatively, feeling slightly foolish for thinking at me. "We need more. We need a guarantee."

I sighed and told Carlisle that we'd have to offer something as collateral in order for them to trust us. Carlisle quirked an eyebrow at me in silent questioning. "What would they possibly accept as collateral?"

"I will stay until the boy is returned safely." I volunteered aloud, much the surprise of both my family and the wolves.

Alice was the first to voice her dissatisfaction with my plan as she scanned the future furiously for the outcome of this decision. My future was suddenly and alarmingly blank. She hissed. That worried me as well. I didn't think they'd try to kill me. But if something went wrong… I tried not to dwell on it. I would do anything in my power to make Bella safe. If it required me to offer myself as collateral, I would do it. I would do everything I could to avoid death at the hands of teenage werewolves, but if my life ended to ensure that Bella was safe, so be it.

Luckily, Alice couldn't simply voice her discovery of my now blank future in front of the wolves. She was not happy about staying silent on the matter and mentally berated me and pleaded with me not to do it. I ignored her. No one else would know about the potential danger until the trade was completed.

After tense, but quick, consideration Sam nodded his head once- accepting the trade. I pleaded with my eyes with Carlisle to allow me this choice. Are you sure? He asked me after studying my determined features. I nodded, almost eager.

Carlisle accepted the terms with wary words to the wolves and a sideways glance at me. "We meet here tonight at midnight. We'll bring the boy to you and Edward will return with us. Unharmed." He stressed the last word in a hard voice.

Sam's wolf head nodded again, he was purposely devoid of any specific thoughts. I took the opportunity to talk to Alice.

"Please make sure Bella understands they aren't going to harm Jacob. He'll be safe and he needs to be with his people. Tell her that I love her and that I don't blame her for wanting to protect him or for …earlier." I hesitated on how to refer to her intial reactions upon finding herself a vampire. I didn't blame her for any thing but I didn't want the wolves to know that she had essentially attacked me. That was private and I knew she didn't mean to hurt anyone. She was simply overwhelmed by everything. Alice understood my meaning and nodded. She was upset with my decision but understood it was mine to make. She silently agreed to give my message to Bella. I reached out to her head and ruffled her spiky hair in my best big brother imitation. As a testament to how truly upset she was, she actually let me do it before she turned away from me.

I watched as my family reluctantly melted into the woods leaving me alone with the wolves.

Now without my family, I turned to face the three wolves and for the first time since I had seen them, I felt a tiny thrill of fear. The three of them could utterly destroy me if they chose to. Worse yet, they knew it.

"What are we supposed to do with him now?" The youngest wolf asked in his mind to the others. It was a very good question. One I was wondering myself.

AN: It's been a while since I did Edward's point of view- I hope you enjoyed it. I am trying to be nice with this update so soon after my previous chapter. Let me know if the extra effort is making you happy.

Review, review, review!

Oh yes- also, I'm looking for a BETA. It would be great if it was someone who could also help bounce around creative ideas on where to take this story. I have the basic idea, but if you want to help send me a PM. Of course you'll be credited for the story too!