Chapter Twenty One

Peter

I heard people approaching and slid out from Bella's embrace, lovely though it had been. I didn't think letting Jasper see me that close to Bella was a good idea, not yet anyway. She was still deeply asleep so I went out to meet him seeing he had two other guys with him, both big and muscular and both definitely not human. Jasper moved forward and gripped my hand.

"Is Bella OK?"

"Yeah. Edward hasn't shown up again and she's asleep."

"Good. I'm not staying I'm going to try and find Edward or Victoria. These are Jake and Seth, two Quileutes who've come to give us a hand."

"Quileutes?"

"Yeah Peter, wolves, but they are on our side"

"At least for now" he taller of the two said, stepping forward.

"Bella's a good friend."

"OK So you'll be moving in with us?"

He shook his head,

"No, we run perimeter checks and guard in wolf form. Its the best way and I'm not sure Bella would want to see me anyway."

"Jeez, is there anyone not skulking around her?"

"Only you Peter. Only you"

Jasper said sadly before melting back into the trees. Jake looked at me for a moment before speaking,

"I know why he's involved, but why are you?"

"A friend doing a favour that's all"

"Don't tell her about us. She'll only freak out."

"OK just as you say. Do I need to supply you with anything?"

"No we hunt as we go. Just let us know if you're going anywhere. One can stay here and the other phase back to human form to watch for you"

I nodded and hearing Bella stir went back inside shutting the door on the two wolves, we were going to be falling over each other if anyone else turned up. Wolves! What the fuck did we need with those?

Bella

I thought I heard voices as I woke up but by the time I got up and looked out of the window Peter stood alone looking into the trees and shaking his head. I opened the door and called to him,

"Is everything OK Peter? I thought I heard voices"

"Bad sign Princess even in my world. What were they saying?"

"Very funny Peter. Are you going somewhere?"

"No just been down to Titan. You want to go for a ride this morning?"

"To our Magic Grotto?"

He nodded with a smile,

"Sure, why not."

I got showered, dressed, and was eating breakfast when Peter came up to the house with Titan already saddled. I grabbed my swim wear and a towel and joined him. After lifting me up he looked round before mounting behind me.

"Is something wrong?"

He shook his head,

"No Princess just keeping vigilant."

We rode quickly to the river as the sun warmed the air. It looked and smelled just as wonderful as the last time I'd been here and I changed quickly in the trees before joining him in the water. As before we dived for pebbles and splashed about before getting out to lay on a blanket he'd spread on the grass for the sun to dry us. I closed my eyes and groped for his hand with mine. It was cold and still wet but I grasped it firmly and allowed myself to drift.

Peter

Laying here with Bella was nice, relaxing but then she took my hand and it stopped being so peaceful. I felt myself reacting to her closeness and was pleased to see she still had her eyes closed. I sat up resting my head on my free hand and gazed at her. Hearing a slight noise I turned slightly to see a huge wolf in the shadow of the trees its teeth gleaming white as it growled very softly. I smiled and turned back, so Jake was interested in Bella too. She seemed to have an affect on every male she met, quite unconsciously. She had drifted off in the warmth of the sun and held my hand tighter. I looked at our hands joined and it gave me a warm feeling. Not only from her warm blood but from the trust she placed in me. My throat burned with the scent of her blood but I could resist her, I would need to hunt later but this time the wolves would be here for her. The problem was how to tell her that without her flipping out, it sounded like she wouldnt be exactly pleased to see the shaggy flea bag.

Jake

My blood was boiling to see Bella laying on the blanket holding hands with the Leech. I thought she'd learned her lesson with Edward Cullen and now she was here with a human hunter and so close it was obscene. I tried to warn him but he only smiled his triumph. I could see I was going to have to phase back and let her know I was here. Give her another alternative to the Leech who was obviously preying on her insecurity. They were all the same...except maybe for Jasper Hale. He hadn't stayed and he hadn't let her know he was around, a good move in my book. I found Seth and explained the situation, mind to mind. He was worried I would flip out over Peter but I promised to behave I was just worried she was falling into his arms because he was the only one looking after her.

"What about Becca?"

Seth thought.

"What about Becca? She's safe at home"

"Do you still love Bella?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"Yes"

He was annoying me now.

"Stay out of sight and keep checking the perimeter" I ordered before phasing back to human form and reclaiming my clothes. Appearing naked wouldn't be a good move!

Bella

I woke to hear Peter cursing and sat up quickly looking at him. As I turned to follow his gaze I realized we were still holding hands and I pulled mine free self consciously. When I saw who he was looking at I gasped and jumped up,

"Jake! What are you doing here?"

"More to the point what are you doing here with him like that?"

I couldn't believe my ears. I hadn't seen Jake in so long and all he could do was bitch because I was here with Peter."

"Back off Jake. Peter is looking after me and how did you find me?"

"Alice sent him"

Peter jumped in quickly.

Jake looked at him with a caustic smile on his lips,

"No one sent me Leech. I was asked to help look after you and I can see why"

"Oh Jake? Why would that be exactly?"

"I saw him holding your hand. He's taking advantage of you Bells. Don't you remember what happened with Edward?"

"Funnily enough I do Jake. He attacked me in the shower and Peter threw him out the window. But I guess that was taking advantage too!"

Jake sneered,

"Yeah I bet. He was probably on his way in to see you himself and got pissed because Edward beat him to it"

"Anyway Jake, what's it got to do with you? Where's Becca?"

"Its got everything to do with me. I care about you Bells. Becca's at home on the reservation with Billy and Emily."

"So who's here?"

"Just me..."my eyes narrowed menacingly..."and Seth."

I looked into the trees, "So he's on patrol while you snoop"

"No he's on guard while I endeavour to keep you out of his clutches" he pointed at Peter who just sat there smiling.

"Listen Wolf Boy if Bella doesn't like anything I do she only has to say and I'll stop but for your information she took my hand."

I nodded with a smile, it was true after all.

"Yeah well she doesn't know what she's doing, she's scared."

"Jake I was very relaxed until you turned up so why don't you turn back into a wolf and check the perimeter or whatever it is you wolves do, or better still go home."

Jake looked thunderous but I hated seeing him here. I'd run from him and all my past and now he was here again. Why had Alice called on him? Was she that worried about me or had she seen me getting close to Peter? Why would that upset her unless she had her sights on him, he didn't seem her type, but then neither had Jasper.