Nobody said, or rather, thought, a single word on the way back. The anger coming off of Jacob was palpable. His mind a snarled mess of broken images, thoughts and dreams of tearing the the Cullen's to pieces. The muscles under his fur rippled as he ran harder and faster, trying to physically beat back his emotions. It wasn't working.

They were nearing the house when Jacob skidded to a stop, tossed his enormous head back howled loudly to the night sky. Vaguely he heard Embry order the others to phase back and go home. They would all meet tomorrow. One by one the others disappeared from their collective stream of consciousness, like flames from a candle being extinguished. There was only Embry and Quil left to deal with his temper.

Jacob need more than to just run. He needed to rip something apart. He needed a good fight. He raked his claws over the trees, shredding bark and tearing at their roots. He ran, slamming his body against one, causing it to shake. This wasn't good enough. The man in him wanted to punch, kick and spit. The desire to clench his fingers into tight fists was enough to make him shift back to human, and the power of his blow sent a crack running up the tree when it connected.

Embry and Quil were also angry and disgusted with the vampires. Bella wasn't their mate, but their Alpha's. More than that, she was their family, and the woman was going to marry the boy, the man who had been their friend since childhood. In a way, she was marrying all three of them. Bella may not be blood, hell she may not be Quileute, but she was, what she had become to them all was so much more. The very idea of anyone taking her away, set them all on edge.

Quil circled in front of Jacob, allowing him to land a blow to his cheek. Then Embry stepped into the fray, Jacob's fist connecting with gut. They danced around each other, punching and kicking, until they were all sore, exhausted and bloody. Jacob could feel the broken bones in his hands beginning to heal, and suddenly felt ashamed for his display of temper. Being around vampires always amped them up, but tonight, hearing the way the Cullen's talked about Bella. It pissed him off and scared him at the same time. If they had their way, she'd be gone with them on the first flight out of here, and living out her days drinking blood. Leveling his eyes on his brothers, he let out a muttered "Sorry".

"Don't worry about, man", said Embry. "We needed it too."

Quil laughed at him. "Better the three of us pounding the shit out of each other than ripping apart Dr. Fang and his coven. At least until you get what we need out of them". Quil rubbed his side, his ribs painful, and certainly cracked. "Jesus, Jake. You hit like a fucking hammer. What the hell happened to you up on that mountain? I swear you came back bigger and stronger than you already were, and that's saying something."

Embry grinned and nodded his head in agreement. His eye was black and swollen from one of the blows Jake landed on him. "No shit. Quil's right. Edward better not even think of leaving Castle Dracula. You'd have him ripped apart in a second."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Come on. I wanna get home". Before he shifted, he looked at his two friends, grateful once again that they always had his back. "Thanks." Then he phased and took off for home.


Bella was pacing around the house, anxiously waiting for Jacob to get back home. Everyone had gone home already, most of the pack having come back an hour ago. Emmett and Rosalie were out in the forest somewhere. Bella hadn't really paid attention, but she did remember hearing something about them watching the treaty line. Stopping in front of the living room window she looked out into the darkness, watching for any sign of Jacob. Maddie walked over to her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, Bella. You need a distraction. They'll be back soon".

She sighed, and knowing Maddie was right. It was just that she was nervous, and felt better with Jake around. She had no doubts about her safety. There were always wolves patrolling these days. She shrugged. Maybe it was just the newness of the imprint. Right now, she just wanted to know what had happened at the meeting. When Jake didn't come back with the others, she knew it was because he needed to blow off some steam. Nobody had to tell her that. The whole situation was stressful, and he wasn't one to take out his frustrations on her. She was pretty certain that the trees in the forest were taking a beating.

Joining Maddie on the couch, she tried to focus her mind on other things. It was the first time the two girls had been alone together since Jacob had come back from his vision quest, and she was curious as to how her two friends relationship was progressing. "How are things going with you and Embry?" she asked. She took a sip of her tea. "I assume you stayed with him for the last three days."

Maddie bit her lip and smiled a little. "Yeah, I did."

Bella rolled her eyes. Girl gave nothing away. "Ok, spill it. You're going to tell me sooner or later, so it may as well be sooner."

"What?", Maddie hedged. "You want all of the steamy intimate details?"

Bella smiled at her over rim of her mug. "Are there steamy details?"

Maddie stuck out her tongue. "You are a snoop."

"Fine. Don't tell me. I'll find out anyway." was her sarcastic response. Maddie just looked at her in shock. "Pack mind, remember? I'll just weasel it out of Paul."

Maddie threw a pillow at her, Bella deftly dodging it. "Hey!"

Exasperated, she figured she might as well get it over with. "Fine. We had hot amazing sex. The best sex I've ever had in my life! Happy now?"

Bella couldn't hide her amusement. "Yes."

Maddie started giggling. "You're impossible, you know that right?"

"Whatever, you love me." Bella took in the happy expression on her best friends face. "So, seriously, things are good? You're happy?"

Maddie closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "I am. So much so that it scares me."

Bella leaned into her side. She understood. So much about Maddie's life was hard. She put on a good show, always being happy, a tough exterior. Under it all, there was a sense of false security. After losing her parents, Maddie didn't get attached to people or places. Those things were fleeting. She kept herself slightly detached from everyone. It was her defense mechanism.

"You know he's not going to leave you, right?"

"I know", she whispered. "it's just going to take some getting used to. Letting somebody love me. Loving someone else. He's the only person other than you that I've let in." Maddie smiled shyly. "I told him I love him."

Bella straightened up, her mouth agape in surprise.

"Close your mouth, Bella, and don't look so surprised." Maddie's eyes twinkled with mischief. She was about to shock ten years off the life of her best friend. "I'm moving in with him."

"WHAT?" screeched Bella. "Are you kidding me?"

"Jeez, you act like you don't approve. I'm a big girl Miss. Swan." Then she added teasingly. "Little Red Riding Hood can handle the Big, Bad Wolf."

"Oh. My. God. You are too much!" laughed Bella. Then wrapping an arm around Maddie's shoulders, she added "I'm happy for you both."

"Yeah, I knew you would be. Bedsides, it just makes sense, you know. It was going to happen sooner or later, and I can't stay here forever. You and Jacob are getting married in a few weeks, and you're going to need your privacy back."

"Maddie, you know you can stay as long as you like. Don't rush it because you think we-". Bella was interrupted mid sentence as the door opened. In walked Jacob, Embry and Quil. Taking in their battered forms, Bella jumped up off the couch. "What in the hell happened to the three of you?"

Maddie was frowning at the Embry's swollen eye, and examining a cut on his arm. "Are you ok?" she asked.

Quil rolled his eyes. "They're fine. I, on the other hand, could use some medical attention. Bella, your soon to be husband kicked the crap out of my ribs."

"Don't listen to him, Bella", retorted Embry. "He only cracked one rib, and it's almost healed. He's just playing the sympathy card." Embry looked down at Maddie, who was anxiously checking him over. "Sweetheart, I'm fine. It's just some blood. Cuts are all healed." She looked up skeptically at his swollen eye. "Eye will be fine soon. Don't know why, they always seem to take longer to heal."

Bella was busy examining Jacob's bloodied hands, and didn't miss the wince when she pulled his fingers straight. "Just some busted knuckles, Bells. I'm fine. The guys and I let off some steam, don't worry about it." She narrowed her eyes at him. "Yeah, how about you don't tell me what not to worry about and I don't tell you not to kick the shit out of each other." She shook her head at the three of them. "You idiots go wash the blood off your hands, and I'll get some ice packs out". She raised an eyebrow at Embry who was looking at her skeptically. "Don't even think of telling me you don't need it, Call. You look like a teenage girl with bad make-up."

Embry and Quil headed for the bathrooms to wash up, while Maddie and Bella turned towards the kitchen to make up some ice packs. Before she could get two steps, Jacob laid a hand on her arm, stopping her for a moment. He pulled her into his arms, and Bella could feel the torrent of emotions coming off of him in waves. Something had shaken him tonight, badly. He rested his head on top of hers, once again thinking of how close he'd come to losing her all those years ago. "Want to talk about it?" she asked.
He let out a long sigh. "Not yet. I just need to hold you for a minute." Bella nodded against his chest, and relaxed herself into him. "I love you, Jake", she whispered, knowing he desperately needed to hear it. Smiling, he kissed the top of her silky head. "Love you too, honey, so, so much."

The moment was short lived, as Quil strode back in the room. "Get a room you two". Then flashing his hands to Bella, he smirked and said "All clean, Mom".

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Quit showing us your jazz hands, Quil." Gently he released Bella from his hold. I'm going to take a quick shower, and don't worry, I promise to run some ice cold water over my hands." He leveled a gaze at Quil. "We'll all talk when I come back down. Just wait for me."

Quil grabbed Bella by the hand. "Ok, Bells. Let's go play doctor." Then with a wink he told her "I'll even let you give me a sponge bath." She smacked him in the side for that, and he visibly winced. "Ouch, Bells! Cracked ribs, remember."

She raised her eyebrows at him. "Yeah, well, why do you think I smacked you there? Sponge bath..." Bella turned on her heel and stalked into the kitchen, leaving Jacob smirking at Quil in the living room. "That's my girl", he stated proudly.

Quil put a hand over his sore ribs. "I think she's been spending too much time with the pack."


Jacob came into the kitchen 15 minutes later to find his friends had been patched up by the girls. Bella had wrapped some tape around Quil's ribs, and Embry was leaning against the counter with an ice pack pressed to his face. He could smell the food Bella was reheating in the oven, an his stomach immediately started growling. Bella heard it and shook her head. "No way. Not until you let me look at your hands." Exasperated, Jacob let her look them over, but they were already healed. Just a little swollen, still. "They're fine Bells." She didn't say anything, instead handing him a bag of ice along with a meaningful glare. "Fine", he muttered.

Bella and Maddie went about the business of pulling the reheated egg rolls and chinese food out of the oven, dividing it up on plates for the three men. "So", started Maddie. "You three want to tell us why the hell you kicked the living shit out of each other?" Embry choked on his egg roll. Crap, he thought. She's got that look on her face. The one he knew that meant she wanted a straight answer, and wasn't going to settle for anything less. "Uh, we-" he stammered.

Jake looked at her and then to Bella. "The Cullen's confirmed what Emmett and Rosalie already told us. They came here to persuade you to come away with them. They thought it would be best for you if they turned you into a vampire instead of letting the Volturi make a grab for you."

Fire smoldered in Bella's eyes. Aw, shit! thought Jacob. He knew that look. She was pissed and determined to do something about it. They all watched as Bella grabbed her jacket and headed for the garage. "Bella, where are you going?" asked Maddie.

"I'm going to rip my former family a new asshole and tell them to stay the fuck out of my life!"

Maddie grabbed her coat. "Wait, I'm coming with you."

The boys, momentarily stunned by their actions, chased after the two of them. "Oh no you don't" said Jacob, standing in front of the garage door. "Jake, I love you, but I swear to God if you don't move your ass now, I'm going to knock you over the head with a tire iron." He just stood his ground, unmoving. "No way, Bells. I'm not letting you go over there. It's too dangerous."

"What? What's dangerous about it? You think that something is going to happen? I highly doubt they're that dumb. They're not going to try and take me when the whole pack, not to mention Rose and Emmett are watching their asses. I've had it with this shit, and it's time they hear it from me. Now you all can stay here or come with, but I'm going."

Jacob snatched the keys out her hand. "Fine, but I'm driving. If they even look at you the wrong way I'm grabbing you and getting us the hell out of there." He nodded to Embry and Quil. "Get in back."

Embry turned to Maddie. "You stay here and wait."

"Oh, Hell No!" She half yelled. "You don't get to tell me what to do, Embry Call. I'm going and that's final." That said she yanked open the passenger side door. "Let's go, Bella".

They pulled out of the garage and headed out of La Push and into the direction of the Cullen's house. "Maddie, when we get there, I don't want you to say anything. Just stick close to Embry", advised Bella. When they got close to the treaty line, Jacob yelled out the window for Rose and Emmett to meet them there, hoping to God they could hear him from where they were at. Sure enough, Bella glimpsed two white figures streaking through the trees.

Arriving at the Cullen mansion, Jacob turned off the ignition and levelled his gaze at Bella. "Remember what I told you. I don't like this, and we're out of here."

Bella who was still angry as hell narrowed her eyes at him. "Fine. Now let me out." Jacob slid out of the truck, already regretting his decision to come here. Bella, not waiting for him or anyone else, swiftly marched up to the house. Before she could ascend the porch steps, a tiny pale figure bolted out the front door and engulfed her in a hug. Alice was clearly happy to see her. "Bella! I'm so glad to see you! I've missed you so much." Unfortunately Bella did not return the sentiment, and neither did the wolves growling behind her. "Let go of me, Alice. I'm in no mood."

Alice's face was crestfallen as she drew back from her old friend. "Come inside, everyone is waiting for you."

"No. I'm not here for a social call." One by one, the rest of the family, except for Edward who she could faintly hear screaming her name from somewhere in the house, came out onto the porch. Jasper could feel the anger coming off of her in waves, but before he could do anything about it she shot a sharp look in his direction and snapped at him. "Don't even think about, Jasper."

Carlisle smiled gently at her. "Isabella, it's nice to see you again. Please, we don't mean you any harm, you should know that by now. Come inside. It's freezing out here."

Completely ignoring him, Bella started in on a tirade. "HOW DARE YOU!" she yelled. "How dare you all think that you have any right to make decisions about my life. My life!" Alice opened her mouth to say something, but Bella held up a hand to stop her. "No, don't even start! You could have warned me. Did you know that Edward was here? Did you know he was off his damn rocker? He tried to take me! He nearly killed Sam, and you did nothing to stop it!"

Alice buckled under the weight of her accusations. "All of you need to get something straight right now. I am not some weak little girl anymore. This is my life, and I decide what's best for me. Not you, not the Volturi and certainly not Edward." She was fuming now.

"Bella, please try to understand. We only thought it we were doing what was best for you", explained Carlisle.

"Are you kidding me! What was best for me?" she shouted. "What right do you think you know what's best for me without even asking me! No, you were all concerned with what was best for you. Edward told me that vampires are selfish creatures at heart. I never believed it until now. None of you were acting on anything other than what you thought was going to serve you in the end. I know all about how you planned on using me to your advantage. So, let's get one thing straight right now. I am going to stay right here in La Push. I am going to live my life, marry Jacob, have lots of kids, and get old. Nothing you can say or do is going to change my mind about that. I'd rather die than than turn in to a cold, selfish, creature", she spat. She levelled her gaze on Alice. "You! Did you ever care about me, or was I just another plaything for you? Because I'll tell you something right now." She pointed to Maddie, who was standing next to a very protective Embry. "You see that woman, right there? She's the best friend I've ever had in my life. She was the one who was there for me, picking up the pieces after I left Edward. She's never forced me to anything I wanted to do. She asks for my opinions, and never treats me like some little girl to play games with. She would have never, ever keep a secret from me. She'd sure as hell not sit back and watch my ex come after me without some kind of warning to keep me safe. That's friendship, something you after a hundred years seem to know nothing about!"

Esme, who had been very quiet and still, stepped forward. "She's right." The soft hearted woman kept her eyes on Bella. "I don't blame you for hating us. You're right about all of it. It was wrong, and we know it. I promise, we'll do everything we can to help you."

"You're damn right you will!" stated Bella. "It's all your fault any of us are in this mess. Oh, used to think that it wasn't your fault. But, I was a dumb teenaged girl. I know better now. So, you're going to help the pack fix this mess, and then you're going get the hell out of my life for good, or I swear I'll find a way to torch this house with all of you in it."

Bella turned on her heel, stomping past the surprised looking werewolves and Maddie, and slid into the truck. Maddie, Embry and Quill followed her. Jacob gave one last look at the Cullens. "I think she made herself clear. I'll be back tomorrow."

Jacob turned the key in the ignition and drove away. They weren't even out the driveway yet when Bella smacked her hand hard on the dashboard. "Cavalier fucking bastards! How dare they think they can take away my choices. Mine! Turn back around, Jake. I'm not done yet!"

Maddie's looked over at her. Bella was shaking from anger, her cheeks scarlett. "Yes, I think you are. You made yourself pretty damn clear back there."

"She's right", agreed Jacob. "I don't think there's any doubt left in their minds." Jacob started shaking with laughter. "Torch the house!" He slung an arm around her. "I love you."

When they got back to the house, Quil sprang from the bed of the truck and lifted a still furious Bella into a hug. "Damn, woman! Remind me never to cross you!"

"Yeah, well, I guess having a police chief for a father, a feminist for a mother and a bunch of overgrown dogs for friends is finally starting to rub off on me", she replied.

"Damn straight" he agreed! "Bella Swan, the ultimate wolf girl", and then he threw his head back and howled. "I'm outta here, Jake, before she decides to go after me next", joked Quil. "See you tomorrow".

Embry was laughing so hard his sides hurt. "Damn, Bella! Quil's right. We should put you on patrol rotation and give you a blowtorch."
"Oh, leave her alone, Embry", said Maddie. She marched up to Bella and gave her a huge hug. "I love you, girlie. We'll see you tomorrow." As they were walking out the door, Jacob noticed the mountain of microwave popcorn in the corner. "Hey, wait a second. Bella told me I should ask you about all this popcorn. What gives?"

Bella shot Embry a warning glance. "Uh, yeah. Not tonight. I'll tell you about it tomorrow." He gave Jacob a lopsided grin. "I'm taking Maddie home with me tonight. We'll see you in the morning", and he beat feet out the door.

Jacob gathered Bella in his arms. "I gotta say, Bells. That little display you put on over there was the hottest thing I think I've ever seen."

She snorted, trying to conceal her laughter. "All I know is it felt damn good. How are you feeling, anyway? Everything healed?"

"Yeah, just a little sore. My muscles are tired."

Her eyes twinkled with delight. "Well, then it's a good thing we've got a hot tub."

"You're right." Jacob tossed her over his shoulder, and ran her outside, ready to get back to the bliss of being alone with his soon to be wife.