As we drove closer to the treaty line, my nerves started to get the better of me. I had no idea who would be there or how I would feel about seeing them again. Would I be irritated at them because they left? Would I be sad that I didn't get more time with them? Would I be happy that they came home? Or would I be so angry that they turned me into such a weak person that I allow the pack to rip them to shreds? I honestly had no idea, and that scared me.
When we got to the treaty line, Alice, Jasper and Edward were standing around Edwards Volvo looking directly towards us. Sam and Embry appeared from the woods, in their human form and walked over to the road.
"What do you want, Cullen?" Sam asked with hostility dripping from his voice, looking at Edward.
"We were given a reason to believe that Bella was in danger. And by the looks of her being stuck in her truck with a dog, I'm going to say we were right." Edward shot back with just as much hostility. "Bella? We'll keep an eye on you. Let's go."
"Jake, I'm going out there. I need to speak with him."
"Are you sure?" Jake asked, one of the things I loved most about him was that he never made choices for me, even if he felt the choice I made was wrong. I nodded and stepped out of the truck. Jake stepped out as well.
"Alice." I don't know why but her leaving hurt me the most. She was my best friend and she never even said bye.
"Bella, I've missed you so much. I…" She glanced at the men by my side before looking back to me. "I thought you were in danger."
"I am, thanks to you. Victoria wants me dead. But your vision didn't stop seeing me because of death. I think the wolves are a barrier to your power. Self defense mechanism of sorts."
"You told them about my power? I trusted you with that information. You were my best friend, Bella." Alice seemed genuinely hurt but she had no idea how ironic she sounded.
"I trusted YOU! And you just left, no goodbye, nothing! And HE!" I thrust a finger towards Edward without looking at him, "He left me in the woods where I could have died! For what? Just to come back saying I'm in danger from a vampire that I never would have been in the crossfire for if it hadn't been for you. All of you." There's that fire they stole from me. I was getting it back. My Qahla gave me all the strength I needed and I could feel his heat from behind me.
"Bella." Edward started, "We left because we thought we were more dangerous to you here than gone. The second we realised that us being gone left you open to attack, we came back. We didn't realise though that when we did, you'd be friends with these dangerous MUTTS!"
"What mutts? Because these men right here are as pure bred as it gets." I couldn't stand him talking about Jake and the pack that way. Jake let out a quiet chuckle from behind me before Edward looked over at him with an odd expression. On his face that I couldn't quite figure out.
"If he was so pure, he wouldn't be having those thoughts." Edward was seething.
"Try memories instead, leech."
"You're lying, my Bella would never." Edward was barely holding it together, meanwhile Jake was obviously having fun.
"Well, that makes sense, since she's not yours." Jake needed to stop egging Edward on before they started an all out war.
"Boys! Please? Could we have the whose is biggest contest later? And Edward stay out of his thoughts!" I heard chuckles from Sam and Embry before Embry stepped forward.
"Curious question Bella but, when this contest goes down, you gonna be the judge? I mean it wouldn't be smart to let them judge themselves. They could lie!" Embry said that last part with so much seriousness but I could see the smile he was failing to hide.
"Oh my God! Embry!" I covered my face with my hands in an attempt to hide but Jake pulled my hands down to his chest with one of his own and his other tilted me face up at him in that way I came to love so much.
"Don't worry Bells, no rush." Jake winked at me and while I knew he was trying to make me more embarrassed, something about it out me at ease. His eyes glanced down at my lips and he swallowed hard before turning away from me. I guess kissing me in front of Edward WOULD cause a huge mess but I still kind of wanted him to do it.
"Here's the deal. I make it, my deal because it's my life. The Cullen's can keep an eye while I'm in school and at work, plus I doubt Victoria will try anything while surrounded by people. They can also patrol around my house at night since vampires don't sleep. The wolves get evenings, and weekends, and pretty much all of spring break. My free time. No exceptions. No if's, and's or but's. This gives them a chance to live somewhat normal lives and go to school during the week." I shot a glance at Jake, hoping he took the hint and continued his education despite this mess.
"Agreed." Sam said, nodding at me.
"Alright. Deal." Edward agreed next.
I nodded at both of them then took Jake's hand and walked back to the truck. Once seated I had to ask, "You were about to kiss me, then stopped. What made you stop?"
"I knew you'd be upset if I kissed you just to make a point. You're not a prize to be won."
"Thank you Jake, and for what it's worth? You DID win." I leaned over to my personal space heater and pressed my lips into his. "Mmm." I pulled away and licked my lips. "You should probably go, get some rest. The Cullen's will watch over me from here."
"I don't like this." I knew he wouldn't but I didn't see any other way this would work out, plus having 5 extra sets of eyes on me during the day was not a bad idea and 7 on me at night.
"I know. But I'll be ok. I love you Jake. My Qahla." This relaxed Jake tremendously. He leaned in and placed a quick kiss to the tip of my nose and took off into the woods. I drove home, in silence, knowing that the Cullen's were driving in front of and behind me and that I would be safe.