AN Hi everyone!

Sorry Edward is being such a dick ;)
Loving all your reviews though!

So thank you, I hope you keep reading and enjoying and as always let me know what you think!

Chapter 8 - So... they have guard dogs?

By the time Kate and I called it quits for today, Angela and Rose had tracked me down and were gushing about me standing up to Edward.

'I can't believe you did that!' Angela squealed, threading her arm through mine as we headed back to my rooms.

'I'm so proud of you.' Rose said, her voice warm and her smile genuine. 'He definitely got what he deserved.'

I grinned at both of them. 'I was just done… I've lived through being a prisoner once. I wasn't about to meekly do it again.'

Angela squeezed me and Rose patted my back proudly.

'So how did it go with Kate?' Rose asked as she closed the door behind us. We'd reached my room and I kicked off my shoes immediately.

'Horrible.' I muttered.

The training session with Emmett had given me a newfound confidence in myself that I was a good vampire after all and worth something. But training with Kate had thrust all my shortcomings in my face again. She'd pushed me hard to work on my shielding, but I still got no further. I was also absolutely exhausted from it.

'I'm sure you'll get there.' Rose said kindly.

'I've not progressed in sixty years. I think it's just time to call it quits.' I muttered sinking down onto the couch.

Angela shook her head. 'No, Bella. Don't give up. Tomorrow there's some people coming in. I think one of them might be able to help you.'

'Who?' Rose asked turning to Angela.

'Zafrina' Angela answered.

'Oh!' Rose said excitedly. 'Yes! She'll definitely be able to help Bella! With her and Kate together you'll make progress in no time.'

I groaned and shook my head. I knew they meant well, but I was pretty sure that this was simply the limit of my gift. Not wanting to get into an argument I simply stood up and told them I was going to shower. They nodded and left me to my own devices telling me to shout for them if I wanted some company after my shower or needed anything else. I shook my head at them but thanked them.

I headed into the bathroom as they headed out the door. I took my time in the shower, relishing in the luxurious warm water. The shower was out of this world, with a fancy panel that controlled the hardness of the spray, which shower head was turned on – there were at least five to choose from – and an option to turn the shower into a steam room. I lathered myself up in a rich smelling body wash and washed and conditioned my hair. I hadn't felt this clean since I'd last been in favour. And even then I hadn't had this much luxury during bathing.

I shut off the shower after a while and then toweled myself dry before slipping on some sweats and a loose fitting shirt. A knock sounded at the door and I frowned. Who would be coming by?

I headed over and opened the door only to find Edward standing there. His arms crossed and his face fixed into a scowl. That is until I opened the door. His scowl seemed to slip from his face as his eyes trailed up and down my body. I tried not to squirm.

'What?' I asked, rather rudely.

His eyes snapped up to mine and for a moment his gaze was earnest. Something about his gaze struck me and I felt myself being pulled towards him, his eyes drawing me in. Then he seemed to realize who he was looking at, and snapped his face back into a cold mask. He pushed into my room and I gaped at him.

'Excuse me?' I asked indignant. 'What do you think you're doing?'

'I should ask you that.' He said gruffly.

'I didn't invite you inside.' I said.

'I don't need to be invited. I own this place.' He answered arrogantly. I grit my teeth against the urge to slap him. God he was insufferable.

'From now on you might do me the same curtesy I do you, to only come when I ask you.'

Edward scoffed at that. 'I don't owe you anything.'

I crossed my arms over my chest, thoroughly frustrated. 'Fine. What do you want?'

'That little stunt you pulled today, it won't happen again.'

'Well, that depends on you, doesn't it?' I shot back.

'I don't think you understand me.' he walked closer and towered over me, his eyes boring into my own. 'It will not happen again.'

'Or what?'

'Or you will become my prisoner.' He growled.

My own anger flared. 'Then kill me!' I yelled at him. I slapped my hands hard against his chest, pushing him away from me. 'You've made it abundantly clear you don't want me. So just kill me and be done with it!'

Edward let me push him away. His face once again showing his surprise. 'You'd rather die?' he asked, his voice filled with an emotion I couldn't decipher but definitely void of all the anger he'd been holding on to just a second ago.

'Yes.' I said without hesitation. Pain flashed across his face and I frowned at it.

'Ehy?' he muttered in a subdued tone.

I stalked over to him, I didn't understand his sudden change in attitude but I wasn't going to let him walk all over me. So I kept hold of my anger.

'Because I've been a prisoner. I've been the lowest of the low. I've been treated like crap and I've endured it all before. I'm done. I'll never allow anyone to treat me like that again. Not without a fight. I'm going to fight you every step of the way if you try to make me your prisoner here. So if that's your plan you'd be better off killing me right now.'

He looked horrified for a moment before his face slipped back into a emotionless mask. 'I'll allow you to keep training with Emmett and Kate. But not in the training hall where everyone can just walk in.' he said sternly.

'Oh how gracious of you.' I bit back sarcastically.

A grin flicked over his face before he turned stern again. 'And your progress will be detailed to me.'

I rolled my eyes at him.

'You will take an escort to your trainings of my choosing.' He said.

'I will not.' I shot back. I would not accept a warden, not one of his choosing at least.

'You will.' He insisted.

'I will allow Rose or Angela to go with me. But that is it.' I insisted stubbornly.

He blew out a breath harshly through his nose. 'I will not be disobeyed.'

'I've already told you this enough now, Edward.' I growled at him. 'I won't obey you. Ever.'

'I think you will.' He growled, stepping closer to me.

'I definitely won't.' I insisted, holding his gaze with my own.

I didn't know where all this confidence was coming from, but I was damned if I was just going to meekly allow him to trample me. I would never undergo that again. I would never submit myself to anyone else again.

Edward growled again and before I could stop him, he'd grabbed hold of my wrists, pushed me back against the door and brought my wrists above my head, holding me firmly in place. Fear slashed through me for a moment, thinking he was going to follow through on my threat and kill me after all, but as his face closed in on mine, his eyes held a different fire. Not anger, although there was anger in there as well. But it was something else… something that reminded me of desire… but it couldn't be... could it?

Then his lips crashed down on mine and my eyes closed of their own accord. Something sparked within me and I gasped into his mouth. His tongue invaded my own and domineered mine in a way I had never experienced. Tingles travelled through my body everywhere he touched and I couldn't help the little moan that escaped my lips. My body was definitely liking this. But my mind was rebelling.

How dare he? How dare he kiss me like this? He had Tanya. He'd made it clear he didn't want me. Why was he doing this?

Finally he pulled away and my mind finally caught up, I ripped my wrists from his grasp, pushed his chest harshly until he stumbled back and slapped his face – hard.

'Ladies!' I yelled. The door immediately opened an Rose and Agnela ran inside, stopping in their tracks as they took in the scene before them.

Their bewildered eyes turned to me. 'Please escort Mr Cullen from my room and make sure he understands he is not welcome in here unless he is given permission to enter.' I spat.

Rose turned her incredulous look to Edward, her gaze quickly turning angry as she took him in.

'I told you, Bella.' Edward said, stepping closer to me again. I took an automatic step back, my back once again presising up against the door. 'I own this place. I don't owe you anything.'

With that he turned and waltzed past me into the corridor. I sank down to the floor.

I was dimly aware of Rose running out of the room and her yelling some things after Edward. But I was numb. Was this my life now? He wouldn't kill me but he wanted to torture me instead? Well let him come. I would give as good as I got. But still why did he kiss me? What good would that do? What did he get out of it?

Angela pulled me up gently and guided me onto the couch. 'Are you alright?' she asked softly.

I nodded numbly staring into space as my mind tried to wrap itself around what had happened. The doors slammed and I looked up, seeing Rose angrily huffing and puffing as she locked the door behind her. Not that that would keep him out. He was a vampire after all.

'This is too much. How dare he?' she vented. 'I'm putting a guard on your door, Bella. He won't be able to do this again.'

I nodded my thanks. A guard did sound good. If this was his idea of torturing me, then I didn't want to find out what else he would do.

'I'll make sure he's here by the end of the night.' Rose said. She took her seat beside me and patted my hand affectionately. 'Are you alright?' I nodded again.

'Did he hurt you?' Angela asked.

'No not really.' I muttered.

'Did he force himself on you?' Rose asked, rage seeping into her voice. b

'He kissed me.' I said, still mulling over why he could have possibly done that.

Rose growled and shook her head. 'He's definitely not getting away with this.'

'Rose, enough now.' I said softly. Not that I didn't appreciate her vigor and her willingness to fight for me after just one day of knowing me, on the contrary I loved her for it. But I didn't want anyone to know about this. I was this coven's mistress after all. How would it look if everyone knew that Edward wanted nothing to do with me and enjoyed torturing an toying with me? 'It's fine. I'll deal with it. You don't have to tell anyone.'

'But Bella…' she started. I held up my hand.

'I mean it. I'll be fine. I gave as good as I got.' I assured her. 'He's not getting away with it.'

She took a deep breath. 'but you'll tell us if it gets worse?'

I nodded. 'I will.'

She sighed but nodded in agreement. We settled down then and spent the evening having a good old fashioned slumber party. Not that we could sleep, but the bonding of a slumber party was still just as valid.

When the morning sun streamed through the windows a knock sounded at the doors. Rose got up and headed to the door wearily. I eyed the door wearily as well.

Rose opened it and took a step back. 'Ugh.' She said. 'Really?'

'Hey, you asked for it.' A gruff male voice answered.

'I asked for a guard. Not you.'

'I am a guard. Here I am.' The male answered.

Rose huffed again but then opened the door further. An absolute beast of a man stepped inside. He was easily as tall as Emmett, but slightly less buff. And I do mean only slightly. He had a russet skin tone and his chest was bare. There were black tattoo's marking the skin on his upper arms and part of his chest. His hair was raven black and cropped short.

'Bella.' Rose said. 'This is Jacob Black. Jacob this is Bella Swan.'

Jacob nodded to me and smiled. He seemed young. Just a teenager really. But most importabtly he seemed human. I took a cautionary sniff and recoiled almost immediately. I could smell his blood clearly, but he smelled absolutely repulsive.

Rose noticed. 'Yeah I know. They don't smell great, but they make good guard dogs.'

That earned her a growl from Jacob. 'I'm not a guard dog.' He muttered.

'What are you?' I asked wrinkeling my nose trying to get used to the smell. The question was out before I could stop myself.

'I'm a shapeshifter.' He said. 'Me and my tribe are the protectors of this land.'

'Wolves.' Rose clarified. 'They can change into wolves.'

I shrieked and jumped up from the couch before anyone could stop me. 'Get away!' I yelled.

Jacob's brow furrowed and he looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

'Bella?' Angela asked confused.

'He's a werewolf!' I yelled, fear seeping into my very bones, locking everyone of mu muscles in place as i prepared to either flee or fight for my life.

Jacob laughed then, loudly. the sound was so releaxed and non threathening that some of my muscles unbunched. I stared at him. 'I'm not a werewolf. I'm a shapeshifter.'

'Are werewolves even real?' Angela asked.

'They killed Didyme.' I growled. 'Marcus's wife.'

Jacob held up his hands innocentely. 'Different species. I assure you.'

'How?' I demanded.

'Well first of all we're natives and I'm guessin the werewolf you're talking about was in Europe?'

I nodded once.

'We've never been there. We only protect our land. And that is right here.' Jacob said. 'Plus werewolves are bound by the phases of the moon. We're not. We can change at will. Oh yeah, and plus we're not homicidal maniacs. We protect.'

I was still sceptical, but carefully and slowly made my way over to the couch again. I kept a wary eye on him though. He seemed harmless enough right now…

Marcus had never been really forthcoming with details about the werewolves. He just hunted them down whenever he could. It was his personal mission, it seemed, to rid them from this earth. The only thing he would tell us over and over was that they were vericious beasts with who only lived to kill.

'Shapeshifters?' I asked again.

He nodded. 'Yes. Our legends tell of stories of our tribe's protectors, they gained the ability to shapeshift to protect their people from outside threats. The biggest threat our people faced were the cold ones.' He explained.

'Cold ones?' I frowned. I had heard many folklore during my time. But never one about cold ones.

'Vampires.' He shrugged.

'So why are you here then, protecting vampires instead of killing them?'

Rosalie snorted. Jacob rolled his eyes at her. 'We have a truce… an understanding of sorts with the Cullens.'

'What kind of understanding?'

'They adhere to a strict animal blood diet. They promise never to turn another human unless it is absolutely necessary and said human has given their consent. As long as they follow those rules, we don't kill them.'

Rosalie scoffed. 'As if you could kill us.'

'Don't try me blondie.' Jacob growled back. 'Anyway. Carlisle came to us and he explained he was different in his ways from other cold ones. But that there was an army of cold ones fiercer than our stories was heading our way… wel rather their way but it was on our land. So he asked for our help. We agreed and since then we've stuck around, helping the Cullens keep the bad vampires in check and helping protect the good ones.'

'Sounds like an uneasy truce…' I frowned at him. 'You're just waiting for them to make a mistake?'

Jacob sauntered over to a chair and sat down. 'At first we did.' He said shrugging. I was taken aback by his candour. 'But over the years we've gotten over our differences. There have been some unlikely friendships. Even some matebonds, by some miracle.'

'Mate bonds?' I felt like a parrot, repeating everything back to him in a question, but I was just so confused by this all.

'Yeah, there have been a few she wolves, a first for our species. One of them her name is Leah she mated with a male vampire.'

'How does that work… aren't you mortal?'

'We are more mortal than you I guess. We are a bit easier to kill and we do bleed when you cut us. We breathe and our hearts beat. But as long as we keep shifting, we don't age. We're kind of frozen in time.'

'Are they able to have children?'

Jacob shrugged. 'They married last month. I'm not sure what their plans are… I'm not really keen to find out either. I already know more about this guy's dick than I ever wanted.' He shuddered and I couldn't help but laugh at his bluntness.

God he was fun. He was easy going and fun to be around. Although I had just met him, he just had this presence around him that made you feel immediately at ease… well unless you were Rosalie. She was still standing like a statue with a scowl on her face glaring at Jacob.

'Alright.' I nodded. 'So you're my new guard then.'

Jaocb nodded once. 'Seems like it.'

'Did Edward appoint you?' I asked slightly suspicious.

Jacob shook his head. 'Not that I'm aware of. Blondie there asked Emmett and he asked Sam and then Sam said I had to do it. So here I am.'

'Who is Sam?'

'He's the Alpha.'

'Oh' I said lamely. 'You don't have to do this if you don't want to Jacob. I'm not going to force anyone to be here against their will.'

Jacob shrugged. 'I'm not here against my will. Sam ordered me to be your guard, that's true. But I don't mind doing it.'

I nodded. 'Okay. But if ever you want to stop being my guard, just tell me and you can leave.'

'I'll keep that in mind.' Then he looked between the three of us. 'So why do you need a guard?'

'Mostly so she's never alone.' Rosalie said.

Jacob's eyebrows shot up. 'Aren't you mated to Cullen?'

I looked away from his gaze uncomfortably. 'Married to him, yes.' I answered vaguely.

'I thought you guys were all about being with each other every waking moment when you're mated.'

'We do have our own lives, asshole.' Rosalie spat at him.

'It's similar to your imprinting, Jake.' Angela said more kindly. 'You know how that works.'

Jacob shrugged and nodded. 'still.'

'Look. We just want to make sure that Edward behaves himself okay?' Rosalie said being as vague as possible.

'So I'm to run interference?' he asked sceptically.

'More like make sure no one enters her room without her permission.' Angela said. 'And when she is with someone else, being in the room as a sort of deterrent against unwanted behaviour.'

Jacob's brow furrowed as he mulled everything over. He was confused about this assignment. That much was clear. Finally he sat back, shrugged and nodded.

'Alright. Do I sleep here too then?'

I blinked once. Had he really agreed to this so quickly and readily?

Angela and Rose looked at each other for a moment equally confused by his easy acceptance. Then they looked at me.

'I think night is the time that she needs most protecting.'

'Alright, I'll get Quil and Embry involved and we'll work out a rota.' Jacob said.

'Are they to be trusted?' Rosalie asked.

'With what?' Jacob asked confused again.

'Look, Jacob. You've gathered from our answers this is a sensitive subject. If words spreads Bella has three wolves following her every step, people might talk. We don't want that.'

'Okay, so mum's the word, you mean.'

The two of them nodded. Jacob thought about it for a second. Then he nodded again.

'Alright. I'll go inform them now and we'll make a schedule. I'll start tomorrow. When do you need us?'

'Eight till eight?' Rosalie asked.

Jacob nodded in agreement and then with a wave at me left the room.

'Isn't this all a bit much? I mean three bodyguards?' I shook my head.

'Bella.' Rosalie crouched down in front of me. 'I know you're new here and you don't know much about our family here, but we take care of our own. Even if another of our own is doing the hurting.'

'We won't let you get hurt here. The wolves will help make sure of that.' Angela added.

My mind was still reeling about the fact that she'd called her coven a family. Was that really how they viewed things here? Or were they truly related form their human days? That seemed unlikely. Jasper had told me he was changed in 1863 in the south. He was the only one with a slightly southern accent. And I knew for a fact that Aangela wasn't that old. She was changed a year after me. I shook my head, trying to clear it. This whole coven was strange and getting stranger by the second. But I knew I wasn't going to solve every mysetery today. So I tried to put it from my mind and allowed Angela and Rosalie to help me get my mind off of things as we prepared for a new day of training.