Hello, darlings. I'm here with another story.
If you haven't read Two centuries love, you should do it :). There's only one chapter left before it's finished.
I hope you like this story. It has a special place in my heart (as every shifter story does)
Stay safe and enjoy!
SILVER
Chapter 1: Thoughts.
It had been a complicated few weeks.
No, scratch that. It has been a complicated few months.
She had missed spending time like this with Jacob, even if it was with the rest of the pack, at a bonfire, where the elders told stories. The last time she had been here, she had heard the story of the third wife and her courageous sacrifice against the threat of vampires. It was a miracle that she was welcomed at the Reservation. But Billy had faith that she would react soon. Little did he know that day wasn't too far ahead.
Jake had been pleased when she agreed to come to another bonfire. And she didn't make up an excuse this time. Also, he had been there when she told the leech that she was going to the Reservation for another bonfire, and when she left without waiting for an answer.
Her visits were no longer restricted to Jake, and she found that she enjoyed the other guys' company. They were funny, warm, and welcoming. They made her feel safe and comfortable. The same with Kim and Emily. They had welcomed her with open arms and no judgment at all. Angela was another story.
She could feel eyes on her. She looked up and noticed Paul staring directly at her. He seemed mad, for some reason. She hadn't done anything to him. She shrugged, deciding to ignore him.
When Embry imprinted on Angela, she had been mad at Bella for not telling her anything. Even if she couldn't tell her the truth, she could have said something. Bella realized that her best friend was right. She could have told her something. She could have left out the supernatural details, but she could have said something. She promised her that she would lean on her more and try to open up. Angela hugged her tightly and smiled at her. They have been inseparable since then. Angela also returned the favor. She leaned on Bella when she needed it, and Bella leaned on Angela when needed.
Usually, Angela would come with her to the bonfire, but she had to babysit this time. She could have been her buffer with the hostile looks Paul kept shooting her way.
Except that if she were paying real attention, she would have noticed that the stares, the daggers he was shooting, were not directed at her.
She came back to earth. Jake had said something that had made her snort and laugh. It was regarding the elder telling the story. She pushed him lightly.
"You'll get me in trouble." She whispered.
He smiled mischievously.
…
…
Once the storytelling part of the bonfire was over, Bella and Jacob were murmuring among themselves, occasionally laughing, having a nice time.
She really enjoyed the beach, the calming humming of the waves against the shore. The sand underneath her bare feet. The cold and, at the same time, warm breeze.
Of course, she enjoyed the company and the presence of the elders. She had great respect for the Reservation's oral history. It was… magical, for lack of a better word.
A commotion near them caught their attention. Paul and Sam seemed to be having a discussion.
"Stay away from her, Paul." Bella heard Sam say. His intonation held a warning, but it was not that of a guy telling off another about his girlfriend. She couldn't discern the tone. Paul seemed angry but lost. Confused more like it.
What the hell? Since when was she an expert on body language?
Since when was she an expert on his body language?
She knew she should have looked away, but she couldn't.
"Is that an order?" Was he drunk?
Sam scowled, looking sort of defeated. "You know it's not." Paul shook his head and walked away. Sam looked in Bella and Jacob's direction and offered a tight smile before going after Paul again.
Why did she care so much about their discussion?
Why did she care if Paul was all right? What was that tightening feeling in her chest that she felt when he walked away?
Bella turned to Jacob. "What was that about?"
He shrugged. "He's been acting weird lately. Sam's the only one who has phased with him."
Bella nodded, but her gaze focused on Paul and Sam. They were still discussing but further away from the bonfire. "Can you hear what they're talking about?"
Jacob raised an eyebrow. "They're out of ear-shot." He noticed she wasn't looking at him but at them intently. "Since when are you so nosy?" He teased.
Bella transferred her gaze to her friend and stuck her tongue out. Her head went automatically to its former position, looking straight at Paul and Sam. They seemed calmer now. Jared had joined them. She remembered, although she didn't know from where that Jared and Paul were best friends since they were little.
She didn't understand why she was feeling concerned about Paul. Was he ok? Who was the girl that Sam was warning him away from?
It wasn't the common concern you get when you see a friend in trouble or upset. This was a different sort of concern. It scared her.
Embry sat with them, offering each a drink. "Thanks, Embry." She smiled at her friend.
"What's going on over there?" Jacob signaled with his head to the trio that was secretly speaking and gesturing widely.
"It's about Paul and some girl. I didn't get the name. Apparently, he wants to get near her, but Sam won't allow it."
"That's not fair. Why can't he approach a girl?" Bella demanded, ready to stand up and confront Sam in Paul's defense.
Although there was a feeling there, in her chest, that didn't feel right. Why did she care about what he did or did not do with his romantic life?
Embry looked at her intently, as if trying to get into her head, or maybe trying to tell her something. "She has a boyfriend."
Jacob tensed and locked his gaze with Embry, raising an eyebrow in question. His friend shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. He really didn't know anything else.
…
…
…
Bella was walking alone on the shore, enjoying the silence and the roaring of the waves. She could hear the background noise of the bonfire. She had told Jake she needed a few alone seconds.
As always, he understood without her having to explain. Lately, it seemed she could not be alone for one second. She closed her eyes and listened to the waves, and felt the breeze. She smiled at the salty smell of the shore. It was a vacation from all the noise that had been accumulating on her brain lately.
She kept walking, shoes in hand, kicking the rivets of water that surrounded her ankles. She remembered with a fond smile that she used to do this when she was little. She also realized that she had stopped doing certain things when Edward came back...when she rescued him.
She shook her head, opening her eyes back again. She had many things to sort out on her own but now was not the time.
"I just don't get why they're here." Bella recognized Paul's voice.
"They're friends. And you don't have any business asking that." Jared? Were they talking about her and Jacob?
Paul stood there silent. "You know there's something there. Something happened."
Bella saw Jared shrug. "Let it go, dude. She's with leech. There's nothing there." There where?
"All was fine. It's all her fault. Leech lover." Paul growled. Bella's heart shrunk at the tone in his voice. She fought the tears, confused as to why she cared about what Fido said.
She turned around and ran to the bonfire. She asked Jacob to give her a ride back to her house. She used the excuse of feeling tired. He knew it was not true, but he had been in trouble before for snooping.
Once at her house, Jake dared ask the question. "Is everything ok?"
She nodded. "I really am tired."
"You know you can tell me anything, right? Whatever it is. I'm here for you, Bells." Bella smiled, genuinely grateful for a friend like Jake.
Another of the things that there was to sort out was the fact that Jacob seemed to have gotten over his crush for her. Or to be fairer with him, he seemed to have gotten over his feelings for her. She was glad because she loved him, but she was not in love with him. She wanted to have that talk with him soon. It was something that she needed to know. Was he over his feelings or hiding them for the benefit of their friendship?
She thought she had gotten better in reading Jake, so she was almost certain that he had gotten over his feelings, and what remained was the same love she had. Fraternal love for a childhood best friend.
"I know. I'll tell you tomorrow, I promise." She meant it. She needed to talk to him. She needed to talk to someone. As he was directly involved, it seemed wise to talk to him about it.
Jake nodded. "Alright. See you tomorrow then." He kissed her cheek, and she smiled. "Your leach is up there."
Bella resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was not in the mood for company. She got up the stairs quietly, not wanting to alert Charlie or wake him up. Although that would force Edward out. Bella was tempted to make some noise to alert Charlie but quickly dismissed it. That was a coward's attitude. She was strong enough to ask the guy to leave. She didn't owe him anything.
As Jake had said, Edward was sitting in his usual spot on her rocking chair.
"Hello, love. I trust you had a good time."
Bella smiled tightly. "I did. But I'm not in the mood for company tonight."
Edward stood up, frowning as he walked towards her. "Are you alright?"
She composed her expression, remembering that she gave away her lies by her face.
She resisted the urge to put distance between their bodies. She didn't want to hurt his feelings.
"I'm just tired, and I feel like being alone." He watched her go around her bedroom gathering her pajamas. She turned around, surprised to see him still there. "Please, leave." She said as softly as she could. She had never been annoyed at his presence. She used to love having him around.
But lately, she had to control herself, remembering that he loved her, and he didn't have ill intentions. She just felt overwhelmed at his constant presence at every moment of her day.
Was Jacob right?
What guy does not separate himself from his girlfriend?
"Are you sure?" He asked.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. God damn it, just leave me alone! She screamed in her mind.
"I'm sure."
Edward kissed her forehead and left, wondering why she had offered Jacob the opportunity to know what was going through her head, but not to him.
…
…
…
The next day, she was at Jake's house, alone. Billy had gone out with Charlie to do whatever it was they both did. Jake was patrolling. She found comfort in the solitude of the house.
It was sunny outside, a rare day in Forks. She grabbed a blanket from the closet and laid it open on the small backyard of the Black's.
She had brought one of her new books with her, changing her beloved classics for some sci-fi. But the joy and solitude did not last long.
An angry huff broke her concentration. Her head snapped up, and she found herself facing Paul's silver wolf.
"Go away." She demanded.
He growled lowly and sank his head, lowering his gaze to Bella's level.
He was showing his teeth, but other than that, he showed no intention of harming her. But his gaze didn't leave hers. And hers didn't leave the gray eyes that haunt her dreams.
"I'm not afraid of you. Leave me alone." But she was scared. Scared of what he made her feel. Scared of why she didn't want him to leave. Scared because she had run away from her house and sought refuge in the only place the Cullens could not set foot in.
The wolf growled menacingly, squinting his eyes, baring his teeth more prominently.
It drained all the fight in Bella. She stayed put, stunned. Frightened.
While she was sure he would not hurt her because there was a part of her that knew with great certainty that he was incapable of hurting her, his stance, the change in his mood did scare her.
Suddenly, Sam's black wolf appeared, stepping between the two of them, facing Paul. Whatever he said made Paul whimper and submit. She didn't like it, but she couldn't interfere. It was alpha vs. subordinate. As simple as that.
They both left the Black's without any explanation.
She shook her head from side to side as if that would take away the strange events. "Asshole" she mumbled under her breath. It was all she could say once she recovered from the shock of the events.