There was something, probably a rock or broken branch, poking Bella's back. It hurt, but she didn't move. She was too afraid. Afraid of what she might find when she opened her eyes.

Bella was too afraid to open her eyes. Too afraid to move or think. Too afraid to acknowledge the rusty scent in the air. She hoped someone stronger would come along soon. Someone who would carry her home and tuck her into bed where bad things couldn't get her. It had been hours already. Why hadn't they come yet?

Bella heard a moan. She wasn't a scared little kid anymore. She had to learn to face her demons head-on.

Bella opened her eyes and looked around for Edward. She couldn't stop him from going, but she could hold his hand while he slipped from this life into the next. It was the least she could do after all he'd sacrificed for her.

Much to Bella's surprise, Edward wasn't torn to shreds. Like the day they met at the castle, he was lying motionless with a blank expression on his face. Other than a scratch on his hand, he appeared unharmed.

"Edward?" Bella said, nudging his arm. "Are you okay?"

She couldn't allow herself to hope. She knew some of the worst injuries, the ones people didn't bounce back from, were invisible to the naked eye.

"Edward," Bella said. "Open your eyes, talk to me. Are you alright?"

Edward didn't move. Bella couldn't X-ray his bones or scan his brain. There was however one thing she could do for him. It was a long shot, but well worth it if it worked.

Bella was just millimeters away from Edward's lips when he opened his eyes.

"Incredible," Edward muttered, looking at the glittery fog surrounding them. "Emmett was right."

Edward was alive. Bella should have felt elated. Instead, she felt vaguely disappointed.

"This is amazing," Edward said. gesturing to the fog. "You must be able to extend your shield beyond your body! We thought it was just mental!"

It was probably for the best that she hadn't gone through with it. Kissing him with Emmett as a witness had been one of the most embarrassing moments of her life. Kissing Edward in current circumstances would have been like rubbing salt in poor Jake's wounds. Jake! Crap! Where was Jake? Bella had been too busy playing sleeping beauty to even think about what had become of her friend.

Edward's face fell. "I wish my grandfather could have met you. He would have been fascinated by your abilities."

Bella didn't address Edward's comments. She was too preoccupied with the horse-sized wolf laying on the ground a few feet away from them. It was panting and whimpering like an injured puppy. While normally an animal lover, the shreds of denim on the ground made it impossible to feel any sympathy. The beast had eaten Jake and was probably going to enjoy her and Edward for dessert.

Bella was about to share her suspicions with Edward when the wolf opened its eyes. They were chocolate brown rimmed in gold. She'd know those eyes anywhere.

Bella gasped. "Jake?

The wolf whimpered and tried to stand.

"Don't try to stand," Bella said. "I'll come to you."

The fog parted like the Red Sea as Bella walked over to Jake.

"Bella, wait! Edward cried, scrambling to his feet.

Edward tried to follow but was stopped by the fog.

"Bella!" Edward shouted. "Come back!"

It looked and sounded like he was pounding on a foggy glass wall. How odd. Bella had passed through without any trouble.

Bella kneeled down next to Jake. "Jake, are you okay?"

Jake whimpered. His snout and front paws were swollen. Bella wondered how the vet would respond if she showed up with an injured wolf in her truck. He'd probably be glad she hadn't brought Midnight in for another checkup.

"He'll be fine," Edward said. "Werewolves heal quickly."

Jake growled.

"Sorry," Edward said, rolling his eyes. "Shapeshifters heal quickly."

Jake raised his head and looked at Edward. Bella was relieved to see that his snout and paws already looked much less swollen. Maybe the situation wasn't as dire as she'd initially feared.

"Shapeshifter," Bella said. "Interesting. Guess this is why you've been avoiding my calls."

She stroked Jake's side. His fur was soft and warm, like a kitten.

"Bella!" Edward hissed. "What are you doing! Get back here!"

What she was doing was having a long overdue talk with her friend. Whatever nonsense Edward wanted could wait.

"Is this what you wanted me to remember about the bonfire?" Bella asked, continuing to rub Jake's side. "The legend of the spirit warriors?"

Warriors. The word tumbled around in Bella's mind. What she'd witnessed wasn't just a party trick. Jake was now a warrior tasked with protecting his tribe. From what, Bella wasn't certain. It was probably whatever was making teenagers go missing.

Jake yipped and licked Bella across the face.

"Hey!" Edward shouted.

"I guess the legends were true after all," Bella said, smiling.

Bella stopped petting Jake. Legends. He lived in a world where legends were true. It must have been terrifying to wake up in a world where everything was different and nothing made sense.

"Why didn't I know?" Bella asked, tears filling her eyes.

She had all the pieces. She was just too stubborn to put them together.

"He wanted to tell you, but he couldn't," Edward said.

Jake whimpered and nudged Bella's hand.

"It's all my fault, isn't it?" Bella said.

She'd been the world's worst friend. She wouldn't blame him if walked away and never looked back.

"It's not your fault," Edward said.

It was her fault that he'd been all alone. Her fault that he'd been in so much pain.

"The alpha ordered him not to tell you," Edward said.

Jake silently rose to his feet and stared at Edward.

"The alpha doesn't want anyone outside of the tribal elders to know what's going on," Edward said. "He believes outsiders knowing would put the pack in danger."

Alpha? Pack? So Jake wasn't the only wolf running around La Push. Bella would bet her truck that Sam was the alpha, but who were the others? It was hard to imagine any of Jake's goofy friends turning into wolves.

"No member of the pack cannot go against the alpha's wishes," Edward continued. It's like he has some sort of mind control powers."

Jake growled and placed himself between Bella and Edward.

"Yes," Edward said. "I can read your mind, but only in your current form."

Jake snarled and lunged for Edward. Unfortunately for Jake, it appeared the fog worked both ways. There was a deafening crash. Jake landed on his back with a bewildered expression on his face. He shook off the impact and went back to growing at Edward.

Edward didn't seem the least bit concerned that he'd just been charged by a giant wolf.

"No, I'm not a vampire." he spread out his arms. "Smell."

Jake came as close to Edward as the fog would allow and sniffed.

"See?" Edward said. "I'm human. A gifted human, but still human."

Gifted. Bella thought of gifted as people who could do complicated sums in their heads or throw perfect curveballs. What Edward could do belonged a completely different category.

Jake bore his teeth at Edward.

"Do you have a better idea," Edward said, crossing his arms. "You can't change back in front of Bella."

Bella was about to ask why not when she noticed a piece of frayed denim drifting across the yard. That must be why not.

Jake turned his head towards the house.

"No way," Edward said. "You are not coming inside."

Jake huffed.

"Why not?" Edward said. "Because you tried to tear my head off!"

Jake looked at Bella.

"I was not hurting her," Edward said. "I was trying to protect her from an out-of-control werewolf!"

Jake growled.

"Werewolf. Shapeshifter. It makes no difference." Edward said. "Either way, you're not coming inside."

Jake looked at Bella then the house.

"If she wanted you inside she'd lower her shield," Edward said.

Jake placed a paw on the fog and whimpered.

"I have no problem with Jake coming in," Bella said, shrugging.

As to how he'd come inside Bella wasn't quite sure. There was no way he'd be able to squeeze through the front door.

Edward paled as the fog started to disappear. Jake made a laugh-like rumbling noise and advanced towards Edward.

"Bella!" Edward hissed. "Help me!"

A wolf howled in the distance. Three more followed suit. Jake froze with nose inches away from Edward's head.

"Is that your pack?" Bella asked, biting her lip.

Jake nodded.

"Do you need to go?"

Jake nodded again.

Bella hesitated briefly before asking her next question. "Will they hurt you?"

Bella couldn't imagine Sam would be happy that a "pale face" knew about the pack. She hoped he wouldn't take his anger out on Jake. Jake was just trying to protect her. He hadn't meant to put the pack in danger.

"No," Edward said. "They are his brothers. He'd trust them with his life."

Bella thought of Emmett. A brother didn't have to be someone who shared your blood.

Bella looked at Jake. "Is that true?"

Jake nodded enthusiastically.

The wolves howled again. It sounded like they were getting closer.

"You should probably go," Bella said.

Jake sighed and padded off towards the trees. He paused at the edge of the yard and whimpered at Bella.

"No," Edward said. "Not a chance."

"What does he want?" Bella asked.

"Nothing important," Edward replied.

Jake whimpered again.

Bella glared at Edward. What Jake wanted had to be important if he was willing to put off meeting up with his pack.

Edward sighed. "He wants to know if you'll come to visit him in La Push."

"Of course," Bella said to Jake.

Jake was a bit bigger and hairier than usual but that wasn't enough to keep Bella away. Jake was her friend. She'd never again turn her back on him.

"Bella!" Edward exclaimed. "You can't! We barely made it out alive last time!"

Bella ignored Edward. "Is there a bonfire this weekend?"

Jake nodded.

Bella smiled. "I'll be there."

It would be interesting to hear the legends again now that she knew they were more than just campfire stories.

Bella saw something move deep in the woods.

"You're in violation of the treaty!" Edward shouted. "You're not welcomed here!"

Four howls pierced the air. Bella winced and covered her ears. It felt like every cell in her body was vibrating.

Jake snarled one last time at Edward and disappeared into the woods.

Bella turned to face Edward. "We should go get cleaned up. The others will be home soon."