And… Now I finally got everything re formatted! This took a lot longer than I expected and I am so sorry it took awhile to figure out. Hopefully it is far more enjoyable now…. Thank you to everyone that has given this story a chance and I can't wait to see how you like it as the story progresses! It means a lot that you guys are taking the time to read it. Constructive criticism is most welcome and appreciated, so please don't hesitate to leave a review!

I don't own Twilight- only my OC's

Chapter 7

The drive home was far more calm, even if my thoughts were not. That Sam Uley really was a piece of work. I struggled with whether or not I should tell my cousin about the encounter or not. I was supposed to be going there and finding out about Jacob- which, I did somewhat achieve, even if I didn't like the thinly veiled threats. I sighed, knowing Bella was going to be disappointed that I didn't have an answer for her.

"Hey Bella, are you ready to go hiking? The day seems like it'll turn out alright now that the storm has passed."

"Did you see Jacob? He still won't answer any of my calls. Billy says he's still sick. Something about mono… but that makes no sense. I can't lose him Lily, I just can't." Her tearstained face and hollow eyes had me stricken with foreign emotion. I shook my head and sighed, making up my mind to tell her what was going on.

"I'll tell you on our walk. We have a lot to talk about."

We hiked for awhile and I gave her the recap of the wolf and my conversation with Sam. It upset her more than I knew it would.

"So he's either mad at me because I can't be his girlfriend or Sam has somehow gotten inside his head and is controlling him? That makes no sense. He hates Sam. And what did he mean by 'especially you' not being welcome? You've been nothing but kind to everyone. You even helped the Clearwater's for a time."

"Seems like it. I honestly can't say anything for certain. My theory is on the second one. Bella- wait." I knew I'd heard something and the pressing feeling of eyes on us was more prevalent. She tugged at my arm.

"No Lily. We are almost there. It's literally right through here. I promise, you'll love it." Yep, my cousin has flipped a switch on me. Maybe she's seeing things again.

"You can't be THAT paranoid. Don't let that bully get to you. Even if he says really messed up things that make little to no sense." She shrugged and I conceded; Bella had a point there. She pulled me into the clearing and it was devoid of flowers. That was to be expected given the climate, but it was still a rather beautiful spot nonetheless. As Bella gathered her breath, I saw a man. Gasping aloud, my eyes traveled to his bright crimson orbs.

"Bella!" the man called out in almost a jovial way.

"Laurent."

"I must say, I didn't expect to find you here. And with such a lovely…. Guest." His eyes traveled to mine and he gave me a once over before continuing.

"I went to visit the Cullens; but the house was empty. It seems they've been gone awhile. But… I'm surprised they left you behind. Weren't you some sort of… pet of theirs?" I glared at the man, positioning myself in front of my cousin. The look he gave me earlier and the way his interest was on us sent chills down my spine.

She stuttered out "Y-Yeah, you could say that." Turning at her in alarm, all the pieces suddenly clicked. It appeared that if we made it out alive she and I would both have to explain a few things.

"Do the Cullens visit often?"

I spoke up: "Yes, they do. They're rather lovely company to keep. Though I must say neither they nor my cousin have mentioned you. Laurent, was it? Pleasure to meet you, I'm Lily." I smiled charmingly, hoping to throw him off balance just a little.

"It must've slipped my mind Lily. You know, with school lately I just didn't have a chance to mention it." Bella turned back to our predator, and stuttered out "I'll tell them you stopped by. But… I actually probably shouldn't tell.. Not Edward at least. He's still pretty protective."

Oh great- my cousin was dating a vampire. A pretty stereotypically controlling one by what I've heard. My mind reeled with the new information as I tried to outwardly project anything other than my feelings.

"But he's far away isn't he?" Laurent pressed, circling towards us slowly.

"Why are you here?" Bella asked, her demeanor changing slightly.

"I came as a favor to Victoria." Her face paled and I blurted out my question before I could stop and think.

"You mean the creepy red head that slithers by on occasion?" Laurent's eyes focused on me entirely.

"Yes. She wants me to see if Bella here was still under the protection of the Cullens. Victoria feels it's only fair that Edward's mate be killed, given that he killed hers. An eye for an eye, so to speak."

Bella glanced away momentarily, then turned forward and sternly stated "Edward would know who did it. And he'd come after you!"

Laurent's predatory gaze landed on Bella and his eyes held a cold humor about them. "Oh.. I don't think he will. After all, how much could you possibly mean to him if he left you here unprotected."

He sighed, and I butted in with "Then if that's the case it proves she isn't his mate and this whole thing is ridiculous and pointless. All she'd really be doing is hurting herself and it's a lose lose."

"How do you figure that?" His eyes were solely locked on me now.

" If Bella was his mate, both of them would be in too much physical and emotional pain to stay away from each other. Once you find your mate, losing them turns you mad and many kill themselves in their grief. The fact that my cousin is standing here now and not dead should say a lot about the connection. The only thing she'd be doing is starting a war with the wrong clan and getting herself killed in the process. Although if you believe in the theory of the afterlife, there would be a slim chance she could be reunited with her mate in death, but I highly doubt that. Killing someone just because they take someone away from you solves nothing in the end." I gave him a hard look. He gave a slight chuckle.

"Brave words for such small girl. Smart too. You act almost as if you've had some experience. It'll be a shame to have to kill you... You would've made an interesting newborn. But I'll make it quick- you won't feel a thing. You may even enjoy it." He slithered closer to me, momentarily taking his attention off my cousin. He sighed.

"Victoria isn't going to like me killing you both though. She wishes to finish your cousin off slowly you see. But I can't help myself; you both smell so… mouthwatering. Plus, if I can't turn you, I may as well get to enjoy you." I closed my eyes and felt the slight vibrations in the ground. Bella stupidly opened her mouth again.

"P-Please don't! I mean, you helped us once." Laurent inches closer still and caresses both of our faces.

"Shhh.. I promise you both it will be quick and painless." He steps back and raises his hands. I only had one shot. There were vibrations in the ground coming towards us and I begged them to go faster; to save us. I couldn't slip this by him nor my cousin without a grand distraction.

"Edward; I love you." Bella breathed out and I hear Laurent gasp lowly.

"I don't believe it!" His eyes were wide and I knew whatever was behind us wouldn't stop him for long. Bella and I turned to see the giant Black wolf from before square up the vampire before us, snarling. Of course my cousin would be frozen in shock- granted I was too.

"Bella. We only have a few seconds. You have to trust me." I whispered, knowing my words could be heard by both creatures as well.

"Wha-?" She didn't have time to finish the sentence. Suddenly more wolves stepped out from the shadows. One had russet fur, and he glanced at us. I could recognize those eyes anywhere. The legends. They were all true. Everything we knew that we didn't know is real. Sam's warning truly made sense. The wolves descended upon the vampire; so I dropped the crystal from my hand onto the ground and ran with Bella in tow as fast as we could both manage.

Well…. This certainly complicated things.