A little Christmas chapter surprise! Still loving the feedback you guys rock!

Chapter 8

F POV

I went for a walk, listening to her start to fall asleep after her last text. Her breathing evened out and I couldn't hear anymore rustling. Not too long after I heard the murmuring begin and I was off in a flash, outside her window, making sure I got every word right. I could've heard it all just as easily one mile away, but the more time I spent around my mate, the more painful the separation was becoming, so I made sure to spend as much time as I could close enough to inhale her scent.

If I hadn't already been at her window, I would've crossed a sea of fire hearing another male's name leave my mate's sleeping lips. To think of her calling out another's name while doing who knows what in her dream caused a roiling possessiveness that nearly knocked me off my feet. Like always, I couldn't resist, and found myself leaning over her body, hoping my scent would drive this other male out of her subconscious.

She did mutter about wolves first, so this Paul must be the wolf who'd said something to her. The thing she wouldn't tell me, and almost told Jane.

Throughout my musings I almost missed the way her heartbeat sped up, like she knew I was here, hovering over her, caging her in. Not asleep. Interesting. Sneaky vixen wants to play. She'd unknowingly bated a predator, and now I was on the hunt for something other than blood.

I caught her when I went for her pulse point, a spot I knew would be extremely sensitive for her. Now with her wide honey brown eyes peering up at me, body stiff waiting to see what I'll do next, she looked so. Damn. Tempting.

I reached up and brushed one of her chestnut curls away from her face, letting my finger trail down the length of her body and settle on her hip, drawing circles with my thumb. I leaned in just a little bit closer, causing her eyes to fall shut in anticipation, and my cold marble lips to brush and against her soft, plump, warm ones as I spoke, "tell me, baby, tell me what the wolf said" I coaxed her with a low rumbling purr vibrating from my chest.

Her heart was pounding so hard that I almost felt bad, I almost felt like I was being just a tad unfair. But if she was awake, that meant she was choosing to see what would happen if she poked the bear. She wanted to see what I'd do if she pushed me. The thought of my mate challenging me excited me further, my baser instincts pushing forward, but somewhere in the back of my mind I knew I had to be careful. She still didn't know we were mates, that she was destined to be mine for eternity. She also didn't understand her reactions to me yet, and I was taking full advantage of that.

Her cupid's bow lips parted almost against her will, eyes squeezing shut as if she already knew she was going to regret what she was about to do.

"Why don't we just take care of her now, one less future leech to deal with" she gasped out.

I had to remind myself her father was sleeping right next door as a deep, predatorial growl ripped up my throat. The urge to hunt down and tear apart this Paul was so strong, I didn't even register soft pliant lips pressing insistently against my own, snapping me out of my murderous rage, melting the venom in my veins into a slow burning lava that yearned to seep into her very pores as I consumed her and claimed her as mine.

I pulled back, looking into her now slightly dazed expression, "good girl" I cooed, caressing her heated cheek with a cool finger as I felt myself calming down. I knew it would be ridiculous to go over to the reservation and kill the mutt. Jane had made some sound points, and I knew bottom line hurting the wolves would hurt Bella, so I'd have to just be a little more careful about the time she spent in La Push without interfering in her time with the pack.

"Are you going to kill him" it was the first time I'd heard her voice sound so small, so unsure.

I shook my head as I gazed down at her again, "no, the dog will live to see another day. But in the future, if anyone threatens you, my m—family, you will tell me." My tone left no room for arguments, and she gave a nod in response, putting me back at ease.

"Now that that's all settled…goodnight kitten" with a wink, I was out of her room at vampire speed, hearing her huff as I winded through the forest, chuckling lowly to myself.

B POV

I woke up feeling unsettled. I kissed Felix. God what was I thinking? I guess the point was that I wasn't and that I couldn't even fully blame myself. I mean he came into my room, onto my bed, and into my space. How dare he use his super tantalizing scent and manliness to draw a lusty confession out of me? Who does he think he is? He's a god damned super enhanced vampire with whatever else up his sleeve, and I'm just Bella Swan. Well you know what, that ends today.

I strode into the bathroom with what felt like purpose and did the full works. Shower, shave, blow dry, makeup. Standing in my towel I was rummaging through my drawers trying to find something a little less classic Bella when I heard a knock on the door.

"It's just me, Bells, let me help" came Jane's soft yet reluctant voice.

I opened my door to see her standing there with a bag in one hand and a slight grimace.

"Okay look," she started, seeming slightly sheepish, "I heard some of what happened between you two last night and figured you'd be in need of a little pay back, hot girl style."

I looked at her in shock.

"Yes, I know, I don't shop, but Heidi does, and she express ordered clothes from Italy, so here" she thrusted the bag into my hands, shot me a smile that was more of a grimace, and sped away as if the bag was on fire.

I opened the bag, cautiously peering in to find some pretty great choices, a little bit of a blend between what I usually wear and something a lot of the try hard girls at school faun over.

Deciding on a soft long sleeved red top with a wide neckline and strapless bra, and paired it with black jeans that made my ass look ten times better. I slid on some black ankle boots and gave myself a good once over in the mirror before striding out of my room and down the stairs.

"Hey Jane, I spent a little too long getting ready, I'm just going to grab some toast and then we can go!" I called out after popping two slices into the toaster and opening the fridge door to find the butter.

"Lil B – " I didn't think vampires could choke, but Demi was teaching me a lot about their world, "No. No, no, no, no, no. Go change. You're a Volturi, not a Denali." He said crossing his arms.

I mirrored his stance, "which is exactly why I will go out dressed like this. You are not my father who wouldn't give a damn, and I'll have you know Heidi sent me these so they're already Volturi approved."

"Demi just drop it, who cares? She's a teenager and still has a few months left to enjoy being a proper one before she gets sucked into our world." Jane came to my defense and I casted her a grateful look before grabbing my toast and buttering it before Demetri could –

"Felix!" He yelled, the little rat, "come back me up, Lil B is showing way too much" he looked smug as the bigger vampire appeared in the doorway, looking over my outfit for himself.

I saw his nostrils flare and fingers clench, but otherwise his expression was guarded as I lifted my chin in defiance, ready to retaliate. "It's her body, Dem, if she wants to display it for the boys and girls of Forks High, who's to stop her? You heard what she said, Charlie wouldn't care." He shrugged and walked away, leaving the rest of us tongue tied.

"Well alright then it's settled" Jane rolled her eyes, reaching for my hand, "now come on Bells let's get a move on."

Well that was not the reaction I was expecting from him. As the shock wore off I started getting pissed off all over again. He played me! He got what he wanted and just…ugh!

I was still miffed when we pulled into the school parking lot, still huffing while Jane got her schedule, and only starting to simmer down part way through first period when I overheard an interesting conversation between Jessica and a girl named Becca.

"Yeah so Greg's parents are out of town this weekend and he said we can invite like the whole senior class. Tell whoever you want, they're house is huge, and it feels like nothing interesting ever happens in this town." She finished with a dramatic sigh.

"Hey Jess?" I asked, hoping now that Mike was fully committed to her, she would be a little less witchy towards me.

"Um yeah hey Bella what's up?" Okay hesitant but not dismissive, that's good.

"I'm sorry I heard you talking and was wondering if I could get the details for the party? I'd really like the chance to let loose and enjoy my last months as a senior." I crossed my fingers under my desk as she paused.

"Wow, yeah sure no problem, Bella! I think Angela has the address but it's this Friday around seven which means like ten" she winked and continued, "if Angela isn't going you can totally come get ready at mine, don't mind at all."

"Thanks Jess! I'll talk to Ang and let you know."

I heard a throat clearing and look over to see Jane glaring at me, "oh and Jess? This is my friend Jane, she's an exchange student from Italy. Would it be cool if she came too?"

It was genuinely difficult to hold in my laughter at Jane's bug-eyed expression as Jess nodded enthusiastically. When Jane turned her glare back on me, I swore she was going to burn her contacts right off.

After class she cornered me, "why in the ever living fuck did you do that Bella!?" she hissed, "the absolute last thing I wanted to do was be in a high school, and so what you thought 'oh let's also make good old Jane go to a party filled with gross hormonal kids, alcohol, drugs, and whatever else while we're at it'!?"

I raised my hands in surrender, "look I'm really sorry, but what you said in the kitchen this morning got me thinking that I really don't have much time left as a human and there are things I want to experience before I'm changed. I know parties are trivial and stupid, but I spent nearly half my senior year practically catatonic, and barely did anything the first three years. I need this. Please. I'll need some protection and I really don't want to bring Demetri, he's not as cool as you."

She smirked at that, "well you do have a point, Demi is a nerd. Fine. But you owe me. I don't know what or when but you do. Big time."

"Pinky promise," I said, holding out a finger. Jane just looked at it like it offended her before saying, "gross, take me to English class before I bite it off."

The rest of the morning was pretty uneventful. By the time lunch rolled around I'd all but forgotten about any of my concerns in coming to school today. That was until I walked into the cafeteria and spotted them at their usual table, sitting around as if nothing had happened, as if they'd been here all year long.

I carted Jane over to a table with Angela, Ben, Tyler, Lauren, and Jessica, setting down our trays and exchanging awkward glances with each other; it seemed no one really knew what to say about the return of the untouchable Cullens.

Lauren didn't seem to be too lost for conversation though, narrowing her eyes knowingly at me before starting up, "Hey Bella? Where's your new boyfriend?" she looked smug as the other at the table, including Jane, gave me weird looks. "What?" She kept going, "I ran into Bella and a giant Italian guy and I swore he said he was your boyfriend."

"Oh. OH. Right" I stammered, remember our little grocery store run in, "it's um nothing serious really, he's off at U DUB for college anyways so I doubt he'll be interested for long, and he gets a lot of terms confused being Italian and all" I shrugged my shoulders, seeming to have put a pin in the topic for now. I heard Jane stifle a chuckle, looking anywhere but my face.

We eventually fell into a decently normal conversation, and every once in a while I'd sneak pieces of food from Jane's tray to keep up appearances. I caught Edward's eyes following my hand once or twice but chose to ignore it. When I did glance over at their table I could tell Alice and Emmett seemed slightly put out, Rosalie looked pretty well unaffected, and Jasper looked contrite.

I started to get a little bit anxious feeling their eyes on me, tearing up my granola bar wrapper into small pieces and rolling them around between my fingers. I glanced up again to see several pairs of gold eyes fixed on me, making me cast my eyes downwards and bite down on my lip, contemplating fleeing from the room. It was only when I felt a different, more welcome pair of eyes on me that I felt my shoulders relax more, even though a sense of uneasiness still lingered. Jane shuffled her phone over to me on the table and I glanced down to see a message from Demetri on the screen.

Tell Lil B to chill out before the boss man loses his shit.

Great. He was watching, and apparently now I needed him nearby to feel safe. Ugh. So not what we were going for today, Bella. With that thought, I stood up and walked to dispose of my lunch, shoulders squared and head held high as I passed by their table. As I walked back to Jane she was smirking and mouthed nice to me before getting up and linking arms with me to walk towards third period.

To my dismay, I didn't have my last period with Jane and shuffled on over to my chemistry class, dreading the next seventy five minutes. Before I could reach the room I bounced off of a warm but hard body, "ouff" I felt the wind get knocked out of me as I landed on my ass, books scattered by my legs.

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you walking, I was running late and I just switched into this class from Junior AP Chemistry. Uhh I'm a junior. A rambling junior. Who's named Tristan. Ah shit, sorry, here let's get you up, and get these books."

I looked up and locked eyes with this Tristan guy. Honestly if I didn't know a certain annoying sexy vampire who was currently on my shit list I'd find this guy really attractive. Light brown hair, dark blue eyes, strong jaw, and definitely on some sort of sports team.

God, why couldn't I ever want the normal guys.

I let out a giggle, he reminded me of, well, me. Before the Wolves I was still clumsy, clutzy old Bella Swan, stumbling over her feet and words. I mean if he does play a sport, I hope he's more coordinated, but he's definitely a relatable guy.

"No worries, I'm quite the clutz myself. I'm Bella, a senior and absolute dud when it comes to chemistry," I grinned holding out my hand which he shook as a light blush formed on his cheeks. Yep, just like me.

"Well Bella, seeing as I don't know anyone, would you mind if I sat near you? I can help you out if you get stuck too as payment for taking pity on a nervous guy." He grinned back at me, flashing a pair of killer dimples.

"Why not? I could definitely use the extra help. Say, if you're a junior how'd you get into this class?" I asked as we pulled out our chairs and took out our stuff.

"I moved here at the start of the semester. Technically, I'm a junior, but I've taken summer courses and advanced classes for most of my time in high school so my foster parents and the school agreed that if I can keep up with a heavier and more advanced course load, I can take my GED and graduate at the end of this school year."

I raised my eyebrows, "well colour me impressed." He blushed a little again in response, and then we turned our attention to the front as class started.

Turns out Tristan really is a genius. We worked on the practice problems for next week's unit test and he was able to solve them and then help me work through the more difficult ones before class was over. By the end I knew I probably owed him big thank you when I got an idea, "hey Tristan? If you're not busy this Friday night you should come to a party one of the other seniors is throwing. I don't see why anyone would care, and you're basically an honorary senior yourself." I finished with a wink, pulling out my phone as he smiled and began nodding.

"Yeah Bella that sounds great! I've barely had any time lately to kick back and relax so a party should do the trick."

"Awesome! Here give me your phone and I'll put my number in so I can send you the details." I finished putting in my number, then waved as we parted ways to go home.

"Who was that?' Jane asked, peering in the direction Tristan had taken off in.

"Tristan, I literally ran into him before my chemistry class and then he helped me with the work so I told him about Friday's party." I responded, ignoring her imploring gaze.

"Soooo this boy," she hedged, "is he cute? Did you think he was cute?"

I was about to say no when I remembered just who could hear me, and as a bonus I figured the Cullens may also still be in hearing distance, "I mean yeah, he's super cute, fit, and really smart. Who knows? Maybe a little fling would do me some good" Sadly he doesn't hold a candle to he who shall not be named. I winked at Jane who just about had her mouth hung open in shock.

By now, we'd reached the beast and hopped in, heading straight for home. Jane spent a lot of the car ride telling me about how many annoying stares she got form her classmates fourth period and how she was hell bent on finding a way to just not have to go to the classes we wouldn't be in together.

Once we got home Jane left to meet with the guys, and I went inside to start on dinner. I'd finished off my homework and was plating up the food by the time Charlie pulled into the driveway.

"Smells great in here Bells," he called, kicking off his boots and sitting down at the table, "I was thinking of inviting Jake and Billy over here for supper this Thursday night if that's alright? We've got just enough fish left in the freezer to make some fish fry, and I'm due for a fishing trip with Harry and Billy this weekend with Billy to replenish to stock."

"Sounds good dad, just let me know if there's anything else you want to have with it, and I'll make sure to pick up anything we need from the store. Maybe I'll make some of those brownies they like, and you can bring an extra batch with you fishing."

He nodded his head enthusiastically as he shoveled his last bites into his mouth, then sat back happily rubbing his stomach before offering to clear everything away.

I went upstairs to my room and started packing my finished homework away before laying out an outfit for tomorrow and pulling out some pjs. I had this odd kind of ache in my bones, like when you have restless legs or a smidge too much caffeine. I also hadn't heard from Felix all day, nor had I really seen him besides a quick once over this morning. I knew he was around like always, but something just felt off. As if he sensed the same thing, my phone lit up with an incoming call.

"Hello"

"This party" he started, voice deep and full of disapproval, "I don't like it."

"Oh yeah? And why's that?" I challenged. A part of me was hoping, yearning that he'd say because he couldn't be there, or he wanted to spend time with me, or some other unlikely fantasy.

"Alcohol, teenagers, hormones." I sighed down the line, rolling my eyes.

"Look, I don't know what your problem is, Jane will be there, and this party is in no way interfering in my deal. So I'm going, case closed." I decided to hang up on him as I heard the beginnings of a low growl. My phone buzzed as I moved to put it down.

This boy you invited, would anyone know if he went missing?

I scoffed, deciding to answer out loud, knowing he could hear me, "What's it matter to you? You may be my future family and currently guarding me, but why does my love life concern you?" I placed one hand on my hip and waited for his response.

Think hard, and maybe the answer will come to you.

I frowned at that. "God why do you have to be so cryptic? Is it like in the vampire handbook, Chapter 1: Cryptic is Key?" I huffed and snatched up my pyjamas and went to get changed in the bathroom.

I ignored my phone when it buzzed as I got into bed and fell into a fitful sleep of tossing and turning. When I woke up in the morning and finally checked my messages, I tried not read into his last message:

If you need any guarding tonight just call.

It was giving me serious whiplash; how could someone who makes my blood heat up with his mere presence also make me so damn angry?

Charlie had already left for work as I came downstairs to the sound of the morning news, pausing to look down at Jane and Demetri, no Felix in sight.

"He's hunting" Demi said without looking up. I just shrugged, carrying on like I wasn't still feeling that weird ache from last night. I got my stuff together and drove off towards school with Jane as usual.

The next two days passed by pretty easily, the Cullens mostly stayed away aside from throwing the occasional hopeful smile my way, and Tristan continued to help me dig myself out of my chemistry-sized hole. All the while, things still felt off, I rarely saw or heard from Felix, and there had been no more late-night calls or text messages from him since Monday night. I tried not to dwell on it, maybe he was just waiting for me to fall out of line or get into trouble so he could be there to say 'I told you so' or something more cryptic.

It was now Thursday after school and I was just finishing off the fish fry and roasted vegetables I was making for dinner, along with two double batches of double chocolate brownies I'd started making last night and baked today. Just as I was pulling the brownies out of the oven, Charlie ushered Billy and Jake through the front door, talking animatedly about their weekend plans.

Jake came into the kitchen and took a deep breath, "Bells breathing in here hurts so good," he started, laughing at my disgruntled expression, "first I get hit with the wonderful smell of brownies and fish fry, but then it's followed up with the burning bleach sensation" he finished while wrinkling his nose.

I smacked him good naturedly with a spatula as I plated the fish, "I am sorry about that Jake, I did try to air the house out before you got here, but I can only do so much."

He nodded with a thoughtful expression, "yeah don't sweat it Bells. How have things been now that the Cullens are back in school? Any run ins or punks I gotta teach a lesson to? They don't have to be supernatural either, I'm not picky" he finished while cracking his knuckles.

"No no they're surprisingly doing exactly what I asked of them and giving me space which has been nice."

He nodded back before running two plates out to our dads then settling at the kitchen table with me, his long legs stretched out towards the kitchen counter as he inhaled the mountain of extra portions I'd made for him.

"Jesus Jake, it's not going to run away you know" I teased. When I spent more time at the res, I always nagged Jake about how he was never going to get past the early stages of dating if he lets a girl see him eat like I do. He'd always grin back wolfishly before digging back in with gusto, which is what he was doing right now.

I laughed and shook my head, falling into an easy conversation talking about school and the latest shenanigans the pack had been up to before Jake got a little more serious.

"Bells, before I go I need you to assure me 100% that you are safe here with these leeches," I started to speak but he held his hand up and continued, "I know they aren't going to harm you, but we've double up on patrols since the incident last week, and you know we can't help but worry about you."

He gave some subtle puppy dog eyes as if expecting me to fire my vampire guard in place for the pack to be reinstated as my designated Bella safety patrol squad.

"Jake I promise I'm safe with them. Trust me, if you met them and knew what they were capable of, you wouldn't even think twice about my safety." I said it as sternly and calmly as I could, hoping my sincerity would put an end to his needless worrying.

"Alright Bells," he relented, "I mean I did see that one big one last week. I mean jesus does he hunt the loch ness monster for a snack?"

I choked out a laugh at his expression, which grew in volume as I pictured the scowl or sneer that Felix would most likely be wearing right now, having no doubt he wasn't within hearing range.

I smiled back at him, grateful to still have my best friend in my life, listening to our dads cheer in the background as some sort of sporty thing happened. Evenings like these were exactly why I fought for the chance to stay human a little longer.

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Radio silence from Felix, I wonder why that could be? Hope everyone is having a great Christmas!