Once I'd set my sights on her -wearing a baggy red sweatshirt that hung to her knees as she sat on First Beach- there was nowhere for her to run. I wanted her and I wooed her until I got her. Admittedly, she'd been starved for attention so it hadn't taken long to win part of her over but her mind and even some of her heart had been another matter entirely. Bella had closed herself off to love after the leech crushed her heart in the forest outside her home and left her to fend for herself for hours after his departure. She hadn't wanted or welcomed love but she had craved the attention and needed reassurance. My smooth charm and warm, gentle touch had persuaded her a bit quicker than I ever anticipated and she'd let her body guide her instead of her head. It had been like something in her mind snapped open like an old, brittle latch on an antique chest. She was suddenly open to my attempts and instead of being subtle anymore, I became persistent.
Bella was my Little Red and I would never let her go willingly.
Now that I was positive she didn't want Paul over me, I wouldn't have to fight my pack brother. I could keep her for as long as she'd let me have her…
...And maybe even longer than that.
I was jerked out of my inner musings when two more of the pack phased in. Jake and Embry were switching Seth and Quil on patrol and they both seemed shocked to see me in wolf form outside my house. Once they were filled in on why, Jake lifted the alarm and moments later the rest of the pack phased in. Leah stayed quiet and observant like always -silent and stoic bitch that she was- but when she realized what the leech was after, her jowls pulled back and she snarled at the thought of one of our own being attacked...hunted.
"We'll figure it out. We won't let her anywhere near Bella." Leah promised.
Though she had been banned from our private play time and she was a complete bitch to everyone in the pack, she still had a heart of solid gold and would lay her life down for someone she considered family. Bella had earned her respect and love by simply being herself. It had been comical when Bella had bit an actual hole in Leah's cheek the night she'd tried to lay her hands on me while Bella and I played. Instead of being pissed, like I was afraid of, she actually praised Bella for growing balls and defending what she wanted.
It was still easier to keep her out of our bedroom though.