Chapter 9: Third Wheel

When I quite small, my mother was a goddess. Like the Greek Demeter, she had the power to change the whole world. I could only look up at her. Watch her. When I was small, I thought I saw reason behind her movements. I thought her every act was graceful. Even when she cried her tears were gems.

Growing changed how I watched her. I saw that seldom was there reason behind her choices. She was like that goddess of earth, her mood changing like weather and seasons. Her convictions were bold and unapologetic like a blizzard but her opinions were summer breezes. I saw her cry more than I ever saw rainfall. She fell in and out of love. Each time she was so sure this was true and forever that each time it ended she was sure she too would end. When my height reached her shoulder I thought I knew how to survive her. But it was it was that same time that I learned the divide between what mothers and daughters should and what we were. I learned what it was to be a third wheel.

Whenever I wanted Mom to pay attention to me she had something else to do. New hobby. New job. New career. New boyfriend. New religion. There were always two things ahead of me. She taught be to be okay on my own. I could survive hours, days, and maybe years with only a few words spoken. Back then I knew if I never found one place that I could fine something happy in every new place. There were always more books to read. There were more TV shows. New movies. Funny internet videos. I was not afraid of being abandoned. I didn't let anyone close enough that leaving would hurt me.

Forks changed me. I let Forks in. Dad. Angie. Jess. Jake. Mike. Billy. I could name every officer at the police station and they asked how I was when I saw them. People I passed in the street said hello and I knew their faces. Forks taught me the feeling of home. I liked it. I loved it. It was good to belong. It was amazing to miss a place. It was wonderful to be allowed to miss people—even if it had only been a few days since I spoke to them. All that was fine.

But…

Because of Edward I learned what being abandoned was.

I had been ignored before. I had been forgotten. I'd been a third wheel. Never before had someone promised to remember me forever…And then Edward had asked me to try to be happy?

There was a hole in my heart. Blood was running out. Overtime. It had run slow. I hadn't noticed my insides emptying until I returned to the meadow. The hole was small, but it would never close. His thirst. His fear of losing me. He put those too-important things ahead of me. I came in last.

Overhead the sky has lost the brilliant blue. The sun was low. How long had I been ignoring the voices calling for me?

I looked at my phone. We had left the cabin at almost two o'clock. What time had we found the meadow? Two-thirty? Three? It was three-thirty-three.

My legs were spotted with dirt and damp leaves. I wiped off what I could and scanned around for where I had come from. There was no clear trail. I hadn't turned. It had to be straight back. I was sure I heard Angie's voice in that direction.

"I'm coming!" I shouted. "Angie!" I listened. Yes, there was a voice in that direction. "Jess?" No reply yet. "Lauren?"

My hand was rough from when the bark had scratched it. My knee-cuts were healed over. Small scabs. If Edward were around he wouldn't react well. Was that a silver lining? I didn't have the energy to laugh at my own teasing.

Out from behind a trunk stepped the last person I wanted to see. I considered turning around. Maybe she'd ignore me and I could pretend I hadn't noticed her either. Or maybe she'd at least wrestle up enough kindness to ignore the trails down my cheeks and my puffy eyes. I would never say a bad word against her ever if she made no comment on my appearance.

"There you are," Lauren said angrily. "You look like crap. Why the hell did you run off?"

"Sorry."

"You should be," she said. She turned. "Let's go back. Jess and Angela are wasting their breath shouting for you."

I nodded. Angie and Jess didn't deserve a mess like me.

Lauren led and I dragged my feet behind her. She was sure of the way. We didn't speak. She swung at a few bugs.

The trees were oddly quiet. No twig cracks. No birdsong. There had been a few squirrels racing from ground to branch and around before. Nothing now. Silence.

"It's quiet," I said.

Lauren had her back to me but she nodded. Her head now pivoted carefully from side to side. She was watching. Whatever was quieting the forest was enough to make Lauren shut up.

"I hope there isn't a wolf somewhere—Oh"—I bumped into a stalled Lauren—"Sorry—"

Lauren's body was a stone tower. I peeked around her expecting a wolf.

The tall creature was a few feet ahead. He stood on two legs and his chalky skin was grey where the sun touched. Long dark hair. Red eyes.

"Bella, it had been quite some time." His French accent was as I remembered it. The hint of once dark skin.

"Laurent," I said. I had to be cordial. His eyes were red, yes, but he hadn't wanted to fight the Cullens. He was a civil vampire.

"Who is this?" He gestured to Lauren.

"She's a friend," I lied. "But she isn't a friend of the Cullens." I tried to press my words. This person has nothing to do with your world!

"Ahh." He smiled. He nodded his head once. "I am sorry if I interrupted your relaxing recreation."

"We were done anyway," I said. My voice was calm. This was good.

"Those were also your friends calling for you?" Lauren asked. He inclined his head as he ducked under a branch. In one step he had closed the wide gap between us.

"You're not invited," Lauren said. Her voice shook. "I don't care if you are Bella's friend."

Not good. Lauren wasn't dumb enough to think he was a normal human but she was smart enough to get herself out of this. If she was going to be saved, it was up to me. Laurent wouldn't let her leave if she realized what he was. It was a rule.

Did I make a mistake? Should I have said she knew the Cullens well? What if he had tried to test her?

No. Laurent would let her go if she didn't bother him.

"Girls night," I said quickly. "We were going for a hike and then straight back to town. We told them we'd be back by three-thirty. And look"—I raised my cellphone, thankfully in my palm already—"we're late already. They're going to be worried. Wonder where we are."

Laurent nodded. "I would not want to worry your doting parents." He pressed his lips together a moment and raised a finger. "Though you do seem old enough to deserve a looser curfew." He paused. Keeping us in suspense.

Lauren held her breath.

Laurent laughed and raised his hands. "I suppose that is one of the many reasons I would make a poor parent."

I forced a smile. I forced one small chuckle. It was strange that Laurent was blocking our route. He wanted something.

"Bella, I have something small to talk with you about," Laurent said. "If your friend can excuse you for a few minutes, she can join your other friends and I will return you home myself—"

"I'm not going anywhere without Bella." Lauren's voice was shaking. She stepped back and grabbed my arm. "We're going. Now."

Laurent's grey skin in the sun made him seem like a statue. He wasn't faking the need for air anymore. His mouth was a line. If Lauren didn't already know, it was certain now that Laurent had no intention of letting me leave.

"I had thought to let the innocent girl live…"

"She doesn't know anything," I said. I pulled Lauren behind me. "She's going to go now. I'll stay and talk with you. Okay?" I looked over my shoulder and tried to smile at Lauren. "Okay?"

Lauren's eyes were wide. She looked between us—the monster and her mortal enemy. Why had she tried to keep me safe? She hated me.

Lauren nodded. "I-You can talk with Bella. I'll go."

Laurent shook his head and exhaled. "No. I am afraid that option is gone. It is quite obvious that she has noticed that I am no ordinary man. She has seen me long enough to describe me, perhaps give a sketch artist perfect detail. No." He shook his head again. "I cannot risk it."

"She lives in Forks," I said loudly. "That means she's under the protection of the Cullens."

"She would be," he agreed, "if they were here."

"They went on a short vacation. They're coming back tomorrow."

Laurent laughed. Deeply. His eyes were burning. Pointed teeth touched his lower lip. "They left you here? Edward's precious little human?"

Lauren squeezed my arm. If the Cullens were human, any of my lies would be completely believable. But if Edward—clingy, dramatic Edward—wanted me he wouldn't abandon me. Laurent couldn't conceive that Edward could allow something precious to be unwatched.

"Too many animals were being hunted," I lied. "They needed to go farther to go unnoticed. You know how important not hunting in town is to them."

Laurent slipped his hands into the pocket of his khaki coat. The light in his eyes dulled. His expression neutral. The clothes he wore were different from our last encounter. New. Hardly any tears or dirt. His appearance was more civilized than before but his eyes were more animal. He'd gone to Denali to try the vegetarian-vampire lifestyle, so why did it seem like it had the opposite effect?

"I wonder," Laurent spoke calmly, "their value of this town and their secrecy, is it more important that you?"

Laurent held my gaze unblinking. I didn't look away because I was strong. I was stunned. More important? Was it?

Lauren gave my arm a quick shake. She'd noticed that I'd disconnected. My tongue and my brain were miles and miles away.

What answer would save our lives? I wanted to answer Laurent and save us—but the question had sliced through me and I couldn't stop myself from thinking about the truth. Rosalie's answer. Carlisle's answer. Alice's answer. Edward's answer.

Rosalie would protect their secret. Her family's discretion and safety were the most important to her. Carlisle and Esme chose to become doctors. They wanted to protect ordinary people. Strangers. Alice was convinced that I was on some destined path to become a permanent part of the Cullens family—was she convinced even now with us separated? Edward had given me an ultimatum because humans were not safe with vampires.

Lauren shook my arm again. Harder. "Bella!?"

"It doesn't matter," I said loudly.

Laurent chuckled. "It doesn't matter?"

"There's no divide between this town and me," I explained. "I am a part of Forks. And Forks is their home. The Cullens will come back. And they will find out if you did anything to hurt their home. It doesn't matter what they value more—more or this town—because it's the same thing. If you hurt me or this town, the Cullens are going to come after you."

Laurent's eyes narrowed. "I have never been threatened by a human before."

"Let us pass now," I demanded, "and I might tell Edward to let you go."

Laurent exhaled slowly. His eyes drifted between Lauren and I. "I am sorry that this innocent girl was here with you." He pulled his hands from his pockets and fixed his eyes on me. "I am certain you have noticed my purpose for returning to this place."

To kill me. Something had happened—maybe in Denali—that Laurent now held a grudge against the Cullens. Had he lied about his relationship with James?

"Why?" I asked. "James was a sadistic killer. He wasn't your friend."

"No," Laurent agreed. He turned and began moving. His eyes watched the forest more than us now. "I never cared for James. We were chosen for the team to investigate the Cullens as well as…an unusual occurrence." He lifted his chin towards me. "You."

James had walked a half-circle around us. The direction of the others, of the cabin, of the car, was open. Lauren saw it and tugged me forward. I grabbed her tight and held her. She didn't know that making a run for it would only make Laurent attack sooner. Her only chance of escape was to run when Laurent had me. She had to wait until Laurent attacked me. Maybe if he had me would reconsider how small of a threat she was if he had what he came for.

"James and I only met recently," he continued. His circle was completed and he began again. His eyes kept flickering to the trees. "Victoria and I met first." He paused and closed his eyes. "She was the most amazing creature…I had never met anyone so bright. So full of fire." He continued his circle after a quick shake of his head. "Someone so volatile could never be satisfied with a quiet life. She is a hunter, as was James. It should not have surprised me that she loved him the second they met."

Victoria and James. They were a couple. Laurent was the third wheel. Laurent hadn't been following James—he'd been following Victoria!

I stumbled back. Only my arms around Lauren kept me standing. As I'd feared, I wasn't going to escape Laurent. His grudge wasn't because we'd killed James. He was jealous of James.

"When James was killed, I was certain that Victoria would return to Italy." Laurent paused, blocking Lauren's escape route again. "I was certain that the thought of another mission would distract her long enough for her heart to heal. I believed…"—he laughed tiredly and closed his eyes—"I was foolish. I believed that someday she might turn to me." He opened his eyes. "She came to me a month ago and asked that I find out everything I can about you and the Cullens."

"Revenge," Lauren whispered.

Laurent's slit eyes watched her a moment.

No. Lauren. Why didn't she pretend not to understand? She needed to be invisible. Ignored.

"Killing us won't make her love you," Lauren said. Her voice was shaking.

"But the thought of Bella's death made her smile," Laurent countered. "The idea of tearing of the Cullens' heads is the only reason she didn't take her own life."

Lauren and I exchanged a look. She was quivering and she was confused, but she knew what I'd been trying to do. Victoria was on a suicide mission for revenge. Laurent's love for her was unrequited. Lauren could understand that much.

"After you kill us, what's next?" Lauren asked. She stepped in front of me. "You run off and tell Victoria that you killed Bella—and you think she'll smile? Wrong."

Laurent's eyes widened a touch. He was listening.

Lauren crossed her arm. Her quivering was less obvious now. "She's going to be pissed. You killed Bella without her?" She rolled her eyes. "Typical man. You think doing it yourself is helpful? She wants Bella dead because she wants to kill her."

Laurent's brow furrowed. His lips tightened. Lauren's words were reaching him.

"You thought killing me would lure the Cullens into a trap, right?" I guessed. "What happens after you piss them off by killing and one innocent civilian of their beloved home? They killed James easily." I put my hands on my hips. This faking confidence with casual posture felt effective (points to Lauren). "They won't have trouble killing you—and that leaves Victoria alone."

Laurent said nothing. Lauren and I fought smiles. We fought the urge to look at each other and cheer. We weren't free yet—but at least Laurent was listening. Maybe I was misjudged Lauren? She was smarter than I gave her credit for.

Laurent laughed.

My arms dropped to my sides. Lauren stepped closer to me. What had we missed? Laurent was grinning. His eyes were hungry. In a blink he was a foot away. Lauren and I grabbed each other's arm, scrambling to hold hands. We moved back a few paced only to be followed. He was herding us in the wrong direction.

"I admit that I have no desire to die, but Victoria I am willing to take that chance." Laurent moved in a blink and had my arm.

Struggling was useless, but I panicked and struggled anyway. Lauren tried to pry his hand loose but he only shoved her to the ground. Lauren stood. She was a foot away from us. Laurent had me. His focus was on me. Lauren looked behind him.

I wanted to mouth the word, but Laurent would see. The only plan I had was to look away from Lauren. I looked at Laurent instead. With no eyes on her, maybe she could slip away.

"Victoria is building an army," Laurent whispered. "She will not be alone. She will be safe."

My arm was tingling, loosing feeling from his grip. "How is she building an army?"

"A newborn army," Laurent said. "She turned one. He turned ten more. They each turn ten. Soon the Cullens will have no choice but to die."

"How can you do this to them?" I shouted. I kicked. He shook me. For a second I thought about how bruised my arm would be tomorrow—but the thought stopped and my eyes watered. Tomorrow. My throat tightened. It was difficult to speak. To breathe. "They let you go. You met their friends in Denali. What if you could make a home there? What if they were your family?"—My arm stopped tingling, his fingers loosened, his arms drew back—"You didn't even try!"

Laurent closed his eyes. "Irina."

The name was familiar. Was she one of the Denali clan?

"Irina hasn't asked you to kill anyone—isn't she better?" Lauren asked. "Irina isn't hung up over some other guy, right?"

"If you hurt us, Irina won't forgive you," I said, hoping my hunch was right. Irina. I was sure she was one of the Denali clan. "Are you sure you can say goodbye to her?"

I nodded at Lauren. She nodded slightly at me. In an already strange situation it was stranger that we were working well together.

"Isn't she worth living for?" I asked.

Laurent opened his eyes.

We remained statues for minutes. Maybe it was seconds. My muscles ached from the strain of unmoving. I was terrified that one wrong flinch would break the spell and Laurent would lose his humanity again. The hunger in his eyes had dulled. We could do this.

Irina, if I ever meet you, I'm going to hug you!

Laurent suddenly crouched. Tree branched snapped behind me. Lauren turned. Laurent's eyes were wide. His mouth opened. He was terrified.

My head swiveled before I knew what I was doing. I fell backward as a strike of reddish-brown fur moved as lightning by me. Lauren screamed.

Growls surrounded us. Standing, ignoring the pain in my wrist, I stared at what had lunged at Laurent. A wolf. It was huge. Silk fur and broad haunches. Paws ripped at Laurent. The large jaw opened and shut on Laurent's arm. Shining, sharp teeth tore at the grey flesh and ripped the arm off. Laurent cried out. Blood splattered from the wound. The wolf shook the arm and tossed it away.

Another wolf, with a coat of darker brown, stood on the right side of Laurent. Another wolf with black fur crossed to the left. There were more behind me. Lauren was hysterical. She had her hands on her head and was crouched close to the ground. Her eyes were wide. She was crying unintelligible syllables. If this were my first encounter with a vampire maybe the appearance of giant wolves might have reduced me to the fetal position. Luckily I had enough willpower left to cross beside the wolves fighting Laurent and reach Lauren. I helped her stand.

"We need to run," I shouted. My voice was definitely shaking.

Lauren nodded. Her whole body was shaking.

I tugged her behind me and we ran. As we passed I saw Laurent's eyes follow us. An arm reached out. He threw himself out of the struggle. His fingers dug into Lauren's backpack. She was dragged back. With a yank she was on the ground and her hand was free of mine.

The black wolf swung out a paw and claws ripped Laurent's shoulder. Laurent was on the ground again, but he hadn't released Lauren's bag. I was on top of her in seconds. I tried to push her arms through the straps. My hands were shaking too much. I finally got one arm free. Lauren was sobbing. She was too terrified to help herself.

The reddish-brown wolf came behind me. My arm brushed his side. With a slow stroke his claws cut the strap. He'd been careful enough not to scratch Lauren. The reddish-brown wolf backed away with his eyes on me. He was watching me.

Jake had told me about the Cold Ones. There were enemies of wolves. If vampires were real, it only made sense… Of course. There was no mistaking it. There was a mind behind those eyes. Whoever the wolf was, he hadn't attacked Laurent because Laurent was delectable prey. He had rescued us.

"Thank you," I said. Then I picked Lauren up.

We ran. We ran until we reached the edge of the meadow and found Angie and Jess. We stopped their mouths before they could form questions. We told them to run too. We only stopped running to get in the car.

Jess didn't have to be told to speed. On the paved road, Jess brought up her first round of questions. I didn't say a word. Lauren looked at me for every question. I shook my head once and she knew.

"We saw the wolves," Lauren said. "The pack was—there was a lot of them—really close—we saw them coming—at least a dozen I think, right Bella?—Anyway they looked hungry—we knew we had to run—they started to chase—"

Lauren spoke for almost the whole drive back into Forks. She said the same things over and over. To Jess and Angie it probably seemed like we were too panicked to talk. They stopped prying. But I had realized that Lauren was clever. She said a lot so she wouldn't have to say what had really happened.

Out the window I saw only the forest. No animals peeking out. No one-armed vampires chasing after the car. We were safe.

AUTHOR: Please, reviews. Much appreciated.

PS I was going to kill Lauren off, but then I started writing this and... Just as I felt Rosalie's point of view was never properly explored in the Twilight Saga, I realized I hated the character of Lauren for no reason. I had a sudden urge to make Lauren more. Thus, she lives.