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Chapter 5

*Jacob*

"Is anything missing from your room? There has to be a reason why that bloodsucker was here."

I search the room, following the stench, but nothing seems to be missing or even out of place. It doesn't make sense.

"You can't stay here. If they come back…"

Bella cut me off, "No. Besides, Lucy would never allow it." She crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. "I can take care of myself, Jake."

Why does she always do this? Why is she so damn stubborn?
Does she not realize this bloodsucker could come back and kill her? Seriously, she needs to wake up! Edward has blinded her!

"Yeah, Edward has you so blind. How are you going to defend yourself? What are you going to do, trip and fall on him? Seriously, Bella, come on!"

She needs to see that hanging around with Edward is a bad thing. He is a monster. It doesn't matter if he claims he doesn't kill people. He is still a monster. What the hell does she see in him?

"Jake, I don't need a babysitter."

I cant believe her.

"I'm going to get the pack to take turns watching you. Please, just let me do this. I want to make sure you're safe." I know she has to be scared. If anything happens to her, I don't know what I'll do. She is the one thing that makes sense in my life right now. I need her.

"Fine," she says softly.

"When you hear a howl that's us," I murmur as I pull her into a bear hug and kiss the top of her head.

"Of course," she whispers.

Stepping to the window, I climb out and jump from the sill, landing lightly on my feet. Without looking back, I take off into a sprint.

*Bella*

I watch Jake disappear into the woods. Now I feel uneasy. What would a vampire want from my room? None of this makes sense.

As I make my way downstairs, I hear voices. I walk into the living room and find Edward sitting with Lucy.

"Edward, what are you doing here?" I can tell something is wrong by the concerned look on his face.

He stands up and walks toward me. "I wanted to talk to you about our project."

Though Lucy seems oblivious, I'm sure he isn't here to talk about the project.

"Okay," I say softly.

"Well, I'll let you two talk. If you need me I'll be in the kitchen," Lucy says as she walks away, glancing over her shoulder at us as she disappears through the doorway.

"What's going on?" I ask, peeking toward the kitchen to make sure Lucy isn't eavse dropping.

"Let's talk about this outside," he says, eyeing the kitchen.

I knew it. Lucy was listening. I walk out onto the porch with him, and I can tell he's nervous and somewhat upset.

"What's up?"

"Bella, Alice had a vision."

"Okay. And?" I ask.

"It was about you," he says softly.

Okay, now I'm getting nervous. First, Jake senses someone (a vampire someone) was in my room, and now this.

"Someone was in your room?" he asks abruptly.

"Yeah, Jake sensed there was a vampire in my room."

"Alice saw a vampire changing you. It has to be connected." He runs his fingers through his hair, concern covering his face.

"Does Alice know the vampire in her vision?" I ask curiously.

"I don't know. Her visions are subjective. They could change." He steps closer to me and grabs my hand. "I won't let anyone change you. I'll do whatever it takes to keep that from happening."

His words make me feel a bit more comfortable, but I still realize the severity of the situation.

"I'm in danger, aren't I?" I ask.

"Yes. I need to talk to Carlisle and Alice." He steps away from me, pacing back and forth across the porch, deep in thought, before stopping in front of me once again. "I will figure this out, if anything happens to you…" He looks down - deep sorrow radiating from his every pore.

I take his hand in mine and he looks up at me.

"I'll be fine. Jake is on look out," I say.

"That makes me feel so much better," he says sarcastically.

I don't like Jake babysitting me no more then he does. There is a sudden howl in the distance and I know Jake and his pack of wolves are near by.

"And there they are," I mutter.

"I'd better go talk to Carlisle and figure out what to do. I need to protect you. I just don't know what to do. Alice doesn't even know when this going to happen. It's like we're fighting blind. I..."

I hold a finger to his mouth to stop him from speaking and lean in to brush my lips across his. He closes his eyes briefly and sighs.

"Go figure out a plan. I'll be fine here with the pack of mutts," I say with a smile.

He's reluctant to leave, so I give him a cross look and kiss him one last time.

"Go," I whisper against his lips.

*Edward*

I don't like leaving her. I don't like the idea of these mutts watching her. The last thing Bella needs is pack of unorganized, ruley mutts who have no idea what they're doing. My mind is filled with Alice's visions. I keep seeing Bella changing - writhing in pain as the venom spreads through her. I cringe at the thought.

I'm back at the house in a matter of seconds. I need to talk to Carlisle and Alice. I have to do something. I can't just sit around waiting for something to happen.

Alice knows immediately I need to talk when I walk through the door.

"Edward, Carlisle and I were talking, and he came across something interesting," she says as we sit down at the dining room table we barely even use.

"We have to figure out why a vampire was in her room and what they were looking for," I say. I'm angsty and nervous, so I stand up and pace the room. I cant sit.

"There was a vampire in her room? I didn't see that," Alice says in astonishment.

"No, her best friend sensed it. Where is Carlisle?" I ask.

"He'll be here in a few. Carlisle wants Bella here. There's something he wants to try."

I look at Alice curiously. "Try?"

She nods. "He seems to think you're the only one who can smell her scent. He asked me if I can smell her, but I couldn't pick up a specific scent from her."

Bella? No scent? My mind can't wrap itself around that concept. Bella smells exotic. Her scent is so intoxicating it drives me mad at times. I often find it hard to control myself around her.

"Her scent is what drives me mad," I murmur.

"Carlisle and I can't smell her. He wants to see if the rest of the family can. It's odd that we arent attracted to her blood and you are."

This is very odd. How can I be the only one who is able to smell her?

"Her scent is intoxicating, Alice. I have to control myself around her. If I lose control I'm afraid I might…" I stop myself. I can't even think that thought.

"You might change her? Or kill her?" Alice asks.

"I won't let either of those things happen."

"The vampire I saw in my vision, I didn't recognize him." Alice frowns.

I look up and see Carlisle walking into the room.

"Carlisle."

"Get the everyone in here. We need to have a family meeting," he says.
*Bella*

His eyes are filled with hunger as he approaches me. The monster is rearing its ugly head. I Touch his face. I know he isn't going to kill me.

"You're not going to kill me," I murmur. Looking into the distance, I see a wolf. It trudges closer to us, snarling and howling.

"Jake?" I say softly.

Everything seems like a mirage, changing in an instant. Jake is suddenly standing in his human form.

"Bella, you have to choose," Jake demands.

I look back and fourth between Edward and Jacob, and I start to panic.

Everything changes once again, my surroundings taking on a new shape, and I'm standing in a meadow. I look across and I'm suddenly struck with fear. Those eyes...the firey red hair...

I can't breathe. It's like my throat is burning. Before my brain can register her position, she's standing in front of me, a feral snarl ripping through her chest.

"Please," I manage to choke out..

She stares at me, her red eyes burning into mine, but she doesn't say anything. She just smiles.

"Choose," she says softly.

"Choose what?" I ask.

"Stupid human," she growls, and then she lunges at me, wrapping herself around my body and biting down hard on my throat.

I jump up out of my bed gasping for breath. As I look around, I realize it was all a dream.

In my periferal I see something in my room shift. When I look over, I realize Edward is standing by the window.

"Edward?" I try to compose myself from the horrifying dream.

"Bad dream?" he asks.

"Yeah." I run my hand though my hair and blink my eyes, trying to fully wake up. "What are you doing here so late?" I ask.

"Carlisle is having a family meeting. He has a theory he wants to test."

"Theory?" I ask.

"Yes. He has this theory about you."

I laugh, because it sounds ridiculous. "What kind of theory?"

"He seems to think I am the only vampire who can actually smell you. Apparently, I'm the only one who finds you appealing."

I laugh again, because this is funny in so many ways.

"Seriously?" I ask him.

"It needs to be tested. So, your presence is requested at the Cullen household," he says with a smile.

"Right now?"

"Yes."

My eyes widen. How am I going to get downstairs and out the door without Lucy knowing it?

He stands by the window anxiously waiting for me to say or do something.

"How am I going to get by Lucy? It's not like I can sneak out without her knowing." I frown.

He looks at me with a smile and raises his eyebrows.

I look back and forth between him and the window. Are we really going to sneak out through the window?

I walk up to him and glance out the window, noticing his Volvo isn't parked outside.

"No car? Did you walk?" I ask.

"No, not really." He grins widely. "I ran."

The next thing I know he's grabbing me and swinging me on his back.

"Hold on tight, spider monkey," he says as he leaps out the window. I feel my stomach flip as we drop to the ground. I hold on tight.

The next thing I know, he's running at the speed of light. It's a complete rush. I close my eyes trying to keep from feeling dizzy. The rush from everything sweeping by is so amazing, but I just can't look.

I don't know how fast we are going, but at one point I feel like I'm flying. Finally, he slows down and I open my eyes to see that we are already at the Cullen house.

I don't want to let go of him for fear I'll collapse. I feel like I'm coming off of a high. I cling to his back as he moves at a walking pace.

He chuckles. "You can let go."

"I…don't think I can," I say as I slowly slide down his back. My feet touch the ground and I feel a bit unsteady. He turns and holds my arms to steady me.

Once I'm firmly planted and he knows I'm not going to fall over, he smiles and says, "Come on." He grabs my hand and helps me up the steps to the entrance of his home. We stop at the door.

I'm so nervous, because I have no idea what's going to happen. I take a deep breath.

"Nervous?" he asks.

"Yes," I whisper.

He takes my hand and we walk in. He leads me down a hall towards the dining area. I look into the room and his entire family is sitting at a huge table. The table looks brand new. It still has its glossy finish on it. I'm so amazed because it doesn't have a single nick, scratch, scrape, or any sign of it ever having anyone eat on it.

Okay, I need to focus. I'm too consumed by furniture. I must be nervous!

I smile at the group sitting in front of me. All eyes are on me and Edward. I suddenly feel like I'm on trial and they are the jury. At any moment there would be a verdict.

Edward holds my hand tightly.

"Welcome, Bella," Carlisle says with a smile.

I smile back. I like Carlisle. He is so compassionate.

"Bella, this is my mother, Esme," Edward says, motioning to a beautiful woman.

Esme smiles at me as she stands and takes my hand in hers. "Hello, Bella," she says softly.

"Hi," I reply with a small grin.

"And you probably know, Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie, and, of course, Alice." He motions to the rest of them.

Rosalie, the Barbie doll blond just glares at me, and I'm suddenly feeling very uneasy. I turn to Jasper and smile at him. When his eyes lock with mine I feel this overwhelming sensation come over me and I'm suddenly relaxed and calm. Did he have some kind of effect on me? Emmett doesn't seem like he's too pleased with me being here, but he isn't glaring at me like Rosalie. I'm not too sure about him yet.

"Rosalie, can you keep your thoughts to yourself?" Edward growls.

I can't read minds, so I have no idea what she's thiking, but it can't be good.

"No! This is ridiculous!" She stands up and crosses her arms.

"Rosalie," Carlisle says softly.

"You're going to let this happen?" she asks in a stern tone.

"Edward has made his decision," Carlisle replies.

Rosalie huffs and walks off.

"Don't worry about her," Emmett says as he stands.

"Can we just get this over with?" Edward asks, sighing in frustration.

"Yes. Emmett, go get Rosalie. We will need her for this," Carlisle says.

I'm starting to get worried, because I'm not quite sure what's going to happen.

Rosalie comes back into the room without looking my way.

Carlisle has each and every one of them line up and stands in front of them.

I stand behind Carlisle nervously.

"This should be interesting," Emmett says with a smile.

Carlisle sighs heavily before he speaks. "For some reason I'm not able to pick up a scent from Bella, and I want to see if any of you can. I'm going to blindfold each of you. Bella will hide somewhere in the house. I want to see if one of you can find her by picking up her scent. This will prove whether or not Edward is the only who can smell her."

This should be interesting.

"Jasper will go first. Edward, I want you to go last" Carlisle hands Jasper the blindfold and Jasper quickly puts it on.

"Bella, find a good hiding place," Carlisle says softly.

"This should be easy," Jasper grins.

I quickly hide in the living room area. Jasper stands still, not moving. It's like he's trying to pick up my scent. He turns slowly and walks in the wrong direction. He stops and turns several times, getting frustrated because he doesn't seem to know which direction to go. I stay still as he comes back in my direction.

"I smell nothing," he yells as he pulls off the blindfold and throws it to Emmett.

"Emmett, your turn," Carlisle says.

"And you thought this was easy," Emmett says as he pulls the blindfold on. He walks around the house in circles - even walks past me three times before he finally pulls the blindfold off and throws it to the ground.

"Hell, I didn't get her scent either," he complains.

It's the same for Esme, Alice, and Rosalie. They are all frustrated, huffing and complaining that there must be something wrong with me.

Finally, we come to Edward. I see the nervousness in his eyes before he puts the blindfold on.

I want to make this harder for him, so I decide to stand in the middle of the living room area. I watch Carlisle. I think he knows what I'm going to do, because he nods at me and winks.

I stand as still as possible as Edward comes into the living room area. He walks up to me and stands over of me.

He knows exactly where I'm at. He takes in a deep breath, like he's savoring my smell.

I slowly backed up away, and he follows me by taking a step forward.

I stand still once again, my heart racing, and I can see his reaction.

"Edward," Carlisle says softly.

I take a step to the left and Edward follows. I look over at Carlisle once again.

By now, everyone is looking on curiously. It's now or never.

I dart off in a full sprint, and Edward charges after me. In seconds he has me in his grasp, pulled hard against his body. He holds me tightly with one arm while he pulls the blindfold off with the other.

He squeezes me tighter and a low growl escapes his mouth.

I'm suddenly frightened. His eyes hold hunger and lust. The monster inside of him is definetly rearing his head.

I wince in pain as he tightens his hold on me.

"Let go," I growl through clenched teeth.

Carlisle grabs Edward's arm and pulls it off of me.

"Edward, step outside and get some air," Carlisle says softly.

Is my scent that intoxicating? I watch on as Jasper and Emmett usher Edward outside.

"Bella?" Alice asks with a concerned look on her face.

I rush passed her and head outside. Alice follows me. When I get to the steps I see Edward sitting at the bottom. I slowly make my way down the steps. Just as I pass him he stops me.

Jasper and Emmett take a protective stance.

"It'll be okay," Edward says to both of them.

"We're going to make sure you don't do anything stupid," Emmett says, backing down. Jasper also backs down unwillingly.

I look into Edward's eyes, and I just don't know what to say to him. I don't feel scared or afraid anymore. To tell you the truth, I don't know what I feel.

"Can you at least stay and let Carlisle look at your arm?" he asks.

I touch my arm, wincing in pain. He had grabbed it so hard it started to form a nice bruise.

"I'm okay. Alice can you give me a ride home?" I ask, turning to her.

"Sure," she says as we make our way to the car. Alice pulls up in front of my house. I looked out the window and see Jake sitting on the front steps of my house. He doesn't look too pleased.

"Thanks, Alice," I say softly.

"Be careful," she says with a smile.

I smile back and climb out of the car. Alice speeds off and I turn towards Jake. I know he caught me sneaking out with Edward.

"We need to talk," he mutters.

"I'll bet you told Lucy I snuck out didn't you?" I ask sternly.

"No, but any minute now she'll figure out you aren't in your bed sleeping."

I don't feel like talking to Jake, so I push passed him. He grabs my arm to stop me and it just happens to be the same arm Edward grabbed. I wince in pain.

"Bella, your arm," he says, looking it over.

"It's nothing. I fell" I lie.

"Did he do this to you?" he asks, his brow furrowing in anger.

I pull my arm away.

"It's nothing. Just give it a rest, Jake."

"If he hurt you, I swear…"

I stopped him mid sentence. "Jake..." .

Then he cuts me off. "Look, I don't want you hanging around the Cullens again."

He's kidding right? Is he giving me orders now? Who does he think he is?

"Are you serious? Are you giving me orders now?" I ask.

"Yeah, I am. So stay away from them. If you don't, I can't be friends with you anymore." He's being serious, and it feels like someone just stabbed me in the heart.

"You can't make me choose." I whisper.

"Yes, I can And I will. It's either me or them."

I'm not going to choose. "Fine. How about I choose neither" I say as I walk inside.

I close the door on him and look out the window just as he runs off into the distance. I turn and am startled by Lucy's presence. She has this stern look on her face with her arms crossed in front of her.

"Where have you been?" She asks sternly.

"With my vampire boyfriend," I say, walking up the stairs.

She follows me, of course.

"Again with the vampire thing. Next your going to tell me Jacob black is a werewolf!"

I laugh. If she only knew.

"Okay, no joke. I went for a walk I couldn't sleep," I lie, but it was the best lie I could come up with.

She looks at me like she doesn't believe that one.

"I'm not lying. I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk. Is it a crime to go for a walk?" I ask.

"No, but it is dangerous for you walking at all hours of the night. Especially with what's been going on around here," she says.

What's she talking about? I look at her curiously.

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"I guess you haven't read the paper."

"No, I haven't." I walk back downstairs and follow her into the kitchen.

She hands me the newspaper. In big bold letters on the front it reads: MURDER TOLL RISES IN FORKS, WASHINGTON.

"Oh, my god." I hold the paper up as I read the article.

"It's hitting close to home. See why I'm concerned," Lucy says.

I drop the paper on the table. Could these murders be the work of vampires? Could Edward and his family not be as innocent as they say they are? Could Jake be right? So many questions. My head starts to spin. I suddenly collapse and everything goes black.