Are You Happy Now?

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

Chapter Nine

Not all the pack were able to attend the meeting. Jared was left to keep an eye on Quil from a distance, just in case anything untoward happened and Old Quil needed assistance with his grandson.

The meeting took place at Sam and Emily's place. While Emily silently cooked in the background, they all sat around the table, while Jacob explained everything that Bella had told him about Laurent and Victoria. The pack was completely stunned to hear the full extent of what had happened to Bella while she was with the Cullens. She was forced to relive everything, from being stalked by James, to his subsequent attack and the aftermath.

"But she's still human?" Paul Lahote said in disbelief to everyone. "If he bit her, she'd be one of them."

"Shut up, Paul!" Jacob snapped. He had his arm around Bella, supporting her as much as he could as she divulged what had happened. He felt sick to his stomach listening to what the psychotic leech had done to her. He remembered how beaten up she had been after the so-called accident. And the Cullens had been complicit with it all, covering it all up as if it meant nothing. If he ever got hold of Edward Cullen, he would rip him to shreds for what had happened to Bella. Even the good doctor was a villain in his eyes.

Sam looked grave. He warned the others to be quiet, reaching out to Bella himself, assuring her he knew how difficult it was for her. "But we need to know everything." He confirmed.

So, despite the detrimental effect it was having on her mental health, she opened up and explained as best she could to the group of teenage boys how the hellish attack by one of their mortal enemies had led to Carlisle instructing Edward to drain James' venom out of her body.

"I was left with this scar." Bella pulled up her sleeve to reveal the crescent shaped imprint on her wrist left from James' initial bite. "It never went away, just faded a little."

Bella felt Jacob's arm tighten around her as Sam and the other boys leaned in for a closer look. She finally understood what it must to be like for a caged animal in a zoo to be under constant scrutiny from a crowd of people. There was no escape, you could only endure.

"Does it hurt?" Embry asked, his tone sympathetic.

"It aches sometimes in cold weather." Bella admitted.

"What do you think, Sam?" Paul questioned harshly. "Surely it isn't possible for one cold one to drain another's venom like that without infecting the host."

"I would have agreed with you, but Bella is living proof that it is possible." Sam sat back in his seat, completely perplexed. "I'm not experienced enough to make assumptions one way or another. I think Bella would benefit from talking to the elders-maybe Old Quil?"

"I can't do this again." Bella cried, yanking her sleeve back over the scar to cover it.

"You don't have to, honey. Don't worry." Jacob rubbed his hand up and down her arm, leaving comforting trails of heat on her skin even through the thin material of her shirt.

"Jake, I know you don't want to put Bella under any undue pressure, but I really think it would help her to talk to someone with wiser heads than ours." Sam urged. "But, of course, I can only make the suggestion, what you do is up to you, Bella." He said, speaking directly to her.

Bella exhaled sharply. She knew Sam was only trying to help, but she already felt judged. Paul was looking at her like an experiment gone wrong. Embry was doing his best to be sympathetic, she was grateful for that, but wondered if deep down he felt the same as Paul. It was difficult bearing the scar, always a constant reminder of what James had done to her. She still had nightmares about it.

But now there was Victoria hunting her. It was just luck that she hadn't found her yet-luck and five teenage werewolves. The thought of them going against Victoria was horrifying. She didn't care that this was supposed to be what they were made for. Victoria was vicious, cunning, and calculating. She couldn't be destroyed with direct force. She would have devised some sort of wicked plan. A plan that could end up costing one of these boys their lives.

"No." Bella pulled away from Jacob, standing up so abruptly that her chair wobbled. "I can't let any of you do this. I'm the target, I won't let you risk your lives because of me."

"That isn't your choice, Bella." Sam responded calmly. "We would be going up against her whether you were involved or not."

Jacob pulled her back down so she was sitting on his lap. He put both arms around her this time and nuzzled her hair when she curled up against him. "Sam's right, Bells. We are protectors, remember?"

Bella felt tears welling in her eyes. She closed them, feeling Jacob's warm hand rubbing her back in soothing circles. Was it really possible? Edward-she flinched as she thought his name-had told her over and over how difficult it was to kill a vampire. Only another vampire could do it. Yet Jake and the others had taken down Laurent with ease.

And then there was Charlie, who had no idea about any of this mess. He was a target because she was. It wasn't just about her. They were right. The whole area was in danger while Victoria was around. Anyone could become a victim. Bella knew she had to trust the werewolves to keep everyone safe. But it didn't make her feel any less guilty that she was the primary cause of them having to risk their lives in the first place.

"I'll do it." She said, her voice muffled against Jacob's chest.

"Do what, honey?"

"I'll talk to Old Quil." Bella finally agreed.

After that the conversation turned to patrol schedules. While Emily served up a feast, Sam began to outline his plans for the forthcoming days. "Paul, Jared and Embry will take the outer perimeter, and Jacob and I will take the inner. If the red head appears it'll enable us to collapse in until we've got her trapped."

Bella didn't like the idea of Jacob being in the main firing line. Her worried gaze met Emily's and she could see the older girl felt the same.

"Jacob thinks it would be best if you spent as much time as possible in La Push over the next few days. She won't know where to find you so easily, just in case." Sam told Bella.

"What about Charlie?" Bella pleaded.

"I think its time my dad got off his butt and apologised to your old man. Abd there's Harry, too. I'm sure that between them they can manage to keep Charlie down here when he's not at work." Jacob smiled at her reassuringly.

Bella was still worried. "I don't think its going to be that easy, Jake. My Dad has made it clear he's not in a forgiving mood. I doubt he will speak to Billy. And he won't let me come to La Push, either."

"He can't be that stubborn." Jacob brushed a lock of her hair back from her face. "Now he's had time to cool off, he'll be fine."

"Not after our last conversation, Jake. He was adamant he didn't want me seeing you." Bella felt hopelessness creeping back in again. Why couldn't things be simple for once?

"I'll talk to him, Bells." Jacob said again. "I've known him my whole life, he'll come around. Don't worry." It was his bravado talking. He wasn't so sure himself that the police chief would even give him the time of day, Charlie felt completely betrayed.

"Well, you better do it soon." Sam said. "Otherwise, we'll have to make alternative plans." He reached for Emily's hand as she came to stand behind him. "And you should also weigh the risks of being here as well. You know now how easily things can get out of hand. If you choose to stay with us, I can't make any guarantees for your safety." Guilt flashed in his eyes as he glanced up at Emily.

"I won't hurt her." Jacob protested, clinging harder to Bella.

"I thought that once, too." Sam responded with a sad sigh. "If there is anywhere else you felt safe…"

Bella bit her lip and shook her head. Where could she go that wouldn't put someone else in danger? "I don't want to lead Victoria anywhere else."

Sam nodded. "Then it's decided. You better go and make your peace with Charlie, then." He said, effectively ending the meeting.

Jacob parked the old Chevy outside his house. The lights were on this time. He could see Billy sitting at the kitchen table through the window, working on his wood carving. He glanced at Bella sitting beside him. She had been silent on the drive back from the Uley's. He knew she was stressing about everything that happened.

"Do you know how proud I am of you, Bells? You were so brave."

"I'm not brave, Jacob." Bella ducked her head, in an attempt to hide her despair from him. "I'm nothing but a danger magnet. I put those I love in danger. Edward was right about me."

Jacob's anger flared when she mentioned the leech's name. The bastard had really done a number on Bella's self-esteem. It sickened him to hear her talk about herself this way. It was just another reason to hate Cullen. He did his best not to show his anger, Bella didn't need him kicking off. "Well, he's wrong. You are brave. Any my opinion is the only one that counts."

His strategy worked. Bella raised her head, smiling weakly "You might be a little biased."

"Never." Jacob grinned, leaning down and placing a gentle kiss on her lips. He let his own linger there, hers were warm and soft, they parted slightly, allowing his tongue to slip inside.

Bella's breath hitched as her arms found their way around his neck. Her senses were reeling from the kiss. Their bodies pressed together as Jacob tugged her closer, one large hand finding its way to her hip, his fingers splayed, squeezing a little. When they eventually parted, they were both breathing heavily, eyes alight with passion.

"Maybe we should go inside now and confront Billy?" Bella whispered.

"Maybe." Jacob agreed huskily, his gaze still trained on her pouty lips. "Or maybe Billy can wait for another few minutes." He pulled her in for another kiss.

A/N-thanks for reading!