Rosalie pushed her feet into the ground so hard she made holes deep enough to trap squirrels in. Her platinum blonde locks flew around her delicate features as she approached. If the men weren't taken back by my daughter's beauty, they would be now.
Reluctantly, I passed her Nessie. She pressed a palm to Rosalie's soft, porcelain cheek and I heard her bite her lip. She gave me a sympathetic stare with her charcoal eyes, but I turned towards the two men who had their eyes fixed on Rosalie's face.
I sighed, almost silently, but Edward coughed over it, and both men blinked in synchronisation.
"This is Rosalie, my sister" Edward announced and added under his breath "and the funeral of our dog." She growled and pasted on a dazzling smile.
"Nice to meet you," she told them "I'm a little bit over-protective when it comes to my Nessie here" she laughed light-heartedly. My Nessie? Not this again.
Ever since Jacob had to go across state to teach a new pack about his culture, Rose had gotten even more protective than all of us combined. I refused to let Nessie go along, she has school now; people might become suspicious if she disappears. More than they already are even, with her growing at twice the rate of her classmates.
That's the only reason we decided to stay in Forks. Charlie said he wouldn't have trouble travelling to see us now that he has the income of Sue as well as his own. But Edward was sticking by his decision. Although Nessie has already skipped three grades, he still wants her to be educated although she'll have plenty have time for that in the future.
As for Jacob, he has to transform regularly to withhold his age, although his mental age has no sign of growing either.
The pack he's with currently transform into Panthers. I was confused at first why he was going, with him being a were-wolf, but apparently they are shape-shifters, just like him, just a different breed.
Riley hid behind my legs, he has never been fond of Rosalie, but the feeling is pretty mutual.
"Mrs. Cullen?" the eldest man asked
"Yes?" me and Rose replied. He looked between us and then faced me
"I'm afraid we have to take your dog. After assessing the family... issues and seeing the bonds between you, we have agreed that it is not a fit home for a dog"
Nessie looked at me and her mouth moved so fast I'm not sure if the men would catch it "But we've had a dog before..."
Edwards hand tightened around my waist and Rose's nostrils flared
"You have?" The Charlie-look-alike asked
"Yes, his name was Seth" Nessie blurted. If it was possible to sweat, it would be seeping off my forehead.
"Hunnie, I'm not sure we should talk about him right now," I said
"Why not?" The eldest man asked
"Because it's a subject I feel uncomfortable talking about" I replied
"Why, what happened to Seth?" he shot back at me
"He... he died"
"How?"
"Old age"
"How old?"
"Old enough" I said, gritting my teeth
"When did he die?"
"Why does it matter?" I said forcefully, my top lip pulling back
"Bella!" Edward warned as the men took a step back together. Edward's free hand came across to hold mine, ready to restrain and Nessie wriggled in Rose's hold.
"Get the dog, Michal" The younger man said. Michal made a grab for Riley as the fire burned in my throat. Self-control is one of my specialities when it comes to resisting human blood. But when I'm filed with building fury and haven't fed in three weeks, it starts to catch up with you.