Why Are You Worried?

Chapter 6

Seth had to leave after a while with the rest of the wolves. The party itself went on for hours and ended in the late hours. I had changed into more suitable clothing. We were waiting at the old baseball field. I sat on the ground with my legs in Indian style reading. When Bella and Ed arrived Emmet yelled at them.

"Hey, Edward," Emmet yelled out. "Hey, Bella. Is he going to let you practice too?"

"Please, Emmett don't give her any ideas!" Ed chimed back.

I looked up and laughed at Ed's facial expression.

"When will our guests arrive?" Carlisle asked Ed. Ed thought for a moment. "A minuet and a half. But I'm going to have to translate. They don't trust us enough to be in their human form." I suddenly realized that they would be in wolf form.

Ed told us to be prepared. They had been holding out on us. Alice demanded to know what but Ed cautioned her to shut up.

Our informal circle suddenly widened to a loose line. Emmet and Jasper taking point. I stood beside Rosie. Her blonde waves had been pulled up so as not to get in her face. I had also pulled my hair out of my face, but only back into my regular two braids. I looked out into the forest. Seeing ten wherewolves. Large and quite intimidating.

"Damn!" Emmet muttered. "Did you ever see anything like it."

I shook my head while Rosie and Esme traded surprised glances.

Bella couldn't see anything and Ed told her how the pack had multiplied. After a few stunned moments in silence, Carlisle took a step forward to greet our many guests. I stood frozen to my spot. I searched the crowed of wolves. I didn't know which one was Seth or even if he had come. I hoped he had. But then, I didn't want him freaking out when it was my turn to practice. Carlisle explained to the wolves all about newborns, when they were coming, and everything they really needed. When he was finished, he gestured to Jasper and took a step back.

"Carlisle's right." Jasper spoke only to us, ignoring the wolves. I knew my family would not be comfortable with the wolves. I was very skiddish. I only knew Seth in his human form. Even then I had to restrain from killing him or getting killed. "They will fight like children. The two most important things are, first, don't let them get their arms around you and second, don't go for the obvious kill. That's all they will be prepared for. As long as you come at them from the side and keep moving, they'll be to confused to respond effectively. Emmet?"

Emmet came forward ready to fight. Rosie didn't tense but looked with loving eyes. Jasper explained how he was the best example of a newborn as he relied most on his streagnth. I laughed as Emmet said he would try not to break anything.

I watched the blur of Jasper and Emmet. Emmet was fast, but fought more gurilla warfare than Jasper's speeding vapor like movements.

Emmet several times almost got around Jasper. Jasper would all but dissapear as you looked. As abruptly as the fight had started, it ended. Emmet stood with Jasper behind him, teeth inches away from Emmet's throat. I laughed while Emmet cussed. The wolves also seemed to laugh.

Ed tried to go next, but Jasper felt it was better to show Bella that Alice needed no worry. Alice and Jasper moved faster than it had been with Emmet. Swiftly and almost silent. Each time Jasper tried to close in Alice would run to the other side of him. Finally Alice was on Jaspers back kissing his neck. I rolled my eyes. Alice could take care of herself.

Next came Ed. The only one I knew to almost match Jasper other than Carlisle. They fought with same speed, but different styles. They fought for what felt like hours. Suddenly Carlisle cleared his throught telling the two to call it a draw and give him a shot. After Carlisle came Rosie, then Esme. After Esme came me. I didn't mind being last. I knew I sucked at hand to hand combat, speed, and mostly stuff like that. I was better at climbing trees and I was very agile.

I made my way into the small circle. I heard a slight yelp. I turned toward the sound. It was over by the wolves. I knew whom it must have come from. I nodded over as to say that everything was ok. I took off my ball cap and stuffed it in my back pocket.

I turned toward Jasper not blinking as to not miss a move. I ran forward, at first obvious. I jumped in the air over him flipping and landing on my feet. He tried grabbing me from the side. I flipped to the side of him. We fought like that for a while. I ran the other way. He ran at me. I slid underneath him like it was a baseball game. He grabbed my leg and held me upside-down. I kicked at him with my loose leg yelling at him to put me down. "Don't go overly obvious next time Tabitha." He put me down. He laughed while I grabbed my hat. I pointed a finger at him.

"Next time!"

I walked over beside Rosie where Emmet looked over at me laughing while he went off for his turn again. Carlisle patted me on the back. I hadn't lasted that long before. I could fend off some newborns. We kept going for a while. Each time, we all lasted longer and longer. Jasper would stop in the middle demonstrating what we were supposed to do each time.

Bella seemed to start nodding off. I didn't blame her.

After my last session, Jasper turned toward the wolves for the first time. "We'll be doing this tomorrow. Please feel welcome to observe again!" I went over and stood beside Alice this time for less humiliation.

Ed in Sam's voice said they would be here. He also told us that the pack would be more helpful to know our sents. We had to keep very still so it would be simpler for them. The wolves approached. The large one in front must have been Sam, the leader. I was startled when Alice nudged me. "The small sandy colored one is Seth. He has been freaking out about you. Ed was getting annoyed."

I looked up at her thankful, but a little upset that he was worried about me.

I stood still while the many wolves sniffed us over. I was kind of tense but not really. Seth sniffed me next to last. His eyes were the same. I patted his head. He nudged his head on my hand rubbing it back and forth almost laughing. He was pushed by the wolf behind him. Who looked upset in the eyes and was on the point of growling.

Suddenly I heard Bella laughing. "Ew! Gross, Jake!" I, the wolves, and my family all looked over at her. The large russet one, apparently Jake had licked Bella. I giggled to myself. Alice looked at me with wide eyes telling me to shut up. I looked down, still laughing. The wolves, all but Jacob started backing up and into the trees. I waved to Seth. Only two wolves stayed behind, watching Jacob. I ran back over to my spot where I had sat before, stuffing my ipod speakers in my ears. I restarted up the song I had on. I didn't realize what was happening until Jacob Black picked up Bella. They were apparently checking if vampires could smell her through Jacob's sent. Very hard to be able to smell anything with wolves' stench.

I only knew one thing, no one was getting through us and getting Bella. We had plans, we were battle worthy, and best of all we were working together. We were going to be at out prime. We were like noon, at our best. The sun's rays are at it's brightest, the meridian time of an endless day!

"Seth, calm down!" I told him while he freaked out over the phone. He had always wanted to fight and now they are keeping him with Bella to play cell phone. "They still have trust in you. It is just to keep you safe!"

"Tabitha! They don't think I can do it!" Seth's voice was so pissed. "Damn it! I need to fight! I would prefer it if you were staying behind and not me, you didn't last that long in training" He said sincerely. "I don't want you loosing anything else on your body."

"Seth, even Emmet lost to Jasper! He is trained to do this stuff! These newborns are untrained" I told him calmly. "It is going to be ok!"

"No it is not. It is painful watching you fight. I will have to watch you fight the whole time while I am with Bella! I will be so distracted I won't care about watching her."

I hated doing this to him. My family needed me, now more than ever since Ed was staying with Bella as well.

"Tabs" Emmet called for me.

"Seth, I need to go, we are hunting for the battle I am so sorry Seth! I have to go Emmet is going to kill me!" I hung up the phone after telling him I would see him soon. I walked over to Emmet and the others stood close by.

"Hey, Tabitha! We still don't want you fighting and Seth may be overly distracted by you, so we are putting you on Bella duty!" Esme said looking down.

It was a mixed feeling. Sadness on missing the action. Happiness that Seth wouldn't be distracted. I went over to Esme and hugged her, surprising her. "Your welcome?"

I still was going to go hunting so as to be ready for some long nights and to give Bella and Ed the promised house to themselves.

I watched Ed pace back and forth. Ed, they will be here any moment! I thought to him trying to calm him down.

He looked at me while I stuffed my earphones back in. I listened to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts trying to give myself something for distraction. Nothing distracts better than a chorus of I Love Rock and Roll. I looked up as I heard Ed when Bella arrived. He helped Bella down from Jacob's arms and gave her a swift hug. "Thank you," Ed told Jacob with truth. "That was quicker than I expected, and I truly appriciate it."

Jacob merly shrugged and made a brief response saying we needed to get her inside the tent as the storm was coming fast. "Is that tent secure?"

I got up. "He all but welded it to the rock!"

Jacob payed me no attention, I really didn't care. He just stared at Ed. "Good." He looked up at the storm beginning above us. "I am going to change, I want to know what is going on back home." He hung his jacket on a branch and walked into the forest without looking back at us.

The night was long. My ipod had all but given out from the wet snow's certain penatration of my thin red jacket. The cold didn't effect me. I already was below freezing myself. I did wear fingerless gloves and a winter hat just because Alice thought it would be cute. I had thrown the ugly hat off, but kept the gloves. They were kinda cool. They covered my missing pinkie. I paced. I had to keep moving or get burried in the snow. Jacob as a wolf, laughed at me whenever I sunk into a snow bank. I rolled my eyes getting myself out.

He laughed then sat beside the tent again listening to Ed and Bella. Ed would call if he needed me. I didn't need to listen in. The wolf suddenly got up and ran behind the trees changing into himself. He carried his jacket.

"Hey, Little Cullen? Do you have any other layers for her?" He asked me with potentness in his voice. I nodded running over for a large snow coat.

"Thanks!" He said gruffly then climbing into the tent. That was the last time I saw anyone all that night. I paced back and forth all night keeping watch for anything. I stopped pacing after a while. I sat under a pine, by myself, getting covered in snow.

A little into the morning Seth climbed his way up. He made his way over beside me. He put his paw on my left hand. It was so big.

"You know, this just makes me feel even smaller!" I laughed.

Suddenly at that moment the tent stirred and fell over. Seth got up and growled in the direction of the tent. I heard Bella struggling to get them to stop, I got ready to run in if they started into a huge brawl. The tent stopped shaking and everything seemed to calm down. We both sat back down again. This time Seth put his head between his paws. I sat Indian style next to him petting his head. Jacob came striding out of the tent. He looked at Seth and I, shaking his head. Bella stepped out of the tent begging him to stay. Jacob wouldn't of course.

"Don't worry about me Bells." he reassured her. "Sides you think I am going to let Seth go in my place-have all the fun and steal all the glory? Right!" He snorted while Seth growled. I put my hand on him. My lovely sparkling shining on him as the sun made an appearance.

"Calm down, you will have your day! Let him have his supposed glory!"

Jacob changed back into wolf form and for a few minuets just paced back and forth then took his place back beside the tent. Then a piercing cry came from the belly of the sarcastic beast. He howled in anguish and pain. The sound I knew from the sound my heart made when I lost my father. A cry of despair. He pounced out of sight almost as if crying.

Bella ran out after he did. Ed following Bella closely. They went out toward the edge of the clearing. Ed's sparkles dancing on the ground.

They went off for a while Bella's sobs could be heard from miles away. She eventually made her way back. Without Ed. I got up. She tried combing through her hair with her hands. Giving up quickly. She grabbed a drink of water from the canteen. I went beside her.

"Bella, do you need anything?" She grabbed me and hugged me. I stiffened. "Umm, Bella, your going to freeze!"

She held me tighter like she was a three and a half year old who needed her teddy bear. I hugged her back for a moment. I had no idea what was going on, she still needed someone. I made her let go when she started shivering. I grabbed another coat for her. She put it over her shoulders and started pacing back and forth. I didn't think I should ask her what was going on but I wished I knew what was going on. Only thing I hated about not being able to read someone's mind. I sat back down beside Seth watching her pace. It was almost funny to watch her pacing. Her heartbeat was quite fast. I acted like I wasn't going to fall into fits of giggles.

Seth whined and got to his feet.

"What is it?" Bella asked Seth and I stupidly.

"I don't know!" I looked over at Seth as he became more and more distraught.

"Is it the others, Seth?" She demanded. "In the clearing?"

I sniffed the air. All I could smell was wolf, but wouldn't that just be Seth? I pulled Bella behind me by her wrist. Something could be coming.

"What is it?" She begged me.

"Just stay behind me!" I didn't know what to do. "Bella, if I tell you to get in the tent you stay in there, you hear me?"

She nodded.

Seth let out a loud and low warning snarl. I looked at where he was growling, waiting for whatever it was to come out.

"It's just us Seth!" Jacob called.

I swear my heart restarted. Ed walked into the clearing sparkling like a fairy. Jacob stayed behind in the bushes like he just commited murder. Seth and Ed talked through their minds for a moment while I made sure Bella was ok.

"There is a bit of a complication," Ed told Bella and I. He seemed unworried. "I am going to take Tabitha and Seth a little ways away and try and straighten it out. I won't go far but I won't listen, either. I know you don't want an audience no matter which way you decide to go!" Pain shot through his voice. Huge love triangle. Like a bad romance movie. Only in real life.

I looked at Bella, then walked over beside Seth. I pet his back as we made our way out into the forest. He ran ahead like a little puppy in large version at a park.

I looked at Ed. "Is everything alright?"

"Not really the newborns haven't made an exact descision what time they are coming and it is worrying everyone. The Volturi are coming and we don't need the wolves here. We needed to be able to talk to Sam and Alice about it. I only brought you along so Bella could be alone with Jacob."

Volturi great. I had to ask Ed a question ignoring my worry. "What if she changes her mind about you. I know you both are engaged, but it could change!"

"I would let her go!"

"You really do love her!" I looked at him then at Seth while he bounded down the hill slightly. "Even giving her up if you had too!"

He smiled. "I know you would do the same if Seth's supposed imprinting on you was a fake and he imprinted on someone else."

I knew I would. I really did care about him, and we would still hopefully be friends.

"Even though, I don't doubt his imprinting on you. You're the only thing on his mind other than missing the battle, he is driving all the other wolves, mainly his sister, nuts.

I acted on the outside like it was nothing. I was probably annoying Ed, though, with my mind screaming joyfully.

The two then sat Ed talking to him telling him what to tell Sam.

I sat there looking over the mountain. The view was nice. We did eventually get up and go back.

Bella was laying on her sleeping bag in the tent. Ed went in to make sure she was ok. I was on guard duty with Seth. I sat out there patting his head. After a while he started to howl. I ran over to the tent to find out what he was thinking. Ed was talking to Bella as I ran in.

"We've got skill, training, and surprise on our side. It will be over very soon. If I didn't truly believe that, I would be down there now — and you'd be here, chained to a tree or something along those lines."

"I could have arranged that!" I told him as I looked in. "No offence Bella."

She smiled at me. "I know everything is fine. Alice is just so small though!" She moaned.

"That might be a problem… If it were possible for someone to catch her."

Seth whimpered.

"What's wrong?" Bella and I asked at the same time.

Ed chuckled. "He's just angry that he's stuck here with us. He knows the pack kept him out of the action to protect him. He's salivating to join them." "Normal Seth!" I grunted.

"Little Tabitha, you need to go console him. He won't listen to reason from anyone but you!" Ed told me with urgency.

"Ok, I will find out what is happening later." I slided out of the tent just a little disappointed in not finding out what was going on. I acted like I wasn't. My sparkling threw beautiful colors all about the snow. Like Christmas lights.

I went over to where Seth was pacing. I picked up a snow ball and threw it at him, gently.

"Hey, neither of us love the idea of being benched." He didn't stop pacing. He just shook the snow off getting a heavier pant. "We need to get over it. I know they are probably fighting in the most epic fight ever. Just," I thought to myself with no good pros to this. "Ok, I have nothing. Just have faith, something has to come out of this!"

At that moment as if an answer to our problem, Ed came out of the tent. Seth ran over to him, their faces only six inches apart. I looked at Bella with raised eyebrows.

"Go Seth!" Ed whispered to him.

Seth turned around and before leaving looked at me. I bit my lip. I figured he was just leaving for the fight. They probably needed him. I hoped he would be ok and that I would see him again. I looked at him into his eyes. He rubbed his large head under my hand with the missing finger. He bounded off. For the first time, even though I had guessed it. I knew in my heart, I loved him. I wanted to see him again. I looked at Ed for hopefully an explanation.

Bella guessed before I even could think it.

"Who?" She whispered.

"Someone's coming." I asked outloud.

"Victoria," his words slow and meticulous. "She is not alone. She crossed our sent, following the newborns to watch-she never meant to fight with them. She made a spur of the moment decision to find me, guessing you would be wherever I was. She was right. You were right. It was always Victoria."

I tensed up. I knew I would have to fight. Maybe even die. I wasn't happy Seth wasn't there. He could have helped. He was probably safe somewhere. He needed to live. It still would have been nice for backup. If Ed knew that, why did he send Seth away?

I looked to the small opening of our camp sight. Two vampires. A blonde boy. Older in appearance than me, but younger than Bella. He would have been hansom if not for the eyes. He had the reddest eyes. Newborn eyes. I looked beside him. There stood Victoria. Her orange hair brilliantly shining against the snow. Her eyes were black with hunger. Her eyes looked me over stopping at my hand. She then looked back at Bella. Her plan was damn obvious. The blonde would attack Ed, the harder target. He would distract Ed long enough for Victoria to quickly fight and kill me, then go after Bella. I knew I would have to fight hard and long and most likely die. We were cornered, no way for anyone to get to safety. I made myself act like I wasn't scared. I made myself defensive staring her down.

Victoria lifted her head toward Ed. The boy made his way forward.

"Riley," Ed said with a soft pleading voice.

The boy stopped and his eyes widened.

"She is lying to you, Riley," Ed looked at him with a smooth voice. "She is lying to you just like she was lying to the ones who are now dieing in the clearing. You know that she's lied to them, that she had you lie to them, that neither of you were ever going to help them. Is it so hard to believe that she's lied to you as well?"

Riley's face went into confusion.

"She doesn't love you, Riley. She never has, she loved someone named James."

"Complete pshycopath!" I said to myself under my breath as Victoria made a slight growl never taking her eyes off Bella and I.

"Your no more than a tool to her." Ed said creating more tension. "She knows I will kill you." Ed went on to say how she wanted him dead.

"You don't have to die," Ed promised him. "There are other ways of living." he told him how it was not all blood and lies. He could walk away this very moment. "You don't have to die for her lies."

Riley looked to Victoria for an answer.

"He is the liar Riley." Bella's mouth fell open as Victoria spoke. It was unexpected from her. You would expect a strong gutted voice. Instead, it was bubbly like a little girl. I made myself act like I wasn't going to laugh my head off. "I told you about their mind tricks. You know I only love you!"

Yeah, then you all are going to ride magical unicorns. Ughhh, how could he listen to the most fake lies in the world? Ed smirked at my thought.

Riley's jaw tightened as he made his way forward to attack. I breathed as I waited for Victoria's attack. Then a loud and glorius snarl made it's way through the mountainside. Seth!