Chapter 9

The tension in the car was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Jared pulled the car to a stop in front of Emily's house and everyone turned to stare at Bella. If she wasn't so pale, she would be blushing. Of course, Mary being human, couldn't hear what Edward was saying on the other side, but from Jared and Paul's faces she could only imagine.

"Your here?!" Bella all but shrieked.

They all got out of the car, and Mary dragged Bella out too. She dragged her down the road to the beach so the pack couldn't hear the conversation. Mary wanted to talk to Bella after she got off the phone.

"I don't know.....Ed..Edward?" Bella said. Now is the time that Mary wished she had super hearing. Bella glanced at Mary to see her bouncing up and down, waving her arms around. She couldn't help but giggle.

"No, not you. Look, I don't know if that is a good idea....."

"No, I have never been in any danger down here....."

"They've saved me plenty of times......"

Mary finally let out a growl and grabbed the phone from Bella. "Now see here, Leech. The pack has been nothing but nice to Bella. They have saved her numerous times. That's more than we can say about you, since your the reason she was in trouble in the first place. If Bella doesn't want to see you, then leave her alone!"

Then Mary hung up and looked at Bella who had tears running down her face. She looked like she was going to fall apart and Mary realized she was just putting on a strong front while she was on the phone. Now, though.....she was a mess.

Mary pulled Bella into a hug, which was kinda hard, since Bella was a good 6 inches taller than her, but all the same. It showed Bella, that while she might not understand, she would still be there for her. They had become almost inseparable, over the past couple weeks. Mary had gotten the feeling that Bella was using her as a replacement of some sort, but it was ok with her, since she was her cousin's imprint.

As an imprint herself, she knew that there was no way for Bella to fight the bond. It would only end up hurting both of them in the long run and no one would ever be able to replace that man that you were meant to be with. There would always be a longing, a hole, something that is missing, a wonder that there should be more. Eventually, you would come running back, just to stop the hurt. And really, who could resist that kind of compassion, love, and adoration that your other half will give you. Who wouldn't want to be with your soul-mate? To know, that you are with your other half, the other person that completes you. Most people never find their soul-mates. And if they do, they don't know. So, why in Taha's name, would you deny that?

After a couple minutes, Bella leaned back and gave Mary a small smile. "Thank you."

Mary smiled back. "No thanks, Bella. I know how it is to be confused. My cousin loves you, and you are basically family. Any one of the pack, imprints included would do anything for you. Now what was that all about?"

Bella sighed and looked out over the ocean, then motioned for them to take a seat on the beach.

"That was Ed...him. He's back, and wanted to see me. I told him, I didn't think it was such a good idea. I just started healing from him, I don't.....then there's Jake." She sighed and lied her head on Mary's shoulder.

"I don't know what it is about him, but I just feel this pull towards him. Like if he left me, it would be worse than when he did. I feel like he's part of me. With him, it was like.....it hurt to be next to him. I felt plain, and ordinary, next to a God. He was always trying to restrain himself, and I don't know how to really explain it. But with Jake.....it's like breathing. I'm so care free around him. No worries. Nothing. I just don't know what to do."

Mary sighed. And there it was. With Mary, it was different. She already knew what was going on and that she would end up with Paul. So, why fight it? With Bella, she didn't know. Mary wanted to throttle Jacob for not telling her. But she did see his reasons. Jacob wanted Bella to fall in love with him on her own. Not because she had to.

Mary finally got up and helped Bella up to Emily's house. The pack was all waiting anxiously, and they all looked up as Mary and Bella came threw the door. Mary noticed a new face in the group and seen that it was the one boy from earlier. She guessed he had phased. Jacob came right over and picked up Bella and cradled her to his chest.

"I'm going to go back to my house. I don't think Bells should be alone tonight." He said to no one really and headed out.

Mary walked over and sat on the couch and curled up next to Paul. He wrapped his around her and pulled her into his embrace. She felt tears start to flow down her cheeks, but made no move to wipe them. Really, she didn't even know Harry. But looking around at all the grieving faces, and knowing how much they all loved him and looked up to him, it tends to play on your heart strings.

She never lost someone she loved. Yeah, there was her mother, but she never knew her. She would mourn the memory of her, but not her. Leah and Seth lost their father, Sam lost a mentor, Jacob, Embry, and Quil lost a second father. Paul and Jared, they didn't know him that well, but he was a respected Elder.

She must have fallen asleep, because when she woke up, it was dark and she was freezing. Mary looked around to see that she was past out on Emily's couch. She crept through the living room and kitchen and down the hall and opened the first door on the left and crept into the room. She closed the door softly and tip toed up to the bed. Paul was sleeping on his side with his back to her. She stifled a giggle. Why did most men sleep in the fetal position? It must have something to do with insecurity.

Mary smiled and curled into his back, sighing when his head washed over her. As she fell back into a deep sleep, she felt him shift and curl around her.

The next morning Mary woke before everyone. She walked out to the kitchen to get some coffee ready, when she seen Jacob sitting at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.

"Jake?" She asked softly. He raised his head and she seen his bloodshot eyes.

"Oh, Jake...." She went to him and wrapped her arms around him. An image of Bella leaving early this morning and throwing him a mournful look flashed threw her mind.

"I'm so, so sorry. We'll get her back, Jake, I promise."

He looked at her. "Did you see it?" She clenched her eyes shut and shook her head no.

"She hasn't made a decision yet. It keeps flickering back and forth. She's undecided." Seeing his devastated face, she quickly went on, "But we'll make her understand, Jake. I promise. She just has to tie up some loose ends. She loves him. But, Jake, she also loves you."

With that, Mary felt his shoulders start to shake. She tightened her hold and vowed that she would see to it that he was happy. This was her family. Her life. And she would be damned if anyone ruined that. Imprint or not.