Chapter Eleven

Due to my several late updates, I decided to give this to you a day early! Thank you for the reviews, alerts and favourites (I haven't said it in a while) and I appreciate them so much!

Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight but I do own Hetani.

I took a deep breath as I looked in the mirror. I was dressed in a simple black dress that hugged the curves I had and came to barely above my knees. It had thick straps to hold it up and a square neckline. I had shiny black flats on my feet and was holding a dark grey cardigan in case I got cold. My hair was pulled into a simple plait down my back and I didn't wear make-up. There had been a big argument between Jake and I (and Embry but he didn't argue against me) about whether or not I should go. I wanted to pay my respects to Harry and be there for dad whilst Jake thought it would be too much and almost demanded I stay home. That was around the time I had burst into tears and Embry had stepped in, telling Jake to back off. He had done so and I'd been granted allowance to go to the funeral.

"Hey," Jake said from behind me and I turned around. "Do you mind if we make a stop? Dad's going with Sue but I thought you'd want to see this." Bella. He was going to see Bella. I nodded and followed him silently to the car, where Embry and Jared were already waiting. Jake clambered into the passenger seat and I slid into the back with Embry. His arm was instantly around my shoulders and I snuggled into his warmth. I could hardly imagine how I had not frozen before without Embry, it was so strange. Despite the sombre occasion, Embry looked very dashing in a white shirt with black tie and black trousers. His hair looked like it had actually been brushed for once. Jared started the car without a word and we drove to Forks in silence, Embry's fingers trailing through the ends of my hair that weren't plaited and occasionally brushing my shoulder. I simply lay still, perfectly content and comfortable. When we pulled up to Bella's house a little while later, I analysed it. Embry, Jared and Jake had all tensed when Jake opened the door, obviously with the scent of vampire. But I didn't really pay attention to that, my eyes running over the edges of the house and the rusty orange truck parked out front. I noticed there was also a shiny black Mercedes in the drive and scoffed at the sheer conspicuous nature of the vehicle. It was just flaunting money. Jake slammed the door and I winced with the noise, watching my big brother walk up to the house. Bella opened the door when he knocked and, although Embry and Jared clearly could, I couldn't hear a word of the conversation. I noticed that Bella looked past Jacob and her angry eyes were on Jared. Then they moved to focus on Embry behind me and finally to me. She looked stunned for a second as I glared back viciously and she rapidly let Jake into the house, despite Embry shaking his head at him.

"Great," I hissed angrily and Embry started rubbing my arm again. Jared just laughed slightly at me.

"He'll be fine, the vampire isn't there," Embry assured me and I shrugged.

"Bella is," I stated and Jared laughed again.

"You really don't like her, do you?" he joked and I just shook my head in answer. No, I really didn't like Bella. She was selfish and evil and treated Jake like absolute crap. What was there to like!?

"Sweetheart, calm down. He'll be out soon," Embry whispered and I instantly relaxed at the term of endearment. It was definitely new but I liked it. A lot. Jared still continued chortling from the driver's seat and I just shook my head in amusement at him. I was still waiting to become the 'great friends' he claimed that we were going to be, but I supposed it hadn't been too long ago that he'd proclaimed that. I was still warming up to everyone, so that was fair. Suddenly, Jared's laughter stopped and Embry went completely still behind me. Something had happened inside. I immediately went to grab the door handle but Embry pulled me back and Jared shook his head.

"What is it?" I asked quickly, quietly. I was scared for Jake and, I'll admit, for Bella. If she had said something to make him angry, she'd end up like poor Emily.

"It seems as though Bella's leech thinks she's dead. And the other leech isn't happy," Jared snarled, glaring at the front door. My eyebrows shot up.

"How?"

"Bella mentioned something to Jake about Alice being able to see the future. That's why she's here but obviously, Bella's not dead. The other Cullen doesn't think so and Jake just pretty much convinced him." My face did a weird twitch thing from confusion.

"On the phone, love," Embry elaborated and I nodded in understanding. So, Bella's boyfriend thought she was dead. He'd left, so he'd just have to get over it. That thought was quickly dashed as Bella ran out of the house, somehow being beaten to the car by a small, pixie like girl of about my height. She had a halo of spiky hair surrounding her face and golden eyes. The only other thing I noticed before she got in the car and revved it up was how well dressed she was.

"Take care of Charlie!" I heard Bella yell before she leapt into the car. I watched it swing out and disappear in complete shock. What the Hell just happened? Jared snarled as a broken looking Jake came to stand in the open doorway of Bella's house. He looked like his entire world had been swept away with one big motion and he was left with nothing. Ignoring both Jared and Embry, I wriggled out of the car and threw myself into Jake's arms. Wet drops hit my arm and I realised he was crying. I didn't know the entire situation, obviously, but it was clearly more than the Cullen boy thinking Bella was dead. She had just left in a hurry with only a small bag of belongings and Jake was left behind to worry for her. Biting my tongue against the obscenities I could mutter about Bella, I led Jake's all too willing form to the car, thankful that Jared was driving. He got into the passenger's seat and I crawled back with Embry, extremely concerned for Jacob's vulnerable expression. Oh God, what would we tell Charlie? He was going to be at the funeral and we would know that Bella was gone. I immediately started thinking about whether or not we should inform him that his daughter had run of to God knew where with someone who, until recently, had been out of town with the love of Bella's life. Embry whispered soft, reassuring words in my ear like he knew what I was thinking and he clearly did. I had been muttering quietly to myself and, naturally, everyone in the car heard it.

"We'll let Charlie find out himself. It's too complicated to get us involved," Jared said in an official tone and we all nodded, knowing it was best. Besides, it wasn't like Bella had been kidnapped. Jacob wouldn't have let that happen. We pulled up to the where the ceremony was to be held and I tensed instinctively. I didn't like funerals.

XXX

It took three days. Jake either paced around the house, driving me insane, or he ran as a wolf and drove whoever was on patrol with him insane. It was a vicious circle, one I wanted out of. My dad spent most of his time with Charlie, who was still grieving for his lost friend and going mad with worry over his missing daughter. When Jake was out of the house, either another wolf took his place protecting me (because Embry and Jake were paranoid to the max about this Victoria issue) or I went to Emily's, where the three wolves who weren't on patrol were located, along with Emily and Kim. I didn't really know what to do since I'd finally learned the full story. Bella's leech boyfriend had learned about Alice's vision of Bella jumping off the cliff (she couldn't see the pack, so didn't see Jake save Bella) and had gone to kill himself. I didn't see the bad in the situation until Jake told me why Bella had run off – to go and save him and put her life in danger. So, Jake was making himself ill with worrying about Bella's life once again being in danger and I was caught between upset for Jake and angry at Bella as the three days passed. I knew Jake wasn't sleeping right and he went on endless runs that burned energy that I didn't think he had. So, that's why Embry found me staring blankly at my bedroom wall on the third day.

"Hey, he's going to be absolutely fine. He's just worried," my wolf soothed, tucking my knotted hair behind my ear and tilting my head back so I was looking at him. I knew he was right and he knew that I was angrier at Bella than I was at anything else. I was also angry at the Cullens – they made the wolf gene come out, they ran away like cowards and they pushed Bella into Jacob's arms and messed him up. Having no one to direct my anger at, I just let my head fall on Embry's shoulder. I knew that, even if by an evil twist of Fate, I ever met the Cullens, I would be far too shy and scared to say anything to them. I made a noise of irritation into Embry's warm skin and he laughed, wrapping his arms around me. He didn't have to say anything, though. Having him there was enough for me.

Yeah, so there you have it. I will update on Monday morning (British time). And happy birthday (in two days) to GirlSwagg21 and I'm sorry this isn't one of my greatest chapters! Love Bianca :) x