A/N: I'd just like to say thank you for the wonderful response to the last chapter. I'm so glad you all like it. I'm sorry I didn't update sooner, I've been arranging plans for my birthday! ITS MY BIRTHDAY TODAY!!! 21 now, officially a grown up – not sure how I feel about that!! But I thought I'd get this done before I go out. Reviews really so make me write quicker... but I'm not going to nag.

Enjoy chapter three.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 3.

Bella's POV

Edward dragged me back into the house, hardly jostling me at all, and locked the door behind us. A moment later I found myself back in the room where I had spent the night. Edward blocked the doorway, glaring at me.

"I don't know what you used to do, but while you're here I expect you to keep your promises!" he snarled, his perfectly face twisted in anger.

"You're right, I don't know what I was thinking!" I yelled sarcastically.

"Me neither!"

"What?"

He froze, looking like he had said too much. He clamped is lips together in a straight line, and left the room in a flurry of shining hair.

I gave myself a moment to recover, then crept over to the door. I peered past the doorway, and everything was quiet and empty once more. It was so silent it was creepy. I stepped through the open doorway. I could hear the gentle breeze outside, and sighed when I realised how close I had got to freedom. I heard something coming from above me, then noticed another staircase going upstairs. Three floors – how big was this place? I slowly scaled the stairs, trying my best not to stumble or trip. The sound was getting clearer. It sounded like a muffled conversation. I carefully made my way down another corridor, the conversation getting louder and louder. I could hear two distinct voices now – two men. Lovely voices, perfect voices, but stained with stress and resentment. I strained to listen through the ajar door at the end of the corridor.

"I don't know why, Carlisle; it's not like I took time to think about it." That voice was velvety and distinct, and somewhat troubled.

"I don't care what your excuses are, Edward, you know my view of self-control. You have to learn to control your temper!"

There was silence for a moment, then Edward replied, obviously with a great deal of restrain.

"I've had long enough to work on it, Carlisle; I've got pretty much stuck in my ways. I think if my temper was going to change, it would have done so at some point in the last century."

I frowned to myself. What did that mean?

"Edward, you had better treat her with respect. I will not have someone in this house who is unhappy to be here. What would Esme say to your treatment of Bella so far?"

Esme? I gasped. How many people were in on this? I peered further round the door so I could see their faces. They were looking right at me.

I jumped back round the corner in a panic. There was silence from the two of them for what seemed like decades.

"Come in, Bella." It was Carlisle.

I took a deep breath, and headed back round the door and stood flat against the door. I glanced over at Carlisle. He was stunning, just like everyone else I had encountered so far in this house. I realised I was shaking, and tried to stop myself trembling, wrapping my arms around myself.

"My name is Carlisle," he said patiently and kindly. "You've already met my son, Edward."

I briefly met the gaze of the bronze haired young man, and shuddered. I nodded. I could feel Edward's glare boring into my skull. Carlisle cleared his throat.

"Edward, Bella is obviously uncomfortable here, why don't you show her around?"

I didn't understand this man. If he really were as kind and gentle as he seemed right now, surely he could not agree to what his son was doing, keeping me here.

Edward nodded in acknowledge of his father's request (I mentally noted to ask about the real relationship between the two later – the two were clearly not related. Maybe he was adopted...)

Edward stepped towards me, his jaw set and his mouth in a thin line. He never took his eyes off me as he gestured to the doorway politely. I stepped out, not knowing what to do other than obey.

Edward led me through the house. It was larger than I imagined, the endless corridors of light walls and glass seemed to go on forever, twisting to the left and to the right, but never too enclosed or confined. Edward held every door open for me like a gentleman. He said nothing at all, but I could see him desperately trying to hold his tongue, and his temper. Eventually, just as we turned a corner, he spoke, curtly.

"Bella, you chose to stay here. This was your decision."

What choice did I really have?! I wanted to yell at him. Instead I sighed, "I know."

He nodded. "So... this is your home now. You may go anywhere you like. Although my family would appreciate you keeping out of their personal rooms."

I mirrored his nod, wondering at his polite way of speaking. He spoke like he were from another time...

Edward led me through another corridor, bypassing an understated wooden door pressed into the wall in the corner, at the far west of the house. He spoke as soon as he noticed my curiosity.

"You do not need to concern yourself about the West Room."

My trademark curiosity got the better of me. "But what's in-"

"It is nothing of your concern!" he yelled, the anger that had been bubbling under his skin erupting in a snarl.

I almost shook in my shoes. He saw my reaction and seemed to try and calm himself, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. I leaned against the wall, as far as possible from him, waiting for the bronze haired, terrifying mystery to calm his temper.

Charlie's POV

My eyes drooped again as I searched the horizon one more time, seeing only the trees a few feet from me. Joe, my friend and colleague, put his hand on my shoulder firmly.

"Charlie, we're not going to find her like this. Come back to the station; we can start a proper search."

I knew he was right, but I shrugged his hand away. I couldn't look at this like any other missing person case. This was Bella. My little girl. She was always so sensible. Renee used to call her middle-aged. She would never run off without saying anything. Something had happened to her. Or someone had happened to her.

I forced my eyes to open and my brain to focus. I would find her. I would find who had taken her.

And I would have my shotgun with me.

Jacob's POV

I returned to the pack, although they already knew what I had seen. Or smelled.

Sam questioned me about the scent. I knew it instantly, almost instinctually, and so did he. The smell tainted the whole forest and permeated the air around it.

Our enemies.

Sam was beyond panic when I reached him. I knew he was fairly new at this too, but I know he felt obligated to the people of Forks, to keep them safe. Personally, this was the first time I had felt that I had the same view as the pack. I just wish it could have been under different circumstances. I would have given anything to have Bella safe. And for some reason, I found myself agonising over the fact that I hadn't told her about the pack. I couldn't have told her – Sam had given a direct order. Maybe if she knew, maybe she could have been more aware of what was around her, what dangers lurked in the forests.

Jacob, I need you to focus. Sam's thoughts pushed their way into my head. Where was the scent strongest?

I shook my furry head vigorously. There had been no specific area of concentration – the stink was everywhere.

The whole pack was in my head now, offering comfort, advice, and support.

We would find them. And I just knew we'd find Bella with them. My beautiful Bella, my best friend...

We would find her. I would find a way.

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A/N: Sorry it's a little short, the next chapter will be longer. Please let me know what you think!

Next time, Bella starts to wonder exactly what Edward and his family are:

'No human could ever be so graceful, so strong and terrifying, and yet utterly safe at the same moment. So did that mean he's not human? Does that mean he is... something else?'

Thanks for reading!