Chapter 32

What!?

You heard me, Leah. Jacob sighed.

It was more of an exclamation than a question, Jacob. How can you be so stupid! She'll kill you! This was my reaction to when Jacob told me he was the "new Bella's" test subject. She would have to be able to restrain from killing him before she could see her "child."

As I paced the forest line behind a human Jacob I began to wonder why I didn't put up more of a fight. It'll be fine, Leah. Jacob can handle himself, and we're here if he needs us.

One bite can end his life, Seth. I snapped in my thoughts. Seth's emotions were the complete opposite of mine. He was lying calmly on his side on a bed of ferns, his head and limbs sprawled out. His side rose and fell with content pants. I on the other hand had my fur on edge and was wearing a trench in the forest floor with my pacing. Seth raised his head.

Calm down, Leah. He sighed and snorted. Jacob turned around to look at us. I paused from my pacing to let out a snarl, declaring my disapproval.

Jacob smiled. "I'm touched that you care so much for me." I snapped my jaws in return.

A sound from the other side of the forest made us all alert. It was a high ringing laugh that was unfamiliar to me. "Show time." Jake spoke.

Seth rose sleepily to his feet and shook his fur out. He took his spot in the 3rd's position still in the cover of the forest. Our ears were pricked to Bella's new voice.

She was standing on the banks of the river, frozen, with her eyes locked on Jacob. Edward grabbed her arms and whispered in her ear. "Don't breathe."

I clamped my jaws shut so I wouldn't growl. Jacob wasn't tense at all, he was standing loosely with a goofy grin on his face.

"Carefully, Jacob." Edward warned. I echoed his warning with a low snarl of my own. "Maybe this isn't the best way –"

"You think it would be better to let her near the baby first?" Jacob interrupted. "It's safer to see how Bella does with me. I heal fast."

Not if she bites you idiot. I thought in response to Jacob's dumb statement. Vampire venom was poison to us.

Bella looked like the epitome of confusion. Her face was contorted and she looked nervously from Jacob to Edward. Her new body made her stunning except for the blood red eyes which seemed to drill holes in whatever she looked at. Her hair was tangled and had a hint of red, probably blood, and she was wearing Edward's shirt. I don't even want to know why she was wearing it.

"It's your neck I guess." Edward said with hostility. I let out a loud growl.

Leah, shhh.

"I gotta say it, Bells. You're a freak show." Jacob laughed without any hesitation. How casual he was with the newborn leech.

It's Bella, Leah. She won't hurt him.

It's Bella, Seth. She's hurt him before! Or have you forgotten the hell she put him through? What's gonna stop her from hurting him again? I snapped.

"Watch yourself, mongrel." Edward growled.

"No, he's right. The eyes are really something, aren't they?" She replied stiffly, trying at some humor.

"Super-creepy." Jacob replied with a laugh. "But it's not as bad as I thought it would be."

"Gee – thanks for the amazing compliment."

"You know what I mean." Jacob said with a sarcastic tone. "You still look like you – sort of. Maybe it's not the look so much as . . . you are Bella. I didn't think it would feel like you were still here. Anyway, I guess I'll get used to the eyes soon enough."

"You will?" Bella didn't know. I took a shaky breath, I can only imagine her reaction in her new uncontrollable body.

"Thanks," Jacob spoke, directed at Edward. "I didn't know if you'd be able to keep it from her, promise or not. Usually, you just give her everything she wants."

"Maybe I'm hoping she'll get irritated and rip your head off." Edward replied smugly.

Jacob laughed.

"What's going on?" Bella complained. "Are you two keeping secrets from me?"

"I'll explain later." Jacob informed. "First, let's get this show on the road." Jacob took a confident step forward and I let out a worried whine. My feet moved without me telling them to and followed after him out of the cover of the trees. Seth followed after me. "Cool it guys, stay out of this."

We ignored him and he dismissed this.

"C'mon, Bells. Do your worst." I let out a breathy huff of aggravation.

Bella just stood there, her eyes wide. Her chest was stiff and I could tell she wasn't breathing.

"I'm getting older here, Bella." Jacob teased. "Okay, not technically, but you get the idea. Go on, take a whiff."

She leaned back a bit towards Edward. "Hold onto me." She whispered.

I saw her chest rise as shook took a shaky breath. Her nose wrinkled but she didn't put a strain on the hands that were holding her back. She actually relaxed a bit and took another breath. "Huh. I can see what everyone's been going on about. You stink, Jacob."

It was going to be fine. The others laughed and Seth moved closer to join his buddies while I retreated back into the woods. I sat down and slowed my labored pants. The first step was over. Now he just had to tell her he imprinted on her 3 day old daughter.