Complications
It was a week after Christmas and everything was going great. Edward and I decided to try to teach Spirit some tricks so we were on first beach in La Push and Spirit was running up and down the shore getting splashed by the icy water. We found that she tended to stick close to me so a leash wasn't really important, but I wanted to be able to take her places and not worry about her trying to eat people when she got older.
"Spirit, you're going to get sick!" I call. Spirit stops attacking the ocean and looks at me with her tail wagging and her tongue lolling out of her mouth as she panted. Edward chuckles next to me. "Come here!" Spirit runs over to me and jumps at my legs trying to get my attention.
"Perhaps we should take her back to your house. She's shivering," says Edward as he picks her up and hands her to me.
"Sure," I say turning and walking back towards my truck. Edward follows me and soon we were on the way to my house.
"Do you have patrol today?" asks Edward.
"You know Sam, he never wants me to patrol. He makes me stick around La Push and tries to make it sound important," I say as I drive. Spirit was between Edward and I looking out the back window of my truck with her tail wagging.
"He's only trying to protect you," says Edward.
"I'm one of the best fighters in the pack and he knows it. I saved our pack from those three bl-vampires," I blush at almost saying "bloodsuckers". I never referred to the Cullens as Bloodsuckers, but it was hard not to refer the other vampires to that name. Edward chuckles at my slip up. "If it weren't for me we could have lost a pack member and Sam knows it. They all do, but Quil and Embry complain about having their baby sister patrolling. 'she could get hurt'," I scoff. "I'm just fine on my own thanks anyway."
"I'm glad you're not out there, love. I would worry about you," says Edward.
"You worry about me anyway," I snap. There's a sudden thump and I could feel the truck shake at the impact. Spirit was barking wildly at whatever landed in the back of my truck and Edward hisses causing me to stop and turn around.
"Edward worries about everything," says Alice cheerfully. Suddenly Edward was scooting over and putting the window down so Alice could get in. I begin driving again.
"Dammit Alice! You could at least warn me next time instead of scaring all of us!" I shout angrily. Alice giggles and rolls the window back up.
"Where's the fun in that?" asks Alice. Ten Spirit was in Alice's lap licking her face. Alice pets spirit.
"Where indeed?" I mumble. We get to my house and go inside where Quil and Embry were sitting in the living room watching TV along with Jacob and Amber.
"Hey Sis, hey Edward, Alice," says Quil.
"Hey guys," says Embry.
"Hey," say Jacob and Amber at the same time.
"Hey everyone," I say. Spirit jumps out of my arms and was suddenly in Amber's lap. Amber giggles and allows Spirit to lick her face all the while telling her how cute she was.
"What's up?" asks Quil.
"Spirit was playing in the water and we didn't want her to get sick so we took her home," I say.
"Jake and Amber came over to hang out with you," says Quil.
"I noticed. Why don't we all go to my room?" I suggest. Jacob and Amber agree so we go to my room. It was a little crowded with five people and Spirit, but it was bearable.
"Spirit is so cute. You're so lucky you got a wolf puppy," says Amber. Amber had always wanted a wolf as a pet, she thought it was cool.
"She can be our pack mascot," chortles Jacob.
"So what happened on patrol today?" I ask. Jacob glances over at Edward and Alice. Alice was looking in my closet with an expression that clearly said she disapproved of my wardrobe.
"Nothing," lies Jacob.
"Bull. Just because Edward and Alice are here, it doesn't mean you can't tell me what's been going on. The whole pack has been stressed about something and I want in," I say.
"Sam's just…freaking out," says Jacob waving his hand dismissively.
"The whole pack is! Now, I'm part of this pack and I deserve to know," I say.
"He doesn't trust Alice and I," says Edward.
"Well he'd better start now," I growl.
"Those three vampires appear to have come back," says Amber quietly. Jacob glares at her and I growl at Jacob.
"Don't you dare get mad at Amber for answering my question. I was going to find out eventually and tell the Cullens anyway," I say.
"What goes on with the pack is none of their business, why do you think Sam keeps you in La Push all of the time?" demands Jacob.
"You all make a big fuss about me coming back and now you're basically pushing me away! You can't have it both ways, either I'm here and part of the pack, or I'm gone," I shout angrily. Edward gently places his hand on my arm trying to calm me back down. I shake my arm free and walk out of my room and to the front door. I was going to talk to Sam about this. Before I reach my truck Edward was back and he grabs my hand.
"Bella, stop," says Edward.
"Let go of my hand Edward. I have to go talk to Sam about this," I mumble trying to pull my hand free of his grasp.
"Let me come with you then," suggests Edward.
"I don't need anyone to come with me," I say.
"I want to," insists Edward. I growl and jerk my hand out of his grasp and get in my truck. Edward was in the passenger's side before I could even think to turn the key. Soon I was at Sam's. When I get there I get out and go to the door and go inside without bothering to knock. Edward follows close behind me. Emily was sitting on the couch with Sam and they were watching a movie.
"I need to talk to Sam," I growl. They both look at me and Emily gets up and goes to another room.
"What's wrong Bella?" asks Sam.
"I thought I was part of this pack," I say as I glare at him. Edward puts his hand on my shoulder.
"You are," says Sam.
"Then why do you keep me in La Push all of the time?" I ask.
"To keep an eye on Emily and everyone else," says Sam.
"You could have told me the vampires were back instead of being all uptight," I say.
"I was going to tell you," insists Sam.
"That's not what Jacob said. He told me that you didn't want me to know anything because you didn't want the Cullens finding out. Well I have news for you; the Cullens are like family to me and they have just as much right to know what's going on as I do. This affects them too," I say.
"I never said that," says Sam.
"Jacob said you did," I say.
"You can't believe everything you hear from Jacob," says Sam. I sigh heavily and look over at Edward.
"Sam's telling the truth, Love. Jacob was just making up stories to make you mad," says Edward.
"Why would he do that?" I ask, but Edward didn't say anything and I had a feeling he wouldn't.
"If you see Jacob tell him I wanna talk to him," say Sam.
"Okay," I say.
"And tonight you can take his place. He's patrolling from 7:30 to midnight," says Sam.
"I'll be there," I say.
***
After lots of arguments with Edward it was 7:25 and I was on my way to meet Sam. We always met in the woods so we could transform and start patrolling. When I get there Embry, Paul, and Jared were waiting for Sam to show. They were still human right now.
"What are you doing here Bella?" asks Embry.
"Sam said I could come tonight," I say.
"Awesome, it'll be nice to have you in my head for once," says Jared with a grin. Then Sam walks into the group.
"Where's Jake?" asks Paul.
"He's not coming tonight," says Sam. He looks at me and then the rest of the group. "Everyone transform and I'll tell you where to go from there." I walk away from the group and undress before transforming and going back to them.
I forgot what your wolf looks like, Bells, says Jared.
Cut it out Jared, I say. They all begin laughing except Sam. He was in Alpha mode and nothing was funny. After giving us our orders we split up and begin running. While running I catch the scent of vampires, but it wasn't any of the Cullens.
Follow it, demands Sam. Be careful though. I roll my eyes and begin following the trail. Towards the end of the trail I smell blood, fresh blood. My ears perk up and my hair begins to stand on end. As I walk forward the scent gets stronger until I was suddenly standing next to the corpse of a boy.
And then I notice it…
His chest was moving up and down rapidly as he struggled for breath and his heart beat erratically. Then he cries out in pain.
End Chapter
A/N: Thanks for reading. You've all been great! Sayonara! =]