Chapter 3

I ran to La Push in a frenzy.

It wasn't long before I traced Bella's scent to the beach. I could also smell the wolves running behind me.

I headed straight for Bella, picking her up in my arms to hold her close. I ran, stopping at the tree line, a safe distance away from the snarling wolf that replaced Jacob Black.

Sensing Bella's emotions I was momentarily distracted from my real reason of tracing her.

"Bella, you are angry, relieved and curious. Why? I'm sorry for just barging in like that if that's what you are angry about." I said, trying to sound calmer than I felt.

Bella smiled widely. "It's okay. I was mad at Jake. He doesn't seem to be able to keep his opinions to himself. I was relieved to get away from him, and to see you. I'm just curious as to why you're here. Not that I'm not glad to see you."

I smiled at Bella then seemed to snap out of the daze she put me in.

"Bella. Its Victoria. She's back."

Bella gasped. "But the wolves would've told me if they saw someone!"

"There's another vamp in town?" a voice said from the shadows. I instinctively placed Bella behind me, ready to protect her.

Fear spiked in Bella but relief and recognition ran through her emotions as the figure emerged.

"Quil!" she breathed. "You guys didn't know? You need to tell Sam now!"

"I know Bells. Keep your phone switched on. Sam will probably want to call a meeting. The blood… your friend will probably be invited." With that Quil ran off into the woods again.

With a sigh Bella turned towards me. Wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her head on my chest, she mumbled. "Why is it always me? Just as things seem to be going right, this happens!"

Wrapping my arms around her I whispered. "Don't worry darlin' I'll keep you safe."

Little did she know, that was a promise I was willing to keep for eternity.

BPov

"I don't want you near him Bella! He's a filthy bloodsucker!"

"You can't tell me what to do and who I can and cant see Jake! Jasper is my friend and whether you like it or not he's here to stay!" I shouted. How dare Jacob tell me what to do!

Jacob's body started to shake and his breathing got heavier. "Don't you dare talk to me like that Bella! You will do as I say!"

The next thing I knew I was in Jasper's arms at the tree line. I looked over his shoulder to see Jake in his wolf form, in the exact spot I had been standing.

"Bella, you are angry, relieved and curious. Why? I'm sorry for just barging in like that if that's what you are angry about."

I looked into Jasper's eyes. He looked concerned but there was and underlying layer of panic aswell.

"It's okay. I was mad at Jake. He doesn't seem to be able to keep his opinions to himself. I was relieved to get away from him, and to see you. I'm just curious as to why you're here. Not that I'm not glad to see you."

Jasper smiled briefly before his face became cold and hard.

"Bella. Its Victoria. She's back."

I gasped. "But the wolves would've told me if they saw someone!"

"There's another vamp in town?" a voice said from the shadows, making me step back instinctively. I panicked before I recognised the figure.

"Quil! You guys didn't know? You need to tell Sam now!"

"I know Bells. Keep your phone switched on. Sam will probably want to call a meeting. The blood… your friend will probably be invited." With that Quil ran off into the woods again.

Exasperated, I ran into Jasper's welcoming arms. Resting my head on his chest I mumbled. "Why is it always me? Just as things seem to be going right, this happens!"

He wrapped his arms around me tightly. "Don't worry darlin' I'll keep you safe."

I sighed. If only Jasper could mean that forever. It felt nice having someone other than the wolves keeping my safe. With Edward and Jake it was all about what they expected me to do and how they expected me to behave. With Jasper, on the other hand, I was given a choice on the decisions I made. I definitely didn't feel pressurised into anything.

Just stood there in Jasper's arms made me wish that everything could just go away.

We were broken out of our little moment by my phone ringing.

"Bella. It's Sam."

"Sam, did Quil tell you? Is there a meeting?"

"He told me. Can you and your friend come over to mine and Emily's? We need to discuss tactics. Since there's a Cullen around we need to keep the treaty in tact."

"We'll be there Sam." With that I hung up the phone.

Looking up at Jasper I asked, "I guess you heard that then?"

"Sure did." He replied. "We'd better be on our way then little lady. Err do you mind if I…"

I laughed at the expression on Jasper's face. "Go ahead, at least you asked."

At that I was swung into Jasper's arms and flying through the forest. With Edward it was all about speed and style. Running with Jasper felt a lot more natural and free. I could feel him moving so the effect wasn't as unnerving.

He stopped dead outside Emily's front door. Hopping down I opened the door and shouted "Honey, I'm home!"

This was a habit I had adopted a while ago when Paul and Jared had decided to get me drunk. I had ended up walking into Em's house absolutely drenched and hyper as hell only to walk in on her and Sam in the bedroom. Definitely an image I didn't want to think about. From then on I'd announced my arrival at the little house so its inhabitants were prepared. Paul and I had a surprising friendship. It all started when Charlie mentioned that we had played together when we were younger. Let's just say we bonded over the embarrassment of baby photos and parents recollection of the past.

I was knocked out of my musings by a pair of strong arms wrapping around me.

"Don't worry Bella! I'll keep you safe from the nasty monsters!" Paul said.

"Well you'd better step away from her then hadn't you?" Jared's voice chimed. I had seemed to bond with the older members of the group better than the younger, not that they acted as old as they were.

As Paul let go of me Jared took his place. "We will protect you sweetheart."

"Thanks guys." I whispered.

"Let's get this started then." Sam yelled.

I took Jasper's hand and lead him through into the small kitchen.

"Hey Bells!" everyone shouted.

"Hey guys!" I shouted back.

Seeing Jacob sat at the table an idea sprung to mind.

"Sam, do you think that this meeting might be better suited outdoors. Not that I don't trust anyone in here but tempers might run high and I don't want any accidents because of me."

"That's a good idea actually Bella." He said, eyeing Jake's already shaking form.

We all walked outside in to the fresh air, this seemed to calm Jake down a little.

For the next 3 hours Jasper and the pack discussed battle tactics, taking it in turns to do a run of the perimeter. All the time, me and Emily sat, watching our boy's heated debate.

After a while the wolves appetite grew so we went indoors to do some cooking. Within 5 minutes of the food being placed in front of them the plates were empty.

Ever the southern gentleman Jasper came indoors to help with the dishes.

"You don't have to help Jasper; I know you want to be out there."

"As much as I would love to be planning a battle Bella the emotions were getting to me. I desperately needed a break from it all."

"We can go if you want? You could always carry on tomorrow."

"I can still hear what they are saying, I'm just not commenting. I think the wolves want me to train them tomorrow. I've had a lot of practice with this stuff so hopefully my knowledge will be useful."

"I'm sure it will honey, I'm sure it will."

Me and Emily ended up sprawled out on the sofa watching a film with a tub of ice-cream she had managed to keep away from the boys. They were all still outside talking and it was way past sun-set. I had already called Charlie to tell him I would be home late but there was an emergency at the station so he wouldn't be in anyway.

I don't recall falling asleep; I just remember feeling two cold arms lift me. First into the car and then into the house.

As Jasper settled me into bed I murmured "So, how'd it go?"

"It went great Bells! Despite the fact that they stink, I might actually be able to get along with the wolves!"

I opened my eyes briefly to see and excited look shinning in Jasper's eyes. He looked happy and through everything, that made me happy too.