A/N – I dedicate this chapter to Aussie Royal, because she an amazing friend… not only has she helped me with my mental blocks, but she pretty much co-wrote this chapter with me. Thanks Jinxy; I am forever in your debt. Please read her work, she is one talented writer.

And my thanks to Anagnophile; you understand grammar sooooo much better than I do! Thank you for reading and commenting on my work. Much appreciated.

Happy New Year All! - Now get reading! (um, and reviewing...if you want to!)

Chapter 87 – Engagement

APOV

It was the morning after my world had come crashing down around me. For so long, I had wanted to know the past and what my human life had held... I had envisaged so many possibilities, but never this. I had wanted, badly, to take Bella to Woodland Fathom again so we could talk, but Jake had appeared, as he always seemed to at the most inconvenient times.

And now, instead, we were all gathered in a small clearing deep in the woods, the rest of my family with me on one side, and the Quileute pack on the other. All of them listening to Jasper and Antara explain the plan so far.

"She can teach hand to hand combat?" Jake scoffed, as my eyes flickered from him to Bella.

I knew this was going to happen…

""I'm not taking orders from her," he continued

"Suck it up, Mutt," Antara replied cheerfully, as she lounged on the hood of Jasper's car. The tight leather outfit she wore showed off her shapely curves perfectly. "Or are you scared to get your paws dirty?" she continued sweetly, as she lifted herself from the car and walked to Bella's side. Bella grinned. Jake… well, Jake scowled.

Jasper had just finished explaining his past experience with close hand-to-hand combat when Bella had asked for Antara's input. Clearly, Jake was not at all impressed.

"Sorry, but I don't believe a word of it," Jake finished, flashing a smug look in Antara's direction.

"And what exactly is it, pup, that you have trouble believing?" Antara replied, her tone taking on a hard edge as she appeared by Jasper's side, her expression one of annoyance.

Jake scoffed. "I could take you," he spat, as Sam stepped forward.

"Fighting within the alliance is not going to help us, Jake," he replied with an edge to his voice, which seemed to hold power over the wolves.

Carlisle nodded in agreement. "If we are going to find Reuben, we need to work together."

"I'm not taking orders from someone I can beat." Jake glanced at Antara pointedly before being pulled back roughly by Sam.

"We shall see, mutt," she replied, as a smirk spread across her face.

I continued to watch as Jasper stepped away from Antara's side to start his demonstration on Emmett. As they continued to exchange blows, my eyes drifted towards the woods, where the trees got thicker. Somewhere, in there, he was waiting. Perhaps even watching... although none of the wolves had detected him thus far.

What did he want?

Why was he doing this?

Why now, after so long?

"I'm not doing that on a girl."

My focus immediately returned to Jake, who was now standing beside Jasper and looking at him with disgust.

"You should watch who you step up to, Mutt, you might lose a paw." Antara had taken a threatening step towards Jake, causing the pack to growl in warning.

"We cannot be expected to train with women; they could get hurt," Jake replied, looking at the rest of the wolf pack. All seemed to nod in agreement bar one: the girl who had been introduced earlier as Leah.

I almost found Jake's words touching, but they had the opposite effect on Antara.

"Is that so?"

Before any further comments could be made, Antara was standing inches in front of a startled Jake. I watched with interest as she took hold of him by the neck, lifting him off his feet with ease.

"Do mutts fly, Emmett?" she grinned at Emmett, who wore an identical smile.

Turning back to Jake, she snarled briefly, before tossing him over her shoulder as if he weighed nothing. Everyone followed the display as Jake's large body soared through the air, landing with a soft thud in front of Emmett.

"Guess they don't," Antara stated uncaringly, as she returned to Jasper's side. Jasper rolled his eyes at his old friend.

"So that's how you hurt girls, huh?" Emmett boomed, before filling the clearing with his infectious laughter.

Jake sprang to his feet, a look of what could only be described as rage appearing across his flushed face.

"You just wait!" he hissed, as his whole body started to shake.

"For what exactly? You to grow a pair?" Antara replied, as both Carlisle and Sam flashed to Jake's side.

"Calm down, Jake!" Sam commanded, and Jake took several deep breaths before stepping back to join his pack. Most remained silent, bar Leah who still seemed to find his flying lesson amusing.

"Antara, was that really necessary?" Esme asked, her face showing nothing but concern as she eyed the still-trembling Jake.

"I was merely demonstrating that one should never underestimate another," Antara shrugged before laying her head on Jasper's shoulder.

"Demonstrate again!" Emmett boomed, still snickering at Jake.

"I think Jake got the message," Sam replied, a slight smile now playing at his lips.

"This is ridiculous," Jake spat, pulling away from the hand that Sam had placed on his shoulder. "You wouldn't have done that to me if I had changed."

"Is that a challenge, mutt?" Antara asked, raising her eyebrow rather mockingly.

Clearing his throat Jasper stepped forward slightly, gaining Jake's attention. "It is important we see how you fight as a pack, but for now the attention needs to be focused on us, and how we defend ourselves, and fight."

I glanced across at Edward.

Are they paying attention, Edward? I asked silently, as Edward walked towards me.

Bending down, he whispered softly in my ear. "More so now, but Jake is still fighting Antara's involvement," he answered, as I nodded my head.

I continued to watch as Antara demonstrated combat moves I had never seen before, first on Carlisle and then on Jasper, who seemed to be enjoying the fight. Jasper had been right about her. She was strong, and fast. I started to wonder why she had engaged others in physical combat before. Jasper's past was an open book to me, yet Antara's was one I had yet to come close to understanding, even with Bella's insight.

A low ringing sound penetrated my thoughts. I watched as Bella placed her hand in her pocket, retrieving her mobile phone. I knew immediately who it was, as the speaker's voice floated towards me.

Charlie.

As the call progressed, Jasper and Antara's impressive tussle came to an end, when the latter had officially pinned Jasper to the ground.

"Think you can take Edward?" Emmett asked, as Rosalie visibly sighed.

"Are you seriously asking that?" Antara scoffed, as Emmett smirked.

Edward raised an eyebrow, a trait he seemed to share with Antara. Not that I would ever voice that to either of them.

"You're wrong," Edward replied dryly, and Antara tapped her forehead.

"My thoughts are my own, Eddy, so it may be wise to keep out of my head if you don't like what you hear," she spat as Edward smiled, before breaking out into another frown.

"I can't believe you think that," he answered, as Antara blew him a kiss.

"If I can beat Jasper, then you're not much of a challenge," she answered.

I shot a look at Edward. What did she say? I asked once more.

Edward shook his head. "It doesn't matter," he mumbled, as I looked at a smirking Antara.

"I'll tell you later Alice, or you may find out before hand," she continued as I felt myself smile.

Despite my earlier reservations, I really was beginning to like Antara.

"I have to see Charlie."

Everyone turned to face Bella, who had placed the phone back in her pocket.

"Is everything okay?" I asked gently, as she nodded.

"Yes, I just haven't seen him in a few days and mum's been asking about me."

Everything went silent as Esme appeared by her side, taking her hand. "Would you like me to go with you, Bella?" she asked lightly, as Bella smiled.

"Thank you, Esme, but I think I should see Charlie alone."

As the word 'alone' escaped her lips, her eyes flickered over to me, asking silently for approval. I smiled.

"Well, if you need me, Bella," Esme trailed off, as Bella gave her a reassuring hug.

Leaving the others behind us, I took Bella's hand in mine and we walked towards the house.

"Are you going to drive your truck?" I asked gently.

Bella laughed. "I was thinking I'd go on foot. I feel like I need some exertion after watching Antara throw everyone around."

Now it was my turn to laugh. "Yes, she has certainly won over Emmett with that stunt." I smiled fondly at Bella as she smiled at my assessment of Emmett.

"Bella, please be careful?" I asked, as Bella cupped my face between her hands.

"By careful, you mean don't go looking for trouble," she whispered, her lips descending towards mine. I moved my head back a little before contact could be made.

"By trouble, I mean Reuben," I answered, as Bella moved her head down further, her lips now touching mine. Whatever words were going to escape me were lost, as I felt her tongue push at my closed lips. I opened them, granting access, and her tongue danced across mine. I felt the familiar fire burn deep within as I tasted her sweetness. A single kiss and I was lost. A single kiss and I was hers. Everything about Bella had captured my heart and soul: her touch, her embrace, her love…

Her kiss…

All too soon she had backed away, a smile now playing on her lips. "Perhaps we can continue this when I return?" she asked.

My lips broke into a soft smile. "Not perhaps, Bella. Let's try… definitely."

Definitely…