Chapter 31

Alexandra decided not to go right at Peter with the information she was given. As much as she loved and respected her family, she wanted to figure things out for herself. She, indeed, trusted Rosalie and Edward, though secretly hoped she could still see the light in her first love that neither of them could see.

He had decided to join their family in the capture the flag game that Edward had suggested, never hinting at his slight displeasure for their version of fun. Deep down, he suppressed his desires to go hit the local club

The boys had divided their teams based on gender. In basic terms, boys versus girls. They passed around the two pillowcases that were used as flags and each team planted them on a location on their defensive side. A long stone wall, that was perhaps built a century ago, stood as a boundary line.

Jasper covered the rules, as everyone stood on their side of the line. The boys' team consisted of Edward, Jasper, Emmett, Masen, Seth, William and Peter. The girls' team consisted of each of their counterparts. Renesme and Jacob had politely declined to join them, still head over heels after their exchange of vows. Esme had also declined, allowing Alexandra her space to confront Peter, and also knowing that Carlisle, perhaps for the only time in his life, would not be able to control himself if he came face to face with Peter. He was also at work, so it was a good excuse for them to keep their distance. Michael had his own reasons for avoiding the game.

As Jasper finished up telling everyone the guidelines, their separate teams began scattering about the five mile radius on their respective sides.

"Hey," Peter called to Alexandra before she was out of his sight.

She turned around and forced a smile.

"How come you didn't call me back until this morning? I was worried."

Alexandra felt her heart leap, though she tried to think rationally rather than from her heart. "I'm sorry. Me and Rose got caught up. We went shopping and got pedicures and stuff."

Peter smiled, "Okay. Just don't keep me waiting anymore." He gave her a wink and darted off into the thick of the woods.

Edward made eye contact with Alexandra and didn't have the heart to say anything to her. He just smiled quick and ran off.

Alexandra took a deep breath and decided to get into the game. She wanted it to be over so she could talk with him one on one, but still had no idea how to approach the issue.

Luciana ran over to her side, "Come on, girl."

She smiled and the two of them decided to try to make a plan with the others.

Alice took the lead and positioned people all over in strategic positions. Everyone listened to her plan and did as she suggested.

Bella and Leah teamed up back by the flag to guard it on either side. They each patrolled their area and tried to communicate quietly. If anything, Edward wouldn't be able to read where she was going to move, or what she was thinking of doing.

Alice lead the attack into the boys' zone, looking cautiously around her for any signs of an ambush. She kept Madison nearby, knowing Alexandra and Rosalie were hanging out in the middle. Luciana, as Alice suggested, was preparing to attack on her own. The fact that she had no scent gave their team a huge advantage in the game. She was prepared to meet up with Alice when they got closer, seeing as her scent masked anyone else's she was with. It was a gift that offset Edward's. Alice's visions were almost nonexistent because of Seth and Leah.

Alexandra sensed a few people coming close as she stood her ground with Rosalie. They looked across the way at each other as two figures whizzed by them in a zigzagging fashion.

"Get Jasper!" she called, taking off after Emmett. His laughter rang heavy in the air as he ran.

Edward knew Bella was by the flag and wanted to taunt her, though his mind was still focused on Peter's thoughts, that were in overdrive trying to block out his true thoughts. He could feel them getting quieter and quieter as he made his way farther away from him and closer to Bella.

Luciana stalked the area where she knew the flag sat, walking cautiously, sensing Seth was somewhere nearby, though she knew he couldn't sense her back. She smiled to herself, thinking how easily she could sneak up to him.

As swift as she was, Luciana now stepped cautiously and carefully, taking her time to take in her surroundings. She knew there were a few of them nearby and sunk low to the ground so she would not be seen, using techniques Jasper had talked about during their serious battle the year before.

The woods stood silent and some one hundred yards again she finally spotted the white pillowcase blowing in the wind. She felt as if butterflies were in her stomach as a sense of fun anxiousness arose inside of her. It was almost so amusing that she let out a laugh.

Seth's scent was slowly fading as Luciana creeped her way toward the flag. She began getting ahead of herself and suddenly thought how funny it would be if she could swipe the flag and get to the other side without anyone knowing it.

Her sneakers lightly crunched over the landscape beneath her and the flag became closer and closer. Behind her, a series of twigs snapping caught her attention and she went to hit the ground. A figure sprinted toward her and Luciana laughed, now running away, knowing she'd been caught on her journey. Leaves fluttered up into the air on the chase, and she decided to deter from where the flag sat, hoping Alice or one of the other girls could get there.

It was long before a figure wrapped his arms around her. Luciana sighed and gave in, "You got me," she said, putting her hands up, "Peter. You got me."

Peter continued to race through the woods, "I have to take you to the jail."

She laughed, "I can manage. It's not even over this way."

His demeanor was determined as his running pace picked up.

"Helloooo," Lucana said, not realizing the danger she was currently in, "You're so cheating."

Peter placed a hand over her mouth and felt her tense up as he proceeded to increase the distance between the two of them and the Cullens. He took a few minutes to check to make sure no one had caught on to him. He played a series of thoughts in his mind that related to the game in case Edward could still read his thoughts.

Luciana struggled to squirm out of his grasp so she could yell for Seth, but he was far too strong. She attempted several times to bite his hand with little success. They traveled at rapid speeds for miles and miles. Peter didn't say anything and it made Luciana worry even more. She knew she was in trouble.