Chapter Fifteen

Charlie

Bella went off with Alice to the movies on Saturday just as Harry arrived to pick me up and I saw the scowl he threw their way. As he came to help me down the steps he threw the car another look,

"Jake is very disappointed that Bella isn't coming."

"Is he? Well I think its good that she's made some friends at school."

"Shame it had to be a Cullen."

"Don't start Harry or I'll stay home. I'm sick of hearing about the Cullens and how terrible they are. Either tell me what it is they are suppose to have done or give it a rest."

He didn't say any more but I knew he was unhappy and when I saw Jake's face I almost wished I had stayed home, he looked like a puppy who'd just been kicked out in the rain.

"I thought Bella might change her mind."

"No Jake I told you she was going to the movies with school friends."

"Alice Cullen"

Harry almost spat the name as he passed us and Jake's face went hard with disapproval,

"She's gone with the Cullens?"

"No Jake, she's gone with Alice Cullen singular now help me over to the bench before I fall down."

I saw Paul and Sam talking together and Paul gazed over looking guilty, what the hell was that all about? I was getting mighty tired of the Quileutes and their sudden secrets and cryptic remarks, I was getting too old for all that shit!

Billy wheeled himself over to sit beside me asking how I was while handing me a beer.

"I'll live Billy. Hope to be back at work in a few weeks I'm going stir crazy. Thank goodness Bella's with me, she's been a God send and its great finally having my daughter home for good."

"She treating you right? Not leaving you on your own too much?"

"No and when she's not there Jake is so I'm covered. Billy what the hell is the beef with the Cullens?"

"The Cullens? We just don't like them."

"Why? Do you know something I don't? Only the doctor had a good reputation and his wife helps out in the community, hell even the kids haven't caused any problems unlike some of the other local kids."

"It's an old story Charlie, just prejudice."

"Old story? Hell they've only been here two years Billy."

He excused himself and rolled over to get another beer passing close by Harry as he did so. Harry looked over and nodded his head then walked over with Sam and Paul.

"You looking for a history lesson Charlie?"

"Hell no, just an easy answer to a simple question."

"There's no such thing Charlie not in our tribe. Come on let's get you something to eat."

They were avoiding my questions but I couldn't be bothered to pursue it, not at the moment.

Sam

We were going to have problems if Charlie didn't give up asking questions about the Cullens. We couldn't tell him the truth without being laughed at and it was a tribal secret anyway. On the other hand we owed Charlie something, after all it was our fault he was in his present condition. I couldn't believe how quickly Paul had lost it and phased, attacking before I could get to him. If I'd been a second later Charlie would be dead not sitting here now with a beer. Since then Paul hadn't phased at all and was under the direct eye of old Quil, he had brought dishonour onto the whole pack, a pack that had expanded since the Cullens reappeared. We all knew there were dangers with phasing but never before had an innocent been hurt, except for Emily and that was a burden I would bear for the remainder of my life. Jake was getting close to the age when he might phase and with his fixation on Bella Swan he could be even more dangerous to the tribe. Harry and I had both spoken to him about her but he refused to listen, He knew the Cullens were dangerous although I doubted he actually believed the old legends...yet. To him they were still stories to scare the youngsters into behaving. Be careful or the Cold Ones will get you. Bella had made it pretty clear that she wasn't interested in him and I fervently hoped he would imprint soon and forget about her before things came to a head. I looked around and saw he had disappeared which meant sending some of the pack to keep an eye on him when they should be here enjoying themselves or patrolling to make sure the Cullens kept to the treaty and off the reservation.

Jake

As soon as I could I slipped away and taking the car I drove into Port Angeles to find out where Bella was and who she was with. The picture had started so I hung around outside waiting for the audience to emerge when I heard a voice close beside me,

"You are becoming a real pain Jake."

I whirled to see Paul leaning against the wall beside me and next to him was Jared.

"We were looking forward to the barbecue but here we are playing nursemaid to you. When are you going to realize she's not interested in you? Boy you are thick-skinned or dense."

"Go back then. I don't need a nursemaid".

"Oh yes you do because if you start anything we have to finish it and none of us need a war with the Cullens."

"A war? Why a war? Tell me Paul."

"You aren't old enough for that story Jake, not yet but you will be, soon".

I shrugged his hand off my shoulder,

"Leave me alone."

"You leave Bella alone and we can all go back while there's still some food left. Come on Jake."

I tried to move away but Paul clutched my shirt and it was like trying to strain against a stone pillar."

"This way little brother"

He yanked me off my feet and dragged me towards the car,

"How did you get here?"

"We ran but you can drive us home."

"You ran? Yeah sure."

Paul rolled his eyes and almost threw me into the driver's seat,

"Jake don't piss me off, I have a very short fuse".

I could see he meant it so I strapped in and started the engine, revving it violently,

"You blow the engine I'll drag you back and you can explain to your dad why."

Charlie

I kept an eye out for Jake but it was over an hour later before I saw him in company with Paul and Jared and he looked distinctly unhappy. It was as if they were keeping him under guard and I pointed this out to Billy.

"I think he upset the older guys so they're showing their disapproval, it's all part of growing up on the Res."

"Really? OK"

I'd never seen any behaviour like it before but it wasn't my problem and soon after I started to feel tired, my shoulder was aching and my arm throbbed, would this wound ever heal? I was getting pretty fed up with being an invalid. Harry seemed to understand because he came over,

"You ready for bed Charlie? You look shattered."

"Yeah, still not up to speed yet."

He helped me up and we walked slowly to their cabin where Sue had made up the spare room for me, well Seth's room actually, but he was bunking up with a friend. Harry helped me get my shirt off then left me to it and I was soon in bed having taken a couple of pain killers and was just beginning to doze when I heard a noise outside my window.

"Jake leave it. You have no idea what you are getting involved in. The Cullens are far more dangerous than you can imagine."

"Yeah so why are they still here then?"

"There's been too much blood spilt, look at Charlie, that was an accident but it could have been much worse if Sam hadn't stopped Paul. Now leave it."

What the hell was that all about? Paul? An accident?