Chapter Sixty Eight

Jasper

We travelled up to Denali together and I was relieved to see Bella enjoying the trip, being teased by Emmett and chatting with Rosalie although I saw Esme watching her without making it too obvious. She had told me what Bella had said about Tanya and it puzzled me as much as it had her. Renee had been a dreadful parent to Bella but surely she didn't see Tanya as a substitute mother? That she resented what Tanya had done to her dad I understood but they had seemed to get on OK in Volterra so what had gone wrong? Was she blaming Tanya for what happened to me? That was unnecessary, I didn't blame her, she had spoken out of turn but that was just Tanya, you accepted her for what she was.

I made sure to stand close to her when we finally reached the house and when she saw her dad her face lit up with genuine pleasure and they hugged but Tanya held back a little, giving the two space which would probably have been a good idea under normal circumstances but to Bella it now looked as if she were being ignored or so I thought because I felt the stab of resentment and anger flash through my mate before she clamped down on it and took Tanya's outstretched hand in greeting. The two exchanged a cold greeting then Tanya turned to Charlie took his hand and steered him back inside to join the others.

"We don't have to stay if you'd prefer not to darlin'."

She turned to look at me and smiled,

"I'm OK Jasper, really I am. Come on, you can introduce me to the rest of the family."

We followed the others in and I introduced her first to Carmen, then Irina and her mate Oliver, a nomad from Germany, followed by Kate who was constantly being reminded she was the only sister left without a mate. I'd always liked Kate and we got chatting, she'd seen my old friend Garrett recently and passed on all the news he'd told her. I noticed Bella wander over to her father and start talking while Tanya was with Eleazer so I relaxed. The atmosphere didn't seem as strained as I had expected which made me feel better.

Bella

I wanted Jasper to relax so I did my best to fit in with the others then I saw my dad standing alone and grabbed him for a few minutes alone. I just wanted to make sure he was happy with his new life and listened smiling as I saw how much he was throwing himself into his new role as policing advisor to the Volturi. I kept one eye on Tanya, as soon as she gave me the opportunity I wanted a quiet word with the bitch.

I didn't get it that day but the next morning Jasper went to hunt with the guys although with all the noise they were making I didn't imagine there was anything they wouldn't frighten off, except maybe for a hard of hearing penguin or something like that! We girls collected in the lounge and I found myself talking to Irina who seemed nice enough considering she was Tanya's sister.

She told me of the cave they found which had some paintings in it and I was curious so she called Tanya over and suggested she show me….. perfect! I followed Tanya out into the snow and we started walking side by side in an awkward silence. This went on for some time before she plucked up the courage to speak.

"Charlie was very happy when he heard you were going to be here."

"So was I."

"He misses you."

"I miss him too."

She turned to face me,

"I know you don't like me and I understand why. What I did was wrong, I should never have allowed my temper to get the better of me. I'm ashamed of the way I acted but I'm not sorry I changed Charlie. I love him Bella and I know he loves me."

"Yes, my dad always knew how to pick his women."

She wasn't sure what to say to that so she kept quiet for a few minutes before trying again,

"You should be thanking me really you know. If I hadn't acted and bitten Charlie then you wouldn't still have him."

"Of course, how silly of me, thank you so much Tanya for biting my father and turning him into a blood drinking monster. Remind me to get you something, a box of chocolates or some flowers maybe?"

"Look Bella, Charlie has forgiven me so just get over yourself."

I swung around angrily and hit her in the face knocking her several yards to land on her elegant little rump and she jumped back to her feet screeching in anger but as she was about to leap back at me I saw something behind her just inside the tree line.

"Tanya get over here now."

She leapt knocking into me and we went over in a tangle of limbs both cursing this time. I grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her until she stopped shouting then whispered,

"Keep very still and very quiet, we aren't alone out here."

She pushed free of me and turned to look where I pointed but there was nothing there now.

"Cheap trick Bella."

I didn't see the blow coming this time and felt my head snap back as I went over into the snow hitting my head on a snow covered rock which slowed me down. As I got back to my feet I heard her scream and shook myself looking as she went down under two fur covered bodies which growled and snarled as they tried to get to her throat, ripping at her clothes with sharp claws and teeth. For a second, no longer, I was tempted to let the wolves have her but then common sense took over and I threw my shield out to cover her, knocking the wolves backwards. They snarled twisting to look at me and crouched ready to spring so I smiled, now this would be fun and give me an opportunity to release ,my pent up emotions.

"Come on, let's dance shall we?"

I beckoned them closer with my hands crouching as I did so but although they sank down ready to pounce they didn't finish the manoeuvre.

"What's the matter? Scared of little old vampire me?"

The smaller of the two roared at my taunt but the older one's cool head prevailed and he ordered his brother back with a grunt,

"Quileutes?"

They looked at each other and then the larger of the two phased back to human form and Sam Uley stood there naked and scowling.

"Why would you protect the very woman who broke the treaty and turned your father into a vampire Bella Swan?"

"Oh I'm not protecting her because I give a damn about the bitch, its just I won't let you kill my dad and that's what killing her would do. You're welcome to take a few souvenirs, fingers, a hand, even a chunk from her face but I won't allow you to kill her."

"Why would it matter to Chief Swan?"

"Because she's his mate and that's like a wife but more intense so you'd better back off now."

The smaller of the two wolves slunk forward and I grimaced,

"I will kill him if he gets any closer Sam, I'm warning you."

"Just because you're a vampire doesn't automatically make you stronger or more deadly than us Bella Swan."

"True but I have a shield and I'll use it again if you force me too only this time it won't be so benign."