Are You Happy Now?
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Chapter Four
Bella remembered all too clearly the other giant wolves in the meadow. Even though she had been fascinated and unafraid of the glimpse Jacob had given her of his wolf, she was feeling nervous about being confronted by a whole pack of them. She held on tightly to Jacob's hand and pressed tightly into his side. Would the others descend on them all together?
Bella continued to scan the forest, straining her eyes in doing so. She was finding it difficult. The moon was now hidden behind clouds, making the area around her completely in shadow. It was a testing time. She could even feel Jacob's impatience. She wondered if the others were deliberately concealing themselves and taking their time to approach to wind him up a little for betraying their secret.
The minutes ticked by and she heard Jacob mutter an oath under his breath. Maybe he was mistaken and they weren't coming after all. But as this thought entered her head, out of the darkness, several tall figures appeared, striding out from between the trees. They weren't in their wolf forms like Bella expected, they were just like four really big half naked boys.
They reminded Bella of brothers, quadruplets. They all moved in synch to stand across from her and Jacob. They all had the same long, round muscles under the same red brown skin, the same cropped black hair, even their expressions altered at the same moment.
Sam was the biggest, though Jacob wasn't far behind. Sam really didn't count as a boy. His face was older-not in the sense of lines or signs of aging-but maturity, the patience of his expression. The other boys looked furious at seeing her half hidden behind Jacob.
"Do you realise what you've done, Jacob?" Sam demanded.
One of the others-Bella assumed it was the hot-headed Paul-shoved his way past Sam and spoke before Jacob had a chance to utter a word.
"I said this would happen. None of you listened. We all follow the rules but he must be different." Paul yelled. "Now he's gone and spilled our secret to the leechlover just because he's got the hots for her." His eyes narrowed dangerously and he began to shake a little. "What the hell were you thinking? Is she more important than everything-then the whole tribe? Then the people getting killed?"
Jacob tensed at Paul's accusatory tone. "First of all, her name is Bella." He retorted. "Never call her leech lover again, or I promise you'll regret it, Lahote. She can help."
A shudder rippled through the Paul, along his shoulders and down his spine. "I'm sure she is just dying to help."
"Paul!" Sam commanded. "Relax!"
Paul glared at Sam angrily, shaking his head back and forth, not in defiance, but to remain in control.
Bella felt Jacob push her gently behind him, so she was completely concealed by his body. He must really be worried that things were going to kick off further. This was all her fault. She was the one who had pressured him into revealing his secret. It wasn't fair that he was being forced to defend himself.
"Please, this isn't Jacob's fault." Bella stunned them all into silence as she stepped out from behind Jacob and stood in front of them all. They had expected her to be a good little girl and keep her mouth shut while Jacob explained himself. They didn't expect her to say anything, let alone speak in his defence.
"This is not any of your business." Sam answered sternly when he finally recovered from his shock.
"Bells, what are you doing?" Jacob whispered as he stepped in front of her again to shield her from the others view.
Paul's lips curled back into a sneer. "Right, protect her!"
Bella's head whipped around and she glared in Paul's direction. "Get a grip." She snapped. "Its not fair that Jake is being blamed for something that I made him do."
Paul's mouth dropped open in disbelief that she had dared challenge him. He heard the others laughing quietly behind him, amused that a mere girl dared to talk back to one of their own on the verge of shifting. Her open defiance had stopped that in its tracks, making Paul look like a bit of a fool. He scowled and stepped back in embarrassment.
"Jeez, she got you, Paul." One of the other boys-probably Jared-muttered.
Bella felt her cheeks flushing as she realised her little outburst had made her the centre of attention. They were all gazing at her appraisingly. Sam was the only one who remained indifferent. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. She glanced behind her at Jacob, he was looking at her with soft eyes, proud and touched that she would risk it all to defend him in front of the others. She was such a strong person, but didn't let herself believe it. He held out his hand and she walked back over to join him again.
"Have you finished?" Sam asked curtly.
"Yes." Bella murmured, pressing into Jacob's side again. He squeezed her hand. "That's all I have to say."
Sam frowned slightly and looked around at the others. "The damage has been done. There is nothing we can do now. Embry, Jared, go back on patrol and take Paul with you until he calms down properly."
"Ugh, do we have to?" Jared complained.
Sam gave him a severe look.
"Alright!" Jared rolled his eyes, shoving Paul in front of him as he walked away. Paul's scowl deepened but he didn't argue.
Embry gave Bella a mocking smile. "Nice one, Bella." He said, before following his brothers.
"Thanks." Bella smiled weakly back at him.
Sam returned his attention back to Bella and Jacob. He was still hiding his emotions, he showed neither anger or displeasure, just wore the same detached expression. "Take her to Emily's." He told Jacob. "I'll join you shortly."
"Well, that didn't go as badly as I expected." Jacob mused as he led Bella back to her house to collect her truck. He was totally relaxed now, replaying in his mind the way Bella had rushed to his defence in front of his pack. It was remarkable, the way she had even put Lahote in his place. "You are such a bad ass."
Bella stared up at him in disbelief. She thought it had gone badly. It was still the middle of the night. She just wanted to go back to bed and take time to absorb everything that had happened. She didn't want to go to Emily's house. She had no idea who Emily was. She couldn't imagine that the girl would be pleased to have her and Jacob turn up at her house at this ungodly hour.
"Jake, can't this wait until morning?" Bella whined.
"Sorry, Bells." Jacob apologised ruefully. "Sam gave an order."
"So?" Bella was confused. "You don't have to do everything he says."
"Actually, I do. I'll explain it another time." Jacob said hastily before she could begin flinging questions at him. "Come on, its not so bad. You know now. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"I did." Bella conceded grumpily. "But who is Emily?"
They were out of the forest now and back outside her house. Jacob tugged her over to the old truck parked in the driveway and opened the passenger side door. "In you go." He said cheerfully. Everything had gone much better than he expected and he was feeling quite light-hearted. He picked Bella up bridal style before she could protest and slid her easily into the seat. Then running around to the other side, he got in and started the engine.
The loud rumbling engine could wake the dead. Bella cringed, anxious that the loud noise would awaken Charlie. She glared at Jacob as he backed the old Chevy out of the drive. He seemed totally unconcerned.
"Aren't you worried at all?" Bella asked him.
Jacob just grinned at her. Nothing could spoil his good mood. "You weren't afraid."
"Of what?"
"Me." Jacob had the same soft look in his eyes as before. "Of the wolf. I was frightened you'd be terrified and wouldn't want anything to do with me again. But you just accepted it. You were so brave. You're amazing, Bells."
Bella bit her lip, eyes everywhere but on Jacob. He slowed the truck down and shifted closer on the bench seat with those eyes that looked so deeply into her own. "Hey, it's going to be okay. The worst is over."
Bella's breathing became softer, the pensive look on her face melting into a smile as soft as the morning light. Her body squirmed just a little as her muscles relaxed. There was something about that gaze of his she'd never find in another man, as if in that moment their souls made a bridge.
Jacob was forced to look away again and concentrate on the road, leaving Bella's head reeling with confusion. She couldn't put into words the way she was feeling right now. Something inside had her had shifted. She realised that she hadn't thought of Edward for days. Her mind and heart had been totally preoccupied with Jacob.
What did this mean?
Bella was afraid to question her emotions. She was tired through lack of sleep. To keep her insecurities from messing with her head she needed to lean into discomfort, to tolerate uncomfortable thoughts and let the feelings pass. That way she would respond appropriately rather than reacting inappropriately. She needed to take things slow, concentrate on the here and now.
Taking a deep breath, she glanced at Jacob. "So, who is Emily?" She asked.
"She's Sam's girlfriend…no, fiancée, now. I guess." Jacob explained. "That's why Sam told us to go there."
"Does Emily know about…?"
"Yeah." Jacob glanced at her again, his brow creased with concern. "And hey, when you see her. Just don't stare, okay."
Bella frowned. "Why would I stare?"
Jacob swallowed thickly. His eyes slid away from hers as he became tense. "Hanging out with werewolves has its risks. Its one of the reasons why I was warned to stay away from you."
"Jake?" Bella straightened in her seat. He was looking increasingly uncomfortable. "Are you okay?"
"Jeez, this truck is so slow." Jacob complained as a way to change the subject. He drove past the easternmost house on the highway before turning off onto a narrow dirt track.
At the end of the lane was a tiny house that had once been grey. There was only one narrow window beside the weathered blue door, but the window box under it was filled with bright orange and yellow marigolds, giving the whole place a cheerful look.
Jacob opened the truck door and inhaled. "Emily's cooking. She's not as good as you, Bells, but close."
"She's cooking at this time of night?" Bella jumped out of the passenger side and stared at the small house in wonder.
"It keeps her occupied. She worries when Sam is out on patrol." Jacob shrugged. He took Bella's hand and they climbed together up the one step and entered the house without knocking.
The front room like Billy's house, was mostly kitchen. A young woman with satiny copper skin and long, straight, crow black hair was standing at the counter by the sink, popping big muffins out of a tin and placing them on a paper plate. She turned around when they entered the kitchen and Bella finally got her first glimpse of Emily. She felt Jacob's fingers tighten around hers, reminding her not to react.
"Jacob?" Emily's smile of greeting faded when she saw Bella. "Who's this?"
"This is my Bella." Jacob introduced her.
"Hi." Bella said faintly.
The right side of Emily's face was scarred from hairline to chin by three thick, red lines, livid in colour though they were long healed. One line pulled down the corner of her dark, almond shaped right eye, another twisted the right side of her mouth to a permanent grimace.
Emily knew that Bella was shocked by her appearance, no matter how much she tried to hide her reaction. She raised her chin defiantly. "So, you're the vampire girl?" She said defensively.
Bella stiffened. "No. I'm just Bella, actually."
Emily's lips twitched. "Good for you." The left half of her face warmed, showing that Bella had passed the test. "Where's Sam?" She asked Jacob.
"On his way." Jacob said, blowing out a relieved breath.
A/N-thanks for reading!