Chapter 10: Don't Move

"Hey, Jake, it's me. Look I just wanted to... I don't know. Just... feel better soon, ok? I miss you. Y'know, hanging out in your garage and stuff..." she sighed and dropped her head down on the counter. Damn, she sounded stupid. Even in her own head. "I'm sorry. I don't even... nevermind. Get well soon. Bye."

She hung up and slumped down in a chair at the kitchen table with her head buried in her arms. That was the fourth message she'd left in four days and somehow they never got less awkward. She wasn't even sure if he was sick anymore or if he was just avoiding her after their last conversation. Or after her awkward-ass messages.

Ugh.

"Ok, we'll be back around... three..." Charlie trailed off, seeing Bella slouched bonelessly into a chair. "No word from Jacob, huh?"

Without looking up, she shook her head.

He smiled sadly, pulling up a chair beside her, spinning it around before he sat down and leaned his arms over the back, a habit leftover from his own teen years. "It's mono, Bells. I've seen it take out kids stronger than Jacob for much longer than this."

"So what, he's too sick to even call?" she said, jerking her head up from the table.

He shrugged. "You just gotta wait it out kiddo."

"Yeah."

"I don't have to go fishing. I'll tell Harry that we can reschedule and..."

"No, Dad, it's fine. Really," she insisted, giving him a small smile. "You and Harry go. I'll call Angela or someone."

"You sure?" he asked

"Yep. Have fun."

"Alright. Stay here or at Angela's though, ok? I'm having the station issue a warning about those bears." She nodded as she followed him back to the front door where Harry Clearwater was waiting for him. Just as he was about to leave he turned back, his dark eyebrows knit together. "And drive your truck if you go anywhere. No motorcycles. At least not until you finish the motorcycle classes I signed you up for and get your license."

"You... How did you know?"

"It's a small town and you're the police chief's only kid. People talk," he smirked, then waved at her before closing the door behind him.

Bella rolled her eyes and laughed lightly. At least she wasn't in trouble, and she suspected the reason why. She was pretty sure she had found an old photo of him on his own motorcycle with her mom straddling the back while they were dating. She'd have to find that again and put it in her room.

Crossing back into the kitchen, she eyed the phone. She considered calling Angela, but she was actually a little worried about Jacob. Was he still sick? How sick? Or did she totally ruin their friendship by telling him it could never be anything more? And if that was the reason, then what the hell? So since she didn't want to date him she wasn't worth talking to anymore? No. She deserved answers. If he didn't want to talk to her anymore, fine. But he'd have to say it to her face.

She grabbed her keys and headed for her truck.

She intended on going to La Push, but somehow found herself parking and walking down the familiar path to her and Jasper's spot by the creek. Standing in the ray of sunlight coming through the trees, she closed her eyes and let the memories she'd been fighting so hard to lock away wash over her. His skin glistening like diamonds. The way his lips felt, so cold on her cheek, her neck, her lips. His soothing voice reading aloud to her as the creek ran beside them.

Her nice daydream was interrupted by a rustling. Immediately, she opened her eyes, only to find Laurent standing not ten feet away from her. She frowned, sure she was seeing things again. "Laurent?"

He nodded slightly. "Bella."

"What... what're you doing here?"

"I might ask you the same thing. I came to visit the Cullens, but their house is empty. I'm surprised they left you behind. Weren't you something of a pet of theirs?"

A familiar, low growl echoed in her ear. A warning. Something wasn't right.

Laurent tipped his head with a tight smile. "Do the Cullens visit often?"

Jasper's voice whispered in her ear, "Lie."

"Absolutely," she said quickly. "All the time."

"Lie better," the southern voice whispered again as Laurent began to move closer, slowly approaching with calculated steps.

"I'll tell them you stopped by," she said, taking a step back, though she knew even if she made it to her truck, she could never outrun him.

"Thank you," he smiled, his voice was smooth. Dangerous. "But that's not why I'm here. I came as a favor to Victoria."

"You're still friends?"

"More or less," he shrugged. "She asked me to get the lay of the land with the Cullens. Because, well... I'm afraid Victoria is quite put out with you."

"Breathe. Don't show fear," Jasper told her.

She tried to appear relaxed. "That's too bad."

"Yes. She feels it's only fair to kill Jasper's mate, given he killed hers. An eye for an eye. Mate for a mate."

Her heart hammered in her chest. "Threaten him," Jasper ordered, his tone reminding her of exactly who he used to be and the skills he still possessed.

She looked directly into Laurent's blood red eyes. "Jasper will know who did it. He'll come after you. And he'll kill you. Both of you."

"I don't think he will," Laurent smirked. "After all, how much could you mean to him if he left you here unprotected?"

Inwardly, Bella groaned. She had tried to tell him that before he pushed her away.

"Besides, I'll be doing you a kindness," he continued. "Victoria plans on killing you slowly. Painfully. I'll make it quick." He ran his fingers through her hair, turning her stomach. "You do smell so... mouthwatering..."

She glanced over his shoulder to see Jasper's ghost like figure watching, his face twisted in agony. "Jasper, I love you," she whispered, turning to meet Laurent's eyes once again, but he was no longer focused on her. Instead, she looked to the side to see an enormous black wolf emerge from the woods. It stalked toward them, a low growl erupting from its chest and its sharp teeth on full display.

She swore she could feel two cold hands on her shoulders as Jasper whispered fiercely, "Don't. Move."

Four more wolves emerged from the tree line. Silver. Chocolate. Ash. Russet. They all had their hackles up, growling at them, ready to strike. As they stalked toward them, the russet colored wolf broke off from the pack by just a few steps, and lowered its head slightly to make eye contact with her. She just barely contained her shriek when the wolves suddenly lept over her and took off after Laurent who was running deeper into the woods. Snarls and growls echoed through the trees, and Bella felt the cold hands drop away from her shoulders. Jasper's voice caressed her ear, sending chills down her spine with the dark warning in his tone.

"Run."