Back to the Start

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

Party Time

"Bella?" Jacob said softly, breaking through her troubled thoughts. "Its going to be okay." He squeezed her hand in reassurance.

Bella turned to gaze up at him, her eyes tightening at the corners as she attempted a smile. For some reason, she could not shake off the feeling of doom which threatened to stalk her every step. They were standing together on the Cullens front porch, with the pack strung out in a line behind them. The boys were tense, their noses wrinkled in disgust at the overwhelming leech stink that permeated the air, their eyes flickering around the property like they were just about to enter a haunted crypt.

Bella noticed Embry's hands were trembling slightly, it wasn't just because of the leech stink, it was also to do with nerves. They had arranged to meet Angela inside.

The charity auction was already over, having been held on the Cullens palatial grounds. It had been very successful, with the family's donation included, enough money had been raised to cover the restoration of all the affected businesses in town. The dance itself was being held inside the mansion.

Jacob pulled Bella into his arms and kissed her. This kiss frightened her. There was too much tension, too strong an edge to the way his lips crushed hers-like he was as afraid as she was that some disaster was about to strike.

Bella couldn't let herself think about that. Not if she was going to have to try and act normal for the next several hours. She pulled away from him.

"Let's get this stupid dance over with." She mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

Jacob put his hands on either side of her face, waiting until she looked up. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Bella touched his lips tentatively with her fingers. "I'm not worried about myself so much."

"Why am I not surprised by that?" Jacob replied ruefully. He took a deep breath, and then smiled slightly. "Ready to enter the demon's den?" He quipped.

"That is so not funny, Jake." Bella groaned, but it did cause her to smile.

Jacob laughed quietly as he opened the door for her, keeping his arm securely around her waist. Bella stood frozen there for a minute, then she slowly shook her head in disbelief.

"Unbelievable."

The interior of the Cullens' home had been transformed into a nightclub-the kind that didn't often exist in real life, only on TV.

"Bella!" Alice Cullen called from beside a gigantic speaker. She danced over to greet her, her nose wrinkling delicately at the wet dog smell coming from the huge boys surrounding Bella in a protective circle. "It's so good of you to come…. you….and…your…um…friends." She tagged on at the end, trying to be polite.

Alice was wearing a sequined tank top and red leather pants. Her bare skin reacted oddly to the pulsing red and purple lights. "You look lovely, Bella." She enthused, her eyes looking Bella up and down in approval.

"I think I'm underdressed." She murmured, glancing down at the simple black knee length pencil skirt she was wearing, which she had teamed with a red halter neck top, leaving her shoulders bare. Compared to Alice's dazzling sequins, her outfit was very plain.

"You look perfect, Bella, honey." Jacob gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze.

"You'll do." Alice's laughter was like the sound of tinkling bells.

"Thanks." Bella sighed. She really didn't want to be here. It was an effort to even talk to Alice, knowing what she was, and that Edward was probably quite close, listening in to the conversation.

"Well, its good that you came." Alice repeated, giving Jacob and the rest of the pack another uneasy glance. It was obvious that she had been blindsided by their arrival. She was trying to act nonchalant, but the little subtle signs of her tension were obvious. "Your father and his date are around here somewhere." She waved her hand around vaguely. "I better get back to my hosting duties. We'll talk again soon."

Then just like that she danced away from them, whizzing over to greet some of the other new arrivals.

Jacob did not let go of Bella for a second, keeping his arm tightly around her as they hunted around for Angela. It seemed the Webers were running late. Embry seemed to be getting more nervous as the minutes passed. He kept tugging on the collar of his black tee, his eyes darting every which way. Quil began to tease him relentlessly, further adding to his discomfiture, that was before Jacob put a stop to Ateara's silliness by issuing an Alpha order for him to shut up.

"We should split up." Jacob suggested as they circled the room. "Stay alert all of you. And report back to me if you find anything that makes you suspicious."

His brothers nodded, melting silently into the shadows, every one of their senses hypervigilant as they explored the room.

In the distance Bella spotted Alice's mate, Jasper. He looked as watchful and wary as the wolves. He noticed her looking in his direction, and he managed a small smile. Immediately, Bella felt a wave of calm tranquility wash over her, soothing her frazzled nerves, and knew he was responsible for it. It was an unnerving feeling that Jasper was so easily able to manipulate people's emotions like that. In her mind he had the most powerful gift of all. It was much more sinister than enhanced strength, mind reading, or even being able to predict the future. He could calm down a room full of angry people, for example, or excite a lethargic crowd, conversely.

Jasper's talent would give the Cullens a distinct advantage against the wolf pack if it ever came down to a fight. All he would have to do was mess with the guys' emotions, calming down their temperamental nature to such a degree, that it could render them helpless in the face of their enemies. If Jasper constantly manipulated the emotions of those around him, he could end up creating a false reality for them as they would be feeling what he wanted them to feel. It was very disturbing, and something which Bella had wished she had brought up with Jacob before they arrived. She cursed herself for not thinking of this before.

The doorbell rang, making her jump.

All at once, everything seemed surreally normal. A perfect smile, genuine and warm, painted Carlisle Cullen's face as he appeared out of the shadows, neatly stepping into his role of host as he went to greet the new arrivals. Alice turned up the volume of the music, then danced her way to the door to join the coven leader.

A suburban load of Bella's friends from school arrived, just as Carlisle stood by the door greeting some older guests. Jessica was the first one at the door, with Mike right behind her. Tyler, Connor, Austin, Lee, Samantha…even Lauren trailing in last, her critical eyes alight with curiosity. When she spotted Bella in the distance, her petulant features twisted into a scowl.

Alice greeted each one of them cheerfully, a bright, engaging smile fixed to her face. Even so, the teens all looked overwhelmed as they took in the huge room decked out like a chic rave. All the Cullens had taken their places now, ready to put on their usual perfect charade. Tonight, Bella felt like she was acting every bit as much as they were.

"Jeez, its so creepy the way they can just switch on their humanity like a lightbulb." Jacob confided close to her ear.

"I know." Bella shivered and it had nothing to do with the cold.

Before she had a chance to pull herself together, she was greeted by Mike and Jessica. Jessica played it cool, barely managing a polite smile, while Mike grinned and held out his hand to Jacob, who shook it, then he smiled widely at Bella.

"Its good to see you guys here." Mike said, peering around. "They've really gone overboard with the décor. I feel like I'm in some kind of bizarre reality TV show."

"You're not wrong." Jacob agreed. He'd always had a pretty low opinion of Mike Newton in the past, but the way the guy had been one of the few that had stuck up for Bella had made him change his mind.

"You look nice, Bella." Jessica said less than enthusiastically. "Did that top come from the thrift store?"

Bella felt Jacob tense by her side at the intended barb. She squeezed his hand hard, not wanting to rise to Jessica's bait. "Its vintage." She said coolly. "I guess your dress came straight off the rack at Walmart."

Jessica glanced down at the sky-blue confection she was wearing with the ruffled sleeves. It had cost her a bomb. When she tried it on, she had been so certain it made her pale skin pop. Now, upon hearing the sarcasm in Bella's tone, she was beginning to doubt it was a wise choice.

Jacob and Mike exchanged knowing glances. Mike decided to act as the gentleman and draw the two girls apart before the animosity got any worse. "I'm sure we'll catch up with you guys later. Come on, Jess."

Bella watched them go with a sigh of relief. "I try my best but that girl still has the power to get to me." She admitted to Jacob.

Jacob kissed the top of her head. "Jealousy can be a bitch."

"Jealousy?" Bella looked up at him, puzzled.

Jacob laughed, shaking his head at Bella, wondering how she could not know the reason behind Jessica's bitchy attitude. "She's envious of you, Bella, honey. Isn't it obvious?"

"Not to me."

"Well, it is to me. She'll never be in your league, no matter how hard she tries. That girl is the sort of fair-weather friend who'll shake your hand while stabbing you in the back at the same time."

"Yeah, that is a good description of Jess, actually." Bella agreed ruefully.

Just then the front door opened again. Angela had finally arrived, accompanied by Eric and Katie. Bella smiled happily, waving as she left Jacob's side and ran to greet her friend. Angela smiled shyly, leaning in to hug Bella. She looked so pretty in her light blue shift dress. She had exchanged her glasses for a pair of contacts, sweeping her fine black hair into a twist at the back of her head.

"You look lovely." Bella said admiringly when she finally let Angela go.

"Do I?" Angela touched her hair awkwardly. "This isn't too much?"

"Its just perfect." Bella reassured her. Slipping her arm through Angela's, she towed her toward Jacob. Embry had materialized by his side, looking as nervous and shy as Angela.

"Hi, Angela." Jacob greeted her with a warm smile. "This is Embry." He shoved Embry forward, who was blinking rapidly, like a startled rabbit caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.

"Hello, Jacob." Angela replied nervously. She lowered her gaze when she felt Embry's eyes on her. "Nice to meet you, Embry."

"You, too." Embry mumbled.

Jacob rolled his eyes, poking his friend in the back, and motioning for him to make more of an effort.

Embry swallowed thickly, shoving his hands deep in the pockets of his black jeans, he stared at his feet. "You look very nice, Angela."

"Thank you." Angela said coyly.

Bella tried not to laugh at the awkward pair. At this rate the night would be over before they got beyond the greeting stage. "I feel like dancing." She said to Jacob. "Shall we?"

"Yeah, good idea." Jacob agreed, taking Bella by the hand. "Are you coming, Em?" He poked Embry in the back again. "I'm sure Angela would like to dance."

"Oh, yeah." Embry mumbled. He rocked on his heels, still struggling to formulate words. "Would you?" He mumbled again.

"Yes." Angela agreed.

When Jacob heard the music, it was like liquid adrenaline being injected right into his blood stream. He'd never had a dance class, but he and his mates had jived to music since their early teens, competing in the friendly way boys do to "up" one another. With his new werewolf abilities, he was now like a well-oiled machine on the dance floor. He didn't dance to show off, or to make the girls watch - but they did.

He held Bella close, with her hands resting on his wide shoulders, and his resting on her hips, they moved together fluidly, like their limbs were half liquid in perfect rhythm. Jacob was used to garnering attention wherever he went. His good looks, combined with his height, and muscle mass made him stand out from the crowd. He didn't notice the admiring stares of the others, he only had eyes for Bella.

Embry and Angela took the space next to them. It was rare for Angela to find a guy who was actually taller than she was for a change. At nearly six feet herself, she towered over most people. It was refreshing to have someone to look up to for once. Someone who made her feel less gauche. Embry was not a mover or shaker, and was kind of shy in the way he moved. He didn't seem to have Jacob's confidence, but there was no denying he was just as handsome, if not quite as tall. Angela liked that he was kind of reserved. She was that way herself. And the way he smiled so shyly at her, his hands resting lightly on her waist, not drifting lower like some of the other boys she could see dancing with their dates. Angela liked that he was being so respectful. She began to make polite conversation, nothing heavy, just general chit-chat, and was pleased that Embry responded with the same. Slowly both of them began to relax, and by the time the song ended, they were both well on their way to falling for each other.


Slowly Bella's panic began to fade as the evening wore on. She knew most of the people there so spent a long time engaged in conversation. Jacob remained patiently by her side; his eyes ever watchful.

Most of the guests avoided the Cullens like the plague, even though they were the ones hosting the event. Bella thought it was because the Cullens looked just slightly wrong under the party lights. Maybe because those lights left the room looking dim and mysterious. Not an atmosphere to make your average human feel relaxed.

Bella saw Emmet Cullen grinning at Ben Cheney across the food table, the red lights gleaming off his teeth, and watched Ben take an automatic step back.

The dance was clearly a success, despite the instinctive edginess caused by the Cullens presence-or maybe that added a thrill to the atmosphere. The music was infectious, the lights almost hypnotic. From the way the food disappeared – a lot of it down the wolf pack's throats – that must have been good, too.

The room was soon crowded, though never claustrophobic. The entire student body of Forks high seemed to be there, along with their parents. Bella danced with Charlie a few times, while Embry took his mom, Tiffany, for a spin, while Jacob and Angela watched patiently from the sidelines.

Charlie reported that nothing untoward had happened. The auction had gone well, the family had all acted graciously, their manners impeccable. Still, he admitted he felt uneasy, an emotion that Bella shared.

"Remain vigilant, kiddo." Charlie warned her as they danced. "And tell Jake the same."

"Will do, Dad." Bella promised him faithfully.

"I see the little shit skulking in the shadows." Charlie told her, jerking his head to the left.

Bella didn't need to ask who he was talking about. "At least Edward has kept his distance."

"That's probably because either me or Jake have been with you. Don't go off on your own."

"I won't." Bella promised again as Charlie twirled her around.


Bodies swayed to the beat that rumbled under the soles of their feet. Bella continued to chat and mingle with her friends, Jacob remaining silent and watchful by her side, his arm anchored securely around her waist the whole time. She had circled the room a few times and now found herself within talking distance of Jessica again. The two of them glared at each other, before glancing away.

Suddenly, Bella felt Jacob stiffen, his attention had been caught by something across the room. Bella noticed Paul signaling him with a wave of his hand.

"What is it?" She whispered.

"I don't know. Could be nothing." Jacob murmured. "Wait here with Embry and Angela and I'll go see what he wants."

"Okay." Bella watched as Jacob passed gracefully through the crowd without seeming to touch any of the close-packed bodies. She stared after him anxiously, the overloud music making her ears ache.

She continued to watch as he reached Paul, stretching up onto her tiptoes, craning her neck. Right then, a red light flashed across his back, and then he seemed to disappear.

"Jake?" Bella mumbled, turning around to search for Embry and Angela. They, too, seemed to have disappeared. "What the hell?" She cussed under her breath. Jacob would be furious if he found out that Embry had left her alone, even for a second. Embry must be back on the dance floor with Angela. One quick check, confirmed her suspicions. "Dammit!"

Bella realized her only option was to try and make her way toward them. She knew there was no way she could track down Jacob in the dark.

Bella ducked through the bodies, getting shoved around a bit. Quite a few people were dancing now. She hurried to the spot where she had last seen Embry and Angela jiving together.

Before she got much further, a cold touch on her arm brought her to an abrupt halt. She revolved slowly, her body tensing, already knowing what she was going to see.

Edward stood beside her; his face was as empty as stone. "I've been waiting to talk to you all night." He said in a low voice, as he grabbed her hand, pulling her with him as he disappeared into the shadows under the stairs.

A/N-thanks for reading!