Author's Note: Warning, character death. I'm sorry. It is never easy.
"Shit!" Both vampires muttered at the same time.
On cue and as if the wolves heard us (and perhaps they did), Jacob's russet wolf stood at the edge of the forest as I pulled into the driveway. His ears were flat against his head, fangs showing, and he let out a snarl loud enough I could hear it through the closed truck door and loud engine.
Without even thinking about it, I opened my window and called out. "You can shut your damn mouth, dog! I'm still angry at you. You leave this one alone."
With that, I put the truck back into reverse and backed out of the driveway, driving back through town and onto the highway. It wasn't until I had been up to speed, or as fast as this red beast would go, for a few minutes that I realized the vampires were silent.
I looked over at the one Jasper referred to as Peter and laughed. His eyes were wide, the phone still held out in his palm, mouth gaping.
"Close your mouth. Now, where would the two of you like me to go since Charlie's is no longer an option?"
Jasper spoke first as Peter's grin grew. "Head towards the first roadside motel on the way to Port Angeles. Captain!"
"Major?" He winked at me, and I giggled.
"Stay with her and protect her. If a single hair on her head is missing- "
Peter interrupted, "Yeah. Yeah. I know. My existence will be forfeit. You have fun with the chase."
With that, he hung up, not allowing Jasper to respond. I shook my head but turned to him. "Hi Peter, I'm Isabella or Bella. Your choice. You must be the friend that Jasper told me about that helped rescue him from the Southern Wars. Thank you."
I held his gaze for a moment, trying to relay the sincerity in my statement. No one should have dealt with the history either of them did. It just wasn't right.
"He told you? About his past." His eyebrows were raised, and his head tilted just slightly to the right.
I nodded. "Yes. And I am so sorry that you had to deal with that as well. I would kill Maria myself, if I could."
"Interesting." When I looked over at him, he was facing forward and watching the world around us fly by on the highway. I ignored his comment, learning a long time ago that vampires do their own thing and think in their own way. One may never fully understand it until they become one. And even then, I had my doubts I would understand at all.
After a few more miles down the road, Peter spoke again, as he placed my phone in my lap. "You should call your dad, so he doesn't worry when you are not home."
Right, why didn't I think of that. Luckily, we were approaching a small roadside motel up above on the right. I pulled in and parked in a spot on the end and around the side, hoping to block the view of my vehicle from the road. I picked up my phone and rang Charlie as Peter exited.
I assumed he was giving me privacy, so I didn't pay any attention to him. Dad finally picked up.
"Hi Dad. I just wanted to let you know, I decided instead of staying at the house alone while you are running around town, I would head to Port Angeles."
"Okay, Bells. That's a good idea. I don't know if I will make it home tonight. The animal got someone."
I sucked in my breath. Oh no! "Who was it?" I held my breath waiting.
Dad's sigh echoed deep through the phone. I wish I didn't have to tell you, but I guess it is better I tell you than you hear through the grapevine. Angela Weber. I'm sorry. I know you were friends."
"No. No! No!" Sobs wracked my body and all I could do was wrap my left arm around my stomach, holding myself together. It was my fault.
"Oh, maybe I shouldn't have told you over the phone. Shoot. Perhaps you should stay overnight somewhere. Maybe go all the way Seattle. I won't be home for a while and maybe you shouldn't be home alone. Are you going to be alright?"
I desperately tried to pull myself together. It was my fault she was gone but Charlie wouldn't understand – couldn't understand. To protect him, I had to keep the secret.
"Okay. I will be alright. I might stay away somewhere. Please let her parents know how sorry I am. She was an amazing person." My sobbed out the last word.
We said our goodbyes through my tears, and I may have been mistaken, but it sounded like my dad also was teary. Anyone who had ever met Angela would feel the loss of her soul from this world. It just wasn't right.
Once the phone call was ended, I threw my phone on the seat next to me and wrapped both arms around myself and allowed myself to wallow. After a few minutes, my driver's door opened, and I didn't even care who it was. It could have been Victoria herself and that would have been fine. I would trade my life for Angela or anyone else.
"It's my fault."
A deep voice shushed me and pulled me up, and then lifted me into their arms. I buried my face into the stone-cold chest and tuned out the world.