Chapter 20

Confessions.

Edward pulls me onto a couch opposite Peter and Charlotte, right next to Emmett. I raise an eyebrow, which he returns, daring me to protest. I know he takes a lot on himself letting me meet them, so I decide to be grateful. I kiss him on the cheek, thanking him:

" Thank you my heart. »

The smile he sends back makes me smile.

"I can't believe my eyes," Charlotte whispers. Can he smile like that? »

I look at her, surprised. She shakes her head and raises her hands.

" No nothing ! Really.

Edward brought us disturbing and very interesting news. »

Carlisle's eyes sparkled with excitement at the second part of his sentence.

"Let's start with the most problematic: the nomads.

They'll be here Wednesday night, since James will attack me in my room.

It won't happen, Edward spits.

Of course not ! Esme said trying to soothe her.

Is this the same dream you had a few weeks ago? Carlisle asks. »

I worry a little, looking at the red-eyed vampires.

"You can trust them Bella," Jasper says

They better be reliable, Edward grumbles.

I wouldn't put myself in needless danger by threatening the life of a loving vampire's mate, Peter replies.

bella? resumes Carlisle.

No ! In my dream, they heard you playing baseball and just wanted to participate. Seeing me there, and especially seeing Edward reacting in such a protective way, James decided to hunt me down.

So either way, you're in danger, Jasper says. »

I nod my head.

"Alice? Jasper asks.

Yes, there will be a storm on Wednesday and Sunday, she answered his silent question.

If we could solve the problem on Wednesday, it would save a lot of deaths, Esme said.

Hmm, it's both more complicated and easier, if we find a solution for Bella.

What were you thinking Jasper? Carlisle asks.

I figured if we could get Bella to safety and play baseball as planned, we might lure them into a trap. »

Alice closes her eyes for a moment and smiles before saying.

" It works. They come to play with us.

Don't forget the gifts, it will be difficult to take care of James and Victoria at the same time, I remind you.

For what ? Peter asks.

Because James is a tracker with experience in combat and Victoria has a gift for escapism.

This is starting to get interesting, Peter says smiling, while Charlotte rolls her eyes. Can I help ?

Peter, Charlotte gets angry, it's none of our business and we weren't asked anything.

Well, any help is welcome said Carlisle.

You see? Peter says looking at his companion, who sighs as she accepts.

All right…

Would you really help me? I ask in disbelief.

A human with a gift such as yours, I want you to survive to see your evolution. »

I can feel Edward's eyes glare at him.

"It remains to be seen what we do with Bella during this time.

There is a solution, whispers Rosalie, bad.

Bella won't be used as bait, Edward growls.

No, indeed, Jasper nods. If Bella is there, Don Juan risks being more taken up with his safety than with the purpose of the operation.

I may have an idea, I let go...but you won't necessarily like it. »

And by that, I mostly meant Edward.

"We're listening to you, darling," Esme encourages me.

I could stay at La Push. My smell would no longer be a problem, nor even my safety.

You think young wolves aren't dangerous! Edward protests.

They are protectors, they don't have the will to hurt me and they were courteous to me yesterday. »

Edward is going to intervene again, but Carlisle speaks before him:

" It's a good idea. And that would allow us to improve our relationship with them.

Who wants a relationship with them! spit Rosalie.

Rose, that's enough, Esme gets annoyed.

What do you think Jasper?

It could work. »

Carlisle then grabs the receiver and dials the number of the leader of the Quileutes. He puts the speaker on and Billy's voice is heard on the other end of the line.

" Hello ?

Hello Mr. Black. Carlisle Cullen speaking. I have important information for the tribe.

I'm listening to you.

First, our friends arrived home. They agree to abide by the treaty and will only hunt away from Forks and the reservation.

It's good news.

We have disturbing information as well. Bella saw one of the unknown wandering vampires attack her Wednesday night at her house.

Good Lord ! Billy exclaims.

We would like to leave her with you that night for her own safety. Is it possible ?

Of course ! Billy responds immediately. Can we meet soon to discuss everyone's involvement in this matter.

Today even if you can.

I convene the council, I'll call you back as soon as a schedule is decided.

Thank you. »

Finally, it was decided to meet at the same place as the last time, at 4 p.m. Edward carried me, Peter and Charlotte also accompanied us. Sam also wanted to participate, but Jared and Paul didn't want to leave him alone. It was therefore decided that one wolf would remain at La Push with me and that the other two would take part in the elimination of the nomads.

I had hesitated to tell them about Laurent and Irina, but in the book, it seemed clear that Laurent was not Irina's companion and that he gave his loyalty first to Victoria. So the plan was for the Cullens and their two friends to play baseball during the storm. The wolves would place themselves against the wind a short distance from the plain. During this time, I will remain wisely at the Push… Which brings me to the current uncomfortable situation. I've been sitting in Sam's cabin with a pretty pissed off wolf who's been pacing since I arrived.

"Could you sit down for a second, Paul?" I ask, exasperated.

Why am I stuck here with you instead of killing vampires!? »

He grabs a vase and throws it against the wall, except I'm right in the path. I lower myself at the last moment.

Because Sam thought you were too pissed off to wait for the right moment, I respond by standing up and rolling my eyes.

And what prevents me from murdering you, you, the friend of the leeches, to go and join them? You are not afraid ?

You are a protector. Of course I'm safe with you! I answer, shaking my head. At least as long as I manage to dodge the vases!"

He seems surprised for a few seconds by my definitive tone and the fact that I manage to be humorous in this situation. Emily walks into the room, hands a broom and dustpan to Paul, then walks back into the kitchen. After picking up the debris, the werewolf sits next to me.

"Do you really trust me?

Of course ! I'm safer here with you than anywhere else in Forks.

Wow, he exclaims, his eyes widening. I expected everything, except that as an answer!

I have seen many things about you in my visions and I know that despite your impulsiveness, you are a good person.

Are you flirting with me? he asks slyly.

No way ! I am not your imprint. You will meet her soon.

It's true ? he asks, grabbing my arm a little too eagerly.

Ouch! I say calmly.

Oops, sorry… Can you tell me who it is?

Her name is Rachel… and Jacob is going to want to kill you…

You mean… Oh! F*!

As you say… Good luck!

Have you seen us in your visions? he asks, interested.

Yes… Well, I mostly saw you eat… a lot, I sneer.

Ok, I believe you, he said, laughing in turn. Besides, I have a little hollow...

That's why I made you a roast chicken, I say, handing him a cooler bag. »

He takes the bag and checks inside. He then asks me:

" Can I… ?

Of course, I say rolling my eyes. For once, you won't empty Emily's fridge.

Wolfmen have bottomless bellies, Emily says as she walks into the room. »

We exchange a knowing look, while Paul eats his chicken in large bites. Emily places a cup of hot chocolate in front of me. I thank her and she sat down in front of me, looking tenderly at the glutton who serves as our bodyguard.

"Complicity Paul +2. You are no longer considered an enemy by Paul. »

Well, that's good to know, I think. In the distance thunder rumbles for several minutes. I get a text from Edward.

"It's starting, I warn Paul. »

He then stops eating, swallows the contents of his mouth and tells us that he is going to take his wolf form to stay in telepathic contact with the pack. He walks out the doorstep. He transforms himself. We can see his shadow through the window. I shiver and Emily grabs my hand. We both look at each other worried about our men, supporting each other. Paul moaned impatiently. It is now visible through the glass. He has empty eyes. I imagine he must be seeing through Sam or Jared's eyes. Suddenly, Paul chatters his teeth and growls.

"Quest successful. A reward will be given to you. »

James must be dead. Stay tuned for the others. After long minutes, Paul enters the cabin, wearing only shorts. Emily and I wake up to the news.

"No injuries. Both males died, but the redhead escaped. Like you warned us, she's good. She skirted the border between our territories, each side hesitated and she finally dived off one of the cliffs at First Beach.

Victoria is still alive? I huff, worried.

Yes. Everyone returns to the fold. I'll take you to the border once Sam gets back.

Thanks Paul. »

He nods and walks out of the cabin. Emily puts her hand on my shoulder.

"They will eventually catch him. Don't worry ! she tries to reassure me.

Thanks Emily. »

It's a worried and on edge Edward that I find half an hour later. He carries me to the villa, where everyone is waiting for me. Alice can't stand still. Since we didn't have class the next day, due to a teacher's meeting, she had successfully negotiated a slumber party with me with Charlie. The poor man couldn't cope with his strength of conviction. Barely arrived, despite Edward's protests, Alice lures me into her room to lend me pajamas and we go downstairs in nighties and shorties into the living room, soon joined by Esme, Charlotte and even Rosalie. Alice generously gives us two minutes to say goodbye to our men and pushes them out. We settle on the sofa while Alice presents her ultra-charged and above all ultra-cliché program of the girls' night.

Two hours later, we have all our nails painted, including the toenails, I left two masks on my skin and we are on our second women's magazine questionnaire. I can't wait to find out if I will be reincarnated as a Koala or a porpoise. Note the irony, huh! Alice then moves on to a slightly more exciting quiz: "What wild beast is sleeping in you? *" (* This is really a questionnaire found in the magazine " ")

When the question of the loss of virginity comes, I decide to half-confess. I tell them I kind of lost her, but not with this body, implying it was through a vision. When they ask me when, I answer them some time before coming to Forks… Yeah Eowyn, about twenty years old!

"And so, you decided not to materialize?" Charlotte asks.

Not in this life, no, I answer.

For what ?

Because the man of my life was waiting for me here.

It's corny, laughs Rosalie.

Yeah, love is corny…I agree with a laugh.

Good ! Let's get back to the girls! "What do you like the most? A, a naughty massage, B, foreplay, C a Quick Sex in a public place…"

After learning that I was more tigress than mother bear, I fell asleep on the couch. In the middle of the night I felt cool arms carrying me upstairs, but I didn't have the strength to open my eyes to verify the identity of the vampire who had hugged me. I woke up in Edward's arms on a bed and wrapped tightly in a blanket.

"Don't dip me in the nuoc mam sauce, I growl.

Pardon ? Edward asks me, half surprised, half amused.

I look like a shrimp stuck in a spring roll. »

He bursts out laughing and helps me unroll the fabric.

"New bed? I ask.

- I thought it was time to have one in my room, he answers smiling

- How was your evening ? I ask.

- Long ! And you ?

- Fun. I learned some good things about Esme. She's more naughty than I imagined...

- Stop! Edward he exclaims. This confession alone is enough for me! I see her as my mother and my mother has no sexuality. »

I hear several laughs downstairs.

"And I would love to have one," I say, patting his nose.

It's too dangerous… "

I freeze and say nothing for long seconds. Then I pull away from him.

"Bella, don't get mad.

I'm not angry, I answer curtly, obviously lying.

I could hurt you if I allow myself to be overwhelmed by my emotions. You are breakable. »

I was prepared for this rejection, so I answer him what I had planned:

"And if we go little by little?

What do you mean ?

Well, maybe caressing yourself in front of the other, then caressing the other, foreplay what…"

I smile slyly.

"If necessary I can tie you with chains…

You... you want to tie me up? »

He widens his eyes and looks completely panicked, constantly opening and closing his mouth without being able to come out of his. Thin ! I broke my boyfriend!