Paul got a job shortly after we moved in together. I didn't know why, because we didn't need the money. My family had left more than enough for the both of us. We could pay the bills here for years and never even make a dent. I supposed he needed something to do, a distraction from the unending frustration over our situation. We ate a lot, but that was truthfully our greatest expense.

Charlie arguably liked Paul more than he did me lately, and he'd gotten Paul a job with the fire department in Forks. It was a small town, and the emergency calls were few, but he helped with projects in the community in his downtime. It was a covert way for him to meet women, and distract his mind from his grief. He began nagging me about getting a job, to put myself into something useful, but I had no interest. Following leads on my nephew was consuming most of my free time.

I hated we hadn't named the baby. That would have made everything easier. I'd just have to find a court record of a name change and there he'd be. We hadn't done that, though, so I had almost nothing to go on. I truly hoped I would recognize him when I saw him again, but that seemed less likely as time passed.

When I wasn't searching for my nephew, I searched for the redheaded leech that killed my family. She had been in the area repeatedly, but we could never catch her. She was the reason we still patrolled. I wouldn't let her take the lives of anyone else in Forks or La Push. She'd have to kill me first.

Occasionally she'd run right by Charlie's house, but she never went for Bella directly. As much as I despised Bella's relationship with Edward, I found solace in the additional protection he offered her. Victoria was evasive. We'd come across a few other nomad vampires in the last year and ripping them limb from limb was more exhilarating than any bar fight I'd ever been in.

I didn't have to patrol today, but we had a pack meeting. We always crowded into Billy Black's living room, because I refused to go to Sam's house or allow him into mine. Both homes were spacious enough for the entire pack and then some, but as long as Sam was sleeping with my cousin we'd settle for a more neutral territory.

I never drove to Billy's. I could run and get there faster. As I left the house, I realized Paul had been gone all night, but it wasn't unusual. I knew he'd be there when I got there.

When I arrived, Paul, Jake, and Sam looked like hell. Jake's eyes were bloodshot, and he wouldn't meet mine. I didn't know what I had done, but presumed I was about to find out. Sam had barely spoken to me since our fight in my backyard just over a year ago, but he was glaring at me now. Billy even had a solemn look on his face. Something bad had happened. Jared wasn't there, and I prayed whatever was troubling everyone had nothing to do with Kim.

"I think everyone but Seth knows why we're here," Sam began. "The Cullens are gone. Edward abandoned Bella in the woods last night, about two miles from her house. We found her cold and unconscious on the ground. Jared and Kim are with her, but she's shaken up. The redhead was in the area when we found Bella. Seems she's taken an interest in her."

Embry scoffed. "Not surprising since Seth killed her mate. She wants an eye for an eye."

I was seething. Why hadn't anyone called me? Bella was still my fucking imprint, as much as I hated it. The Cullens' disappearing act did not surprise me, not since Rosalie left after promising me she'd protect my nephew. Edward left her miles from her house, and while aware the redhead was interested in Bella. I'd turn every member of that family to ash if I found out he'd caused her physical injury.

"How is Bella?" I asked, needing to know she was okay.

Sam shook his head. "You should go see her yourself, Seth. I know you're angry at her, but she needs you. She asked for you last night. She was calling out for you when I found her!"

My blood boiled when he told me he was the one who found her. How he bragged about being there for her when I wasn't was exactly on point for Sam Uley. I couldn't imagine what my sister had seen in him. I had to keep telling myself that he wasn't always like this.

I had to stop myself from clenching my teeth as I demanded, "So why didn't anyone bother calling? You all forgot my number suddenly?"

Paul stood up. "I told them not to. I don't think she's good for you. We've had this talk about a hundred times. Bella betrayed you last year. She didn't step up and help you with Leah's baby when you needed her. If she's asking for you now, it's only because her leech is gone and she doesn't want to be alone. When she had the choice between the two of you, Bella chose him. You'd be wise to remember that."

Jake's appeared to be on the verge of phasing, his hands shaking from barely contained anger. I didn't know what was wrong with him. I knew he was good friends with Bella, but the way he reacted to Paul's insults you'd think she was his imprint.

"Almost none of that is true," Jake argued. "Bella wanted to take Leah's baby, but she was terrified. In case you've forgotten, Paul, she's a fucking teenager, too! When Seth blew up on her, she knew she couldn't do it. She never chose Edward over Seth. When Sam came around and said someone told him Seth was losing his grip, everyone assumed it was Bella, but it wasn't. We pushed her toward those bloodsuckers, so if anyone is to blame for what happened to her last night, it's us. Seth, you can snub her all you want, but Bella is my friend. I will be there for her. I don't give a shit what anyone thinks about it."

Jake had always been a sucker for a sob story. Bella had come crying to him and he ate the whole thing up like everyone knew he would. If any of that were true, she should have contacted me again despite what I told her. Why would she hold on to something I said while I was angry and overwhelmed as my world crumbled if she knew I was working off the wrong assumption? Bella hadn't fought to keep me in her life at all. I put the remnants of my devastated heart on the table, begging for her love and help, and she refused to try. Sam didn't argue that Bella hadn't been the one to go to him, but didn't confirm it either.

Jake could have her. I would protect her because she was my imprint and a human, but that didn't mean I had to be her friend.

"We will all be there for Bella," Sam told us. "She is an imprint and part of this pack."

I laughed. "Oh, so is my whore of a cousin a part of this pack, too? You can order me all you want, but I have nothing kind to say for either of them anymore. Emily is a whore who jumped into bed with her dead cousin's fiancee before her body was even cold. And Bella has caused me nothing but pain. You can be there for whoever you want but you don't get to speak for me, alpha."

Sam's face turned red, but he was long past arguing with me. He had argued with me frequently in the beginning, but after going home to Emily with a broken nose ten or fifteen times, he stopped. Sam didn't even bother giving me alpha orders anymore. He was slipping as a leader, and he could feel it but could do nothing to stop it. I walked out, and he demanded I return, but I didn't. Paul followed me. Sam had stopped trying to control him, too. It wasn't worth the effort. He fell in step next to me but said nothing.

"Thought you were working last night, not chasing the leech lover."

"I was, but when you get a call from the Police Chief to help look for his missing daughter they let you leave early," Paul explained. "I will not apologize or say I was going to tell you, because I wasn't. She's bad news, Seth."

I nodded. I knew what Paul thought of her, and I mostly agreed. There was no reason to rehash the same conversation. "Regardless, we will not let the redhead touch her. She's taken my entire family from me, she isn't taking Bella, too."

"Agreed." He muttered. "I won't let her get killed, but I have no interest in being part of her life."

We were on the same page again. I wouldn't give her another chance. Jake could have been telling the truth, but it wouldn't make any difference. Bella had a year to come to me and tell me if any of that was true, and she hadn't. It was convenient that all of this was coming up again now that she was alone with an axe above her neck.

Paul worked again that night. I escaped to the cabin for some time alone. As much as I wanted to go by Bella's house and see that she was okay, I decided against it. Jared, Jake, and Kim were likely still there, and I didn't want to run into any of them under the circumstances.

A few hours passed and I'd just dozed off on the couch when I heard a knock at my door. It quickly changed from a gentle knock to an intense bang and I paused before moving to open it. Who the hell would beat on my door? Nobody ever came here.

I heard Kim scream from outside. "Seth Clearwater, I swear if you don't open this door I will make Jared kick it down!"

Jared sighed, though I know he would've done it without hesitation if she'd asked. "Did you even check to see if the door was locked? They usually don't…"

Damn it, Jared!. I growled in aggravation.

Kim burst through the door with Jared following closely behind her, and immediately tied into me, yelling, "What the hell is the matter with you? Did you not hear about Bella? I know you've been sulking for a year, and rightfully so, but come on, Seth. She's nearly catatonic and you're still hung up on a fight you had with her a year ago!"

Kim's words made my temper flare, and Jared moved between us, clearly sensing how on edge I was. I reminded myself that Kim was someone who I dearly loved, and I hated losing my temper in front of her. She was one of the few who didn't eyeball me in fear, silently wondering when I would lose it again.

I took a deep breath before responding. "I love you, Kim, but we aren't playing this game. You know better than anyone what Bella did to me."

"The only thing I know, Seth, is that you're a stubborn asshole who refuses to listen to reason. You've intentionally ignored Bella for a year! Did you ever ask Sam who went to him about you? Did you even have a reason to believe it was Bella aside from your anger-fueled suspicion? No, Seth."

I didn't. She knew I didn't. The coincidental wording was the only reason I'd connected the two events. Before I could respond, she started speaking again.

"I'll tell you what else I know. Bella is your imprint and will be around for the rest of your life whether you like it or not. The only thing you're doing is making this harder on both of you. I love you, and I'll support you no matter what you do, but I'll also support Bella and what's best for her."

I simply nodded. I knew everything Kim was saying was right just as much as she knew it wouldn't change anything. I didn't need to hear that it wasn't Bella who went to Sam from anyone but Bella. If she cared so damn much about what I thought and my accusation was wrong, she'd had a year to vocalize it. It's not like she didn't have my number or know how to reach me. If she wasn't guilty, why did she say nothing? If I was so important to her, why didn't she try to fight for my presence whatsoever? It was just more bullshit that I didn't want to think about.

Kim hugged me before she left. She made it to the door and turned to face me. "If you hurt her again, Jared will kick your ass. I won't even have to ask."

"I have no intention of hurting Bella, Kim, I just want her to stay the hell away from me. I'll always protect her, but it's best if she keeps her distance."

Kim shook her head over my stubbornness and slammed the door behind her.

Two weeks later, I was at the diner in Forks with Paul. We'd gone to the Diner for our first meal in days. I had heard nothing about Bella, but the redhead had been around. I believed Sam when he said she was interested in Bella because she always led us closer and closer to Forks.

We wore ourselves out chasing her, but wouldn't stop. There were constantly two wolves on patrol and it was wearing on us all. We barely had time to sleep, much less keep up with jobs. I was grateful not to have one because it meant I could cover more patrols for the ones that did.

Paul was working tonight. This was only his third shift since the night he and Sam found Bella. He tried not to let me patrol alone but had to go to work. Leah's friend Andrea still worked there. She always gave us a discount even though I asked her not to. I added the extra money I would've spent on food to her tip.

Despite plenty of flirting on her part, Andrea was one girl that Paul wouldn't touch. He stayed away from girls who knew Leah. He slept with a girl once that he later found out bullied Leah, and he still hadn't forgiven himself. I told him it didn't matter now. Dead people couldn't have hurt feelings. Leah would just want him to be happy, regardless.

Charlie entered the diner as we were eating and sat at our table. This happened regularly. We'd be eating, he'd drop by, and we would chat for a while - like routine. However, today's visit wasn't just a friend having lunch with two guys. He was a man on a mission. He exchanged pleasantries with us, but I could tell there was something he wanted to say. Paul talked to him about a call they'd been on a few days before, and I ate quietly while the two of them gushed about the joys of being a first responder.

After we paid, Charlie followed us outside. He asked me, "You remember all those charges I got you out of?"

I knew exactly where this was going. "I do, and I appreciate you every day for that."

He patted me on the back and smiled. "My girl hasn't left her room since Sam and Paul found her. She doesn't eat, barely sleeps, and barely even talks. When she falls asleep, she wakes up screaming. She's asked about you more times than I can count. It would mean a lot to me if you'd see her. Jake has been there but doesn't seem to get through to her. She needs to see you."

As much as I didn't want to see Bella, I couldn't afford a criminal record. If I ever hoped to get my nephew back, my record had to be spotless.

"Fine." I agreed, much to Paul's dismay. "I'll go see her now."