A/N Alright all, it has come to my attention that some of you thought the wolf in the last chapter was Jacob. It wasn't. Who else thought this and now you know who do you think it was?

Chapter 38

"Bella."

Blinking her eyes open, she could see a tall figure standing over her. Squeezing them shut, she reopened them to find Charlie leaning over her bed with his hands on his hips.

"Let's go, Bells, it's time to get up for school."

Bella's first attempt to sit up failed. The blankets were tucked tightly around her, cocooning her from neck to toe. She had to wiggle her way out of the confining bundle. When she finally escaped, she realized her blunder. She was still wearing the sweater Edward had on the night before. Closing her eyes, her whole face scrunched up. Was it too much to ask that Charlie didn't notice what she was wearing?

Charlie had turned to leave. Bella thought she was in the clear, but her sigh of relief had him turning back to look at her. Recognition immediately crossed his face. "Son of a bitch!" He cursed loudly. "You promised you wouldn't invite that thing into my house."

"Dad!" Bella defended. "He is not a thing."

Charlie didn't seem to hear her. "I bet the second my eyes closed you were opening that door for him!"

"What!" Her eyes opened wide, and it took her a moment to catch her breath. "No, dad, I swear, Edward didn't come in here last night."

"Do you think I'm stupid, Bella? How else would you be wearing the exact same sweater he was wearing yesterday?"

"He stopped by to say goodnight. He did not come inside." Trying one last time to get through her fathers anger, she said. "I swear, dad. He didn't come in."

Charlie scoffed, then shook his head. Closing his eyes, he sighed. "Fine, I'll believe you. Get ready for school, then meet me downstairs for breakfast. I'll drop you off before I go into work."

Bella attempted to protest, but he had already shut the door behind him.

Dressing quickly, she glared out her window at the cruiser. A relieved breath escaped her lips when she spotted Edwards Volvo parked behind the offending vehicle. Running down the stairs and out the door, she yelled to her father, "I've got that ride, bye, dad."

Bella couldn't focus on anything. She took solace in having Edward near through the first two classes. Unfortunately, that didn't last. Her mind kept drifting to the Cullen's newest family members in Alaska. That's what they were. She was sure of it. Ugh, her jealousy was palpable and so ugly. She hated them for getting what she wanted most, yet admired them for the same exact thing. Maybe she just hated herself, if only Edward would just agree to change her. She would be beautiful, desirable, perfect… just like him.

Her mind drifted to Embry. She couldn't get the image of him laying there pale and unconscious out of her head. He was so vulnerable, so helpless. Leah said he wasn't healing like a wolf. What did that mean? Was he healing like a human? Maybe somewhere in between? Was there still a chance that they could lose him?

Both he and Quil were bit by vampires. Did their wolves die? If so, what did that mean for them, for the pack, for the future in general?

Then there were the thoughts of him, her best friend. Her, Jacob. She would slam the door shut on those. File them away in the back of her mind. Force herself to think about something or someone else.

Then there was Leah. She never dreamed it would be possible, but she could swear the two of them had become friends. She wasn't going to fool herself into believing it was anything but a lack of options for the wolf girl. Still, it was a nice feeling, having a friend she could spill her guts to. One she didn't have to hide things from. Even if the bitch was rude, crude, and intrusive.

Bella's lips unconsciously turned up at the corners. She felt a kind of freedom with Leah. one she hadn't found with anyone else. Furrowing her eyebrows, Bella had the sudden urge to flee from the school straight to the Cullen's. What was most complexing was that the sudden desire was not to be with Edward, but to be with Leah.

When the bell rang to announce the end of their second class, Bella set off for the parking lot, knowing Edward would follow.

"What are you doing?" Edward slipped into step beside her.

"Going to your house."

"Bella, love, you do realize that school isn't over yet."

"I know that. I'm skipping the rest of the day."

"Love, I don't think that's the best idea."

"Why not? I mean, what's the point in being here, if I'm so distracted that I have no clue what's going on around me."

"What is it that is plaguing your mind?"

"Nothing! Everything!" Bella stopped and turned to face him. "It's just…" Her nose began to burn, and frustrated tears welled in her eyes. She clamped them shut and turned her face away from him. "I just need to go see Leah, need to see that she is healing okay."

"Leah is healing just fine love, let's go back inside."

"No! I need to see she is healing like a wolf should."

"Bella, love, she will be up and around by this time tomorrow. If you are that concerned we can call Carlisle before going back to class."

"No!" She gripped her hair at the roots and pulled. She took a step toward the school then turned, stepping back to where she started. Her frantic desire was too strong for her to stand still. "I need to see for myself. Maybe I just need to see her, need to be with her."

She forced herself to turn and look up at him, he stood there staring off into the distance with a frown on his beautiful face. The epitome of how she always viewed him, A Greek statue with his shoulders back and head held high. She almost fell to her knees and begged him to tell her what to do, she would do anything he asked in that moment. Before she could express her feelings he made a decision, giving one quick nod then gently taking Bella's arm he led her to his car giving her a chance to shake off the trance he seemed to always put her in.

Bella's anxiety spiked when they pulled into the driveway and spotted the blue police cruiser.

The car had barely come to a stop before Bella threw the door open and jumped out. She was definitely going to be getting a lecturer later about doing that. She dashed up the stairs and into the house ignoring everyone around her. She ran straight for the privacy screen, almost barging straight into Sue's back, she probably would have if cold restraining arms hadn't wrapped around her.

"Easy, Love."

Sue turned and looked at her with wide eyes. "Bella?" Blinking away her surprise she asked, "Are you alright sweetheart? Has something happened?"

Bella looked past Sue to see Leah. Her friend was staring at her with pursed lips and a raised eyebrow. "You finally lost that last bit of sanity you were clinging onto, chickadee?" Leah quipped.

"Leah!"

Her mother chastised her at the same time Bella said, "You're okay."

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm 'okay', but I'm getting there."

Charlie walked up behind them. "Bella?"

"Dad! W-w-w-what are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? I think the better question is, what are you doing here?" Several emotions crossed Charlie's face starting with confusion and ending with a stern disapproval. He placed his fists on his hips and Bella swore he was going to start tapping his foot if she didn't answer soon.

"I… was… checking-on-Leah. Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"I am at work."

"No, you work at the police station. You are at the Cullen's house."

"Working! I am at the Cullen's house working. I am a police officer as long as I'm on official business wherever I am, I am at work."

"You're working?" Bella squeaked.

"Yes."

"What are you working on?"

"Stop trying to change the subject and answer my question."

"What was the question?"

"Why are you here?!"

"I told you. I'm checking on Leah."

"Right, but you are supposed to be in school! So, why are you here!"

"I couldn't concentrate." Bella cried, "I've been so worried about everything here."

Charlie closed his eyes and took a deep breath in. "I am bringing you back to school."

"What's the point? I can't focus on anything but what's happening over here. I'm not learning anything new and even if I was, I can't concentrate long enough to get through one sentence. Please, dad, don't make me go back."

"Fine, I have a better idea anyway."

"What?"

"You're coming with me. I think it might give you some perspective."

"Where are we going?"

"To tell Riley Biers' parents we found him."

A/N The next chapter is hard to write and go over. I find it heart braking.