Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Claws

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 27:

Bella had been in many types of situations in her young life. She had accepted, pain, humiliation, love and loss, life and death struggles and the death of her loved ones.

Despite her many emotional experiences she was discovering a new feeling.

Complete awkwardness.

This had been Harry’s idea. Of course he didn’t approach her but went through her father. Somehow against her better judgement she had let Charlie convince her this was a good idea.

So now she and Charlie sat at a table in the Clearwater’s house with Harry, Sue, Leah and Seth. An informal dinner Harry had called it, a get to know each other meeting.

Only no one was saying a word. Leah sat on one side of her and Charlie at the other, while Sue, sat next to Harry with Seth at the head of the table.

“I hope you like the salad Bella. Do you enjoy chicken?” Sue finally asked. “I now Charlie could certainly add a little green into his life.”

Bella stuck her fork through a baked chicken strip and lettuce on top and underneath it. She planted a large fake smile on her face and forced herself to chew. Chicken was fine. Grass underneath it in her opinion was a great way to ruin great meat. Not that chicken could ever compete with steak.

Forcing herself to swallow, Bella prepared to lie.

“I love the salad, Sue. I think Dad and I could each use a little more green in our diet.”

Leah held back a laugh with a cough.

“So you cook, Bella?” Harry asked, keeping his eyes on his plate. The man had not been sure this was a good idea either on further thought but he had asked and Sue had insisted, happy he was making an effort.

Bella knew there were several different ways to answer this, but due to Leah’s increased heartbeat, she did not answer the way she wanted.

“I grill but Dad does most of the cooking. I’ve helped him out, learning the finer points of preparing… vegetables. I have watched Esme a few times as she cooks breakfast and believe I could make pancakes if I had too. She makes the best French Toast. I enjoy sugar though it makes me… antsy during the school day.”

Harry looked as if he were about to say something, probably about Esme that would anger the girl, but instead Bella heard a kick under the table, no doubt delivered by Sue to Harry.

A period of silence fell, Bella not sure what would be appropriate to say and Harry afraid his wife would kick him again if he said the wrong thing.

“Seth!” Bella said loudly as an idea struck her. “How has school been?” Perhaps if she could steer conversation to the boy it would lead away from any sensitive topics.

The young man smiled, pleased to be the center of attention. Of the six in the room, he was the only one who knew nothing of Bella’s true nature, or the existence of shapeshifters.

“Its cool. Made the honor roll. Baseball has been fun. It kind of sucked at the beginning of the season but because of everything going on lately I have gotten a lot more playing time.”

Bella perked up at this. She could talk baseball. “I love baseball. What position do you play?”

“I was a shortstop, but now I have been getting a lot of innings at pitcher since the seniors quit.”

“Seniors?” Charlie asked.

“Yeah, Sam Uley quit school, got a GED. Nobody saw that coming. Then Jared Cameron quit and he was our best pitcher. Paul Lahote quit school, but everybody saw that coming. He was a real jerk.”

Bella looked towards Harry and grinned. “I didn’t realize students were dropping out.”

Harry cleared his throat, tried to meet her eyes then looked back at his plate. “We don’t like to advertise our Tribe’s business.” he told her.

Message received. The wolves were none of her business. She thought of pointing out that she had marked this entire area as her hunting ground before Sam Uley ever phased but that would be difficult to explain to Seth.

“Paul LaHote. That is interesting. Thank you for the intel, Seth.”

Bella felt Leah kick her under the table. Was this a thing? Kicking people under the dinner table during conversations? Perhaps she should kick Charlie since he talked her into this and was staying silent.

“So are you two like together now?” Seth asked. “Like Leah is a real lesbian? I gotta say I didn’t see that coming but I’m not surprised. How long have you two been together? Like after Leah dumped Sam or were you sort of the reason she dumped him? Totally cool if you were. Are you guys going to have to move to another state to get married one day? How does that work? Who is the… I guess, guy in the relationship? Its got to be Leah, right? She is so bossy. Does she tell you what to do all the time? She tells me what to do all the time. So what’s the story?”

No one said anything for a moment before Leah opened her mouth.

“Yes, Seth. We are real life lesbians. We are both women so there is no guy part in our relationship. I don’t tell Bella what to do and she doesn’t tell me what to do. No, we were not together when Sam and I were. As far as why I broke up with Sam, that is none of your business.”

“Oh,” Seth said, “I figured you broke up with him because of the whole lesbian thing. I get that it’s none of my business but you did dump him for a girl so it stands to reason. Kind of obvious.”

“Marriage?” Bella whispered, wondering what the hell that was all about. Why would she ever get married? Humans married, not women hellbent on revenge and destroying an ancient worldwide cult of evil scientist and politicians.

“Ignore him.” Leah advised. “Its easy to do, it just takes a lot of focus.”

Bella nodded her head but was too amused by the boy to ignore him.

“Seth, those are not appropriate subjects at the dinner table.” Sue scolded him finally. Bella waved her off.

“Its fine, Sue. I am an open book. Feel free to ask me anything, Seth.”

Seth smiled at her. Bella couldn’t help but think his smile was beautiful, free, genuine joy in it.

“Why do you always wear long sleeves?”

Bella wished she hadn’t told him she was an open book.

“I have a few scars I am not eager to show off on my arms. I prefer to keep them covered.”

“Scars from what?”

Defintely Leah’s brother.

“A motorcycle accident.” Leah answered. “She swerved a car, laid down her bike, went through a fence into a car window… barbwire, more sharp stuff… I can’t remember the rest. What was it again, Bella?”

If Bella didn’t know better, she would think Leah was enjoying herself.

“Charlie,” Harry interrupted. “Have you gone fishing with Billy lately?”

Charlie shook his head. “Kind of been busy. Besides the last haul me and Bella brought in probably gave us enough fish for a year. She is one hell of a fisherman.”

“All around outdoors enthusiast I can imagine.” Harry told him, looking at Bella. “How was the weekend trip to West Virginia? I never got around to asking Leah about it.”

Bella took another bite of her salad, spearing the chicken and leaving the lettuce behind.

“We had a wonderful time,” Bella answered. “The food was good enough to kill for. Seth, how is your baseball team doing this year? Are there some sort of playoffs or championship you are in contention for?”

While Harry schooled his face, trying not to think about food to kill for, but having an idea, Seth looked a bit sad.

“No, we weren’t very good before Sam and Jared left the team. We have been having a rough time.” the young man admitted.

Bella smiled widely, hoping to lift the boy’s spirits up. She was used to encouraging children, just not about subjects related to human sports. The concept must be the same though.

“That’s okay Seth. The Mariners suck and those guys get paid obscene amounts of money to play baseball. Not everyone can be a winner. There is no shame in losing, as long as you go down fighting to the death.”

Judging by the looks Bella was receiving, the girl did not think that helped. Bella tried again.

“I didn’t mean you or your friends are losers. But sometimes in life we all face physically superior opponents. That doesn’t mean the weaker person will die… lose. You just have to be smarter than your opponent. Tell me, when you pitch are you trying to throw a strike every time?”

Seth nodded his head. “That’s kind of the point of pitching.”

“Not if a batter has a quicker swing and superior eyesight and strength. You should try a variety of pitches out of the strike zone, throw them off balance. I believe one technique that would be successful is throwing at the batter’s head on the first pitch. He will back away and stay away from the plate, allowing you to throw outside of the plate and make him chase an undesirable pitch. Go high, between the waist and the chest at times. After the second pitch wide he will most likely move closer to the plate once again. High fast balls appear desirable but often jam a hitter and cause a ground ball 76″% of the time. If the batter is smaller in size, low curves often cause pop ups. If you keep throwing in the strike zone you may as well be throwing batting practice for the other team.”

“So, you are saying I should throw at the batter’s head?” Seth asked.

“Yes.”

“What if I hit him in the head?”

Bella shrugged her shoulders. “He goes to first base if he is conscious or a pinch runner goes to first. The next batter up will have seen his teammate being struck and definitely stay off the plate. Throw low to the outside of the strike zone. He will most likely take a strike or hit the ball with the end of his bat leading to a ground ball to the shortstop. This places the team in a perfect position to execute a double play. A double play is like sticking a knife in an opponent’s gut. It kills momentum, places with them two outs after two batters and one possibly on his way to the hospital with a head injury and makes the next batter fear you. Normal teenagers don’t deal well with fear. It makes them sloppy and unfocused. Once you are in their heads and they know they cannot escape, a quick kill… I mean victory is inevitable. The ground between the pitcher’s mound and Homeplate belongs to you. Make them see that they are in your world now, you set the rules, you determine their fate.”

Charlie cleared his throat. “Bella, its not good sportsmanship to throw at a players head purposely.” he told her, hoping to shut down her sports advice.

Bella rolled her eyes. “So you make it appear to be an accident. Or don’t. The objective is to win, not to shake the hands of the ones who defeated you. Winners or losers, Seth. Remember that.”

“Yeah, but what if they throw at my teammates?” the boy asked, listening intently to his sister’s cool girlfriend.

“Then you and your team rush the mound and make that pitcher regret ever stepping foot in a baseball diamond with you. A counterattack is possible so be prepared and make them pay. Show them no mercy because I promise they will show you none.”

“Who wants dessert?” Sue all but shouted, standing up quickly. “I want some. Leah, why don’t come help me?”

Leah and Sue walked to the kitchen quickly, Leah barely holding in her laughter.

That left Bella with the three males.

“So Bella, ever given any thought to what you plan to do after High School? Harry asked.

Bella shook her head. “I never have before but becoming a baseball coach sounds fun. I would guess my skill set and tactical decision making skills would be perfect for success as a football coach.”

“I see.” Harry muttered, picked up his plate and going to the kitchen as well.

“You don’t happen to play Overwatch, do you Bella?” the boy asked.

“Widowmaker is my favorite character. I love her venom bombs, plus the sniper rifle she carries is far superior to the automatic rifles which burn ammo and never strike with any accuracy. I haven’t had much time to play lately but I hope with the summer break approaching there may be more leisure time in my schedule. Who is your favorite character?”

“Doomfist, every time. Leah always plays as Tracer.”

Bella grinned. “That’s kind of hot.” she admitted, causing the boy to cringe. “This summer we will have to team up.”

Sue, a grinning Leah and Harry reentered the dining room, two apple pies in tow. The group ate in silence, either from enjoyment of apple pie or fear of Bella giving out anymore sports advice.

It was after Bella had finished her second piece of pie that she heard it.

“Stop.” she told the room and closed her eyes.

No one said a word, Seth wondering what the hell was wrong with her and the rest wondering if there was some supernatural creature nearby.

“Could everyone please give me and Harry a moment alone?” she finally asked.

Charlie nodded to Sue, indicating it was fine and Bella had no desire to kill the man, so the table cautiously rose and moved to the living room.

“Something I can do for you Bella?” Harry asked, beginning to get a bit freaked out.

“Yes, be quiet, I’m listening to something.”

Harry sat in silence, staring at the girl who sat as if in a trance with her eyes closed. she began nodding her head in a steady pattern, only stopped by the occasional quick nod and frown.

Then Bella stood up and moved to Harry’s side. The man tensed immediately.

“What are you doing? he asked as Bella moved closer.

“I’m going to place my ear on your chest. I realize I scare the hell out of you, but I need you to relax as much as you possibly can. I won’t hurt you. I don’t like you but I love your daughter so I would never hurt you. Please calm yourself.”

Harry did his best as the minutes passed, Bella’s ear pressed to his chest and her eyes closed. Sue peaked in and Harry me a face indicating he didn’t know what the hell the crazy hybrid shifter vampire human was doing.

Bella finally leaned back and opened her eyes, moving back to her previous spot.

“Sue? Could you come in here please?”

Sue walked in quickly, followed by Leah. Charlie also walked in, causing Bella to wonder if they knew what calling for one person meant.

“I would recommend Seth not be in here right now. I am about to relay personal, important information Harry. Are you comfortable with Charlie and Leah hearing this?”

Harry hesitantly nodded.

Bella took a deep breath. “Harry, have you been experiencing any weakness in the past few months, perhaps difficulty breathing on occasion? Maybe nausea or increased heartburn?”

“I’ve been feeling that way for years. Its what happens when you work and raise two kids.”

“I heard an irregular heartbeat during dessert and guessed it was yours. I needed you alone to be sure. When I had my ear to your chest I was listening to the flow of blood through your heart, the pumping mostly. I know you have an irregular arrythmia but the flow sounded off. One of your coronary arteries is nearly completely blocked, the blood flow slowed significantly. I suspect there is a greater plaque build up and with the irregular arrythmia you are at risk of a heart attack. I recommend taking aspirin immediately and going to…”

“Let me guess, Carlisle Cullen?” Harry asked. To his surprise Bella shook her head.

“Seeing Carlisle and knowing of your fear of vampires and general distaste for supernatural creatures who don’t bark, would cause your symptoms to escalate. I would suggest you go to Port Angeles ER; tell them you are having chest pains. This will force them to do a series of tests including an EKG which will confirm my findings. They can begin giving you medication immediately and call in a cardiologist who specializes in your condition.”

Harry and Sue listened to her, a cold feeling sweeping through the both of them.

“You’re serious?” the Harry asked.

“I didn’t place my head on your chest for ten minutes because I wanted to cuddle. Of course I am serious. You are at a high risk for a heart attack. It may be today or a month from now but it will happen. You can take aspirin and go to Port Angeles now, or wait until you have a major heart attack and then you are forced to rely on Carlisle Cullen or die. The choice is yours. I have given you the information. What you do with it is your decision. As someone who is intimately familiar with death, I would recommend doing as I suggest if you want to live.”

Ten minutes later, Sue, Leah and Harry were out the door on the way to Port Angeles while Charlie and Bella took Seth to their home, assuring the boy that all was okay and his father was just having a bad case of indigestion.

Two hours later Leah called Bella and told her that her diagnosis was correct but the doctors believed they had caught it before a heart attack occurred and he was being treated by a cardiologist.

Bella had saved Harry Clearwater’s life.

With two weeks left in school, Bella was counting the days. She had talked to Hildebrand twice of nothing of importance, basically asking Bella if she had felt any changes and warning her against fighting unless she personally approved the target. She also hinted that as soon as summer break arrived, the first of Bella’s targets would be given to her.

Besides the two phone calls nothing much had changed. Bella was becoming restless but her nightly talks with Jasper were going well. The Cullens were steadily improving in their fighting skills and she had taken Leah on two additional dates.

Leah had also invited her to the Reservation school’s prom.

The girl honestly wasn’t sure what to think about that. Alice was thrilled of course and insisted Bella ask Leah to the Forks High prom.

Bella wasn’t the type of girl who did proms.

She had told Leah she would think about it, hoping a mission would pop up. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go, it was just Bella still couldn’t grasp taking part in such human traditions. It had spread quickly through La Push and Forks that her and Leah were an item, seen often together, holding hands, but Bella Swan still remained a mystery to many around her and scandalous to many of the older population of La Push who they considered having led astray a fine upstanding girl like Leah from a respected family into an immoral lifestyle.

Bella had spoken to Sam a few times. The man shared with her that two new wolves had turned, and that they could communicate mentally which surprised her. Bella had no idea how that was possible but she had no idea how all of them were possible. Bella knew she gained three times her mass when she shifted into a full Jaguar, which shouldn’t be possible and wondered if any of her other sisters lived long enough to take that step into their evolution if she would be able to communicate mentally with them.

With two days remaining in school for the year, Bella arrived home and took a nap, having spent most of the night before talking to Jasper.

She woke two hours later, seeing that she had three texts from Leah asking her to call immediately and six missed calls from Sam all in the last ten minutes.

Bella grinned, changed into cut off shorts and a white tank top, then moved to the backdoor, opening it to find none other than Paul LaHote walking from the tree lines in only a pair of cutoffs.

Bell met him halfway in her backyard, then passed him, beckoning with her finger to the man to follow. Once they were surrounded by trees, Bella turned towards him and allowed him to grab her by the throat.

“So, you aren’t normal? Do you have any idea how much pain I was in? Why? Because I talked about your whore lesbian imprint? Since Sam thinks you are some kind of badass, I have no problem paying you back. I think we are even terms now.”

Bella smiled, grabbed the wrist of the hand holding her throat and twisted, flipping him over and kicking him into a large tree trunk.

Paul regained his footing quickly, his eyes wide.

“I’ve been waiting for you to show since I first heard you turned. What took you so long? Scared, Paul? You should be. For the record I would have done what I did if I heard you talking about any man or woman in that manner. It showed your true nature and people like you are a stain on humanity that needs to be rubbed out. I see being a spirit warrior is more about genetics than true selves being worthy of the gift. You haven’t changed and you never will. Before this goes further, I have to hear it. Are you challenging me?”

Paul tried to formulate a response but his heart was beating wildly. He had been elated by his new strength, learned everything from Sam’s head about Bella Swan and spent his time perfecting his skills all for this moment, the moment he put her in her place. He had been beaten as a mere human by a girl. Now he understood she was no girl, she was a monster, a genetically modified freak.

“I asked if you are challenging me?!” Bella yelled.

“I’m going to give you the payback you deserve, freak.”

Bella stepped closer to him, her eyes yellow.

“I need you to say it. Say you are challenging me for this land. Once you challenge, I will accept and then we fight. Law of the Nature between two predators. The fight only ends with one of us dead. Not hurt, not injured or maimed but dead. Once we begin, I will show you no mercy. I will kill you; I will mangle you to the point your family will not be able to have an open casket funeral. It is important you understand this. Do you challenge me?” Bella’s asked, her voice becoming deeper.

Paul felt a cold shiver in his body but stayed strong, not wanting to show any indecisiveness or weakness in front of the little girl.

“You think you are a bad ass, right? You threw Sam around the forest when he first turned and now you think we are nothing. You think you can kill me? You?”

Bella raised her hand, pricked her finger with one of her claws and threw a drop of her blood on the ground. She then raised an eyebrow.

“Blood has been dropped. This is my territory. Say it now or leave. Last chance before I treat you like an interloper instead of a challenger. An interloper is eaten. No body left to bury. Do you fucking challenge me?!”

Paul growled. “You’re damn right I fucking challenge you!”

The man shifted in front of Bella, a full silver wolf nearly falling on her with its large paws headed for her face.

Bella easily dodged to the side. Paul tried to bite, finding nothing but air. He charged when he caught sight of her but paused, taking her fully in.

She truly did look like a monster. Those teeth, the sharp tips of her fingers, her eyes and that scary smile on her face.

He growled once more, the sound shaking the trees and rushed for her, determined to bite her head off.

That was when the pain began.

Paul wasn’t sure what was happening, only that he felt as if he were caught in some storm full of knives. He could not keep up with her movements, only seeing streaks at times followed by the feeling of his skin ripping open along his legs and underbelly. One of his knee joints on his back leg was ripped, crippling him. He knew at some point she had landed on his back, nearly broken his skull with her strike and then felt a chunk of his back muscle and fur missing.

Then the attack stopped. The silver wolf looked around, hoping she had gone away.

He caught sight of her barely, noticing she was covered in his blood, her damn bloody teeth were smiling widely, wet with his blood. He noticed this in a second because then his eye was gone.

He fell to the ground and phased human, no longer able to hold his wolf form, in greater pain than he ever imagined. He knew there wasn’t a part of him that wasn’t ripped to shreds. Every bone in his body felt as if it were broken.

And he had never even touched her.

He grasped the eye socket where his left eye had formally resided, and howled on the ground in pain, trying to come to grips with the fact that he had been disfigured and was dying.

Until his head was lifted by his short hair and he felt a very sharp claw at his neck.

Paul said a prayer, prepared to die until Leah Clearwater’s voice rang out.

“Bell stop!” she screamed running towards her, Sam Uley beside her. They both looked panicked but Bella didn’t care.

“Stay away! Sam Uley, one of your pack challenged me on my land. The challenge was accepted. His life is mine to take. If you wish to avenge him, I will gladly accept any challenge from your entire pack. But he is mine.”

Sam placed a hand on Leah’s shoulder hoping to push her behind him until Bella roared the second he touched her.

“Bella,” Leah told her, brushing a shocked Sam aside. “He is half dead, half blind. He can still heal. He can still live.”

Bella shook her head and punctured Paul’s throat slightly.

“A challenge was made. The rule of the jungle. Once a challenge is made it only ends in death. There is no other option. Leave Leah. You shouldn’t see this.”

“You’re not in the damn jungle, Bella! Look around you! He was pissed and came at you. Sam didn’t realize it in time. We tried to warn you…”

“Warn me?! I was waiting for him. I allowed him to grab my throat, giving him first strike but he was still too much of a coward to challenge me immediately! I warned him. I told him this would only end one way. He could have left. I didn’t force him to do this! He knew the consequences!”

Leah stepped closer, moving more confidently towards Bella. Bella jerked Paul’s body back when Leah reached them but didn’t move back from her.

Leah reached her hand out to touch Bella’s cheek.

“We aren’t in the jungle. You aren’t going to be what she wanted to make you. Not anymore. Show him mercy. I am asking you to show him mercy. For me?”

Bella was confused and irritated. “I did this because he offended you! Any man that talks about a woman like he has, especially you, deserves death. He is a pig, who needs to be gutted.”

“I think he already is nearly gutted, Bella. I know he’s an asshole and this wolf thing is making him worse but he is only 18. Hildebrand taught you about the law of the jungle, right? Life or death, those are the only two options. But we know she is a liar. She has always lied to you. She wanted to make you into this and if you kill him you are going to give her what she wants.”

“You never cared if I killed before. Now you ask me for mercy for him of all people?”

“Because you have killed very evil people and monsters. Paul isn’t necessarily evil. He is just a stupid teenage asshole. Please Bella, for me, for you, don’t kill him.”

Bella looked at the man whose throat was in her grip, while Leah rubbed her blood soaked back, considering what she said. Her arguments about Hildebrand and what the woman made Bella were true, but her decision came down to one primal instinct.

Her imprint wanted this bastard to live and she had to make her imprint happy.

Bella let go of Paul’s throat, allowing his limp form to drop roughly to the ground.

She looked at Sam Uley. “Do you wish to challenge me?”

“Hell no!” he quickly told her. “I just need to get him somewhere he can get help.”

Bella nodded. “His life belongs to me now. Make sure he understands it. If he looks at me, I will kill him. If any of your other pack challenge me, I will have no mercy. Do we understand each other?”

Sam nodded his head quickly. “I swear he will never come near you or Leah again. I should have watched him closer but Jared and I were on patrol and by the time I realized he was gone, I tried to call you but you weren’t answering. I asked Leah to call you while we were on our way here. I didn’t want this to happen Bella.”

Bella smirked. “I did.”

Carlisle Cullen walked out of her house, moving quickly to Sam.

Sam growled.

“Sam, I realize this is going to be very tough, but if he wasn’t a wolf, he would have bled out already. I have surgical equipment at my house in the event Bella ever needed it. You can’t take him to a hospital and if these wounds aren’t closed up, he will die.”

Bella did not pay attention to the rest of the conversation. She moved inside the house and straight to the bathroom, closing the door on Leah. A twenty minute shower later and Bella no longer covered in blood walked out nude with a trash bag holding her bloody clothes.

Leah stood still, a bit in shock, having never seen Bella completely nude before and surprised at the defeated look on her face. Bella didn’t acknowledge her presence, simply dropped the bag in her trash can and crawled under the covers, burying her head underneath.

Leah not knowing what else to do, sat on her bed against the headboard and stared at the wall, keeping an arm over her love.

“You don’t have to stay.” Bella told her; her voice muffled by the heavy quilt over her face.

“Yes I do. No matter where you go, I’m with you in this. I can feel your emotions. I’m not leaving you. I won’t leave you Bella.”

“Even if had killed him?”

Leah let out a deep breath, wondering if the man was dead already.

“No matter what, Bella. Thank you though. Thank you for giving me what I asked.”

Bella did not respond. The two sat in the room as dark fell, Leah hearing Charlie enter the house, talking to someone, perhaps Rose and Emmett then turning on the TV downstairs. Perhaps the Cullens had warned him Bella was not in the mood to talk.

At some point Leah slid down on top of the covers and fell asleep.

She woke when sunlight filled the room.

Bella’s phone was ringing. Seeing her girlfriend was making no attempt at answering it, she did for her.

“Yeah?”

“I need to speak to Bella, Leah. Its urgent.”

“She is sleeping. What’s this about? Paul dead?”

“Who gives a damn. I don’t know if he is dead or not and I don’t care. Mac called. Hildebrand is coming to see Bella tomorrow. She is coming to Forks then taking her to stay the night with her in Seattle.”

Bella sat up quickly, scaring Leah and took the phone from her hand.

“Listen to me. I need one of you, probably Dante. We can say he is working his pretend job if she wants to see all of you. I guarantee she will want to meet you. Have Dante follow her from the airport, determine who is with her if anyone. If a Jaguar is present send word to the Cullens to get the hell out of town.”

“Mac said she is coming alone. No one in the Base even knows.”

“She most likely is, but we can never be too careful. Cancel the hit tomorrow. We need to have our game faces on. I need to talk to Charlie about some things. Is… is the wolf dead? I know you know about that.”

Connolly chuckled. “No, Carlisle saved him. Even reattached his eye. He may be blind out of it but the wolves have some impressive healing abilities. He is going to have nightmares for the rest of his life and run every time he sees you but fuck him. He asked for it.”

Bella wondered. Did he really know what he was getting into? She doubted it. She knew she had egged him, pushed him to challenge her, but she had not come after him. He made the first move on her land.

“Are we going to have trouble with the Pack?”

Connolly laughed. “All two of them now? No, I talked to Uley. He understands nature and predators. He had warned Paul to stay away from you. This is on him Bella, not you.”

Bella thought about that for a moment.

“No, its on me. I’ve wanted to kill him since I first heard his voice and he gave me the perfect opportunity. I know what I did. I need to get myself together. I need to prepare to face her tomorrow. I need to figure out some way not to… just follow her and keep me up to date.”

Bella hung up the phone and laid back.

“I suppose I should put some clothes on. Sorry you had to see me like that. I told you, my body wasn’t pretty. Thank you for staying last night. You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to.” Leah assured her. “You are going to need me today. Tomorrow… it’s going to be bad, isn’t it?”

Bella nodded her head. “Yeah, and I don’t want you anywhere around me when I am with her. I’m serious this time Leah. I’m going to have to do somethings that will be humiliating. It’s bad enough Charlie will have to see it. Promise me, you won’t be around.”

Leah nodded her head. “I’ll be with the Cullens. Maybe Jasper can keep me calm… Bella, why does she want you in Seattle with her?”

The words Bella said next shook Leah to her core.

“We all do what Mother tells us to do, Leah. Everything we are belongs to her.”