Alone Together (Jasper Hale)

33: unfortunate.

A series of unfortunate events.

That's what led me here beside the only person I could trust among these... people. Bella had been comfortable to share how she's been experiencing hallucinations of Edward whenever she got into reckless situations. Being the overly empathetic and protective person I was, I forbade her from doing certain things. I didn't exactly follow through but I told her to watch what she was doing or else I'd give her hell. The last few days were spent with Bella between me and the pack. The only reason I could tell was from the smell she came with every time she stepped anywhere near me. She confided in me about everything after she asked about my overall well being. I filled her in on Laurent's visit and how I took him back up to his mate for hopes of a better life. She didn't ask about Jasper, nor did she pester me about Edward or the rest of the Cullens. I could tell she was content with just having someone back from the life she shared with Edward. I'd grown accustomed to our evening hang outs. So when she invited me out, I accepted. This way I could keep a closer eye on her because she mentioned she had gotten a motor bike too and that was just idiotic for her. She was a total clutz.

I could feel my eyes twitch as everyone burned holes in my body. I wasn't even out of her truck and I  could feel their sheering rage. The smiles on their faces worn off the second they sensed me in the  car with her. And frankly, this girl was a minx because she made it seem like we were hanging out with her high school friends instead of being in the literal den of wolves. These guys could snap my neck off if they wanted to; I was on their territory. I crossed their invisible border that they probably pissed on to mark and Bella didn't seem to care. Whether or not she had an agreement with them was far beyond me.

"I thought we were meeting with Jennifer and four eyes." I muttered as I crossed my arms over my chest. She lied to me, or rather I was easily tricked into being here. I was too lost in the book I had at hand to realize we had crossed the border. And from the looks of the people sitting around the fire, it looked important tonight. This wasn't just a regular bonfire.

"You mean Jessica and Angela?" Bella gave me an incredulous look as she turned the car's ignition off.

"What did I say?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows as I shut the book in hand. "Whatever Bella. You shouldn't have brought me here." I shook my head as I gathered my things. "I'm not welcomed here." I spoke through tight lips as I let myself out. Tension was thick despite there being several feet between us. I scanned the crowd to see elders of the tribe along with the younger ones who were probably part of the pack. I saw the woman who was keen on distancing her son from me the other week on the cliff there. I had been right about her at least. Which only meant his son was a shifter as well amongst the crowd; and low and behold the young boy was there. He seemed awestruck to see me.

"Wait! But Sage, I need you with me tonight." Bella grabbed my wrist and I instinctively pulled it back. I didn't want them to get the wrong idea. She seemed perplexed by the action as I shook my head some more.

"Bella. I am not welcomed here." As I said those words, her friend, Jacob, stalked over with a brooding look on his face. Up close he somewhat.... resembled a llama. I think it was the nose on his head but the scowl didn't make it any better.

"Bella, who is this?" The boy took initiative to wrap his arm around her shoulders to pull her away from me. He was territorial and cautious; rightfully so. Bella tried to nudge herself slightly away from his grasp.

"This is Sa-"

"You're that girl from the mall!" The boy from the cliff ran over with a bewildered look on his face.  The stench of dirt mixed with damp water filled my nostrils tremendously when he ran up to me. He looked much different from before; more defined with shorter hair. I could tell he started packing some muscle as there was more weight on him. But mostly, his eyes. They looked wiser somehow. "I...I saw you in the clearing the other day." He spoke in a hushed tone completely ignoring Jacob's disapproving look. Bella seemed to pick up on this regardless.