Twilight Midnight Moon

Chapter 5: La Push Baby!

February had settled in with its usual chill, but the winter beach bonfire had become a cherished escape. The weak sunlight barely pierced the overcast sky as I arrived at the beach, where Quil and Embry were already setting up. The crisp, salty breeze was refreshing, and the beach was mostly empty except for a few scattered families.

"Hey, Quil! Embry!" I called out as I joined them. "Looks like we're ready for another bonfire."

"Hey, Jacob!" Quil replied, adjusting the logs in the fire pit. "It's a good day for it, even if it's cold."

"Definitely," I said, helping Embry with the cooler. "We could use a bit of warmth."

As we prepared, I spotted Bella Swan approaching with a few people I didn't recognize. She was bundled up in a coat and scarf, her pale skin almost glowing against the gray sky. There was something striking about her, and she seemed a bit out of place yet strangely fitting in.

"Hey, Bella!" I called out, waving. "Glad to see you out here."

Bella looked relieved as she waved back. "Hi, Jacob. We thought we'd check out the beach. It's been a while since we've been out here."

"Well, you're in luck," I said with a grin. "We've got a fire going and plenty of space. Feel free to join us."

Bella and her friends settled near the fire. Quil and Embry greeted them with friendly nods, though they hadn't met Bella before. I could sense their curiosity as they introduced themselves. I kept an eye on Bella, noticing how her presence seemed to add a new energy to the gathering.

"So, Bella," Quil said as they got comfortable, "how are you adjusting to Forks? It must be quite a change."

"It's definitely different," Bella admitted, her eyes scanning the beach. "But it's nice to have a break from the usual routine."

As the conversation continued, Bella seemed more at ease, and the fire began to warm us against the cold. Quil and Embry chatted with Bella's friends, who were friendly but not particularly familiar to me.

While we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores, Bella and I found a quieter spot away from the group. The waves crashed softly against the shore, and the distant sound of seagulls punctuated the otherwise calm day.

"So, what did your friends mean about the Cullens not coming here?" Bella asked, her curiosity evident. Her eyes were sharp, and there was an earnestness in her voice that intrigued me.

I hesitated, feeling the weight of the legends I grew up with. Talking about the "cold ones" wasn't something I did lightly. The stories were part of my heritage, tied to my family and tribe. But Bella's interest made me consider sharing more.

"Well," I started, trying to sound casual, "it's kind of a scary story. Do you like scary stories?"

Bella nodded, leaning in with interest. "I do."

"Okay," I said, lowering my voice slightly. "So, there's this legend in my tribe about the cold ones. We're supposed to be descended from wolves, and the cold ones are... well, they're our enemies. We were made to protect humans from them."

I kept my tone light, but I couldn't ignore the tension in my chest. The old tales of the cold ones were more than just stories to me; they were a part of who I was. Bella seemed intrigued, but I couldn't tell if she truly believed what I was saying.

"Do you know any of the Cullens?" I asked, trying to gauge her reaction. "Any of the ones who don't come around here?"

"Not really," Bella replied, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "I've heard some things, but nothing concrete."

I felt a pang of something like jealousy, which I knew was irrational. It wasn't like I had any claim over Bella, but the idea of her being close to the Cullens unsettled me.

"Well, just... be careful around them," I said finally, trying to keep my tone steady. "There's something off about those guys. It's best to be cautious."

Bella gave me a small smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. I wanted to ask her more, to understand what she was thinking, but I didn't want to press too hard.

We walked along the shore for a while longer, the conversation drifting to lighter topics. But in the back of my mind, the unease lingered. The stories I'd always thought of as just that—stories—felt a lot more real now. And the thought of Bella being in danger, even if she didn't know it yet, was a concern I couldn't easily shake.

As the sun began to set and the day grew colder, Bella and her friends gathered their things to leave. They thanked us for the invitation and expressed how much they had enjoyed the day.

"It was really nice," Bella said as she prepared to head out. "Thanks for having us."

"Anytime," I said with a smile. "It was great to have you here. Hope we can do this again."

As Bella and her friends walked away, I felt a mix of relief and concern. The beach bonfire had been a success, but the lingering unease about the Cullens and Bella's safety remained. I finished packing up, and as I headed home, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Bella's presence here than met the eye.