The Bond

Ch. 1 The Intruders

The stores door opened, letting a gust of wind disturb the chimes that were for sale. A tall, dark and muscular man, wearing a leather hat entered, closing the door to the dreary grey outside. The sun almost never shines in Forks, Washington, but especially now, so close to December.

Lifting his head, he almost appeared to be smelling something out. With a long confident stride he made his way to aisle three, where a pale, lean man stood, scrutinizing a vase in his hand. Without looking up, he asked, "How did you know I would be here, Jacob?" As if he already knew, he said, "Ah, of course you sniffed me out. Just like a prized bloodhound."

Jacob widened his stance and crossed his arms. "Stay out of my head Edward." Edward shrugged, a quick roll of his shoulders. "You know it is not something I control, but if it makes you happier, you can say everything I already know out loud." A wry smile flitted over Edwards face.

Jacob, trying to maintain some prideful control, retorted. "Well, just in case I wasn't thinking about a certain detail, this is about the two men who arrived in town yesterday. What did you find out about them?"

Edward chuckled wryly. "Yes, it is amusing  that you hate that I can read minds but have no problem with it if I use it for your gain." Edward put the stone vase back on the shelf. "You were right about the men. The one I passed yesterday knew that he and his partner were up to no good, and he kept thinking about something hidden inside their trailer. I wasn't really able to confirm it, but it seemed as if they had a person they are holding hostage. Also, he had a gun shaped lump in his jacket."

Jacob leaned on a shelf, rubbing his chin. "We know their trailer is on our territory, we can easily get police to chase them off. Then, while that happens, I can say I hear something inside the trailer. Before, this was just about them being unwanted squatters, but who knows who is in their trailer. Could you get Bella to ask Charlie? He would be the easiest officer to work with."

Edward stepped away from the shelf, and closer to Jacob. "Yes. However, it comes with a price. We will be there as well."

Jacob stepped forward, his muscles taught. "It is our territory."

Edward smiled, eyes narrowed. "It is Bella's father. These men are dangerous, and Bella would murder your whole pack if anything happened to him while we were unable to assist."

Jacob scowled, the lines on his forehead going down into a v. He growled out a word through clamped teeth. "Fine."

"Good to hear." Edward stepped around Jacob, to make his way to the door.

"Don't you want to know when the plan goes down?" Jacob asked, watching Edwards back.

Edward half turned and smiled. "Seven o'clock, tonight. Don't worry, plenty of time to contact Charlie. I bid you Adieu."

Gritting his teeth and scowling, Jacob watched him exit the store, the door slamming shut behind him, but not before the icy breeze was back to pester the chimes.