Jacob has already wolfed out, and he and Bella are great friends. She gets kidnapped by James at the ballet studio, and falls for her captor. James is intrigued by her, and her feelings are reciprocated. When Edward finds her, she turns him away, bu...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Banner by LOS
"Didn't you bring any transportation with you?"
"You're lookin' at it, honey. I'll phase and you just hop onto my back, set your sassy little self down, and off we'll go."
"Um ... no, we won't."
"Oh, c'mon, Bells, where's your sense of adventure?"
"It fled when you suggested I ride bareback on—of all things—a wolf!"
I made a point of sniffing the air.
"What is it?"
"A gang of nomads headin' our way."
"Oh my gosh, you've got to phase right now."
I laughed at the look of panic on her face. "Nah, just kiddin'."
Now that we were outta danger, I couldn't help focusing on the non-Bella-like outfit she had on. She was decked out in jeans that were ripped at the knees and other places, with heavy chains hangin' from her belt, and a furry vest coverin' a black t-shirt with a neon-green skull plastered across it.
"Hey, before we book on outta here, I gotta ask ... What the hell are you wearin'?"
"Oh, this." She pulled at her shirt and pants. "These belonged to Victoria."
I tipped my head down so we'd be eye to eye. "And she is ...?"
"James' mate, or ex-mate I guess."
"Well, it's just not you at all. I mean, you're not gonna sing a duet with Sid Vicious anytime soon, huh?"
She slapped at my shoulder. "I'll change when I get home."
"Good, 'cuz you smell bad too. Full of stinky, vamp stench"
"Gee, thanks, Jake. I wonder though, if I do make it home. I'll probably fall off your back and end up on my butt, in a river somewhere."
I clicked my tongue. Tut, tut, oh ye of little faith. Ah, well, time to saddle up."
Bella groaned.
~~~~~
After she cautiously mounted my back, and flanked by my two packmates, we zipped on back toward Forks, Quil and Embry branching off to La Push. When we reached her house, she climbed down while I went around the back to phase and pull on my cutoffs.
Charlie heard us on the doorstep and rushed out, arms outstretched to hug his daughter. He pulled back a second, wiped tears from his eyes, and clasped her to his chest a second time. After exhalin'—reeeeaaaally loudly—he stared at me. "Thanks, kid. You kept your word."
"Sure, sure. You can always depend on me, Chief."
~~~~~
While Bella showered and changed out of that freaky outfit, Charlie and I talked.
