"Hey, guys," Sam said in a loud voice, interrupting all the conversations going on in the small room, as Bella and I returned. Emily was at the stove mixing something for lunch.

It was kinda like a full-time job for her. The tribe wasn't the wealthiest in the country, but it still had a fair bit of wealth. We weren't struggling much like some of the others. The pack was essentially a police force, so our homes were paid for, our food, and clothes were all taken care of under the Tribe.

Jacob rushed over to check on Bella, while I moved over towards the table.

"I know what the redhead wants." I told them grabbing a cup of juice.

"And?" Jared asked.

"she's after... well Bella and I"

Everyone's eyes widened, a demand for more information. "last spring, her mate" I glanced back at Bella, then back to my wrist "let's just say the Cullen's took care of him and now the red head-Victoria, wants revenge. That's why she was at my house, she thought I would be there. Only she found my mom"

Everyone stared at me with open-mouthed surprise, their eyes flickering between Bella and me.

"She's just a girl," Embry protested.

"I didn't say it made sense. But that's why the bloodsucker's been trying to get past us. She's been heading for Forks. My house is on the outskirts, so it was easier for her to get to, without going through La Push."

"Excellent," Jared finally said, a smile beginning to pull up the corners of his mouth. "We've got bait."

With stunning speed, Jacob yanked a can opener from the counter and launched it at Jared's head. Jared's hand flicked and he snagged the tool just before it hit his face.

"Bella is not bait" Jacob growled menacing.

"You know what I mean," Jared said, his face furrowing as he looked at Jacob. Everyone else tensed a little, all afraid that Jacob might do something.

"So, we'll be changing our patterns," Sam said, ignoring their squabble. "We'll try leaving a few holes, and see if she falls for it. We'll have to split up, and I don't like that. But if she's really after you two, she probably won't try to take advantage of our divided numbers."

"Alex could have startled her last night" Paul added "if she was looking for you and found a giant wolf, it might make her rethink you and focus on Bella"

"3 groups of two or two groups of 3. We're pretty even" I added. "if we do the 3 groups, Sam, Jacob and I would have to be separated. We're the biggest"

"Quil's got to be close to joining us" Embry murmured. Everyone looked down. None of us wanted that life for Quil, we didn't even want it for Jacob or Embry.

Hell, Sam didn't want it for any of us.

"Well, we won't count on that," Sam said in a low voice, and then continued at his regular volume. "Paul, Jared, and Jacob will take the outer perimeter, and Alex, Embry and I will take the inner. We'll collapse in when we've got her trapped."

"It would be best if you spent as much time as possible here in La Push. She won't know where to find you so easily, just in case." Jacob said looking straight at Bella, but he glanced at Sam.

"it's her choice" I added.

"What about Charlie?" she demanded.

"March Madness is still going," Jacob said. "I think Billy and Harry can manage to keep Charlie down here when he's not at work."

"he won't want to leave; you know that"

"Wait," Sam said, holding one hand up. His glance flickered to Emily and then back to Bella. "That's what Jacob thinks is best, but you need to decide for yourself. You should weigh the risks of both options very seriously. You saw this morning how easily things can get dangerous here, how quickly they get out of hand. If you choose to stay with us, I can't make any guarantees about your safety."

"I won't hurt her," Jacob mumbled, looking down.

Sam acted as if he hadn't heard him speak. "If there was somewhere else you felt safe..."

"I don't want to lead Victoria anywhere else," she whispered.

Sam nodded. "That's true. It's better to have her here, where we can end this."

"You'll be careful, right?" Bella asked. The boys burst into loud hoots of amusement. I threw a concerned look at Bella. She saw how big we were, and we took care of Laurent. How dangerous could one more be.

The phone rang just then causing everyone to stop laughing. Emily answered it, seemingly thankful for the distraction. I didn't pay attention to what she was saying as I was busy looking at Bella. She was really terrified, and it gave me a stark reminder of why I couldn't tell my mom any of this.

Emily quickly returned a smile on her face. "Al?" I looked up, shocked. "she's awake"

My brows furrowed, and then I realized what she meant. My mom was awake and okay. I couldn't help but smile and let out a breathy laugh as I grabbed my keys.

"I gotta go"

"stay up there for a while, I'll call you later and let you know what's going on" Sam added patting me on my shoulders.

"can I come with you?" Bella asked just before I left the house. I nodded.

"if you want to."

"I do"

I nodded and ran off. I couldn't wait to see my mom. Part of me was worried that she would be angry but seeing her alive was good enough.

"I have to go home first, to change. Charlie doesn't know about." I gestured to my tattoos.

"what do they mean?" Bella asked. I tried to drive a normal pace, since she was in the car and Charlie would certainly find out that I was speeding.

"well, the Quileute tattoo, the one the pack has. It's the wolf, the raven, and the whale. The raven is the trickster. He brings light to people by creating the sun, moon, stars, or causes the tides so people can harvest clams and other shellfish. The Whale simply because our tribe used to be whalers, but there is also a heard that migrates to the beach every year."

Bella listened in apt attention, I realized then it wasn't about her finding out more information it was to keep me grounded. "and the wolf, because that's what we change into but also because we were born from the wolf. It's where our people came from"

"do you really believe that?" Bella asked "I mean your mom seems very scientific. Darwin and everything"

I chuckled "I don't think anyone truly knows where humans came from. Did we evolve from single celled organisms, or is there some omnipotent creator out there?" I pulled into the driveway of my home "I think it all just depends."

After a quick shower I threw on some clean clothes and met Bella back in the garage. When we got to the hospital I saw Chief Swan's car. I wasn't sure how to answer his questions and I was pretty positive he had some.

"I'll handle him" Bella said suddenly, I turned to look at her "it was a car accident right? I'll just tell him that's what you said"

"thanks"

She nodded and I went to find my mom. She was the only one in her room though she was no longer hooked up to the machines. It looked like she was ready to go home.

Eve did say 24 hours was the typical hospital stay. She also said her skull fracture was minor. And she didn't need much surgery, except to stop the bleeding and rearrange the bones. But she got in immediately.

"Al" her face betrayed no emotion of disgust or anger only calm gentle and motherly.

"Mom... I" despite everything I couldn't stop the tears. It was my fault she was here.

"hey, none of that" she patted the spot next to her on the bed. "Eve told me everything. And while I don't lying but she stressed the importance of it."

"this is my fault" I moaned.

"no, sweetie it isn't" her free hand came up to run her fingers through my hair.

"it is, she was after me."

"hey, shhhh" she kissed my forehead. "listen to me, as a mother it is my job to protect you. And if that meant I saved you from what happened then I did my job"

"but I would've healed easier"

My mom pulled my head up and looked me in the eyes "Alexandra, what happened is not your fault. What she did was her choice. You showed up in time to save me. And I am so proud of you" she kissed my forehead.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you" I replied.

"I understand... some things are better left unsaid."

"it's just too dangerous to tell you. But that's what's causing the issues." My mom watched me carefully "It's safer for them to think it's mutated wolfs than the truth."