The party was a clear success, despite the instinctive edginess cause by the Cullens' presence - or maybe that simply added a thrill to the atmosphere. The music was infectious, the lights almost hypnotic. From the way the food disappeared, that must have been good, too.

The room was soon crowded, though never claustrophobic. The entire senior class seemed to be there, along with most of the juniors. Bodies swayed to the beat that rumbled under the soles of their feet, the party constantly on the edge of breaking into a dance.

It was a little too loud for my sensitive hearing, but it appeared that everyone was having a good time. I met up with Alice the moment I walked through the door.

She told me to mingle and have fun before floating across the floor.

I found Bella, wondering about, Edward at her side. "having fun?" I asked the Swan girl.

"loads" she replied sarcastically, I winced slightly when the singer hit a high note. "you, okay?" she asked.

I rubbed my ear "yeah, sensitive ears" I looked at Edward "I don't know how you guys do it"

He smiled slightly "practice"

I'd circled the room once, and was back to Jessica, with Bella and Edward. She babbled excitedly, and it was not necessary to pay strict attention, because the odds were she wouldn't need a response from me anytime soon. She was able to let the excitement of the evening to overwhelm any feelings of betrayal she had when I disappeared.

I glanced around the room my eyes landing on a certain blonde. I silently excused myself, for once thankful that I was basically invisible. She was leaning against a doorway off to the side.

"I didn't figure you for the partying kind of girl" she said once I got close.

"Alice... I kind of owed her" a smile gracing my lips at the thought of what was in my pocket.

"well, I'm glad you're here" before she could say anything else her nose scrunched up. "the mutt's here"

I furrowed my brows before turning to look at the door where not one, but three members of the pack were standing. Not good, this meant Sam didn't think Jacob could handle being alone. I felt sorry for Quil and Embry who flanked him. The two of them looked terribly tense, their eyes flickering around the room like they'd just walked into a haunted crypt. Embry's trembling hand still held the door, his body half-turned to run for it.

He was too loyal to abandon Jacob, those two were like peas in a pod, though Jacob doesn't seem to find issue in throwing out his heritage against me. For some reason Jacob believes that Embry is my brother, but if I was being honest if he was Sam's, Jacob is the next logical option.

He and Embry look alike, their wolf's may be different colors, but the build and structure is the same, nothing like me. Even Leah looked more like me and there was at least a few generations between our genetics. If Embry were my brother, he would look just like me, plus Korinna would know.

If my dad was worried about me, he would have been worried about Embry too. Not only that he didn't get sick like me, and that's kinda a genetic trait. My dad did, my grandmother did, and my great grandmother did.

"I would have figured a punch to the face would resend any invitation"

I looked back at Rosalie "they don't stink that bad, do they?"

She raised one of her perfect brows "like wet dog... at least you don't stink" she joked.

"I thought you couldn't smell me?" I paused for a minute to think about what I said "that sounded so my worse than I intended"

Rose shook her head a smile playing at her lips "I can. I think it's because we're mates and we're spending a lot of time together."

"well, do I smell good?" I asked cheekily.

"yes, like Mangos and cedarwood, strange but I love it all the same." Rose leaned in to whisper in my ear "I never have to worry about confusing you with someone else"

I smiled and looked up at her, just gazing in her eyes.

We sat in comfortable silence for a few seconds, but I caught Rosalie's eyes flicker to look at something behind me. She didn't seem to enthused about it, of course when I saw what she was looking at I understood.

Jacob was dangerously impeding on Bella's personal space, just like before he put his hand under her chin and pulled Bella's face up. I didn't hear what he had to say before I was pushing him back "keep your hands to yourself, Jacob"

He held his hands up in surrender glaring at me slightly.

"Sorry!" he said at once, holding his hands up in surrender. "I really am sorry. About the other day, I mean, too. I shouldn't have kissed you like that. It was wrong. I guess . . . well, I guess I deluded myself into thinking you wanted me to."

"Deluded - what a perfect description!"

"Be nice. You could accept my apology, you know."

"she doesn't need to accept anything Jacob, stop trying to manipulate her." I replied.

"this doesn't concern you Alex" he grumbled.

"it does when you don't understand proper boundaries and that when she said no it means no. Not 'you just don't know it yet.' I told you this before and I'll tell you again, she isn't your imprint or mate, or girlfriend and she isn't property that you can steal. Bella made her choice, and it was Edward. You can either accept that or cause more damage by deluding yourself that there's something more going on"

There was a tense silence, and I didn't pay attention to what they were saying because I was busy searching for Rosalie. Of course, I was brought back into the conversation when Jacob said something.

"Why're you so distracted?" Jacob wondered.

"It's nothing," Bella lied "Thanks for the present, really. I love it."

I looked at her wrist to see Jacob's gift. Bella was trying to be nice, and I understood but Jacob needs to know he can't do any of that again, he can't force himself onto her or force her to look at him. Hell, he can't touch her without permission, he can't do that to any woman, why would Bella be okay?

"Bella?" His brows pulled together, throwing his eyes deep into their shadow. "Something's going on, isn't it?"

"Jake, I . . . no, there's nothing."

"Don't lie to me, you suck at lying. You should tell me what's going on. We want to know these things," he said, slipping into the plural at the end.

"Bella, what's he talking about? Did something happen?" I replied, falling into my role as protector easily. The difference between Jacob and I, I was gentler about it. I didn't demand answers, I asked. Bella would tell me if it were important, we established that relationship.

Plus, if she didn't, Alice would. Maybe even Edward, I'd like to think we were friends, somewhat. If it concerned Bella's safety he would say something because it was easier to get my help than asking the other wolves, and I was safer.

"I will tell you. Just let me figure out what's happening, okay? I need to talk to Alice."

"The psychic saw something." Jacob said, he looked between Embry and Quil, his 'gang' or attack dogs whatever you want to call them. I kept my eye on Bella, so I didn't notice what their expressions were saying.

"Yes, just when you showed up."

"Is this about the bloodsucker in your room?" Jacob murmured, pitching his voice below the thrum of the music.

"It's related," she admitted.

"You know something you're not telling me . . . something big." Jacob looked at Bella, his face angry.

"Yes."

"why didn't you say anything before? Bella, this is important" I looked right at Bella. How long did she know about this?

"I know, I'm sorry, okay. I only figured it out right before graduation and Alice said not to tell Edward just in case and I couldn't tell you without him hearing. I promise I would have, and I couldn't get away from him at the party, trust me I've been trying to get you alone" she winced slightly "you know what I mean"

I nodded, I knew Edward could be a little overbearing and if Alice thought he shouldn't know then it was probably for the best, and he was everywhere Bella was tonight. This is the only time that I saw her alone and even then she really isn't alone.

The boys started moving, weaving their way agilely through the partiers, almost like they were dancing, too. In half a minute, they stood on either side of Jacob, towering over Bella's 5'4 frame.

"Now. Explain," Jacob demanded.

"Jacob, I don't know everything." Bella said her eyes searching for an exit.

"What you do know, then."

They all folded their arms across their chests at exactly the same moment. It was a little bit funny, but mostly menacing. I looked between the three. "Back off Jacob"

"no, you don't get to tell me what to do" he growled before looking at Bella, who squeaked out Alice's name in relief.

"you have no power here Jacob, now as second in command I am ordering you to back off"

Quil and Embry looked between the two of us, but neither moved, they followed Jacob's lead and I couldn't tell you how irritating that was. That neither of them listened to me.

Alice skipped to Bella's other side, putting her arm around Bella's waist.

"I need to talk to you," she murmured into Bella's ear, then she sent me a look.

"Er, Jake, I'll see you later . . .," Bella mumbled as we eased around them.

Jacob threw his long arm out to block our way, bracing his hand against the wall. "Hey, not so fast."

Alice stared up at him, eyes wide and incredulous. "Excuse me?"

"Tell us what's going on," he demanded in a growl. I put myself in between Jacob and the girls, who were both much smaller than me.

"Leave" I replied in the sternest tone I could, something akin to how Sam would sound. Quil and Embry backed up, Jacob noticed this and was having a hard time staying where he was, he wasn't really as strong alone. But before he could challenge my order, Jasper appeared on the other side of his arm, his expression terrifying.

Jacob slowly pulled his arm back. It seemed like the best move, going with the assumption that he wanted to keep that arm.

"We have a right to know," Jacob muttered, still glaring at Alice. Jasper got right in front of her, his shoulders brushing against mine.

"Hey, hey," Bella said, adding a slightly hysterical chuckle. "This is a party, remember?"

"It's okay, Jasper. He actually has a point." Alice said suddenly. "it involves them too"

"right" I said but kept my glare firm on Jacob "but it doesn't involve you. Go home Jacob"

"like hell I will"

"You have no power here."

"The decision's been made." Alice said ignoring the battle for dominance right in front of her. The battle that deflated the moment Bella said her next words.

"You're going to Seattle?"

"No."

"They're coming here," Bella choked out.