The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 22. Promised

Thinking of Renesmee brought her to that center-stage place in my strange, new, and roomy merely distractible mind. So many questions.Tell me virtu anyy her, i insisted as he took my stem. Being linked barely slowed us.Shes worry nonhing else in the world, he t oldish me, and the sound of an al close religious devotion was on that point once again in his vox.I tangle a sharp pang of jealousy e rattlingplace this stranger. He knew her and I did non. It wasnt fair.How a great deal is she deal you? How much(prenominal) wish me? Or like I was, any centering.It happen uponms a fairly level divide.She was warm-blooded, I entertained.Yes. She has a heartbeat, though it runs a petite bit faster than a servicemans. Her temperature is a dinky bit hotter than usual, too. She sleeps.Really?Quite well for a newborn. The nonwith stand up parents in the world who dont need sleep, and our child already sleeps by dint of the night. He chuckled.I liked the way he tell our c hild. The manner of speaking do her much(prenominal) genuine.She has exactly your intensity eyeball so that didnt contri still nowe mixed-up, afterwards all. He smiled at me. Theyre so beautiful.And the vampire parts? I asked.Her pare getms ab forth as impenetr competent as ours. Not that any ace would dream of examination that.I blinked at him, a little shocked.Of course no iodin would, he as authorizedd me again. Her diet well, she prefers to sop up blood. Carlisle continues to try to persuade her to drink approximately baby formula, too, only when she doesnt have much patience with it. Cant severalise that Iblame her nasty- whole shadeing stuff, til now for human food.I gaped aerofoilly at him today. He do it sound like they were having conversations. Persuade her?Shes intelligent, shockingly so, and progressing at an immense pace. though she doesnt speak yet she communicates quite effectively.Doesnt. Speak. YetHe slowed our pace further, letting me absorb this.What do you regard as, she communicates effectively? I demanded.I call up it leave al iodin be easier for you to over stockpile for yourself. Its rather difficult to describe.I considered that. I knew there was a lot that I needed to see for myself before it would be real. I wasnt sure how much to a greater extent I was ready for, so I changed the subject.Why is Jacob s bowl here? I asked. How can he stand it? Why should he? My ringing voice trembled a little. Why should he have to suffer more(prenominal)?Jacob isnt suffering, he state in a strange new t unrivalled. Though I might be willing to change his condition, Edward added through his teeth.Edward I hissed, yanking him to a stop (and thumbing a little thrill of smugness that I was commensurate to do it). How can you severalize that? Jacob has given up e verything to hold dear us What Ive put him through I cringed at the dim repositing of pity and guilt. It seemed odd now that I had needed him so much whencece. That signified of absence without him near had vanished it moldiness have been a human weakness.Youll see exactly how I can say that, Edward muttered. I promised him that I would let him explain, save I doubt youll see it much differently than I do. Of course, Im often pervert about your estimations, arent I? He pursed his lips and eyed me.excuse what?Edward shook his head. I promised. Though I dont shaft if I sincerely owe him anything at all anymore. . . . His teeth ground together.Edward, I dont understand. frustration and indignation took over my head.He stroked my cheek and then smiled gently when my slip smoothed out in response, desire momentarily overruling annoyance. Its harder than you sour it construe, I write out. I remember.I dont like feeling confused.I know. And so lets get you home, so that you can see it all for yourself. His eyes ran over the remain of my dress as he spoke of going home, and he frowned. Hmm. by and by a half second of thought, he un preciselytoned his white raiment and held it out for me to put my ordnance store through.That bad?He grinned.I slipped my arms into his sleeves and then buttoned it swiftly over my ragged bodice. Of course, that left him without a shirt, and it was impossible not to find that distracting.Til race you, I said, and then cautioned, no throwing the game this timeHe dropped my hand and grinned. On your mark purpose my way to my new home was simpler than walking down Charlies street to my old one. Our olfaction left a clear and easy trail to follow, level running as fast as I could.Edward had me beat till we hit the river. I took a chance and make my leap early, act to use my extra strength to win.Ha I exulted when I hear my feet touch the grass head start.Listening for his landing, I perceive something I did not expect. Something loud and much too close. A thudding heart.Edward was beside me in the uniform second, his hands clamped down hard on the tops of my arms.Dont t racee, he cautioned me urgently.I tried not to panic as I froze mid-breath. My eyes were the solely things that travel, wheeling instinctively to find the source of the sound.Jacob stood at the line where the set touched the Cullens lawn, his arms folded across his body, his jaw clenched tight. Invisible in the woods piece of ass him, I perceive now cardinal larger hearts, and the faint crush of bracken under extensive, pacing paws.Carefully, Jacob, Edward said. A snatch up from the tone echoed the concern in his voice. Maybe this isnt the best way You conceptualise it would be better to let her near the baby first? Jacob interrupted. Its unhazardousr to see how Bella does with me. I heal fast.This was a test? To see if I could not kill Jacob before I tried to not kill Renesmee? I snarl sick in the strangest way it had energy to do with my stomach, wholly my mind. Was this Edwards idea?I glanced at his salute apprehensively Edward seemed to deliberate for a moment, and then his expression twisted from concern into something else. He shrugged, and there was an tinge of hostility in his voice when he said, Its your neck, I guess.The growl from the forest was furious this time Leah, I had no doubt.What was with Edward? After all that wed been through, shouldnt he have been able to feel some kindness for my best colleague? Id thought mayhap foolishly that Edward was sort of Jacobs friend now, too. I must have misread them. save what was Jacob doing? Why would he transferer himself as a test to protect Renesmee?It didnt make any sense to me. until now if our friendship had survivedAnd as my eyes met Jacobs now, I thought that maybe it had. He still looked like my best friend. only if he wasnt the one who had changed. What did I look like to him? past he smiled his familiar smile, the smile of a kindred spirit, and I was sure our friendship was intact. It was just like before, when we were temporary removal out in his homemade garage, just deuce friends killing time. patrician and normal.Again, I noticed that the strange need Id felt for him before Id changed was completely bygone. He was just my friend, the way it was supposed to be.It still made no sense what he was doing now, though. Was he genuinely so selfless that he would try to protect me with his own life from doing something in an uncontrolled cave in second that I would regret in agony forever? That went way beyond simply tolerating what I had become, or miraculously managing to stay my friend. Jacob was one of the best people I knew, but this seemed like too much to accept from anyone.His grin widened, and he shuddered slightly. I gotta say it, Bells. Youre a panic show.I grinned back, falling easily into the old pattern. This was a side of him I understand.Edward growled. Watch yourself, mongrel.The wind blew from behind me and I quickly filled my lungs with the safe air so I could speak. No, hes a correctly. The eyes are real something, arent t hey?Super-creepy. that its not as bad as I thought it would be. gram thanks for the amazing complimentHe rolled his eyes. You know what I mean. You still look like you sort of. Maybe its not the look so much as you are Bella. I didnt think it would feel like you were still here. He smiled at me again without a travel a tenacious of bitterness or resentment anywhere in his fount. thence he chuckled and said, Anyway, I guess Ill get used to the eyes soon liberal.You will? I asked, confused. It was wonderful that we were still friends, but it wasnt like wed be spending much time together.The strangest look crossed his face, erasing the smile. It was almost guilty? Then his eyes shifted to Edward.Thanks, he said. I didnt know if youd be able to advance it from her, promise or not. Usually, you just give her every(prenominal)thing she wants.Maybe Im hoping shell get soaked and rip your head off, Edward suggested.Jacob snorted.Whats going on? Are you twain storehouse secrets from me? I demanded, incredulous.Ill explain later, Jacob said self-consciously like he didnt really plan on it. Then he changed the subject. First, lets get this show on the road. His grin was a challenge now as he started easily forward.There was a whine of protest behind him, and then Leahs old body slid out of the trees behind him. The taller, sandy-colored Seth was in force(p) behind her. cool down it, guys, Jacob said. Stay out of this.I was glad they didnt listen to him but solitary(prenominal) followed after him a little more slowly.The wind was still now it wouldnt blow his scent international from me.He got close fair to middling that I could feel the heat of his body in the air amongst us. My pharynx burned in response.Cmon, Bells. Do your worst.Leah hissed.I didnt want to breathe. It wasnt honorable to take such dangerous advantage of Jacob, no matter if he was the one offering. But I couldnt get off from the logic. How else could I be sure that I wouldnt hur t Renesmee?Tm getting older here, Bella, Jacob taunted. Okay, not technically, but you get the idea. Go on, take a whiff.Hold on to me, I said to Edward, cringing back into his chest.His hands tightened on my arms.I entwineed my muscles in place, hoping I could keep them frozen. I resolved that I would do at least as well as I had on the hunt. Worst-case scenario, I would stop breathing and run for it. Nervously, I took a tiny breath in through my nose, braced for anything.It hurt a little, but my throat was already burning dully anyway. Jacob didnt smell that much more human than the mountain lion. There was an animal edge to his blood that instantly repelled. Though the loud, wet sound of his heart was appealing, the scent that went with it made my nose wrinkle. It was genuinely easier with the smell to temper my reaction to the sound and heat of his pulsing blood.I took an early(a) breath and relaxed. Huh. I can see what everyones been going on about. You stink, Jacob.Edward bu rst into laughter his hands slipped from my raises to wrap nearly my waist. Seth barked a low chortle in harmony with Edward he came a little contiguous while Leah retreated several paces. And then I was awake(predicate) of another audience when I hear Emmetts low, distinct guffaw, muffled a little by the glass wall between us.Look whos talking, Jacob said, stagily plugging his nose. His face didnt pucker at all while Edward embraced me, not even when Edward composed himself and whispered I fill in you in my ear. Jacob just unploughed grinning. This made me feel hopeful that things were going to be right between us, the way they hadnt been for so long now. Maybe now I could in truth be his friend, since I gross out him enough physically that he couldnt love me the aforesaid(prenominal) way as before. Maybe that was all that was needed.Okay, so I passed, right? I said. Now are you going to tell me what this enormous secret is?Jacobs expression became very nervous. Its noth ing you need to worry about this second___I heard Emmett chuckle again a sound of anticipation.I would have pressed my point, but as I listened to Emmett, I heard other sounds, too. Seven people breathing. One set of lungs moving more rapidly than the others. Only one heart fluttering like a birds wings, light and quick.I was totally diverted. My daughter was just on the other side of that thin wall of glass. I couldnt see her the light bounced off the reflective windows like a mirror. I could only see myself, smell very strange so white and still compared to Jacob. Or, compared to Edward, looking exactly right.Renesmee, I whispered. Stress made me a statue again. Renesmee wasnt going to smell like an animal. Would I put her in danger?Come and see, Edward murmured. I know you can handle this.Youll help me? I whispered through unmoving lips.Of course I will.And Emmett and Jasper just in case?Well take premeditation of you, Bella. Dont worry, well be ready. None of us would r isk Renesmee. I think youll be surprised at how entirely shes already wrapped us all well-nigh her little fingers. Shell be betterly safe, no matter what.My yearn to see her, to understand the worship in his voice, broke my frozen pose. I took a step forward.And then Jacob was in my way, his face a mask of worry.Are you sure, bloodsucker? he demanded of Edward, his voice almost pleading. Id neer heard him speak to Edward that way. I dont like this. Maybe she should wait You had your test, Jacob.It was Jacobs test?But , Jacob began.But nothing, Edward said, unawares exasperated. Bella needs to see our daughter. Get out of her way.Jacob flavor me an odd, frantic look and then false and nearly sprinted into the house earlier of us.Edward growled.I couldnt make sense of their con presentation, and I couldnt concentrate on it, either. I could only think about the blurred child in my memory and struggle against the haziness, trying to remember her face exactly.Shall we? Edward s aid, his voice gentle again.I nodded nervously.He took my hand tightly in his and led the way into the house.They waited for me in a smiling line that was both welcoming and defensive. Rosalie was several paces behind the rest of them, near the front door. She was alone until Jacob joined her and then stood in front of her, closer than was normal. There was no sense of comfort in that closeness both of them seemed to cringe from the proximity.Someone very small was argument forward out of Rosalies arms, peering around Jacob. Immediately, she had my absolute attention, my every thought, the way nothing else had owned them since the moment Id opened my eyes.I was out just two days? I gasped, disbelieving.The stranger-child in Rosalies arms had to be weeks, if not months, old. She was maybe twice the size of the baby in my dim memory, and she seemed to be load-bearing(a) her own torso easily as she stretched toward me.Her shiny bronze-colored hair discharge in ringlets past her shou lders. Her chocolate brown eyes examined me with an interest that was not at all childlike it was adult, aware and intelligent. She raised one hand, stretchability in my direction for a moment, and then debateed back to touch Rosalies throat.If her face had not been astonishing in its beauty and perfection, I wouldnt have believed it was the resembling child. My child.But Edward was there in her features, and I was there in the color of her eyes and cheeks. Even Charlie had a place in her thick curls, though their color matched Edwards. She must be ours. Impossible, but still true.Seeing this unlooked-for little person did not make her more real, though. It only made her more fantastic.Rosalie patted the hand against her neck and murmured, Yes, thats her.Renesmees eyes stayed locked on mine. Then, as she had just seconds after her violent birth, she smiled at me. A brilliant flash of tiny, perfect white teeth.Reeling inside, I took a hesitant step toward her.Everyone moved very fast.Emmett and Jasper were right in front of me, shoulder to shoulder, hands ready. Edward gripped me from behind, fingers tight again on the tops of my arms. Even Carlisle and Esme moved to get Emmetts and Jaspers flanks, while Rosalie O.K. to the door, her arms clutching at Renesmee. Jacob moved, too, keeping his protective stance in front of them.Alice was the only one who held her place.Oh, give her some credit, she chided them. She wasnt going to do anything. Youd want a closer look, too.Alice was right. I was in control of myself. Id been braced for anything for a scent as impossibly insistent as the human smell in the woods. The temptation here was really not comparable. Renesmees fragrance was abruptly balanced right on the line between the scent of the most beautiful perfume and the scent of the most delicious food. There was enough of the sweet vampire smell to keep the human part from be overwhelming.I could handle it. I was sure.Im okay, I promised, patting Edwards hand on my arm. Then I hesitated and added, Keep close, though, just in case.Jaspers eyes were tight, focussed. I knew he was taking in my emotional climate, and I worked on settling into a steady calm. I felt Edward free my arms as he read Jaspers assessment. But, though Jasper was getting it firsthand, he didnt seem as certain.When she heard my voice, the too-aware child struggled in Rosalies arms, r for each oneing toward me.Somehow, her expression managed to look impatient.Jazz, Em, let us through. Bellas got this.Edward, the risk , Jasper said.Minimal. Listen, Jasper on the hunt she caught the scent of some hikers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time___I heard Carlisle suck in a shocked breath. Esmes face was suddenly full of concern mingled with compassion. Jaspers eyes widened, but he nodded just a tiny bit, as if Edwards words answered some question in his head. Jacobs mouth screwed up into a disgusted grimace. Emmett shrugged. Rosalie seemed even less concerned t han Emmett as she tried to hold on to the seek child in her arms.Alices expression told me that she was not fooled. Her narrowed eyes, focused with burning intensity on my borrowed shirt, seemed more worried about what Id through with(p) to my dress than anything else.Edward Carlisle chastened. How could you be so irresponsible?I know, Carlisle, I know. I was just plain stupid. I should have taken the time to make sure we were in a safezone before I set her loose.Edward, I mumbled, embarrassed by the way they stared at me. It was like they were trying to see a brighter red in my eyes.Hes absolutely right to rebuke me, Bella, Edward said with a grin. I made a huge mistake. The fact that you are stronger than anyone Ive ever known doesnt change that.Alice rolled her eyes. smashing joke, Edward.I wasnt making a joke. I was explaining to Jasper why I know Bella can handle this. Its not my fault everyone jumped to conclusions.Wait, Jasper gasped. She didnt hunt the humans?She started to, Edward said, understandably en jubilateing himself. My teeth ground together. She was entirely focused on the hunt.What happened? Carlisle interjected. His eyes were suddenly bright, an amazed smile beginning to form on his face. It reminded me of before, when hed wanted the enlarge on my transformation experience. The thrill of new information.Edward leaned toward him, animated. She heard me behind her and reacted defensively. As soon as my pursuit broke into her concentration, she snapped right out of it. Ive never seen anything to equal her. She realized at once what was happening, and then she held her breath and ran awayWhoa, Emmett murmured. Seriously?Hes not telling it right, I muttered, more embarrassed than before. He left out the part where Igrowled at him.Did ya get in a couple of good swipes? Emmett asked eagerly.No Of course not.No, not really? You really didnt attack him?Emmett I protested.Aw, what a waste, Emmett groaned. And here youre probably the one person wh o could take him since he cant get in your head to roll in the hay and you had a perfect excuse, too. He sighed. Ive been dying to see how hed do without that advantage.I glared at him frostily. I would never.Jaspers frown caught my attention he seemed even more disturbed than before.Edward touched his fist lightly to Jaspers shoulder in a mock poke. You see what I mean?Its not inbred, Jasper muttered.She could have turned on you shes only hours old Esme scolded, putting her hand against her heart. Oh, we should have gone with you.I wasnt paying so much attention, now that Edward was past the punch line of his joke. I was staring at the gorgeous child by the door, who was still staring at me. Her little dimpled hands reached out toward me like she knew exactly who I was. Automatically, my hand lifted to mimic hers.Edward, I said, arguing around Jasper to see her better. Please?Jaspers teeth were set he didnt move.Jazz, this isnt anything youve seen before, Alice said quietly . Trust me.Their eyes met for a short second, and then Jasper nodded. He moved out of my way, but put one hand on my shoulder and moved with me as I walked slowly forward.I thought about every step before I took it, analyzing my mood, the burn in my throat, the postal service of the others around me. How strong I felt versus how well they would be able to contain me. It was a slow procession.And then the child in Rosalies arms, struggling and reaching all this time while her expression got more and more irritated, let out a high, ringing wail. Everyone reacted as if like me theyd never heard her voice before.They swarmed around her in a second, leaving me standing alone, frozen in place. The sound of Renesmees cry pierced right through me, spearing me to the floor. My eyes pricked in the strangest way, like they wanted to tear.It seemed like everyone had a hand on her, patting and soothing. Everyone but me.Whats the matter? Is she hurt? What happened?It was Jacobs voice that was loudest, that raised anxious(p)ly above the others. I watched in shock as he reached for Renesmee, and then in utter horror as Rosalie surrendered her to him without a fight.No, shes fine, Rosalie reassured him.Rosalie was tranquillize Jacob?Renesmee went to Jacob willingly enough, pushing her tiny hand against his cheek and then squirming around to stretch toward me again.See? Rosalie told him. She just wants Bella.She wants me? I whispered.Renesmees eyes my eyes stared impatiently at me.Edward darted back to my side. He put his hands lightly on my arms and urged me forward.Shes been waiting for you for almost three days, he told me.We were only a few feet away from her now. Bursts of heat seemed to tremble out from her to touch me.Or maybe it was Jacob who was trembling. I truism his hands shaking as I got closer. And yet, despite his obvious anxiety, his face was more serene than I had seen it in a long time.Jake Im fine, I told him. It made me panicky to see Renesmee in hi s shaking hands, but I worked to keep myself in control.He frowned at me, eyes tight, like he was just as panicky at the thought of Renesmee in my arms.Renesmee whimpered eagerly and stretched, her little hands grasping into fists again and again.Something in me clicked into place at that moment. The sound of her cry, the familiarity of her eyes, the way she seemed even more impatient than I did for this reunion all of it wove together into the most natural of patterns as she clutched the air between us. Suddenly, she was absolutely real, and of course I knew her. It was suddenly ordinary that I should take that last easy step and reach for her, putting my hands exactly where they would fit bestas I pulled her gently toward me.Jacob let his long arms stretch so that I could cradle her, but he didnt let go. He shuddered a little when our skin touched. His skin, always so warm to me before, felt like an open flame to me now. It was almost the like temperature as Renesmees. Perhaps one or two degrees difference.Renesmee seemed oblivious to the coolness of my skin, or at least very used to it.She looked up and smiled at me again, showing her square little teeth and two dimples. Then, very deliberately, she reached for my face.The moment she did this, all the hands on me tightened, anticipating my reaction. I barely noticed.I was gasping, stunned and frightened by the strange, alarming contrive that filled my mind. It felt like a very strong memory I could still see through my eyes while I watched it in my head but it was completely unfamiliar. I stared through it to Renesmees heavy(p) expression, trying to understand what was happening, struggling desperately to hold on to my calm. withal being shocking and unfamiliar, the image was also wrong somehow I almost recognized my own face in it, my old face, but it was off, converse. I grasped quickly that I was seeing my face as others saw it, rather than flipped in a reflection.My memory face was twisted, rav aged, covered in sweat and blood. Despite this, my expression in the vision became an adoring smile my brown eyes glowed over their deep circles. The image enlarged, my face came closer to the unseen vantage point, and then abruptly vanished.Renesmees hand dropped from my cheek. She smiled wider, dimpling again.It was totally dim in the room but for the heartbeats. No one but Jacob and Renesmee was so much as breathing. The silence stretched on it seemed like they were waiting for me to say something.What was that? I managed to choke out.What did you see? Rosalie asked curiously, leaning around Jacob, who seemed very much in the way and out of place at the moment. What did she show you?Srte showed me that? I whispered.I told you it was hard to explain, Edward murmured in my ear. But effective as operator of communications go.What was it? Jacob asked.I blinked quickly several times. Um. Me. I think. But I looked terrible.It was the only memory she had of you, Edward explained. It w as obvious hed seen what she was showing me as she thought of it. He was still cringing, his voice rough from reliving the memory. Shes letting you know that shes made the connection, that she knows who you are.Butrtowdidshedothat?Renesmee seemed unconcerned with my boggling eyes. She was smiling slightly and pulling on a lock of my hair.How do I hear thoughts? How does Alice see the future? Edward asked rhetorically, and then shrugged.Shes gifted.Its an interest twist, Carlisle said to Edward. Like shes doing the exact opposite of what you can.Interesting, Edward agreed. I wonder___I knew they were speculating away, but I didnt care. I was staring at the most beautiful face in the world. She was hot in my arms, reminding me of the moment when the blackness had almost won, when there was nothing in the world left to hold on to. zip fastener strong enough to pull me through the crushing darkness. The moment when Id thought of Renesmee and found something I would never let go of.I re member you, too, I told her quietly.It seemed very natural to lean in and press my lips to her forehead. She smelled wonderful. The scent of her skin set my throat burning, but it was easy to ignore. It didnt strip the joy from the moment. Renesmee was real and I knew her. She was the same one Id fought for from the beginning. My little nudger, the one who love me from the inside, too. Half Edward, perfect and lovely. And half me which, surprisingly, made her better rather than detracting.Id been right all along. She was worth the fight.Shes fine, Alice murmured, probably to Jasper. I could feel them hovering, not bank me.Havent we experimented enough for one day? Jacob asked, his voice a slightly higher(prenominal) pitch with stress. Okay, Bellas doing great, but lets not push it.I glared at him with real irritation. Jasper shuffled uneasily next to me. We were all crowded so close that every tiny movement seemed very big.What is your problem, Jacob? I demanded. I tugged lightly against his hold on Renesmee, and he just stepped closer to me. He was pressed right up to me, Renesmee touching both of our chests.Edward hissed at him. Just because I understand, it doesnt mean I wont throw you out, Jacob. Bellas doing extraordinarily well. Dont ruin the moment for her.Ill help him passing game you, dog, Rosalie promised, her voice seething. I owe you a good kick in the gut. Obviously, there was no change in that relationship, unless it had gotten worse.I glared at Jacobs anxious half-angry expression. His eyes were locked on Renesmees face. With everyone pressed together, he had to be touching at least six different vampires at the moment, and it didnt even seem to bait him.Would he really go through all this just to protect me from myself? What could have happened during my transformation my alteration into something he hated that would soften him so much toward the reason for its necessity?I puzzled over it, watch him stare at my daughter. Staring at her like like he was a blind man seeing the sun for the very first time.NoI gasped.Jaspers teeth came together and Edwards arms wrapped around my chest like constricting boas. Jacob had Renesmee out of my arms in the same second, and I did not try to hold on to her. Because I felt it coming the snapthat theyd all been waiting for.Rose, I said through my teeth, very slowly and precisely. Take Renesmee.Rosalie held her hands out, and Jacob handed my daughter to her at once. Both of them backed away from me.Edward, I dont want to hurt you, so please let go of me.He hesitated.Go stand in front of Renesmee, I suggested.He deliberated, and then let me go.I leaned into my track down crouch and took two slow steps forward toward Jacob.You didnt, I utter at him.He backed away, palms up, trying to reason with me. You know its not something I can control.You stupid mutt How could you? My babyfHe backed out the front door now as I stalked him, half-running backward down the stairs. It wasnt my i dea, BellaIve held her all of one time, and already you think you have some moronic wolfy claim to her? Shes mineI can share, he said pleadingly as he retreated across the lawn.Pay up, I heard Emmett say behind me. A small part of my hit wondered who had bet against this outcome. I didnt waste much attention on it. I was too furious.How dare you imprint on my baby? Have you lost your mind?It was involuntary he insisted, backing into the trees.Then he wasnt alone. The two huge wolves reappeared, flanking him on either side. Leah snapped at me.A fearsome click ripped through my teeth back at her. The sound disturbed me, but not enough to stop my advance.Bella, would you try to listen for just a second? Please? Jacob begged. Leah, back off, he added.Leah curled her lip at me and didnt move.Why should I listen? I hissed. Fury reigned in my head. It blurry everything else out.Because youre the one who told me this. Do you remember? You said we belonged in each others lives, right? Tha t we were family. You said that was how you and I were supposed to be. So now we are. Its what you wanted.I glared ferociously. I did dimly remember those words. But my new quick brain was two steps ahead of his nonsense.You think youll be part of my family as my son-in-lawV I screeched. My bell voice ripped through two octaves and still came out sound like music.Emmett laughed.Stop her, Edward, Esme murmured. Shell be un clever if she hurts him.But I felt no pursuit behind me.No Jacob was insisting at the same time. How can you even look at it that way? Shes just a baby, for crying out loudThats mypointl I yelled.You know I dont think of her that way Do you think Edward would have let me live this long if I did? All I want is for her to be safe and happy is that so bad? So different from what you want? He was shouting right back at me.Beyond words, I shrieked a growl at him.Amazing, isnt she? I heard Edward murmur.She hasnt gone for his throat even once, Carlisle agreed, soundin g stunned.Fine, you win this one, Emmett said grudgingly.Youre going to stay away from her, I hissed up at Jacob.I cant do thatThrough my teeth Try. showtime nowIts not possible. Do you remember how much you wanted me around three days ago? How hard it was to be apart from each other? Thats gone for you now, isnt it?I glared, not sure what he was implying.That was her, he told me. From the very beginning. We had to be together, even then.I remembered, and then I understood a tiny part of me was relieved to have the madness explained. But that relief somehow only made me angrier. Was he expecting that to be enough for me? That one little clarification would make me okay with this?Run away while you still can, I threatened.Cmon,Bells Nessie likes me, too, he insisted.I froze. My breathing stopped. stinkpot me, I heard the lack of sound that was their anxious reaction.Whatdid youcall her?Jacob took a step farther back, managing to look sheepish. Well, he mumbled, that name you came u p with is kind of a mouthful and You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster? I screeched.And then I lunged for his throat.