Chapter Nine
Bella's POV

I expected Paul to fight back, or at the very least a snarky comment but he said nothing. Instead he slowly rose to his feet, a large hand rubbing at his throat with his eyes downcast - like a well chastised puppy.

What the hell just happened?

My eyes flicked back to Sam who I hadn't noticed was reaching out to me, his face full of concern and anguish, all traces of the anger he'd just directed towards Paul gone. My gaze was locked on those deep brown eyes; unable to look away once again as they drew me in, almost as if they were telling me a story. It was only the sudden warmth around my wrist that managed to pull me away.

I looked down in shock at the tanned fingers cradling my pale arm, his touch a thousand times gentler than Paul's had been just moments before. "Are you OK?" Sam's voice was husky and pained, as if it was him that had been harmed. This was too much.

I yanked my hand away from him roughly, taking a step back from his close proximity and then another. "I'm fine," I spat harshly. I looked between the four men with as much anger as I could muster, hiding the relentless confusion taking over my mind.

Sam had the nerve to step towards me. "Bella – " he began, his voice pleading, but I didn't allow him the chance for whatever he wanted to stay, the chance to put me under his spell again.

"I said I'm fine!" I hissed, walking backwards now. "Stay away from Jacob -" my eyes were focused on Embry for that one but they snapped back to Sam as the next words slipped from my mouth. "Stay away from me." And then I was gone, my feet pushing through the sand as I sprinted across the beach, back up the worn down path and I didn't stop until I reached Jake's.

My breath was coming in short pants as I leaned against the side of my truck, desperate for air. It was safe to say I was in no way athletic but I was sure it wasn't just the short run that had taken it out of me. My mind was flying in circles, relentlessly trying to work out what the hell had just happened. Why did Sam affect me so much? Wasn't this the whole reason I left Edward? Because of his inhuman ability to affect my entire being – the only difference was Sam was human. Right?

By the time I arrived home I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed and not wake up until Monday. I'm sure Charlie could fend for himself just one weekend. My plans were waylaid however when I pulled up to find an all too familiar Volvo parked behind Charlie's cruiser. What the hell?

I hopped out of the truck immediately, the heavy door slamming behind me no doubt noting my presence to anyone in the house. Why was Edward here?

My eyes almost popped out of my head at the scene I found in my kitchen. Edward and Charlie in a face off at the table, Edward with his hands folded politely on his lap, Charlie with his arms folded gruffly but both with matching grimaces as they appraised each other.

Neither acknowledged me even though I knew they were both very aware I was there. I cleared my throat; I wasn't in the mood for any more shit. "What's going on?" I asked suspiciously.

The two men finally looked up from their stare off, Edward jumping to his feet as graceful as ever. His stone arms pulled me into him, wrapping around my tightly as he inhaled. I felt the tell-tale rumble in his chest of a silent growl. "You're OK," he muttered in a strained voice. I was too shocked to move. What on earth was he doing? And why wouldn't I have been OK?

Edward's sweet scent washed over me and I couldn't stop my mind from wishing it was a much earthier, manlier scent. Wishing the arms around me were warm russet muscular ones. Edward's arms didn't feel right anymore, it was like I was betraying a certain someone and that thought didn't sit well with me at all.

I pushed Edward away with a huff, surprised he let me but I guess he hadn't forgot Charlie was still sitting there less that pleased.

"What the hell are you doing, Edward?"

Charlie let out an amused snort which I silenced with my glare. "Alrighty then," he scratched his moustache as he stood up, "I'll just leave you kids to it. Just holler if you need me, Bells." He looked at me meaningfully before he left the room and I heard the muted drone of a game coming from the living room.

I looked back at Edward expectantly, one eyebrow raised. "Well?"

Edward had the gall to look annoyed at me! "I didn't believe Alice at first when she told me, I didn't think you could be that stupid, love but smelling it for myself I see she was right. Do you have a death wish?"

I gaped at Edward. My head was about to explode from all the confusion being thrown at it. I swear it was one step away from a coma. "I have no idea what you're going on about, Edward."

He looked at me like I was stupid.

"Really, Bella? Those mutts you're hanging out with in La Push. You're going to get yourself killed!"

Mutts?

Realizing I was still confused Edward let out a deep sigh. "Werewolves, Bella. Don't tell me you didn't know."

A/N - Well I'm back! I have lots of grovelling and making up to do, I know but well over a year later I have returned. I recently checked my email for this account and was overwhelmed with the amount of support I'm still getting for the story that I just had to pick it back up. So hopefully I'm here for good with a refreshed brain and many many ideas for this story.

I apologize for any mistakes that may be here and for the shortness, this is unedited and was rushed in my haste to get something to you guys but I hope you like it!

Let me know what you think about naughty Edward revealing the wolves secrets!

-Savanna