Bella returned, with the Cullen's in tow.

And like the start of fall, Bella fell into a rhythm with them. It was like no one else existed.

Bella was grounded, naturally, so she couldn't leave the house and Jacob was forbidden from going up there. Well, he was forbidden from going alone because there is no guarantee he'll adhere by the treaty, he already broke the Alpha's orders.

Another reason he wasn't give the Beta position.

While Bella was grounded, I started a semi-relationship. Or friends with benefits relationship with one of the girls on the reservation. She was friends with Jared's imprint, Kim, but she was more than willing to experiment.

I knew it wouldn't last long, she was into someone else (Quill) and truthfully I couldn't do that to him. Right now I just hoped her spending time with me would get Quil to make a move.

Like I said, semi-friends with benefits. Right now, we were more like friends. My interaction with the Cullens was still limited to practically zero.

As the deal remained, I would not hurt any of them nor would I hunt any vampires on their land – except Victoria I didn't care what they said I would hunt her down and kill her the moment I could.

And I would protect my family.

There was of course another issue to deal with. We needed to assure Bella was still human – she had been spending all her time with Edward it was important to remind them they couldn't bite a human. Though, I was starting to think we should let the Cullen's change her. It would be her choice, obviously, but also safer.

If Bella was a vampire we wouldn't have to worry about her safety with Victoria. And if she was planning to be surrounded by the Cullens she might as well. If only to avoid another incident like before.

It also wouldn't be worth a war if they did change her.

I drove up to the Swan residence with Jacob, because he demanded to go. I was the babysitter essentially. I rolled my eyes when Jacob grabbed one of the motorcycles he built for Bella, but didn't say anything. He wanted to get Bella in trouble and that wasn't any of my business.

Besides ensuring she's grounded; also means she can't be changed yet, and she can't do anything reckless again. It also keeps her in one location, so if Victoria comes back, we know where she'll be. Funny how Jacob was so against her being bait and he's know assuring that she was.

After dropping the bike off and Jacob doing some tattling, we waited for the two in the woods behind the house. Where it would be safe incase Jacob and Edward got into it.

I heard Bella yelling before she reached us, "Let me go! I'm going to murder him! Traitor!"

I snorted, I would love to see her slap some sense into the boy, maybe then he would stop believing she was in love with him and move on.

Edward quieted her down, explaining that we were here for him. She was surprised to hear that but quickly covered it. And continued walking towards us.

The couple didn't have to go far, Jacob and I were still near the trail. As they got closer, I stood up from the ground, it was necessary as Jacob was trembling, his anger raging.

Edward shifted to hide Bella behind him, or that's how Jacob would see it. But I could tell this was a sign of protection, Jacob was unstable and angry.

This is why he can't be alone.

"Bella" Jacob nodded without taking his eyes off of Edward. Edward was keeping an eye on Jacob, but I could see his eyes flicker to me a few times. It was expected, I had changed a lot.

"Why?" Bella whispered, but we all could hear her perfectly. "How could you do this to me, Jacob?"

The sneer vanished, but his face stayed hard and rigid. "It's for the best."

"What is that supposed to mean? Do you want Charlie to strangle me? Or did you want him to have a heart attack, like Harry? No matter how mad you are at me, how could you do this to him?"

I grumbled when she mentioned Harry, I knew logically it was a heart attack, but I still blamed myself. And the gunshot scar stayed as a reminder. It wasn't a normal bullet, but silver. For some reason Mark thought those old movie superstitions worked.

It did on me so there was some merit to them. It made me wonder if people saw my ancestors as 'werewolves' and used silver to kill them. It would explain why we decreased in numbers. But damn that one shot must have costs a fortune.

Edward heard the sound but didn't say anything before looking back at Jacob who winced.

"He didn't want to hurt anyone - he just wanted to get you grounded, so that you wouldn't be allowed to spend time with me," Edward murmured, explaining the thoughts Jacob wouldn't say. Bella told me about this before, I told the pack, not purposely but when in wolf form it was harder to keep things a secret.

I was trying when I was 'emotional' things slipped. So intense anger or sadness.

It was stupid, now that I thought about it, Edward could easily sneak into the house and leave before Charlie, or my mom ever found out. It was a positive though, Victoria wouldn't attack while he was there.

So, it was safer for my mom when she stayed at the Swan's and my house had my scent all over it, so she would be stupid to try again.

"I'm already grounded! Why do you think I haven't been down to La Push?"

Jacob's eyes flashed back to Bella, confused for the first time. "That's why?" he asked, and then locked his jaw, like he was sorry he'd said anything.

"He thought I wouldn't let you, not Charlie," Edward explained again.

"Stop that, stay out of my head" Jacob snapped. Edward didn't answer. Jacob shuddered once, and then gritted his teeth as hard as his fists. "You must already know why I'm here."

"Yes," Edward agreed in a soft voice. "But, before you begin, I need to say something."

Jacob waited, clenching, and unclenching his hands as he tried to control the shivers rolling down his arms.

"Thank you," Edward said his eyes flickering between the two of us, and his voice throbbed with the depth of his sincerity. "I will never be able to tell you how grateful I am. I will owe you, both of you, for the rest of my... existence."

The two of us must have looked confused or surprised but Edward clarified.

"For keeping Bella alive," Edward clarified, his voice rough and fervent. "When I... didn't."

"Edward -," Bella started to say, but he held one hand up, his eyes on Jacob and me. I nodded, but Jacob still had a hard mask on.

"I didn't do it for your benefit."

"I know. But that doesn't erase the gratitude I feel. I thought you should know. If there's ever anything in my power to do for you..."

Jacob raised one black brow. And I immediately knew what he was thinking.

Edward shook his head. "That's not in my power."

"Whose, then?" Jacob growled.

"Not, yours. Leave it be Jacob" I snapped. He turned his glare to me before looking back at Edward who had been looking at Bella.

"Hers. I'm a quick learner, Jacob Black, and I don't make the same mistake twice. I'm here until she orders me away."

"Never," she whispered, still locked in Edward's eyes. Jacob made a gagging sound.

"Was there something else you needed, Jacob? You wanted me in trouble - mission Accomplished. Charlie might just send me to military school. But that won't keep me away from Edward. There's nothing that can do that. What more do you want?" Bella replied. I could see the smug response on Jacobs face as he spoke to Edward.

"I just needed to remind your bloodsucking friends of a few key points in the treaty they agreed to. The treaty chat is the only thing stopping me from ripping his throat out right this minute."

"We haven't forgotten," Edward said at the same time that Bella demanded, "What key points?"

"The treaty is quite specific. If any of them bite a human, the truce is over. Bite, not kill," he emphasized, his eyes on Bella.

"That's none of your business."

"The hell it - " was all he managed to choke out before I pushed him backwards.

I looked at Edward "the treaty, as it stands says you can't bite anyone" I purposefully specified as is, meaning it could change. "I will still be around Forks, but will follow the treaty. No phasing or hunting. With one amendment, if I see red-eyes near my family."

Edward nodded "I'll inform the others but I'm sure they won't mind you protecting your family. We'll be sure to inform you if we are expecting visitors"

"BELLA!" Charlie's roar echoed from the direction of the house. "YOU GET IN THIS HOUSE THIS INSTANT!"

Bella spoke first, a tremble in her voice "crap!"

Jacob's furious expression faltered. "I am sorry about that," he muttered. "I had to do what I could - I had to try..."

"Thanks." The tremor in her voice ruined the sarcasm. I stared up the path, half-expecting Charlie to come barreling through the wet ferns like an enraged bull. That would be funny, Charlie finding all of us standing around like we were committing a drug deal.

"Just one more thing," Edward said and then he looked at Jacob and me. "We've found no trace of Victoria on our side of the line - have you?"

I shook my head bristling at the thought of that redhead "no, the last time was while you were away. We let her think she was slipping through but just as we got ready to ambush her, she took off." I shook my head "I tracked her as far south as the forest goes. We think she caught Alice's scent, not hard, it's pretty profound; she hasn't been back since."

Edward nodded. "When she comes back, she's not your problem anymore. We'll - "

"She killed on our turf," Jacob hissed. "She's ours!"

"No -," Bella began to protest both declarations.

"BELLA! I SEE HIS CAR AND I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE! IF YOU AREN'T INSIDE THIS HOUSE IN ONE MINUTE...!" Charlie didn't bother to finish his threat.

"goodbye Alex, Jacob" Edward said before he tried to lead Bella away.

"You don't get to speak for her" Jacob snarled, furious as his hands gripped Bella's arms. Edward and I stepped in between them, I managed to push Jacob back a few feet, but it wasn't enough.

His snarl turned deeper and his whole body shook. Many things happened at once, but the one thing I remember was hearing the shredding of clothes and the smell of blood.

I didn't register the pain until I was already on the ground. I was several feet away from Jacob at this time, his eyes locked on me than looked at Bella, sadness filling his eyes as he turned around and ran off.

"are you all, right?" Edward asked. I looked down at my body, seeing my wounds already starting to heal.

I nodded "yeah, you should get Bella back before Charlie storms the woods"

"what about you?" Bella asked.

"I'm going to go home. I promised to have dinner with my mom... plus if Charlie finds us he'll think Edward did it."

I stood up, Edwards hand under my elbow helping me. I stood for a moment and watched them begin walking back to the house "Edward, can you tell Alice I'm sorry if I was rude before. And I'll be free to discuss my part to the treaty tomorrow if Carlisle has concerns"

Edward nodded then the two of them left me alone. Once they were out of sight I phased and ran off, heading for home. Since Victoria has been out of our state for a few weeks it felt safe to have then back at home, plus my mom was healed enough that she could shower and get dressed on her own.