Seth holds my hand in his, his arm wrapped tightly around me as we walk back down the mountain. I feel bad; he's stuck in the middle of this. As we've walked he's filled me in on some of what's gone on and by the sounds of it he is very fond of the Cullens.

I sigh. "Seth, just walk ahead or something."

"No no it's fine." He smiles. He's getting impatient with my slow pace and my shivering and my mood... "But hey. I have an idea... if you're open to it."

I frown. "Depends on what..."

"How about I just show you?" He asks; his eyes are pleading deep down in the depths of their warmth.

I slowly nod and he motions for me to wait. He disappears, running out of sight in a matter of seconds. I wrap my arms around me missing his warmth but soon enough the same wolf from earlier appears, trotting over gracefully.

I take a shaky breath as he kneels beside me, taking it easy and letting me adjust. I slowly reach out and run my fingers through his fur, his eyes closing as a purr type sound leaves his snout.

I smile gently. "What does this have to do with anything?" I whisper.

He whines and looks over his shoulder at his back and it takes a moment but it clicks. Oh. "I um I have to get up there..?" Even bowing down at me, his back is above my chest.

He let's out a laugh type sound and lays down flat, resting his head on his paws. I giggle small and sigh, gaining the courage to climb on top of him. The warmth is inviting and I take a deep breath laying against him, his soft fur comforting.

He slowly stands and I tangle my fingers in his neck fur, gripping tightly but trying not to pull. He looks over making sure I'm okay; I give a small nod and he begins to run, easily picking up speed.

I squeal and gasp, adrenaline coursing through me. I let out a surprisingly happy and excited laugh, shrieking at the speed. Seth let's out a happy howl and I giggle rubbing his neck. He swerved quickly but agilely through the forest like he's done it a thousand times. I notice the familiar driveway shoot by but I ignore it, the trill overpowering my previous anger and other emotions.

He sticks to the forest the entire time and I vaguely recognise the Swans house as we near. Seth slows and lays down which I take as a sign to get down. I jump down and lean on a tree as the adrenaline settles and Seth changes. He re-emerges with his black hair messy and his eyes bright, a grin stretched across his face.

"Whatcha think?"

"That was... AWESOME!" I shriek and throw my arms around him.

He laughs and hugs back, pulling away and looking down at me. I look back up at him and bite my lip, our eyes locked. Ever so slowly he leans in and I find myself leaning in too...

"Ahem."

We both jump away and stand a few feet apart; chief Swan stands in the doorway smirking, his arms crossed. I flush deep red.

"Good afternoon, chief Swan." I blush more.

"Hey, kid, remember it's Charlie." He laughs. "You kids coming in or standing in the cold?" He raises an eyebrow.

I blush again and Seth motions me in first. I quickly walk up the steps and into the warm, sighing a little in relief. Charlie takes a look at my face for a moment, the previous smile gone.

He puts his hands on his hips. "Is everything okay? Did something happen?" He sounds professional.

I nod fast. "Yes, yes. I fell in the shower." I blush.

"You sure? No one.. no one did this?"

"No chief - I mean Charlie. Scouts honour." I hold up my hand.

He nods and goes to the kitchen where I hear Mrs Swan. "Seth?" She calls.

He runs to the kitchen and kisses her cheek. "Hey mom. You remember Adley?"

She turns around and nods. "I do. Hello, Adley."

I blush and wave gently. She looks like she's just finished cooking. "I didn't make enough for 4, not with the amount Seth devours. I can rustle something else up?"

"Yes." Seth licks his lips as I shake my head. "No thank you, Mrs Swan."

"Please call me Sue." She chuckles. "Seth, there's left over pizza in the fridge if you're that hungry. Now why are you guys here? Not that I don't like seeing my only son but I take it this is serious...?" She eyes my face.

I wonder how much her and Charlie know as Seth responds. "She had a fight with Carlisle and Esme about... stuff. The whole family got involved and the pack and I was just thinking maybe she can stay here for the night?"

"Of course she can." Sue says, eying me doubtfully.

I look at the kitchen floor. "Its okay, Mr and Mrs Swan..."

"C'mon, dad, my rooms free." A female voice says.

I turn around and see Bella, automatically stepping back as my heart leaps. She leans in the doorway with Jacob at her side, looking at me.

"N-no it's fine." I whisper.

Charlie frowns at our interaction. "What's going on?"

"Nothing. I'm sorry for bothering you." I whisper and rush past them, past Jacob who's silently having a conversation with Seth.

Bella shakes her head at her father and follows me as I rush out the front door. "Adley Daley, Will you just stop!"

"Don't!" I yell. "You have no right! Leave me alone!" I beg as I walk fast down the street.

She's in front of me in seconds making me scream a little in fear. I quickly pivot on my heel and turn but she's there again. I let out an exasperated yell. "Will you go away!"

"Keep your voice down." She hisses, her eyes cold and hard. "Stop being so childish and come home. I can already smell that you're getting sick."

I shudder when she says that - It creeps me the hell out. "So what? I'm sick anyway."

"No, you aren't. Carlisle was going to tell you soon but Esme convinced him to let the doctors tell you next week. You're in remission, Ady." She reached for my hand.

I pull it away. "Liar..."

She rolls her eyes. "Liar? Really? I don't lie."

I scoff. "You do. What have you all been doing these last 3 or whatever months?!"

"We never lied. We just didn't want to scare you."

"Oh great job!" I say sarcastically.

She frowns. "You're scared of us..? Adley, we don't feed on humans." She whispers lowly so only I hear. Charlie is watching our interaction from the doorway, obviously debating whether to come over or not.

I look back at her. "How did you react when you found out?" I demand.

"Not like this-"

"Exactly." I snap, stopping her from continuing. "So don't tell ME how to react when you have no idea how I feel. No idea."

She sighs. "I'm sorry... but how do you expect me or us to understand when you won't let us near you to listen or talk?"

"Your husband probably already dug through my head." I retort.

She looks shocked that I know. "Seth. He has a big mouth." She tuts and shakes her head. She looks back up at me. "If I give you 24 hours to process this all will you agree to talk to us? I promise none of us will bother you for exactly 24 hours."

I think for a moment; maybe that's enough time to leave... "Fine."

"Don't bother running." Damn it. "The pack is watching. Jacob has Embry and Sam patrolling near by." She warns.

I snarl lowly and barge past her back to the house. Charlie looks past me at Bella; she nods once as if to say it's okay and he let's me in. I walk straight upstairs ignoring Seth calling me. Jacob seems pissed as Seth ignores what he says and watches me.

×××××

▪Bella POV▪

24 hours to work out exactly what to say to her. I sigh and watch her storm inside; Charlie looks over at me and raises an eyebrow. I nod once and he sighs, nodding in return.

I head back inside and see Jacob grab Seth as he gets distracted by Ady walking upstairs. "Seth!" He snaps.

Seth looks back at him and shrugs his hand off. "What."

"You had no right to tell her anything! It's the Cullens business, not ours!"

Seth rolls his eyes. "Sorry, alpha." He spits at Jacob in an icy voice.

Jacobs hands begin to shake and him and Seth have a stare off. I see Charlie about to step in but I get there first, placing a hand on each of their chests. "Enough. You'll hate yourselves if you hurt Charlie or Sue."

Seth pushes my hand off and storms upstairs as Jacob kicks the wall, making plaster dust fall. "Stupid kid!"

"Jacob." Sue frowns as Jacob insults her son. "He's almost 19, he's an adult. Will you learn to trust him Please?"

Jacob doesn't respond so I shove him. "Lets go. Dad, well be back tomorrow around this time to get Adley. Is that okay?"

He nods, his lips pursed and his eyebrows in an almost permanent frown. "Yeah Bells..."

I go over and kiss his cheek; I'm glad he remarried. Makes me less guilty about leaving him alone. "Bye dad."

I smile small and push Jacob out of the house first. He just growls. "Gobby kid." He snaps.

I sigh. "We have 24 hours, Jacob. I promised her 24 hours and then if she wants to leave she can..." he stops in his tracks, the shaking gone instantly. "I know... we have to be smart about this."

We have to figure this out. This may just ruin this family more than I did...