et me breathe.

Not so great, he murmured. But Ive got a handle on myself. Im sorry that I lost it back there.

My fault. I should have waited to tell you.

No, he disagreed. This is something I needed to know. I cant believe I didnt see it!

Youve got a lot on your mind.

And you dont?

He suddenly kissed me again, not letting me answer. He pulled away after just a second. Charlies on
his way.

Ill have him drop me at your house.

Ill follow you there.

Thats not really necessary, I tried to say, but he was already gone.

Bella? Charlie called from the doorway of the restaurant, squinting into the darkness.
Im out here.

Charlie sauntered out to the car, muttering about impatience.

So, how do you feel? he asked me as we drove north along the highway. Its been a big day.

I feel fine, I lied.

He laughed, seeing through me easily. Worried about the party? he guessed.

Yeah, I lied again.

This time he didnt notice. You were never one for the parties.

Wonder where I got that from, I murmured.

Charlie chuckled. Well, you look really nice. I wish Id thought to get you something. Sorry.

Dont be silly, Dad.

Its not silly. I feel like I dont always do everything for you that I should.

 Thats ridiculous. You do a fantastic job. Worlds best dad. And . . . It wasnt easy to talk about
feelings with Charlie, but I persevered after clearing my throat. And Im really glad I came to live with
you, Dad. It was the best idea I ever had. So dont worry  youre just experiencing post-graduation
pessimism.

He snorted. Maybe. But Im sure I slipped up in a few places. I mean, look at your hand!

I stared down blankly at my hands. My left hand rested lightly on the dark brace I rarely thought about.
My broken knuckle didnt hurt much anymore.

I never thought I needed to teach you how to throw a punch. Guess I was wrong about that.

I thought you were on Jacobs side?

No matter what side Im on, if someone kisses you without your permission, you should be able to
make your feelings clear without hurting yourself. You didnt keep your thumb inside your fist, did you?

No, Dad. Thats kind of sweet in a weird way, but I dont think lessons would have helped. Jacobs
head isreally hard.

Charlie laughed. Hit him in the gut next time.

Next time? I asked incredulously.

Aw, dont be too hard on the kid. Hes young.

Hes obnoxious.
Hes still your friend.

I know. I sighed. I dont really know what the right thing to do here is, Dad.

Charlie nodded slowly. Yeah. The right thing isnt always real obvious. Sometimes the right thing for
one person is the wrong thing for someone else. So . . . good luck figuring that out.

Thanks, I muttered dryly.

Charlie laughed again, and then frowned. If this party gets too wild . . . , he began.

Dont worry about it, Dad. Carlisle and Esme are going to be there. Im sure you can come, too, if you
want.

 Charlie grimaced as he squinted through the windshield into the night. Charlie enjoyed a good party just
about as much as I did.

 Wheres the turnoff, again? he asked. They ought to clear out their drive  its impossible to find in
the dark.

 Just around the next bend, I think. I pursed my lips. You know, youre right  it is impossible to
find. Alice said she put a map in the invitation, but even so, maybe everyone will get lost. I cheered up
slightly at the idea.

Maybe, Charlie said as the road curved to the east. Or maybe not.

The black velvet darkness was interrupted ahead, just where the Cullens drive should be. Someone had
wrapped the trees on either side in thousands of twinkle lights, impossible to miss.

Alice, I said sourly.

 Wow, Charlie said as we turned onto the drive. The two trees at the entry werent the only ones lit.
Every twenty feet or so, another shining beacon guided us toward the big white house. All the way  all
three miles of the way.

She doesnt do things halfway, does she? Charlie mumbled in awe.

Sure you dont want to come in?

Extremely sure. Have fun, kid.

Thanks so much, Dad.

He was laughing to himself as I got out and shut the door. I watched him drive away, still grinning. With
a sigh, I marched up the stairs to endure my party.




17. ALLIANCE
BELLA?

Edwards soft voice came from behind me. I turned to see him spring lightly up the porch steps, his hair
windblown from running. He pulled me into his arms at once, just like he had in the parking lot, and
kissed me again.

This kiss frightened me. There was too much tension, too strong an edge to the way his lips crushed
mine  like he was afraid we only had so much time left to us.

 I couldnt let myself think about that. Not if I was going to have to act human for the next several hours.
I pulled away from him.

Lets get this stupid party over with, I mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

He put his hands on either side of my face, waiting until I looked up.

I wont let anything happen to you.

I touched his lips with the fingers of my good hand. Im not worried about myself so much.

 Why am I not surprised by that? he muttered to himself. He took a deep breath, and then he smiled
slightly. Ready to celebrate? he asked.

I groaned.

 He held the door for me, keeping his arm securely around my waist. I stood frozen there for a minute,
then I slowly shook my head.

Unbelievable.

Edward shrugged. Alice will be Alice.

 The interior of the Cullens home had been transformed into a nightclub  the kind that didnt often
exist in real life, only on TV.

 Edward! Alice called from beside a gigantic speaker. I need your advice. She gestured toward a
towering stack of CDs. Should we give them familiar and comforting? Or  she gestured to a different
pile  educate their taste in music?

Keep it comforting, Edward recommended. You can only lead the horse to water.

 Alice nodded seriously, and started throwing the educational CDs into a box. I noticed that she had
changed into a sequined tank top and red leather pants. Her bare skin reacted oddly to the pulsing red
and purple lights.

I think Im underdressed.

Youre perfect, Edward disagreed.

Youll do, Alice amended.
Thanks. I sighed. Do you really think people will come? Anyone could hear the hope in my voice.
Alice made a face at me.

Everyone will come, Edward answered. Theyre all dying to see the inside of the reclusive Cullens
mystery house.

Fabulous, I moaned.

 There wasnt anything I could do to help. I doubted that  even after I didnt need sleep and moved at
a much faster speed  I would ever be able to get things done the way Alice did.

 Edward refused to let me go for a second, dragging me along with him as he hunted up Jasper and then
Carlisle to tell them of my epiphany. I listened with quiet horror as they discussed their attack on the army
in Seattle. I could tell that Jasper was not pleased with the way the numbers stood, but theyd been
unable to contact anyone besides Tanyas unwilling family. Jasper didnt try to hide his desperation the
way Edward would have. It was easy to see that he didnt like gambling with stakes this high.

I couldnt stay behind, waiting and hoping for them to come home. I wouldnt. I would go mad.

The doorbell rang.

All at once, everything was surreally normal. A perfect smile, genuine and warm, replaced the stress on
Carlisles face. Alice turned the volume of the music up, and then danced to get the door.

 It was a Suburban-load of my friends, either too nervous or too intimidated to arrive on their own.
Jessica was the first one in the door, with Mike right behind her. Tyler, Conner, Austin, Lee, Samantha . .
. even Lauren trailing in last, her critical eyes alight with curiosity. They all were curious, and then
overwhelmed as they took in the huge room decked out like a chic rave. The room wasnt empty; all the
Cullens had taken their places, ready to put on their usual perfect human charade. Tonight I felt like I was
acting every bit as much as they were.

I went to greet Jess and Mike, hoping the edge in my voice sounded like the right kind of excitement.
Before I could get to anyone else, the bell rang again. I let Angela and Ben in, leaving the door wide,
because Eric and Katie were just reaching the steps.

 I didnt get another chance to panic. I had to talk to everyone, concentrate on being upbeat, a hostess.
Though the party had been billed as a joint event for Alice, Edward, and me, there was no denying that I
was the most popular target for congratulations and thanks. Maybe because the Cullens looked just
slightly wrong under Alices party lights. Maybe because those lights left the room dim and mysterious.
Not an atmosphere to make your average human feel relaxed when standing next to someone like
Emmett. I saw Emmett grin at Mike over the food table, the red lights gleaming off his teeth, and watched
Mike take an automatic step back.

 Probably Alice had done this on purpose, to force me into the center of attention  a place she thought
I should enjoy more. She was forever trying to make me be human the way she thought humans should
be.

 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 wasnt as hard as Id thought it would be. I followed Alices lead, mingling and chatting for a minute
with everyone. They seemed easy enough to please. I was sure this party was far cooler than anything the
town of Forks had experienced before. Alice was almost purring  no one here would forget this night.

Id circled the room once, and was back to Jessica. She babbled excitedly, and it was not necessary to
pay strict attention, because the odds were she wouldnt need a response from me anytime soon.
Edward was at my side  still refusing to let go of me. He kept one hand securely at my waist, pulling
me closer now and then in response to thoughts I probably didnt want to hear.

So I was immediately suspicious when he dropped his arm and edged away from me.

Stay here, he murmured in my ear. Ill be right back.

 He passed gracefully through the crowd without seeming to touch any of the close-packed bodies, gone
too quickly for me to ask why he was leaving. I stared after him with narrowed eyes while Jessica
shouted over the music eagerly, hanging on to my elbow, oblivious to my distraction.

 I watched him as he reached the dark shadow beside the kitchen doorway, where the lights only shone
intermittently. He was leaning over someone, but I couldnt see past all the heads between us.

 I stretched up on my toes, craning my neck. Right then, a red light flashed across his back and glinted off
the red sequins of Alices shirt. The light only touched her face for half a second, but it was enough.

 Excuse me for a minute, Jess, I mumbled, pulling my arm away. I didnt pause for her reaction, even to
see if Id hurt her feelings with my abruptness.

I ducked my way through the bodies, getting shoved around a bit. A few people were dancing now. I
hurried to the kitchen door.

Edward was gone, but Alice was still there in the dark, her face blank  the kind of expressionless look
you see on the face of someone who has just witnessed a horrible accident. One of her hands gripped the
door frame, like she needed the support.

What, Alice, what? What did you see? My hands were clutched in front of me  begging.

 She didnt look at me, she was staring away. I followed her gaze and watched as she caught Edwards
eye across the room. His face was empty as a stone. He turned and disappeared into the shadows under
the stair.

The doorbell rang just then, hours after the last time, and Alice looked up with a puzzled expression that
quickly turned into one of disgust.

Who invited the werewolf? she griped at me.

I scowled. Guilty.

 Id thought Id rescinded that invitation  not that Id ever dreamed Jacob would comehere,
regardless.
Well, you go take care of it, then. I have to talk to Carlisle.

No, Alice, wait! I tried to reach for her arm, but she was gone and my hand clutched the empty air.

Damn it! I grumbled.

 I knew this was it. Alice had seen what shed been waiting for, and I honestly didnt feel I could stand
the suspense long enough to answer the door. The doorbell peeled again, too long, someone holding
down the button. I turned my back toward the door resolutely, and scanned the darkened room for
Alice.

I couldnt see anything. I started pushing for the stairs.

Hey, Bella!

Jacobs deep voice caught a lull in the music, and I looked up in spite of myself at the sound of my
name.

I made a face.

It wasnt just one werewolf, it was three. Jacob had let himself in, flanked on either side by Quil and
Embry. The two of them looked terribly tense, their eyes flickering around the room like theyd just
walked into a haunted crypt. Embrys trembling hand still held the door, his body half-turned to run for it.

Jacob was waving at me, calmer than the others, though his nose was wrinkled in disgust. I waved back
 waved goodbye  and turned to look for Alice. I squeezed through a space between Conners and
Laurens backs.

He came out of nowhere, his hand on my shoulder pulling me back toward the shadow by the kitchen. I
ducked under his grip, but he grabbed my good wrist and yanked me from the crowd.

Friendly reception, he noted.

I pulled my hand free and scowled at him. What are youdoing here?

You invited me, remember?

In case my right hook was too subtle for you, let me translate: that was meun inviting you.

Dont be a poor sport. I brought you a graduation present and everything.

 I folded my arms across my chest. I didnt want to fight with Jacob right now. I wanted to know what
Alice had seen and what Edward and Carlisle were saying about it. I craned my head around Jacob,
searching for them.

Take it back to the store, Jake. Ive got to do something. . . .

He stepped into my line of sight, demanding my attention.

I cant take it back. I didnt get it from the store  I made it myself. Took a really long time, too.
 I leaned around him again, but I couldnt see any of the Cullens. Where had they gone? My eyes
scanned the darkened room.

Oh, cmon, Bell. Dont pretend like Im not here!

Im not. I couldnt see them anywhere. Look, Jake, Ive got a lot on my mind right now.

He put his hand under my chin and pulled my face up. Could I please have just a few seconds of your
undivided attention, Miss Swan?

I jerked away from his touch. Keep your hands to yourself, Jacob, I hissed.

 Sorry! he said at once, holding his hands up in surrender. I really am sorry. About the other day, I
mean, too. I shouldnt 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.

Fine. Apology accepted. Now, if youll just excuse me for a moment . . .

 Okay, he mumbled, and his voice was so different from before that I stoppd searching for Alice and
scrutinized his face. He was staring at the floor, hiding his eyes. His lower lip jutted out just a little bit.

I guess youd rather be with yourreal friends, he said in the same defeated tone. I get it.

I groaned. Aw, Jake, you know thats not fair.

Do I?

Youshould.  I leaned forward, peering up, trying to look into his eyes. He looked up then, over my
head, avoiding my gaze.

Jake?

He refused to look at me.

 Hey, you said you made me something, right? I asked. Was that just talk? Wheres my present? My
attempt to fake enthusiasm was pretty sad, but it worked. He rolled his eyes and then grimaced at me.

I kept up the lame pretense, holding my hand open in front of me. Im waiting.

 Right, he grumbled sarcastically. But he also reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a
small bag of a loose-woven, multi-colored fabric. It was tied shut with leather drawstrings. He set it on
my palm.

Hey, thats pretty, Jake. Thanks!

He sighed. The present isinside, Bella.
Oh.

 I had some trouble with the strings. He sighed again and took it from me, sliding the ties open with one
easy tug of the right cord. I held my hand out for it, but he turned the bag upside down and shook
something silver into my hand. Metal links clinked quietly against each other.

I didnt make the bracelet, he admitted. Just the charm.

 Fastened to one of the links of the silver bracelet was a tiny wooden carving. I held it between my
fingers to look at it closer. It was amazing the amount of detail involved in the little figurine  the
miniature wolf was utterly realistic. It was even carved out of some red-brown wood that matched the
color of his skin.

Its beautiful, I whispered. Youmade this? How?

He shrugged. Its something Billy taught me. Hes better at it than I am.

Thats hard to believe, I murmured, turning the tiny wolf around and around in my fingers.

Do you really like it?

Yes! Its unbelievable, Jake.

He smiled, happily at first, but then the expression soured. Well, I figured that maybe it would make
you remember me once in a while. You know how it is, out of sight, out of mind.

I ignored the attitude. Here, help me put it on.

 I held out my left wrist, since the right was stuck in the brace. He fastened the catch easily, though it
looked too delicate for his big fingers to manage.

Youll wear it? he asked.

Of course I will.

He grinned at me  it was the happy smile that I loved to see him wear.

 I returned it for a moment, but then my eyes shot reflexively around the room again, anxiously scanning
the crowd for some sign of Edward or Alice.

Whyre you so distracted? Jacob wondered.

Its nothing, I lied, trying to concentrate. Thanks for the present, really. I love it.

 Bella? His brows pulled together, throwing his eyes deep into their shadow. Somethings going on,
isnt it?

Jake, I . . . no, theres nothing.

Dont lie to me, you suck at lying. You should tell me whats going on. We want to know these things,
he said, slipping into the plural at the end.

 He was probably right; the wolves would certainly be interested in what was happening. Only I wasnt
sure what thatwas yet. I wouldnt know for sure until I found Alice.

Jacob, I will tell you. Just letme figure out whats happening, okay? I need to talk to Alice.

Understanding lit his expression. The psychic saw something.

Yes, just when you showed up.

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

Its related, I admitted.

 He processed that for a minute, leaning his head to one side while he read my face. You know
something youre not telling me . . . somethingbig .

What was the point in lying again? He knew me too well. Yes.

 Jacob stared at me for one short moment, and then turned to catch his pack brothers eyes where they
stood in the entry, awkward and uncomfortable. When they took in his expression, they 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 me.

Now. Explain, Jacob demanded.

Embry and Quil looked back and forth between our faces, confused and wary.

 Jacob, I dont know everything. I kept searching the room, now for a rescue. They had me backed
into a corner in every sense.

What youdo know, then.

They all folded their arms across their chests at exactly the same moment. It was a little bit funny, but
mostly menacing.

And then I caught sight of Alice descending the stairs, her white skin glowing in the purple light.

Alice! I squeaked in relief.

She looked right at me as soon as I called her name, despite the thudding bass that should have
drowned my voice. I waved eagerly, and watched her face as she took in the three werewolves leaning
over me. Her eyes narrowed.

But, before that reaction, her face was full of stress and fear. I bit my lip as she skipped to my side.

Jacob, Quil, and Embry all leaned away from her with uneasy expressions. She put her arm around my
waist.
I need to talk to you, she murmured into my ear.

Er, Jake, Ill see you later . . . , I 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 whats going on, he demanded in a growl.

 Jasper appeared quite literally out of nowhere. One second it was just Alice and me against the wall,
Jacob blocking our exit, and then Jasper was standing on the other side of Jakes 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 stepped in between them, and the three werewolves braced themselves.

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

Nobody paid any attention to me. Jacob glared at Alice while Jasper glowered at Jacob. Alices face
was suddenly thoughtful.

Its okay, Jasper. He actually has a point.

Jasper did not relax his position.

I was sure the suspense was going to make my head explode in about one second. What did you see,
Alice?

She stared at Jacob for one second, and then turned to me, evidently having chosen to let them hear.

The decisions been made.

Youre going to Seattle?

No.

I felt the color drain out of my face. My stomach lurched. Theyre coming here, I choked out.

 The Quileute boys watched silently, reading every unconscious play of emotion on our faces. They were
rooted in place, and yet not completely still. All three pairs of hands were trembling.

Yes.

To Forks, I whispered.

Yes.
For?

She nodded, understanding my question. One carried your red shirt.

I tried to swallow.

 Jaspers expression was disapproving. I could tell he didnt like discussing this in front of the
werewolves, but he had something he needed to say. We cant let them come that far. There arent
enough of us to protect the town.

I know, Alice said, her face suddenly desolate. But it doesnt matter where we stop them. There still
wont be enough of us, and some of them will come here to search.

No! I whispered.

The noise of the party overwhelmed the sound of my denial. All around us, my friends and neighbors and
petty enemies ate and laughed and swayed to the music, oblivious to the fact that they were about to face
horror, danger, maybe death. Because of me.

Alice, I mouthed her name. I have to go, I have to get away from here.

That wont help. Its not like were dealing with a tracker. Theyll still come looking here first.

 Then I have to go to meet them! If my voice hadnt been so hoarse and strained, it might have been a
shriek. If they find what theyre looking for, maybe theyll go away and not hurt anyone else!

Bella! Alice protested.

Hold it, Jacob ordered in a low, forceful voice. Whatis coming?

Alice turned her icy gaze on him. Our kind. Lots of them.

Why?

For Bella. Thats all we know.

There are too many for you? he asked.

Jasper bridled. We have a few advantages, dog. It will be an even fight.

No, Jacob said, and a strange, fierce half-smile spread across his face. It wont beeven .

Excellent! Alice hissed.

I stared, still frozen in horror, at Alices new expression. Her face was alive with exultation, all the
despair wiped clean from her perfect features.

She grinned at Jacob, and he grinned back.

Everything just disappeared, of course, she told him in a smug voice. Thats inconvenient, but, all
things considered, Ill take it.

Well have to coordinate, Jacob said. It wont be easy for us. Still, this is our job more than yours.

I wouldnt go that far, but we need the help. We arent going to be picky.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, I interrupted them.

 Alice was on her toes, Jacob leaning down toward her, both of their faces lit up with excitement, both of
their noses wrinkled against the smell. They looked at me impatiently.

Coordinate? I repeated through my teeth.

You didnt honestly think you were going to keep us out of this? Jacob asked.

Youare staying out of this!

Your psychic doesnt 