CHAPTER NINE

Bella Swan

***

Cliff jumping was something I was used to... but I have never done it with the pack before. 

 My feet hit the ground  in rhythmic beats as I jogged to the edge of the cliff, were I could see the rest of the pack was already gathered. My bare torso was scorching hot, as the day was abnormally hot on the Rez, and I barely even noticed the red truck in front of me until I almost ran into the girl next to it. 

 I dodged quickly, my oddly-graceful feet dancing out of the way, and my head flying up, an apology on the tip of my tongue. "Gosh, sorry I-" 

 "Tony?" A familiar voice questioned, and I almost jumped when Jacob emerged from behind the truck, dropping what looked to be a motorcycle in front of him. "What are-" his voice was cut off by a loud whoop, and I turned just in time to see a figure I could identify as Paul leap off from the top of the cliff. Jacob's eyes narrowed and his teeth clenched. "Oh." 

 "Yeah-" my voice trailed off awkwardly. The girl, Bella Swan I recognized, parted her lips slightly. 

 "You're the Tony from the parking lot?" She blurted, her cheeks dusting red as she took in my new appearance. "Wow you got... uh... taller." 

 I held back my smirk, anxiously rubbing my hair and glancing over to the cliff edge, where it looked like the boys were trying to push Embry off. My gut tugged, like he was in real danger, and against my better judgment, I wanted to get over there as quick as possible. "Yeah, I got a late growth spurt." 

 "You got a late something," Jacob muttered distastefully under his breath, making my heart clench in my chest and anger form a hot pit in my stomach.

 "I gotta go," I maneuvered around the girl, but was stopped from running of by a harsh sentence from Jacob. 

 "Hey Tony, remember when we went cliff-diving?" 

 My entire body seized, and my spine straightened like it had been nailed to a board. My heightened senses could hear Bella suck in a sharp breath, and I forced a cool expression on my face, although my hands were obviously clenched. "Yes." 

 "Remember that Embry came with us? Now all you guys do is hang around Sam like you're some sort of maids." 

 I whirled around, Bella squeaking slightly when she say how dark my eyes were. Hey, maybe they remind her of her little bloodsuckers friend's. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Jacob." 

 "I know that you used to be my best friend," Jacob shot back, and although I was an inch taller than him, his eyes didn't break from mine. "Hey, how's Alyssa doing?" 

 "Alyssa is obviously doing better than you." I shot back to his sassy tone, crossing my arms and doing that thing Paul does when he flexes for intimidation. "So just back off." 

 "See, Embry would laugh at that-" he jabbed his finger at my stomach, and Bella was beginning to look genuinely afraid for her well being. "How's he doing? Does he laugh that much anymore? Or do the drugs effect-"

 I swear to God I didn't mean to, that is the first thing I am saying before I recount what happened next. I lunged forward, placing my hands on his shoulders and harshly pushing him back, so hard he nearly lost his footing. "Leave Embry out of this!" 

 The laughing from the cliff went silent, and I was ninety percent sure we were being watched. This was my chance to prove I had control, so I sucked in a deep breath, closing my eyes and trying my best to picture my best friend when I opened them. Jacob was staring back at me, his eyebrows raised so high they almost disappeared into his hairline, and his eyes looked half amused, half scared. "See? Old Tony wouldn't even be strong enough to do that." 

 "Well old Jacob wouldn't be taunting his friends for no reason!" 

 "Friends?" He actually did laugh this time, but it wasn't a Jacob laugh, it was a cold, humorless laugh. "Sorry, I didn't realize friends completely ignore friends for a month without explanation." 

 I paused for a second, trying to calm the wolf threatening to crawl out of my throat. I could smell Embry now, getting closer and making me unintentionally calm down enough to get a good look at Jacob. His skin was flushed, he was definitely taller than the last time I saw him, and his entire body was tense, like he was ready to run away. 

 I smirked, oh wow, Jake is totally gonna phase. 

 His expression fell slightly, and a flash of fear shot through his eyes. He suspected something was up, I could tell. He wasn't stupid. Naive maybe, but not stupid. "What?" 

 "I think you'll figure it out soon enough, Jakie." I drawled, using the nickname I knew he hated just to provoke him further. His nostril's flared, but I knew for a fact I had the upper hand in this scenario. Bella Swan was still watching us like her favorite horror movie was on, but I knew she was too afraid to intervene. "We'll talk later."

 The sharp pull at my gut made me bite my lip and turn away, seeing Embry staring at me from down the road. I couldn't read his thoughts, but I could feel it in my gut that he was telling me to quit it.  

 So I did. 

 I flounced over to the boy as if I had just won a fight, grinning like an idiot, but not in the way you would expect. Jacob was going to understand, I would get another friend back. 

 "What the hell was that?" Embry demanded, and my grin only widened as I leaned down, my lips barely brushing his ear, I felt him seize up, the air leaving his lips in an airy gasp. 

 "Jake's gonna phase." 

 And with that, I smirked again and grabbed his arm so we could meet the rest of the pack. 

 ***

 I fuckin' knew it. 

 "I fuckin' knew it!" I announced as I raced into Billy Black's yard for what feels like the millionth time in a month. This was like the designated gathering spot for whenever someone shifts. Sam crossed his arms, his voice gruff, "he ran off. Carter, Call, I want you to find him, try and calm him down." 

 "Roger," Embry saluted, the rain running down his face. I blinked water from my eyes, giving the Alpha a thumbs up and turning to Embry, peeling off my shirt and tossing it to the side, cracking my knuckles and grinning. "Race ya." 

 I felt the familiar fizzing sensation spread across my body as I jumped into the air, feeling weightless for a moment, before my feet hit the ground and I took off into the woods. 

 Hey, I wasn't ready! 

 Too bad, slowpoke!

 The rain didn't seem to corrupt my vision, as I was moving so fast everything was a blur. I picked up on the familiar scent of the other canine, Jacob's scent literally smelling like wet dog. He was fast, faster than I had been the first time, and his fur was the same color as his skin. His head turned around for a brief second, catching sight of me, howling, and quickening his fast. 

 It's me! I thought hard, like he wouldn't be able to hear me if I didn't put every ounce of my strength into the thought. Jacob's running faltered for a moment, before picking up again. I hear Embry start to scream random words at Jacob, them all blurring together in a big rush that made me laugh in my head. The small falter was all I needed to catch up, my paws pounding against the ground, but my chest not burning in the slightest. I crashed my shoulder against Jacobs, knocking him off balance. 

 Oh no, oh no, this is not happening. 

 I would have smirked if I could, pressing my front legs firmly against Jacob's wide chest and growling slightly. Sorry bud, it is. 

 Jesus Christ-

 Embry skidded past us, his legs slipping on the damp leaves, crashing into a tree and falling over, scrambling to his feet and trying to act nonchalant. 

 Huh, what- Embry? 

 I did a mental-assessment of the other wolf, leaving Jacob to wonder why my thoughts were all a mix of curse words, Embry's name, and names of hospitals. 

 I'm fine. 

 I rolled my eyes, the strength in my arms making me want to press down harder, but restraining from doing so. Jake, you need to calm down. 

 What's happening? Am I drugged? 

 That guy needs to shut the hell up about drugs. I thought, making Embry nod in agreement. 

 Wh-it's raining-what? Tony?

I tried my best for a smile, although I am sure it looked possibly homicidal with my rows of razor-sharp teeth. 

 Yeah, who else would it be?

A/N: Guys you are getting some heavy Tembry-

 Emony? 

 Tonbry? 

 I don't freakin' know. 

 Anyway, y'all are getting some heavy Tembry in the next chapter so buckle your seatbelts!!!