Blood Moon

5

Protection

The next morning, after Paul, Jake, and Sam were done with patrol, they raced over to my house to figure out who was in the house. Bella and I stood outside, on opposite sides of the driveway, waiting for the guys to arrive. Edward arrived first, parking beside Bella and greeting her with a hug. The rumble of a truck sounded from down the road, and Sam sped around the corner and into the driveway, barely throwing the truck into park before the three wolves clambered out of the cab.

"Lena, are you okay?" Sam spoke first, wrapping an arm around me.

"You still reek of Cullen." Jake muttered, checking me over for injuries. Paul shoved them both aside and wrapped me in his arms, burying his face in my neck as he inhaled deeply.

"Are you hurt?" Paul whispered.

"No." I shook my head. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Paul asked, pulling away to look me in the eyes.

"I'm not hurt." I repeated. "But I am upset and a little on edge."

"Sam." Edward sounded, prompting all three wolves to tense up. I grabbed onto Paul's arm and followed the guys over to Bella and Edward.

"Jake, hey." Bella smiled. Jake nodded at her, turning back to face Sam.

"Doctor Cullen said there was an intruder." Sam sounded, glaring down at Edward.

"I found his scent in both Bella and Helena's rooms." Edward informed.

"Let's go." Sam nodded his head, leading Paul and Jake into the house. I trailed after them, painfully aware of Bella and Edward whispering behind me. The wolves spread out, tracking the unfamiliar scent around the house. Paul hovered by the couch for a moment before shooting me a look.

"The vampire was there, huh?" I questioned. Paul nodded, tilting his head at me. "After you left, I saw a figure standing over my dad while he napped. I turned the light on and he was gone."

"He was here with you?" Paul breathed. "And I left you here?"

"He must've just come in when you left." I shrugged. "Otherwise you would've caught his scent."

"He was definitely in Lena's room." Jake came walking down the stairs with a sneer. "I think he took one of your shirts."

"What?" I asked, my heartbeat quickening.

"One of those Forks High shirts you got from track is missing from the hanger." Jake shrugged. "Other than that, the only other thing he touched was the wolf bracelet."

"Your room also smells like Edward." Sam scrunched his nose up. "Your scents kind of come together at the door and then through to the front door."

"I told you he grabbed me and locked me in his backseat." I huffed.

"He'll never touch you again." Paul nodded firmly, reaching forward and wrapping his arms around me.

"Come on." Sam muttered, leading us back out front. We reluctantly greeted Bella and Edward at the bottom of the steps leading up to the door, rolling our eyes collectively as Bella huddled closer to Edward.