The Push and the New Threat

Chapter 15: The Push and the new threat

Bella woke up the day after the excursion with a feeling of restlessness. During lunch, her friends were excited, talking animatedly about her plans for the next day.

—We should go to La Push to surf," Mike suggested enthusiastically.

—In this weather? —Angela looked at the cold gray sky skeptically.

—Come on, it will be fun. Bella, you have to come! —Jessica insisted.

Bella hesitated for a moment, but after constant requests from her friends, she agreed.

"Okay, I'll go," she said, smiling slightly.

As she headed to the cafeteria to prepare her lunch, she saw Edward approaching her. His presence disconcerted her; She had been so distant and now he seemed different, like he was willing to talk.

"Hello, Bella," Edward said with a smile that disconcerted her

"Wow, your mood changed quickly." "Yesterday you barely wanted to look at me," Bella responded in a sarcastic tone.

Edward did not lose his composure. "I said maybe we shouldn't be friends, not that I don't want to be." His tone was calm, but there was a hidden tension in her voice

Bella looked at him in surprise. —And now you've changed your mind?

Edward returned her gaze with that hypnotic intensity that always left her speechless. —It's complicated, but yeah, I guess I did it.

The conversation flowed between them with a strange mix of attraction and mystery, just like how it had happened on the excursion. Bella, feeling more comfortable, casually invited him to the beach the next day.

—Let's go to La Push. Would you like to come? Bella asked.

Edward hesitated, his expression immediately changing. —The Push? —She repeated, as if the place itself caused her discomfort.

—Yes, it's a popular beach near the reserve. Do you have a problem with that beach? —Bella asked, curious about her reaction

—It's... it's not my kind of place. Edward responded with a slight smile, but there was something in his tone that suggested his response was more than just a preference for avoiding crowds.

Bella let the topic drop, but couldn't help but feel intrigued by Edward's evasion. .

---

The next day, the weather in La Push was cold and cloudy, but that didn't stop Bella's friends, who were determined to surf. Bella, not interested in getting into the icy water, decided to stay talking with Angela on the beach.

As they were talking, Bella saw a familiar figure approaching from a distance. It was Jacob, accompanied by two friends.

—Hey, Bella! —Jacob said with a warm smile as he approached

—Hello, Jake. —Bella smiled back and greeted him.

After a brief introduction to her friends, Bella noticed another familiar figure walking towards them. Ethan, along with his pack in human form, seemed to be finishing a morning exercise on the beach.

Jessica, who was close to her, couldn't help but blurt out a comment in a low voice. —Wow, that boy is impressive...

Ethan approached with a smile, followed by his pack. —Hello, Jake. He—he greeted his younger brother and then Bella. Hello, Bella.

They both waved back, and Bella made introductions to her friends. Ethan's presence commanded respect, and not only because of his imposing physique, but also because of the way his pack followed him without question

—Hey, guys! Keep Bella company, the boy she invited didn't want to come," Jessica said, trying to break the ice

Ethan looked at her curiously and then smiled. —And who did you invite, Bella? —He asked, clearly interested.

Before Bella could respond, Jessica intervened. —He invited Edward Cullen.

The reaction was immediate. Ethan's pack frowned almost in unison, and the atmosphere became more tense. Bella, a little embarrassed, tried to downplay the matter.

"I did it out of courtesy," she said quickly

Angela, ever diplomatic, tried to diffuse the situation. — Ella It was very kind of you. No one ever invites him to anything.

"It's weird," Mike added, with a disgusted expression.

One of Jacob's friends, who had been silent, then spoke. —Yes, very strange. The Cullens don't come to the reservation.

The comment left Bella taken aback, but before she could ask more, another member of the pack, Paul, intervened.

"How I wish they would," he said. , clenching his fists in obvious anger.

Ethan looked at him sternly. —Be careful what you say, Paul. —His tone was firm, and Paul immediately lowered his gaze, silently apologizing

The interaction did not go unnoticed by anyone. The air was thick with tension, but Ethan quickly changed the subject.

"Well, it's time to continue with our exercises," he said, saying goodbye to everyone. See you later.

The pack followed Ethan, walking down the beach as the atmosphere relaxed again.

---

Later, as Jacob and Bella walked along the shore of the beach , she couldn't contain her curiosity.

—What's going on between the Quileutes and the Cullens? "She," she asked.

Jacob shrugged, trying to appear unconcerned. —It's just an old legend, Bella. Nothing important.

—What kind of legend? —Bella insisted, more interested than before.

Jacob smiled, as if he wanted to downplay the matter. —It's just a story they tell us as children. We Quileutes are descended from wolves and we have a treaty with the Cullens. As long as they stay out of our land, there's no problem.

Bella nodded, although she wasn't sure what to think. The mystery that surrounded the Cullens seemed to be present in every corner of their lives since they arrived in Forks.

---

While all this was happening, on a small dock not far from there, a man named Waylon Forge was fixing his boat. The sound of water gently hitting wood filled the air. Everything was calm until suddenly, three figures emerged from nowhere: two men and a woman, all with red eyes and predatory gazes.

Waylon barely had time to look up before they attacked him with lightning speed. and impossible ferocity. He didn't stand a chance. His scream was drowned out by the sound of water and wind, and when it was all over, his body was left limp on the floor of the dock, completely drained of blood

His body would not be found until the end. day after.