Chap. 9

I only own plot rest belongs to SM.

Chapter nine.

*Edwards POV*

The sound of a bell twinkling grew closer to where I was seated. What in the world was that?

Then the jaguar pounced out of the brush with a bell around its neck.

That settled it! This jaguar had to belong to someone.

"Hello." I called out. I padded so close to me that I barely had to reach out for the silver bell around its neck.

When my hand grasped it I was afraid it would thrash to get away but the jaguar stayed put, panting slightly.

I turned the bell around in my hand and found the name Bella spelled out in red.

"Bella? That's your name?"

The cat growled out playfully and shook her head back and forth in glee. Bella nudged my hand and I pet her.

"Well I guess I made a deal. I would tell you my name if you tell me yours." I took an unneeded breath. "Hello Bella, my name is Edward Cullen, and I can read minds."

The cat stilled and then looked at me. My brows came together, trying to figure out what was going through Bella's mind.

Of course I had never been able to read animals minds.

"If your worried about me reading your mind then don't. I can't read animal minds. Only my families and the humans around me."

Bella huffed and shrugged out from my hand. She stalked away, the bell tinkling.

"Now what did I do?" I complained.

The cat looked back at me and I was reminded of the first time we met.

"You want me to follow you?" I got up and dusted off the seat of my pants then picked up my sketch book. "Alright then. Lead the way."

Bella ran ahead, dodging trees at the last minute. She was so fast!

Then the lights of my house came into view and Bella padded up to the back door.

Suddenly fear shot through me. What if my family decided to kill her for her blood?

With vampire speed I joined her. I would tell them that Bella was off limits when hunting.

I opened the slider and she dashed inside.

Esme was sitting on the couch reading a book but didn't look up at my entrance. She didn't look up until Bella landed on the couch next to her.

She let out a surprised yelp and stood.

"Edward! Why did you let it into the house?" Esme asked indignantly.

"Mom I want you to meet Bella. I found her in the forest a few days ago and I guess she wanted to meet you." I chuckled.

The rest of the family came down after hearing the commotion. "Oh! Isn't she beautiful?" Alice said and came down the stairs while the rest of then stayed on the steps.

Alice sat down in Esme's place and tentatively reached out a hand. I held my breath in anticipation to what the jaguar would do.

Bella purred in contentment at her touch.

"Hello Bella, welcome to our home." Alice said and continued to pet her.

"Edward?" Emmett questioned.

In my mind I head the rest of the question. 'What's up with the cat?'

"I found her. Or well, she found me." I said again, corrected myself. I recounted every meeting but left out the part with the sketch pad.

"Oh can we keep her?" Alice suddenly asked.

"No. I think she belongs to someone else." I said quickly. "I've tried to follow her but she wouldn't let me."

The family laughed at this. They came down from the stairs slowly so as not to surprise Bella.

Soon they all were petting her. A while later we were all sitting around with a sleeping Bella curled up on Alice's lap. It looked like Alice was wearing a huge fur coat.

"Oh she's so warm!" Alice closed her eyes as warmth crept from Bella to engulf Alice. "But its a good warm."

Suddenly Bella opened her eyes, looked out the windows, and went to the front door, crying to be let out. The sun was hadn't made an appearance yet but you could start to see the pink rays brighten the sky. Still a few hours until school.

I opened the door and Bella dashed out and into the surrounding brush without a looking back. But I knew she would be back tonight.

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There you have it! Chapter nine. Vote, comment, fan (I fan back) tell people I'm here! If you have questions then don't be afraid to ask.

Yours S.A.