The next day, Maya was showing Jared and Jacob around the house so that they could memorize the intruder's scent. Her dad was at work but Bella was home and trailing behind them. Originally Bella had tried to show them around but given that she did not have enhanced senses and all the Cullens were often at their house thanks to Maya, she had only confused the boys.
The group was just finishing up, Maya handing over one of her sweaters that had the intruder's scent on it for them to take back to the rest when Jasper pulled up on his bike. It had been agreed that none of the Cullens would be in the house so as to not muddle the scent. As such Jasper had gone hunting this morning with Emmet while Maya showed the wolves around. Edward on the other hand, had arrived before the wolves and stubbornly insisted on staying. He stood leaning against his car, glaring at them any time they passed by a window.
Maya was wondering what was going through his mind. Did he honestly think that they were going to attack Bella or something? There was such a thing as being too overprotective. Bella might consider it romantic that he did not want to let her out of his sight for a single moment but Maya just considered it controlling.
As they exited the house Bella made a beeline for Edward, Jacob following behind her. Maya cut left to fill Jasper in, ignoring the love triangle spat that was no doubt happening behind her. Jared, apparently hoping to do the same, followed her.
"So, you're the leech she's imprinted on" he said by way of greeting.
Or maybe he just wanted the chance to pick his own fight Maya mused with an eye roll.
"You must be one of the mutts she enjoys toying with" Jasper returned in kind. "Was it you she caught in her glitter trap or was that another wolf?"
"If you two start acting like Jake and Edward I'm dumping a gallon of glitter on you both" Maya warned in exasperation.
Jared laughed at that. "You don't have to worry about that KitKat. I've just been given the job of delivering a warning to your leech here."
He turned to face Jasper then, who had cocked a brow, silently asking him what he had to say. "We understand that as her imprint we can't get you to leave her alone. But keep in mind that should you do anything to hurt her we will hunt you down and tear you apart."
"I do anything to hurt her and you won't have to hunt me down. I will gladly stand there and let you tear me apart" Jasper said, extending his hand towards the wolf.
Jared considered it for a moment before reaching out to take the offered hand. "You know, I think I may just believe you. Maya told us what you did to that red-heads mate when she first started showing up. I'm glad she has someone like you to watch her back. God knows she needs it given how much she loves to get into trouble."
Jasper laughed outright at that. "You have no idea. From some of the stories I've heard, you wolves got off light these past few months."
"Laugh it up you two. See where it gets you" Maya warned with her arms crossed over her chest.
They both laughed at that, throwing their arms up in a show of surrender. Jared opened his mouth to defend himself, just as Edward's raised voice interrupted them.
"Alright, we're done here."
"No, you're done here!" Jacob shot back.
"Stop! I'm tired of this. From now on I'm Switzerland, okay?" Bella said, finally making a move to get between them.
"Should we stop them?" Jared asked, not really wanting to get in the middle of it.
"Would there be any point?" Maya asked in return, letting out an annoyed sigh.
"Now Darlin', you have to give Bella some credit for stepping in to stop them" Jasper pointed out jokingly.
"Yeah, after how many weeks of fighting?" Jared cut in with a snort, crossing his arms.
"Not to mention she could end this whole thing anytime if she would only pick a guy and stop leading the other one on" Maya added, sending a glare towards the three who were still arguing. Honestly, you would think they were in their own little world with the way they ignored everyone else around them.
Jasper let out his own sigh of annoyance, silently agreeing with the points they made. However, given that he actually had plans for this afternoon, plans that involved some alone time with his girl, he could not let this fight continue. So with great reluctance he stepped forward to break the two boys up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Over the next few weeks, the wolves and the Cullens took their shifts guarding the house. Maya felt bad that they were forced to do it when she was there. Especially as the days wore on and neither Victoria nor the stranger showed up. As such, she began to join them outside.
She would bring food out to the wolves, laughing quietly as she tossed the food up in the air for them to catch. After they were done eating she would curl up against one of them, gently running her hands through their fur and chatting aimlessly with them. Mostly though since they could not respond she told them stories of pranks she pulled with her brothers. They all got a kick about her telling them about the times she messed with her vampire family.
With the Cullens, she brought out cards or other games and a blanket to sit on. They would stay out there like that, playing and chatting together. She could not stay for long every night as she still had schoolwork to do, but she always made sure to have her work done when she knew Edward would be taking a shift. He would arrive and immediately climbed in Bella's window to spend his shift with her, leaving whoever took the shift with him alone.
Due to this, Jasper had begun partnering with Edward as it gave him time to spend with Maya alone. With the current circumstances, they had very few chances to spend time as a couple and he would take any chance he could.
As for Bella, when Edward was not there, she could usually be found in her room. Maya and everyone else would notice her watching them from her window from time to time. She would stare at them for a few minutes before going back to whatever she had been doing but would eventually make her way back to the window to watch them. She never made a move to come out and talk to them though, even when Jacob was the one on shift.