Author's Notes: Finally back with the second chapter. This was quite a doozy to write, considering that this is the 3rd to last chapter in the series. We're preparing for the battle! It took a lot of self determination to get this sucker out. I'm trying to keep this one up to everyone's standards (mine especially). As usual, this will be quite confusing, but I assure you it all makes sense if you sit and think it over. I suggest reading the Prologue to "Sleep", before you start this. It's just a hundred words, but that's all you'll need to understand what I have for the second half of this chapter.
I'd like to give a personal thank you to Lovergyul for putting a fire under my ass with PM's. I really appreciate it. My mind is so wrapped up in multiple stories, I've been neglecting my special baby. Thanks for reminding me that she needs love too.
And thanks to any reader who has actually stuck with me and this series the last two years (yeah...it's been two years). Okay, on with the story!
Characters not owned by me
xXx
Chapter Two: As If A Dream
Edward
I was a heavy heart to carry
My beloved was weighed down
My arms around his neck
My fingers laced a crown
"We need to take extra measures. Carlisle suggested a meeting -"
I was on my knees, legs spread before him. His tongue explored the most intimate crevices of my body.
"A meeting?"
I frowned, attempting to blink away the imagery, "We need to share some key factors in slaying vampires. This will be different than the others. The Volturi has quite a bit of vampires with special skills. If we can maneuver as a team, deflect their skills with ours -"
He was stretching me, filling me to the hilt. It was all fire - pain and heat. He was a ferocious beast, claiming me with hands on my hips.
"Edward?" Sam watched me with concern, "Is something the matter?" I was supposed to be informing the alpha of what was to come. It was important that I passed the message after confirming that they were indeed coming. We had little time and it didn't help that I was distracted.
"Yes. Fine." My voice was huskier than I expected. A low, feral growl grew in my chest, causing Sam to raise an eyebrow. It was something to see him respond in amusement rather than hostility. A lot had changed in such a short time, "Excuse me for a moment." I requested, not waiting for an answer. I was on my feet instantly, running through the cramped space of the house until I was inside his room. There he sat, on the bed, legs wide and arms as anchors.
"When you talk business, it turns me on." He smirked. My body hummed at the scent of his arousal.
"Jacob, you can't interrupt me while I'm speaking to Sam. He needs to know-"
Jacob rolled his eyes, "He'll do it. You saved his life."
"Actually, I didn't-"
"Shh." He cooed, biting swollen lips. My mouth literally watered with venom, "I've never fucked you in my room before, Edward."
"You do realize your alpha is within earshot." I couldn't help smiling. He was in no way over the events that had transpired just recently, but each day a bit of his old self was unraveled; Jacob, smirking when life altering events were right around the corner.
"A good Werepire Fucking 101 would do him some good." He snickered, before getting up to pull me by the collar of the shirt, "Now c'mere." Our lips met in a heated, desperate kiss. If there was one thing that had changed between us, it was the frantic, almost painful need when we touched. Things were rarely ever sensual and slow, not when I nearly lost him more times than I wanted to count. I followed him as he fell back onto the bed, allowing my arms to climb up the mattress until he was fully on his back. His legs locked around my lower back as he bucked his hardness against my stomach.
"Your father-" I tried to bring some sense into what we were doing, but his tongue was quicker, coating my mouth with heated wetness, "Jacob-"
"Fine," He growled, "You can fuck me then." He was already frantically pulling on my jeans, attempting to unbutton them.
"We have important matters to handle." I attempted weakly, kissing him back with as much fervor, "We can't do this now."
"Would you deny me this, Edward?" For good measure, he lifted his hips again. I couldn't help the hungry cry. I had to keep myself in check. They weren't aware I had bitten him in our recent love-making and I wasn't sure there was enough tolerance and trust to test what they'd do if I did it in the close proximity of Sam.
"Never." I said without hesitation.
"Alright then." That seemed to be the answer he was fishing for, "Now shut up and fuck me. The sooner it's over, the sooner you can get to business." I answered with, a snarl of desire escaped me and the world was briefly forgotten as I ripped what was left off on his body. He responded with a husky chuckle, pressing his lips along my neck and collar bone before roughly nipping me. It was an exhilarating rush. Our intimacy was becoming a burning, destructive flame that was beginning to get harder and harder to control and extinguish. We were rough on occasion and there was my thirst to taste him whenever I inhaled his scent. An urging desire to have his pulsing life in me as I impaled him. In fact, it had been awhile since he claimed me as his own, as if he was willingly submitting himself to me.
My entire being shuddered at his racing thoughts, vivid imagery of our bodies entwined and writhing in implosive lust driven passion. I had never felt my body tremble so violently in all my existence than when I was with him and I didn't need to wait. Our heightened arousal and connection had me straining and leaking profusely against his stomach. I swiftly pulled back, aligning myself with his body before entering his warmth.
"Fuck." Jacob panted and for that small moment, I heard his vulnerability, saw the fleeting images of James taking him so carelessly. They were gone as quickly as they came, but I still felt the burning rage against the monster that hurt him. It was a scar that would forever mar such a perfect and innocent soul.
"I love you with everything I am." I needed him to know, existed for him to know. And we lived an eternity in that small reserved time.
"Need you..." He whimpered, all cocky, playful banter lost in our interlocking intimacy. My pace was quick and rough, jerking the bed recklessly against the wall. I couldn't care less who heard. I caught the sigh of annoyance from Sam in the next room and heard the distant rumble of an engine from a mile away; Jacob's father was on his way. I got lost again, tasting his skin, my mouth pooling at the thought of how I could bring us to our ultimate highs. I'd never known an orgasm so intense than when I took him and marked him simultaneously. Instead of the bliss of his submitting flesh to my teeth, I leaned in, inhaling his scent and capturing his lips with mine.
I'm close. His whimpering pants wouldn't allow him to speak these words aloud.
As am I, love. I heard the words reverberating back to me from his mind and it was overwhelmingly intense. As if on cue, we both met our release at the precipice of sanity. I curled into his body, letting the human reaction take over, a witness to this heavenly delight. My heart, I could have sworn strummed and swelled at the completeness I felt. He was here in my arms, physically healthy and loving me, monster and all.
Jacob's skin glimmered in sheen of sweat, his head thrown back against the pillow. I watched in wonder. He was a beautiful soul with an art of flesh. His dark eyes were hidden by a thin veil of skin as he chuckled to himself.
"Shit." He grumbled, "I have no control when we're under the same roof."
I laughed at the irony. My senses were finally alert to the outside world. Sighing, I pulled myself out of his tender body. I suddenly felt guilty for my lack of restraint during a serious message delivery, "Sam is outside welcoming your father back. He's planning to give you a good scolding."
Jacob was unperturbed, "Nothing like the one you just gave me." He snickered. His fingers tickled along my skin, teasing and promising. He finally sat up, groaning slightly in pain. I felt my eyes widen as I took in the bruises along his hip. I hadn't realized I was holding him so tightly, "Don't say it." Jacob spoke before I could express my concerns.
"Love, you should tell me when I hurt you."
He shrugged, "I liked it. I love the way you are with me." He spoke without doubt. His eyes were expressive and spoke more than his words could allow, "I trust you, so please trust me enough to let you know if we go too far." I owed him that at least, I knew. I nodded, but it didn't keep me from tenderly brushing my fingers along the discolored flesh.
"Give it a few minutes and I'll be as good as new." He smirked up at me. I nodded again, not trusting my words, "I guess we should get dressed. Dad's still a bit uncomfortable with the knowledge that we fuck like rabbits."
"Alright." We both redressed silently. Jacob had to find a new pair of jeans, considering the shreds I torn his old pair into. We had observed the state of the bed. It was worse off than it had been before. Our lost moment together had created quite a dent in the mattress as well as provided some damage to the thin walls of his room.
"Well," Jacob sighed, "It's not like I'm here all the time, anyway." He threw me a small smile. "You're going to promise me to behave now, aren't you?"
"I planned on requesting you keep your thoughts less explicit for the next 2 hours or so, yes." I nodded, but couldn't help the contagious smile that spread on my lips. I cupped his cheek silently urging him closer. It was a soft, tender kiss we shared, one I needed dearly for the moment. The anxiety of our future was already weighing on me. I had not spoken much of it with Jacob. I was fearful to accept that there was a possibility of losing him just when I had him. I knew that Jacob's importance to me was a vulnerability and I knew that it was unwise to act as I would have before. If a war was coming, Jacob would fight at my request against it or not. My plan from there on was to figure out just how I'd be able to protect him without being obvious to the wrong observer.
"Edward?" Jacob questioned, his mind littered with worried thoughts.
"Shh," I silenced his worries with another kiss, "I'll finish delivering my message to Sam and we shall go home. Alice is eager to take you out."
It was a good distraction. Jacob grumbled and rolled his eyes, "Great," with a shrug, he turned towards the door, "I hear my dad. He must be back from Charlie's." I was thankful he couldn't see the frown that graced my face. Indeed, his father was back from Charlie's - with bad news.
Jacob
"Dad," I greeted as Sam helped him out of Harry's old truck, "Hey Sue." I waved to Harry's wife. She gave me a nod and a small grin.
"You look healthy and good. That's great to see, Jacob." She spoke cryptically. I didn't know what to make of the comment. I could tell she was genuine in her words, but I wondered if there was something wrong.
"Seth and Leah still patrolling tonight?" I asked, hoping that they were okay.
"Oh yes." She nodded, "Seth misses you by the way." I sighed, feeling the guilt creep up on me. I hadn't gotten much time alone from Edward these last few days. Seth had been understanding, but I knew he had kind of a hero's admirence for me and he really did enjoy the company of Edward. He was much more understanding about my relationship with Edward than even my father. I owed him my company in the future, that's if everything was fine after this storm was over.
"I'll be sure to stop by some time."
My dad grumbled a farewell to her before she drove off. Something about him seemed off. Sam appeared in the know about whatever the hell was going on. He gave my father a comforting pat on the shoulder before turning back into the house where Edward waited to finish talking to him.
"What's going on?" I didn't even give my father a chance to steel himself and pretend things were fine as he usually tended to do.
He sighed, already giving up, "Charlie received a call yesterday."
"Okay." I nodded. My mind raced with questions. Were they finding murdered people, evidence that Jean and Joan were still in the area?
"Bella went missing a month ago. Her mother and step father were found dead in their home, but there was no trace of her. Charlie got the call last night."
I was taken aback by the mention of Bella. I hadn't thought about her in months. "Wait, wait." I threw up my hands, "That's insane. How did she-? No, why would he find this out now?"
"The bodies were not found until a week ago, but judging by the decay of the corpses, they estimated they had been dead for at least a month and it had been 4 weeks since anyone had seen Bella."
Something in my gut fell. This was...impossible. Bella was just here. I saw her before she left. She had been upset about something. From what Charlie had said, she wasn't happy there and school was proving to be difficult for her. She wasn't even in Forks for a week before she left, but I still got to talk to her. We had been friends once... and we could have been closer if she stayed. To think she had been missing all this time when I was going through my own shit. I considered what could have happened if she stayed, if she and I became friends...
I was lost in my thoughts when my father spoke again, "Charlie is flying down to Florida tonight to speak with the detective in charge of the case. There may be something he could do to help, we hope."
"Right." I nodded, feeling my gut twist and pull.
I hadn't known Bella as well as I'd hoped to. She was a distant family friend from the past, but I still felt that distant ache of affection. I hoped she was safe.
Edward
I was a heavy heart to carry
My feet dragged across the ground
And he took me to the river
Where he slowly let me drown
"Do you want to talk about it?"
He shook his head.
"It might feel better if you do."
I felt his warm breath against my chest as he sighed. I should have known Alice's plans. She kept it well hidden from me. She was able to see how Jacob would receive the news. It was for that very reason she made plans to cheer him up. It went over my head, apparently and it did very little to lift his spirits.
"It's weird." He commented. He hadn't said anything when he entered the room. He didn't utter a word as he undressed and climbed in bed with me, laying his head on my chest. I had been reading a journal Carlisle had given me earlier that day. It was everything he gathered from his time with the Volturi all those years ago and it was quite helpful now. But once again the inevitable war was put on hold as I placed the book face down, my attention solely on him.
"What is?"
He lifted his head, his eyes meeting mine, "Bella missing. I don't understand." He shook his head, "It feels like a dream. Everything does; as if it wasn't meant to happen." That had taken me by surprise and cut deep somehow. It hurt me immensely and I couldn't understand why.
"I was meant to be yours and you were meant to be mine." I knew I shouldn't have taken his words to heart. He was in pain and still recovering from James, yet it left an impression on my mind. I hadn't told him what the raven-haired vampire said to me. There was another path. I hadn't questioned that alternate universe where he was like a brother. I detested it. How could I have him within my reach and not touch him? How could I say I love him and not express it with a kiss or a moment inside him? And the irony to this was that although he knew nothing of what I knew, he still questioned our reality.
"That's not what I meant, Edward." He read the hurt in my eyes. Fingering my lips deftly, he spoke, "Everything is happening too fast. The changes between us, the pack. All of a sudden there's this vampire royal family that keeps you in line with laws and we have to fight them. And now, something so...normal, so human worldly and it's just as horrific. Someone killed her family and took her or she ran and...what if she's alive and scared and alone." His eyes wandered as he continued to ponder silently.
"Were you close?"
"Not really. She used to come out here every once in a while and we were close then, but after that we lost contact. I didn't really know much about her as a teenager." He frowned to himself, keeping the picture of her out of his mind. She was a blur. No face, no eyes. It was if she couldn't be willed into existence. As if he didn't want her to.
We lay together, silent and pensive until finally he gave into sleep. I had no relief from my thoughts as he did. There were a recipe of fear, worry and a desire to make him as he was before the world crumbled from where he stood. My thoughts also drifted to Alice and her elusive manner of keeping me out of the loop of what was to come to today. The only news I had ever received for the changing plans of when the Volturi would come and with whom. It changed nearly every day. There was no way to be sure, so the best thing that was possible was to prepare now.
It was Carlisle's plan to invite the pack over for dinner the next night to arrange a meeting and focus on just what was to be done with our shared enemies. Sam agreed without hesitation. Jacob was accurate in his belief that Sam was ever grateful. It was hard to decipher if Jacob's father was. He kept his mind expertly clear only grunting a hello my way when he noticed I was a guest in their home. There was no resentment in the way he viewed me when we exchanged greetings, yet there was hesitance. Years of legends told were hard to forget. It was Carlisle's desire to invite him and the remaining elders as well to the dinner, but the tension was not entirely gone within their group.
Pressing a gentle kiss against the temple of Jacob, I slipped from his embrace only to momentarily excuse myself to speak to my sister. If there was anything else I needed to know regarding Jacob's state of mind, it was important that I exchanged a few words with her first. She expected me. Her small frame was seated on the couch in her room, a guarded look about her.
Jasper was nowhere to be found.
"Alice," I spoke slowly, "Do I have to ask?"
"Well, yes you do. I know you have questions, but I am still unclear in how you're going to ask and just what you'll ask first."
"Why didn't you say anything to me?"
She nodded as if satisfied with the question, "You two were clearly enjoying your reunion and I'm sorry if I couldn't bring myself to ruin it. He needed to recuperate. We all do." She said solemnly, "And it didn't matter if I told you or not. It would still bother him in the end, Edward. It was better you both found out at the same time than you know before him. You would have worried yourself silly."
"It's important that I know anything and everything that has to do with him. You know that."
"I do." She nodded, "But what does it matter? There's nothing about it you can control now."
"Now?"
She was preparing herself for something, "Bella. She was someone you knew."
"What do you mean, Alice?"
Jacob
"Another dinner roll?" Esme seemed to be enjoying herself too much.
"Sure!" Seth perked up, grabbing three and throwing it on his plate.
"She said 'another one', Seth. Not three." Quil snickered, tucking into his turkey.
"That's quite alright. I have more dinner rolls in the oven for you boys."
"Thank God!" Embry sighed, "This is like crack. I'm almost certain you put crack in it." He gave her a searching look, "You did, didn't you?"
I snorted. This was turning out to be more of a buffet than a normal dinner. The table was loaded with food. Esme and Alice really went all out. Mashed potatoes, three turkeys, sweet corn soufflé, macaroni and cheese, greens and a load of other things.
"They're baked in honey and butter?" Esme answered as if asking if that's what Embry meant by 'crack'. Seth and I had to refrain from laughing.
"Did everything turn out as good as the dinner rolls?" Carlisle asked us, "Esme was in the kitchen for most of yesterday and today and she won't say, but she's eager to know if everything came out alright." It was only him, Esme and Edward that joined us at the table for dinner. And thankfully the only guests for dinner were Sam, Embry, Quil and Seth. Sam made it an effort to bring those who were actually willing to go and would keep the peace. Carlisle and Esme seemed to be making their own efforts as well. Besides providing a meal to feed a village, they sent Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper and Alice on a planned trip to Seattle for some art show. Alice, of course, was crestfallen about not staying to talk with the pack, but from what I heard; Esme wanted Alice to "Enjoy yourself while you still can." I wasn't sure what to make of that.
"Everything tastes great. Thank you. You really didn't need to go through the trouble."
"Seriously." I agreed, "10 large pizzas and a few liters of soda would have been good."
"But not as good!" Seth spoke with a mouthful of dinner roll.
"That's good to hear, boys." Esme looked completely flattered and excited to treat some guests. It was actually nice to see others besides me eating in the house. It was just too odd to have food in the fridge that no one but me ate. Edward sat silently next to me, his hand holding mine in my lap. We hadn't spoken much since our conversation the night before. Correction, he wasn't speaking. It was as if my mood had somehow transferred to him. He became withdrawn, standing in front of the wall length windows staring out as if lost in thought. Every once in a while to let me know he wasn't a statue, he'd turn to meet my gaze, knowing I was watching in worry. He wouldn't say anything, but the look in his eyes was unnerving. I wouldn't say I was over the news about Bella, but I personally handled the news better than Edward did considering the thought that he didn't even know her.
After everyone pretty much devoured the food, everyone sat back burping and groaning from the lack of ability to move. Esme seemed too pleased. Taking the cue, Carlisle began getting to business. With full stomachs and trust in their hosts, everyone was too eager listen to what I had informed of a few days before.
"So you're telling me they're like some vampire government?"
"Well, there are consequences for certain actions, I assure you. The Volturi are a force not to be reckoned with if you do not know how they operate and if you're not well equipped with your own army yourself."
"Army." Sam uttered the key word, "Is this what we'll have to make?" Even in his Alpha stoicism, he looked concerned. He had the right to be. From what I knew, The Volturi had a gang of specially gifted vampires and were eager for recruits.
"That's why I ask of your company today. It's imperative that we be prepared when they have arrived - for anything. I've known tightly woven power for over a century and they work for two reason only; for their benefit and against a threat."
"So we prepare." Sam nodded, "We'd have to learn as much as we can about these Volturi. I'm sure you'll be able to provide the information."
"Of course." The conversation continued and I lost interest. This was getting beyond irritating and tiring. I wanted so much for this to end, for everything to just be simple. I wanted to relax, go back to school, live a normal life with Edward.
Well as normal as it could get.
"I'll get the dishes, Esme." Edward finally spoke quietly.
"Nonsense." She waved her hands, but he was already rising. I moved my hand from his lap, but he didn't seem to forget me. He turned, leaning over me before pressing his lips against mine. I couldn't help the moan that escaped me. It felt like forever since we kissed. He pulled away, but I followed, raising in my seat slightly and pressed eagerly into his kiss. He pulled away finally, a gentle smile on his face before grabbing my plate and a few others. My heart hummed at the brief contact. Whatever was going through his head, I needed to know. Why did what I tell him last night bother him so much? He couldn't have been jealous, could he? Bella was a friend I knew and no matter if we were close now or not, it was impossible for it not to affect me. I'd have to be cold hearted to be indifferent about it.
I cleared my mind, facing forward and was greeted with three sets of eyes watching me with a mix of awe and embarrassment. I forgot I had an audience.
"I'll help." I said to Esme, grabbing a few dishes blindly before rising in my seat and following Edward's lead into the kitchen. He was clearing the last of the food off the plates before rinsing them off in the sink, "Hey." I greeted him.
"Hi, love." He replied in kind. He was always so soft spoken. I rolled my eyes at the thought and he smiled, "I'd be fine putting away the dishes myself." He spoke.
"I know you're all vampire quickness, but it's okay to have some help once in a while." I shrugged, grabbing a plate and cleaning it off, "Plus, I wanted to ask you a question about last night."
"They're still talking outside. Carlisle would be able to answer any questions you have."
"I think I had enough conversations about the Volturi."
"Perhaps-"
"Edward." I snapped, "Why are you avoiding talking about this?"
"I understand it still bothers you - her disappearance. I'm here if you need to talk."
"No. I'm here if you need to talk. Which you haven't by the way." Edward was doing that thing again. That thing I hate. I thought we've been through enough that he wouldn't hide-
"I knew her." He belted out.
"Who?"
"Bella." He looked to me with wounded eyes, "I knew her and I didn't know."
I frowned, not sure what the hell was going on, "But how?"
He stood stone still, his back now to me, "Before I met you, she came to Forks High. She was...a temptation for me."
"I don't understand..."
"When I smelled her blood, I had this urge to kill her. It was overwhelming and yet I wanted nothing more than to do it. I didn't care about consequence or who would have seen. But I did care about what I'd be doing to my family. So I refrained.
She was an enigma. I knew not what to make of her because I couldn't read her thoughts."
"Wait, what?" The words were a jumbled mess in my head. This whole damn month wasn't fitting in my long term memory. I don't think I could get it to. He knew Bella? He had been tempted to kill her? He couldn't read her thoughts? I stared at Edward, unsure of what to make of it. He watched me with cautious eyes as if expecting me to attack him. After being able to digest a bit of what he said, I asked, "Were you the reason she left?"
"Possibly." He shrugged, "I wouldn't know, but she didn't seem happy here. I watched her. I was intrigued by her, but I wanted nothing to do with her."
"Why?" A bit of me was relieved that he kept himself away. For her sake or mine, I couldn't decipher yet.
"I thought temptation would win. I even thought of leaving for a year, going back to Alaska, but by that time she left."
I let out a relieved sigh. I wasn't sure why it felt like something lifted from my shoulders, "Is that what you've been hiding? Why didn't you tell me that sooner? If you knew her, then maybe-"
"I didn't know her name."
"How could you not know her name?"
"It wasn't important to remember after I met you, Jacob. It was as if she didn't exist." He spoke gently. My chest panged in want at his words, but he ruined it by speaking again, "It was Alice that told me her name. And it was Alice that explained what she could have been."
"Could have..."
"She had had visions when I first met Bella. She shared one with me; that I would kill her. The other she didn't," He spoke lowly, "She said that Bella and I could have become close, had a relationship."
"A relationship." It was as if waves of fears were crashing on the shores of my thoughts. What do I feel with this, how should I feel with Bella? She was missing and yet jealousy rushed to the surface of my mind. What if they had been lovers and somehow I'd seen Edward through my friendship with Bella and imprinted? What if...?
And to think I wondered what would have happened if Bella stayed. I let out a humorless laugh, "Great. I was your second choice."
"You have always been my first choice, Jacob." He said vehemently.
"But Alice said she had a vision."
"Alice's visions are based on choices." Edward spoke silently, "I didn't choose her."
"But you could have." And if Charlie was to ever find Bella. I pictured Edward seeing her, falling for her and leaving me. The idea hurt so much, I wasn't sure I'd survive the real thing.
"Stop that, please." Edward begged.
But I couldn't, "You could've loved her."
"You know our choices are what make us. In the end, I didn't choose her. And I was right to, something better came along."
"How would you know that?" I exclaimed, "How would you know what you would've had with her?"
"Because I didn't see forever with her! I didn't fall in love with her the moment I was in her presence. I didn't give in to temptation!" He finally unleashed it. We both seemed taken back by his words. I could see it right in his eyes. He doubted his choice too. He hadn't been sure if this was better, "What that nomad vampire said to me after I bit you, she told me there was another path for us. That we would have been enemies, friends, then brothers. She told me this wasn't our original path. Something changed." I felt my gut twist tighter in fear. My world was shaking, vibrating. I was seeing red.
I was going to phase. And soon.
"Love." He raced over, holding my arms at my sides, "Love, listen to me. She couldn't see our path. She couldn't see you. She couldn't see what we would be able to do. Our essence made immunity; your blood literally gives me humanity. We're tied deeper than any imprinting. It literally shows physically between us. I chose you because I was supposed to. This fate is us. I love you." His hands stroked my arms, but he kept me steady. The heat was slowly ebbing away, my shakes finally dying down.
"If there would have been any love for Bella, it would have been derived from the temptation of her blood, the curiosity to get in her head. I felt no pull, no desire to be near her as I do with you."
"But what if you had and we met. I could have imprinted on you-"
"It wouldn't have mattered. Alice wouldn't have been able to see you coming." Then he surprised me with a crooked grin, "Let's say something would have happened between Bella and I. A different world. Who's to say I wouldn't have fallen for you after? Remember I loved you before you've ever imprinted on me."
I narrowed my eyes. His words were working, but there still was that nagging jealousy, "You could have chosen to love her instead of me."
"I'd have to be void of substance and sight for that to happen, love." He pulled me to him in an embracive kiss, "I'm yours and it was supposed to be this way."
Edward
My love has concrete feet, my love's an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles, over the waterfall
"Yours." I whispered into his ear. He grunted from above. His heat pulsed in me and I swallowed him with need. My knee pressed into my chest as he tightened his arm under my thigh. His arousal sunk in deeper and I shuddered, "I'm always yours." His wet muscle penetrated, seeking my tongue, demanding another connection. His hip picked up again. Our rhythm was slow and sensual, nothing like our previous days of untamed burning desire. Alice's revelation had us both shaken and doubtful. It was one thing to be told of a possible path from a possible enemy, but hearing Alice say to me that she had visions of Bella turned and with me was bewildering. She showed me. It was as if she was showing two strangers together. Their body language so mechanical, nothing as intense as what I had with Jacob now. Yet, I still thought...
What would it have been like? Even if I wouldn't have traded Jacob for the world, I was still curious of that different path. I had gotten lost in it, thinking of a life with a human girl. How would she have changed? Would I have slipped and given in? Would it have been like Jacob, a moment of intimacy? Could that even be possible with a human? I would get so wound in that world that when I occasionally came back, I'd see him and thank whatever creator there was out there that it was this world I had. I didn't want him to know, because I didn't want him to think that world was a threat to ours. I didn't want him to feel less than what he was - everything I lived for.
"Say it again, baby." His breath panted against my lips and I moaned in need.
"Yours." I could scream it for however long he wanted, "Always yours." I was able to feel just about every inch of him in this position.
We came together, panting and pulsing inneed before his body, a flesh embodied inferno, collapsed next to me. It was a moment of transcending emotion. I felt the waves of Jacob's thoughts wash over me and my body shuddered in my post-euphoric state. As if by a domino effect, his did as well and then, I heard it. I turned, embracing him in my arms, feeling his body curl into me.
"Love," I whispered as gently as I could, "Tell me, what's wrong?" He didn't speak. I'm sure if he tried, he wouldn't have been able to. It took some time for Jacob to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. I waited and I kept tabs on what he was preparing himself to say. I was fearful for my life.
"I can't do this anymore." His voice croaked and my world stopped.
"What, love?" I whispered, "Can't do what?" Please, please.
My Everything lifted his head, eyes meeting mine. They were glossy and his cheeks were wet, but he was oblivious to it, "I can't keep myself together. I can't...keep losing you like this."
"You're not losing me."
"No, but it feels like it. Every moment feels like..." He sighed, "I'm sorry. It's just with everything-"
"I know." I knew with all that I was what was going on. I fingered his cheek, gathering the wetness there, "I felt like I was dying."
"Dying?" Jacob pulled away, his skin glistening in his release and sweat.
"When we found James...I don't think I've ever...turning didn't destroy me as much as seeing what he had done to you."
"Edward," Jacob took my cheek with his hand, pressing his palm gently against it, "Tell me."
Jacob
Something changed. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew this for sure, everything came to a head. I didn't usually cry.
Or ever.
But after the mind blowing sex and the confession in the kitchen, it was as if the world inside me imploded. For someone who was taken by surprise, Edward handled it like a professional. In fact, by doing that, I was able to see his weaker side as well. It was as if he was giving me something back. I wasn't the only one that felt scared, constantly stressed the fuck out and concerned that Edward would be grabbed from me. Because he definitely could be, considering the vampires that kidnapped my ass.
Staring at the clear field, I was now aware of what Edward experienced the night he disappeared to kill James.
"He was inside my head, terrorizing me with images, memories of you. He knew I couldn't save you, that I didn't. He knew he had a part of you. He had pride that he took a bit of you away from me. It drove me mad."
"What did you do?"
"I took a piece of him."
The plan was set and the meeting had begun. The whole pack and the whole Cullen coven. One, big happy family.
If I had been paying attention the night before, I would have known that Carlisle scheduled a meeting with the entire pack to meet up between the treaty lines - a clear, wide field - where I sat in serene silence and watched. There was a tension between vampires and wolves, but nothing as it could have been without Jasper in company.
Before the pack went home after the dinner the previous night and before Edward and I ventured upstairs to seal the deal about just who he belonged to, Sam met me outside, a grim look on his face.
"Carlisle told me that there's a chance these...other vampires might fight with us."
"It's what Edward has pieced together. They implied it to both of us."
"I don't trust them."
"Neither do I, but what are we supposed to do?"
Sam thought for a second, "In these recent weeks, there have been more of us coming to."
"...What?"
"There's more of us."
"Since when?"
"Since you left, came back and died. I've hidden it with reason that I'd need them to kill the Cullen family if anything happened to you, but seeing how that would never be the case..." Sam sighed, "You weren't to know about it because you are close to Edward, but it shouldn't matter now because they are our ally. These nomad vampires aren't. "
"So you're going to keep them hidden-"
"Just in case we need to act."
I took deep inhales, trying to reign in the overflow of information as I sat and stared ahead blindly. I heard Carlisle speaking in smooth, deep authority. I could make out Embry's and Quil's voices as they asked questions, but I wasn't all there. I couldn't be, not until I grasped just what the hell was going on.
Sam had asked if I was alright that night, patting my shoulder in comfort. The argument I had with Edward was loud, so I'm sure the whole house heard. It might have made no sense to them though, not many of the pack knew just how Alice's powers worked, but judging by my shaky stance and partial attention, Sam knew I was on the edge. It was Imprint Speak all over again. He had assured me that Edward would stick by me.
"You didn't see everything that happened when he came on our land. It was an eye opener."
"Love?" My thoughts were distracted, catching sight of Edward. I hadn't moved from my spot on the ground and judging by all the phased wolves filling the clearing, I appeared to have missed a chunk of what was going on.
"Yes." I answered, not quite there. My mind was a blur of Bella, Sam, Edward and James. I couldn't keep my thoughts out of my reality.
Edward, in all his glorious beauty frowned in concern. It was a bit annoying that he could live in my head as much as I could, "Are you alright?"
"Overwhelmed." I shrugged, "Did I miss anything?"
Edward didn't answer, but I could see that obviously I must have, "Alice updated everyone about what she has been seeing these last few hours. It appears the Volturi have made up their minds. They are coming in 3 days."
"Why the deadline?"
"It appears they want to act as soon as possible, but are unsure what would be waiting for them here, so clearly they are doing their research."
I sighed in frustration. Great, we didn't have much time to get our gear together. I stared ahead in thought, watching as Carlisle described the techniques of fighting when it came to older, smarter vampires. The pack watched silently, sitting on their haunches as Carlisle fought against a quite graceful and powerful opponent - Jasper.
I was brought back from my mind again, feeling a thumb swipe over my cheekbone, "Love, come back to me."
"I'm here." I nodded, staring up at him, "I think I should join the others. Soak in the lesson." I made to sit up ,but Edward kept me from moving.
"You don't have to."
"I think if I want to take down a few leeches, I need to hone my skills." I joked lightly, but was surprised to see heavy concern marring his face, "What is it?"
"You don't have to fight. We can leave-"
"Edward." I warned. I didn't need to finish. I loved him with everything that I had, but this was about more than just our current safety. It was about our family and pack. It was about making sure we didn't have to face losing each other in the future. I had a feeling running away would not only be pathetic, but would earn us quite a hunt.
He seemed to be searching my mind for doubt before he answered, "If this is what you wish."
"Isn't this what you want, Edward?"
"I'm only thinking of you."
I sighed, "I'll think about everyone else for us, then."
He gave me an adoring smile before speaking again, "I need you as safe as you can be. This is going to be a good lesson."
I snorted, standing on my feet, patting grass off my cut-offs, "I think I can take you." I teased.
The smile on his lips widened, but the worry was still in his eyes. Hell, we needed a vacation.
"Carlisle!" Alice yelled, cutting off the demonstration in the field, "They're here!"
"The Volturi?" I felt my heart thump in my chest. Fuck, we weren't ready yet. We didn't know much about their strategy or hell, knew who would be coming.
"No." Edward frowned.
Edward
I could see the images, blurs taking shape, forming into raven hair, blood-red eyes. There were 5 figures forming behind her, gaining features on faces and sculpting in body. It wasn't the Volturi, "It's the coven. There are six of them."
"Six?" Jacob was confused. As was I. It appeared we had only ever seen two of them - Joan and Jean. I was curious and yet anxious to meet the other four.
"They're here!" Alice yelped again. We all waited in the clearing, forming together in a semi-circle, wolves and vampires as partners. I shielded Jacob with my body, watching the clearing. Their scents hit us first, before we could make out their forms between the trees. It was the raven haired girl that stepped out first, followed by the petite blonde.
"Edward." The raven-haired nomad Jacob labeled as Jean spoke, "You've been expecting our company." Her eyes trailed over everyone present, before landing on me, then Jacob.
"I have." I blocked him from her view.
Edward, Alice spoke, look. I glanced over Jean's shoulder taking in the three males and the only female I hadn't seen -
Jacob recognized her quicker than I did. There was surprise, fury, but above all else, there was fear. She stared back at him, red eyes flickering along his body as if attempting to process him.
Still, I couldn't read her.
"Jacob?" Her voice was softer than I remembered. Death looked good on her, but with the assistance of the wind, her scent was as bland as those she was in company with.
Jacob shook, on the verge of phasing. I reached back, touching him, letting him know I was here. He leaned in automatically, pressing his shoulder against my back as his eyes focused on her, "Bella."
This will be my last confession
"I love you" never felt like any blessing
Whisper it like it's a secret
Uttered to condemn the one who hears it
With a heavy heart
xXx
AN: I like to refer to the headline of Sleep: "What if Twilight happened without Bella? What if Jacob and Edward weren't brought together by hate, but by love?"
Sleep would be the counterpart to "Twilight" (the first book) which has no Bella, but this is the "Breaking Dawn" counterpart, so there is Bella, but I assure you, she is not a main character and there will be no semblance of any similar relationship she had with either Edward or Jacob. Just a pleasant note for you readers.
As you can see, a lot is catching up with Jacob. The next two chapters will be a bit rough for him, but nothing as bad as James.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything. It's a bit to take in, I'm sure. Thanks for reading!