Leah grabbed me in to a hug as soon as we left the room and the tears fell from both of us.
"I missed you so fucking much Swan" she sobbed.
"I'm so sorry Lee-Lee. I missed you too"
We stayed like that for a few more minutes until one of her cousins came to tell her it was time to make their entrance in to the reception. As she walked away I smiled at her retreating form, thankful I had at least her and Seth on my side. The rest I wasn't so sure about. A warm arm slipped around my waist and lips made contact with my forehead.
"You ready to go baby sis?" Seth chuckled.
I raised my eyebrow at him and laughed him off "Sure sure, have to face it sooner or later" I giggled "I didn't see any pack at the ceremony"
"Nah they were all doing a massive patrol this morning so they could all come to the reception. One of us is gonna slip out every hour or so to keep an eye but we'll be here all night"
"Great" I groaned in a completely unenthused voice.
"Come on Bells, you saw how Leah reacted, I'm sure the others will be fine. Come on it's our turn. I told you I'd turn up with a stunner on my arm. You're gonna win me ten bucks from the rest of the pack anyways" he winked before softly placing his hand on to my scarred shoulder to pull me in to a quick embrace.
He led me through the doors with one arm resting gently on my lower back. I kept my head down and let Seth lead me to where I'd be sat next to my dad with Leah and Seth on the other side next to Sue. As soon as we moved past the tables I heard deep whispers of 'who the fuck is that with Seth?' and 'I bet the little fucker is paying her' with my personal favorite of 'who's the pale face? she doesn't belong here'.
I felt Seth tense beside me as the comments are whispered and he placed a tender kiss to my forehead "Don't listen to them honey, you're our family. I promise." I smiled gratefully as he pulled the chair out for me and left to take his own. I found myself sat next to Billy Black.
"Is that you Bells?" he whispered with surprise lacing his tone.
"Yeah Billy, couldn't have the old man doing his own tie now could I?" I chuckled softly.
He laughed loudly "I can't believe it's you Bells, you look amazing"
Once the word Bells left Billy's mouth I saw the head of every wolf turn to me out of the corner of my eye. I didn't look for fear of the emotions I'd be left with.
I turned a little more in my seat to face him and he reached out to touch my scars with a sad smile on his face. The noise of the doors opening moved my attention to the now happy couple who seated themselves at the head of the table. We ate with very little conversation being sent my way apart from my dad questioning how long I was to be here. Once the food was eaten the speeches began and I listened with teary eyes as Leah and Seth said their peace and just as my dad was about to announce the first dance I put my arm softly on his arm, knowing he'd want his only child to say some words I stood.
"I would like to offer my congratulations to both my dad and Sue and I hope they will spend the rest of their lives in eternal happiness. Sue has always been a mother figure in my life growing up and now I am happy to call her my own."
Tears were welling in my eyes, begging to be released as Sue leant over my dad to grab my hand.
"I am also extremely happy to be gifted with a big sister like Leah and a not-so-little brother in Seth. I wish you all the happiness in the world. I love you guys"
I smiled at them again and took my seat. My dad pulled me to his side "Thanks Bells, I didn't expect you to say anything but that's was lovely"
He announced the first dance and I watched them swaying to the music, lost in my own thoughts of hoping to have a second chance at happiness like my dad. Seth moved next to me and offered his hand "Care to dance Bells?"
I smiled and took his hand as he lead me to the dance floor and we danced alongside my dad and Sue and Leah and her cousin. As the dance ended Seth led me to the bar for a drink, I took the opportunity to scope the tables looking for familiar faces. The pack all sat on two tables and most of them had a girl with them except for Quil who presumably brought Claire and Paul who was likely to be the bachelor he always was. They all looked older and a lot more dangerous. It was then that I laid eyes on him.
Jacob Black, he was as beautiful as ever but power and danger seemed to surround him now like an aura.
As I caught his eyes I realized his extremely heated gaze was already on me. I felt an ache in my chest for the boy who was once my best friend and I had to stop myself moving towards him. I tried to smile at him to be the bigger person but instead he pulled the pretty native girl further in to him and kissed her temple, his eyes never leaving mine. I looked away and my heart broke for him, I still loved him so much but he had so obviously moved on if the girl on his lap was anything to go by. I tore my gaze away to Seth who was watching my with sympathy.
"I'm just gonna go get some air Seth, I won't be long"
He nodded with understanding and left me to retreat out of the doors. I was outside on the street perched on a wall before I knew it taking deep breaths to calm myself. I needed to talk to someone and I knew exactly who. I pulled my phone out and flipped to Marks number. It rang twice before he answered.
'Bella baby, are you okay? Shouldn't you be at the wedding?'
"Hey honey, yeah I'm here just getting some air. It's all too much with everyone in there."
'Oh babe I am so sorry you have to do this alone. I knew I should have put this family visit on hold'
"No don't be silly Mark, I'm fine, just needed to hear your voice. I miss you already. Did you get my photo this morning?"
'Yeah baby that dress is stunning, I hope it's for keeps. I miss you too but just think not long and you'll be back where you belong, curled up with me watching cheesy movies'
I chuckled at him and smiled fondly at memories of those exact memories.
"Yeah I can't wait. Anyway I best get back in. I miss you and I love you"
'Love you too sweetie, I miss you so much.'
I hung up quickly and wiped at the tears in my eyes. I headed back in to the room towards the bathroom to freshen up my make up. I walked in to find a line of women at the sink. I walked to a spare mirror to apply some more lipgloss when I realized three of the women were watching me. It was only then that I realized it was Emily and Kim. I took a deep breath and smiled at them before whispering "Hey guys".
As soon as the words left my lips I was bombarded with hugs and promises of catching up before they left the room. It was only then that I noticed that the third girl was still there watching me with furious eyes.
I smiled at her to try and diffuse the tension "Hi, I'm Bella Swan" I extended my hand towards her.
"I know who you fucking are" she spat.
I looked at her, pure shock lacing my features "Excuse me? Do I know you?"
"No, we haven't met thank fuck but I know you're the bitch who left 4 years ago. They were fucking heatbroken over you, all of them, thinking you held them together or some shit. God knows why you little slut. Stay the fuck away from them or we will be having another conversation which will end in a different way. If you even so much as look at Jacob I will destroy you. He is my soul mate and I am his imprint I have accepted him. He doesn't want you now."
The girl then spun on her heel before leaving me in the bathroom completely devastated. Jacob had imprinted and he didn't want to speak to me anymore. I didn't expect him to wait for me but he always said he wouldn't imprint on anyone else.