I hated packing. It seemed such a stupid idea, shoving things into a bag, knowing that in an hours time they'll be creased and useless. But this time wasn't a case of wanting to pack, it was a case of having to pack. I refused to be away form Edward again, and this was the only option. If we had to face the Volturi- it would be together.
All thoughts of Jacob had been pushed back to the back of my mind. I loathed every inch of him, for even considering deliberately putting Edward in danger, and I promised myself that I would get my revenge. After all, I had a coven of vampires on my side. How hard could it be to take Jacob down?
No...why was I even thinking about this? My hands shook as I forced clothes into a duffel bag, and took out my emergency cash from the sock under my bed. Not that I would need it, knowing Edward he would pay, for absolutely everything I needed. And more. Sigh. Why did this have to happen? If only he hadn't opened his mouth, then he wouldn't have seen her, he wouldn't have helped her. And this was going to kill Charlie... I hadn't spared him a thought before, but he'd be heartbroken. All alone again...
Shaking my head firmly, I zipped up the bag and ran for the door, only tripping once. I had to do this, for the Cullens, for Edward... Three sharp raps came from the front door, and I just couldn't get there fast enough. But when I did, Edward was waiting, looking panicked and upset. But that still didn't stop me taking in all his purely perfect features…He saw my staring and spared a brief chuckle.
"Come on. We haven't got much time." He picked me up and placed me gently in the back seat, sitting protectively beside me. Looking around, I saw everyone, crammed in to the car, scared expressions on every face.
"What's happening?" I whispered, clutching Edward's hand with all force left inside my body. Alice quickly spun round and shot Edward a warning look, and Edward sighed.
"No Alice, I didn't tell her. It's best if she doesn't know." He said quickly, putting his arm protectively round my waist. His voice was stern, and Alice rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Sheesh Edward, it's nothing to worry about...for now. I promise you, nothing's going to happen to him." Alice said promptly, and I froze in shock. Charlie. Why was I so stupid?! He was in danger, we'd left him to fend for himself against... Against the most dangerous force in the Vampire world. I panicked.
"Are you saying...that Charlie...is in danger...from the Volturi!!" My voice came out high, and I stared at Edward with petrified eyes. Of course, it would never be as bad of the thought of Edward and his family being in danger, which was currently burning a hole in my brain, but still... Charlie hadn't done anything to deserve this, and had no means of defending himself now his protectors were fleeing the town. I already felt sickenly guilty about leaving him, this just made everything worse.
"Bella, don't worry about it," replied Alice, who was totally at ease. "The Volturi are coming to Forks, but they won't stay for long, and they don't know that you're anything to do with it. Charlie will be fine."
As she spoke I felt a wave of calm sweep over me, courtesy of Jasper. It was so easy to trust her, and I already trusted the Cullen's more than anyone... but what if she was wrong? What if the Volturi changed their mind when it was too late to do anything about it? Forget it, I told myself, Charlie is safe, Charlie is safe, he's safe...
"When did the Volturi find out?" I asked curiously, interrupting the thoughts that were etched into my mind. Edward smiled, obviously relieved that I wasn't freaking out. But then again, he didn't know about my trip to La Push yet...
"They found out a couple of hours ago, when Edward stopped the car. Telling people isn't big enough to alert attention, because most of the time people just laugh...but this time it was obvious, big, and everyone saw it, everyone has proof that it's true. That's when the Volturi got angry, and they're swimming across the Atlantic as we speak."
Swimming across the Atlantic! I didn't speak, too engulfed in the horror of the situation to ask anymore questions. But obviously, Alice wasn't.
"So Bella...why are you so angry at Jake?" she asked casually with a smirk, ignoring the sudden stares of everyone else in the car. Alice really was impossibly annoying at times. Now Edward would be mad. Just what I needed on a roadtrip.
"You went to La Push?" Edward's voice was confused, yet harsh, and I couldn't help but shudder at the tone. He really hated Jake, and I guess in the current situation, me visiting him wasn't exactly the best idea.
I just nodded, expecting them to snap at me, but Emmett laughed, and Rosalie and Jasper just shrugged. I would just have to be honest…
"Yes...I did, but I'm never going back there again. I hate him." My words obviously didn't do the trick, and the Cullens looked even more confused. "Jacob imprinted. On Lauren. And then he helped her. It's his fault you got found out." There was too much to say, and it was too hard to say what I wanted to say without screaming abuse. He'd hurt me too bad.
Jasper growled angrily at the news, and Edward looked fierce. Vampire fierce.
"I could kill that little pup..." he said, his perfect, velvet voice erased by hatred. At least he wasn't mad at me anymore. I could only be grateful for that fact alone. Everything else was hell.
That's when I realised, that we had two battles against us, and neither of them, would be easy to win. Things could only get worse...