WARNING: Mentions of rape and one mention of bad language. (Hopefully I didn't go into too much detail, but if you want, ***** this line means that they scene is beginning and ending so you can skip it if you want.)


Chapter 7

Bella POV

I walked into the clearing and immediately felt a powerful presence nearby. "Hayden. I know you're here! I can sense your presence." I heard a chuckle come from overhead followed by a quiet thump. I turned around and was faced with coal black eyes. "Nice to see you after so long, my friend." I brought him in for a swift hug before stepping back. He was one of only two friends who were not from my Pack, although Angela did not know about my true nature. "I guess you have some work for my Pack?" At his nod I gestured for him to continue, although I hope it didn't involve travelling halfway across the world like my last job did- I wanted to stay close to Rosalie for a bit while our mating bond was still strengthening.

"This job is actually quite close to home, Port Angeles actually. There have been a number of disappearances there that I think might be linked to vampires- not yours obviously, they're 'vegetarian'." He quickly corrected when I started growling at him. My wolf did not like the assumptions that the statement held. "I want you and your pack to remain on alert and go in to check what the situations is. If it is vampires then I want you to deal with it like you do with everything else. The Volturi will be of no help, as it does not directly affect them, so it is our turn to try to keep this under wraps. I expect an update in a month." I nod and stick my hand out. When Hayden grabs it I feel the familiar tingle that runs up my arm whenever I create a contract with him. Now, I must either keep him updated and finish the job or be branded a traitor and be hunted forever until I die.

I left to return to my home to inform my Pack of our new mission. It was- as usual- greeted with enthusiasm, although everyone was a bit weary about the close proximity it had with our home. We tried not to mix work and home, as that's when it tended to become messy.

I spent the rest of the day sculpting in the back garden of my Pack House. Everyone knew that when I was sculpting that I was not to be disturbed, so my mind was free to wander and think about the Cullens- one in particular. I watched as the large chunk of stone slowly transformed beneath my hands into that of a certain blonde haired, sassy vampire that I knew. It was dark by the time I had finished and something was off about the statue. It wasn't just the outdated (like not from this century outdated) style of clothes that Rosalie had on, but it was her eyes. She looked terrified, there were slight lines around her eyes and mouth that weren't there before and her forearm was at an awkward angle.

"Sis! That's Rosalie, but it isn't at the same time. That's really weird." I started and turned around to face Ralphina. Even with my super enhanced hearing she still managed to sneak up on me sometimes. I just nodded in reply and turned back to face the statue. "Bella, has Rosalie ever told you about her past before? And I mean human past, not vampire past."

"No, Ralphy. Why do you ask?" I was curious as to what she thought. Ralphina may seem to be the most ignorant and innocent of us, but she was a lot like Alice, although she got impressions more often than visions and she could see both the past and the future.

"Because, I feel like you've just captured on of Rosalie's last moments as a human."

Rosalie's POV

I was sitting with my family chatting about our day at school while Emmett was playing on his X-box. It was getting to the point where he was going to destroy another controller with the force of his fingers again- Esme would not be happy about that. I thought back to earlier today at lunchtime when I just sat with Bella for a whole hour talking. I have never felt the need to talk so much; it was like the words just bubbled out of me like water from an underground stream. I had not felt as relaxed as when I was just sitting next to Bella with my hands in her soft fur. I was one of the best feelings I have ever felt in my life and it was something I am grateful for after the life I lived as a human- empty, with no real love and a scarring end.

The sun had set a few hours ago when I felt it. At first it was just a twitch in my chest, but soon I felt a rush of fear and sorrow sweep over me like a tidal wave. Gasping, I was up and out of the house in a flash, grateful that Esme had decided to keep the back door open- she wouldn't have liked to have had to replace the door so soon after Emmett had broken it.

I'm coming Bella, is all I thought. That phrase repeated over and over again until I reached Bella's house. I stopped and sniffed, trying to locate that delicious smell that only belonged to my mate. There, the scent of the forest and snow invaded my nose and I speedily ran towards what I am guessing to be their back garden. I saw my mate sitting, frozen in front of a statue that I couldn't see, her face looking at it in horror, while one of her packmates- the short dark haired one- placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Bella." The word was barely a whisper on my mouth but she heard it all the same. She moved so quick even my vampire eyes could not quick focus on her and then she was on me, squeezing my unneeded breath from my body. She nuzzled into my neck and purred softly, the sound and vibrations serving to calm me more than anything else ever could. I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed, making sure not to break her bones. She may be a shape shifter that can heal incredibly fast, but she can still be broken and hurt all the same. "My Bella, what is the matter? I felt your pain and horror from my house and had to come see you."

She pulled back and looked me in the eyes. Taking my hand, she somberly led my to the statue, not speaking a word. "This is why I was in pain. Because it seems like you are." Confused, I turned to look at the statue and froze. It was a statue of me, a human me, cowering in fear with a split lip and broken arm. I grew ridged and still, like the stone our skin is so often described as as the flashbacks started. For a vampire my human life was incredibly vivid- I was able to remember things as far back as my toddler years without trouble, but while it gave me some beautiful memories, it came with a price. I could remember every single detail of the last few hours leading to my death and subsequent transition into immortality. I could remember every punch, kick and swear word thrown at me while Royce and his friends took turns violating me everywhere, laughing as they did it. I remember the last words my repulsive fiancé ever spoke to me as he spat on my broken and dying body- 'You will never be worthy of me, or anyone else your harlot body might draw in. You are nothing and a nobody. Besides, who would want someone like you? Someone who has just enjoyed the company of several men at the same time?'

All of a sudden I hear a voice, trying to shake me from my memories. I follow that angelic voice out of my subconscious and into the land of the living and the not-so-living. I came face to face with beautiful chocolate brown eyes- beautiful worried chocolate brown eyes. I blink and shake my head to get rid of the lingering cobwebs of that gruesome memory while standing up. Wait- "Bella, why was I lying on the floor?"

She took in a deep breath before letting it out, wafting her scent to me and calming me down. "You were just standing there and repeating these horrible words over and over again. I was scared you might hurt yourself when you started clutching at your arms so I laid you down on the ground and made sure you didn't try to hurt yourself. What happened? Why were you like that? Oh god, I'm going to destroy that statue right now!" As she turned around to leave, I pulled her into my arms and rested my head in the crook of her shoulder.

"Stay, please." I whispered to her. "I don't want to be alone right now and I want to talk to you about something. If you really want it destroyed then get one of your packmates to do it for you."

She nodded and broke free from my grip before grabbing my hand and walking to her room. I found it amusing how she just expected me to follow, but thinking about it I realised I would probably follow her anywhere; she wouldn't even have to ask. I followed her up two flights of stairs and to the first of only two doors on the floor. She opened it up to a large, spacious room that took up half of the floor of the house. It was almost like she had an apartment in side her home. She walked through the partition that separated what looked like a living room from her bedroom. As I walked in I was hit with the sense of coming home. Of some place safe to retire to when things went bad. Her room had three walls painted midnight blue while one wall was a plain white. A giant super king sized bed took up almost a third of the room, covered in what looked like dark blue silk sheets. I could not wait to see if it was as comfortable to lie on as it looked. Even though I was a vampire I had gotten into the habit of just lying on a bed for a few hours each day just thinking and relaxing without anyone in the room.

Bella led me to the bed and gestured for me to lie down as she walked over to a door that was nestled into a wall. I could only assume that she had stepped into a bathroom and my suspicions were confirmed when I heard the sound of water running from a tap invade my ears. The door opens and Bella walks out, her face still slightly damp with the water she just splashed on her face. She smiles a smile that seems to melt the last of my unrest away before settling into the bed next to me. I turned to face her, resting my head on my arm and Bella copies me, reaching out and pulling me close. I nuzzle my head once again into that lovely spot where her neck and shoulder meet, inhaling her scent before pulling back to look at her.

"I guess I should tell you what happened, huh?" I asked, my courage melting away as I began to question what the outcome of this may be.

"No, Rose, only if you want to. I would never force you to talk about something that causes you such obvious pain! If you want we could just lay here for a while and then I could properly introduce you to my pack?" I shook my head and cuddled into her taller frame before starting my story.

"Well, I was born in 1915, Rochester, New York. I had two younger brothers, a housewife for a mother, and my father worked at a bank, which meant that we were quite well off- even during the Great Depression. I grew up constantly being told how beautiful I was, so I grew up vain and self-centered. I guess that the dresses and jewelry that my parents lavished on me didn't help. Unfortunately I always had a wild streak and one night my mother and father caught myself and my best friend Vera practicing kissing on each other. Needless to say I was beaten and Vera's parents married her off straight away. My father however, wanted something beneficial to come from my marriage so one day when I caught the eye of Royce King II my father was delighted. He had always wanted to move up in society and having his daughter married to a bank owner would boost his status immeasurably.

While I did not want to be married off to him, I saw no choice and accepted his hand in marriage when he proposes. About a week before the day of our wedding, I went to visit my good friend Vera and see her baby boy, Henry. When I saw the interactions between Vera and her husband I realised that any hope of love growing between myself and Royce was futile- our relationship was merely one-sided physical attraction, and that did not come from me.

Dazed by my thoughts, I walked home unaware of my surroundings. Perhaps if I had been more conscious of where I was going I wouldn't have walked past that bar." I took a moment to gather my courage to continue, as I knew the next part would be hard on the both of us. Bella pulled me closer and started purring softly, the sound reassuring me that she would not leave.

"As I was walking past, I heard the sound of a group of drunken men come stumbling out of the door. I put my head down and tried not to draw attention to myself, but unfortunately for me, the beauty that I had so loved and coveted for most of my life now brought upon me an experience I would never wish on my woman or even man.

Realising that I had caught the eye of the men, I started walking faster until I heard the sound of my husband-to-be calling for me to stop. I thought that if I ignored him, when he was sober he would tell my parents and they would beat me, so I foolishly stopped. He then slung his shoulder of my arms, his hand casually brushing my breast. Royce proceeded to brag about my beauty and prowess between the sheets even though I was a virgin and we had never had sex. When I mentioned that I was still a maiden, he grew angry and said that there were many ways of having sex without penetration and that if I wasn't careful he and his friends would show me them if I didn't hold my tongue. At that moment my stronger side decided to show through and I stupidly told him that unless he removed his hand from my breast the wedding was off.

I guess that was the last straw for him as he dragged me into an alley way and started ripping my clothes off, managing to break my arm and bust my lip, while his friends cheered him on. He then unbuckled his pants and along with his friends proceeded to defile me in ways that I shall not repeat. Eventually he stopped and left me beaten and broken in many different ways. That statue depicted the moment just before this happened.

I was lying on my deathbed when Carlisle came across me. While it humiliated me for him to see me like that, I am only glad that Edward was not there too see it as well, for he would have never stopped reminding me of the fact he had seen me at my weakest. Carlisle bit and and three days later I was a newborn vampire. However, part of the reason I absolutely loathe Edward is due to the first words I heard Edward say- "How could you ever think that someone as vain, shallow and self-centered as her could ever be my mate?" That injured me greatly as I had just been through something that made me feel disgusting and impure and here Edward was confirming everything Royce and his friends had told me as they had beaten and spat on me. Looking in the mirror did not help, as all it did was make me realise that I would never be human again.

However, like Carlisle I am proud to say that I have not tasted a drop of human blood, though I have killed a few. When I had gotten over the newness of my transformation the first thing I did, to Carlisle's dismay, was to hunt down each and every one of those sniveling bastards who raped me. I left Royce for last as I wanted him to feel the fear that I felt as I lay knowing that I was going to die. The idiotic man tried to flee me, taking all his money and valuables with him and running away to the countryside. I followed him there and found Royce hiding in the basement of an abandoned country house in a room that had no windows and a very thick, vault-like door guarded my two beefy men who seemed to be hired mercenaries. I donned what was to be my wedding dress and killed the two bodyguards in an instant. I then ripped the vault door off its hinges and strode into the room to be met with a cowering Royce King II. I tortured him for hours before slowly snapping his neck. I was, however careful not to spill a drop of his or his friends' blood, as I was repulsed by the idea of having any part of them inside me.

I then took all of his money and jewelry, splitting it into three. A third was to go to Vera and I know she used it wisely as her great grandson is now the owner of a large chain department store built using the money I left on their door. The second third went to an orphanage I used to spend my free time helping out in, although no one ever knew about it. The last I hid from the Cullens and put it in a bank account under another name, and I have slowly been building it up over the years to an incredibly large amount of money. I had picked up tricks on how to handle the economic world from my father back when he used to love being around me.

I use this money for whenever I don't want the Cullens to know about anything I want to buy that they might not approve of or in the rare case that I might want to run away and not use their money. The only person I trust to tell about it is Alice and she has kept a very tight lid on it even with a mind reader and empath in the house."

Bella nodded, and I could tell that her beast wanted out, as her eyes were the icy blue that indicated its presence. Strangely it only made me feel more at home and I burrowed into Bella's hot body, her heat making my body feel almost human in temperature. This seemed to calm her down and her eyes turned back into the warm chocolaty brown that I loved. I smiled at her and nodded my acceptance when she told me that we could rest for a few hours before meeting her pack. I made a mental note to call Alice and tell her that I was okay, but then realised that she had probably had a vision of me asking her that so I just rested my head on Bella's chest and drifted off into a calm state, surrounded by the delicious smell and heat of my mate.