Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; it is the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are mine. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Italics for thoughts (Edward can hear it if he's present)
Stages of forms
Tiger: first form (actual tiger)
Tigris: second form (were-tiger, like werewolves, larger than actual animal)
Taiga: third form (cat ears, tail, more tiger musculature, fur, full canines, paws)
Tigam: fourth form (half and half, humanoid form, light fur, tail, nearly full canines, paws)
Tegamen: fifth form (mostly humanoid, no fur, stripes marking the skin and claws and longer canines)
Higar: sixth form (human but with cat senses and scent, regeneration and able streak mind)
Human: seventh form (completely human)
Chapter 7
Finality
"I love you, Bella." Daniel said as he left and I watched him walk down the street and out of my life. I tried to breath and function as I lost sight of him but the pain was immense. I picked up the phone and dialled the only number that would bring the slightest relief.
"Hello?" he answered his voice clear and calm. I smiled at the sound of Demetri's voice and felt some part of my heart lighten.
"Is the Charles?" I asked not knowing if he was in the presence of others. I heard the sharp intake of breath that marked his understanding of who I am. It was an old code that he had told me to use. If I was in danger I was to ask for Charles, if I merely wished to speak with him I was to ask for Jonathan the first brother to die.
"I'm sorry but you have dialled the wrong number." He stated before hanging up. I waited for him to phone back. Unsure of when he would be able to do so. I needed to speak with him, to ease the pain, to make it stop. To survive. I waited for nearly an hour before giving up.
Knowing I could not stay alone I made my way to school nearly 40 minutes early knowing there wouldn't be anyone there yet. But I couldn't stay in this place without Daniel, I would go mad. I moved up from the blankets that had his scent and got ready for a day I wasn't sure if I could survive, or if I wanted to.
I sat on one of the picnic tables and tried to breathe. What could my uncle do for me now? He was far away and I couldn't go to him. Sitting there in the cool morning air I decided that I would not let her hurt me like this. She had already taken so much from me; this was something I had not expected from her.
I could end the suffering if I was strong enough, I felt for the band of energy that bound me like all other Tigers to our leader, our clan. It was strong and yet I could take no comfort in this, I was not clan she had made sure that my failures were known. Just as she made sure that all saw me as weak and childish and wanting nothing from me.
I focused on this binding and began to pull it apart. It was worse then the pain of isolation it was so much more. Fighting the desire to stop I ripped myself away from the clan and my mother.
A scream ripped from my lips and I fell back onto the table top.
The pain was blinding at first it began to dim as my body adjusted to it. I felt the strong pull to be a tiger but pushed it away I did not wish to survive this. If she would force me to be isolated then I could die to prevent that.
Laying there staring at the white of the clouds that surrounded me I forgot time and let the pain ride my body.
"Bella?" I turned my head to look at the owner of the voice.
Edward looked scared and helpless. Could he feel me dying? Could he tell what I had done? Did Alice see this? I stared at him and tried to find words. Suddenly seeing him there I no longer wished to die but it was too late to protect myself and to shift. I was hurting him just to ease my own pain.
"Bella, please! Please don't die." Alice's voice called as she ran towards me and her brother. She looked so terribly sad, I wanted to comfort her but I couldn't make my body do what I wanted. I felt tears begin to drip from my eyes blurring my vision.
"Take her to Carlisle Edward!" Alice stated looking a bit more in control of herself though still very upset. "Other students will show up soon." Edward lifted me into his arms and adjusts me so that my head rested against his shoulder. His eyes looked horrified and pained but he showed no burning hunger. I guess I wasn't tempting when I was dying. I remember the last time he had held me, it was a worthy death. He was fierce and handsome predator.
"Please be okay Bella." Alice said as she touched my cheek as I passed. Rose echoed her gesture and both were wrapped in the arms of their mates looking worried and sad. Closing my eyes I rested in Edward's arms.
****
"Carlisle!" Edward called as he pushed the door open and laid me down on the couch. I gasped at the loss of contact with Edward and he knelt before me trying to find out what was hurting me. Carlisle was beside him in moments and both were trying to find the cause of my illness. I knew they would find nothing, as there was nothing physically wrong with me.
"Bella where are you hurt?" Carlisle asked me as he moved my face so that I could see him. So much worry, I was hurting them! I tried to tell him but couldn't speak passed the numbing pain that filled me. He looked at Edward whose eyes never left my face.
"Bella. Please help us!" Edward begged after they had searched my body for injuries and found nothing that could have done this too me. I knew my body was cooling and paling, that my heart was slowing. It would look like I was being changed into one of their kind, only I would die. There would be no eternal life for me.
Edward took me into his arms looking horrified and like he was on fire. This look of pain managed to get me enough control to move my palm to cup his face. He stared down at me and held his hand over mine as I lost control. I longed to tell him that I had not intended to harm them, that I had not thought when I took this action. That I am so sorry for this.
"Bella please don't leave me." He said his voice fierce in its agony. His eyes flicked to Carlisle and then back to me. "I can't lose you... I love you too much to survive without you." He said his voice only just above a whisper. For a moment I couldn't feel my agony, he loved me! This beautiful creature who tried so hard to do right loved a foolish Tiger like me?!
I thought of the first time I had seen him hunting with his family. I had never seen a vampire hunt animals before and I got much too close to him. He caught my sent and turned towards me. His beauty unimaginable to me, he was perfection. It was then that he advanced and I did not run from him. I stood my ground knowing he would kill me. He did not know I was not merely an animal and I had matched myself to a vampire the only vampire to consume me.
I pushed and fought to say the last words I would ever speak.
"I love you Edward."
