A/N: We writers are never going to please everybody. So if you are dissatisfied with this turn of events, thank-you for staying with me this far. To those who are still interested, there are some questionable motives ahead, along with some enlightenment as to past canon events.

Work was piling up and Bella began to resent the long drive back to Forks. It was even further to La Push.

"Why don't you stay the night? You know we've got an early class tomorrow."

Ever logical and generous, Riley had become a true friend. He was even willing to offer her the spare room after his room-mate dropped out of College.

"Won't I cramp your style?" she half joked in response.

He laughed and said "What style?"

XxX

It was late when the call came through to Jake. Bella had been staying in his sister's room these past few weeks. Paul didn't like it but he was willing to concede for the moment, in the hopes that Bella would soon be back home for good.

XxX

Bella found her stay peaceful and began to think seriously about Riley's offer. The place was nearer to campus and she had her own room so no-one could accuse her of jumping into bed with him.

'Though they probably will anyway', she thought bitterly.

XxX

It was Sunday, the one day where she had nothing to do. She finally decided it was time to make a decision. There was no point dragging things out any longer.

With that in mind, she left the campus and made her way to Paul's home. Knowing her luck, he'd be in, but there was always a chance he'd be with the Pack.

She was in the bedroom when he arrived home, recognising her scent and running straight there, to see the open suitcase on the bed.

She felt his eyes boring into her skull and turned slowly to meet the man she had been ready to spend her life with.

"Why?" His voice was rough, as though it hadn't had much use.

"It's better this way."

"For who? You?" He snorted.

"I'm moving closer to College. Riley…"

His eyes flared. "Riley? Who the hell is Riley?"

"He's my classmate. His friend let him down so he has a spare room."

"I bet he does. Have you actually seen it, or is it some ruse to get you into bed?"

"I've used it a couple of times this week. Please don't judge him by your standards."

She turned to shut her case and found Paul blocking the exit.

"You're not going anywhere sweetheart. You're mine."

He grabbed the case and threw it on the floor. She saw the amber flecks in his eyes and knew the Wolf was here.

"Paul hurt you but you forgave him. You need to move on from this."

"That's what I'm trying to do. I can't stay here anymore. All of you want me to put up and shut up but I can't. I won't."

His hands rested on her shoulders, pulling her close. "And what about us?"

"Paul will cope. He sought solace before."

"Paul was weak. He took your offer at face value, it's what you meant to happen all along, didn't you."

He pushed away from her in disgust.

"Yes, I gave him the option of sleeping with other women. But it was Paul that followed through. I never forced him."

"Why would you disrespect what we had?"

Her voice held passion. "Because every time he spoke against me, a part of me died. He was so angry that we were soulmates. How do you think it felt, having his words constantly belittle me, never choosing to see that I was in pain until it served his purpose? Yes, I forgave Paul but I can't forget all the things he did and now, the thought of staying with him, playing the imprint is too much. You'll soon forget all about me and move on."

She didn't see him move until he was pressed against her, pinning her to the edge of the bed.

"It's not that easy Bella. What we have is real. You're hurting now but soon, you'll remember how it was."

Her words were scathing. "You mean the imprint?"

He shook his head. "No Bella. Us!" He lowered his lips to hers, reigniting the ease and passion that had been missing of late. He felt her body sink in the usual way, gathering her pliant form in his arms, breaking the embrace to position her on the bed.

"There should never be any barriers between us, mate."

She knew she should stop him. He was taking advantage of the situation. But the feel of his lips and his tender touch made her logical mind switch off.

There'd be time later. She'd take what he was offering now and remember it when she was back in her lonely room.

XxX

He was barely aware of her moving away from him, too content in the knowledge that she was home.

When he did feel the empty space, he assured himself that she was probably in the bathroom.

When the minutes ticked by and the click of a car started, he bolted from the bed, down stairs and out to the front yard.

"Where you going?"

"It's over Paul. It won't take you long to find someone new."

He pulled at the car door but it was locked. The engine revved and he was forced to step away as the woman he loved, left La Push.

XxX

The first few days were difficult. Memories of their last embrace continued to flare in unguarded moments. All the while, Riley was a constant help reminding her to eat, perking her up when she felt lost.

"We need to let off some steam Bella. We're on our own, away from our families. This should be the happiest time of our lives."

She accompanied him to one of the local hang-outs for students, the hours passing in a blur.

Apart from the odd call to Charlie, she kept her phone off, ignoring the stream of messages. All except the ones from Jake. He'd been her friend before the Pack stuff took over and she owed him the respect their friendship deserved. He learned not to press her about Paul, for she'd shut down and let his calls go to voicemail.

The Cullens were also in receipt of her rejection. They had earned her schedule and infiltrated some of her classes but she breezed right past them, her eyes refusing to meet theirs.

XxX

It had been a few weeks and Riley had announced that they were going out.

"We've earned this Bella."

She had to agree.

He bought the first beers and she nursed it slowly, her position as a cop's daughter over-riding the usual rebellion of her peers.

Riley never left her side and she was content to have another drink. He kept her abreast of all the attention she was receiving from other males but she laughed it off.

"Please, you can't be serious."

"Bella, you have no idea how you affect guys like us!"

She swatted him lightly, not taking his words serious. "They're probably thinking what's a guy like you, doing with a girl like me."

He let the subject drop for now and bought another round.

It was later that she felt eyes on her and soon they were joined by Edward Cullen.

"What do you think you're doing Bella?"

"I'm having fun. You should try it sometime."

He leant in closer, hating the smell of alcohol, diluting her pure scent.

"Bella, you're underage." He turned to Riley. "You should know better than to let her get in this state!"

Ok, now she was pissed. "Go to Hell Edward, no-one wants you here!"

He backed away at her ire, content to wait.

XxX

It was late when they left the bar, both worse for wear and catching sight of the waiting car; they gave no thought to the danger they courted.

Edward stepped out to close the door, ensuring Bella wore her belt. He'd charged Alice with getting the male back to his room.

He drove through the quiet roads to the home he shared with his family, carrying Bella through to Carlisle's office, where he waited with the necessary IV.

XxX

"Wake-up!" The voice was harsh and relentless in Riley's alcohol-fuelled mind.

"Where am I?"

"Never mind that. Where is she?"

He left the bed, stumbling through the house. "She's not here!"

The sting of the hand against his cheek was heavy. "I know that, you fool. You were supposed to be keeping her for me. Not giving her to them."

"It's not easy, making her believe I'm actually interested. Why do you need her anyway? Let them keep her."

"I told you this before. She is the reason my friends are dead. She enticed them, promising to be true to the love they offered, only to lead them to their death. One by wolf, the other by the Cullens. She needs to be punished. I can't let their deaths be in vain."

Riley saw the sorrow in the red head's eyes and did his best to comfort her.

"I'm sorry I let you down. I only want us to be together."

The sorrow vanished as she stood tall. "We will, once the girl is dead. Do this for me and I will be yours forever."

She sighed deeply into the soft lips that attached themselves to hers. They were weak and not a patch on James'. If he were still here, he'd take great pleasure torturing the fool that let himself fall victim to a predator's charm.

If he were still here, she would not be along. She hadn't lied to Riley. Not really. James had been interested in the obscure brunette. As for Laurent, the vegetarian lifestyle had bored him and he'd received enough Intel from his mate's family to garner that the Cullens had relinquished their territory and their pet, making Isabella Swan easy prey.

But for the wolves, this whole charade would be over and she wouldn't have to put up with the sloppy kisses of a pathetic male.

Outside, the sound of a running engine broke the peace as it parked up.

"Soon, my love, soon", she murmured as she left the building, running into the night.

XxX

Bella was slow to wake, the light binding her as she became lucid to the knowledge that she wasn't in her room and she was hooked to an IV.

"How are you feeling?"

Edward looked over her and she knocked his hand away as she pulled herself up.

"What the hell have you done to me?"

She pulled the tube out, a small speck of blood falling to the floor.

"It was necessary. You were intoxicated. We flushed it out of your system."

He was unrepentant as she leapt off the bed. "What right do you have to interfere with my life?"

The chaos brought the remaining Cullens to the doorway.

"Bella, I was wrong, I should never have left you in the woods…"

"No, you should have let Tyler's van crush me. Then I never would have believed you loved me."

"Bella, please."

"You told me that you were the world's deadliest predator and that my blood sang to you and instead of running away, I ran to you. I believed the lie and let you all take over my life. Well no more."

They watched her stumble downstairs.

"You should stay here tonight."

"And let your compliance mess with my head? No way."

She looked about, not seeing her keys. "We brought you here Bella."

Keeping her mind clear, she made her way outside, snatching up the keys to the Volvo. Too late, Edward realised what she was going to do and she was already driving off when he stepped outside.

She revved through the streets Port Angeles, parking up outside the apartment she shared with Riley.

Leaving the keys in the car, she ran to her room, shutting the world out before throwing herself on the bed and bursting into tears.

XxX

It was mid-morning when Jake appeared at the door, his mind reeling from what the Cullens had told him.

Whilst he was pissed on Bella's behalf, he understood why they had done what they did. The last thing they needed was Bella hurt more than she already was.

A worse for wear Riley answered the door.

"She doesn't want to see anyone."

"She'll see me."

He pushed past the fragile barrier, reaching Bella's door.

It was locked. "Honey, open up."

He words were muffled. "Go away!"

He tried again, his voice low and soothing. "Bells honey. It's me."

He heard footsteps as she shuffled to open the door before burying herself under the quilt once more.

He locked the door behind him, pulling the form that was Bella, onto his lap and resting on the bed. His hand softly travelled down her back, his warmth lingering as the tears began.

He waited until the sobs and shaking stopped, leaving the room to fetch a glass of water.

He convinced her to eat and only when she was sure she'd be alright, did he leave her to sleep.