A/N: This chapter was difficult to write. I hope it will answer your questions but feel free to message me if it doesn't. This contains Vampire Violence or Vampires Committing Violence (VCV) – whichever way you prefer.
Also, there are more difficult interactions to come.
Enjoy.
With Bella back in his life and the Pack by his side, Jake was on a high.
They were on their way to Emily's and Bella had insisted on stopping off at the store.
When Jake tried to argue that Emily would have plenty, she replied,
"So you all go to her house, eat her food then leave?"
Jake had to admit that was what they did. She didn't laugh with him. When they purchased enough cakes to satisfy even the Pack's appetites, they pulled up outside the house.
Bella followed Jake inside, steeling herself to face them all. She hadn't forgotten how they treated her but had made up her mind to let sleeping dogs lie.
Hence why she'd bought a cake for Paul.
Jake had warned her not to stare at Emily and when the pleasantries were exchanged, Bella held out the bag of cakes to Paul.
"What's this?"
"I bought you a cake to say sorry for hitting you."
He sneered. "What's wrong with it?"
Her stomach sank as she realised he wasn't going to take the olive branch. "Other than being full of sugar? Nothing."
He grunted and reached for one of Emily's muffins instead. Emily took pity on the girl and put the cakes out, casting Sam a look that read embarrassment for Bella.
The others had no compunction tucking in and riled Paul that he was missing out.
Paul gave a snort. "I don't see why we have to play nice."
"It's called good manners Paul." Sam chided. He cleared his throat and turned to Bella. Any expectations of an apology fell short as soon as he began talking. "Jake told us you figured out our secrets. I think it goes without saying that we need you to keep quiet about it."
Disappointment filled her voice. "Don't worry Sam, I have no intention on blabbing. I wouldn't do that to Jake."
Jake took her hand in his. "You can trust Bella."
Paul's snort was ignored by all bar Jake.
"You're not usually quiet. Something to stay Lahote?"
Paul stood up to go. "I've got things to do. We done Sam?"
Sam shook his head. "Sit down Paul. Bella, I wanted to ask you about last summer. You told Jake that your abductors were associates of the Cullens. I take it they were also Vampires?"
Bella nodded.
"What happened?"
"I was out for a walk with Dante and Damon. The Cullens were playing baseball…"
"Vampires play baseball?"
"They play it in storms. Apparently the nomads had heard the game and wanted to play. They were about to leave when I stumbled into the clearing and Edward's reaction roused one of their interests."
"What? Was Edward saving you for dessert?"
She shook her head. "Edward thinks he's in love with me. His family bundled me into their car while Edward, Rose and Esme led them away. One of the nomads was a tracker. He followed us to Arizona and ensured I escaped by claiming he had my mother. He used an old home movie and led me to my old Ballet school."
Paul frowned. "So how did you get away from the Cullens?"
She shrugged. "They had left the room to make arrangements, I didn't ask why. I was glad to see them go."
"Why did they take you to Arizona?"
"I don't know. They weren't in the mood for giving me answers. Edward was the one to fight James but not before he bit me."
She held up her hand to show the bite mark.
"How come you're still human?"
"Edward sucked the venom out. Most of it anyway."
Paul rose to his feet. "What's tha supposed to mean?"
"They weren't the first Vampires to bite me. The previous Summer I was invited to Italy for a writer's camp."
A woman called Gianna had approached her personally, offering a full expenses paid trip. Bella arrived in time to do a bit of site-seeing and was taken to the Castle Volterra. The townspeople were celebrating St Marcus' day. Legend has it he was the man who was believed to have banished Vampires from Italy.
There was a large crowd visiting the castle and after viewing the upstairs rooms, they were led further down, to a great throne room.
A young mother and baby stood in front. The baby started to fuss and the mother was embarrassed but the baby would not be comforted.
The were three stone figures on the thrones and a group of boys egged each other on, seeing who would touch them.
The moment their hand touched their shoulder, they attacked, pulling them closer to bite their necks.
Everyone ran to the doors but they were locked and all they could do was watch as the Vampires had their fill. One of them threw the mother and baby against the wall killing them instantly.
"The last thing I remember was a pair of ruby red eyes boring into mine as they bit into my flesh. I woke up in hospital. It was September. They'd found my body miles from the town. My skin was burnt and I was covered in the same shimmery substance that is in my wrist. I don't know whether my body would have eventually rejected the venom anyway, but Edward's intervention means I know when a Vampire is near."
There was silence in the room as she left the house, making her way down to the beach. She sat on the driftwood bench that she and Jake had claimed for their own.
It was there Quil found her. He sat beside her, not speaking.
"You can still talk to me you know." He sighed. "I may not be happy you're back with Jake but I'm still here for you."
Her smile was watery. "It's not something I can talk about…"
"There you are!"
Jake's appearance soured the mood. Quil shook his head and left. "Take care of yourself, Bells."
Jake had to clear his throat a couple of times to get her attention.
"I need to tell you something."
XxX
Bella's stomach dropped as Jake told her of the final piece of the wolf puzzle – imprinting.
It sounded too good to be true.
As a child, she had enjoyed the fairy tales and their happy endings but reality was much different.
She did her best to swallow the hurt and remain calm. "So you could be in a supermarket and see a girl and instantly fall in love?"
"It's so much more than that." His voice took on a note of awe. "Gravity shifts and she becomes the centre of your world."
"No-one else matters?"
He didn't answer.
"Have you imprinted?"
He shook his head. "I wanted to. You're my choice."
"Promise me you'll tell me if you imprint. Don't let me be the last to know."
"Bells…"
"There's no point dwelling on something that might not happen."
"Then you still want me?"
"Of course I want you Jake. I love you."
He pulled her into his lap and they sat together until even Jake's warmth wasn't enough to shield them from the cold.
He brought her to his home and they lay together, their bodies communicating in the way their voices couldn't.
All Bella knew was that she loved Jake and she'd stay with him until he gave her reason not to.
