Chapter Ten: Agree To the Treaty

I did not think, I just reacted. I ran up the stairs as fast as I could. Every second it took me to get to Edward's bedroom, I regretted for leaving him alone. I should had known better . . . only taking a few seconds for me to push Edward's door open. Broken glass lay across the floor and the bed. Another thing caught my attention -- Edward was not on the bed. A horrible scent floated around the floor. I knew who took him. Werewolves were here.

I decided to follow the scent. I jumped out of the broken window and landed perfectly on the grass before running into the dark woods. The combination of Edward's and the werewolves' scent getting stronger the longer I ran. I heard footsteps behind me. Carlisle and Alice were following me. I heard Edward's cry and stopped running.

Standing about ten yards from me was a crying baby in a man's arms. The man was tall, with long, jet black hair that shone in the moon light, and he had caramel skin. He smelled terrible -- he smelled worse than garbage. I wrinkled my nose and narrowed my eyes at him. I knew that he would get my message. He shook his head. From behind the trees came out four wolves, they started walking over to us. Venom started to flow inside my mouth, all I wanted to do is hurt them, however that would be careless. Edward could be hurt if I tried. I tried to control myself. Carlisle walked ahead of Alice and I. Also, the man that is holding Edward walked towards Carlisle.

They are not going to fight, they are going to compromise. Great, that will work. The man put Edward on the back of one of the wolves. Edward's face is red from crying, he still is crying. I wanted to hold him and comfort him, I could not do that. I frowned and Edward reached one of his tiny hands towards me.

"Excuse me," Carlisle said politely. The man looked back to Carlisle and nodded without uttering a word. He kept a hand on Edward's back to hold him up. "I apologize for the confusion, however the child is ours."

The man chuckled and shook his head. His laugh sounded evil, I growled quietly. "I am also sorry. The child was yours, he is now ours," the man explained. Carlisle opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off. "I would not allow a child to be in the hands of monsters, especially a human child."

He thinks we are going to kill Edward?

"There were no plans to hurt the child and still are none," Carlisle retorted in a soft tone. Carlisle all ways kept his temper under control, no matter what happens . . .

"Yes, I am aware of that. Though, according to one of my tribe members, some of the leeches in your coven do not have a very good control over their thirst," the man retorted back. I looked to the ground. He is right. Edward would never be safe with him under our care. There is always going to be a possibility that Edward would be hurt if I were to care for him. I probably never would have my thirst under control. Would his blood get more mouthwatering as he grows? Then I realized that, he needed to be away from us, not near us. What was I thinking . . .?

"I assure you that will not happen again--"

"You cannot be sure of that, am I correct?" the man cut Carlisle off again and started walking closer to us. No one responded. "No one will be safe here if any of your kind is around." I frowned again. "That would be a reason for me asking you to create a treaty," the man stopped walking in front of Carlisle. I wanted to tell Carlisle to say 'no', but I couldn't. I had to let him decide, Carlisle all ways knows what is best for everyone. Unlike me.

"I am listening," Carlisle said after a moment.

The man went straight to the point, "We must make a treaty agreeing that you will never go on Quileute land or never go near this child for the rest of his life." My head went up and my eyes widened. Carlisle could not agree to this!

"The consquences if this treaty were to be broken?" Carlisle asked. The man smiled.

"A war starts, sounds fair?" No. Carlisle sighed and rubbed the back of his neck in frustration.

"Please allow me to discuss this with the rest of my coven," Carlisle answered and started walking over to us. The man nodded and walked back towards Edward.

"No, we can't," I said as soon as Carlisle got over to us. He frowned. I did not know what else to say. This situation is completely bewildering, I looked at Alice. She seemed more sad than ever, she is also confused.

"Alice?" Carlisle called in a small voice. She looked up, her eyes fully black. She seemed ashamed, and scared . . . she did not answer quickly. I got scared about what her answer would be. I hoped she would agree with me not to sign the treaty. I am not sure what she will say though, neither is she.

"I think we should . . . agree to the treaty," she answered and looked to the grass again. I bite my lip nervously, I know what Carlisle is going to say. I wanted to beg him not to sign the treaty and take Edward back. But there would be no point. Edward is safer with them instead of us, I know that. I will forever be a monster, it will never be safe for me to be near Edward. Alice and Carlisle are right.

"I'm sorry, Bella," Carlisle whispered before turning around to walk away. The man walked towards Carlisle with a smug look on his face. They both stopped exactly where they were before.

"Wait!" I called before Carlisle would agree to the treaty. The both of them at me as if I am crazy. Maybe I am. "May I . . . hold Edward one last time? Before you do anything?" I asked the man. I hated asking permission to hold Edward. Though, Edward is not mine to hold anymore . . .

The man looked at Edward and back at me. "I suppose you may," he answered. I nodded, thanking him without using words. I felt sick even talking to this dog. I walked over to Edward and picked him up from the wolf's back. His eyes dry from crying and his face pink. His bright green eyes filled with sadness. It broke my heart.

I held him close to me and stroked his head. "I'm sorry," I whispered into his tiny ear. I knew he wouldn't understand me, I just thought it had to be said. I kissed the side of his head. The man walked over to me and held out his arms. I resisted the urge to growl at him and run. I handed Edward over to him and backed away slowly.

"Bu-, bu- . . ." Edward made a noise. I smiled, sadly. Edward started crying as the man walked over back to Carlisle.

"Agreed," Carlisle said taking out his hand with no emotion. The man shook his hand.

"Goodbye," the man said with a smile. He is obviously proud of himself. Carlisle nodded his head once and walked back towards the house. I was hesitant to follow him, but Alice pulled my arm before following him. We did not speak. We did not look back.