A/N: I know this is probably not what you expected but the end is nigh. Abuse is implied only here and I've manipulated the Canon for my own benefit.
It was All Hallows Eve and Riley and Bella were planning a party. The decorations were in place and they'd decided to co-ordinate costumes for the evening.
"So what time do you want us there?"
Jake had been invited, along with Quil and Embry. The rest of the Pack had refused out of loyalty to Paul. However, Paul had made arrangements to attend that party. He planned to sneak in when things were in full swing.
The drinks had been flowing and the room was filled with creatures of the night, both stemming from the horror culture. He passed a werewolf, intent on devouring the entire punch bowl. Then there was the vampire necking some girl dressed as a zombie.
He saw the hungry looks girls threw his way but none of that mattered anymore. All he wanted was Bella. His brothers thought him crazy.
"After all you did for her? She's thrown it back in your face!"
Paul's answer was simply, "I cheated on her and she forgave me once."
"All that's past now, you need to move on."
But he couldn't. Bella was in his blood, his soul and there was no way he'd ever be without her.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spied Jake, talking to some girl from Bella's drama group. He knew that look mirrored his own when Bella was around and he was happy for his brother. Out of all of them, Jake deserved to find happiness.
He'd been a life-saver these last few weeks, allowing him insight to Bella through the wolf-link. It took every ounce of strength not to run to Port Angeles and carry her away. Especially after the Cullen episode.
Jake's memories had given him an idea of what Riley looked like and he could guess how things were developing between them. As much as it killed him, he knew that Bella was happy and as long as she stayed that way, he wouldn't pummel the boy's face…
His eyes were drawn to Riley and the blonde girl attached to his side. They were dressed as the Joker and Harley Quinn. The girl was scantily clad, revealing practically all her assets. Paul looked but couldn't see Bella and the next moment, the girl was following Riley down the hall. He strolled along, keeping a distance but his blood boiled when he saw them suck face before entering the room ahead.
He heard laughter as he crashed through the room, grabbing Riley off the bed and pinning him against the wall.
"Is this what you had in mind? Cosy up to Bella and then drop her for some blonde bimbo."
He didn't care that this boy was human. He was the one who was able to see Bella and he didn't appreciate it.
"Paul!"
It took a few moments to recognise the voice calling his name. He dropped the boy and turned to face the girl on the bed. Beneath the make-up and the skimpy clothes was Bella.
Her eyes were wide and hidden behind coloured contacts, all to represent the character she now portrayed.
"What have you done?"
She pushed him aside as she ran to Riley, leaving him standing there like a fool.
Jake had heard the commotion and had come running. With his help they managed to get Riley into a car and make their way to hospital where his nose was seen to.
XxX
Paul was waiting in the lobby as they patched Riley up. He spied Bella appear and make her way to the coffee machine.
"Bella?"
"What do you want? Haven't you done enough damage?"
"I want to apologise."
"Riley's busy at the moment."
She went to move past him, but he grabbed her arm. "I'm sorry Bella; I shouldn't have forced myself on you."
She shrugged. "You didn't. I was with you the whole time."
She moved past him. "I still love you Bella. Whatever you do, wherever you go, I'll still be there for you."
She paused briefly, assessing his words, before shaking her head and moving away, leaving him standing, alone.
XxX
The next couple of weeks were quiet for the Pack, Bella and co. To all intents and purposes, Riley and Bella were now a couple and there was nothing anything else could do about it.
Meanwhile, Victoria had finalised her plans and had amassed her army.
The time had come to avenge her mate.
XxX
In his last few visits to Bella's, Jake had caught a faint scent that irritated him. It lingered about the apartment but wasn't stronger in any one location.
Uneasy about it, he allowed it to filter through the Pack, ensuring his brothers were on guard.
Meanwhile, Jasper Hale had turned his attention to events in Seattle. He'd heard that Chief Swan had been roped in as extra back-up.
He'd never forgiven himself for the lapse that had led to the family abandoning the girl they had come to see as a daughter. Whatever her feelings for them now, she had loved them once and he owed it to her to keep an eye on her father and make sure that he didn't suffer the same treatment as his daughter.
Alice grieved the loss of her friend and he didn't see fit to bother her with his plans.
XxX
The growing numbers of missing people had been labelled a spree by the media. He stalked every trace and trail he could find, honing in on the culprits, catching them unaware.
It was only then that he made his findings known to both family and Pack.
"The first few years of our existence are fuelled by blood-lust. I believe they are being created for a battle. But none know when they will be moving or who the target is."
It was agreed that Alice and Edward would accompany him on his next scouting mission as both their gifts would prove the most useful.
"Once we know what they're about, we'll let you know. In the meantime, remain vigilant."
XxX
The new-borns were volatile and easily distracted. They were desperately hungry for blood and their hunting activities only fuelled the panic.
There was one, however, that had a level of control. He was the one they sought answers from. With Jasper's powers, they sedated him allowing Edward the opportunity to read his mind and gain the answers they needed. They were preparing for battle with the four-legged beasts and the creatures that shared their instincts but not their appetites.
Edward considered that their quest was too successful.
"Edward, we got what we came for, why do you doubt it?"
Jasper shared his concerns and they agreed to mention it to the wolves.
XxX
Bella was surprised to receive a call from Jake, asking her to attend a meeting with the Cullens. For the last few nights, Riley had been distant. There were times when she'd wake up alone and go looking for him, only to find he'd left the apartment. She stayed up to wait for him but when he returned, he accused her of not trusting him and being paranoid.
It was all very confusing.
Jake was the first one to see her and welcome her into the fold. "Hey beautiful."
The Cullens turned simultaneously but they were met with the sight of Bella's back.
Paul stood closest to them and noticed the changes immediately. She was thin and pale. Her eyes looked too big for her face and her coloured hair only added to the pale visage.
She remained close to Jake throughout the meeting. He was the one to comfort her when the existence of new-borns was mentioned.
"My dad's been in Seattle. He needs to know, he could get killed!"
"We'll keep a look out for him, don't you worry."
She made a noise of disbelief but didn't elaborate.
"Alice has been looking out for the final decision but in the meantime, we need to be prepared."
The Cullens offered to give training, which the Pack accepted and it was arranged for the next morning.
They left soon after, leaving Bella feeling uncomfortable with the Pack. "I'd better go."
Jake shook his head. "No stay. We can hang out."
His pleading managed to persuade her and she followed him back to Emily's. Paul lingered slightly ahead of them.
"I shouldn't be here. I'm not Pack anymore."
"Of course you're Pack!"
"I left Paul, didn't I?"
Jake held her back from the group. "None of that matters right now. We need to stick together." She nodded. "How are things with Riley?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"I'm still your friend Bells, whatever you decide."
She saw the earnestness in his eyes and knew she couldn't tell him the truth. Instead, she held herself together and said "It's all good."
XxX
It had been a strained afternoon. Despite what Jacob told her, she's crossed a line by betraying her mate and had lost the right to their friendship.
She spent the night a Charlie's and returned to an empty apartment the next morning.
Riley was no-where to be seen.
XxX
"It will all be over soon." The red head cooed from above.
The time had come for Riley to fulfil his part of the bargain. He'd had his fun with the girl, but enough was enough.
The venom spread along through his blood, attacking the heart and destroying any factor of humanity Riley once possessed.
He felt his muscles harden as his soul departed, Victoria filling his head with all the bad things his room-mate, Bella Swan had brought to pass.
He shared her anger and need for justice and vowed to do his part anew…
XxX
Alice was in her room when the world about her stopped and she was transported to a field in La Push. She stood by her mate and her family. The wolves were dotted in clumps stretching the length of the land, whilst the enemy stood across, their eyes red and hungry and their strength untameable.
When she came to, Jasper was by her side, his eyes full of concern.
"It's the new-borns. They're on their way."
XxX
"Hey, it's Bella. Clearly I'm having too much fun to talk, so leave a message."
Having tried repeatedly to reach her, Sam dispatched Quil and Seth to collect her. He resented the necessity of the loss to his side but Jake and Paul were insistent that Bella wouldn't ignore them. She knew what was at stake if they weren't united.
XxX
Seth knew the moment they reached the apartment that something was wrong. The scent that Jake had filtered through the Pack mind was stronger now and deadlier than ever.
They pushed the door in and did a quick scan of the place leading to the bedroom.
The bed was in ruins and the scent of Vampire was strongest here.
A faint beeping was heard in the far corner of the room. The sight of Bella's phone and all those missed calls was like a slap in the face.
She was in danger!