The Alpha Female

JacobxBella

Rated M

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or the franchise, as it belongs to Steph Meyers

The Alpha Female

Chapter 9

The school nurse rubbed healing ointment on Bella's burnt hand, frowning at the strange shape but saying nothing about it. Once she finished, she wiped her hands and grabbed some gauze and bandage wrap and began to wrap her hand. As she did she couldn't help but ask, "Bella, how did you get these burns? I know it isn't any of my business, but these are fresh and look like they could be drifting into second degree burns. How did you acquire them and why didn't you go to the hospital?"

Bella shrugged before saying, "It's okay, I'll be alright. They'll heal, I'm sure of it."

"But that didn't answer my question. How did you get them?"

Bella wasn't sure how to answer that. She knew from experience that not telling the school nurse the truth about an injury if it wasn't obvious from the beginning resulted in her calling a parent. But still, she couldn't say that Edward had burned her just by putting his hands on her; it would sound ridiculous. However the nurse's next words completely took Bella off guard.

"Listen honey, I know it isn't any of my business, but you can tell me if your boyfriend is hurting you. If he is physically hurting you and doing things like this to you, you can tell me. I would hate having to keep treating your injuries and you not get help." The nurse finished wrapping Bella's hand before looking her in her eyes. "Between you and me, I've always found the Cullens to have a rather high and mighty air about them, especially Edward. He always walked around here like he was too good for anyone. And no offense, but I was surprised when word got around that you two were dating, even more so to find that it was true. But like I said, he has a high and mighty air about him, and an even more controlling nature. I can see it in him because I saw it in my sister's ex-husband. He was very controlling of her and her life, barely let her have any friends of her own that weren't who he associated himself with and became very jealous when she would spend time with her best friend who just so happened to be a man."

Bella frowned a little as she realized that the nurse's tale was beginning to sound a lot like how her relationship with Edward was. Ever since she got involved with him—though it was mostly her letting him become her world—she had been cut off from all of her friends and let Edward call the shots in their relationship. And boy, did he get jealous and agitated whenever she hung out with Jacob and tried to keep her away from him. He claimed it was because he was too dangerous for her to be around, but he was being very hypocritical when saying that, but she just deluded herself into believing he wasn't as dangerous as any other vampire. Leah's words were rolling through her head again about how dangerous and controlling her relationship with Edward was. And in truth, she was right. Bella was pulled from her thoughts when the school nurse began speaking again.

"The controlling and verbal and emotional abuse my sister endured from her ex-husband finally came to a head and she had enough, telling him that she was leaving him and filing for divorce. However he didn't take kindly to that and did everything he could to keep her with him so he could continue to have control over her. He threatened her life and even went as far as to hit her, all the while saying it was because he loved her. But my sister, who had always let people walk all over her and played damsel in distress, finally found the will to fight back and stand up against him; and boy did she. I've never seen her put such a whooping on somebody, but it was nothing compared to what her best friend did to him. When it was all said and done, she got the divorce she wanted and moved on with her life, leaving her ex-husband behind. And she's been much happier since then." The nurse looked at Bella. "What I'm trying to say is I don't want to see you go through what my sister did. I've heard Edward tell you he loves you, but most of the time his actions don't match with his words. And it troubles me more to see you let him get away with what he does. I know you young people think you know best about your love life and think you're so in love, but when people on the outside looking in see differently, it may be a good idea to listen. Bella, whatever Edward has told you about why he's doing this and that in concerns to your life and relationship with him, whether it be he thinks he has a say in whatever you do or who you spend time with, or even trying to convince you to stay away from someone you care about because he feels threatened, you might want to consider that it may not be all sunshine and rainbows. Because the way I see it, this relationship you have with him will only end in disaster and I'm afraid you two are planning on forever. I know I may have said too much and you don't want to hear this, but just know that I'm looking out for you. And if you believe you are strong enough, it is better to end things now rather than wait until it is too late to get out."

Chocolate brown eyes stared wide-eyed at the nurse before looking down at her wrapped hand. The nurse made some very good points, as well as Leah had earlier when she had dropped her off. And in seeing that she realized that they were both right. Her relationship with Edward wasn't healthy and if she hadn't been so drawn into him and dazzled by him, she would have nipped their relationship in the bud months ago. Before she had come to the school nurse, she had told herself she was going to make her decision today and fulfill it after school. But after listening and getting sound advice from someone she wasn't close to, someone on the outside that was looking in, she knew the answer to the decision she had to make.

Standing up and grabbing her bag, Bella smiled at the nurse and said, "Thank you very much. You've helped me out a lot."

The nurse nodded and replied, "Don't mention it, honey. But let me write you a note for class; you're late enough as it is."

She wrote Bella a pass before handing it to the brunette, wishing her 'good day'. Bella thanked her and left the room, only to turn around and pop back inside, startling the nurse a little. Looking at her she said, "You said your sister was happier than she ever had been after leaving her husband. What happened to her to make her so, other than just getting her ex out of her life?"

With a smile on her face the school nurse answered, "She found love again, true love this time. And they've been happily married for fifteen years ever since."

"Who is it? The man she's found happiness with; who is it?"

"Her best friend."

Bella stared at the nurse before blinking and nodding, leaving the room and closing the door behind her. She stood there for a moment as she thought about that, about finding true love and happiness with someone you thought you could only consider your best friend. She already knew Jacob loved her more than just as his best friend, and that as Alpha Female she was supposed to be with him eventually, but could she really truly fall for Jacob like that? The thought of it seemed too weird to her. Even so, she couldn't deny her heart would beat a little faster when she thought of Jacob now. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing if she did end up falling for Jacob, but if she did she'd rather it be naturally and not by supernatural choice.

Shaking her head Bella walked down the hallway to her class, but her mind was still on that subject, especially now that it settled on the thought of supernatural choice of partner. Would Jacob still Imprint like he was meant to? What if it wasn't on her even though she was the Alpha Female? What then? Feeling frustrated she hit the heel of her hand against her forehead a few times before deciding not to think about that anymore for the time being. Right now, she would focus on what she had to do after class, and that was completely break up with Edward. Completely, she thought, because last time he made me think we had broken up but apparently not really. But this time, it will happen and stay that way.

When class was over, Bella walked out of the classroom and was about to walk over to Angela when the girl smiled and beckoned her over. However just as she was about to walk over there, she heard Edward's voice say, "Bella."

Letting out deep sigh, she held up a finger to Angela to tell her to give her a moment before turning around to face Edward. Glaring at him she said, "I thought I told you to give me space today."

Edward frowned at his girlfriend's annoyed tone and replied, "I didn't think you were serious. I just thought you needed time to cool down since you seemed agitated earlier. I figured it was because you were with that female wolf Clearwater."

"I wasn't agitated because of Leah, I was—and still am—agitated because of you."

"Me? What have I done, love?"

"What haven't you done, Edward? Look, I've been thinking about what has been happening lately and-"

"I have too, and that is why I want Carlisle to look you over. Once this disgusting, unnatural curse has been taken off of you, you will surely feel better. I'm sure it is some sort of Quileute curse Jacob Black or his father has thrown on you to keep you close to their sides, but worry not love. I'm here and we will figure this out."

An almost animalistic snarl left Bella's throat before she hissed, "I don't need to be looked over! I'm not sick or cursed, and I sure as hell am not something to be poked and prodded like you are expecting me to be. I don't need a cure for something happening to me that the supernatural spirits of the universe has allowed. But do you know what I do need? I need you to leave me the fuck alone and stay the hell away from me indefinitely! My eyes haven't been open to your bullshit and controlling ways until now and quite frankly, I'm disgusted with you and myself for putting up with it for so long! So why don't you take all your bullshit words of love and whatever else you've done to blind me to the truth about you and shove it up your ass? Hopefully it'll fit with the stick already up there. And how dare you insinuate that this is Jacob and Billy's fault? I should have listened to Billy when he first warned me off of you; I should have just stayed away."

Edward—as well as the students that had caught some of the conversation—looked completely shocked at her outburst. He opened his mouth to speak, but wasn't sure what to say. Bella had never cursed at him before, let alone spoken to him like that. What had changed between them? What had happened? Everything seemed fine just days ago, but ever since she had first turned into some sort of hybrid creature being after separating him and Black in their fight, she had been quickly slipping away from him. It had started out slow, but after that night he visited her and she sent him away, he had started to lose her faster than ever and that had been only two days ago! But he loved her and would forgive her for her vicious words towards him; after all she didn't mean it.

Reaching out to touch her, but then dropping his hand when she glared at the approaching extremity, his amber eyes looked into her chocolate brown ones and said, "I only do what I do because I love you and need to protect you, Bella. Besides, you need me in your life or else it would be nothing."

Bella's nostrils flared as her eyes burned with rage before she said, "Fuck you, Edward! You can kiss my lily white ass, because we're through!" She turned around to stomp away, only for Edward's hand to close around her wrist. Ignoring the burning pain to her wrist she spun around and brought her hand with her as well, connecting it with Edward's face as she slapped him. The impact honestly should have broken her hand, but instead of doing that, it sent Edward sprawling to the floor. As he looked up bewildered at her she yelled, "I said don't touch me!"

Stomping towards the exit she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Jacob's number. She held the phone to her ear and listened to it ring, while wishing he would hurry up and answer. When it went to his voicemail she hung up and called back three more times. Right when it was about to go to voicemail again, he finally answered.

"Bella, what is it?" Jacob asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Jake," Bella started, only just now realizing she had tears flowing down her face. She sniffled a bit before saying in a teary voice, "I need you to come get me. Please Jake."

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can. Just sit tight, okay?" Jacob responded, the sound of a door opening being heard in the background.

"Okay," Bella replied softly before hanging up. Stepping outside she down on the steps, wiping her tears while waiting for Jacob. She wasn't crying because of her breakup with Edward. No, she was crying as she realized just how much the breakup needed to happen, as well as the amount of relief she felt from it. Also she was mourning the person she used to be before Edward, but knew she would become a better person than the one she used to be and the one she was now.

Fifteen minutes later the sound of a motorcycle engine caught her attention and she looked up to see Jacob riding up the school driveway until he stopped in front of her. Standing up she hurried over to him as he parked his motorcycle and got off of it before wrapping her arms around him in a hug. Jacob hugged her back as well before pulling away and looking at her.

"Bells, what's the matter?" Jacob asked as he took in her bloodshot eyes. "You've been crying, and you look like you were close to half-phasing."

"Half-phasing?" Bella asked.

"That's what we've started calling your Alpha Female transformation. You're not completely wolf, so we had to call it something for the wolfish features you get."

Bella laughed softly at Jacob's explanation, her heart feeling lighter already. Looking up at him she asked, "What do I look like?"

Jacob looked at her before saying, "Your eyes are bigger and lighter like they usually get, your cheekbones more pronounced, and your canines have extended. Had you sprouted fur, ears pointed and your claws came out, we would have had a problem on our hands."

The brunette chuckled before allowing Jacob to help her on his motorcycle. Once he was seated in front of her and her arms wrapped around him tightly, he revved the engine before leaving out of the parking lot of Forks High School and headed back into town. At a stop light Jacob asked, "Are you going to tell me what happened?" Bella nodded against his back where she had her head resting. "Want to get something to eat?" Another nod was his answer.

Jacob reached down and lovingly stroked Bella's hand that was holding onto him, frowning as his fingers connected with the bandage wrap on it. He continued to hold onto her hand until the light turned green, where he let go of it again and drove under the light and to the local diner. Bella would tell him what happened soon, though he already knew Cullen was involved. But she seemed a bit distressed and he was going to be her anchor while she got through this time in her life, and he knew he always would be there for her. She may be his mate by design of the Quileute spirits and she may be his only love, but she was his best friend first and foremost, and that would never change.