Thank you so much for the reviews on the last chapter! And, I reward you with…. Another chapter!
I was really interested to read the comments you guys had on the previous chapter. One thing to remember is that this is all entirely from Bella's POV and right now she is a newborn, barely in control of her instincts never mind her emotions so things are all very confusing for her right now. It's possible that she is not quite thinking clearly about things and reacting rather than thinking in the first place. Or, of course, she could be entirely right about everything…
I toyed with the idea of doing an EPOV for this chapter but thought we'd stick with Bella for the moment. I may well do a little Edward "outtake" at some point but for the purpose of the story, right now I think its best if we live it with Bella.
Things get a little rough towards the end, just a warning, nothing too gory in this chapter though, I kept the descriptions to a minimum!
As I moved silently through the forest, following the line of the river I noticed the thick scent getting stronger and stronger. It was unlike anything I had smelled before and almost seemed to catch in my throat. Curious at what could cause such a stink I couldn't help following the scent and was surprised when it lead me to the Quileute Reservation at La Push.
I hadn't seen Jacob since before I changed. My memories were hazy at best about him but I had a sinking feeling in my stomach that things hadn't ended too well. Nevertheless, I was somewhat out of options and friends. As I moved stealthily towards the small cluster of dwellings I saw Jacob and Billy little red house come into view. Memories suddenly bombarded my head of days spent with only Jake for company. He had meant so much to me and until this moment I hadn't given him a second thought.
I moved at human speed toward the house, though I was desperately wanting to sprint, suddenly overcome with the need to see Jake again. When I finally reached the door I knocked hesitantly, all too aware of my superior strength and the damage it could do to the sad looking abode in front of me.
The door swung open after only a few seconds and I was hit with the familiar face of Jacob Black, his face all at once lighting up in a blinding smile.
I was also hit with the smell.
Dirty, stinking wet dog smell.
The same I'd noticed in the forest, only now so much more potent and pouring out of Jake's house. I took a step back and immediately stopped breathing. Jake too a step forward to compensate, raking his eyes up and down my body. I was suddenly aware that I was barely covered by the scraps of clothing that I was wearing. I use that word loosely as I was hardly wearing them at all…
"Bella… my god, where have you been? I've been calling you for days, Charlie is just about panicking – he's had searches and all sorts going on, even got your mom back from Florida… what the hell happened to you, your clothes… Did someone hurt you…?"
His eyes finally met mine and he recoiled immediately, a look of horror on his face.
"Fuck… Bella, your eyes! Your… face… He did it, he actually fucking changed you? That fucking leech! Where the hell is he?" he looked around me, as if he thought I was hiding Edward on the porch, "why are you here Bella? Don't you know how dangerous it is?"
My new brain, usually so quick, couldn't keep up with all of the questions. Just the smell of Jake so closed to me made it hard to concentrate. I could barely remember what it was like to feel sick, but if I had to guess, I'd think that it was pretty close to how I was feeling right now.
"Jake… I… he's…" suddenly his words registered to me, or at least some of them. Snapping my head up to meet his eyes the next words came out almost accusing, "what do you mean "dangerous" Jake? Why am I in danger here?"
"You're a vampire Bella", he snorted, incredulous, "you're standing in a community of werewolves who's only purpose is to kill vampires. You have to go, if any of them cross your scent they won't hesitate to kill you. Go. Now."
"But, Jake, please…" I grabbed at his shirt, unshed tears welling in my eyes, "I have nowhere to go Jake, I need you, don't make me go please… I'm all on my own".
I finally broke down, falling to my knees sobbing. Jake stood motionless as I clutched at his leg for dear life. My breathless sobs were out of control. I couldn't seem to stop myself, it was like my emotions were out of control. Finally, after what felt like forever, I felt Jake lower himself, kneeling before me. He gingerly put his arms around me as if afraid I might bite. He probably wasn't far wrong… The stench of him was repugnant, but I couldn't deny the comfort I felt in his arms. This is what I'd been craving. Just someone to hold me. Tell me it was going to be ok. I just needed someone to want me and look after me. No, not someone. I needed Edward. The thought brought on a fresh round of sobs and Jake rocked me gently.
"Sshh Bella, its ok… God, what have they done to you? Did they just turn you and leave you? I swear to God if they did that I will hunt them down myself."
"We had an… argument…" I managed to force the words out, calming myself slightly, "Edward said that I couldn't go back, I'm on my own now.."
"Hang on a minute", Jake gripped my shoulders, pushing me back to sit upright as he looked at me, a frown on his face. "The bloodsucker changes you into a monster and then just leaves you because you have an argument? So much for mating for all of eternity!"
In a second I was on my feet.
"I am not a monster Jake" I spat, angrily.
Jake slowly rose to his feet, hands slightly raised as if in surrender.
"I'm sorry Bells, poor choice of words, you know me… But, he just.. left you…"
I nod my head slowly, not able to even form the words to respond. I see Jakes feet shuffle hesitantly forward. Before a vicious snarl rings out behind me. Startled I leap forward, close to Jakes side. The first thought that runs through my head is that they've found me; the Cullen's have tracked me down. Would they kill me now?
Before I can even fully process that thought I look up to see who is snarling at me and am faced with a huge, angry werewolf, flanked on either side by two of the Res kids I recognize as Sam and Embry.
"Paul said he'd come across a new vampire scent, looks like we've found it", Sam smirked as he spoke, the wolf, Paul, snarled low as if in response.
Jake took a step forward, positioning himself slightly in front of me as if to shield me from their view. It was a bit late for that of course…
"Sam… C'mon, she was just leaving… She just came over to, um… to say goodbye. You know, for old times' sake and all that"
"I don't care why she was here, she is on our territory therefore she has broken the treaty. You know what that means Jacob".
I stepped out hesitantly from behind Jake.
"I'm sorry.. I didn't know anything about a treaty or territories or anything. I'll go, now… I'm sorry."
I started toward the forest to the east, no plan in mind but wanting to get to safety. I spared a brief glance to Jake who looked stricken at the situation. I darted towards the forest but my escape was cut short as my body was hit hard, flinging me sideways and crashing through a tree en route. When I finally landed in the muddy forest flood I found myself pinned down by the large grey wolf, his huge forepaws holding my arms in place as he stood over me, snarling viciously right into my face. Panic seized me, realising that this was probably how I was going to die. My chance at eternity cut short by an overgrown dog. But what use was eternity if I was alone anyway. I missed Edward. I felt a physical pain at being parted from him. At every moment there was a part of my mind thinking of him, wondering what he is doing, remembering him. I focused on that part and brought up all of my clearest memories. If I was going to die, I want to die thinking of him. If I can't be with him, held securely in his arms, as I leave this world once and for all, then the next best thing was to be immersed in my vivid vampire recollection of him.
My brain had almost blocked out the snarling wolf entirely, although a part of my brain vaguely registered that 2 more wolves had joined us. Probably Sam and Embry. Jake couldn't go against his tribe to save me, I knew that and I wouldn't expect it. I heard the snarls around me getting louder. They were surrounding me now. I didn't fight, I lost myself in the memory of Edward. His beautiful face. His lips… Oh, how I would love to feel them on mine right now. Just to touch him and hold him…
In the distance I could hear a pained shriek, somewhere between a growl and a scream.
Jacob.
Even through that feral noise his wolf-form made I recognised my friend. My Jake. The pain I heard in that sound saddened me. I didn't want to cause him any pain. I should never have come here. I had fucked up everything since the moment I was turned.
I didn't make a sound at the painful ripping sensation that engulfed my leg. I didn't even flinch. Physical pain I could handle. I could ignore it. My vampire body and brain was able to focus on other things. I closed my eyes, clamped them shut so nothing would interrupt my perfect memories of my Edward.
My love.
My Mate.
His name slipped from my lips in a groan as I felt jaws clamp onto my torso, pain rocketing up my body, I pushed the feeling aside, I couldn't focus on it, I wouldn't.
Suddenly the pain abated. The tearing and snarling just stopped.
And then I heard it.
The most terrifying sound I had ever heard.
So full of fury it even prompted my broken body to try to flee.
My legs wouldn't listen. I couldn't stand.
Weird.
I clawed my way on my one working arm, my other one hung limply at my side, I daren't look at it. Or at my legs. I kept my eyes clamped shut. I was squeamish as a human and I had no reason to think I wouldn't be as a vampire right at this moment. I didn't want to see what state I was in. The only thing I could focus on was getting to safety. Getting away from whatever made that sound.
As I dragged myself along through the dirt and branches and leaves I could hear the sounds behind me, snarling, snapping, screaming. I tried to drag myself as fast as I could.
Opening my eyes now I could see a small river up ahead. If I could just get to that, the current was strong, it would take me to safety. My goal in sight I pulled myself along faster.
I was nearly there, mere feet from the embankment leading down into the river when I heard footfalls behind me, approaching me fast. I let out a whimper, I couldn't help it. My whole body hurt now I'd let the pain overcome me. Every inch of me was agony and now something else was going to have a chew of me. Or worse.
Could this even get any worse?
As I was nearly at the edge of the embankment I felt hands grab me roughly around the waist, lifting me easily as though I weighed nothing. I felt myself being pulled back against a huge body, the sheer strength I felt in it terrified me, especially coupled with that hideous, horrifying noise… This was not the comforting body I was hoping to end my days wrapped in, that was sure. My flailing arm was pinned painfully to my side as I screamed out in agony and terror.
Who on earth had hold of me?
I tried to turn my head to the side to see but a hand was clamped hard over my mouth, effectively stopping my noise and movement. Then suddenly we were off, heading deep into the forest, I closed my eyes, not wanting to see whatever would await me when we reached our destination….
What did you think?
And yeah, I made the wolf-boys even more annoying and hot-headed than in the books. I figured that if you're going to have rival species with a tentative treaty, they may as well go all out when it's broken, right? It's no fun otherwise! Call it artistic license for the sake of mindless violence which we all love after all, right?!