Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters.
A.N: Wow, I totally suck. Yeah, I know. HOWEVER! I have this and two other chapters ready for you guys to enjoy. No excuses for my late updates, so I won't even bother. Well, this is an interesting chapter and explains why Genevieve is all pissed at Bella. Plus, an character I don't think you guys saw coming starts to play a role in all of this. Can you guess who?
Well, enjoy this chapter. :DD
Time to Wake Up
Bella's P.O.V
It had been around a month or so since Genevieve had come to visit with us and I still didn't know anything about her. Well, that wasn't exactly true. I did know that she didn't really think Renesmee was as special as the rest of us thought she was. She thought that Leah Clearwater was much more interesting. As if there was anything interesting about her.
The little act that she put up around everyone wasn't fooling me, though. Leah was a scorned woman who would forever wallow in her own misery. I couldn't understand how Jacob could stand to be around her. She was an anomaly who deserved all the pain and suffering she went through. Karma was the driving force behind all of the circumstances leading up to Leah's painful existence. At first I sympathized with her, but then I saw her for the bitch she really was. In reality, her pack brother's would probably be better off without her. She was faster than them, sure, but she wasn't that strong of a fighter. Hell, I was probably a better fighter than her.
"Hello Bella, how are you today?" I looked up from my seat on the porch and saw Genevieve smiling down at me. Every time I looked at her, I couldn't help but stare into her eyes. Her golden tanned skin made her intensely azure eyes stand out even more, making her look innocent, yet intimidating. Her features were so perfect and alluring, as any vampire should be, but what surprised me was that she was able to draw the wolves and vampires in to her. It was a bit strange and made me wary of her, but I supposed if Edward trusted her I would too.
"Hey, um, Genevieve. I'm doing okay. How about you? How are you liking Forks?" I asked awkwardly.
"It is a much danker place than where I usually live, but it is quite lovely. The scenery is truly breathtaking. I can see why you have all decided to stay longer than you usually do." She smiled softly and stared off to where Renesmee and Jacob were play fighting. Leah was around the area as well. She had phased and was laying down by the edge of the forest, with her head resting on top of her paws.
"She really is a remarkable creature. I believe I have never had the pleasure of seeing someone so extraordinary as her, in my long existence." I looked at her and smiled brightly. Finally! She was taking notice of Renesmee.
"Yes, Renesmee is very talented for her age. She was only about three months when she began reading Shakespeare and Hawthorne. Recently, we've started teaching her different languages. Carlisle has been teaching her Italian and French, and Edward speaks Portuguese and Spanish. She'll be fluent in them in no time. We'll probably begin on arithmetic sometime soon." I beamed brightly at Renesmee and looked at Genevieve only to see that she wasn't looking at Renesmee after all.
"What? Oh, yes I am quite certain that Renesmee will be adequately nurtured and taught. However, I was actually talking about the young wolf girl, Leah. A lone female wolf in a large pack of wolves. Fascinating."
I frowned. "Yeah, I guess. She used to be part of the other pack until Jacob broke off and became Alpha of his pack. He named her Beta, so she's definitely gone up in rank significantly."
"Amazing. She really has an incredible amount of potential. With some training, she would, without a doubt, be a force to be reckoned with. Now it is apparent to me why the young Alpha chose her to be his mate."
I stared at her in shock. "Excuse me? His…mate?" She diverted her attention to me and took in my horrified face. She raised an eyebrow and nodded. "I think you're mistaken, Genevieve. They have no feelings for each other. I mean, the very idea of Jacob and Leah together is laughable."
"That is rather odd, then. They always seem to be in each others thoughts. They are pretty good at hiding them, but I can hear them quite clearly.
"But, h-he imprinted on Renesmee. He can't have feelings for Leah. It's impossible!" I raised my voice slightly and she gave me an apologetic look.
Jacob and Leah? No. She had to be wrong. You had to practically be institutionalized if you thought that Jacob and Leah would have feelings other than respect and playful annoyance for each other. Once Jacob saw Renesmee, every other woman in his life became significantly less important; romantically at least.
"I did not mean to upset you, Bella. Jacob and Leah seemed to have some rather intensely strong connection and I did not see Jacob in Renesmee's future. I mean, in the love sense. Nahuel seems to be the one who fills in that role, you see."
"A-are you s-sure?" I stuttered.
She nodded. "Yes. I am able to see Renesmee's future much more clearly than Alice is able to. The wolves are still murky, though I do see them briefly if I concentrate hard enough. In my visions, Renesmee seems ecstatic with Nahuel. For the most part, she never seems to have one day in which her smile is not as bright as it is at this very moment. Nahuel will make a good husband for her. The perfect husband for your young treasure." She smiled softly at me.
"I see."
Nahuel was Renesmee's future. Not Jake.
Not Jake.
No.
I wouldn't accept that. Jake and Renesmee were destined to be with each other for their entire lives. If Jake wasn't in Renesmee's life, then he wouldn't be in mine. The pros of having Jacob and Renesmee together meant that I would have him in my family forever. If Leah came into the picture, I'd lose him.
"Um, Genevieve, maybe we should keep this information to ourselves for now. It's a lot to take in, and if you were to tell Jacob, there's no telling what he'd do. I mean, it's very possible that he might go all the way to South America just to make sure that the future you see never comes true." I couldn't exactly think of a plan at the moment. It wasn't that I couldn't, more that I shouldn't. If Genevieve was able to see the future like Alice, then I would just have to make things up as I go. Quick and, probably, rash decisions. It was the only way to keep Renesmee and Jacob together.
She eyed me suspiciously. Crap! Edward told me that she had multiple gifts. The fact that she can see the werewolves and Renesmee better than Alice made me worry. She was strong, and though I didn't exactly have anything to confirm it, I was pretty sure she would be able to pierce my shield if she wanted. I started to recite the alphabet over and over to try and shield my mind somewhat.
"I…suppose so." She stood from her previous seat and left to go talk with Leah.
I continued to watch Jacob and Renesmee and I couldn't fathom how in the world the imprint would be broken. Fate and nature made it out so that both of them would be together until the end of eternity and not have to go through pain and heartache, like Leah. She didn't deserve someone as caring as Sam, and that's why fate and nature worked together to give him Emily. And just like Sam, Leah didn't deserve my, er, Renesmee's Jacob.
I looked over to the area where Leah and Genevieve were. The look of understanding and compassion in each other's eyes made me come to the conclusion that I couldn't trust Genevieve, much less Leah. I'd rather have the Volturi rip me limb from limb than have Leah and Jake together.
Now to find a way to make sure that what Genevieve predicted never came to be.
---
Leah and Genevieve had been gone for about three years and I decided that it was finally time to make sure that Genevieve's vision never came to pass. Jake still spent his time mourning the disappearance of Leah and actually seemed to become more distanced from Renesmee than was comfortable. It was time that he moved on.
"Renesmee, sweetie, let's talk for a minute. It's something important."
"Of course, mother."
I sat down next to her on the couch in our cottage. Edward was out hunting, so I knew I would have time to talk to her without any prying ears. Sometimes being a vampire and having vampire siblings made it difficult for anything to be kept secret.
"What did you want to speak to me about, mother?"
"Sweetie, you know that Jacob hasn't been the same ever since the departure of his Beta, right?" She nodded sadly. " And you love him dearly, don't you?"
"Of course! He's my best friend. It hurts me to see him so sad. I wish that there was something I could do to help him out of this rut. It's been almost three years." I smiled at her concern.
"Well, actually, there is something that you might be able to do, but…" I looked away. I didn't necessarily like baiting my own daughter like this, but it was for her own good.
"Oh mother, please tell me! I'll do anything to see my Jacob happy." She pleaded with me. She looked so concerned over Jacob. I wondered for a moment if what I was doing was worth it. 'Nahuel will make a good husband for her. The perfect husband for your young treasure.' Nahuel, not Jacob. Was what I was about to do worth the guaranteed happiness of my own daughter? But…Jacob was just as important as her, and what if Leah never came back? He'd continue on the same path he is now.
I turned back to her and indulged her curiosity and concern. "Sweetie, do you remember that Jacob imprinted on you when you were a baby, right?" She nodded. "That's an impenetrable bond, Renesmee. Nothing could break it, and if you acted upon your bond, you'd be able to make him happy."
She furrowed her eyebrows and frowned slightly. "But…I don't love him in that way. I see him as an older brother or one of the uncles. And besides…he loves Leah. I couldn't possibly replace her, and I don't want to."
I frowned at her. "Sweetie, you're his soul mate. Not Leah. You were both made for each other. If he was supposed to be with Leah, don't you think that he would have imprinted on her?"
"I…guess."
"Give it a chance, okay? It was meant to happen. You might not feel it now, but you will someday. Besides, he needs you right now. You're probably the only person that can help him."
"I'll try. Mother…w-why did Leah leave?" I honestly didn't know. It had to do with Genevieve, that's all I knew for certain.
"I'm not sure. Genevieve is involved somehow. If you ever see her again, you must be cautious of her and Leah as well. We don't know in what way Genevieve has brainwashed her."
"Do you think she may have kidnapped her?"
"I-I'm not sure, sweetie. But let's forget about them, okay? Be careful around your father, though. He still doesn't like the fact that Jacob imprinted on you. Don't let him see your thoughts until you're absolutely certain." She nodded and I left her to contemplate everything I said.
Was it wrong to want my best friend and daughter to fall in love with each other, even though I was already told that Renesmee would be more than happy with Nahuel as her husband? Of course. But…I was just doing what nature intended. Everyone would thank me for it later…I hoped.
I headed towards the meadow that Edward used to always take me to. Edward didn't come here as often anymore, but I came here every once in a while when I needed some time alone to think. Right now, I had a lot to think about.
Genevieve and Leah were back, and Genevieve knew what I did. But that didn't matter, Leah was no competition for Renesmee, even if there was something different about her. Renesmee had grown into a beautiful young woman, who could rival Rosalie's beauty.
But Leah…yes, there was definitely something different about her, but I couldn't quite pinpoint it. Her eyes didn't hold the same empty meaning they used to. They seemed…determined, healed, and much stronger. Eyes of a true wolf, not the pathetic excuse of the wolf she once was.
Something was different about her. And it scared me.
Leah's P.O.V
When we got to First Beach, some of the guys were off to the side playing football and I suggested to Seth that he should go join them. He grumbled and outwardly refused to get anywhere near them. I sighed and headed towards Emily and the other imprints. If Seth wanted to act like a baby, then by all means.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Genevieve scold Seth and narrow her eyes at him. She pointed to the other boys and he marched to where they were, with Genevieve following him. I laughed slightly. He was so whipped.
"Leah! Embry mentioned you were going to come tonight. I'm glad you did." Emily smiled broadly and I smiled back.
It was weird, I guess you could say. A few years ago, I hated Emily and Sam with my entire being. Sam imprinting on Emily ripped me apart from the inside out. I lost the only man I ever loved to someone I considered to be my sister. The pain nearly destroyed me. I laughed inwardly at the past. Looking back, it all seemed so stupid. My bitterness, my anger, my resentful feelings towards them; everything just a distant memory. Guess I had to thank Genevieve for that.
"Yeah. Thought I'd spend some time with the pack, seeing as I haven't really seen you guys since the day I got back. So, how is everyone?"
"Eh, same old. You know, getting up in the morning, getting ready for work, coming home and having to give my husband a flea bath…"
"Hey! I do not have fleas!" Paul yelled. Rachel hasn't changed at all. Well, except for the fact that she looked slightly more mature. All her girlish features were gone and in place were the features of a woman.
"Oh! Leah, this is—" Emily was interrupted by a girl who I didn't realize.
"Alexa! Er, I mean, hello my name is Alexa. It's nice to meet you Leah. Embry's told me so much about you. You're the Beta in the pack right? Wow, you must be pretty ferocious to hold such a position. It's so amazing that you're the only female wolf in both packs. You must be really special." I stared at the girl who blurted out what was on her mind nervously. She had long chestnut hair that reached down to her hips. From her russet-colored skin, I guessed she was probably Makah, since I knew everyone here and I was certain I'd never seen her before. Her eyes were a hazel green with tints of gold around the iris and she looked to be around Emily's height.
I laughed softly at her. "It's nice to meet you too, Alexa. So, you're the one who's taken Embry's heart, huh?"
She blushed slightly. "I, er, um, s-suppose I have?" I laughed again and went up to her and gave her a hug.
"Don't be so nervous. There's no need for it. You're surrounded by family." She smiled and nodded her head. Imprinting was not one of my favorite subject, but it wasn't like I would go off on a rant about it. I'd gotten over my own experience with it and I didn't feel like it was necessary to cause any grief over it.
"Well, who would have thought that the Leah Clearwater was actually nice?" I glared at Kim playfully and she returned the gesture.
I looked around the fire and noticed that Claire was missing. "Hey, where's Claire? Shouldn't she be here?" To my surprise and confusion, Rachel and Kim started giggling.
Emily sighed. "Don't mind them. She was supposed to come tonight but she had to go to a friend's birthday party. It was a costume party actually. She dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood. And, well, you know that Quil can't be away from her so…"
"He had to dress up as a wolf! But that's not the best part! His costume was a little scary for the kids at the party, so Claire's mom had to 'cute it up'. She made the eyes all big and anime-looking, made the nails of the hands blunt and painted them red. And, and, and she gave him a humongous pink bow to wear!" Rachel snickered.
Kim calm down from her laughing fit and continued. "Oh, but it gets better. Claire mentioned that the wolf wasn't wearing any clothes, so they gave him some white shorts to wear and a red vest."
"Don't forget the wooden clogs!"
I giggled at the image of Quil in a wolf costume, all cute and pink. I'd pay anything to see him right now. I was so going to bother him about that for a long time to come.
The laughter died down and an awkward silence overtook us. I knew what they wanted to ask, but I wasn't going to be the one who initiated that conversation. So, I waited to see who would be the first one to muster up enough courage to ask. Surprisingly, it was Alexa who asked.
She turned to me and looked anywhere but my eyes. "So, um, Leah, I was just, um, wondering…w-where have you been all these years?"
"Oh I was just…traveling and stuff." My answer was extremely vague, but it's not like I could tell them what was really going on. It wasn't time. Plus, I didn't want to freak them out so soon.
"Stuff? What kind of stuff?" Rachel asked.
"Just stuff."
Rachel eyed me suspiciously before speaking again. "Uh huh. Well, you're going to have to tell us eventually, Clearwater. Don't think I'm going to forget." I nodded at her and thankfully she dropped the subject. For now.
We chatted for a while, waiting for the guys to finish their game. I learned that Rachel had gone back to school a year after I left and got a Master's in Psychology. She was hoping on opening up a practice in Port Angeles or Seattle. Kim told me that she finished college recently and was going to start working as a Chemistry teacher at Forks High School. Alexa had been accepted to Cornell early and was planning on going next fall.
I sighed. "I envy you guys, a little. You guys get to lead normal lives and do normal human things. Guess I got the short end of the stick, huh?"
"Aww, come on Leah. You have it so much better than us. Amazing strength, speed, and senses. If anything, it's us that should be envious of you. We may be human, but don't forget that just makes us vulnerable and fragile. Humans can be so easily broken, it's like we're made of glass. And since when has Leah Clearwater ever wanted to be treated like a fragile piece of glass?
"I'm not going to lie and say life hasn't screwed you over, but that's just another thing that's made you stronger. You have friends and family who care about you deeply, and a pack that would do anything for you. You get to share your thoughts and feelings, even if you don't like to, with a group of guys who will be your brothers forever. I'm jealous of you Leah, because they know you better than we ever will. I'm jealous because you get to have this bond with them, one that we won't ever be able to share, even as their imprints. Think of it like this, sometimes sacrifices must be made to reap the rewards, even if they don't seem that fair at the beginning."
I hadn't really thought of it like that. I had never wanted to be thought of us someone who needed to be protected, like Bella. I always took chances, no matter how risky they were and I never back backed out of anything. I refused to look weak and vulnerable, but being human in the world that we lived in would have made me exactly that. In some ways, being a wolf was more of a blessing than a curse.
"Yeah, I guess you're right Rachel. I'm always to preoccupied with the negatives that I never think of the positives. But, that still doesn't mean I enjoy the fact that I turn into a giant fur ball when I get angry."
"A fur ball as soft and gentle as a kitten. Fights like one too." I glared at Paul as he came up walking with the rest of the guys from their game.
"Oh, I've missed you so much, Paul." I said sarcastically. There was no amount of training that Genevieve could give me that would ever help me gain enough patience when it came to Paul. When we were in the pack together, I would get a kick out of fighting with him. Sure he was much stronger than I was, but I always had a sharp mind. One little comment from me and Paul was usually down for the count. But, as much as the tool annoyed the crap out of me, I missed him. He was one of the only few people who actually had the balls to fight back when I chastised him and I respected him in a weird way for it.
"Yeah, of course you have. How could you not?" He smirked. "So, Clearwater, you actually planning on staying around this time or are you going to skip out of town when things get tough again?"
Seth growled fiercely. "Watch your fucking mouth, Paul, before I fucking rip it off!" I looked at Seth and saw his entire body was shaking, fists clenched tightly. If looks could kill, Paul would have burst into flames by now.
"What are you going to do about it, pup? Run to your Alpha? Oh…wait. You can't. He's probably off somewhere, fucking around with his precious half-leech. And to think he could've almost been doing that with your sister. Once second best, always second best. "
Paul's words hit me hard. I felt as if someone had reached in through my chest and gave a hard squeeze to my heart. The tears were stinging my eyes, but I would be damned if I cried. The thought of Jacob being with Renesmee made me want to run away. I looked at Seth and noticed he was about ready to rip Paul to shreds. The pain was suddenly replaced by fear for my brother. Things were about to get bad.
"Enough!" Sam bellowed. "Paul, how dare you say those things? How dare you disrespect Leah? You have no right to say that! I don't want to hear another word from you. Leave." The last bit was the Alpha command. The boys in Sam's pack shuddered, but Paul didn't move at all from his spot. He glared at Sam, and the amount of anger in his eyes would have made any normal human cower in fear.
Suddenly, he shook his head and looked around at all of us, strangely confused. "What? W-what happened?"
"Don't play dumb, you dickless wonder! I'm going to fucking kill you for what you said about Lee!" Seth growled. Paul looked at Seth with a complete look of confusion.
"Paul, what was the last thing that you remember?" Genevieve asked. I looked curiously at her, but she ignored me and focused on Paul.
"I was walking back here with the other guys and I was telling Leah that it was obvious she missed me. I was only playing around. Now, you guys are looking at me as if I committed some type of crime or something." Genevieve nodded.
"Vampire." That was all she said before all the wolves shot up, including Seth and I. "He seems to be getting away. He took over Paul's mind, in an attempt to distract us from his goal. He was trying to hunt the humans in La Push. He completely shut down Paul's mind and not even the Alpha command could affect him."
Sam turned to her. "Do you know where he's heading?" She nodded. "Alright then, let's go guys. Genevieve, Jared, Paul, and Collin with me. Four of you stay here with the girls, and the rest of you to La Push."
Sam, Jared, Paul, and Collin phased and took off in the direction of the leech, with Genevieve leading them. The rest of us phased and ran into the reservation to make sure the leech didn't make a snack out of everyone.
'Anything guys?'
'Nothing Lee. Smells like he came close, but not close enough. Something must have driven him off.' Seth thought. I sniffed the air, but I could only make out the scent of one leech.
'Yeah, same here. Well, whatever it was the drove off the leech it's gone now.
I sighed. 'Yeah, question is, should we be glad or concerned?'
We headed back to the beach after securing the area. I only hoped that Genevieve, Sam, and the guys were able to catch up to the leech. It seemed that everyone had let their guard's down in the last few years. A leech had never gotten that close to the reservation. Ever. Little did they know, this was only a wakeup call for what was about to come.
"We got him! We showed that bastard not to take over my mind and come anywhere near the reservation!" Paul was the first one to emerge from the forest. He looked proud, yet annoyed at the leech being able to control him so easily. "Um, er, Leah? I-I'm sorry for the crap that I said. Jared showed me what I, er, the leech said and even though I know it wasn't really me saying that, I still feel a little bad." He muttered.
I smiled. "Thank you, Paul. Don't worry about it."
"You didn't have any trouble did you? He didn't hurt you did he?" Seth questioned Genevieve. She told him that she was fine and to stop overreacting. Seth grumbled that he wasn't overreacting and he was only worried. Genevieve smiled at him and gave him a light peck on the cheek. Seth was always a worrywart, but he didn't have to worry that much about Genevieve. She could take care of herself.
Sam told all the wolves that they'd be patrolling a bit more routinely now. As Beta of my pack, I told them that we would be joining them as well. Jacob was going to be too busy with Renesmee and, for the time being, it would be better for me to take the lead. Sam and I were going to come up with a schedule and would meet up tomorrow at noon to hand out the routes and times. We all said our goodbyes and headed back to the reservation.
"Hey, I think I'm going to head on over to the Cullen's after dropping off Alexa and fill Jake in on what happened." Embry said. I nodded at him and headed home with Seth and Genevieve in tow.
"You both need to rest. Try not to get to worked up about all of this. You have both dealt with these situations and it is nothing to be losing sleep over." Genevieve smiled slightly.
"Yeah, I know. Alright, I'm heading up to bed. I'll see you guys in the morning. Night."
"Same here. Night Lee. Genevieve, please don't go anywhere tonight. I'd feel a lot better knowing you were here and not somewhere out there." Seth pleaded.
"Of course, Seth. You have no need to worry. I will be here." Liar. I studied her closely the moment she returned with Sam and the guys. If I didn't know her as well as I did, I wouldn't have caught the changes in her demeanor. Her body was slightly tense and her eyes showed the slightest bit of worry in them. She knew what it was that scared that leech off, and she was going to go find it. Without Seth and me.
Relief washed over Seth's face and a glimpse of the old Seth was there for all to see. That was definitely a sight for sore eyes. So carefree and happy; made me wish that I could change the way the past few years had been treating him. He smiled and walked to his room.
"Would you have preferred him go to bed annoyed and a scowl on his face?" She whispered, low enough for only me to hear.
I sighed. 'Of course not. I just don't like lying to him. Are you going to need any help?'
"No, not at all. Rest up, please? I can handle this on my own. I will leave shortly after I am certain that Seth has completely drifted off." I nodded and headed back up the stairs to my room.
I plopped down on my bed, not bothering to change out of my clothes. It was nice to be back home, even with the underlying circumstances. Sam and the others were probably going to be mad when they found out, but it's not like they really needed to know at the moment. They had been living in peace for such a long time, and they deserved to live it for a little while longer. Tension, paranoia, and irritability were going to be at an all time high, putting everyone in danger of getting hurt. It was best if they didn't know until the last possible minute, when it was absolutely necessary.
Carlisle had occulted this secret, along with Genevieve, from his family, just like I had. They were as much involved in the upcoming battle as the pack's were. There were going to be a lot of pissed off wolves and vampires, that was for sure.
I shook off the thoughts and tried to fall asleep. I wanted no mention of werewolves and vampires or anything else that I had to deal with in the daytime. A dreamless sleep was all I wanted at that moment.
But since when did I ever get what I wanted?
Genevieve's P.O.V
Seth had fallen fast asleep before I left, while Leah was thinking that neither of the pack's or the Cullen's were going to react to the upcoming news very well.
My visions seemed to confirm that Edward would be infuriated with Carlisle and I for not telling him sooner. Emmett was all too eager to participate and Jasper was only slightly annoyed but was worried about Alice getting hurt. Alice, Rosalie, and Esme all exchanged worried glances between themselves and wondered what the outcome of the battle would hold. Renesmee began to panic over what would happen to Jacob, while Bella wondered if Leah would end up dead but then quickly shook those thoughts away as she realized Leah was her only hope of coming out of this alive.
Asking them to fight would have been like asking them to rip themselves apart and throw their dismembered selves into blazing fire. I sighed. It was not the opportune time to think about such things. I had other matters to tend to.
Sam, Jared, Paul, Collin, and I were able to corner the vampire who had come dangerously close to the reservation. I could not understand what it was that made him leave, after being so close to the reservation. He was quite shaken by the time we got to him and never once did he meet my eyes.
"Is there anything that you want to say to explain your actions on this night? And be wary, young one, your answer may influence how painful your demise shall be."
He seemed to have been trembling and looked even more pale, if that were at all possible. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but quickly closed it and shook his head. I barely had time to dig through his mind before the wolves lunged at the vampire and began to tear off his limbs one by one. It was a gruesome sight, to say the least. The vampires last thoughts made my step falter slightly as I turned from the sight.
'She wants to see you.'
I hadn't seen her in centuries but I had known that one day this day would come. I was almost forty miles away from La Push when I stopped. She was here waiting for me and, thankfully, she was alone. I heard her thoughts before I ever saw her.
'So he wasn't such a waste after all. I'm glad. I was wondering if that idiot would be able to deliver my message before he died.'
Within a few seconds after hearing that thought, she appeared before me. I might have been able to focus on how she seemed different, and yet entirely the same since the last moment I had seen her, however all I was able to focus on was the pair of crimson eyes that seemed to look right through me.
"Such disregard for the life of your underling. Certainly I have taught you better than that, have I not?"
She smirked. "Of course. However, I've taken a liking to bending the rules every once in a while, just for the fun of it. Boredom strikes every few decades or so, and I'm simply trying to alleviate the feeling before I do something much worse."
I scoffed. "I seem to recall that you are quite capable of doing much worse, even if your so called boredom has been relieved. Now, my dear, would you care to explain to me exactly what you were doing?"
"Like I said, I was only having some fun." She smiled mischievously, but then quickly turned serious. "Word has it, you left a few years back and even took one of the mongrels with you. Not a word from you and the wolf in years and then, out of the blue, you arrive back without so much as a concrete explanation of where you both had been or what you had been doing." I stared at her a bit worriedly. I had opted not to watch La Push and Forks. I should have known that someone was watching and gathering information.
"And where, pray tell, did you gather such information from?" I had to know. This could jeopardize everything that Leah and I had worked for, and the secrecy between Carlisle and I would have been for nothing.
"A bit flustered, old friend? Relax, I sent an informant of my own to watch over your forsaken little town. No one knew about him, except for me. He was much stealthier than I grave him credit for. Being able to evade the wolves and the Cullen's for years, without even the slightest bit of detection; I should have kept him around a bit longer. He was such a good pet, that is, until your dogs killed him. But, no matter. He was just a pawn and as a pawn, he was expendable."
There was a time when she thought that carelessly throwing away a life would accomplish nothing and felt adamant on the issue. But, that was many years ago.
"You know, your arrival caused a bit of a stir in my pet. He refused to go anywhere near Forks or La Push after you arrived." She frowned.
"Ah, I see. For someone so stealthy as you pet was, he was discovered and cornered quite easily. Why do you suppose that is?"
Her frowned turned into a malicious smile and her eyes glinted at my curiosity. "Simple. The moment a pet disobeys its master, it must be punished or it will never learn its lesson. I told him specifically to control that wolf. With enough provocation, I believed that he would possibly be killed by the she-wolf, which would put somewhat of a strain on the wolves. One less experienced wolf for me to worry about, you see." I growled furiously at her. I may not have liked Paul, but she had no right to provoke the others into trying to kill him, especially Leah.
"Calm down, it wasn't for the reason that you think. It was purely out of how much I loathe them. But that's besides the point. I was suspicious of what he would do, so I tailed him and made sure the job was done as I wanted it to be done. My pet decided that he would multi-task and have a quick snack, however, since that was not what I had commanded, he left me no choice but to punish him. He knew what was coming, and he simply ran. I'm certain that's when you realized what had happened to that wolf and you all went rushing to kill my pet. Ah, but it seems that he has redeemed himself slightly since he delivered the message to you. I made sure that that would be his last thought ever." She laughed darkly.
I had enough. I could not stand there and let my memories of her become soiled by the abomination that stood before me. I turned to leave, without uttering a single word to her.
"They're coming soon." I stopped abruptly and turned to face her. Her expression was stoic and her eyes betrayed none of the malice that they held moments ago.
"I—" She cut me off before I was able to speak.
"And they're bringing her with them. Don't think you have too much time, Genevieve. The battle will most likely be during winter. Aro seems to enjoy winter battles quite a lot. The poetic nature and irony of it all, he says. That only gives you a few months. Do with that time as you see fit." She turned and began to walk away. "Goodbye Genna." She called out.
A winter battle. That only gave us five or six months at best. Carlisle and I would have to speak about the best course of action to take. I had hoped that we would have had, at the very least, a year to prepare.
I looked back at the retreating form of the young girl who I would have given anything to protect. There was still some good left in her, tonight only confirmed that for me. But, was it enough?
"Goodbye…Jane." I whispered sadly, knowing the next time that I saw her, we would be on opposing sides.
Ah yes, "dear one" has suddenly become a key character in the whole Amaris dilemma. Next two chapters include background on Jane (who I always thought was interesting) and Genevieve. You know, the whole how they came to know each other type of thing. Pretty long so it had to be split up.
Hope ya liked it. :D Later haterz. He he j.k.