Thanks to all of you who have been reading my story. Sorry that this one is a little late. Can't believe it is almost summer!! Can't wait. And please check out my other story Broken Hearts and Forever Promises. And thanks to my beta dancingwithEdward who manages to get things back incredibly fast :) I hope you guys like this chapter. :) "You're so stupid longing after a girl who's completely in love with those filthy bloodsuckers. She doesn't have time for you anymore," Leah smirked at me. We were all gathered around a fire, and we had just finished eating.
"Why don't you just shut up? It's none of your damn business anyway," I growled back at her. Why did she always have to do this to me? All I wanted was for her to leave me alone. This wasn't her problem and there was no need for her to be involved.
"Well, it isn't just your business when the whole pack knows," Leah shot back at me. "Maybe if you didn't spend all of your time thinking about Bella, we wouldn't have to put up with this crap, too."
"And maybe if you didn't act like a little witch because your precious Sam left you, the rest of us might treat you a bit nicer," I knew it was a low blow, but I had to got there. She jumped up and I stood to meet her as she came towards me.
Leah was shaking badly. I knew that it was taking all of her control not to phase in front of us. I wonder what she would do if Sam were watching? It was a whole different story now that Sam wasn't here since he was getting the Elders. Sam wouldn't have let it even gotten this far.
I just stood there watching her shake before me. Her eyes were glinting around her and her hair was flailing around her. Jaw clenched tightly, she opened her mouth to speak. "C'mon then, Jacob, why don't you prove how much better you are than me?" She was challenging me, but there was no way that I was stepping up to this challenge. I wasn't going to fight her because it would be absolutely pointless. In the end nothing would change the situation we are in and we would probably end up having the same exact argument in the future.
Her trembling eventually stopped while she continued to stand there and stare at me. But something was changing inside of me. I couldn't look away from her. I think she looked pretty with her wild hair and her dangerous eyes. Wait. What was I thinking? About Leah? What in the hell was happening to me? She must've seen the changing emotions displayed on my face
The fire died in her eyes, and she suddenly looked panicked. She stumbled away from me as if she were scared of me. What was with her? Just a second ago she was ready to fight me and now she was trying to get as far away from me as possible. I saw her glance toward where Sam and the Elders were coming to join us at the fire. She glanced once back at me and then sprinted into the trees leaving us all behind.
As Sam got closer I noticed him looking in the direction that Leah went. He was probably wondering where she was going and why she left in such a hurry. Then he looked at me and there was something in his eyes that I couldn't decipher. Sam opened his mouth to say something…….and then he was gone.
I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Leah sitting beside me. My heart lifted knowing that she was okay and that she was here with me. But as I looked at her more closely I noticed that she had eyes rimmed with red and she looked a mess. I saw her glance over me and I followed her gaze.
Edward was sitting there next to Bella. He was looking at me with the saddest eyes I had ever seen. What happened? Did I do something wrong? I glanced back at Leah and she was staring at me with a blank expression on her face. Apparently she had no idea what was going on either. I turned to ask Edward what the matter was, but suddenly he disappeared out the front door. What did I do?"Leah," my voice sounded strange, "what's the matter with Edward?"
"I don't know," She said reaching up to stroke my cheek. "But he should be back eventually." I didn't say anything in return because there had to be a reason for him disappearing like that. And what about Bella? What was happening to her? And why would he leave her like this? I had so many questions to ask but the one person who could answer them wasn't there.
I looked around again. I was in the middle of the Cullen house, but strangely there were no Cullen's in sight.
"Where is everyone?" I asked Leah.
"Hunting, but Carlisle and Esme are around here somewhere. The rest of the pack is back home celebrating," She told me. I expected myself to get mad about them celebrating without me, but I didn't. They deserved it.
"So everyone is okay?" I asked, my body tensing for any bad news that she could have. She nodded and I could have sworn that I was on cloud nine.
"Are you okay, Jacob?" Leah asked, the pain plastered on her face. I hadn't realized that she was this worried about me. I guess I was all right. Stiff, like my bones were all unhinged, but at least there wasn't any pain.
"Yes are you?" I asked and she smiled a little and nodded. "Come here then," I motioned for her to come towards me.
She hesitantly reached out for me, and I pulled her closer to me. There was some part of me that wanted to make positively sure that she was okay.
I gasped in pain as I pulled her too close to me. I guess I wasn't healed enough for that. Leah leapt back from me in surprise, and hurriedly tried to stumble out apologies.
I ignored them and tried to coax her into coming back to me. It worked. This time I made sure that she wasn't pressed as close to me as she was before. I pressed my lips to hers and I felt instant sparks bubble between us. I kissed her hungrily, melding her mouth to mine. Her hands drifted into my hair bring pain that was very pleasurable/ I pulled away, my breath coming in pants. I kissed her neck and she pulled tighter on my hair. It was like we were reassuring ourselves that each other was okay.
"I love you," I told her.
"I love you, too," I kissed her again feeling happier and more relieved than I had been in a long time. Then Carlisle and Esme appeared at the end of the stairs. Leah laughed and blushed while she untangled herself from me. I had to admit she looked completely adorable.
"So you're up," Carlisle beamed. "How are you feeling?" He questioned
"I feel okay. Kinda hungry." I said sheepishly. I was starving. "What would you like to eat? I can have Esme prepare something for you."
"No! I can do it," Leah volunteered at the chance to help me and I smiled. She stood and gave me a brief kiss before heading to the kitchen in the direction Carlisle pointed. I knew I was blushing like a fool, but at this point I had absolutely no care in the world. After Leah disappeared Carlisle turned back to me.
"Well, your injuries are far worse than the last time, but I expect you to be completely healed in a few days. Maybe a week at the most. And if you are in any pain let me know, I have the medicine already prepared for you. Excuse me; I am going hunting with my wife. The house is yours. And if you need any of us the numbers are in the kitchen," Carlisle informed and then he and Esme left after giving me hugs and wishing that I get some rest. Wow, he was really leaving Leah and me alone in this great house. I guess this really proved how much he trusted us.
Leah came back from the kitchen with a plate full of food. My stomach rumbled just at the sight of the delicious food. She handed me the plate and I struggled to sit up. She sat next to me looking at me with concerned eyes. I didn't want to worry her. I remembered my dream while I was eating. It was the first time I that I realized she was an actual girl. The first time I really thought she was pretty.
I put down my fork so I could ask her something "Leah, remember that time we were having a meeting and we were waiting for Sam and the elders? You know, that time we argued over Bella?" I asked. I watched her expression change into a frown.
"Yeah, why?" She asked, confused.
"I had a dream about it, last night." I explained quickly not wanting to pressure her into talking, but feeling extremely curios about her reaction.
"Oh, yeah." She chuckled, "It happened right after I discovered the imprint. I felt so bad then. I knew I loved you and I tried to fight it," she closed her eyes and shook her head. "I felt as if I turning my back on Sam, and I was wrong. Sam was meant to be with Emily, and I was meant to be with you."
When she finished, she was looking directly at me. Her eyes were full of tears. I reached out and grabbed a strand of her hair.
"It was the first time I thought you were beautiful," I told her, "but I realized you've always been beautiful,"
She blushed and smiled. I continued to eat happily. Then Alice and Jasper walked in the door. They were both laughing and smiling.
"You're finally up! How are you feeling?" Jasper smiled at me, but I could tell that he was concerned.
"I'm good," I mumbled. Alice was saying hello to Leah. I think Leah would get used to them in time. I knew that it was hard for her to trust someone that she thought would forever be our sworn enemy. "Have you seen anything?" I asked Alice.
"Yes, Bella will open her eyes in about two days. She's going to be beautiful, and I think that Edward will be very happy. But as to what will happen after that, I have about as much clue as anyone else."
"Where is Edward?" I knew that he had detected my sadness when Alice had mentioned him.
"He just left all of a sudden. I woke up and I saw him and the next thing I knew the door was swinging shut behind him. He never even said a word to me," The rejection hurt so badly and tears stung in my eyes.
Jasper became furious then. His hands clenched into fists and his golden eyes darkened the slightest bit. Alice tried desperately to calm him, but it wasn't working at all.
"Leah, can I please speak with Jacob for a moment?" Jasper spit between clenched teeth.
" Yeah, you should go back to La Push and tell them that I am awake and feel perfectly fine," I told her even though I was more than reluctant to let her leave. She calmed me and I felt as if I was going to break into pieces at any given moment. She nodded and kissed me softly. Then she left with one glance behind her. Even after she was gone, I could still feel the tingle of her kiss.
"I know why he left, Jacob. He thinks that everything that happened is his fault. He blames himself for what not only happened to Bella, but to you as well. He believes that there was some possible way that he could have prevented all of this from happening," Jasper vented while he quickly paced the floor and ran his hands through his hair.
"That's ridiculous! How can he even possibly believe that?" I asked in outrage. This was so like something Edward would do. He always found a way to blame himself, whether it was his fault or not.
"That's not even the only problem. The Volturi are coming and we have to find Edward before they get here," Alice inputted. The Volturi? God what next?
"When?" I asked.
"Same day that Bella completes the transformation. I don't know what they are planning, but it might not be good. Bella will be a newborn and she might not be stable. We need Edward here," Alice informed. She was all business now.
I needed to find him. That was my only choice. He believed that this was his fault, and I needed to be the one to prove him wrong. I tried to lean over to stand, but I instantly doubled over in pain. Gritting my teeth, I tried with all my might to overcome the pain and sit upright. But, before I even realized it, Jasper was pushing me back down on the bed.
"No. You are not going anywhere. I will go get him and make him come back. The others will be coming back here to stay with you and Alice," He told me as he walked back to Alice, all the while making sure I wasn't going to try and get up again.
He stopped talking and reached out for Alice. They kissed quickly but passionately. They looked like something straight out of a movie, and it was heartbreaking to watch. Then Jasper turned and sprinted out the door leaving me and Alice sitting there awkwardly.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" she gestured to the chair next to me.
"Not at all." I responded. It was a wonder how close I had become with the Cullen's. She gracefully walked to the chair and sat.
"My head hurts from all the visions, and you make the pain go away." She explained
"Oh," I said. I felt tired all of a sudden. It must have been the food. I felt disconnected from my body. But I didn't want to sleep; I wanted to wait for the others to return. My body had other decisions in mind. My eyes closed and I eventually lost the fight in trying to keep them open.
"And, Jacob," Alice spoke softly. I opened my eyes and looked at her. "I am so sorry that my brother is a clueless jerk." I think that I might have laughed after she said that, but I couldn't remember because I was gone by then.
This time the dreams weren't memories, or scenes from my past. There was nothing. I looked all around me and all I could see was black. I was by myself and I couldn't tell where I was. There were absolutely no noises, no wind, nothing except total darkness. Where was I? How did I even get here?
I tried to scream, but when I opened my mouth no sound came out. I could feel myself beginning to panic. A cold sweat layered my skin. I tried to move forward; I put my hands out but I couldn't even see them. I stumbled around trying to find my way out but I just kept moving forward. Endless darkness was all I received. It was as if I were moving but getting nowhere. Then I felt something shaking me.
"Jacob!" a voice called. It sounded familiar somehow. "Jacob! Wake up!" The voice repeated as whoever it was shook me.
Suddenly I was pulled up from the darkness. It was very bright and it hurt my eyes. I saw the familiar leather furniture and glass walls of the Cullen house. It was only a dream, I kept repeating to myself, but the lonely feelings didn't go away. I felt a shock of cold on my shoulder immediately followed by a wave of calm. I glanced to my right already knowing that it was Jasper. I silently thanked him with my eyes. But, then I realized that the voice I had heard wasn't his. It was Edward's.
Where was he? I turned around and was shocked to see the house full of people. All of the Cullen's had returned and Quil, Embry, and Seth were there too. But, in front of all of them, and the one who had all of attention – Edward.
As soon as I glanced at Edward I felt instantly worse. The pain etched on his face made me feel like a piece of me was breaking. "Jacob, I am so sorry," he began. The others stirred feeling the tension growing. They were turning to leave us so that we could talk alone. "No, don't leave. If I can say it to him, I can say it in front of you all." I glanced away from him. I didn't want to heat all of the reasons that brought him to the conclusion that all of this was his fault. I just wanted to forget any of this even happened. Too bad for me, I knew that that would never happen.
"I don't want to hear it, Edward," I said exasperated. I knew he had already heard this in my thoughts.
"It doesn't matter, Jacob, because this is how it is. It is my fault this happened. I should've warned you about the vamp's strength…."
"And what, given me away?" I demanded. "Do you know how stupid this is?"
"It's time to stop avoiding this because we all know that I caused it. If I hadn't been so selfish as to even want Bella in the first place, all of this wouldn't have ever happened. Bella wouldn't be changing into to something that will be the rest of her life. You wouldn't be hurt," he finished looking down in self-pity.
"Stop it!" I yelled at him. I was surprised to see he actually flinched. I was also shocked that Jasper's calm was beginning to lose its effect on me. "You're not going to blame yourself for anything this time. Yes, you might have made some mistakes along the way, but who doesn't? Just because you are a vampire doesn't mean you've lost all of your humanity, and I am so freaking tired of listening to you whine about how you blame yourself. I am not putting up with it anymore so get over it. And if you think that any of this is helping me- it's not."
"But…" Edward mumbled and I cut him off again.
"I said I don't want to hear it! And if you think I'm kidding, I am one hundred percent serious. Just because I can't get up, doesn't mean I can't have Emmett deal with you." Emmett laughed in response and punched me lightly on the arm.
"Hell yeah!" He boomed and Edward smiled a little along with a few others.
"Okay," Edward mumbled and I rolled my eyes. It was about time he started listening to me. Edward looked at me and a hint of a smile appeared. For once it reached his eyes.
"So how long did I sleep again?" I asked changing the subject. I felt like I could do anything now.
"Another fourteen hours or so," Alice chimed in. "You looked so deadbeat that I let you sleep for awhile. But, towards the end you looked more than uncomfortable and we decided to wake you." I knew that they only woke me because I was having that terrible dream.
"Fourteen hours? So how long until Bella……and the Volturi?"
"A day," Carlisle informed. Only a day? How could time pass so quickly? I was banking on having enough time to think things through before everything started happening.
"That's something that we need to talk to you about," Seth added speaking to Carlisle. "The Volturi. Sam says that he would like all of us to be here just in case they decide to try anything funny."
"We can't ask you to do that," Esme responded. "The Volturi doesn't much care for werewolves and we would rather that you were safe."
"You have helped us a great deal already. Now I ask that you let is handle this ourselves. This is our problem and we don't want to get you involved because we know that the risk is a lot greater. Thank you anyway, for everything." Carlisle spoke gravely.
"Okay, but just so you know, we have your back. If you need us, you know where to find us. But, if the Volturi doesn't like wolves, then what about Jake?" Quil questioned.
"He should go back with you. It would be far safer for him there," Carlisle suggested. I guess I wouldn't argue with them, it would make things go easier.
"Okay, then help me up," I muttered impatiently. There was no way in hell I was going to be able to get up by myself. Quil and Embry hoisted me on my feet and my body protested in pain. But, at least I was able to move a little.
"C'mon, Jake," Seth encouraged me. I resisted a growl at him. I knew that he was only trying to be helpful.
"Can we borrow your car?" Quil asked Edward. Edward threw him the keys without the slightest hesitation. When he looked at me I was glad to know that this time they weren't filled with sadness.
"Be safe, Jacob. I will call when things are over," I just shrugged. It really didn't mean anything. He changed his mind so much these days. Quil and Embry helped me into the car and Seth got in the back with me.
As we rode down the driveway, all I could think about was the changes that I would be coming back to. What would happen with the Volturi? What would Bella be like?
But as soon as we pulled out onto the road we were stopped dead in our tracks. It was the Elders along with my father. The dark gazes trapped us. What were they doing here, this was Cullen land? What did they want? This couldn't be good. Not good at all.
So what did you think? Wonder what's going to happen...... and please review:)
