A/N: Thank you Twisted Musalih, .7334, YankeeGirlNJ, MammaNita4, sarae32, Beuty6, debb lavoie for your reviews. It makes me very happy to know that you'll like my story.
Chapter 14-
Lying to my family was easier said than done. Add into it the fact that I am a terrible liar. Charlie was not that hard to convince but Tiffany kept looking at me suspiciously when I told her that I had a stomach ache and wanted to stay home, as if she knew that I was lying.
I pretended to sleep until I heard the front door shut signaling that Tiffany had left for her souvenir shop in Forks. Charlie and Embry had already left for the day. I quickly got out of bed and after checking that I only had half an hour more before I had to reach Sam's place, showered and had breakfast. I decided to leave my truck behind in order to avoid suspicion in case Charlie or Tiffany was to come home early. I walked the short distance to Sam's house instead.
According to Alice's vision the nomads were going to reach the docks sometime in the afternoon today and so the wolves and the vampires were going to reach there before time and wait for them to come. After Emily and I hugged Sam and Jared and wished them good luck, began the longest five hours of my life.
We started with cooking to divert our mind from the tensed atmosphere around us. After we had cooked for an army and baked everything we could think of, we decided to watch a movie but that was of no use too as our concentration was on the fight which would have by now started. We then decided to play cards for a while but by the time we ended a game, there was still no news of Sam or Jared.
Before they left Sam had made us sit us down and told us what howl meant what. So that we were aware in case there was any danger around us. One howl meant that everything was good. Two howls meant that they were nearby and were approaching. Three howls meant Danger and four howls meant that someone new had phased for the first time.
And till now there had been no howl. The only indication we had that the fight would have started by now was the time. It was almost 3:00. So unless the nomads changed their path at the last minute, everything should have gone according to the plan. Unless…
"You think they will be okay?" asked Emily sipping through a cup of tea and looking at the floor
"I know that they will be okay. We need to trust them Em. They are well prepared for this"
"If something happens to Sam…" said Emily with a few tears in her eyes
"Hey now, we need to stay strong for them. Sam would not want to see you like this when he comes back"
"You're right" she said after a few minutes wiping her eyes "Can we go for a walk? It will help in relaxing me"
"I don't Know Em. Sam had told us not to leave the house"
"Please we will just walk in the backyard"
I nodded my head and after wearing my coat, the both of us shut the front door behind us and walked out. It was exceptionally cold today for the month of March. Luckily it was not raining. Emily and I both walked in silence for a while concentrating on our own thoughts. We were just a few steps away from the house. Sam had given us strict instructions before leaving. Don't leave the house come what may till one of them is back.
Suddenly cold wind encompassed us in a circle and brought the last person I ever wanted to see again in front of me.
Fiery red hair with crimson eyes that looked at us with such ferocity and gave out a dangerous vibe
"Victoria" I whispered but of course she heard it
She clocked her head to one side and kept staring at us in silence for a few seconds as if a lion observing their prey before attacking. I could hear Emily's heart beating louder and faster than normal. From the corner of my eyes, I could see her standing next to me shocked, slightly shaking, clutching tightly to her shirt.
"Emily, go inside and lock the door. Don't come out till either Sam or Jared is back" I said sternly. Even if this was my last action performed I had to try and save Emily. Not like that would stop a vampire but still maybe I could distract Victoria till help arrived.
"But" she said softly in a scared manner
"Emily now" I shouted
Victoria was still observing our antics with curiosity. I stood in front of Emily giving her the space to escape. She started running back to the house looking back at me a few times. I pleaded with my eyes to her to just keep going.
Finally when Emily was in the house and I could hear the audible click of the door locking, I turned back to look at Victoria
Suddenly I heard a shriek filled childish laughter "How foolish are you human? You think a locked door will stop me. Do you know what I am?"
"Leave her alone Victoria" I muttered through gritted teeth
"How do you know my name human?"
"How does it matter? Why are you here?"
I don't know from where I was getting this sudden bravery but I was glad for it.
She laughed again "I could smell the scent of those mongrels around this house. Because of them my James is no longer with me and you will pay for their sins"
I was having a serious déjà vu. The first time also James was killed before Victoria and she had come to take her revenge from me and this time too. Last time it was the Cullens and this time the Pack who had ended James. The only difference was last time Edward and Seth were with me and this time I was alone in front of a bloodthirsty vengeful vampire.
"Ah you smell delightful and make me hungry" she said closing her eyes and licking her lips making me shudder back a few steps
"Come now child don't be scared. I will not torture you much" she said in an evil menacing voice
I closed my eyes waiting for my doom. There was nothing I could do to stop her. I was just a human. What had happen in their fight? James was dead as Victoria had said. Where were the others?
It felt like hours but in reality it had just been a few minutes since Victoria had jumped out of nowhere in front of us.
When I did not feel cold lips biting onto my neck for a few seconds, I opened my eyes to see the second shocker of the day. The last person I ever thought I would see coming to my rescue was standing in front of me like a shield.
'Rosalie Hale'
"Move out of my way Cullen. This is not your fight" said Victoria
"Make me" snarled Rosalie "And till I remember my family was as much involved in ending the life of your precious mate"
Victoria bared her teeth "After I drink her tantalizing blood" she said pointing towards me "I will get back at you for that comment"
Rosalie gave out a short laugh "You will not touch the human till I am guarding it and I am not scared of your threats. Go scare someone else"
Victoria made an irritated sound and crouched down in attacking position. Even Rosalie took an attacking stance.
Somehow the only thing going on in my mind on repeat at that moment was my only proper conversation with Rosalie right before my wedding with Edward. When she had told me about her past, she had managed to kill her tormenters without drinking their blood and was the only one apart from Carlisle who had never tasted human blood. The story of Taha Aki and the third wife filled my mind and I knew what I had to do next. Rosalie was the only vampire apart from Carlisle who would have been able to resist my blood in this situation.
Before the other two who were still in crouching position, could attack one another, I picked up a small rock from the ground and cut myself a little on my hand.
As the scent of my blood filled the air and red droplets fell on the ground where I was standing, both Vampires turned to look at me. I could see Victoria's eye color change to pitch black and the hunger and desire in her eyes. Rosalie was just staring at me. He eye color was still golden and she did not look that affected by the smell.
Before I could even blink Victoria had pounced on me making me lose my balance and fall on the ground. Her teeth were near my neck when she was pulled away from my body and was dismembered too fast for the human eye.
I looked up to see Rosalie standing near a purple fire signifying that Victoria was done with
"Bella you okay" said Sam coming near to where I was sitting on the ground. I could see Jared, Sam, Carlisle and Emmett around me
I nodded my head. I did not know whether I could talk right now or not
"Bella" said Jared looking at me with a question in his eyes
I nodded my head telling him that I was okay
"Can I see your injury?" asked Carlisle
I let him see my injury. It was not too deep but I would need stitches.
"Emmett bring my kit from the car"
"But Carlisle" said Emmett who was standing in front of Rosalie as if he was protecting her
"Emmett I am here. Go now"
Without saying another word Emmett disappeared at Vampire speed
"Emily?" asked Sam worriedly
I pointed to the door and he ran to see her
"You crossed the treaty line Leech" said Jared pointing at Rosalie
"Yeah and if I had not this human, whoever she is to you would be a corpse by now"
Jared growled at her and she snarled back
"Enough Jared" said Sam using his Alpha voice
"Bella" shouted Emily coming to hug me "You scared me so much"
"I am okay Emily" I assured her and myself too
Emmett had returned by now with Carlisle's kit and he resumed his position of standing in front of Rosalie. Carlisle started stitching my wound and Emily held my hand to comfort me.
"We thank you and your family for your help today Carlisle" said Sam once Carlisle was done with stitching
"No problem. We will take your leave now" said Carlisle nodding his head and signaling Emmett and Rose to walk.
"Let's go inside" said Sam once they were out of sight
Jared and Sam helped me in getting up. Victoria had pushed me badly when she pounced on me. Luckily I had not broken anything.
Once I was seated on the couch and handed a cup of steaming hot coffee courtesy Emily, the others also sat on the couch
"So what happen in the fight?" asked Emily "How did Victoria escape?"
Sam sighed "We reached the docks at 11 and waited for them to arrive, hiding where people around could not see us. We both and three of the Cullens Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie were going to attack. The other four were going to get Laurent away from these both and make him surrender. Then mind reader and Seer were going to take Laurent directly to Denali to his mate. According to the Seer taking him there as soon as possible was of utmost importance. And we were okay with it because we were five versus two."
"Then what happen?" asked Emily biting her nails
"They arrived a few hours later. The doctor's wife had managed to clear the humans in the area by then. As they saw us, three Vampires and two Wolves waiting for them a fight broke out. Carlisle had managed to get Laurent away from the others. Jared, Jasper and I were attacking James and Emmett and Rosalie were fighting Victoria. She bit Emmett before attacking Rosalie and escaping. After we killed James we realized that Victoria and Rosalie were not there and we followed their scent back here"
"Wait" I said "When Victoria escaped James was alive?"
Sam nodded his head
"But she told me that you'll have killed him?"
"She probably felt the mating pull" said Jared after a few minutes
"What mating pull?" I asked
"See if Kim gets hurt I can feel her pain like it is mine even if it is something as normal as a paper cut. I don't know about leeches but I guess they would have something similar too"
"Maybe" I said
"So finally the threat is over" said Emily with a huge smile on a her face "We have made a lot for you'll to eat if you'll are hungry by the way"
Emily disappeared to her kitchen and Sam and Jared got up from the seats with the prospect of getting food.
"Bella you coming?" asked Jared
"I just need some time alone. I am going for a walk" I said getting up from the couch
"You know you can talk to me about anything right?" asked Sam
I nodded my head "Just need some time"
"Okay, take your time and call or come here if you need to talk"
I nodded my head and left the house. I walked towards first beach. For the first time in hours I took out my phone from my pocket. I knew whose company I needed right now.
'Hey you free? Can you meet me at first beach?'
I sat on a piece of driftwood looking at the waves in the water
'On my way'
To be honest I was terrified. Yes I had been in a similar situation before but this time I was not expecting any of this. I had given up hope before Rosalie came to my rescue.
Strong slightly warm arms pulled me closer to them as their owner sat next to me on the piece of driftwood
"You okay?"
I nodded my head "Tired"
"Why didn't you come to school today?"
I lied down my head on his shoulder
"I was at Emily's. She needed my help with something"
"Even Jared was absent today"
I nodded my head
"You know I missed you"
"I missed you too" I said playing with his big hands
As of now I did not know where I stood with Paul. We were more than friends but less than anything more.
"So are you free on Friday after school?" he asked me
I nodded my head looking at him in question
"Do you want to go out with me again?"
I smiled and nodded my head again
"Cool"
"Wait" I said remembering something
"What?"
"You remember when we were talking about favorite movies and I told you that we were going to see Titanic on our second date?" I said with a slight smirk
"Oh come on now. You can't be serious" he said making me laugh
"But I am" "Friday after school you and I are coming back to my place for a movie date. I will convince Charlie, Tiff and Embry to go out for a few hours"
"Just movie?" he asked with his trademark smirk making me blush
"Just movie" I said though I was not sure how much I believed it