(Thursday May 17th evening)
Bella had stayed in her bedroom until she heard Charlie downstairs. She didn't know if he was aware of her skipping school or not. She was hoping he didn't since it would mean one less thing for her to worry about.
"Bella. Get down here." Charlie yelled from downstairs.
Damn. She thought. She decided to stick to her lie.
"I can't." Bella yelled from upstairs quickly putting together the scene she had prepared for.
She wrapped herself under the covers and had a heating pad placed on her abdomen. The one thing Charlie wouldn't question is her female needs.
Charlie stomped upstairs upset. He didn't like Bella being so blatantly disrespectful. He walked into her room and was taken aback.
"What happened?" Charlie asked not sure of why she looked sick with her room looking a mess. He sort of expected Jacob to be somewhere hiding. At least then he knew what to do.
"What do you mean?" Bella replied sounding in pain.
"The school called and said you never showed up." Charlie said. "Did you think skipping wouldn't get back to me?"
"I wasn't skipping. I made it to school but then I had an accident and had to come home." Bella replied. She was hoping Charlie was getting the hint.
"What accident. Why are you in bed? Did you fall?" Charlie asked.
"No dad, I had an accident." Bella said emphasizing the last word.
Charlie still didn't get it since he had a confused look on his face.
"Ugh. My period dad. I got my period." Bella said. She didn't want to lie but it was the one thing he wouldn't question.
Charlie became flustered and turned red. He didn't know what to say. "Oh. You, um. I understand. You need anything?"
"I'm better now. I was meaning to go back but I couldn't take the pain. Some months are worse than others." Bella said and Charlie just waved his hands for her to stop.
"Okay. I'll call the school and explain what happened. Why didn't you call me though?" Charlie asked.
"I'm sorry I just couldn't really move and then after some Midol's I fell asleep. I'm sorry dad." Bella said holding her abdomen.
"Its fine I understand. So do you think you will be able to go to school tomorrow?" Charlie asked.
"Honestly no. I don't want to be clutching my stomach the whole day or fall asleep on my desk from the Midol's. Can I stay home again?" Bella asked making sure to look and sound miserable.
"Sure no problem. I'll tell the school. I'm glad it was nothing else." Charlie said.
"I wouldn't skip school dad. I kind of wish I had gone to the store though." Bella said.
"What do you mean?" Charlie asked unsure of what she could want right now besides ice cream.
"I need supplies dad." Bella said. Inside she was mortified at what she was saying but she needed to buy time.
"Oh. I um. I can call Sue to buy some." Charlie said turning beet red now. He did not want to go to the store for that.
"It's okay dad I already took care of it. Jake is bringing me what I need." Bella said.
"Poor Jake." Charlie said mortified for the boy.
"Dad no. I wouldn't have Jake buy that for me. I called Emily and she got me what I needed. She is going to give Jake the bag and he will bring it to me later today. No guy has to go down that aisle." Bella said with a smile at Charlie's body language. He was very uncomfortable.
"Oh, well good. I hope it wasn't an inconvenience for Emily." Charlie said but he was glad she did buy them. He didn't want to have an awkward conversation with the employees at the store about this.
"No she was happy to help. She's a great friend." Bella said. "Can we order pizza? I don't think I can cook today." Bella said changing to topic to give Charlie an out.
"Yeah I'll go order one right now." Charlie said and left the room quickly.
Bella let out a long breath. That was intense. Whoever was outside was undoubtedly laughing their ass off. Now she just had to have Jacob bring something in a paper bag to complete the lie. The good thing is that now she has tomorrow away from school so the Volturi couldn't get her there. She wanted Aro to make up his mind now and tell her what he was planning on doing.
She wanted her life to go back to how it was before him. She wanted to plan a future with Jake and not have this looming over them. She had spent countless nights terrified of him imprinting that the thought of someone doing that one her never once crossed her mind.
Life has a twisted sense of humor.
One of the guys filled Jake in on Bella's interaction with Charlie. He had a good laugh when he heard it. At least one good thing happened today. He went home and changed into a decent set of clothes and put some extra clothes and food in a brown bag. He rode his bike to Bella's house and waited for Charlie to open the door for him. When Charlie saw him he looked at the bag first and simply pointed up the stairs.
"Go ahead." Charlie said as he let Jake in. He didn't want to make small talk at the moment.
"Thanks Charlie." Jake said.
Jake smirked when Charlie turned around. He had to admit that this was a great lie to use in an emergency. No questions asked.
Jake knocked on Bella's door and went in when he heard her call him. She was lying in bed with her head in the pillow. Jake could tell she was very embarrassed.
"I have your lady items." Jake said as he held up the bag trying not to laugh as he said it.
"Shut up." Bella said through the pillow.
"It's okay Bells." Jake said. "You had to lie."
"I know that I just didn't want to." Bella said looking at him. It was necessary but she didn't have to like it.
"Move over." Jake said getting into bed with her. He rested his back on the headboard and Bella cuddled into his side.
"How's the pack?" Bella asked.
"They're patrolling. No one wants to get distracted. Sam worked out a schedule and had the elders dismiss everyone from school. Well those of us who are still in school." Jake said. He used to like not going to class but he misses it now. It's one of the few things he got to do that made him feel normal.
"You can't keep this pace up forever. You will kill yourselves." Bella said trying not to cry. A part of her wishes she never met Edward Cullen.
"Bells we were made for this, remember?" Jake said. The pack takes their purpose with pride.
"I know but you shouldn't have to." Bella replied.
"Bells vampires exist throughout the entire world. We would have run into them eventually." Jake replied. He could see how the Volturi would have eventually heard of them.
"Fine. But I will feel better when I see everyone take a break." Bella said. She always kept the pack on the front of her mind. She never wanted them to go without food or rest. They do so much.
Jake kissed her head. He loved how good she was at taking everyone's feelings and wellbeing into consideration. He couldn't help but feel that she would have been the best Alphas Mate ever. Trying to stop that line of thinking he changed gears.
"So, any other messages?" He asked.
Bella smirked. "No." She knew it wasn't a laughing matter but she loved it when he was jealous. She always felt like she was too plain for him and she had heard many girls say so. It's nice to know he get jealous.
"Good." Jake exhaled. He didn't know he was holding his breath. "Do you know when they might leave?"
"If it was up to me they would have left already." Bella replied deflecting his original question. She didn't want to tell him what she really thought.
"I hate not knowing what is going to happen next." Jake replied.
"Me too." Bella said as she held him tighter.
Jake was her rock and now he feels like a boat floating away from her.
They stayed on the bed for a few minutes in perfect bliss until Charlie yelled for them to come and eat. They went ahead and ate with Charlie making idle conversation. They both needed the distraction. After eating they went back upstairs and held onto each other as if they would never get another chance to do so. The only thing keeping Bella from forgetting her worries was the cold metal touching her chest. Jakes ring would not let her forget.
Jane was staring at the ground. She was scrutinizing every spec she could make out. She was trying but failing to distract herself. Her master had just spoken to the entire coven assuring them that everything was fine. They were simply trying to figure out the best way to proceed.
Every fiber in her being told Jane to go back to the small town and simply take her new queen and bring her to her master so he could be happy. Sure she would get punished but she would bring them together. She couldn't understand why her new mistress was lying about the bond. If Master Marcus said the bond was real then she was lying. Her heart ached when she saw the way her master looked when her new mistress recoiled from him over a Cullen! A Cullen! Those vile vampires were not like them. They turned away from their natural diet and desperately tried to be humans again. It was pathetic. But if her new mistress loved them then she would learn to tolerate them.
Jane kicked the ground and unearthed more things to study. Her new mistress wasn't overly beautiful but she would be once she changed. She was pretty in a plain way but then again that must be what her master liked since she was his mate. So then she was perfect. It would be interesting to see how she would fit into their life. Her views might be different since the Cullen's seem to have had an influence on her.
Jane huffed and turned her gaze to the sky. She hadn't seen her much but a look was all she needed thanks to her perfect vampire memory. Besides she was too busy focusing on the 'dogs' she had brought with her. She had to admit that her mistress was resourceful. First she had a coven of vampires and then a pack of wolves wrapped around her finger. It was impressive.
She wished her Masters told them to go get her now. She hated to see her master without his mate. She knew the pull he felt towards her was stronger now since he touched her hand.
"It's rude to spy brother." Jane said when she felt Alec coming near her. It was a twin thing.
"Don't say that dear sister. Most of our duties involve us spying on someone." Alec replied.
"Funny." Jane replied without humor.
"What seems to be bothering you?" Alec asked even though he knew the answer. Jane could never stand it when Master Aro was upset.
"How could she deny him?" Jane asked.
"I do not know. No one has an idea actually. They mostly believe it must be the wolves." Alec replied. "Although." He started turning pensive.
Jane looked at him trying to read his mind.
"It could be her shield. If she could block Edward Cullen and Master Aro then maybe her gift is blocking the mating bond."Alec said.
"That's ridiculous." Jane replied upset. "The mating bond is absolute. Both sides feel it and both sides are drawn to each other. Even If she is a shield it would not be this strong in human form and it definitely could not stop it from flowing in both directions." Jane said. "It must be a vampire we haven't heard of who has the gift of bond manipulation like Chelsea only ten times more powerful."
"Perhaps." Alec replied. "Or she could simply be lying and have incredible self control to hide how she feels."
"I hope that is not the case. It will only hurt our master." Jane replied. She didn't want to dislike her new mistress. Whatever made Master Aro happy made her happy.
"Let's return to the others. I fear they will continue to gossip if we are not there to remind them of their place." Alec said with a small smile.
Jane returned it and stood. She did enjoy putting other people in their place.
Aro was staring at his phone hoping that Bella would reply. He wanted to talk to her but he would settle for a written conversation. He wanted to have one of the guards hack into her phone and computer to spy on her and see exactly what she is doing but that was wrong. He didn't want to make the same mistake as Edward Cullen and end up losing his mate. The foolish boy made a choice without her input and ended up pushing her into the arms of a wolf.
A part of him wished he hadn't touched Bella since now the pull of the bond is stronger. The other part is still rejoicing from touching her hand. Even though it was a short embrace he didn't regret it completely. He would take the pain.
Aro was on uncharted territory now. He always got what he wanted one way or another but now he can't simply take what he wants. Having to consider his mates feelings was new and unnerving. Even with Sulpicia he never relied on her input. She could tell him whatever she wanted but in the end he would do whatever he desired. Bella was different. He wouldn't be able to simply lock her in the tower like he and Caius had done with their wives in the past. If Bella is resistant to their bond now then locking her away would only solidify her hatred towards him. Aro didn't want to consider allowing her to live among the coven. She would be best protected in the tower but he also didn't want to deny her. What if Corins' power didn't work on her? What if it repelled her if she ever found out he tried to use it on her?
Aro let out a huff in frustration. He hated this! He had never had to go through so much trouble before. Then again this was for his mate. Anything he did for her would be worth it. Sparing the Cullen's even felt fine just to have her happy. The look of utter dread and pain was physically sickening to him when she cried in agony over their fate. Another good thing is that he didn't have to kill his only friend in the world.
This is madness! Aro yelled internally. He kept a calm face on the outside to hide his inner turmoil. He needed to be with her. He wanted to know everything about her. What did she like? Her favorite colors. Her favorite music. Everything. Without his gift he felt at a loss. His own mate was shielded from him. It only made him want to be by her side more. He wanted to see for himself what kind of person she was.
Aro focused his mind and came up with a plan. It was time for a change.
I was able to write two chapters for this story. It was actually 2 but it was super long. I hope I keep finding these little breaks so I can focus on writing more.