AUTHORS NOTE – Sorry it's taken so long. Enjoy
Chapter 21 – I Can't Help It
EPOV
I pulled Bella out of the pit and landed as softly as I could so as not to cause any more hurt to her already damaged form. It was only when the sun hit her face that I could see the true extent of her injuries, the injuries Beckett had caused.
"I'm going to kill him." I seethed through gritted teeth as I faintly grazed her bruised cheek with my thumb.
"Get in line." Emmett and Jacob said in unison causing both Bella and Carlisle's lip to turn up in what could only be described as a smile.
Even though Emmett was a vampire and Jacob was a werewolf they were very much alike. They were both loud, outspoken, show-offs and were willing to do anything to seek revenge on the creature that had hurt Bella. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard for us all to get along after all. We needed to try for Bella's sake.
"Bella do you have any idea when Beckett will return. We need to be prepared?" Carlisle asked considerately placing his hand on Bella's arm in support.
"Well, ummmm he said he had to run some errands but would not be long. That was a while ago so I guess it could be any minute." Bella recalled looking from Carlisle to Jacob and then finally resting her gaze on me.
"Do not worry. When he returns this will all be over. We shall not let any more harm come to you." I reassured looking over all who had gathered to help us in our mission.
Bella and I both looked over to the wolves that were congregated together and they nodded in response to my last comment.
"Chill Bells, we won't let that bit of filth get away with what he's done, even if you are a blood sucker now." Embry responded in the only way he knew how, resulting in Jacob slapping him upside the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Embry complained in complete confusion, resulting in us all bursting into laughter.
Emmett moved in to the middle of the group and took his signature macho stance before reminding us why we were all here. Like we could forget.
"I'm sorry to burst everyone's bubble and this whole weird mortal enemy's emotional bonding thing but aren't you forgetting something? Beckett's on his way and we have to kill him." Emmett unnecessarily put out there.
"So how we are going to do this?" Bella asked looking at all of us in turn.
"We doesn't include you Bella." I told her. I didn't want her getting anywhere near him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bella returned stepping out of my grasp, a look of confusion crossing her features.
"I just mean there are enough of us to take him on without getting you in the middle of it. He has hurt you enough already and I don't want you in harm's way again." She smiled at me as Jacob approached.
"I agree with Cullen, Bells. Jeez I never thought I would say that but I do. There is no need for you to get involved." Jacob said to Bella disbelief etched into his face at hearing his own words.
"And you all feel the same way?" Bella asked each and every one of us, all responding in unanimous agreement.
"Look, I appreciate that you all want to keep me safe but don't you think I want to have a part in this. I may come across as this little damsel in distress, but I want revenge to. I want to rip him limb from limb and watch him suffer for what he has done to all of us not just me. I can't help it." She finished looking up at me with pleading eyes.
"I can't have him near you Bella." I urged quietly concentrating only on her.
"Shush! I hear something." Emmett whispered making us all fall into silence.
"He's right, it's Beckett's car." Bella confirmed to us all quietly.
"How do you hear it already Bells?" Jake asked.
"Newborn hearing." She answered looking down in embarrassment.
"Cool. I guess." Jake finished.
We all took cover in the nearby trees as Emmett and Jacob quickly covered the hatch hoping that when Beckett returned he wouldn't have guessed anyone was there.
Less than 5 minutes later the Jaguar complete with missing door pulled up into the clearing we had all just been standing in. I looked from the busted car to Bella's wounded cheek and guessed what had caused her injury. It took all my strength not to jump him right then and there.
Beckett jumped out of the car, slamming the door behind him and rubbing his hands together, an evil grin crossing his face as he moved towards the hatch.
Jacob was signalling our intended action with his fingers and mouthing what to do next. As soon as Beckett pulled open the hatch and jumped inside we would surround the opening blocking his escape. That was all we had planned so far, but sometimes you have to work on impulse. We all believed this was one of those times.
We watched in silence as Beckett removed the leaves from the pit's hatch and called down to Bella. The light dwindling we knew he would have to actually go down inside before he would find out Bella was no longer there.
He lifted the opening hatch with one hand and with one quick movement jumped into the hole disappearing from view.
With a quick nod from me we all ran to surround the exit, his only chance of escape. Bella was still clutched to my side as we looked down at the suddenly confused and enraged vampire now circling the pit alone.
"Just wait til I get my hands on that little bitch." Beckett spat with venom.
"Oh I don't think you'll get the chance." I put in almost instantly, making him aware of our presence.
The look on Beckett's face when he saw us all peering over him was one I will remember as long as I exist. He looked at each and every one of us, knowing in those moments that he was in trouble, serious trouble.
"So Edward, who are you're little orange friends?" He said in mock confidence pointing up at Jacob and Embry.
"You can talk to us you know. We don't bite, well we do but that's beside the point." Embry mumbled not being able to find the right words and getting a glare from Jacob who continued.
"Well leech, I'm Jacob and that fumbling twit next to me is Embry. We are werewolves and are very protective of our lands. The lands you have decided to use for your little kidnapping game. Bella is also a good friend of ours, so you hurt her and you have us to answer to." Jake grimaced.
"Werewolves and vampires are friends? You, are kidding me right?" Beckett answered pacing with a crazy laugh.
"Not friends Beckett, allies. We have come together just this once to defeat our mutual enemy. That's you by the way." Emmett thought he needed to put in.
"Whatever. Are you going to let me go or what?" Beckett asked us in complete seriousness.
"What did you just say? You seriously think they are going to let you go after what you did to me, Beckett. I warned you that Edward would kill you." Bella took pleasure in confirming, squeezing my hand as she did so.
"Look Bella, as much as you want to believe that it won't happen. Even after everything that has happened, your dear Edward and I have a history and he's too much of a sap to kill me. Isn't that right Ed?"
I stayed silent knowing that if I responded to that, my anger would reach an all time high and I couldn't be too close to Bella when it did. My father could sense what was going on in my head. He knew me all too well and answered the sitting duck in my place.
"You obviously don't know my son as much as you think you do, Beckett. Anyone who hurts Bella and I mean anyone will not last the day. Edward has proved that before. He has killed many a vampire before you who threatened to cause her harm. If you think your history with him will change that then you are wrong. The moment you touched Bella that all became invalid."
Jacob looked away from Beckett and at all of us at his side and not being able to control his eagerness to kill the creature below came to the decision that now was the moment to take action.
"Right I have had enough of the small talk. Whatever you lot decided I am telling you now this thing is not leaving here alive. So I say we cut to the chase and end it now."
We all peered back down at Beckett not needing to say a word. We knew his time was coming to an end and so did he.
"Please, please ok just let me go ok. I swear I won't come back. I promise." Beckett begged fumbling through his words.
"It's too late for that Beckett. You are nothing but an evil thorn in all our sides and it's time we got rid of you. It's over." Bella answered in finality.
"Right Emmett, Carlisle and I will go down and finish this. Jake, Embry keep an eye on Bella." I instructed.
"Hey, I want a piece of this action?" Jake shouted in anger.
"The space down there is too small for us all. If you an Embry phase down there it could be the end for all of us. Please just watch Bella." I begged. Jacob gave in.
I nodded and with that we jumped down, ready to rid the world of yet another evil.
BPOV
Edward, Emmett and Carlisle leaped out of view as Jake and Embry settled at my side.
The noise of fighting and struggle was so loud down there. Even though Beckett was out numbered it sounded like he was putting up a good fight.
An agonizing 20 minutes later Carlisle and Emmett jumped back out each carrying a severed arm as they did so, cracked skin and earth covering each and every inch of them.
"We need to pile the pieces and burn them whilst Edward finishes him off." Emmett shouted back as they rushed in the undergrowth, a plume of thick grey smoke appearing above the trees not moments later.
"Bella!" I heard being screamed in desperation seconds after Emmett and Carlisle disappeared.
"Edward?" I called down. For the first I was terrified at hearing my husbands voice.
"I need you." Edward shouted up. I knew he wouldn't call me if he wasn't desperate. He would have asked Jake or Embry but even they knew they would be crushed if they phased down there. The space was only just big enough for three vampires.
Without a seconds thought I disappeared into the darkness, Jake calling my name from up above.
What I saw when I landed and caught my bearings answered why Edward needed me so desperately.
He was knelt on the ground securing an armless Beckett into a head lock who was still continuing to beg for mercy and struggling as much as he could. Edwards arm was chewed practically down to the bone as Beckett snapped at it with his teeth trying to escape in any way possible.
The sight before me was one that caused my stomach to flip over. Beckett was ripped to pieces but still fighting with every ounce of energy that he could and Edward was clearly injured but keeping him as secure as ever.
"I can't do it Bella. I can't kill him" Edward looked at me with regretful anguish and pain in his eyes.
"It's ok baby. I understand." I smiled at him forcefully as I moved towards the thing my husband held in his iron grip.
"Just be careful ok, love." Edward pleaded knowing what I had to do.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to do it, sap." Beckett cackled trying to get a few final words in."
I strolled towards Beckett bitter confidence entering my system and knew in that moment that I was the one who was destined to finish this whole thing.
"Maybe Edward can't because he did love you once as a friend. I however have no feelings what so ever for you so this won't be hard for me." I smiled looking down on his struggling form as Edward held on but looked away knowing what was to come.
"We'll see Mrs Cullen." Beckett answered, the shudder in his voice showing that his confidence had finally begun to dissipate.
"Shut up." I screamed in his ear.
I leant down, placed a hand on each side of his head , keeping a firm grip and making sure to avoid his razor sharp teeth as he continued to struggle in mine and Edwards grasp.
I mentally counted down in my head closing my eyes as I did so. I reached zero and in one swift movement ripped Beckett's head from his neck.
Looking down at Edward who had now thrown Beckett's lifeless body to one side I dropped the head to the floor and knelt down besides my silent husband.
"It's over Edward. It's over." I said looking into his eyes and placing my palm on his cheek.
"I should have never asked you to do that. I put you in so much danger." Edward continued ashamed pulling us to our feet with his intact arm.
"He was your friend once Edward, I understand that. Even after everything he has done you still have those memories, you still care. That's one of the reasons I love you so much." I assured him placing a light peck on his cheek.
"Hey is everything alright down there." Emmett and Jake yet again commented at the same time.
"It's done. It's all over." Edward called up grabbing hold of my hand securely as we leapt out of the hole.
"Are you ok Bells?" Jake asked moving to my side as our feet touched the ground.
"Yeah, I'll be fine Jake thanks."
"Jake, Embry, Emm can you dispose of the rest of the remains? I want to get Bella home. Carlisle can you come with us so you can check her over?" Edward asked in no more than a whisper holding his arm.
"Of course son, let's go and I'll need to check your injuries as well." Carlisle smiled as he, Edward and I moved away from the scene ready for our departure.
Just as we were about to disappear out of view I remembered the conditions on which Jake had offered his and Embry's help. We were to be banished from their lands, never to return and that included me. I would never step foot in La Push again and I felt like another chapter in my life was closing.
I turned to Jake, a nonexistent tear in my eye and pulled him into a hug. "I'll miss you Jake."
"Bella just because I banished you from the land doesn't mean we won't see each other again. We are Jake and Bella, Bella and Jake remember?" He smiled looking into my eyes.
"You mean it? We can be friends?" Happiness filling my voice at his words.
"Well no offence Bella but you really stink. That could be a slight problem but I'm sure we can work something out." He winked moving away from me to go and help the others.
"Now go home and get yourself checked out. I'll come by and see you tomorrow, if that's alright with Eddykins back there?" Jake joked looking past me and over at my quiet husband.
"That's fine with me." Edward smiled reaching out for my hand.
In that moment, the moment when the two most important people in my life were both smiling at each other I was finally seeing my wildest dream come true.
Maybe it was possible. I could be vampire girl and wolf girl at the same time.
Jake was right though, the odour issue would definitely be a problem. Man he stinks
So that's it folks. The Way You Make Me Feel is finally finished. Please review and keep your eyes peeled for my new story "When We Collide" a Chronicles of Narnia fanfic featuring Prince/King Caspian and OC Lauren Pevensie. You won't regret it.