And you thought I was going to be nice! I just wanted to point out; I'm evil. Now, I'm torn between two fitting endings for "Bound By love" though both ideas would include three chapters to end the story with. This idea, happens to be the first that I came up with and I wanted to know, if you prefered this over the second one. After reading this chapter, please, please, please, don't review but instead move on to the next chapter and compare. Once you've read them both, review on the chapter you believe should stay in the story and whichever has the most reviews will be kept and the other...thrown out the cyber window.
Recap: "Oh, Bella! I'm so happy that you're staying." Esme was the next to break through the silence as she came and hugged us both; although there was no way around it since Edward refused to let me go. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Preface: I was more than reluctant to let go of Edward during the two weeks that I had spent with him after our engagement and there was only one person that could force us apart for even the smallest decibels of time. This is what I learned not two days ago; the one lesson I wished I could just pass over and forget. But that wasn't possible. I couldn't turn back time and change what the outcome became; time travel wasn't a vampire skill. Even if that ability had existed, there wouldn't be a vampire willing to help; I was at fault this time.
{BPOV}
Two weeks. Two short weeks since out engagement and I was in a world of inclusive and unreserved blissfulness. There were no other words that existed that were close enough to how I felt. My head held high on my shoulders and I imaged my name alongside Edward's for eternity; even longer than that were my luck to permit such a thing.
This was my second day away from Edward and I longed to feel his arms around me already. Why did vampires always have to hunt? Yes, I too had a thirst that needed its' quenching, but the pain wasn't severe as the need wasn't as prominent for me. My powers were more useful than I had ever known them to be.
"Bella?" Rosalie's trilling voice was timid as she called from beyond the other side of Edward's bedroom door. I rose swiftly, startled by her forwardness; she almost never addressed me. I was immediately worried for Edward's well-being.
"Yes, Rosalie?" My voice reached her before the door opened but by the time I could see her, my worries were extinguished. Her stunning face held a smile and ecstasy was bubbling over. What had gotten into her?
"I just wanted to apologize for my disgrace to my family. There aren't any words to explicate my unjust behaviors towards you. Do you think you can find it in you, to forgive me for everything that I have done?" I didn't expect Rosalie's apology anymore than I expected her direct, formal, choice of words. Apologizing must not have been easy for her?
I guessed that she didn't have to apologize as often as she should. But why was she apologizing to me now? What was so different? I certainly hadn't been kinder to her.
"Of course, Rosalie. I just hope that we can get more acquainted with each other." My voice was stiff as was my acceptance as I matched her formal approach.
"Well…actually, I was thinking that we could start today…Perhaps you would like to go hunting. I mean…I know you don't go as often as everyone else, but I was thinking you might make an acceptation." I already knew what would come if I refused; her apology would be taken back and we would remain as enemies. I didn't want that outcome.
"Sure," I nodded as she pulled me out the door and down the stairs. Her smile grew wider and my subconscious began screaming at me; this is bad! This is very, very, bad!
What was wrong with Rosalie? I knew that joy wasn't something that came easily to her but why had her mood changed so drastically from the past five minutes she had spent sinking into a depression? Wasn't I still the same Bella, and she; the same Rosalie?
No, nothing could rationalize her abrupt alteration and I knew I should be fighting back. Every primal urge in my body was lusting for a fight between the two of us; vampire vs. vampire. But how could I possibly desire anything that would hurt my family? –The family that I incidentally shared with Rosalie.
"Rose, where exactly do you intend on hunting? I'm not really in the mood to run to Canada. Would you please give me back my wrist?" I pulled out of her unyielding clasp detesting the way her fingers curled themselves around my arm. I wasn't sure if this feeling was solely distinctive to vampires or if this was just due to my abhorrence of the deity before me.
"Actually, this is exactly where I intended on stopping. So, clearly, your aversion to Canada was unnecessary." Stopping not hunting; my new, faster intellect hadn't missed her adjust of wording from only seconds before.
I stood listening for the frenzied heartbeat of any animals in the distance-a sound I had become well acquainted with-refusing to remove my eyes from Rosalie's vigilant figure.
There was no sound forthcoming and I could clearly tell that this wasn't good, anymore.
"Rosalie, you know as well as I do; there's no game here. [A/N: Game as in, hunt] So, why don't you just tell me why you dragged me out of the house for this; please." I only added 'please' as an after thought to make my solitary request that much more agreeable though she could see through my charade.
"Well, if you must know, I wanted you to finally meet someone. It seems about time that you convene with someone new; don't you think?" The acidity in her voice made it lucid that whomever I was about to be introduced to, was not good for my wellbeing.
Who could Rosalie possibly be talking about and why did she bring me all the way out here just to meet with whoever it was? This couldn't be good. Rosalie had something planned; I just didn't know what to expect.
Edward's gift would have been more useful to me in that moment then anything I had ever been possessed with. Why couldn't I protect myself? Why couldn't I see what was coming?
I didn't think I could stay calm-I didn't think I could keep myself out of a protective stance-but I knew that I had to try, just long enough to provide the rest of the Cullen's with Rose's intentions though they still remained unclear to me.
"Actually, Rose, I'm rather complacent with the acquaintances I currently have, and though I recognize the need to be sociable, I'd rather not do this right now. Edward will be coming back soon, and I want to be there for him when he walks through the door." How true those words were; all I wanted was to be there when Edward returned.
"Which is why, there's no time better than the present. Tanya, get out here." Tanya? …Tanya; as in, drop-dead gorgeous, Denali coven, strawberry-blonde, in love with Edward, Tanya? No, no, NO! This couldn't be happening!
"Hello, Bella," Tanya's golden irises-though guarded-held the speculation that I hadn't been expecting as she walked towards me. Did she really believe I posed a threat to her?
"You're much more different than I had been expecting. Prettier, even?" I disregarded the last part as I considered the implication her words might have held; though I found none.
Why would Tanya envision how I appeared? What would drive her curiosity? Then again, if her interest in Edward remained, she may have been visualizing her competition-though I was of no comparison. She would undoubtedly win if it came down to our differing appearances. But, hadn't Edward already assured me of his love, time and time again?
Edward wouldn't possibly be persuaded. He couldn't. He had endeavored for my hand in marriage, he had promised an eternity with me! He couldn't just leave me; not again.
But, how could he not leave my side with someone infinitely more attractive asking for his love? It only seemed right that he end up with her in the end.
"You see, it only seemed right that I grow to be inquisitive as to whom the woman that sent Edward away, actually looked like. Of course, Rosalie had told me how unadorned you looked and so, I assumed that your beauty wouldn't be as palpable as it is…But still, no similarity." Her eyes drifted down towards her own body and then back at mine, and I understood what she meant; how could I compare with that?
"I'm positive that you know of my interest in you fiancé and I just wanted to make it clear that your engagement means nothing. Surely, you must also know where he's been spending these past two days away from you." Her voice indicated something further but I didn't have to consider this as I answered instantaneously.
"Of course, I know. He's been spending his days on the outskirts of Port Angeles with Carlisle and the rest of our family."
"Tsk, tsk, Bella. I mean really! How could you be so gullible? You know full well as I do, that he hasn't just been hunting. Did Rosalie ever tell you of my ability?" Of course not! I didn't know anything about Tanya other than the color of her hair and where she lived. I shook my head in response.
"Rosalie, how could you neglect in telling her?" Her voice was reproachful as she glared at Rosalie and then turned her concentration back onto me. "You see, with the simplest of contact-touch, I mean- I can show you the actions of others whether it is from the future or the past. I'm basically, able to provide an instant recap of everything a person has been doing." Her eyebrows rose suggestively and I glowered at her. [A/N: I know that this is not Tanya's ability in the story, but I added it for Drama's sake. I'm sorry if you don't approve of this.]
"May, I?" Her hand was raised only inches in front of me, reaching out for my arm. Was this a trap? Should I trust her when we've only just met?
"I don't bite. Okay-wait-that wasn't a good choice of words. I won't hurt you, Bella." I didn't trust her anymore than I trust Charlie to cook his own dinner.
Charlie. His name pulled at me, calling for me to return home. But where I lived with him wasn't my home, anymore and I most certainly couldn't let these thoughts affect me when I could or could not, be in danger. The possibilities were endless.
"Fine, but I doubt it will have any affect on me." I wasn't commenting on my shielding ability but the wavering strand that was my mind. I didn't think she could force me to change my opinion on Edward or any other Cullen.
Quickly apology here, "I'm really sorry for my lack in updates. The only reason I haven't posted anything new, is because of you guys. I am more than grateful for how many views this story has had- all 3,398 of them- but I'm actually, terrified that I might let you guys down if I fail to express the story properly. Because of this, I've added in extra time to come up with new plot lines, better vocabulary- because I do have one- and just plainly, more effort in making it greater. So I'm hoping that you guys won't lose your faith in me and continue to read what I write." Thanks a lot, to everyone who veiws, and reviews all of my work. It means sooooo much to me! *hugs*