SO YEAH I'm back to the A/Ns. Finally.

Well, guys, this is it: the last chapter of Black Rose. There will be an Epilogue, yes, but I won't post it right away. So I hope you like this one :) The longest chapter. And the last.

THANK YOU!


They ran. They ran. No stopping. Blindly.

'Bella!' Edward shouted into the darkness of the forest, as he scented her far, far away. Close to him, the reddish wolf howled.

They're going more to the east!

Edward glanced at Jacob Black.

I can smell them much better than you.

The boy said nothing but deviated his course. It was a faint aroma for him – but he did not care. He did not care he was allying with the werewolf he so hated, because they had one same aim. It was Bella. God, why hadn't he listened to her – to all of them. They were right. About Sophie. They were so right. And he, like a fool, had thought of her so kindly, so tenderly – the damage was done. He shouldn't cry over spilt milk.

But somehow it was impossible.

Er – Ed…ward? It's getting stronger. The smell. Much, much stronger.

Alarmed, Edward smelled the air – it was true. A flowery scent, combined with an odour of iron and the sweet smell of apple pie, which he recognized as Bella's, Victoria's, and Sophie's.

Edward!

There was a greenish light ahead – a circular clearing, with high trees surrounding it as if they were guards. Edward and Jacob stopped dead as they stepped into it. Bella's scent was as strong as if she had been there, right beside them.

'Bella!' Edward cried out, searching the area. The clearing was small, but there was something mysterious and suspicious about it… Jacob was turning around frantically, searching with his eyes for the vampire he loved – and suddenly he stopped.

Edward.

'Hello, Edward.'

The boy spun around on his spot – right there, right in front of him on the other edge of the clearing, Sophie stood, her hands entwined over her lap, looking as innocent as always.

'Sophie,' Edward whispered between clenched teeth. 'Where is she!'

'Don't worry, she's alright,' Sophie replied, still impassive, gazing at the trees of the clearing. 'Beautiful place, isn't it?'

Jacob barked and groaned threateningly, showing his teeth, but Sophie merely smiled.

'You got a pet, Edward?' she asked him, raising her eyebrows, 'Why, he looks like a cute, innocent terrier. Am I supposed to be scared by that?'

'Sophie – we want Bella,' Edward ordered, leaning forwards, feeling hatred for the figure in front of him.

'I'm so sorry, Edward,' Sophie sighed, frowning in apparent sadness, 'I really liked you, you know.'

'I know you did! You were planning this from the very beginning –'

'Of course I was,' Sophie laughed, surprised, 'and you make it sound so obvious and stupid! Yet you didn't figure it out 'til the end, did you?'

'Why?' Edward asked, narrowing his eyes.

'It wasn't for me, Edward,' Sophie said quietly, shaking her head slowly, 'It was for my sister.'

'Victoria,' Edward whispered.

'Yes, the same,' Sophie nodded. 'Victoria. I suppose you know what happened to her, don't you?'

Edward did not answer.

'I'll take that as a yes. It was you who killed James. It was you who killed my sister's fiancée. And you got away with it. Victoria could never reach your beloved human, Bella Swan – she was transformed into a vampire, she was. And with all those werewolves around her, how was she going to succeed in killing her?'

'Don't you dare hurt Bella!'

'She is not hurt. But I think it's fair. I mean – you killed her fiancée, and now she is going to kill yours. Pretty fair, yes. Why should you get married and have your happily ever after, when you took away hers?'

'I was protecting her,' Edward said between greeted teeth, fulminating Sophie with his stare.

'Oh, I reckon you were. But still, you killed him. You should have talked things out, peacefully, like we're doing now!'

Sophie laughed, but Edward waited. He could feel Jacob frozen in his spot, but he didn't seem to be thinking anything at all.

'So yes. She needed someone inside Forks to spy on you and Bella. She needed someone who would be able to separate them, distance them apart, so she could attack. And who else better than me? I'm beautiful, smart, witty – I look like the perfect woman, don't I?'

'Let's see – no, you don't.'

'Oh, really? Of course, you hated me, you loathed me – that's why you kissed me. Yes, it fits.'

'You did that!' Edward bellowed taking a step forward. Jacob groaned in alarm, warning him not to go closer.

'Yeah, I did.' Sophie smiled. 'Yes, Edward, it was me. I guess you already know what my supernatural power is.'

'Besides beauty and evilness?'

'Yes, beside those.'

'You tell me, then.'

'I thought you'd work it our yourself. You never realised that I knew you could read minds, and that's how you never caught me? You never realised that I could – um – make you feel… things towards me?'

'I was never in love with you,' Edward snapped quickly – and he was not lying. 'It is true, you tricked me with the mind-reading, and that's why I thought you were in love with me. You kissed me, and I couldn't blame you for being in love, for I am in love as well – with Bella – so I couldn't get angry with you. But you already knew all that. That's why you did it. That's why you dazzled me with your beauty so I couldn't think for a while, and you waited for Bella to appear so you disenchanted me. You had it all worked out. Everything.'

'You've got brains, don't you?' Sophie smiled crookedly, 'Yes, you are very certain. That is what happened. And you can guess what happened later – I ran to my sister to tell her the time had come for her to attack. The war was a perfect opportunity, everyone against the rest, blindly fighting and attacking. Bella and you separated, Alice hating you, all of you against the werewolves, all the werewolves against you. So we took our chance – and here we are. Standing in the middle of the forest.'

'Where – is – Bella?' Edward asked again, feeling loathe swell up in him, as well as fear.

'She's here with us. Right behind you.'

Edward spun around, but instead of seeing Victoria with Bella on her hands, he saw emptiness, and immediately felt a marble-like body collapse over him, pushing him down to the floor. He heard Jacob groaning and barking as he bit and hurt Sophie as much as he could – but it was impossible. Sophie was strong beyond compare, as strong as he had never seen. Not even Emmett was at her level. Without separating from Edward, binding him, she took the wolf's head, which had just appeared by her side to tear apart her throat – and bit.

'No!' a cry came from somewhere between the trees – Bella. 'Jacob! JACOB!'

Another loud thump – and the girl was over Sophie and Edward, trying to separate her teeth from Jacob's throat. Sophie pushed the wolf apart and took Bella by her arm, but Edward's left arm was loose again and tried to turn around to grab Sophie.

'Victoria! Help me, here!'

Two strong, iron arms surrounded Bella, pressing her arms over her side and chest, and she felt being lifted over the air.

'No! Edward!'

But as she looked up at him, fighting against her captor, Sophie spoke.

'If you know what's good for you, Bella, stop moving.'

She had grabbed Edward's wrists together behind his back, and her teeth were millimetres away from his throat.

'You can't hurt him,' Bella whispered, unsure.

'Believe me – it hurts an awful lot.'

Jacob stirred and tried to stand up on his four legs, but collapsed on the ground again. Bella gasped, horrified.

'Jacob,' she said, tears in her eyes.

'Sophie – please,' Edward said, 'Take me. But don't hurt Bella.'

'No, Edward –'

Sophie laughed, but it was Victoria who spoke.

'Ain't that charming?' she said with a metallic voice. Bella shivered. 'The boy sacrifices his life for the woman he loves! And the other way around! How… revolting. No, I don't think I'll give you the pleasure, Edward Cullen. You killed the man I loved – I'll return the favour now. No, I will not kill you – it is you who I want to see suffering.'

'Kill me!' Edward shouted, but Victoria's acid smile didn't fade away.

'No.' She answered quietly. 'No, Edward. I loved James more than my life – which you didn't give me the chance to prove. I loved him, I did, and I would have gladly died for him like you'd love to do now! But no. I wasn't able to die for him. I wasn't able to give my life away in exchange of his. I will not give you that chance, either. You will watch Isabella die – slowly and painfully.'

'NO!' Edward bellowed, and tried to disengage from Sophie's powerful arms, finding it impossible. He pressed his lips together. 'DON'T YOU DARE HURT HER!'

Victoria's smile grew wider, and she neared her mouth to Bella's throat, not staring away from the boy… She opened her mouth and her shiny, pointed teeth sparkled with the light of the forest… Getting nearer… The tip of her teeth brushing Bella's skin…

'BELLA!'

Five white figures had appeared from the trees: there was a loud thump as Emmett and Jasper crashed against Sophie, making her and Edward fall on the ground once again, but freeing the boy from Sophie's grip. Alice and Rosalie charged against Victoria and Bella before any harm could be made – Rosalie's fist impacted on the red-haired vampire's face with a loud crack, and, as Bella fell onto the ground, covering her head with her hands – an impulsive reaction, seeing that nothing would fall over her – Alice dug her teeth deeply on Victoria's throat. There were a few seconds of wrestling between the two vampires, but Alice resisted – and it wasn't long before Victoria's screams of pain pierced the air.

'Rosalie!' Emmett called desperately – Jasper and him were trying to hold down Sophie, but she was match for them both. They were holding one arm each, trying to stretch her, but with enormous strength she was hitting, biting, and kicking the boys. Rosalie ran towards them, and neared her mouth to Sophie's throat; the girl realized and hit Rosalie's face with her own head. Rosalie, giving a little shriek of pain and surprise, covered her face with her hands and backed away.

'You bitch!' she screamed, searching her hands for signs of inexistent blood. Edward patted her on the back impatiently and approached Bella, but there were several howls and four werewolves entered the clearing, charging against the vampires.

Yay! Party time!

O-la-la. Eh, guys, I'll go help the blonde.

You prat!

Paul and Jared, growling, threw themselves over Sophie, while Embry tried to attack the screaming Victoria and Alice, who was biting and hitting every place from the vampire she could. Sam, however, stood back, noticing the reddish wolf lying on the floor, without moving.

Jacob!

I'm... alright, Sam.

What happened to you?

The leach bit me. Hard.

Oh my god.

Bella stared over at the two wolves.

'Edward!' she called, 'You have to help him!'

The boy swallowed.

'Please, Edward...' Bella said, now with tears rolling down her eyes. She could remember vividly how the vampire venom had set on fire her body the time that she had been transformed, and knew how Jacob was suffering. Edward stood up and kneeled again beside the wolves. Carlisle, who had been trying to hold Sophie down with the two wolves, Emmett, and Jasper, approached.

'What do you suggest, Carlisle?' Edward asked him softly. Carlisle pressed his lips.

'Do you remember that day in Phoenix?' he asked him. Edward nodded. 'Well, then, you know what you must do. If you want to save him. Werewolves can't turn into vampires, Edward – if the venom reaches his heart, he'll... die.'

'No!' Bella shrieked, crawling towards the little crowd around her best friend. Edward wetted his lips with the tip of his tongue.

'Edward, don't let him die, please, Carlisle –'

'Don't worry, Bella.' Edward searched for the cut in Jacob's hairy throat for a while – there it was, a deep, clean cut, and dark, red blood coming out from it. He stared into Jacob's dying eyes. 'Jacob Black,' he said to him, 'I am to return the favor you did to me.'

And with those words, he placed his mouth over Sophie's bite. Bella, revolted, pained, covered her face with her hands; Carlisle watched impassively; Sam sat solemnly beside his friend, but it was noticeable that he was thinking hard. Victoria's scream were fading away as both Alice and Embry ran after her into the forest, and they could hear Sophie no more. Bella pressed her lips together and tried not to think what had happened to her.

Slowly, Paul, Emmett, Jasper, Jared, and Rosalie got near to the death scene. They all seemed worried – even the vampires.

Minutes passed. Finally, Edward sat straight again and smiled faintly.

'Done.'

Bella uncovered her face and beamed with relief and gratitude, while the rest of the creatures smiled, laughed, and stroke Jacob's fur.

'I think it will do him good to stay in bed for a couple of days,' Carlisle told Sam, who nodded, having resumed his human form along with the rest of the werewolves. Embry and Alice arrived shortly afterwards, beaming and laughing together. Jasper frowned.

While Sam and Carlisle helped the human Jacob up, Edward took Bella aside.

'Bella,' he sighed, gazing at the floor, 'I've been –'

'A fool,' Bella nodded. Edward pressed his lips together. 'But – I heard what you said at the forest, and after what Sophie said – I – that woman had charmed you.'

'I don't blame you if you want to leave,' Edward whispered, still avoiding her gaze. 'I didn't listen. I was foolish, selfish – and I don't think I deserve you any longer.'

'Look at me.'

Bella took Edward's cold face between her hands and forced him to stare into her brown eyes.

'I love you, Edward. You made a mistake. A gruesome mistake. But a mistake after all. And it wasn't even your fault.'

'Yes it was,' Edward said frowning, 'I should have listened to Alice, and you, and –'

'Stop blaming yourself,' Bella retorted, 'Let's just blame Sophie and be done with it.'

Edward laughed nervously, staring at Bella.

'Bella...'

'I know,' Bella said with a smile. The boy leaned forwards and the girl stood on the tip of her toes, pressing their lips together, in love, and nothing else mattered to them but to be with one another for the rest of eternity.

Until Emmett plopped their bubble.

'Hey, sweethearts, we've got a broken treaty here!'

'Hell, no,' Bella whispered inaudibly, and Edward pressed her body against his.

'It will be alright, Bella.'

Together they walked where the rest were standing, staring silently at each other, Jacob sitting on the floor with his head on his hands.

'So,' Sam spoke quietly, darkly, 'We would like to thank you.'

The vampires looked puzzled.

'For what?' Edward asked him. He had his arm around Bella's waist, pressing her beside him.

'For helping us finish that Victoria. And for saving our Jacob.'

Carlisle smiled.

'And we thank you for helping us finish Victoria and Sophie Wesler,' he said kindly, 'We couldn't have done it ourselves. They were quite a problem.'

'So I've noticed,' Sam smiled.

'And now what?' Paul asked, frowning.

'I'll tell you what,' Sam snapped from the corner of his mouth, 'Go see how Quil's doing.'

Alice pressed her lips together and stared at the floor.

'But what will happen to the treaty?' Emmett asked him, 'We... broke it. Yes, we did, let's face it.'

'But it was Bella's choice.'

Everybody turned to stare at Jacob. He was trying to stand up, and Sam and Carlisle helped by grabbing him from his armpits.

'What I mean to say,' Jacob continued rather hoarsely, 'is the following. You broke the treaty, yes. But you meant no harm to anyone. Nobody got hurt by it,' he tried not to think on how he himself had been hurt because of it, had broken his heart, 'and Bella's happy with it. So I'll tell you what. No more treaties. We have just helped each other, we have just allied together for one purpose, for one aim – and we succeeded. I mean – come on! We just proved we can trust each other! What is the reason for more fighting between us? Among us? I vote for no more treaties. We, werewolves, or at least I, trust that you vampires will not hurt anybody. I know it. And if you don't want us, we will not go near your lands – but as for my opinion, you should be welcomed in La Push. You just helped us get rid of the evil hunting our beach. I mean our people.'

Nobody spoke, but a smile appeared in every face. Jacob had been so convincing, so truthful...

'And I,' Edward spoke up, 'believe you should be welcomed at Forks or wherever you like – as long as you don't spend hours alone with Bella.'

Everybody laughed, but Edward frowned – he had been speaking seriously.

'So,' Carlisle said, 'Werewolves and vampires – no longer enemies?'

'No longer,' Embry smiled, and glanced at Alice. Jasper caught him and frowned again.

'Friends?' Bella asked, beaming. There was an awkward silence following the question.

'Okay, Bella, I don't think you should get too far,' Jared said, rolling his eyes, and everyone laughed again.

That was it. Werewolves and vampires no longer fighting, no longer being hostile to one another – werewolves and vampires being together, laughing together, loving together. Bella couldn't repress a wide beam, and hid her face on Edward's chest. He glanced at her, startled.

'It is one, happy ending isn't it?' Bella asked him, surrounding his neck with her arms.

'If you say so,' Edward raised his eyebrows, 'but I don't want you getting too friendly with Jacob Black.'

Bella laughed.

'Don't worry, Edward,' Jacob said, from Sam's side, who was checking out his vampire bite. 'As long as I have her true friendship – I am entirely happy.'

Bella smiled sadly at him, but he grinned.

'Come on, Bella – I told you I'd never get married. And I'd never get married with someone who smells as badly as you do.'

The vampire and werewolf laughed, happy to be best friends again and be able to talk, to laugh, to – to everything.

'Jacob,' Sam called him quietly. The boy turned his attention to him. 'I must admit that was quite marvelous.'

'Thanks,' Jake replied, smiling nervously.

'I think you'll get to be a great leader some day.'

And after patting him on the shoulder, Sam walked away to the small group of werewolves already parting to go and fetch Quil, leaving a surprised yet pleased Jacob standing alone.

'Bella, what's wrong?' Edward asked her, suddenly looking worried. She frowned, and took her hand to her face – she was crying. As she realized, she laughed again, and Edward's worry grew bigger.

'Are you alright, Bella?'

Bella nodded.

'Perfectly fine.'

And she stood on the tip of her toes again to receive another beautiful, sweet kiss from the vampire she most loved.