Back to the Beginning
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
A/N-thank you for the kind reviews and for those still following this story.
Part Twenty Eight
Bella felt cold droplets of water hit her skin. She shuddered, feeling suddenly wet. A loud rumble of thunder made her eyes shoot open. What the hell? Where was she? She sat up abruptly, shivering. More water dribbled down her face. Her hair was plastered to her head, her clothes sticking to her body. She licked her lips. They felt salty. It was so dark. Bella shifted awkwardly, she was still dazed and disorientated. There was a flash of lightening. It illuminated the sky for a few seconds. Black clouds scudded across the horizon. She saw the sea, grey and murky, smashing against the shore wildly. Under her fingers she felt fine grains of sand. A clap of thunder startled her. She gasped. Bella struggled to rise. There was a strong wind. It blew her saturated hair around her head like a whirling dervish. She trembled violently. She was so cold. She slipped her arms around her waist, trying to ward off the chill. It did little to help. She needed to move.
Her head was spinning. Bella tried to make sense of what had happened to her. Her memories were hazy. She trudged forward, trying to peer through the gloom as she sought a familiar landmark. A sudden cliff face loomed in front of her. Bella nearly fell backward onto the sand. She raised her head, the rain dashed against her skin in rivulets, coating her eyelashes and making it hard to decipher what she was looking at. She recognised this cliff, she was sure of it. Bella hunched over as she tried to keep body and soul together. She could feel the panic welling up in her throat. This was like a nightmare. Oh, she wished she could remember how she got here, but the knowledge was just out of her reach. She cried in frustration as she continued onward, her body almost bent double now as she fought against the wind. She rounded the bottom of the cliff face, following the sharp edges of the rocks until she came upon a little sandy cove. It was more sheltered here. She breathed a sigh of relief as she raised her head and looked around.
Then someone grabbed her from behind and she screamed…
"Hey, it's me. It's me." Jacob held Bella against him as she began to thrash around wildly. "It's okay, Bella. It's just me."
It took a few seconds before realisation sank in. Bella sagged in his arms, tears of relief running down her cheeks. She felt the heat from his body infect hers, it warded away the chill and she was able to breathe again. "Jacob." She whispered.
Jacob gently adjusted her in his arms so that he was carrying her bridal style. His lips sought hers. He kissed her, his mouth moving gently against Bella's. He was so grateful that he'd found her. When he'd come to and found himself alone, with her nowhere in sight, he'd panicked. He had spent the last fifteen minutes searching for her. The vicious storm was playing havoc with his wolf senses. Thankfully they had found each other. After the kiss was over he tried to warm her body. Her skin was icy. He rubbed her arms and tried to shield her against the biting wind.
"Wh…where are…are we?" Bella was stammering with the cold. Her teeth clacked together as she tried to stop shivering.
"This is First beach." Jacob began to move. He kept his body hunched over hers in an attempt to shield her from the worst of the weather.
"I…I got…it…it wrong." Bella trembled in his embrace.
"I don't think so." Jacob's feet sank deeply into the soft sand as he tried to make headway against the strong wind. "It was stormy when we left."
Bella's teeth clacked together again. She tried to gulp down her fears. "But why…why here?"
"I don't know." Jacob shook his head to get the water droplets out of his eyes. The wind was driving the heavy rain right into his face making it hard to see. If they had landed back in the right time frame, then his pack would be around somewhere, guarding Victoria. That is if she hadn't escaped. He felt a stab of guilt about leaving his brothers to deal with the mess in his absence. When he had followed Bella he had acted on instinct. He would do the same again in a heartbeat, but that didn't stop him feeling bad that he had essentially left his pack in the lurch. "Do you feel warmer yet?" He asked Bella to distract himself.
"KInda." Bella lied. Her clothes were saturated. No matter how much heat she got from Jacob's body, if she didn't ditch the clothes soon she would end up with hypothermia anyway.
"You're such a bad liar, Bella." Jacob pointed out. His white teeth flashed in the darkness as he smiled down at her.
"Okay." Bella conceded. "I'm fucking freezing."
"That's my girl. Let's get you home." Jacob began to run faster. He was as sure footed as mountain goat, even in this wild weather.
"I like the s…s…sound of that." Bella stuttered as she pressed her face against the hot skin of his chest. She closed her eyes in blessed relief before falling into a light doze.
Bella was sitting naked in the bathtub. She was surrounded by a mass of bubbles. Her wet hair was pulled back into a messy bun. It was like heaven. She let the warm water soothe her frazzled nerves. Jacob was talking to his father. Billy had been in a state of shock ever since his son had burst into the house carrying Bella in his arms. He had no idea they had even left. There was a gentle tap on the bathroom door. "Come in." Bella rasped. She sank lower in the water to hide her naked body.
"Hi." It was Leah.
Bella smiled happily as her friend edged into the small bathroom carrying fresh towels. "I have missed you." Her eyes glistened with tears as she opened her arms wide to give Leah a hug.
"Really?" Leah seemed surprised. She chucked the towels on the floor and leaned over the tub to embrace Bella. She sneezed when some of the soapy bubbles tickled her nose. "Do you have enough bubble bath in there?" She questioned.
"I think Jacob poured the whole bottle in at once." Bella kept hold of Leah's hand. It was clear the she-wolf was bemused by this apparent display of affection. "I am so glad to see you." Bella said again.
Leah smiled sardonically. "Have you hit your head, girl?"
Bella laughed, but groaned when the effort made her throat burn. "I have to admit my head does feel a bit sore." It was true. Her head was aching. Trying to process everything that had happened was making her brain hurt.
Leah perched on the edge of the bath, her expression suddenly serious. "I heard what Jacob told his dad."
Bella's smile faded. "Oh."
"What were you thinking?" Leah suddenly snapped at her. Bella was startled at this sudden change in mood. She stared at Leah with wide eyes. "I can't believe you did that. Swanning off alone like an idiot. Where did you think you're little martyr act was gonna get you, huh? Dead, that's what. Luckily Jacob followed you and saved your scrawny ass."
"Why are you attacking me?" Bella retorted, hurt. "I was doing what I thought was right. I care about you all too much to risk your lives any more than I already have done. I've been selfish enough. I didn't want anyone I love to get hurt…."
"What about the ones who love you?" Leah continued angrily. Her dark eyes were on fire. She inhaled sharply and turned her head away to hide her face. "What do you think would have happened to us if you had died? You are a part of us, Bella. Family sticks together. You should know that by now."
Bella was stunned. She gazed at Leah in shame. When she had made the decision to leave Jacob behind, to leave them, in her vain attempt to resolve everything alone, it hadn't occurred to her how it would affect them. She thought she was being noble, making the ultimate sacrifice to save the man she loved. What a crock of shit! She was being selfish yet again. "I'm sorry." She whispered. "I didn't take time to think."
Leah turned to look at her. Even though she was clearly still angry, the fire in her eyes had died down. "I understand why you did it. But that doesn't make it right." She said in a gentler tone. "You're not alone in this. Stop thinking that you are."
"I'm sorry." Bella apologised again. She didn't think she had any more tears left to shed, but she was wrong.
Leah suddenly ducked down and pulled her into another fierce hug. The two girls clung to each other. "If you feel like you're gonna do something stupid talk to me." She said to Bella. "Promise me."
"I will." Bella agreed fervently. "I promise."
Jacob had given his father a watered down version of the truth. He didn't go into detail about what he had seen in the alternate reality that he and Bella had visited. He didn't want to hurt Billy with a tale of what ifs. It had been like having a glimpse into what could have been if his father had remained healthy and able to work. Jacob was still trying to process it himself.
"It blows your mind just thinking about it." Billy shook his head in disbelief.
"Tell me about it." Jacob ran his fingers through his hair. He felt so wired up. He began to pace restlessly. "I need to go and check in with Sam and the others."
"What are you going to do about the cold one?" Billy asked.
Jacob stopped pacing. It had been his original intention to let Victoria go, that was until Bella had experienced another seizure and he'd followed after her. He wasn't sure what to do now. They were still in the same position as they'd been before he left. The storm would die down eventually. The pack would be in plain sight of passers-by. There was nowhere to detain the redhead indefinitely. Frustration began to build up in his chest and he began to pace again. "Honestly, I don't know." He admitted eventually.
"I do." Bella walked into the room followed by Leah. The two girls exchanged a meaningful glance before looking directly at Jacob. He stopped pacing and gazed at Bella. She was dressed in some of Leah's clothes. They were too big on her, but she'd rolled the jeans up and secured them around her waist with a belt. The shirt hung loosely on her tiny frame.
"What are you talking about, honey?" Jacob walked over to her and cupped her face between his hands. "You should be resting." He shot Leah an annoyed look, but the she-wolf just ignored him.
"There's no time to rest." Bella said impatiently. "Lee and I have been talking."
"I bet." Jacob glared at Leah again but she met his gaze steadily. "You were supposed to make sure she was resting."
"Oh pull your head in almighty Alpha." Leah sneered. "Bella isn't as fragile as you think she is. She's not made of glass."
"She's right. Look at me, Jacob." Bella scolded him. Jacob returned his attention to Bella. Her cheeks were rosy from the effort of making herself heard. She nodded in satisfaction now she had his full attention. "Now listen and don't say no because I'm going anyway."
"Going where?" Jacob asked dubiously.
"I'm going to talk to Victoria." Bella declared stoutly. "We need time and I'm going to make damn well sure that she gives us some."
"No way." Jacob protested. "She's crazed."
"I've got adequate protection. She can hardly get near me while surrounded by a pack of wolves." Bella glanced sideways at Leah who was wearing a satisfied smirk. "I mean that's what families do, protect each other, right."
"I swear you're gonna be the death of me, Bella Swan." Jacob complained irritably.
"Not today." Bella said with a glimmer of a smile.
Bella was wrapped up in one of Leah's thickest coats. With Jacob on one side and Leah on the other, the mighty storm had little effect on her this time. She had pulled the hood over head to keep out the wind and the rain. The pack had been stunned by their sudden appearance. They had swarmed around their Alpha like bees once he had phased. Bella presumed Jacob was communicating with them through the pack mind link. She noticed the hackles along Sam's back rise and guessed Jacob's beta wasn't happy with this plan. She heard Paul growl, followed by Jared. Jacob barked, indicating he wanted silence and for the pack to settle down. During all the back and forth Leah remained by Bella's side like a silent guardian. Seth had been left behind at the Black's to protect Billy.
After what felt like an eternity Jacob phased back into his human form. He strode straight over to Bella and pulled her into a tight bear hug. "Now listen to me." He whispered fiercely in her ear. "You stay right between me and Sam. I swear if the red headed bitch makes one false move she's gonna lose an arm."
"I'll be fine. We're just going to talk." Bella reminded him. She hugged him back just as hard. The truth was she was scared. Somehow this felt different than the previous times she had spoken to Victoria. Then it had been under surreal circumstances. She hadn't had time to think. This was a different scenario. This Victoria hadn't lived through the consequences of her actions yet. The other one had been hardened and embittered. She understood one false move could end everything she had fought for. "Let's get this over with." Bella said through gritted teeth.
Jacob nodded as he reluctantly released her. He took a step back, his gaze trained on her the whole time, before he phased right before her eyes.
Victoria was like an angry cat. Her temper was wilder than the storm blowing outside. She hissed as soon as Bella came into view. She ducked down into the shadows of the small cave, red eyes darting to the two huge wolves accompanying Bella. "I see you've brought your pets." She snarled.
Bella's right hand, which was resting on Jacob's flank, gripped his fur tightly. If he wasn't by her side she would have fainted on the spot. She tried to steady her nerves. She had to appear brave, even if she was the exact opposite inside. "I came here to talk."
Victoria's form was a blur as she suddenly appeared in front of Bella. Jacob growled, as did Sam. They cut Bella off from Victoria's view and snapped at her until she retreated back into the depths of the cave. "Damn you." She cursed. Her fists clenched. Her vibrant red hair was whipped around her white face by the strong winds. "I die, you die." She snapped at Bella.
"I know that." Bella continued quietly. "No one is going to harm you. Unless you give us cause to."
Victoria scowled. "Fuck your compassion."
"This is not compassion." Bella replied. She hated that her voice was shaking. She swallowed thickly, trying to maintain her composure. "We are bonded together you and I, both against our will by James."
Victoria became as still as a statue. Only her eyes moved. "How do you know this?"
"It doesn't matter how I know. I know you came here to try and claim me. I know about Riley."
If Victoria had been a cat her tail would have switched. Her expression became feral, calculating. "YOU DARE TO HARM HIM AND I'LL MAKE YOU WISH YOU WERE NEVER BORN." She threatened. Her gaze roved over the growling wolves. She licked her lips, her body braced to attack.
"I'm here to offer you a deal." Bella could feel how tense Jacob was by her side. Her fingers sank into his fur and she continued to hold on tight. "I know how much you love Riley. I know you are doing all this for him. You want your forever with him and you'll do anything to obtain it. I know right now it must be torturing you that you have been forced to leave him behind. We've kept you trapped here for hours while he's alone out there. He's a newborn. He needs constant guidance, reassurance. Anything could happen to him without your protection."
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Victoria spat.
"I want time." Bella hated that she was begging, but she hoped her words would get through to Victoria. "There has to be a way to break this bond between us. I want my forever too. Just like you."
Victoria's red eyes narrowed as she studied Bella, trying to figure out if she was lying or playing her for a fool. "You know too much. I don't like you or trust you." Her gaze flicked to the wolves. "Or your allies."
"You can trust me on this." Bella stated firmly. "To be honest, what choice do you really have? You can't touch me or get near me. My family will protect me. There are many of them and only one of you."
"For now." Victoria muttered under her breath.
"Don't take me for a fool." Bella felt anger welling up inside. It emboldened her as she faced down her nemesis. "Knowledge is power, Victoria. I have plenty of that. I know what you're planning and believe me it won't work. Riley will die and it will be your fault."
Victoria snarled, baring her poisoned teeth at Bella. "You have six months, bitch. If you don't have a resolution by then…" She left the rest unsaid. "Now release me or the deal is off. I know you can't keep me here indefinitely."
The wolves growled. Jacob ordered them to simmer down. He didn't like this any more than they did. But there was no choice. Bella had achieved the one thing they needed, time. He was so proud of her. She had shown unwavering courage in the face of adversity. Jacob switched his attention back to a glowering Victoria. God, he was finding it difficult to step aside. His wolf was baying for him to follow his natural instinct and rip her to shreds. He bared his teeth at Victoria, lunging toward the red head in a threatening manner. She snarled viciously before leaping above their heads.
"Six months." She screamed at Bella. "The clock is ticking."
Jacob howled a warning. He dove after Victoria, his brothers following close behind as they chased her off their lands. Bella watched them go until they were swallowed up by the night. Her courage failed her. She would have fallen if not for Leah. She sagged in the she-wolfs hard arms and hid her face in Leah's shoulder. "Have I done the right thing?" She whispered brokenly.
"You did what you had to in order to survive." Leah assured her. "Just like we all do." She began to lead Bella back down the beach. "Jacob, Sam and the others will be gone for a while. I'll take you home."
"Thanks, Lee. For everything." Bella said in a small voice.
"You're welcome, sis." Leah replied gently. The two girls put their arms around each other as they headed for home.
A/N-thanks for reading!
