Hello everyone!
I'm so sorry this is verging on two weeks late. I was just having so much trouble with this chapter until about two days ago. But now it's finally ready, and I really hope you like it. I am really quite pleased with it myself. :D
So, this is the chapter where... no, I won't tell you. Even though you know already. ;)
Ok, not one to keep you much longer, I'll keep it short and sweet.
Thanks to Chandrakanta for her endless help with this chapter and the whole story.
And for all of you... read, review, enjoy!
Home.
As I breathed in and out, my breaths perfectly timed with Edward's as we held each other for dear life, I reveled in the peace and wholeness I felt. Every time Edward held me, love, happiness and calm filled my being and I was content.
But the peace, happiness, wholeness and love that encompassed me right in this moment were short-lived. Moments later, two things happened: Edward tensed, a low growl building in his chest, reverberating through his body as it escaped his mouth, and a cry was released somewhere behind us.
My first priority was Edward, of course, so I looked to him first. He was glaring toward the woods, his arms wrapped tightly around me, and for a moment I would have thought he was glaring at Didyme, but I knew that was impossible. I also knew, just from his face, the look in his eyes, that he was now able to hear Jacob's thoughts. I whimpered, unable to stop myself, and squeezed my eyes shut, my fingers clenching as I tried with all my might to push him back with my shield.
I need more time, I whisper-thought to myself. God, please just work.
Edward gasped then, his eyes snapping up, and the commotion made me look up at him. From the surprise and pride in his eyes, I knew I'd succeeded.
I smiled.
"You're doing that?" he whispered, awe saturating his tone. His fingers flexed around my waist and I blushed.
"Yeah," I whispered back. "I, uh, I've been keeping him away since I ran here. And then Didyme found me and she told me to sleep and that we were far enough in front, so I slept a little as she ran me the rest of the way."
Edward opened his mouth, about to ask something, when Didyme stepped forward. Urgency colored her tone as she spoke to us, her eyes darting between us and the woods. "If we are to talk before he arrives, we must do so now." She turned to Edward. "Your mate's power drains her of her energy significantly, as I am sure you are aware from the mental contact you have shared for the past few days." When we gaped at her, she smiled. "All will be explained, children. Though I have reason to believe you already know of my story."
I nodded and Edward looked at me. I smiled, took his hand and leaned in. "We don't have time, Edward, but we'll explain later. We need to get ourselves ready for Jacob's arrival. She's right; I can't handle blocking him too much longer and I really want to see my family again before we end him."
"Speaking of, love," Edward said, smiling down at me. Wordlessly, he put me down and stepped aside. Frowning at him for a moment, I turned my head and immediately gasped as tears welled in my eyes.
"Mom?"
"Oh, Bella, my child," she cried. In a flurry of movement, I was in her arms. As she hugged me tightly, murmuring in my ear, her words faded away. As I clung to her, crying enough tears for the both of us, I finally reveled in the feeling of belonging, of being totally and utterly safe, where I need and want to be. Though I'd already felt this way when reunited with Edward, this was different.
This was the only mother I'd ever truly had.
"Oh, my dear child, you're home at last!" she said once again, cupping my cheeks and looking into my eyes.
I smiled at her and nodded, taking deep breaths. "I am. I missed you so much."
She smiled at me the only way a true mother could. "And I you, child. You have no idea of the happiness I feel having you back in my arms!" With an arm still around me, she looked back over her shoulder. "Oh, Carlisle, our daughter is home!"
"So she is," he said, smiling at her before he began taking long strides. When he stopped before us, he drew me into his arms. "Welcome home," he whispered in my ear.
"Thank you," I whispered back, trying to control myself. The last thing I needed was to lose it.
Quickly, I was passed on from one pair of arms to the next. As first Emmett, Jasper, then Rosalie, and finally Alice hugged me, welcoming me back, happy I was safe and not hurt, I became aware of the fact that I was losing it. And at the same time, I knew I couldn't afford that; I hadn't even seen my father and I was already a mess.
Dad…
My breath hitched, and suddenly I wanted nothing more than to see Charlie, hug him, and never let him go. I'd never really thought I had a strong connection to him… I mean, yes, he was my father, but I hadn't grown up with him. Yes, my mother was abusive, but I had never lived with anything else. And then I'd moved here and suddenly everything had changed.
Now that I was here, with Edward, and the family I knew I was destined to have, I could not help but need my father even more. Perhaps that was because he was the final true link to humanity I had, but in any case, I was happy he knew what the Cullens were, for I wouldn't lose him completely.
What pained me now, more than anything else, was his absence, and my inability to call him now. It just was not feasible; we hadn't the time for that. At any rate, this reunion would be a hasty one. There was not even time for a proper introduction of Didyme to the family, though I was sure they'd not noticed her yet.
At that thought, I stepped back and out of my adoptive father's arms. Looking at my 'forever' parents, I stepped back even further and looked to Edward. He smiled at me immediately and I was then in his arms, his front pressed against my back. I sighed at the feeling, having missed it despite the short—in comparison to just prior to this for the past few days, that is—time that had passed since his arms had last been wrapped securely and lovingly around my waist.
"I, um," I said before clearing my throat. I lifted my head and looked at Carlisle and Esme before looking toward the woods where Didyme was standing. She smiled, nodded, and then slowly walked out from the shadows. "Carlisle, Esme, I—"
They gasped then, and I knew they'd seen Didyme. She walked right up to them without a moment's hesitation and held out her hand. "Carlisle Cullen, Esme Cullen. I have heard a lot about you, and you about me, though at this point in time, I cannot reveal how. We do not have a lot of time, but it seems your daughter wanted you to meet me. I helped her get her so quickly; I could smell your coven on her and detected her through the la triple âme connexion that she shares with her mate, the same one that I share with mine. I will, as I said, explain this later, though. We haven't the time for pointless matters when you must prepare yourselves. This rabid dog seems intent on his claim on young Isabella and I am afraid the only solution is a fight to the death."
Fear struck my heart at her words, though I'd known all along that this was the only way. I whimpered; my hands, which I'd placed over Edward's around my waist, clenched over his tightly and he hushed me, running his nose along my neck. In the blink of an eye, he turned me around and wrapped his arms around me tightly.
"All is fine, my sweet girl," he whispered to me. "Nothing will happen to me, I swear. There are eight of us, and one of him. You have not a thing to worry about."
"I know that," I whispered back, my arms winding around his neck as I leaned my forehead against his and closed my eyes. "I really do know that, but I guess I just… I'm scared. I can't handle this, Edward. I can't… I can't let anything happen to you. And while I can't physically get involved, I want you to know that my shield will be around you the whole time. It's the only way I could keep even a sliver of sanity in me."
Behind us, I could hear Jasper begin to quickly section people off as he organized us in a plan of attack. I frowned though, remembering Jacob's proximity. Edward was unable to hear him any longer, yes, but the risks of him hearing at least some form of the plan were risks I was not ready to take.
And so, with all my might, I gripped Edward's hands, closed my eyes and pushed him physically farther away.
"What are you doing?" Edward asked urgently, frantic with worry. "Bella, my darling, what is wrong?"
"Nothing," I panted breathlessly. "I'm just… pushing Jacob… further away… can't… let him… hear us."
"Bella, darling, don't push yourself," I heard Esme say somewhere from the left.
"She's right," Edward whispered. "Please, sweet girl, don't over-exert yourself."
With a grunt, I stopped. Sagging against Edward just a little, I kept my eyes closed as I tried to regulate my breathing.
"I don't think you need my opinion, Isabella," I heard Didyme ponder aloud. "It's best you are alert and ready when this werewolf comes. And besides, there is not much left to discuss. Your mate will defend you, and I think it wise to kill him, young one," she said and I knew she had her eyebrow raised at my Edward just from the tone of her voice. "He is not of sound mind."
"No, he is not," Edward replied, a darkness sweeping through the tone of his voice. "Far from it, from the glimpse I got of his mind before. I think you are right, ma'am—though I was already planning it, the only option is to end him."
His voice had turned gruff with anger, and, strangely, more beautiful. When he cupped my cheek, I looked up at him and he smiled. "Sweet love, it's time. I think you need to let him come now. It is time to end this once and for all."
I nodded, swallowed, and closed my eyes. My fingers curled into fists and my brow puckered as I concentrated hard, first sensing my shield and then quickly manipulating it. Slowly, but surely, I pulled it back, measuring the pace at which Jacob followed. He must have instantly known that it was receding because I could feel the pressure as if it were a blow to my body as he poked and prodded. I grunted, my arms snaking around my midsection and I heard Edward growl just a second or so before I registered his arms around me as well. The cold soothed me, or maybe it was just Edward's touch combined with the growl—my growl—and the pain left me almost immediately.
I sighed and opened my eyes warily. "It's peeling back slowly. Jacob knows; he's pushing against it. Really hurts actually," I chuckled breathlessly. "Or, it did before you wrapped your arms around me." I looked up at Edward with a quirked eyebrow, only to see him smiling.
"I'm glad you're not in pain anymore, sweetheart," he said simply. I giggled, shook my head, and leaned back against him with a sigh.
I still couldn't believe I was with him again.
I knew the moment my shield had receded to a three mile radius, for Edward's arms tightened around me and I heard the ghost of a snarl building in his chest. I turned immediately in his arms and wrapped mine around his neck. Threading my fingers into the hair at his nape, I forced him—well, as much as I could, anyway—to look at me.
"Calm, baby," I whispered. "He can't touch me."
"I know," he growled, swallowing harshly and flexing his jaw. He crushed me to him protectively and I continued to breathe in deeply as my heart rate picked up from the electricity that was thrumming from his body into mine and back again. "But that does not make it easier to hear his thoughts."
I sighed and tugged on his hair harshly, making him look at me. I raised an eyebrow. "I love you, Edward Cullen. You, not him. When you fight him, you fight him with everything you can. You fight hard, you hear me?" I told him fiercely. "I don't care what you have to do, Edward. I really don't. And I want you to use this anger and frustration and whatever else you're feeling to your advantage. Take it out on him."
He stared at me before he swallowed and nodded just once. "Of course," he said calmly, but there was something in his eyes that left me feeling slightly unhinged… "I will fight him to the death; no need to worry about that. It is just… the things that he thinks about you… they're thoughts that only I should ever have; images and fantasies that belong to me, just as you do."
I smiled. "I do, Edward. I belong to you in every way possible. You know that."
He nodded again, a small smile on his face. "I do know that… and I love you, too."
My smile grew and I bit my lip, resting my head on his chest. "How far away is he?" I whispered. As much as I hated myself for ruining the moment with the thought of Jacob, it was a question that had to be asked. I needed to know when exactly I needed to drop the shield completely and then wrap it around Edward and myself only.
I wondered idly if I should encase the others of our family in it, too, and wasn't quite sure. Of course, there was really no need to shield anybody, but I'd be damned if I had this power and didn't use it to protect my own mate. It went against everything: every instinct, every need, every thought, every action.
Plus, there was the fact that the others could protect themselves, and their mates—especially with Jasper here. So, there was no need. And then, of course, there was what Didyme had said about me needing to me alert during the… the fight.
So, no; I wouldn't protect them. I'd be in big trouble if I did—with Edward, with Esme, with Didyme… with everyone, really.
A low growl from the direction of the trees drew my attention, breaking me from my reverie, and I gasped, turning toward it as I walked backward on instinct. I peered between the trees, hearing the panting breaths, low, sinister growls, and thumping footfalls of a large beast.
I knew it was Jacob, and that fact scared me more than anything. I vaguely, for perhaps a second, in fleeting thought, acknowledged how skewed that was—in all actuality, I should feel that way about Edward, and feel safe when with Jacob… since he was the protector of humans and all.
I shook my head and quickly drew my shield back again one final time, wrapping it tightly around Edward and myself. To make sure it was doing its job, and… well, because I couldn't really do anything else at this point in time, I looked at Edward. My eyes were glued to him as he growled himself and stepped forward.
"Come forward, dog, and face me," he said. His tone could only be described as animalistic. He sneered then, and said, "Unless you are too much of a coward to face your own death."
His tone was mocking, and Jacob did not like to be mocked, it seemed. All of a sudden, Jacob made his presence known; a growl resounded from the tree line and my heart skipped before thundering a new, throbbing, painful beat. My eyes remained on Edward as I subconsciously shifted closer to him. He looked at me and shook his head, but I smiled and tapped my temple, hoping he knew what that meant. He seemed to, for he relaxed, nodded and smiled. He waved me to his side and wrapped his arm around my waist.
"Shields?" he whispered.
"Yes," I whispered back, "but around just the two of us. I figured the others could protect themselves. Plus, this is more for my sanity than our safety. I know you can protect us." I smiled up at him and he kissed me chastely on the lips.
"Stay back and be safe," he mumbled against my lips before he let me go and took a few steps forward. His attention was on Jacob now, a fact I knew because when he spoke again, his tone was harsher, his voice louder. "I do not have all day, mongrel. I fully intend to bed my mate many times before the day is through." He smirked as I gasped, gaping at him in shock. Then I giggled and shook my head, amazed.
"I'm open to that," I said and he purred, making me moan softly.
That seemed to be the limit for Jacob, and with a roaring growl, he stalked forward from the tree line and into the open daylight. His top lip was curled back and I could see his spit drooling from his mouth as he growled at my mate, his eyes riveted to him. I could see the murderous, crazed look in his eyes and it quite honestly scared me. He stopped about ten yards in front of Edward and dipped forward, raising his haunches as he growled again. I took another instinctual step toward Edward.
"Be safe, baby," I whispered before I could help myself. "He's really not in his right mind."
"I know; that's why I want you to stay back. And I will, darling." My mate paused for a moment before he called over his shoulder, "I love you."
I smiled despite the stress that was plaguing me. "I love you."
"Did you hear that, mutt?" Edward asked condescendingly, a smirk playing on his lips. "She loves me. And if the thundering of her heart means anything, it's that she's afraid of you. You scare her, dog, not I."
I kept my mouth shut, letting Edward have this. This was something he'd waited so long to do, and more than that, it was something that needed to happen. I was beginning to get awfully frustrated with myself; the more I thought about it, the more I hated the fact that I'd ever made it seem as if I was choosing between the two of them. In my heart of hearts, I knew there was no choice—Edward was it for me, just as I was for him; we were mates, destined for only each other for all eternity.
And eternity we would have.
I felt like I was partly to blame for this. If I had never spent time with Jacob to appease my father and Billy, none of this would have happened. If I hadn't started going over to their house on the rez, or opened my big fucking mouth about Edward, it wouldn't have either. And if I'd just realized what Edward meant to me earlier, I wouldn't have fucked around—not literally, obviously—and caused my only love pain.
But I couldn't blame only myself. Billy was also to blame. He had convinced his son that we were meant for each other, that Jacob had imprinted on me, or at least that we had some sort of deep connection.
Surely he knew it couldn't be farther from the truth? Honestly, I didn't know. Something told me that Billy was just trying to do what he perceived to be the right thing. In some way, I could see that his heart was in the right place—or he thinks it is, anyway—and for that, I couldn't really be angry at him.
Or maybe I could. I didn't know. I was very confused right now, my mind fraught with panic for my mate's life and wellbeing.
A loud growl brought me back to the present and I gasped, instinctively gripping my chest as I looked for Edward. Somehow the fight had already started, and there Edward and Jacob were, moving so fast they were just a big messy blur. I whimpered, hating that I was unable to tell who was winning and losing.
I wanted to do something, but I couldn't, and it frustrated me more than anything. I was alert, eyes wide open as I tried to break through the blurriness of what was happening before me and actually fucking see something. Flashes of pale white and russet brown, sounds of growls and the occasional howl resounded in the small space we were in and the sounds, the blows upon blows that were being unleashed, were deafening.
My hands were clenched as I wrapped them around me, swallowing. I tried to regulate my breathing but it wasn't working and my mind literally froze as the panic overcame me. I had no knowledge of anything; I hadn't any idea if Edward was alright or not, of whether Jacob had somehow broken through my shield… if the shields were even working and protecting Edward as they were supposed to.
I whimpered at the last one. Surely they were… I was his mate. I had to at least be able to fucking protect him with this!
My head literally throbbed with the onslaught of disturbing images and possibilities that were running through my mind, but I tried to squash them down, knowing that all this was just distracting Edward from the task at hand. I needed to somehow stop myself from reacting, just… cut that part of me off. It wasn't going to help Edward, or get me anywhere.
"Bella, calm down, dear," I heard Esme say from somewhere behind me. I nodded and pressed my hands against my diaphragm, clenching my eyes closed as I breathed in and out harshly between my teeth, creating hissing sounds.
He'll be ok, he'll be ok, I chanted in my head, in time with my breathing, slowly, soothingly. He can do this. You're protecting him. Feel your shields. They're working, aren't they?
I didn't have time to check on them; suddenly, I heard a cry of pain and my eyes snapped open. My eyes landed on Edward and Jacob, who were both now still. I sighed with relief; Edward was unharmed, and on the ground was Jacob. Only, now, he was in his human form, naked as the day he was born. His face was screwed up into an expression of great pain, and on closer examination, I could see a large, deep gash across his chest. I gasped, my hand flying up to my mouth as bile rose in my mouth.
"Did you really think you could best me, dog?" Edward asked smugly, smirking down at his forlorn opponent. "I must say, I am quite disappointed, Jacob Black. I was expecting some grand fight from thoughts you were throwing at me, and all I got was this." He gestured at himself, looking down as he continued, "a torn shirt. Really, Jacob, can you do no better than that? Are you so pathetic as to go down without a fight? What would your father say, hmm?"
Edward, don't! I screamed in my mind. Don't taunt him!
Jacob growled something that, at least to me, sounded like an unintelligible mumble. Edward obviously understood him though, for he barked a laugh, throwing his head back. He blurred then, his laugh ending abruptly, and all of a sudden he was crouching over Jacob. "Fight me," he growled.
A cold chill ran up my spine and I shivered. I refused to see them fight any longer, so in a split second decision, I shifted my shield from Edward onto Jacob, my arms flying up as I used them to manipulate the force fields and Jacob. He began to shout and thrash as I constricted them around him, squeezing him so tight that eventually, he couldn't move and could hardly breathe. By the end of it, I was panting harshly from the exertion, and looked over at Edward.
Thank god, once they've been put into position, they hold steady, I thought to myself, wiping my brow. Ew. I'm sweating.
He was staring at me with an eyebrow raised. I blushed and shrugged. "Sorry," I whispered, before I glared at him, raising an eyebrow of my own. "But there is no way in hell you are having a 'real fight' with him, Edward. I will not watch you or rather, try to make sense of the blurring objects flying around with all those fucking cryptic sounds. No siree, I will not." I crossed my arms. "This way, you can do whatever you want with him, and he will have to bear it. Think about it Edward. That's worse isn't it? Being subjected to pain and having no power to stop it? Plus, I won't go crazy angry at you and then throw myself at you when you've won."
He smirked. "Maybe I want you to throw yourself at me," he purred and my breath hitched.
Shakily, I breathed in and out before I answered him. "That may be, but it's not happening today. Tonight though, definitely," I said with a wink.
He growled and I giggled, loving the way I affected him. He took a few deep breaths to refocus himself. Looking down at Jacob, he asked, "Will I be able to touch him?"
I looked over at Jacob for a second before looking at him. "Well, I think so. Go ahead and try."
I tightened the shields just slightly as Edward stepped closer. Slowly, he brought his foot up and pressed it down on Jacob's forearm. The answering snap and then scream was enough to make Edward smirk again and he smiled up at me. "I agree with you, darling; it is much better to see him helpless and squirming. Quite amusing, yes..." he trailed off.
He turned around and faced the rest of our family, his eyes landing on Carlisle. "Carlisle, you should leave if you can't handle it. I know how much you value human life more than any of us. I want you to know that this will be painful, and drawn out. You know the way in which I intend to do this, and you know how gruesome it is."
I finally turned to look at Carlisle. Though I was curious about what way Edward was planning on doing this, I wanted to know how Carlisle would respond. Would he leave? Or would he stay in support of his family?
Carlisle's lips were pursed as he stared at Edward, his eyes narrowed slightly from how hard he was thinking. There was a heavy frown on his face, and when he swallowed, his jaw locked. I felt for him, knowing how hard this was on him; it was in the look in his eyes, the way they were glazed over and hard. He was angry, but he was also struggling, his morals warring with the protective father and coven leader who would do anything for the safety of his family.
He sighed. "No, Edward, I will stay. I must because I will not stand for the ill treatment of my family. Jacob deserves this, and though I know it will damage our treaty with the tribe, I know that this is the right thing to do. Perhaps not the moral thing, but it is the right thing."
Esme wrapped her arms around her mate then, and as she pressed her lips to his temple, I looked at Edward. His narrowed eyes were fixed on his father, his mentor, and I could tell he was a little incredulous by what Carlisle was saying. He looked down, swallowed, and then nodded before he turned back around to face Jacob. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Carlisle swallow as well, squeezing his eyes shut before he opened them again.
Edward crouched down next to Jacob and my forehead creased with stress as I pinned Jacob down even further. I watched with bated breath as Edward spoke, his voice much quieter now and calmer… but so much more deadly.
"Do you know how vampire venom affects your kind, Jacob?" he asked pleasantly. Jacob said nothing, instead staring straight up at the sky. "You don't?" Edward grinned. "Well, that's a shame." I heard Jasper and Emmett's chuckling behind me, but paid them no mind. Instead, I watched Edward intently, curious as to what he would do. "I suppose I'll just have to show you."
And then, with just his nail, he made a long slit on Jacob's forearm. Gathering up a few droplets of blood in his hand, he smirked down at Jacob before he very deliberately spat into his palm. Holding my breath and taking a few steps forward, Jacob and I watched as his blood began to pop and sizzle.
Jacob gasped, his eyes widening in horror and much to Edward's amusement, he thrashed. I groaned in pain as he fought the shield, trying to turn his head. Edward's smile dropped from his face and his chuckle ended abruptly as he growled, grabbing Jacob's chin and forcing him to look at his own blood as it sizzled and popped like boiling water. "No, Jacob. Watch," he growled.
He struggled to regained composure, swallowing convulsively and locking his jaw a few times. I wanted to go to him and calm him down, but knew that this was not the time. At a loss as to what to do, I simply hugged myself as I watched him. "I've never seen this happen myself, but I have seen into the mind of one who has. According to him, it was fairly painful and the creature longed for death long before it was granted to him. But don't worry, Jacob. At the rate of how fast you are bleeding, I'd say it will be much faster for you. A shame, really, but know, little pup, that I will enjoy each and every one of your cries. And when you scream and beg for death, I will simply stand and watch, with a smile on my face as I hold my Bella in my arms."
And then he bent down over Jacob, who squirmed and thrashed and shouted. I constricted the shield around him, letting out a grunt as he struggled before he stilled again. Edward's lips draped back, his teeth exposed as he stared into Jacob's eyes. His hand blurred, and then a moment later, Jacob was screaming and Edward was pulling me into his arms, watching stoically as my former best friend turned enemy slowly but painfully died in front of us.
How was that? Ok? Good?
I liked it. I'm sorry it wasn't more descriptive when it came to Jacob's death, but I really couldn't stand to drag it out any longer.
Anyways. There's the chapter, and I'll see you soonish with the next one. Speaking of, the next one I, uh... I think you'll like.
Let's just say there's a lemon warning. ;)
Please review!
bexie25
P.S. I think you'll be glad to know that the next chapter is set to be a long one. We all know I write long lemons, so... :D
