You can all thank my wonderful friend, Urban Rose for encouraging me to post the next part today.

Here's what I know, everyone hates Bella, but me. I get it; she screws up constantly, but I still have sympathy for her. I have no idea why, but I do. I still have a lot planned for this story. I've given the warning before, but when this story idea came to me "pain" was my sole inspiration for writing. I adore you guys though, I really appreciate anyone that reads this.

FYI: the kaboom was Bella's life blowing apart, not a real explosion. LOL!

Chapter 34

It had finally happened. Her worst fears came to life, Seth knew what she was doing. She was completely exposed. She had to make him understand. "Seth, please, talk to me. I'm sorry, it's not what you think."

Seth stood up and walked around Charlie's living room. She knew he was attempting to calm himself down before he said anything. Finally, he broke his silence again. "Alright Bella...so you aren't standing in front of me reeking of sex with Jacob and you haven't been fucking him behind my back for God knows how long, because that is what I think. I think I'm fucking accurate as hell, even if it took me awhile to catch on. So why don't you tell me again why it's not what I think."

"Um, uh..." she stuttered.

"What's the matter? Don't you have another lie formulated as a response? I'm sure by now you have a whole list of them you carry around for back up." He hadn't stopped moving, he was obviously so agitated. He probably was dying to phase, and that was how he counteracted the urge.

She was trying to keep from hyperventilating, worried that anything she might say might make him completely lose it.

"I guess I was right a long time ago, you did want to be the pack whore."

"Hey, that's enough. Don't fucking talk to her like that." Jacob hadn't left through the window. He was still there and he was on his way down the stairs. All three of them in Charlie's living room was not a good combination. "Seth, I'm sorry, man; but you knew Bella and I had intense feelings for each other. We didn't want it to go down this way, but it did."

"Jake, you should go, This is between me and Seth."

"No, Bells it's not."

"Seth...I was going to tell you, but I cared about you too much. I never wanted to hurt you."

"Don't, Bella. I don't want to hear how much you care. How long?"

"What?"

"How long have you been screwing him? It's a simple question, I want the truth for once."

"Since Vancouver," was Jacob's response.

"Oh, great. Isn't that just like you, the mighty alpha? You wait til I'm out of the picture, on a mission you sent me on, no less and you swoop in and take my girl to bed. You are one fucked up piece of shit."

Seth looked at her again, she hadn't realized how much she was crying. He looked so broken and it was all her fault. Jacob on the other hand was very matter-of-fact. He didn't look remorseful. She felt so much rage fill her. She never liked that cocky son of a bitch side of him, but it was there, always just under the surface waiting to come out. She'd been so reckless, why had she'd not used any common sense? Had sex really turned her brain to mush?

"Jake! I said, I want you to leave. I don't want you here. You and I are over."

Jake and Seth both looked at her like they didn't believe a word she was saying.

"Bells, I know you're pissed, but you don't mean that. Don't tell anymore lies. The truth is out."

"How do you know what I mean?" she screeched.

Seth had had enough, he headed for the back door. "I can't take this shit. You two can finish your lovers' quarrel without me."

"No, Seth please you and I aren't through." She grabbed his arm hoping to stop him, but he jerked back with force. For a split second he lost it and he pushed her shoulders back against the kitchen wall. He was trembling again, "I said don't ever fucking touch me again."

Jacob went into a rage after that, "Don't you ever put your hands on her again like that again, Seth."

Seth kept walking. He was headed toward the back woods behind Charlie's but Jacob followed him. He turned him around, "Don't you fucking ignore, me Seth. You don't touch a woman like that, you show some control for once."

That was the last word spoken between them because the next thing that happened, Seth punched Jacob with such force he flew several feet across the yard. He was back on his feet the next second and then all hell broke lose. They started trading punches and were brutalizing each other. Bella couldn't believe how forceful their fists could be. They were extremely powerful even as men. "Stop," barely sounded from her lips. She cleared her throat, "Please, both of you stop fighting." Neither looked her way. They were focused on one thing, beating each other senseless.

It wasn't too much longer before the men disappeared and two large animals replaced their forms. The larger russet wolf and the sandy brown wolf took over exactly where the men had left off except it was way worse, so much more violent. She'd never seen anything like it. It didn't seem like they would ever stop at least til one of them was completely incapacitated. She hated to watch it, but when they disappeared into the forest, she felt even worse not knowing what was happening. She ran as fast as she could into the house to retrieve her phone. Her first instinct was to call Paul, but he didn't answer. NO, Paul always answered her. She had no choice, but to reach out to another member of the pack.

"Leah, this is Bella. Please get everyone to come to Charlie's, its an emergency. Seth and Jake are fighting, they went into the woods. Please hurry, I'm afraid Jake's going to kill him."

Leah didn't utter a sound after answering, but Bella knew she heard her loud and clear and knew how urgent her request was.

Next, she sent a text to Paul.

911 at my house seth knows, they're fighting please hurry

She went back outside the house. Silence...there was no sign of either of them. She had no idea what could be happening in those woods. She was halfway tempted to go out there, but as soon as she took about ten steps in that direction, she saw a flash of fur pass at the edge of the trees and then another and another. The pack had arrived or at least some of them. She wasn't sure which ones were there but they would be able to separate them. She hoped it wasn't too late. She tried to think of something useful to do while she waited. The way they were fighting, there would have to be injuries. She ran up to the bathroom and grabbed the first aide kit. She also got as many towels as she could carry and an old sheet. She threw it all out on the coffee table. There was still no sign of any of them, so she went back out to watch the woods. She tried to calm her fears. They were both wolves, strong animals built to face the worst opponent imaginable, vampires. Maybe she'd worried for nothing and they would both be fine. It probably looked way worse than it truly was.

There was noise and movement at the trees and soon she got her first glance of how wrong her last thought had been. Sam, Jared, Paul and Brady were carrying Seth. He wasn't moving, and she couldn't see his injuries just yet. Her hand instinctively flew to her mouth. When they got midway across the yard, she saw blood, a lot of it. "Hurry, bring him inside. I have the first aid kit ready."

They walked within a few feet of her. Seth was already swollen, and so bruised. He was barely recognizable. His eyes weren't open. The guys all had a sober look on their faces. "Seth!" she screamed. "Is he alright?" That was a stupid question.

"Bella let us tend to him, Leah already called Sue," Sam instructed. She followed them inside, quickly spread the sheet and towels on the couch so that they could lay him down.

He was starting to make some sort of groaning noises and painful grimaces which meant he was coming around.

She wanted to help but she didn't know what to do. She was curious about the state Jacob was in, as well. No matter how angry she was, her heart still cared. She walked onto the back porch, but someone was waiting for her. She was slammed so hard against the back door she couldn't breath. Her arm was then pulled behind her back in an awkward position. Thank goodness it wasn't the same arm that Nadia had sliced open. Leah was so close to her she could feel the heat of her breath. "I warned you, bitch. I meant it. I'm about to snap your fucking arm in two, but not before I hear you say it. Admit all of this is your fault. Did you see my little brother? Huh, did you take a good look? You did that to him. Was it worth it? Answer me, Swan."

Bella was blubbering like a small child. Her arm was aching and she was so shaken up by everything that was happening, she could hardly stand there. Leah was absolutely terrifying, but she managed to answer. "No, I'm sorry."

"Not good enough." Leah twisted some more.

"Yes, okay. I know it's all my fault. Just do it Leah. I deserve it."

Leah squinted her eyes, those eyes weren't even human anymore. Bella felt like the guy from the bar.

She prepared herself for the pain that was sure to follow.

"LEAH!" a loud booming voice rang out. "You will not break Bella's arm...ever. Let her go."

And just like that, she was released. Leah was unable to resist the alpha's order. She glared at Jacob, "Of course, my wonderful leader. You always have all of our best interest at heart, don't you?" She turned and left them to go inside to check on her brother.

Bella finally made eye contact with Jacob. Embry had helped him to the house, but at least Jacob could walk. He also looked like a bloody mess, but it was no where near as bad as Seth. His left eye was swollen shut but the other followed her every movement. Embry looked like he didn't know if he should go or stay.

"Go on Em, Bella and I need to talk."

"No, Embry...stay. Never mind, I mean leave and take Jacob with you. He and I have nothing to say to each other because I'm done."

"Bella, please. I'm sorry. I love you."

"Save it, Jake. I can't believe what you've done." She raised her voice as loud as she could wanting to make sure they all heard her loud and clear. Hopefully, even Seth would hear. "You're a monster and today I saw the real you! I hate you for what you've done. Leave and don't ever come back. We're over for good this time!"

She turned to go back in the house and she slammed the door. She could hear his pleadings, "Bella! Bella, that's not true, I'm not going away, not ever. Bella!"

She looked to Paul for help. "I'll go."

He stepped outside and she heard a lot of shouting through the door. Maybe she should go back out and make sure that Paul did not end up in the same predicament as Seth, but a few minutes later he returned. "Is he?"

"Yeah, he left, for now."

Paul reached out and squeezed her hand, perhaps he was the only friend she had left.

Sue was there now and even she gave Bella a look that said it all, like "You bitch, I wished you'd drop dead."

She ignored everyone's stares and asked, "Is he alright? He's going to be okay, isn't he?"

"It's none of your business. As soon as he can move, we'll take him out of here and as far away from you as possible." Leah practically growled everything she said to her. Bella was well aware Jacob only ordered her not to break her arm, but she could hurt her in countless other ways.

Seth did look somewhat better than when they first walked in. Hopefully, he was healing as he should and there were no other internal injuries. "Seth, please be alright. Seth, I hate myself for letting this happen to you. Sue, can I help? Is there anything I can do for him?"

"No, back the fuck up. We don't need you." Leah was coming closer to her now to make sure she got the point.

"Leah, stop," her mom said. "Go get a bowl of lukewarm water and some rags and start cleaning these cuts. I want to make sure they're all healing, that there's no dirt or debris inside." Bella hurried in the kitchen to do what Sue had asked. She had to feel useful even if she knew she was a useless human being.

Seth was making remarkable progress. When she came back to the living room, he insisted on sitting up. He had shredded his clothes in the fight but he had a bath towel across his lap. The dirt and dried blood were all over him and he was still very puffy around both his eyes and his jaw. Bella started to slowly and gently wipe away at all the dried blood. He winced several times when she got close to the deeper cuts. She couldn't bear to look at his face completely. He hadn't been speaking to anyone. His jaw probably hurt a lot. When she got to his stomach and chest, he surprised her by reaching out and touching her hand as she cleaned him. It wasn't in anyway like the firm grasp he'd last had on her shoulders. Seth's touch felt gentle and familiar. She looked up at him.

"Seth, I'm so sorry. I know those are just words, but please believe me. I sent Jacob away. I've been so stupid. I love you, Seth. I really mean it. Please, tell me what I can do. I'll do anything to make you believe me."

"Hummingbird, I think you should let someone else do this." Paul was embarrassed for her and that said something, because nothing embarrassed him.

"No, wait...could everyone please go. I want to talk to Bella alone." Seth finally said something even though his jaw was restricting him.

"You've got to be kidding me Seth," Leah was the first to react.

"Lee, please. Not now."

Sue leaned over and kissed her son on the forehead. "I'm healing Mom, it's fine thanks for everything."

The members of the pack that had stayed filed one by one out Charlie's front door. Paul was the last to leave. He looked back at her one last time and shook his head. He was still worried. She wasn't sure why, but she waved him away.

Now, it was only her and Seth.

"Seth, I meant it, you are who I want. I'm done making mistakes, being confused. I don't deserve you, but tell me if there is any way I can repair this."

"Come here, and sit until I'm strong enough to stand, will you?"

"Of course," she sat next to him, grateful that he would allow her so close to him after everything that happened. The two of them must have sat there an hour listening to each other breathe in and out without saying a word. She sniffed and rubbed away tears whenever they appeared.

Finally, he pushed himself up and slowly made the journey to the kitchen sink. He turned the water on and spent a long while washing and throwing water on his face and hair. He then walked out of the house briefly and went to his truck. She was worried he was going to drive off, and she didn't think he was ready for that. He soon came back inside.

Seth walked back to the couch with her. He licked his swollen lips, but she was so relieved to see how much better he looked. He was healing in front of her eyes, at least on the outside. No telling what she'd done to his heart. "Bella, do you mean what you said?"

"Yes."

"I mean really mean it, no more lies."

"Yes, I mean it Seth."

"Then yes, there is one way to prove it to me."

~Thanks for reading.