Chapter 44:

He waited for me to respond to his ultimatum and I couldn't make words come from my mouth. He took my silence as a good sign and pulled him into his arms. "I am glad you weren't hurt…along with the little cub you have gotten attached to for some unbelievable reason. I never want to let you go. I-" he stopped mid-sentence, tensing up completely and turned his head sideways to hear the conversation coming from inside. I listened also, trying to figure out why he was so different of a sudden. It didn't take long before I picked out Will's heartbeat and voice as he argued with Carlisle.

"I'm going to have to insist that you leave young man. Ariel isn't here." "Don't tell me another fucking lie. I know she is here, so tell her I need to talk to her." Emmett looked down at me and I avoided his gaze. "Why is he here…looking for you?" I opened my mouth to tell Emmett the truth…but instead another lie came flowing from my lips. "When I was running away, I ran into him and he noticed I was different, so I guess he just decided to find out. I am not sure Emmett." "Well let's go send him on his way…you going to be alright with the thirst?" I nodded, knowing I wasn't going to want a bite of Will. I didn't want him to be anywhere near me…but I kinda did.

We walked inside and I met Will's eyes as he sensed me entering the room. His face lit up and he smiled so brightly…until he saw Emmett's arm wrapped around me and my arm around Emmett. "Will, go home." I said, trying to steady the tone into ice and not let the butterflies stir up. He walked straight over to me and took my free hand into his, getting down on his knees. "Please just talk to me, Ariel. I need it." I looked at Emmett, who wasn't at all happy about how friendly Will was being with me. "I will only be a moment Emmett." I kissed his cheek and pulled away from Will.

"Let's go for a walk I guess." I tried to sound uncaring to him, but something deep inside was begging to go off running through the woods with him. We walked outside and he motioned to keep going, knowing they could hear him still and what we were going to talk about was never going to be heard by anyone but us. Once I knew we were alone and out of ear-shot, I whirled around and smacked him across the face. "How dare you come after me like this! Knowing I said to leave me alone and forget about everything! How stupid can you possibly be!?" I blurted it all out, feeling pain in my chest as I thought about what would happen to me and Emmett if he ever found out.

"Ariel…" "I don't want to hear a damn thing you got to say, alright. I mean this, last night was nothing…it never happened and will never be brought up again." "Or what? Your vampire family going to try to kill me?" his tone changed from soft to anger. "Excuse me?" "Oh yeah, I know all about those creatures…our species have been enemies for a very long time." "Will, I don't care about the past. Emmett is my present and future. I love him and will spend my eternal life with him by my side. Not you." his fist was shaking with his rage as I spoke.

I actually felt a ping of fear run through me as he started to breathe heavily. "Ariel, I love you. And you love me. I feel it inside me, we are mates for life." I took a step back, holding my hand up a bit. "Will, you are a werewolf…I'm a vampire…we can't be mates." "But we are! I know it!" "You are just confused…calm down." I took another step back but he was still filled with rage and I knew he was strong, even without being turned into the werewolf. Suddenly he stopped shaking…he was a statue and I listened, his heart was beating still, but his breathing was so shallow.

"I'm going back, do not follow me, do not speak to me anymore…do you understand Will?" he raised his head and his face was blank, there was no emotion anymore. "I understand Ariel…completely. Goodbye." and he turned and took off running. Once he was out of my sight and my senses told me he was gone, I sank to my knees and sighed deeply, feeling so frightened at that moment. That seemed to be too easy…but I am happy it was over. "Ariel?" I jumped and turned to see Alice standing behind me. "What's wrong Alice?" her face was grim and her eyes were watery. "I just had a vision clear as day…of your death."

"I thought you couldn't see my future…because of the whole Seer thing of mine." "I'm not sure, I've seen you in futures, but always assumed it wasn't your choices making them. Maybe I have been able to see more than I realize." I nodded, and she pulled me into a hug. "I am so worried now, Ariel! The last vision I had with you caused your death!" "But began my vampire life…Alice calm down." I let her sit on the ground and she turned to me. "Have you told anyone else about this Vision Alice?" she shook her head. "I honestly didn't know when it was going to happen…so I raced after you."

I froze, feeling like she might have overheard my conversation with Will, that would be so bad. "What did Will want with you? Emmett told you about him right? He's not human, but not a vampire." "Yes, he told me and also about the vision you had about him…and me." she pulled me up with her and held me tight. "I'm just so glad you are alright and that most of my visions with you aren't happening. Only the first death." I forced myself to chuckle, not wanting her to get worried again. We ran back to the house and I paused before going in. "Alice please don't say anything to the others. Just let me figure it out first."

"I understand. Emmett has been different lately, super worried about you and all. Just talk to him and don't lock him out." I nodded and smiled, giving her the reassurance that she was looking for. Emmett opened the door and Alice touched his shoulder before heading inside and leaving us alone to talk. "Hi." "What did he want?" "Same as Ari, just to see why I disappeared and was looking different, acting different, that whole deal." he didn't seem to believe me, but let it go for that moment and took my hand. "I want to take you to our spot…if you have the time." I leaned up and kissed him hard, breaking only to whisper, "I will always have time for you my love."