Chapter 44 - The Treaty
She flew towards the wolf, muscles tense in preparation, eyes wild — the human inside of her lost. All she could hear was Carlisle's pain. Felt it as if it were her own. It burned through her, enraging the monster, igniting her savage instincts.
The wolves brown eyes filled with shock. It was prepared, but barely. Some emotion had taken over, as if something too had broken inside the wolf at the sight of her, savage and ruthless.
She tackled him to the ground, rolling through the mud with him, tearing at the skin hidden beneath his fur. The wolf howled in pain, snapping it's jaw and thrashing it's legs, trying to dislodge her grip. Blood pooled on it's skin where her fingertips gripped, harder, harder.
"Jennifer—"
She barely heard Carlisle's plea, his voice still ragged with pain. She barely heard his attempt to rise to his feet.
Regaining balance, she pinned the grey wolf down onto the ground, pressing hard into his chest. She felt it's heavy heartbeat beneath it's fur — so powerful and yet breakable. The wolf threw his leg towards her, hoping to dislodge her grip. But she grabbed it, twisted—
Snap.
The wolf shrieked, the bone shattering in it's hind leg. It tried to growl, to attack, but the sound was weary, almost defeated.
A smirk pulled at her lips, delighted by the sound of it's pain. The pain it had caused her mate —
She heard their footsteps. But too late. A strong, iron grip curled around her body, hauling her away from the grey wolf. She thrashed in the figures arms, growls erupting from her throat.
Then a cooling wave swept over her, pressing down against the feral anger raging inside her. She fought against it, thrashing harder and harder.
"Stop," Jasper growled in her ear, moving her further and further away from the wolf.
Her family were here, she realised. They'd heard her warning plea. But this knowledge did little against the burning rage inside of her.
As the grey wolf climbed to it's feet, limping on it's back leg, Emmett and Edward stepped forward, flanking the left and right side of the family. Carlisle kneeled in the centre. But she only caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye. She refused to look at him, couldn't bare to feel anymore of his pain, to see what Paul had done to him out of anger against her.
Low snarls echoed through the trees as the wolf pack appeared, no longer hidden by the shadows of the forest. They moved around Paul, the black alpha stepping forward, marking itself as the leader.
Her eyes latched onto the grey wolf, who refused to meet her eyes. It stood lower than before, it's head bowed, as if it had been punished. Jenny thrashed at the sight of him — she needed to finish it, kill him—
As if in answer, another cool wave swept over her. She twitched, her body fighting against it, but her muscles relaxed a little, forced into submission. Jasper's grip didn't loosen.
"I think he deserves a far greater punishment than the one you are giving him," Edward said, his voice tight, controlled. His eyes flickered to the russet coloured wolf, his expression hardening, before his attention returned to the alpha. "After all, he broke the treaty."
The black wolf growled warningly, but made no move to attack. It's eyes glanced over each of the Cullen's, before landing on Jenny. She met his gaze, her eyes hardening, as he looked over her, pausing at the blood stains and the ripped clothes hanging from her. She hissed warningly.
But she felt cooler now, the rage dimming a little inside of her. She felt Jasper's power working slowly, softening the edges of her anger. It allowed her human consciousness to return, to see—
The pain flooded her like a tidal wave, crashing through her. If Jasper hadn't been holding her, she feared she would have collapsed to her knees. She turned her eyes. The anguish took over.
Carlisle knelt on the floor, his left hand clutching the remnant part of his wrist and hand. He hid his right arm behind his back, blocking the view of the icy, jagged stub. But it was ingrained in her memory. Alongside his cry of pain and defeat and the deathly fear that had consumed her in that very moment.
His eyes met hers. His expression masked with worry and pain and something else — something hidden.
She needed to get to him, needed to fix him and help him. She needed to comfort him. But Jasper's grip only tightened.
"He broke the treaty in attacking them, we would have been within our right to allow her to kill him." Edward's voice hardened, his hands curling at his sides.
The black wolf growled again. Jenny wondered what he was thinking in reply.
"She would have died, had it not been for Carlisle's actions. And it was her own choice. I believe Bella and Jacob Black have already explained this to you." Edward pressed his lips together in anger. "You are only questioning this now because you are afraid of what we might do to your dog."
The other wolves tensed around him, a few of them stepping in front of Paul, blocking him from any threat of attack. But the grey wolf clearly didn't like being coddled. It pushed past it's other pack members and stepped forward, eyes hardening. But the black wolf turned, growling an order, and the grey wolf lowered it's head once more. The black wolf's eyes met Edwards.
"He almost killed Carlisle," Edward hissed. "We have every right—"
"No." Carlisle's voice broke through the tension in the air. He looked between Edward and the black wolf, before he climbed to his feet. Edward moved to help him, but he quickly shook his head.
Jenny turned away, clenching her jaw, unable to bear the sight of him struggling.
"He was here to harm Jennifer. As long as she is not attacked —" Carlisle's voice hardened with anger and warning. "—by your pack again, then my family and I will not harm you. I do not want there to be a fight between our kind after so many decades of peace."
Emmett's head snapped towards Carlisle, his anger apparent. "That dog could've killed her." His hands curled at his sides and Rosalie grabbed his arm, pulling him back a little.
"She is unharmed."
"But you aren't," Emmet growled.
Jenny flinched, the memory of Carlisle's cries filling her ears once more, simmering the rage inside of her.
"There will be no fighting. I want to continue the peace between our kind," Carlisle spoke directly to the black wolf.
The black wolf stared, it's eyes hard. Jenny growled in warning, watching his every move.
"He's questioning whether the blood on Jenny is from an animal or human," Edward said.
"Animal. She has not hurt another human. My family and I are helping her," Carlisle answered.
"He says as long as she continues not to harm a human, then they have no problem. He understands why Jenny was turned and apologises for Paul's actions. But he wants to remind us that the treaty rules still apply—" Edward stiffened, his muscles tensing. "—to Bella. If she is turned, then they will have no choice but to attack."
"We understand." Carlisle nodded.
The black wolf nodded its head, before it angrily barked an order. Then the wolves retreated into the trees, moving backwards, rather than turn and face away from the Cullen's. Jenny's rage burned at their distrust. After all the Carlisle had done for them.
Once the wolves had disappeared into the forest, Jasper's grip finally loosened. Jenny didn't hesitate a second. She broke from his grasp and rushed to Carlisle's side, reaching for him. She brushed a hand over his cheek whilst he other went to his right arm, gripping it lightly.
Carlisle refused to move it from behind his back. His jaw clenched and he looked away from her. She could see the pain still radiating from him. He lifted his left arm, as if to reach for her, before realising he didn't have a free arm to touch her, or hold her. Not whilst he was holding his right hand in his left.
Rosalie and Edward moved forward to help him, they're eyes bright with concern. But Jenny's protective instincts quickly took over. She curled her body in front of Carlisle, blocking his figure behind her, and snarled in warning. Her throat burned, her head pounded.
Rosalie and Edward stopped abruptly, looking to Carlisle behind her.
She needed to help him — needed to take away his pain. She turned back to him slowly, once she knew the others wouldn't dare approach.
Before he could object, she lifted him into her arms easily, taking his broken hand from him and carrying it beneath his body. Carlisle seemed surprised and ready to object, but she set off towards the Cullen house, steps heavy as she pounded through the forest.
Carlisle's body felt warm against hers as she held him to his chest. The motion was strange, with him being so much taller and broader than her. But his weight meant little to her newborn strength. It wasn't long before she reached the house. Seeing an open window high up on the right, she launched herself into the air and curved their bodies through and into the house.
She found his office quickly, rushing the door open and stopping in the room. Then she placed him lightly down on the leather sofa, her eyes narrowing in concern.
She barely allowed him to react before she pulled at his right arm, bringing it towards her, and stared between the jagged stub and the remnants of his hand, trying to decipher the best way to help him.
Carlisle's pained eyes looked over in concern. He lifted his left hand and brushed her cheek, his palm cradling her face. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a moment.
"It will heal, my love, but it will take time," Carlisle said softly. "There is very little you can do."
Jenny shook her head. No. She wanted to say. She had to do something — even if it was just to take away his pain.
She turned her attention back to his arm, trying to fit the broken pieces together, being so careful with her touch. She thought maybe bandages might help in holding the pieces together, which may allow them to heal faster —
Before Carlisle could object, she disappeared from the room and returned with his medical supplies in her hand. She crouched down beside him and pulled a sling and some bandages from the bag, her eyes set on the task ahead. It felt like such a long time since she'd anything to help fix someone's injuries. The bandages felt warm and right in her hands — like it was home.
Carlisle reached to stop her before she set to work. "I can do it—"
Jenny shook her head adamantly and forced his left hand away from her so he couldn't stop her. Then she set to work on piecing him back together. First bandaging his broken hand and wrist, losing the pieces back into place. Then she carefully fit it back to his left arm, frowning as Carlisle winced in pain. He watched her every movement silently, his worry emanating from him.
As she worked on his arm, she heard the rest of the family return downstairs. They were all in the living room, likely listening to what she was doing. Edward was probably listening to her thoughts, ensuring she was helping him correctly.
The bandages weren't quite strong enough to hold his arm together, so she wrapped a sling around his shoulder, allowing his right arm to rest against his chest. She took a step back to look over her work.
It was strange. Despite his vampiric appearance, he looked strangely human with a sling on his shoulder. She'd never thought she'd see him hurt, or have to fix him. Their kind always seemed to hard, so unbreakable.
Jenny looked away as the pain finally crashed through her once more, weakening her body. She moved towards the mahogany desk and pressed her hands against it, leaning on it for support.
Carlisle was quickly by her side. He placed his left hand beneath her chin and lifted her head softly to meet his gaze.
"It's alright, my love. The danger has passed and I will heal," he said gently.
"You're hurt," she retorted, her voice harder. She shook her head. "He hurt you, because of me."
"He should never have tried to harm you." Carlisle's voice lowered, his body tensing.
"But I could've protected myself and fought him off until you reached your family. I could have prevented this—" Her voice rose in anger and panic, the fear of seeing him hurt washing over her once more.
"No," Carlisle said adamantly. "I would never leave you to fight alone. We protect one another."
"You protected me, you sacrificed your own safety for me." She pressed her lips together, hands curling. "You asked me to promise not to do that once, when we faced the Volturi. How could I ever promise that now when I know you would do it for me."
"Jenny—" Carlisle began, looking down, looking almost ashamed. "I'm sorry."
Jenny shook her head. "There's nothing to apologise for. I just—I—"
She couldn't get out the words. She couldn't think through the pain of it, the fear she felt for him. If that was what only one of the wolves could do to him, then what of more of them, or another, stronger vampire. Jenny shook her head, unable to bear the thought.
"I was afraid — so afraid that he would hurt you. I've never felt such fear before, like I did when I saw him lunge for your neck." Carlisle cringed, his expression crumpling. "I had to protect you from him…But I failed." He looked down, shame overcoming his features.
Jenny frowned, shaking her head, leaning closer towards him so that she was pressed into his chest.
"No, you didn't. I'm unharmed, but you're not." She met his eyes, studying his face gently. "I was the one who failed."
"You never told me that—" he struggled to say the name. "—Paul said those dreadful things to you... That he wished you dead if you chose to turn."
"He said and did many horrible things... But even when I was so angry with him, I didn't realise how fiercely he meant it." Jenny looked down, frowning. "We've been friends since we were children..."
That's when that terrible feeling hit her. She wanted to cry, to unleash her pain and fear anger, to release the building tension in her body. But she couldn't. No tears welled at her eyes — they couldn't. She had to feel it all, building inside of her, tormenting her.
Carlisle lifted her head. "I love you...I'm sorry he did that. You never deserved it — any of it."
She looked into his eyes, no longer narrowed in pain. His lips pulled into a soft, comforting smile. Then her eyes were drawn to his ripped shirt, to the pale chest beneath it and the scar marking the area just beneath his shoulder. The sling held tight around his neck, his broken arm nuzzled against his chest. Carlisle hadn't deserved any of it either — not the pain she'd caused him.
"I love you too." She leaned into him, inhaling his familiar scent, and forcing the guilt away.
A car engine roared in the distance, it's engine spurting a terrible, ear-bleeding noise. The noise grew louder as it approached the Cullen house. Jenny could hear the different parts moving underneath the decrepit bonnets and the screech of the breaks when it parked in front of the house.
But that wasn't what drew her attention.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
A human heartbeat. Bella's human heartbeat. Already her scent felt so familiar, a mixture of lilac and lavender, a hint of sweetness. Jenny's mouth watered, her throat burning at the smell. Without a second thought, she clamped her lips shut and halted her breaths. Her body tensed.
Carlisle looked down in concern. "We can return once she has left, if it is causing you too much pain."
Jenny shook her head adamantly. "No. I need to be there. They're not going to vote on Bella's life without me."
"Okay, but if at any point you wish to leave, then do not feel ashamed by it."
"I won't need to leave," Jenny said determinedly. "This can be part of the training we talked about."
Carlisle frowned, but didn't respond. Instead, his left hand threaded through hers and he led her from the office. They flew through the house and stopped in the living room, where the rest of the Cullen's were gathered in the living room.
The scene reminded her of Bella's birthday, except without Alice's extensive decorations. It felt like so long ago and yet Jenny still remembered every part of it. She remembered Jasper's loss of control, despite his years of being around humans, and the jagged cut that Carlisle had to stitch.
Would it be her this time, that caused the damage? Would she be the one that frequently lost control?
Jenny pushed those thoughts away quickly, before they could settle in her mind.
Jasper's eyes were on her, a flicker of concern in his eyes as he felt her emotions. Whilst of the rest of her family's eyes settled on Carlisle, glancing over the sling that held his arm in place. Not a single word passed between any of them. But as Carlisle took his place in the room, tucking her into his side, she knew he'd conveyed a silent message — that he was okay and that they shouldn't worry.
"So I hear that dog you attacked had to be carried home today," Emmett said with a large smirk. "Badass — I wish I'd gotten there sooner."
For once, Jenny didn't laugh at Emmett's playful comment. It hit her like a brick wall, reminding her of the monster she'd unleashed. The monster that lived inside of her. Jenny looked down, feeling guilty for not being more lighthearted with him.
Carlisle must have scolded him, for when she looked up, Emmett was immersed in a tense conversation with Rosalie.
But all attention shot to the door as Bella stepped through, her pale face hard with adamance, Edward by her side. She wore a plain, striped top and jeans, the threads of it poking out at either side of her hips.
Jenny held her breath harder, the scent hitting her nose, flaring her predatory senses. Bella's eyes flickered over the room before landing on Jenny. Everyone tensed around them. A wave of Jasper's calming power circled her, cooling her body.
Jenny didn't breath or move. She stared, eyebrows pulled ever so slightly inwards. As her throat flared once more, her instincts driving her to kill, she wondered how Bella ever wanted to be this — a monster.
Bella looked uncomfortable under her heavy gaze. But with a small, awkward smile, she stumbled forward, heading for her. Jenny's muscles clenched, eyes widening, as Bella moved quickly towards her.
Carlisle moved in front of her, blocking Bella's path, whilst Edward roughly grabbed Bella's arm. Jenny couldn't see her — she only heard Bella's squeak of abruption. Carlisle's tall body blocked her view, one arm held backward, ready to stop her if needed.
"What—" Bella began in confusion.
"It's alright," Jenny said quietly. She stepped around Carlisle and curled into his side once more, her eyes meeting Bella's then Edwards. "I'm in control. Just don't…approach me like that. I can't be so near to you yet."
Her heart felt heavy at the admittance. She felt weak — a failure. But she had to remind herself that her instincts were still new. Nobody expected her to have mastered control after only a few months of being a vampire. It was unheard of. Once she started training with Carlisle and his family, then she could feel failure.
"Okay…sorry," Bella mumbled.
Emmett chuckled quietly, but Rosalie hit him, and it fell silent once more.
Bella stood at the bottom of the staircases, hands crossed over her body awkwardly. Edward had released her arm and instead held his hands in his pockets. He stood back, leaning against the wall, his expression pulled together into a frown.
Carlisle's hand curled around Jenny's waist and he smiled warmly at Bella. "Perhaps we should move on to the reason for you visit."
Jenny tensed, looking away. Whilst Carlisle's hand moved in circles over her back, in an effort to sooth her. She didn't quite know what was more painful yet — the flames in her throat or the thought of Bella becoming a vampire, the horrors alongside of it, and the idea of Charlie being left alone.
Bella nodded, before taking a deep breath. She shifted her weight onto the other foot, grimacing as she looked over the Cullen family, who all stood entirely still around the living room. "You all know what I want…And I know how much I'm asking for."
Jenny shook her head ever so slightly, pressing her lips together. She'd always hated Bella's self loathing thoughts. As if any of the Cullen's would ever think that her becoming part of the family would be a burden. Their only thoughts were about her and Edward and whether it was the right choice.
"The only thing I can think of for it to be fair…" She continued, her breaths heavy. "Is it to just vote."
Jenny couldn't suppress her scoff.
"Bella, you don't know what you're talking—" Edward's voice interrupted.
Bella shook her head, clenching her hands into fists. "Just—shut up."
Alice giggled silently in the corner and a smirk lifted on Jasper's lips. Edward fell silent, averting his eyes from the room and pressing his lips together.
Jenny almost felt sorry for him. But Carlisle's words echoed in her mind, reminding her that it was Bella's choice. Yes, Edward had a point. Yet he was also trying to take Bella's decision away.
"Alice?" Bella looked worried, as if afraid that they would all say no.
"I already consider you my sister." Alice danced forward and wrapped Bella in a hug, a beaming smile on her lips. "Yes."
Jenny's heart hurt at the sight of it. She wanted to hug Bella — she wanted to be a sister to her again. And yet she couldn't. She knew what the Cullen's answers would be. But seeing Alice say yes and knowing that the majority of decisions would swing that way…It hurt Jenny to think about. Bella would soon be a monster, like her…
"Thank you," Bella said with a small smile, stepping with Alice down the stairs.
Jenny tensed at the movement, averting her eyes from Bella's neck.
"I vote yes. It would be nice not to want to kill you all the time," Jasper said, a small smile tugging at his lips. As he spoke, his attention turned to Jenny.
And she knew exactly why — the meaning behind his words. If Bella was a vampire, Jenny could be around her more. She could be a sister again and help her through the dark times… But Jenny didn't want Bella to become a vampire for her own selfish desires.
"I'm sorry." Rosalie's voice interrupted her thoughts. Her golden eyes flickered between Bella and Edward. "I'm really sorry to both of you, with how I acted. And I am very grateful that you were brave enough to go save my brother."
Bella nodded awkwardly, absorbing Rosalie's words. It was likely the most they'd ever spoken to one another.
"But this isn't a life I would have chosen for myself. And I wish there had been someone to vote no for me."
Jenny looked away, gripping onto Carlisle tighter. He moved his head, so his lips pressed against her hair, breathing in her scent.
"So no."
A wave of relief washed over her, and yet Jenny felt guilty for it. For wanting to take the choice away.
"I vote hell yeah!" Emmett strode forward and wrapped Bella in a hug, swinging her around in a circle.
Jenny remembered when that was her. When Emmett's hugs seemed so strong and she felt so breakable.
She knew she couldn't be there for much longer. It hurt too much — the memories of being human, the choice being taken away from her. It was stirring her emotions, rattling her senses. She could feel it building inside of her like a tidal wave. But she had to be strong. She had to show Bella her support and not take the choice from her.
"We can pick a fight with these Volturi some other way."
Bella smirked as Emmett placed her back on the floor. She then turned to Carlisle, her expression a little hesitant. She almost refused to look at Jenny.
Carlisle sighed almost inaudibly. He stepped forward ever so slightly, but made sure that he still was in distance of Jenny, in case he had to help her. His focus turned to Edward, who stood at the top of the stairs, appearing tortured by the conversation.
Their eyes locked for a silent moment. Jenny could feel the guilty pain radiating from Carlisle.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Edward asked with a deep frown. "You know what this means."
Carlisle stiffened ever so slightly and at that she knew Edwards words had referred to her.
"You have chosen not to live without her. You have left me with no choice," Carlisle responded gravely. His expression narrowed, his voice lowering. "I won't lose my son."
Edward looked away, turning his attention to the wall. He appeared like a shadow, wallowing in its own darkness, refusing to see the light.
"I vote yes." Carlisle nodded politely to Bella.
"Thank you." Bella smiled slightly, but it didn't reach her eyes. Jenny knew she was bothered by Edward's darkening mood. "How's your arm—"
Jenny stiffened.
"Healing, thanks to Jenny," Carlisle said.
"I'm sorry about what happened. I thought I'd convinced them—" Bella said quickly, looking back and forth between Jenny and Carlisle.
Jenny didn't speak. She pressed her lips together, holding her breath. It was too much — it was all becoming far too much.
"There's no need to apologise. It was not your fault," Carlisle answered for them both. His concerned eyes turned to Jenny, just as Bella looked to her expectantly.
They met eyes, brown eyes to red ones. Jenny held the stare, her throat burning, every part of her craving the kill. She felt the tension rumbling from Edward, as if he were preparing to spring. She felt the waves of calmness emanating for Jasper.
"So…" Bella said expectantly, her attention flickering away.
Jenny knew she hated the eyes. She could also read Bella's hesitation and knew it was because she didn't look quite right. She didn't look like Bella's big sister, who had hugged her when she'd cried or scolded her whenever she'd been too stubborn or shy. Jenny looked like a monster now — like James and Victoria. Jenny knew it, and Bella knew it too.
Her throat burned harder at Bella's hesitation. The fragility of it struck her, like a lion preying on a lamb.
"Is this truly what you want?" Jenny asked. Even her voice was no longer the same. She wondered if it bothered Bella.
Unlike before, Bella hesitated for just a moment, before that look of adamance overcame her expression. "Yes."
Jenny saw it then. Her clouded human memories in her mind — everything from her young age, to her high school years, to college, Forks, and meeting the greatest man she'd ever known. She remembered the sound of her own laugh, the distant rumble of the engine as Charlie returned home, her first kiss, her first lecture, her first patient. She missed it. She missed it all. The sound, the feel — everything about being human. And Bella was throwing it all away.
It was too much. All too much—
She looked to Edward, who met her eyes, his expression pained too, as if he'd seen everything in her thoughts, knowing what Bella was giving up.
She turned back to Bella. The thirst overcame her emotions. And she hated herself for it.
"I don't want to vote…It's your choice Bella," Jenny said quietly. The heartbeat thrummed in her ears. But she ignored it — ignored everything. "At least you have one."
She left quickly. Darting from the room without a backwards glance. She needed to escape — to think.
And most of all she needed blood.
A/N: So this is officially the end of the 'New Moon' phase in the story. I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to post. Originally, I wasn't going to post this until I had another chapter written, but I'm finding it impossible to write at the moment, as life is in the way. I'm not sure when the next update will be - I'm really sorry about this. But instead of waiting until I have multiple chapters ready, I promise that if I have a sudden burst of inspiration, any chapter completed will be posted.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I feel as though this is a better place to leave the story for a while, as there is little left unanswered. Thank you so much for everyone who is still reading this story! Thank you for all the follows/favourites/reviews. I will post again as soon as I can.