-Break It
Summary: Since the return from Volterra, Edward has been off. Bella couldn't place it, but it was becoming very unnerving. When Edward does something that completely changes her idea of the afterlife, she goes for help to the one person she knows wouldn't judge her. Sam. Instead she's put into the path of Paul, the one wolf she's never met.
Pairing: Bella/Paul
Edward and Bella laid in her bed, his cold hand caressing her face. Her head laid on his shoulder as she reflected on her time without him. "I'm so sorry." Edward whispered.
Bella stared up at him, the pain shining in her eyes. She didn't say anything as she laid against him once more. He hurt her so much. She wanted to yell at him. Cry. Wished she could slap him. But he's back now. That's all that matters.
"Tell me you forgive me Bella." Edward asked. "I need to know that you forgive me." Bella's brow furrowed. Since when has he ever wanted such gratification?
On the plane he was even like this. In the car. He was different somehow. Bella couldn't place it, but she saw it in his eyes that something was different. "I forgive you." She whispered, although she knew she didn't. She didn't think she ever would.
The next day at school threw Bella even more into a loop. When Edward arrived, looking like a model, he made a beeline straight for her, pulling her by the jacket roughly, kissing her.
She always wanted him to kiss her this way, but it didn't feel loving. It felt possessive. She pushed away first, giving him another confused look. "What was that?" She asked, looking around slightly.
Edward tilted his head. "What was what?" He asked. Bella shook her head. "Nothing." She turned away from him, a little upset. His kiss wasn't filled with love and longing. Not even want. Edward grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Don't pull away from me. What did I do? Isn't that what you've always wanted?" He asked, his eyes confused.
Bella shrugged out of his hold. "Well yes, but not like that. You're...different. Are you alright Edward?" She asked, gazing up at him, hoping to will him into to telling her something. His face hardened, and he looked over her head. "I'm fine." He said. He grabbed her hand and they walked into school together, Bella feeling off the entire day.
After school, Bella finally felt relief. Alice engulfed her into a hug, whispering her apologies. She even got the chance to tell Jasper she didn't blame him. He was still tense but he seemed to relax.
Carlisle and Esme were very doting, promising not to leave another family member behind. Emmett was still Emmett and Rose? Still the ice queen. She sat up with Edward in his room, just watching the forest.
"Bella?" Edward asked, pulling her attention away from the window. "Yes?" She asked, turning her head to look at him. He was in front of her, on his knee. He pulled out an oval diamond ring, it was beautiful.
She looked up at him and her stomach dropped. He can't be serious. Marriage? Get married? Why would he want to get married? Was he going to change her?
Bella sat up slowly, eyeing the ring. "Edward?" She asked. He gave her a smile. "Will you marry me?" He asked, his eyes shining for the first time since he's been back. Bella didn't know what to say.
She stood up slowly, backing away from him a bit. "Marry you? Don't you..don't you think we're moving too fast?" She asked him, worrying. She couldn't marry him. She didn't forgive him for the way he left her. All alone. They couldn't go from damaged to marriage. They weren't fixed yet.
He stood up, looking a little let down. "Too fast? We have all the time in the world." He said softly, looking at her as if he didn't understand why she wasn't accepting his proposal. "You mean you have all the time in the world. Edward I can't...we aren't fixed. You left me alone. After saying, no after promising you wouldn't. We can't go from this to marriage." She said, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry but no. Not now." She whispered. She grabbed her backpack and headed for the door. "Where are you going?" He asked, grabbing her arm. She gave him a look, indicating that he had no right to grab her.
"Home." She pulled away from him, stumbling forward. Edward panicked slightly. "I'll change you." He said, watching her freeze. She slowly turned towards him. Her eyes were icy as she stared him down. "Really? As much as I want to be changed, this is not and will never be a compromise. I won't marry you until I can forgive you. I lied. I don't forgive you, and I'm sorry. You hurt me so much. You don't even understand how much pain I went through." She snapped. "I'm going home. The window will be locked." She said.
She walked out of his room, the door slamming behind her. As she got to the bottom of the stairs, the family were looking around, trying to give her some semblance of privacy. "Can one of you just take me home please?" She sighed.
Alice nodded, grabbing the keys.
Break It~
Bella was true to her word, keeping the window locked. After turning off her light, she laid in bed, her eyes watering. Did she really refuse his proposal? Yes she did. Bella just didn't feel like things were back to normal yet.
As her head hit the pillow, she froze, feeling like she was being watched. The lamp cut on, Edward standing over her bed. She sat up, her hand going to her chest. "What are you doing in here? I locked the window." She said.
He didn't say anything as he knelt by the side of her bed. "You're not leaving me are you?" He asked out of the blue. Bella's brows rose at the question. "What?" She asked, perplexed. What was he babbling on about? Why did he seem so..different?
Bella's eyes widened slightly as she took in the orange hue in his eyes. "Edward...did you?" She trailed off, gulping. Edward growled at her, his ice cold hands wrapping around her neck.
He pushed her into the bed, and Bella grabbed onto his hands, trying to pull them off. Her face was turning red as she kicked at the covers. She clawed after his face as he straddled her, his face murderous. Bella heart started beating fast, the lack of oxygen going to her head.
She saw dark spots dancing across her vision and before she could pass out, Edward was gone. She took in a deep breath, gasping. She at up coughing. She scooted to the headboard of her bed, glancing at nothing.
She let out a whimper racing to the bathroom to the damage he inflicted. Her whole neck was red, the indents of his fingers shining. She slowly walked back to bed, her eyes open, she was too scared to sleep.
Luck seemed to be on her side as Edward was going hunting with the family, and it was a sunny day for once in Forks. Bella tried not to make any decisions as she dressed. But if Alice saw what Edward did, would she tell him what she was about to do?
Bella shook her head, thinking of the different places she'd go, none of them the real place she planned on going. She put on a long turtleneck and some jeans, grabbing her keys and made her way downstairs. She walked outside and got into her truck, and started it.
Driving off, she drove towards LaPush, knowing that as soon as she crossed the border, she'd disappear from Alice's visions. Bella was terrified now. She didn't want to go to Jacob. While concerned for her wellbeing, he'd tell her he was right and she belong with him. She didn't want to hear that.
So she was going to go to the one person who she knew wouldn't judge her. She tried remembering his home from memory and luck was once again on her side as she saw a mailbox with the name "Uley".
She pulled up into Sam's driveway, her heart beating fast. What if he turned her away? Bella couldn't think about that now. She was on borrowed time. She cut the engine, and got out of the truck, making her way to Sam's door.
There was always something about Sam that Bella found soothing. She didn't spend much time around him but when she was with Jacob, he was a very calming person. She knocked on the door, nervously bouncing on her feet.
The door opened and Bella was met with someone she's never seen before. "Can I help you?" He asked. "I'm looking for Sam. Is he in?" She asked. The man shook his head, but moved to the side. "No, but he should be home soon. He just took his fiancé to the airport. Come in." Bella hesitated but walked inside, her arm brushing against his bare chest, making her shiver.
He closed the door, and moved towards the living room. "Is there anything you need?" He asked, glancing at her in concern. "Maybe the restroom?" She asked, to which he showed her down the hall. Bella gave him a quiet thanks and flicked on the light. She cracked the door closed and walked in front of the mirror taking in her paler than pale skin, her eyes raw from crying.
She looked ghastly. She let out a quiet sigh, pulling down the turtle neck, the bruises looking so much more prominent. She felt along them with a wince, realizing she must've scratched herself in the struggle.
"What happened to you?" Bella let out a shriek, jumping almost a foot in the air. She caught herself on the sink, glancing at him through the mirror. He was leaning against the tile wall, the door wide open. Right. Wolves were pretty much silent.
She cleared her throat and let her shirt go. "Nothing." She stated quickly. He hummed and pushed off the wall, coming to stand behind her. He watched her eyes in the mirror as he pulled down the turtleneck. "Is this what you wanted to see Sam about?" He asked, his voice hinting that he already knew the answer.
Bella nodded, swallowing. He hummed again. From behind, he grabbed her hands, turning them over. Bella's brow furrowed, as he took a finger, sliding the sleeve up over her left arm.
His finger danced over her scar, in a caressing way. "So you're the infamous Bella Swan huh?" He asked gruffly, letting her hands drop. Bella's brow furrowed, but she didn't say anything.
"I'm Paul. I've heard lots...good and bad...things about you. So I'm assuming your vampire did this or you wouldn't be here looking for my alpha." Bella looked down with a nod. "He almost killed me last night." She glanced back up in the mirror, his eyes darkening slightly. Bella felt like she could get lost in them.
"During intercourse?" He asked, making Bella blush brightly. "No, no. Not that. He was...he came into my house, and he got so angry. I thought he wasn't going to let go." She sucked in a breath, his face flashing before her eyes. "His eyes...were no longer just gold. He..I don't know if he killed someone but..." She trailed off at that point.
"He's been different and...if he almost killed me, next time, which I'm sure there will be, he will succeed." She said.
Paul didn't say anything, but he maintained eye contact with her. He turned her around and looked at her more closely. "Not while I'm around." Bella tilted her head. "You don't know me." She said, wondering if she's met someone crazy.
"I don't. But I'll take care of it. When Sam comes in you'll ask him to swear your alliance. Meaning that if you seek protection, you must come to our side. One of us must be chosen to be your protector. Imprinted pairs like Sam and Jared cannot be a protector. You'll have to sign a treaty stating that as a human, you having the knowledge of both supernatural creatures, seek protection from a cold one. Once you choose your wolf, it is done. The Cullen's will not be able to get to you, or touch you."
Bella mulled it over in her head and nodded. "Okay."
Break It~
Bella and Sam has to sign their names in blood, Sam was willing to accept the protection of a human. Jacob was all too glad, but Bella didn't know if she wanted to choose him. That left Embry, Quil and Paul.
Emery was a bit younger than her and she just didn't feel like she should subject him to her life. Quil either. Paul? She didn't want to force him to do anything but he seemed honored to do so, and he saw her fear for what it was. Jacob would take this choosing ceremony as something romantic and she just didn't feel that way about him.
Bella stood next to Sam, facing her family. They looked at her with regret and sadness but she could see the understanding on their faces. Edward was silent as he stared her down.
Alice had explained everything to the family after visiting Bella briefly. "Isabella Marie Swan, do you accept the protection of the pack against the Cold One's. More specifically Edward Cullen?" Sam asked loudly.
"Yes." She stated just as loud. Sam said something in his native language and prayed over the fire. "Choose your wolf." Sam commanded. Bella felt like she was doing some type of mating ceremony. Quil, Embry, Paul, and Jacob came forward, bowing their heads.
She nodded at Sam once she knew who she was choosing. Sam gave her a nod, and led her to Paul. He placed her hand in his, taking a rope, binding their hands together. "Then he is yours. Paul do you accept the responsibility of taking care and offering protection to our new pack mate?" Paul lifted his head, his eyes much different than from their first meeting.
They weren't so brown anymore. They had this yellow hue to them. Bella felt like she was looking into this man's soul. She could see herself reflected through his eyes. "I accept." He said clearly. Sam places his hands on their heads. "It is done." He whispered.
He removed the rope and took a step back. He addresses Bella with a serious look. "I accept you into my pack, as your alpha. Welcome." He stated. "This treaty is now written in the stars. Isabella Swan has sworn her alliance." He dropped the paper they signed into the fire. The glowing ambers floating up into the sky.
Thunder boomed suddenly, making Bella jump slightly. She looked up into the sky and then back down at her ajoined hand with Paul's. She looked into his eyes again, something within her body pushing her forward.
He tilted his head, wrapping his free arm around her waist. She found herself against him, his other hand moved her head to the side, exposing her neck. Paul could see her swallow. "Is this part of the treaty?" She asked softly, her hands gripping his shoulders.
Paul's lips brushed against her ear. "No."