Chapter Seventeen
A/N at the end.
I was only trying to bury the pain
But I made you cry, and I can't stop the crying
Was only trying save me
But I lost you again
It is what it is – Lifehouse
-0-
Bella was home and I wasn't ready for the storm she'd brought back with her. Life was about to change again and this time, there was a chance I wouldn't survive.
I watched as Dad rounded the car, approaching my sister and the Cullen's and yet I didn't move. I was too tired and just struggled to care that she was home and I hated her for making me feel nothing about her safe return. I was however worried about my Dad; I'd never seen him so angry and yet so defeated. Bella seemed to sense his anger as well as she stepped forward and wrung her hands together.
"Dad..."
"Don't even bother trying to explain yourself Bella!" Dad raged and for a moment I worried for his heart. He'd taken so many hits over these last few days and no doubt his blood pressure was at all-time high. He hadn't slept all night; he was on edge as was I after the attack and he was still mourning the death of one of his closest friends. "I want you in that house. Now." he told her.
Bella shook her head, her head turning to the side to look at Edward who in turn moved to stand beside her, despite the obvious disapproval of his parents.
"Chief Swan..." he started, and I watched that knot in my stomach tightening as Dad raised his hand, stopping Edward in his tracks.
"Don't you Chief Swan me!" he seethed, glancing at Dr Cullen and his wife before looking back at Edward. "I want you off my property." he instructed Edward and I saw Bella immediately begin to panic.
"Dad you can't do that!" she exclaimed, her hand reaching for Edwards and I fought to not roll my eyes. Sighing softly, I unlocked my door, drawing the Cullen's attention briefly but Dad and Bella were locked in a stubborn eye lock. Alice Cullen smiled at me and then my Dad, giving him a small, happy wave.
"Hello Chief Swan!" she all but sang, and I could tell she was trying to charm Dad who didn't fall for it at all. He was too focused on Bella.
"Oh, I can do that. You are grounded indefinitely. Do you have any idea what you've put us through?" Dad asked Bella and I watched her shift impatiently obviously refusing to understand why Dad was so pissed.
"Chief Swan I appreciate your anger, I do but I couldn't be more thankful for Bella reaching my son before something happened..." Carlisle stepped forward, wanting to create some sort of peace but I knew my Dad and he was passed the point of anyone trying to placate him.
"That's great and I am thankful your son is okay but I'm not budging on this, Edward is banned from this house." Dad said firmly, turning back to Bella. "Do you even care that Harry died. The day you left, he died, your family needed you here and whilst I can understand the importance of helping Alice reach Edward, you left your family without a word..."
"I told Grace!" Bella said, looking at me momentarily and frowning when she caught sight of my bandaged leg.
"Yes. You told your sister, who then had to come and tell me. The same sister you pushed off a damn cliff..." Dad growled and I watched as Bella shifted uneasily. She pulled her hand out of Edwards and crossed her arms over her chest. I watched as well as Edward frowned and looked at Bella, and it became quickly clear she hadn't told him of her little outburst on the cliff. Mr and Mrs Cullen also looked over at me worriedly.
"What is it going to take to get through to you, this isn't okay!" Dad carried on. "And I'm not bending this time young lady, you are grounded, and Edward is banned from this house. I'm not stupid enough to believe you'll respect me enough to stay away from him at school, but I'll be damned if you'll disobey me in my own house."
"I'll move out...!" she threatened and by this point I'd had just about enough. I was exhausted, Dad was as well, I just wanted out of this situation. Slamming the passenger side door shut I limped painfully over to where Bella and Dad stood in their standoff.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Do you even see the police tape on the front door?" I asked her, refusing to reach out for my Dad to support me, no matter how much it hurt me to stand alone. I watched Bella flinch, her eyes shooting to the house and then widening as she took in the scene, finally registering something outside of her little melodrama.
"What happened?" she asked quietly, her eyes now drifting between both Dad and me.
"Someone broke in..." I said, the scene playing out in my head like a horror movie. "Killed Kitchi and attacked Dad and me. So yeah, I'm really not in the mood for even more Bella drama..." I said and I watched her expression change from horror to devastation at the information.
"Oh my...Grace...Dad are you both okay?" she asked, and my attention briefly shifted to the Cullen's who seemed equally shaken by the news, especially Edward who was frowning in worry.
"Can we just go inside now? I just want to go to bed." I asked, turning to Dad whose shoulders seemed to slump tiredly as well. Bella's actions had hurt him deeply, you had to be blind not to see it.
"Of course, we'll be heading home and Chief Swan I'm sorry for my family's part in your distress." Carlisle said, his hand wrapping around Edward's arm and urging him backwards and to my surprise Edward went willingly despite Bella's sudden panicked expression.
Bella's reaction irked me even more. Why was she being like this? My sister loved deeply, she always had, just the same as me but this wasn't love. How could no one else see it. It was obsession, pure obsession, like her world literally ended whenever he walked away. She'd barely lived the last few months, doing only what she had to in order to survive. Seeing her now, she seemed more alive than ever, even if she was throwing a toddler sized tantrum because her absentee boyfriend wasn't allowed in the house where her family had just been attacked. Outside of Edward she saw nothing else, that was clear to everyone witnessing this scene, it had to be.
I didn't want to be fussed over but a reaction would have been nice. An apology for almost killing me, an apology to Dad for being so awful to him over the last few months. An apology for disappearing and not caring about the fact that so much was happening at home.
"I'll call you later." Edward told her softly, his soft dulcet tones were quite soothing, hypnotic even. Frowning I looked away from Edward and towards the house, wanting more than anything to go anywhere else but needing my bed just as much. I didn't hear much else of what was said as I limped over to Dad and we headed inside, a reluctant Bella following behind when it became clear Edward was leaving with his family.
My heart ached as we walked in through the front door and I hesitated to walk any further. The mess left after our fall into the coffee table was gone as was Kitchi. I knew my pup to buried beneath the tree at the bottom of the garden thanks to Sam, but it still hurt more than I thought possible when I looked at where he'd been last night.
How had things gone so wrong in just a few short days. First, I'd almost died thanks to my sister pushing me off a cliff, Harry had died, Bella had run away, a vampire almost killed Dad and I and now Kitchi was dead. I was tired of the hits and ready to just hide away from the world until some normalcy returned to my small corner.
Little did I know that my world was about to implode one more time and I was in no way ready for what was coming this time.
-0-
Settling in and getting some rest was easier said than done once we were all inside. Dad and Bella had ended up in a standoff in the middle of the kitchen, with my sister still not understanding what the issue was. Me, I didn't understand her confusion. I remember standing in the kitchen watching the exchange between her and my Dad and I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to my twin sister.
Once upon a time she'd been incredibly selfless, it had been her idea to move here to allow Mom to go travel with Phil. It had been Bella who had always tried to help people, be there for people if they needed her. It was Bella I once trusted more than anyone else on this planet and now, when I looked at her, all I saw was a stranger. This wasn't the same girl who I knew like the back of my hand, this person in front of me, not even sorry for disappearing, wasn't my Bella.
Then the mail had been delivered as well earlier on today and I was yet again dealt another sharp blow. Though when compared to everything else, this one didn't impact me the same way. However, if I was being honest with myself it was still crushing and a big blow to my already fracturing spirit.
My first college rejection.
Only, it was not just any college.
It was Yale.
My dream schools.
I'd known from the second I'd applied it was a long shot but part of me had been hoping that maybe I'd have something they were interested in. As it was, my achievements, extra-curriculars and volunteering history wasn't enough to impress them. Logically I knew that there would have likely been thousands of applicants just like me applying, but it still stung to be rejected from my dream school.
I couldn't be sorry I'd applied though. It hurt being rejected yes but it also filled me with a sense of feeing proud that I'd been brave enough to apply, even knowing the odds. I remained hopeful for my other applications.
I hadn't spoken to Jacob for the entire day, Sam had the whole pack busy with patrolling and the Cullen's return had certainly thrown a wrench in the works. As it turned out their arrival had a surprising impact on the pack, none of them were happy. Embry had passed by earlier to quickly let me know what was happening, though he hadn't been able to stay long as Dad had us on lockdown for the day.
I knew I needed to get more in touch with the pack and the tribe in general. I needed to learn more about what this whole treaty thing was about between the Cullen's and the tribe and more than that I needed to know how I fit into this all now. I needed to spend some much-needed time with my boyfriend in order to figure all this out and maybe meet the pack officially.
I'd seen Jacob only this morning, but it had been too brief, and I missed him, it was as though something deep down inside of me called out for him. It was the imprint, I knew it was, it was amplifying my desire to be near him. It was past midnight when I finally got a reply to my txt to Jacob and instantly my sleep was forgotten as I dialled his number and lifted the phone to my ear. "Hey you."
"Hey honey, shouldn't you be sleeping?" he asked, and I could hear the tiredness and worry in his own voice. I knew how exhausted he must have been, I could almost feel it.
"I miss you." I admitted.
"God, I miss you too." He sighed on the other end of the line. For a moment we lapsed into a comfortable silence, content to just be there together. "How's your leg?" he asked, a minute later.
"Sore but manageable." I told him truthfully. "To be honest Dad hasn't let me move all day which I think is helping."
"I wish I could have been with you today."
"I know but you have enough going on there, have you had any more leads?" I asked hopefully, feeling horribly on edge with the knowledge our attacker was still out there. I heard his sigh and knew the answer.
"No, the scents completely gone now. If he comes back, we'll know but for now he's gone honey I'm sorry."
"There's no need to be sorry Jake, I know you guys are doing everything you can just please don't run yourself into the ground." I told him, worried for my boyfriend. If what little Embry had told me before was true, then they were all running on fumes.
"Don't have a choice right now, Sam's trying to figure out how the treaty works now the Cullen's are back."
"Wouldn't it just be the same as what you guys had going before?" I asked, genuinely curious. I had to sit down and learn more about the people that were set to become a big part of my life.
"Not really…I mean you factor into it now."
That surprised me.
"Me? How?"
"You're my imprint Grace. That makes you a part of the pack."
I smiled at that. The sentiment warming me in a way I never thought possible. It made me feel connected in a way I've never felt before and I hadn't even met them properly yet. I knew that was something I had to rectify and soon.
"Speaking of the pack, when do I get to meet them?" I asked and I heard Jacob sigh and then chuckle on the other end of the line.
"Be careful what you wish for." He said teasing me. "Nah, they're okay. There's a bonfire this weekend, perfect place to meet them all."
"That sounds awesome." I said and I meant it. I felt excitement over the prospect of meeting my other family, as well as that I had bask in this feeling. I'd felt nothing but grief and fear, and betrayal and a lot of other negative emotions over the last week, it felt nice to be excited over something. "Should I bring anything?"
"Just you beautiful." Jacob whispered and I smiled again. We both knew that no matter how short it was, we would at least be getting to spend some much-needed time together. I missed my boyfriend more than I could express, I missed just being together as a young couple. We hadn't had that time together in so long, maybe this weekend it could change?
-0-
Sleep had not come easy during the night, I was still on edge over the attack, so when I awoke the next morning, I wasn't happy. I was in no way ready to wake up, but something wasn't right. There was a primal impulse deep down inside of me that forced me into consciousness. The house was quiet, still, and for a moment I feared I was in the beginning of another nightmare, but the fact that it was daylight outside made me question that fear.
Slowly I moved to the edge of my bed and reached for my phone. It was still early, and I knew Dad wasn't home. He had not wanted to, but he'd had to go into the station to get more paperwork and go through the evidence they'd been able to gather since the attack. I knew it was pointless, our attacker had been a vampire, there was no way Dad would catch him, but I couldn't tell him that, not without earning myself a one-way ticket to the nearest psychiatric hospital.
Throwing my cable knit cardigan over my shoulders in order to ward off the chill, I slowly stood from my bed. My skin prickled and I shivered uneasily as I approached my bedroom door. Something was not right and as I tried to figure out why, my bedroom door swung open, causing me to jump in fright. The action made me flinch painfully, the stitches in my leg still tender.
"Bella what the hell!" I gasped, my hand against my chest trying to calm the erratic beating of my heart as I turned my focus onto my sudden intruder. Bella shifted and smiled apologetically, wringing her hands together in a way she only did when anxious. "What's wrong?" I asked, not sure I could handle any more bad news, but Bella seemed to refocus and shake her head.
"Nothing's wrong. Just…can you come down the stairs? I need to talk to you?" she asked, waving her hand she effectively cut me off before I could deny her request. "Please Gracey, it's important." She insisted, with an unusual tilt to her voice.
I wanted to say no. I wanted to close the door and climb back into bed, but something told me that this was serious. Whatever she had to say to me was worth listening to, it had to be right? It seemed important enough that she'd come to me but what I didn't like was how nervous she seemed. There was a little voice in the back of my head, warning me that whatever this was, I wasn't going to like it at all. Yet the naïve part of me also thought that maybe we could talk, lay everything out on the table and figure out how we move forward from everything that's happened, or even if moving on was possible. So, against my better judgement I gave her a small nod of my head, lingering in my room for a moment longer before I slowly began to hobble after her down the stairs.
What I was prepared for, like at all was the sight that greeted me as I stepped into the small living room.
We weren't alone.
In fact, stood facing me now were the last people I wanted to see. The same people who weren't allowed anywhere near our house.
The Cullen's.
All of them…
"Bella what the hell is going on?"
I cursed how my voice trembled slightly, but I couldn't deny that I felt scared. I was human in a room full of vampires and no matter how in control they seemed to be, facts were still facts. They were still killers, ageless and frozen in time. I now knew why I had awoken, what this uneasy feeling creeping up my spine was, why my skin prickled, and a sick feeling curled into the bottom of my stomach. They were dangerous, no matter how in control they were.
I wanted Jacob here.
"There's some things Grace that we need to discuss." Dr Cullen said calmly, his presence not nearly as comforting as he obviously thought it was. I frowned at him, wrapping my arms around my stomach protectively, ignoring the rest of them before I turned to Bella.
"Explain what is going on now before I call Dad." I told her, inching towards the kitchen. Bella though sensing what I was going to do moved to stand in my path, wringing her hands together anxiously as the silence lingered. "Talk!" I exclaimed.
"You know what the Cullen's are but what you don't know is that some of them have really special gifts." She started, doing nothing to clear up my confusion or fear. "Jasper can control emotions; Edward can hear thoughts and Alice…Alice can see into the future."
"You're kidding right?" I asked, my head swimming with the possibility of what she was saying. I glanced at Bella and then the Cullen's and sighed, shaking my head. "Of course, you're not, vampires are real, werewolves too, so why wouldn't this be real."
Then it suddenly occurred to me, that there was a chance Edward had heard my thoughts, the many thoughts I'd had since meeting them all. He could hear everyone's thoughts. Maybe that's why he looked in pain all the time. I saw his lips slightly twitch as I thought that, and I frowned. "You're not listening in on my thoughts, now are you?" I asked, feeling somewhat violated. Edward shook his head.
"It's not always intentional, however in your case and your Dad's your thoughts are muffled, I only catch some of what you're thinking." He explained, yet that offered me no comfort.
"Well please don't try to catch anything." I said firmly, screaming the lyrics to a Spice Girls song loudly in my head. Edward nodded his head.
"Grace that's not…what I mean is, the point is that Alice has visions." Bella said, glancing at Alice and Edward before continuing. "When we saved Edward, we were taken into the Volturi, they're like lawmakers for the vampire world."
"The Volturi have existed for centuries. They're as close to royalty in our world as one can get, they enforce our laws, make sure our existence remains a secret and anybody who would threaten that…"
"Like Edward almost did." Spat Rosalie, cutting off Carlisle. She barely flinched over the stern look both Esme and Carlisle gave her before the latter of the two carried on.
"Anybody who would threaten that would be killed, as well as those who would bear witness to our existence." Carlisle finished, causing me to frown. From what little Bella had actually said yesterday to me, when she'd found Edward they were in the middle of a street in Italy, in the middle of some kind of parade.
"So, let me get this straight. Edward abandons my sister in the middle of the woods, leaves town for months, Bella then becomes a shell, and then what…heard Jacob mention a funeral on the phone, didn't ask who it was for and decides to go to the Volturi to be killed…?" I asked, trailing off, the realisation of what Edward had tried to do settling in. He hadn't just been about to commit suicide, no it was much worse. "So, exposing yourselves not only gets you killed but everyone who knows, who sees…?"
"That's right," Bella whispered, and I laughed.
"So, Edward here walks out into the busiest street he can find and what, fancies not only killing himself, but god knows how many other people?" I shook my head, "Stand-up guy you risked your life for Bella." I added bitterly.
Grief I understood but this was pure selfishness. How many innocent people would have died because of his actions? I glanced at Edward and at least he had the good decency to look ashamed of himself. But as I glanced at the rest of them my stomach churned dangerously.
"That's not how it was…" Alice chimed in, stepping forward. Why were they all acting like this was all okay and why in the hell were they all looking at me like I should have known something.
"That's how it sounds. The Volturi enforce your laws right…Edward broke that law, people would have died because of him, you just said anyone who knows the secret…" I trailed, and then it hit like a tonne of bricks why they were telling me this.
People who knew the secret were killed…
"And you walked right into their lair, right? So, they know, that you know…" I said, turning to Bella already the panic beginning to overwhelm me. How was she here now…? They hadn't just let her go, no, why would they, is this what was wrong?
"Actually Grace, they know that we know…" Bella said, her voice much steadier this time as she took a step towards me, reaching out to take my hand. I let her, against every single instinct I had I let her take my hand, as I allowed what she said to finally sink in.
The Volturi, the vampire lawmakers, knew that I knew their secret. A secret I didn't want to know anyway. A secret I'd been forced into because my sister hadn't been able to walk away from Edward like she should have the second she discovered what he was. A secret that ever since I'd found out had done nothing but ruin my life and the lives of people around me.
Jacob! Jacob! Jacob!
"Bella what have you done?"
"No, it's not bad, not really." She explained and I looked at her as thought she was crazy "Alice has visions and the only reason they us go, Alice saw us, both of us as vampires."
"Like hell she did." I spat, pulling my hand out of my sisters and taking a step back.
Breath escaped me entirely.
Jacob! Jacob! Jacob!
I took another step back, but this once was a little more unsteady and I had to put my hand against the wall. Black spots began to dance across my vision.
My phone buzzed in my hand, but I didn't answer. I couldn't. I was on the verge of a panic attack; one I couldn't come out of.
Jacob! Jacob! Jacob!
"Grace?" Bella stepped forward, calling my name and reaching for and just like that I felt it.
Snap
"Don't touch me!" I growled, pulling away from her. I combed my fingers through my hair and closed my eyes, trying but failing to calm down. "Jacob, I need you." I whispered.
That bond between us was gone. That bond that had followed us through every moment of our lives, shattered, forever gone. I felt it all just fall away. Just fade into nothing and it hurt.
"What the hell have you done?" I yelled, hating the tears spilling over my cheeks. My body still trembled as I raised a hand up to point at the Cullen's who had the good decency to be silent. "Is that what this is? Is that what they're here for?"
"No, of course not Grace." Edward said and I spun around to face him, though the second I did I felt a calmness wash over me. I tried to fight against it, fight against the numbness, the serene peace that felt so welcoming. "Stop it!" I yelled at Jasper Cullen.
Jasper was stood at the back of the room, holding Alice's hand and seemed surprised at my reaction. I didn't want him to calm me, I had every right to be pissed off and hurt and scared. It made me feel violated to have him manipulate my emotions like that and I let him feel that. Everything I was feeling I was entitled to and no matter how good that little bit of peace felt, he had no right and I wanted nothing from them.
"My apologies." He murmured, nodding his head.
"Why would you think I'd want this?" I asked Bella, looking at her like I didn't know her at all.
"We don't have a choice Grace, it's this or death." Bella replied, her eyes wide and wild. She was panicked.
"That's where you're wrong Bella, I do have a choice. I don't want this!" I shouted.
Any response was interrupted by the sound of the front door crashing open and in the blink of an eye, the man I loved was in front of me.
My arms wrapped around him instantly as I was pulled into a rough, blazing embrace that soothed me in a way Jasper's power hadn't been able to. Sweat dripped off his body, his sides heaving with exertion. I couldn't imagine how far he'd run and honestly, I didn't care. He knew I needed him, and he was here.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he growled, carefully guiding me to stand behind him as he turned to the Cullen's, his body stiffening.
"Tell him Bella, tell him what you've done." I whispered and despite Jacob's displeasure I moved to stand at his side instead of behind him. It was only now I was stood here that I was able to see Jacob hadn't come alone.
Embry and Sam stood in the doorway, their added presences making the room feel even more claustrophobic.
Edward had moved Bella closer to the rest of the Cullen's and I shook my head. If she was in danger with anyone it was him, hadn't this revelation proved this? Bella though, not knowing when to stop told Jacob quietly about us becoming vampires and I felt my boy-friends body shudder dangerously.
"That's not happening." He growled; his voice almost inhuman. I placed my hand on his arm, trying to draw his attention but it was of no use.
"The Volturi have their laws, to defy them…" Carlisle started, moving to stand in front of his family, trying to reason with Sam by the looks of it.
"We're defying them! Like hell one of our own is becoming like you." spat Embry, the passion behind his voice surprising me.
"You need to leave." Sam said firmly, "You're breaking the treaty." Sam said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Carlisle frowned, clearly confused as he looked at his wife and then his children.
"Last I checked Fork's was our territory, if anyone is violating the treaty right now it's you!" Edward said and I wanted to smack that smug look off his face. He really thought he had one up on the pack.
Sam smirked and stepped forward. "Grace is Jacob's imprint, that makes her part of our pack. The protection that treaty offers our people, our land, extends to her and this house." Sam said and even I found myself smiling.
Jacob's hand wrapped around mine, holding me tightly to his side as the Cullen's visibly flinched. It was clear that even they knew they couldn't fight this. Trying to argue would only cause war
"I'm sure we can talk more about this at a later date, one of your convenience of course." Carlisle suggested, ever the peace maker. I knew though there was nothing to talk about, the pack wasn't shifting on this and for that I was so grateful.
"Rest assured we're gonna talk, but not about this. It is what it is. She's part of our pack, you step foot in this house, your son creeps through Bella's window again, it's war." Sam told him firmly, directing his attention towards Edward momentarily.
I frowned and suddenly it was clear why I hadn't slept, why all night I'd felt sick. Edward had been in the next room. I leaned in closer to Jacob.
Carlisle sighed softly and nodded his head, quietly telling his family to leave. Which they did, quickly and even Bella tried to follow. "I'm not sure your Dad would be too happy you are leaving…again." Sam said to her and Bella scowled.
She all but stomped her foot as Edward kissed her cheek and quietly left. She turned towards me and opened her mouth to say something, but I turned away from her. I didn't want to hear any of what she had to say.
For a moment it was quiet in the house, until Sam turned to me, his eyes taking in the rigid stance Jacob had adopted before he looked back at me. "Can you come to La Push, it's clear we need to talk." He said and I nodded my head.
"I'll need to ask my Dad, but I can't see there being an issue." I replied quietly. This wasn't the meet and greet with the pack I had wanted, but it looked like I had no choice. They obviously needed to know everything that had just happened, and I needed to know what I could do.
"Great, we'll see you there. Jacob, stay with her." Sam ordered my boyfriend. Jacob nodded his head stiffly before slowly turning to look at me.
"I'm not going anywhere."
-0-
Hey guys so I am so sorry for a lengthy absence, but as I previously mentioned I broke my collarbone and I'm still in a lot of pain, so it's been difficult to write.
However here we are, Chapter 17 and we now see what Bella's actions and Edward's actions in Italy have led to. We finally see that twin bond snap and chances are there is no getting back what they had. Their lives are now on vastly different paths and we're going to see how that's going to affect them both as we go on. Grace is beyond devastated; she now has to learn to live her life without her sister…she got turned down for Yale, which she's accepted, she just hopes she has better luck somewhere else…but will this latest revelation about the Volturi screw up any future plans she has?
From this point onwards we are going to see a hell of a lot more of the pack. We'll finally, properly meet some of those characters we love, Emily, Paul, Jared, Kim, we'll get to meet them all properly and I can't wait.
Thank you and welcome to all the new readers who have favourited and followed - Queen-996, GuestMG, PikachuHeather, minnatarek, bookworm9720, ani1202, ChigUnnie, Hkokuryuha, madscienctist95, TheBuddingOne, SheikahLover, vampire-lover96, wise-green-owl, simonne-lynn, sianfaythe, Arianna Le Fay, Letta Vios,
GodShynin300 – Thanks for the review love and yes, poor Kitchi indeed! It was hard to write but it was always the plan! As for Charlie's involvement, you're going to have to wait and see but now there are two daughters, who knows what Grace will do. She does indeed need her Dad, as does Bella even though she's too stubborn to admit it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Bebert – Thanks for the review love and sorry for the long wait! I'm still in quite a lot of pain with my shoulder, hence why it's been so long since an update, but I've got it up now and hope you guys enjoyed it! I did try with the typos but guess I missed a lot. I'm not a Bella fan, especially with this chapter but you might see her in a different light later. Doubtful you'll like her but maybe we'll see her not so unaffected by what she's doing. Hope to hear off you again!
Chamberstaneshia69 – Thanks for the review love! You're like me, I love all the drama and I'm so excited for things coming up! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Twin268 – Thanks for the review lovely! I'm sad about Kitchi as well, I felt awful doing it, but it needed to be done! You're right about Charlie, he's not letting anything go and part of me thinks that maybe he'll start to figure things out himself but hopefully not just yet otherwise he's shipping those kids to somewhere else! Hope this was enough of a slap in the face for you! Bella's really screwed up now and completely shattered the sister-bond between her and Grace. They're on opposite sides now, which is going to be hard! I'm still in a bit of pain but I'm pushing through. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
HighGaurdian – Thanks for the review love! As a dog lover myself I felt like an evil person doing this, but the muses want what the muses want, and they want the drama and angst. The Cullen's certainly are selfish, Edward especially but I think you'll see Grace has one or two allies in the Cullen's. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
101297 – Thanks for the review love! Thanks as well for the lovely message, I'm slowly on the mend, have a bit of movement back! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Twin68 – Thanks for the review love! I am healing, not fast enough for my liking, but I hope you and your family are well. There will be more deaths and a lot of drama, horror and angst coming up, so I hope you'll enjoy, I'm not giving any spoilers. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Winter Kiss – Thanks for the review love! Things are set to get a lot more interesting; we'll be meeting the pack soon! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Guest – Thanks for the review. Your review made me smile, I'm so glad you feel that way about it. It makes me happy to know people love Grace and this story as much as I do! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Mariananininha – Thanks for the review love! It would definitely be sad if Grace didn't have her happy ending, in fact her ending has yet to be written now thanks to Bella! What's it going to take for Bella to see the error of her ways? Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
famawoo – Thanks for the review! I am so glad you love Grace; I've tried to make her a strong, relatable character, with a little more personality and life to her than Bella. Grace has so much going on in her life, Bella has Edward, it isn't healthy! Your review is incredibly beautiful. I always have snippets of Jake's and Grace's future in my head, so I hope we get to that point! As for Bella and Grace, I think you'll be able to tell that after this there is little chance their relationship will be repaired. It's at the point now where their paths are forever altered. As you can see, Grace knows now that her Bella is gone, she's not putting her neck out anymore. Of course, she'll forever love Bella and there's set to be some moments between them, but she's accepted that their lives are no longer on the same road. She doesn't completely blame the Cullen's…Edward on the other hand she does blame him, but she blames Bella a lot more. The wolves will fight, but it isn't for Bella! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Cm98 – Thanks for the review love! Grace is okay, physically at least, emotionally she's struggling and will be for a while. Bella is incredibly selfish, and I think even she is going to see just how far that selfishness has pushed her loved ones and I don't think she's ready for the consequences. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.