Groaning, I wake up to an empty tent. I sit up and rub my eyes. Today, I can feel my heart start to beat faster when I think about the fight.
Before I can even think any more about it I heard yelling and I scrambled to get up and out the tent.
"You're going to marry this leech?!"
I run out and see Bella and Jacob standing off against each other. I look around to see Seth in wolf form by the tree and leech talking to him. I tried to not listen and just focus on nature. But let's be honest I was curious.
"I'll just go to the battle and kill myself!"
Jacob yelled before turning to leave.
My heart dropped and I felt nauseous. Kill himself? Just because Bella wants Edward!?
Bella grabbed his arm and stopped him. I didn't catch what she said but I didn't miss her pulling him in for a kiss.
I froze not really knowing how to feel. Then suddenly a sharp pain ran through my body causing me to almost double over. Before I knew it, it was over and I was storming up to them.
"What the fuck is your problem!"
They pull apart and look at me. Jacob was smiling so hard that I felt my heart flip before remembering why he was smiling. Looking at Bella she looked like a mix between shocked and satisfied.
No further words were spoken before Jacob phased and ran off to the battle. I stared at Bella in disgust.
"Why do you keep leading him on? You have someone who loves you for whatever reason. Stop playing with Jacobs' heart!"
She smirked before speaking.
"You're just jealous that he hates your guts despite you being his imprint"
She laughed at my shocked face.
"Yeah, he told me about that. How much he hates that it's you and wishes it were me. He's willing to defy his ancestors just to stay away from you!"
I took a step back from the venom she was spewing.
She smiled and stepped closer.
"Jacob hates you; Charlie hates you, and your mom hates you so much she died to get away from you. It would be better if you just- "
I didn't even let her finish before slapping her across the face. The sound of it echoing around us.
"Don't you ever speak about my mom again! I don't care about your insane need to have everything about you, or everyone obsessed with you. We are in the middle of a battle because you couldn't trust the people around you to protect you and went off on your own and almost got killed!"
I was breathing heavily, and I could feel the anger coursing through my veins. I turned around to see Edward closer to us then he was before looking a little defeated.
"The battle has started"
My heart skips a beat and I go sit by Seth and sit down leaning my head against him. I sat there while Edward went to Bella.
10 minutes passed before Edward says worriedly.
"Victoria is not at the battle."
"That's because I'm here"
My head shot up as the voice sounded from behind me.
"What a treat for me. Both people responsible for my mate's death."
I quickly stand and turn around. Seeing a beautiful woman with red hair smiling at us. Standing a few feet behind her was a blonde man. I couldn't see his face clearly, so I kept my eye on Victoria.
"Who is this delicious looking human?"
She asked while looking at me.
"My names Nicole"
Before I could say anything, else Seth puts himself in front of me slightly pushing me back.
The fight starts. Edward takes off towards them. I could hardly see because they were moving so fast.
"She's using you!"
I hear Edward yell at the guy. While Victoria pleads with him telling him about the Cullens gifts and how he is trying to manipulate him.
"You're dead!" The blonde man said, stepping towards Edward. I was finally able to see his face. My heart stopped and my eyes filled with tears as I ran forward and fell to my knees.
"Riley?!"
Everyone's eyes snapped to me as I got up and ran to him. I knew he was an enemy right now and a blood thirsty vampire, but it was Riley. I threw myself toward him and wrapped my arms around him and started bawling.
"What the fuck" I hear Victoria mutter.
"Riley, we looked everywhere for you! Did you get my messages? I left one for you every day, I can't believe you are here. I missed you so much!"
I put my hand on his cheek and looked into his bright red eyes.
"Nicole?"
He took a couple of steps away from me and grabbed his head.
"What are you doing, kill them!"
He looked back at her and nodded while taking a step towards me. Before he could get any closer Seth flew past and tackled him.
"No!" I yelled as I watched them fight. My heart is pounding out of my chest. Fear of Seth hurting Riley or Riley hurting him.
"Please stop!" I yell as Seth is slammed into a tree. I run over to him as he slumps on the ground.
Standing in front of him defensively I face off against Riley. Looking into his red eyes trying to find any semblance of my friend. The sounds of Edward fighting Victoria in the background as everything slows as he walks towards me. He stops right in front of me and looks at me curiously.
"Riley please."
I whisper as he places his hand on my cheek. I close my eyes and sigh sadly as tears stream down my face. A loud scream jolts us into action and our heads snap to Edward ripping her apart and lighting her on fire. He turns to us before I can blink, he has Riley against the tree by his neck.
"No! Stop don't hurt him! He didn't know, he was lied to."
I try to plead for him. Riley has not taken his eyes off me.
"I'm sorry I forgot you Nicole. I remember loving you but I cant remember the context. I do know that I never wanted this. I woke up confused and angry and Victoria took me under her wing and told me about these powerful golden eye vampires that were evil and needed to be destroyed. None of us knew, we were changed to fight. Seeing you flipped something in my brain. I know you were important to me."
He looks at Edward sadly.
"I've done some horrible things for someone I thought loved me. I never wanted this life and I can't go on knowing all the atrocities I have committed. Please kill me."
"Riley No!" I shouted and tried to reach him as I was pulled back. Turning around I see Seth has changed back and had a resolute look on his face.
"You must let him go Nicole, put yourself in his shoes would you want to live?'
As Seth asked this both Edward and Riley flinched.
Before I could answer Edward nodded to something Riley must of said in his mind. He let him go and Riley walked towards me and put his hand on my cheek.
"Nicole, I hope one day you will be able to forgive me for my decision and understand why I made it. Thank you for never giving up on me and know that even though I don't remember everything. I could never forget how much I loved you."
I closed my eyes as he kissed my forehead tears streaming down my face as the sounds of him walking into the fire met my ears.
I turn in Seth's arms and start sobbing for my friend.
"The battle is over we need to get back to everyone"
I looked up at Edwards face, he looked torn between relief and sadness. I nod and let Seth pick me up and start our trek down the mountain. Whether it was because I did not sleep that well last night or the emotional strain of the battle, but I fell asleep on the way down.
I startle out my sleep as I feel myself being shaken. Opening my eyes I see Sam looking at me concerned.
"What's wrong? Is everyone okay?"
Sam's lips thinned out and he sighed while running his hands through his hair.
"Jacob was hurt really bad. He wants to see Bella but the vamp working on him is busy and we don't have her number."
He cringed through the whole explanation. I grab my phone and give him the number feeling numb. It shouldn't be a surprise he doesn't want to see me. Either way pain racks my body. Not as extreme as before but noticeable, nonetheless.
"You should go see him as well. An imprints presence calms our wolves and that can help heal him."
"I highly doubt my presence will calm Jacob; he hates me"
"He doesn't hate you he is just confused."
"Sam with all due respect, you imprinted on your fiancés cousin and still managed to pull your head out of your ass. Jacob was never ever even with Bella, we have been friends for-"
I stop myself as I remember the argument we had.
"We have known each other for years, if he doesn't hate me he at the very least does not respect me. I have forgiven him for attacking me and scarring me for life."
I say as I gesture to my scars and sigh. I thought about telling Sam about the pain I have started getting but let it drop.
"He wants Bella there he does not need me."
I say finally and cross my arms.
"Can you please just see if it helps. Jacob is one of our strongest fighters we will need him on rotation. If not for him, can you, do it for the pack?"
My eyes met Sam's in a quiet rage. He looked desperate.
"Fine, I'll do it."
Walking to the area I see Bella's truck and sigh angrily as I continued to walk up. Putting my hand on the door I paused as I hear voices.
"It will never be you, Jake. I am in love with Edward."
"I'll keep fighting for you until your heart stops beating."
"Jake…"
"Maybe even after."
Silence filled the air after that. I heard lips smacking.
"Jake we can't"
"I love you Bella and the imprint doesn't matter. I don't want her I want you. I will never want her."
I let the doorknob go and the pain brought me to my knees. I sit there clutching my heart with my eyes closed and the pain pulses through and suddenly I feel a snap.
My eyes open as the pain evaporates. I gasp at the sudden relief I stand on my legs unsteadily. As I stand the door opens and Bella is there smirking at me.
I just walk past her saying nothing and slammed the door. I look up at Jacob and feel nothing. I scrunch my face in confusion as I walk closer.
"What do you want?"
He tried to look intimidating as he said it.
"Sam asked me to come but I can see it was a mistake."
I looked at him closer and the feeling I normally get when he rejects me doesn't happen.
"It will never be me will it?"
"What?"
"I tried my hardest to accept this. I forgave you when you hurt me both physically and mentally. My mom died trying to come see me in the hospital. I will be scarred for the rest of my life! You ruined what little friendship we could even have by treating me like this."
He sat there and said nothing as I yelled.
"I hope you know what your doing Jacob because I'm done putting my life on hold for you to figure your shit out."
I take a deep breath and smile.
"I wish you the best and I prey that the ancestors forgive as I have."
With that, I didn't wait for a response, and I left before he could say anything. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
"Nicole!"
My head snaped up as I was pulled into Embry's arms. I smiled as his familiar scent calmed me.
"I'm glad you're okay. Seth told us what happened, I am so sorry about your friend I know how much he meant to you."
I nodded my head and the butterflies in my stomach fluttered. I look up only to see Embry already staring at me. My heart pounded as he looked at me in complete wonder.
"Nicole"
He stared at me like I was the most precious thing in the world. He put his hand on my cheek and brought his face closer.
"Please I just need-"
I didn't let him finish as I closed the gap and fireworks exploded. My world went complete black as I heard Embry yell my name.