Resisting Temptation Ch. 3
As she took the drink from Old Quil's hand, she would have been lying if the thought of going through this didn't terrify her. Letting out a sigh, her eyes found Winter's watching, hoping, but for once not pushing. Not realizing how grateful she was for Win just to be here, she knew that if she wanted to, Win would tackle her, force feeding her the drink.
Turning her eyes towards the shaman, then the Alpha, then finally her cousin, she could only just nod, tipping back the cup, she swallowed the vile tasting drink. Doing her best not to throw it back up.
The reaction was almost instant; for a moment she was scared that her body was being pulled under, almost like she was drowning, but the last sound she heard before the blackness took her was Winter saying that she would stand over her, protecting her.
Dream Sequence
Bella could feel herself floating, it was a strange feeling to have an out of body experience. Taking a second to center herself she started looking around seeing that she was in the middle of the forest, taking a deep breath as she recognized it as the place behind her house.
Panicking, this wasn't where she wanted to be; ever since Edward ripped her heart out here, she's avoided going into the woods ever since. Turning around she could see that there was only one path. Feeling her heart pound in her chest, she knew somewhere in her bones that she needed to walk down it.
"You've always been smart Bells." A voice said from behind her.
Turning towards the voice, Bella gasped as she took in the woman before her. "Auntie Deb, what?" confused at what she was seeing. "How is this possible?"
Smiling at her niece, "This is the in between, I was sent here to help you. Seems like you my dear have been held hostage in your own mind."
Blinking at the woman, she heard what she was saying, but she was more upset that her aunt was here not somewhere more peaceful. "I'm sorry, you should be somewhere else. Nicer."
Letting out a light laugh, "Relax sweetheart, once we're done here, I'm going back, so don't you worry about me." Taking a few steps towards her, she could see her relax a bit, "Bells, you need to face everything that has happened to you. See what you missed by their charms, it's not going to be pretty, and if I'm being honest, terrifying." Seeing her tense, "Know this, what you see, hear, and feel nothing can actually harm you."
Feeling a shiver run down her spine, but she knew she needed to see this through, looking back towards her aunt, "Will you be with me?" Hoping that she would be with her during this journey.
Nodding, "Of course my sweet girl." Pointing to the trail, "Get moving young lady." Smiling as Bella took her first steps towards the path.
Walking down the path, Bella looked at everything, while all she was seeing was the forest, she half expected something to jump out at her. Steeling her spine, she kept herself moving forward, knowing that the only way that she was getting out of this in between place was to see whatever it was that the spirits needed her to.
In what felt like an eternity, she found a door, it reminded her of the doors at her dancing school in Arizona. Bella felt completely uneasy, this was where James tossed her around like she was nothing, breaking her leg, biting her. Closing her eyes as she gripped the handle, Bella took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Walking over the broken glass, she found James standing over her body, it was unsettling to her how terrified she felt in that moment, and watching it from this view, she could see the look of terror on her face.
"This is the moment that everything changed, your dependency on them." Her aunt said to her.
Not taking her eyes off of what was in front of her, she could only nod. Seeing Edward and James fight was still unnerving, but now she could see that he was doing what he could to protect her. Or so she thought.
James flung him off, and bolted towards her body, smiling as he took a bite out of her arm. "She's not yours anymore." He said, he voice taunting.
Bella didn't know James taunted Edward so. Her eyes turning to see Edward crash into him, with brutal force she watched as he bit into the man's neck damn near ripping it off his body. Holding in a gag, Bella never took her eyes off what was happening around her.
She watched as Carlisle, Jasper, Emmett, and Alice jumped down, and grabbed a hold of James, bringing him towards the farther end of the room, but Alice stayed with Edward, who was looking stressed from all the blood that was being spilled on the floor.
Taking a few steps closer, wanting to know what the hell they were talking about.
Alice looked down at the human, leaning over to Edward, "This is the only time you'll be able to keep her close to you, just don't drain her." With that she stood, "Carlisle, I can't… the blood." Zipping over to the rest of the family, helping them dismember James.
Gasping, Alice knew? Why would she do that? Her eyes watching Edward, she could see the smile on his face, he was enjoying this. Closing her eyes as she watched him start to suck out the venom. A cry escaped her mouth, while she didn't want him back, she hoped somewhere in the back of her mind, was that it wasn't intentional to make her suffer, but it seemed that Alice and Edward both were aware what they were doing.
Deb could see her niece's heart break, "I'm so sorry sweetheart." Gently rubbing her back, "It's almost over." Knowing that she had to see one more thing before she was released from this place.
Feeling her aunt's touch helped settle her, but it didn't stop the tears that were now spilling down her face, "I trusted them, I didn't care that they were vampires, I was so stupid."
Pulling her into a hug, "No sweetie, you just gave them the benefit of a doubt, that's nothing to be ashamed of." Turning her slightly, she pointed to the next door, "This is the last one. You can do this Isabella."
Shaking off her nerves, she didn't hesitate, walking straight up to the door damn near yanking it open.
Standing in the living room of the Cullen's home, as she took everything in, she could see that it was sometime after her accident, the only members of the family were in the living room were Alice and Edward. Realizing this must have been right after he dropped her off.
"It's time to leave now, I'm bored while she's my singer, it's going to be hard to keep her controlled now that your husband just couldn't control himself." He yelled at her.
Stepping into his space, "Don't you dare blame Jazzy, he only reacted to your bloodlust for your singer. And if we're being honest, he was moving to protect her, not kill her." Her body vibrating with anger.
"No, I'm in perfect control, your husband is fucking savage." Taking a step back, "We need to leave, be done with Bella, I don't want to lose control of who I am for a human girl."
Slapping his face, "Don't you ever speak of my husband that way again, or I will kill you." She growled out. Taking a step back, "You need to kill her Edward, if not, she's going to suffer and die painfully. Just do it quickly."
"No, I will not have blood on my hands, just let her be, she'll die, no one will know what happened. We can move forward with our lives." His voice cold and detached.
Bella felt anger building inside her, turning to her aunt who was standing next to her, "They are speaking about my life as it was meaningless." Her eyes turning back to the people she once cared about, wanting nothing more than to set them on fire.
Alice shook her head, "No, Edward, we can't do that to her, she was nice to our family. She shouldn't suffer." Making a move to handle the issue.
"You take one move towards Bella, I'll let your husband, and Emmett know that you helped me, I will bring us both down. Leave her be. Don't look into her future, she is dead to you, to me, to this family." Stepping towards her, "Understand?"
Growling, she couldn't risk Jazzy knowing that she participated in this, "Fine. I keep your secret you keep mine; we never speak of this again?" Holding out her hand.
Taking it, "Deal. I will break up with Bella in the morning, and then join you and the family later."
Everything got foggy, and soon Bella found herself standing back in the woods, her aunt sitting on a log.
Making her way over, taking a seat, "I feel so stupid. How could she do that to me? She said I was like her sister." She cried out, while she never doubted Edwards selfishness, it was heartbreaking to see Alice help him.
Wrapping her arms around her, "I think in some way she cared, but outside of Carlisle vampires tend to be selfish by nature. Some work hard to keep that part of them at bay, but most tend to be like Edward. Wanting what they want, when they want it. They forget that they were once human."
Wiping her face, "You know, I never blamed Jasper, while I didn't know he was trying to protect me, I understood that they were vampires, I couldn't blame him for his reaction."
"And that my sweet girl is what makes you special, you have a big heart." Standing up, she knew her time her was ending, reaching down she pulled Bella into a hug, "Now you know, your blood is clear of the venom that kept you trapped, go, live your life."
Holding on to her tighter, "I love you Aunt Deb." Stepping back, "Winter misses you; I hope you know that." Wanting to make sure that she said that before she was gone.
Stepping back, she touched her cheek, "I miss her too. Tell my little Zeus I love her, and not to give the wolf too much of a hard time."
Laughing Bella watched as she faded away. Whispering to herself, "I will."
END
Gasping ash she sat up, her eyes finding Old Quil watching her, but her eyes searched for Winter, smiling when she found her blue eyes staring back. "Holy Shit."
Winter kneeled down, pulling her into a hug, "Jesus, I was scared you were out for hours. I was about to threaten Old Quil to send me in after you." She said, chuckling at the snort she heard behind her.
Holding on to her shoulders, "I do not recommend that," needing to stand up, "help me up please."
Standing up, Winter held out her hand, gently pulling her up, "Go clean up, I'll get you something to eat."
Nodding Bella walked towards the bathroom, needing a few minutes to come to grips with everything that just transpired.
Watching her walk down the hall, her eyes not leaving her frame until she shut the door. Letting out a sigh of relief, she turned to find Sam watching her, "What?"
"Nothing angel. Let's make some food. I'm starving, and I'm sure Bella could eat." Taking her hand leading her into the kitchen.
It didn't take the pair long to make a handful of sandwiches, but as she looked at the plate, she could see that there was way too many. "I don't think that she's that hungry." She teased him.
Shaking his head, "No, most of this is for me." Smiling at her face. "Wolf metabolism, I can eat almost 3x more than the average person."
Blinking, Winter just nodded, knowing that this was going to take some time to get used to. Snagging a few for herself, Bella, and Quil, "OK, well you enjoy you pig." Smiling as he looked slightly offended.
Sam watched as she made her way to the living room, smiling like an idiot that she was able to joke with him. Moving towards the chair, he could see her handing everyone a bit of food. Once situated they all ate in relative silence, it wasn't something that was uncomfortable and if he was being honest, it was nice not to hear the constant chatter that he normally got with the pack.
Bella inhaled her 3 sandwiches, actually able to taste her food. But she was being a bit mindful, knowing that her body hasn't been able to process the food in months, she didn't want to make herself sick. Letting her food settle, she waited for everyone else to finish, once she could see that they were done, she stood, cleaning up, by the time she was done, she found her spot next to her cousin on the floor.
Winter could see that she was stressed, but they needed to know what was going on. Taking a hold of her hand, "When you're ready Iz." Giving her a small smile.
Inhaling deeply, her eyes focusing on the Elder, Bella just started from the beginning, making sure to give them every detail that she remembered. Through the story she could see that Winter was tensing, getting more and more agitated, even Sam was growling, but she didn't let that stop her, she needed to get everything out.
After about 30 minutes, she could feel the weight of the words finally being lifted off her shoulders, she was finally truly free of the burden. "I don't know why Alice helped him; it never was really clear." Closing her eyes, "Your mother was there with me, the entire time. She said to tell you to not give Sam too much of a hard time."
Feeling the tears run down her face, between hearing what Edward and Alice did, and finding out her mom was watching over her, sent her into overdrive. Looking down at her hands, she could see the crackling starting, she knew that she needed to get out of the house, standing quickly she bolted out the back, running as far and as fast from the house as she could, she could hear Sam behind her, but as much as she wanted to stop, she knew if she didn't release the energy could kill someone.
Seeing a clearing, she dropped to her knees, her hands digging into the dirt. Hearing her name, she turned slightly seeing Sam approach, worried about his safety, "Don't. I can kill you. Please. Don't come any closer." Her voice harsh from trying to maintain control with him so close to her.
Sam watched her beg him to stay back, fighting every instinct he had, he stepped back, his eyes never leaving her body. Scared for her, and not knowing what he could do to help her.
Breathing a sigh of relief that he listened to her, she let the anger flow through her, feeling her body arch back her body bending farther back than would be comfortable. She could feel the lighting pulsing through her body, still mindful that Sam was close to her, doing everything in her power to direct it upwards, not wanting to cause damage to the forest around her.
Gasping as a surge of lighting launched itself into the sky, using his hands to cover his eyes, he could feel the heat coming off her body. Blinking a few times, he found her surrounded by scorched earth, steam was coming off her body. Moving slowly, he could see that she was crying.
Dropping to his knees, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into his chest. Not knowing what to say, he just held her.
"I'm going to kill him. I need you to know that. I will kill him." Her voice still shaking from the rage.
As far as he was concerned Edward and Alice violated the treaty, their life was forfeit, "I will be standing with you when you do."
Her eyes found his watching her, wiping her face, she realized that he was holding her, "This isn't burning you?" she questioned him.
Shaking his head, "No, I run at 110*F normally, so I guess I don't feel it." Taking his thumb he wiped her face, "Are you OK?"
Smiling at him, perhaps the spirits knew what they were doing with this imprinting thing. Shaking off the thought, "I will be." Letting out a sigh, "Let's head back, I'm sure Bella is worried about you."
Snorting, "Why would she worry about me?" Standing, pulling her up with him. Enjoying seeing how small she was next to his large frame.
Shrugging, "Probably doesn't want me to turn you in wolf BBQ." She teased.
Taking her hand, he couldn't help but laugh, "I'll keep that in mind." Walking towards the house, he knew that things were going to change, with him, the pack, Winter, and Bella. While Bella may not be an imprint, she was pack, and he would protect her with everything he had. The only issue that he could see was Paul, he absolutely hated the girl, but perhaps after hearing what happened to her, some of that would disappear.
Winter carefully sat on the bed, mindlessly running a brush through her hair, she could feel Bella watching her. "I'm fine. Just hearing everything at Quils, sent me into overdrive." Hoping that she wasn't scared of her.
Laying down on the bed, "Oh yeah, I know, I'm not worried about that. I'm more interested in what's going on with you and Sam, imprinting. That's intense."
Chuckling she laid down with her, sharing the same bed, while it wasn't something that she could do forever, for now it was nice. "A bit. It was scary as hell, when we locked eyes, it was like I could see our future, kids, growing old." Smiling at the image, "I mean, while I would have liked to figure some of this out on my own, it's nice to know that I don't have to go anymore useless dates."
Bella couldn't help but laugh, "No more fuck boys. Nice." She was really happy for her, and while she hoped that she could have that with someone, right now she just wanted to do what she could to show the world that she was on the mend. "School is tomorrow, people are going to notice a change, I'm not sure what to do."
Wrapping her arm around her shoulder, "Keep your head up, Angela, you said she was the only one that kept trying, start there. Tell them that it wasn't just Edward that had you depressed, you also lost your aunt too," blinking a tear away, "which wasn't a lie. So, now you're finally able to process the shit that hit you all at once."
Biting her lip, "Makes sense." Looking up Bella could see that losing her mom was still hard for her, but at least she knows that her mom is somewhere watching over her. "I don't know what I can do to ever repay you for coming here, you saved my life."
Blinking away a few more tears, "Family protects family. Cradle to the grave."
Chuckling, "Cradle to the grave." Letting out a yawn, Bella turned slightly, and for the second night in a row, found herself getting restful sleep.
Across town, Sam's wolf was pacing, wanting to go check on his mate, but he knew that she needed time with her cousin. It was important for them to establish their bond again, now that Bella was no longer suffering from the vampire thrall.
Running the perimeter, not finding any new scents, he headed home, he could see that Paul and Jared were sitting on his porch. Shifting back, he quickly slipped on his shorts, indicating for them to come inside for some food.
After eating he looked at his pack, downloading them on what happened today at Quils. Watching different levels of rage come off his brothers.
Paul was livid, while he still wasn't fond of the Swan girl, she didn't deserve that. "I think she's trouble, between Jacob lusting after her, and her willingly befriend the vamps, she doesn't deserve that. I won't be mean to her, but I'm not her friend either." It was the best he could offer his Alpha.
"That's fine. But be warned, you snap at her or threaten her in anyway, it's not me you're going to need to be worried about." Puffing out his chest a bit, "My mate will not tolerate it."
Rolling his eyes, he saw in Sam's mind what happened, but if he was being honest, he thought it was just the love-struck fool over emphasizing everything. Holding up his hands, "OK, don't worry Sam. I'll behave."
Jared looked at his brother, knowing that he wasn't taking what they saw seriously, but perhaps it was going to be a good lesson for Paul to learn. Turning his attention back to Sam, "Glad that she was saved, and congrats on imprinting, it's intense, let me tell you." Unable to keep the stupid grin off his face when he thought of Kim.
Paul shook his head, while he was glad that his brothers had something of their own, if he ever looked that stupid, he'd hope someone would shoot him. Clearing his throat, "Embry is close to changing." Hoping to change the subject.
Sam looked over at his second, "And Jacob?"
Sighing, "The changes have started, but his natural cool demeanor, it's going to take a lot to push him to phase." Smiling at the prospect of antagonizing him.
Watching his Beta smile at the prospect of pissing of Jacob, he couldn't help but shake his head, "Give him a couple more weeks, then if not, go ahead and push him, but not too much, don't need a rabid wolf running around."
Paul stood, knowing it was time to get on his patrol, "No promises boss." With that he bolted out the door, laughing at their faces.
Jared watched him leave, "I love him, I do, but I swear to God, he's going to piss off the wrong person, either Jake or your girl. I just hope I'm there for either." Letting out a yawn, "I'm heading home, see you after school tomorrow."
His eyes watching him leave, standing up, locking the door, Sam found himself falling into bed, his only thought was of his mate, hoping that she was safe, and thinking of him.
