"You knew I was there," Jacob growled. Everyone's eyes turned to Edward then.
Edward narrowed his eyes. "We did."
Gazes shifted to Bella in shock.
"You risked her life to get your rocks off!" Jacob tried to shake Edward, merely tearing his shirt in the process.
"That's not what happened, and you know it," Bella intervened.
"Oh, isn't it?" Jacob glared at her, betrayal in his eyes. "To be honest, I could expect it of him, but I never expected you to act like such a—"
"Finish that sentence, and I end you here," Edward snarled, the human façade fading.
The family seemed frozen in place, the tension severe as Edward and Jacob stared each other down.
"Would you?" Jacob smirked. "Let's see if you kill me if you still have her begging you for it like a fucking slut."
Jacob was in Edward's face for only a moment before his head whipped back with the force of Edward's punch, the snap of his jaw loud.
A growl reverberated in Jacob's chest, and Edward shoved him out the door into the snow, attempting to hide the supernatural squabble from the ignorant humans.
"I hope that hurt," Edward bared his teeth. "But I know that nothing I do to you physically will compare to what you saw today. You call my wife a slut for making love to her husband. Guess what, mongrel? She chose me, and I can give her everything she needs. She was mine, she is still mine, and she was never yours! So stop fantasizing about her, stop trying to steal her, and accept she is a grown woman who made her choice."
Jacob spit blood and a tooth out on to the ground, staining the snow there, and shook his head. "We had a chance, a real chance."
"You never did," Bella stepped outside, contradicting him as she slammed the door behind her. "I tried to kill myself that day, Jacob. You were never going to be enough."
The words, complete with the sight that he had seen that day seemed to snap something in the young werewolf. His eyes went blank before filling with intense rage. He howled as Edward grabbed Bella, yanking her back onto the porch and inside the door as Jacob erupted in a flurry of teeth and fur. There was a pounding on the door as he attempted to get inside. Edward kept the door barricaded and intact with the help of Emmett and Jasper, the latter of which was sending as many calming, subduing waves towards the raging werewolf as he could.
Finally, Jacob realized it was futile and seemed to retreat. Bella was shaking, quiet tears falling in the silence as she lifted her gaze into the terrified eyes of her parents.
End Book 1
It was difficult to find words, to say the least. Whether it was in the first few seconds or first few days, Bella didn't know what to say to her parents. There was the silence and then subtle accusations of betrayal from Charlie met with the mixture of excitement and demands of information from Renee. Her dad saw everything in the light that his closest friends and his child kept something huge from him, while Renee saw it as a thrilling supernatural romance novel.
Bella swam with guilt, and she wondered what would come next.
They were assured by Sam that there wasn't going to be a war started from the wolves' side; Jacob had clearly instigated, and no one blamed Edward for lashing out. Once it had been explained to them that the love between vampire mated pairs was similar to that of imprints, there had been a modicum of understanding from the more logical of the packmates. (Others saw things in a more black-and-white way, though it seemed the command of peace was enough to hold those defiant in check - for now.)
Billy and Charlie no longer talked, but Edward had assured Bella it wasn't her fault; it was that Billy let Jacob get away with attempted violence and calling her names rather than Billy defending her against the accusations. They were unforgivable offenses in Charlie's mind, and they would remain such until Billy sought a way to make amends.
Perceived betrayal be damned; it was clear his greatest loyalty was to his daughter. Bella never loved her father more nor felt more regret that his exposure to the dangers of the world had just grown too great.
The thing they were falling back on was that Charlie and Renee didn't know what they were; oh, they had their theories - and Renee's was pretty spot on - but the Cullens refused to divulge any information knowing the consequences were literally dire were the mortals to find out about the dark underbelly of the world. The Volturi wouldn't be forgiving this time; it was bad enough that Bella wasn't turned yet.
"The date doesn't have to change," Alice assured them at the latest in a series of family meetings. "They still aren't coming until the summer - by which point, Bella will have been a vampire for long enough to be controlled during the meeting."
Although this brought visible relief to some present, Bella's heartbeat continued to race in her chest at the thought of having to face the leaders of the vampiric world after her family had been put in such danger.
"It's going to be okay," Edward tried to calm her, his hand rubbing her arm comfortingly.
Bella took a deep breath, knowing that her next sentence was going to cause an explosion from her husband.
"Absolutely not," he growled before she could get it out; evidently, Alice had seen what Bella had decided to say, and Edward - predictably - was not pleased.
"It is the only way to keep everyone safe!" Bella insisted, defiance and fear causing adrenaline to race through her veins - never fear of Edward, but fear of what would happen if they didn't abide by her decision.
"No, it is the way to put you in greatest danger!" Edward stood abruptly, seemingly unable to look at her. "You will not do this alone!"
"I will if it keeps the family safe," Bella stood too, her temper getting away from her; she typically tried to be reasonable when Edward wasn't, but she was too overwhelmed to allow reasoning and patience to be her dominant responses.
"You are part of this family," Edward stood closer to her. "You are the most vulnerable member of this family! You matter just as much as any of us!" His "more than any of us" remained unspoken, though no one showed any offense as being taken; they each knew intimately the power of the mating bond, and each would insist the other member of their pair's safety needed to be paramount, at least in regard to their actions. Perhaps Carlisle and Esme would be able to put their children over their partner, but no one dared challenge their priorities; it would tear their 'parents' apart to lose any of them, but especially each other.
"Anyone want to clue the normies here in?" Emmett aked, once again out of the mental communication loop. "I'd like to know which side to cheer on!"
"Emmett," Esme warned quietly.
"Bella thinks it would be best if she were to face the Volturi alone after she has changed, that way she can show them she's a vampire while they would be unable to read her mind and see that anyone else has had a glimpse into the supernatural world, even though they don't know about vampires so we won't be held accountable," Alice glared.
"That seems like a good idea though?" Emmett shrugged. "If they still can't read her mind. Plus, you said Jane can't hurt her, but they would be able to hurt us, wouldn't they?"
"You're ignoring that Aro is a very curious creature," Carlisle sighed. "Bella, your heart truly is in the right place, but they know how much Edward loves you. He would never let you go alone."
"Absolutely not," Edward insisted.
Alice interrupted, "And since Aro is keenly aware of that, they know that the only reason Bella would go alone is if we were trying to hide something. And we haven't done anything wrong, so it would be inviting trouble for no reason. Trust me, it is much better if Carlisle, Esme, Edward, and Bella go together eventually than if we rush things and send Bella alone."
Edward's gaze seemed to fade away for a moment, focusing on what Alice saw, before tuning back in and looking down at his wife.
Tears welled up in her brown eyes, and his heart softened. "Sweet girl, I know you want to help. But being so self-sacrificing isn't the answer."
"What's the use of being a mental mute if I can't use it to protect the people I love?" she questioned.
Edward sighed, kissing the top of her head. "Don't worry, love. I promise, you being able to protect yourself protects us - at least, it helps protect my sanity," he grinned.
Bella rolled her eyes but agreed to sit back down, holding Edward's hand all the while.
They would come up with a plan - somehow.