Chapter 13 Who is James Hunter?


Hi friends another update. I'm getting closer to my vacation where I should have more free time to finish this story.

edit: submitted this one too quickly re-read if you read the first draft


I woke up drenched in sweat from another nightmare about James. It was extremely realistic. He had flown to the Castle and broken in. He had attacked Jake and Alice. He was about to harm Edward next. I cried as he launched at Edward, I told him how much I loved him as James threw blow after blow. I felt helpless watching in horror as James attacked, almost like an animal attacking his prey. Though it was only a dream I couldn't shake how much it had rattled me.

What did it mean that I loved Edward in my dream? I knew I cared for him, we had bonded definitely. I had an undeniable crush. Had I fallen for Edward? I couldn't exactly say. Our relationship was just so easy. He brought me extreme comfort and zero judgment. I knew these feelings would only lead to my heartbreak. I was not cut out to be royalty, it was clear I didn't belong here in the Castle. I only had brought chaos.

I must have been louder than intended. Edward grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"Bella you're covered in sweat" he mumbled half asleep. Embarrassed I pushed him off of me, but he pulled me back closer to him.

"What woke you up?" He mumbled into my hair.

I still had not told him about Kate and James. I didn't know how to breech the subject without worrying them all. I was concerned about Kate's safety though she probably didn't deserve my concern.

I silently played with his arm, dancing my hand up and down his muscles. I studied his arm, every freckle, and mole. I knew it now more than ever, I was falling for him. I couldn't imagine my life without him, we only had a few more months left before this charade was over. Soon we would have to plan out our separation and I would have to move back to Forks and figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I would be a divorcee before the age of 30.

"Bella, what's wrong love?" Edward must have woken up more. He pushed my hair behind my ear and studied my face. Concern was laced along his. He knew something wasn't right. I was an open book unable to hide my true emotions from him.

"Kate" I softly sighed to him. I never fully told him the context of our original conversation. I didn't know how to dive into the fact he has indeed broken her heart. Maybe Kate and I were not too dissimilar? We both fell for the same man.

"What did she do now?" He sourly asked. He searched my eyes looking for an unspoken answer. As if my eyes would tell him the truth.

"Don't freak out Edward, it's nothing we cannot manage. I'm sure it's nothing." I played with his arm again unsure how to explain to him that Kate and James were possibly plotting something. Something bad.

Alice and Emmett barged in without knocking, thankfully Edward and I were decent. Edward immediately locked eyes with Emmett. He knew this could not be good news for us.

"James is in Cordova, I'm so sorry Bella. We just got the alert. He landed about an hour ago." Emmett looked sad as he delivered the news. Alice ran to my side and hugged me as tears fell from my eyes. She and I knew something was coming we just weren't sure something would happen so soon.

"He needs to be arrested" Edward exploded as he paced back and forth while he and Emmett went over the security plans. It was decided we would lock down the Castle at least while James was in Cordova. My safety was a priority to them. I couldn't help but feel like a burden. I couldn't help but feel James would find his way to me either way as well. My dream was lingering in my mind. What if he harmed everyone I cared about? They may not be my real family but I had grown to care for everyone at the Castle, including the staff.

"Bella you need to tell Edward about your conversation with Kate yesterday. I think it is important" Alice carefully spoke. She didn't want to betray my trust but she knew Kate had rattled me. She had a general idea of what occurred in our conversation she urged me to tell Edward on our car ride back home. I couldn't muster the strength to find the words. I just wanted to enjoy my evening alone with Edward and forget for a moment about James and Kate.

"Bella what did Kate say?" He gritted his teeth. His distaste for her was growing by the second.

I paused and took a deep breath in. I felt silly. Maybe it was nothing for us to be concerned about.

"At the ball, she mentioned knowing our marriage was fake. She also mentioned that the crown and marriage were supposed to be hers. Is there truth there Edward?" I searched his eyes and he looked away quickly. Jealousy flooded over me, she looked like a supermodel. I was average at best. Why Edward was interested in me was a mystery.

"Bella tell him about yesterday, it's important." Alice chirped quickly. I glanced her way and winced my eyes. She had to be psychic. I wasn't sure how she knew the complexities of our conversation. Alice always seemed to grasp things she shouldn't have known. I took another deep breath.

"She repeated the same thing to me yesterday more or less but made me aware she is sympathetic to James. She said they have been talking, Edward. Talking about me. She said the both of them were going to expose me for the gold digger I was… she mentioned she would have the crown and you soon." I sighed rubbing my forehead. This was all a real nightmare. Why was James here? What were they planning?

"I warned her about James, I couldn't not warn her. I said he wasn't a good man. She brushed me off. Edward what if he harms her? What if there are other victims?" I was crying again. The thought of anyone going through what I had been through was unbearable. No one deserved it, not even Kate.

Edward hugged me and kissed my head. He let my tears fall before he spoke. Emmett grabbed my hand in support of me. They all knew my story. They all wanted to show me their support and it meant so much.

"Kate and I were engaged. I should have mentioned this to you. I couldn't go through with it. I didn't love her. She didn't care Bella, she just wanted the crown. I'm not sure her feelings for me were ever real. I think she had the wrong motives for dating me. I called it off shortly after we got engaged. The way she treated her staff and her family was enough to tell me she was not the right person for me." he sighed, he seemed to regret ever dating her.

"Shortly after our breakup, the articles about the "heartbreak prince" showed up. I could only assume she was behind them. Emmett researched it but it was hard to confirm. Ever since we broke up the press regarding me has been brutal Bella."

"I had a source close to her confirm she's been on a smear campaign against Edward and our family. She's a very bitter woman Bella. There's no telling what she's planning." Emmett sadly said. He was such a goofball it was surprising seeing this side of him. He seemed to be extremely worried about Kate and James.

My heart hurt, it was hard to not feel jealous of Kate and Edward. I knew deep down Edward never really belonged to me, but I still couldn't help but feel jealous of the idea of them together. I was just the accident that he had to keep around.

"Was this ring hers?" I silently asked. Edward looked alarmed and picked up my hand and held it lightly.

"Of course not Bella. She kept the engagement ring, I couldn't ask for it back. This was meant for Tanya but like I told you it was never a real relationship between us. We are just friends. She has a serious long-term girlfriend. She and Kate do not get along, she knew it was just a legal arrangement that would help boost her business and help her friend out." He sighed pulling at his messy locks.

"Bella you need to be more honest with me. James and Kate are dangerous. This makes more sense that James is here. How can I help you if you don't share with me?" He asked clearly frustrated. I had never seen him frustrated at me. I wanted to hide in a hole and never come out.

"I don't have great news to add to this." Emmett finally spoke. Breaking the tension and silence of the room.

We all looked at him curious about what else could go wrong now.

"James and his father are involved in some shady dealings. There are a lot of disappearances around them. James' mother went missing a few years back. She has never been found. There is a string of missing women around them Bella. They are extremely dangerous. His name isn't even James. That's his middle name. His name is Earl James Hunter. I'm sad to report he has been to jail before for aggravated assault. I think he changed his name a few years back to not be recognized."

My heart dropped. He was dangerous and he was here. I brought James here to Cordova. I caused everyone to be in harm's way of a rapist and possible murderer. The guilt washed all over me. How could they ever forgive me?

Tears fell faster now. I couldn't believe this was all happening. I caused this all to happen to everyone. I knew now I needed to get away from everyone before I caused more chaos.

"His father also may be involved with the mafia but we aren't able to exactly confirm. Bella, there was a reason that town didn't help you. He has his hands in many pockets. Kate has no clue who she's invited here. No one knows the real James Hunter. He's extremely dangerous, and seems like he won't stop until he gets to you Bells." Emmett angrily spat. They all seemed to care for me and my safety. Something I did not deserve.

The room was laced with silence again. What did this mean for us all? We weren't sure.

"Don't get mad Bella but I sent Charlie your confession the other day." Edward finally spoke. His eyes held mine. Searching for my reaction.

"He needed to be aware of James. Someone broke into his home a few days back. He didn't want to worry you. He is staying at his friend Sue's home for the week. We are going to add a security system to his home before he goes back." Edward's eyes were battling mine. I felt betrayed that he sent something so personal to Charlie. At the same time, I knew Charlie needed to know. He deserved to.

"Did you send this info to him?" I quietly asked. Avoiding Edward's gaze. The wound was too fresh. I was frustrated he went behind my back but I knew it was the right choice.

"Yes," both Emmett and Edward said simultaneously.

"He has a friend looking into James and his father. We are working hard to find something on him to send him to jail. The more support we have the more chance we have to take him down." I nodded my head at them and silently walked off to the bathroom. This was all a lot to take in. I needed a moment. I needed space from all of the Cullens even if they meant well.

I called Charlie in the bathroom. I was so worried for him. Why did they not tell me someone had broken in? My frustration with Edward was misplaced and I knew it. I was mainly frustrated with myself. I knew he just told Charlie because he cared.

"Bella baby how are things going?" Charlie sounded funny. I could tell he was not pleased with the info he heard. How should someone react to their daughter talking about their rapist? I wondered what would be considered normal.

"Dad I know you know." I cried into the phone. Unable to hold back my sobs any longer.

"Bells I'm so sorr-" I cut him off. I couldn't address the rape with my dad not yet at least.

"Daddy are you okay? Did you find anything about who broke in?" I cried harder now. Without letting him speak I spoke again. Emotions taking control of me.

"I'm so sorry. You could have been hurt!" my chest hurt and I barely could breathe. I sank to the floor and continued to cry and repeat that I was sorry.

"Bells, I'm okay really. Can you hand the phone to Edward? Your old man is okay, you have nothing to worry about." I only sobbed harder in response. Edward came to my side and I handed him the phone. Unable to hold eye contact with him any longer. I wanted to be alone but I knew I needed to calm down. We needed to figure out if James had any next moves.

They spoke hushed on the phone in the other room. The boys were talking over logistics when Alice and Esme found me. Alice must have grabbed Esme because of my extreme emotions.

Esme was a calming force, she knew how to calm anyone down. Esme held me as I cried in her arms. I let go of it all. I let myself believe she was a mother figure to me. She soothed me as I let my worries fade.

"Bella sweetheart, you need to eat. You don't look too well" Esme soothed.

"When did you last eat?" Alice asked me biting her lip. A habit she must have picked up from me. I chuckled at the thought.

I hadn't realized it but I hadn't eaten in a few days. My stomach felt off. I actually felt pretty sick the more I thought about it. Esme brought over an apple and a plate of toast. Alice's intuition I assumed. I scarfed down the contents a little too quickly and immediately threw up the entirety of it in the toilet. Alice and Esme looked puzzled at me. I felt extremely nauseated.

"Bella when was the last time you had your period? I've noticed you throwing up a lot in the last few weeks. You've also been pretty emotional." Alice whispered. I thought back to the last month and realized I was late. I was really late.

I only cried harder now. Esme rubbed my back and promised she and Alice would not mention anything to Edward. I nodded my head and dragged myself back to bed unable to process the new information that was circling my head. Esme and Alice cleared the room while I rested.

Was I pregnant?


Cliff hanger as always. What will happen next? Please let me know if you enjoyed the story xxx