Chapter 1

When Bella chose to live with our father, Charlie, I had been accepted into a prestigious all girls high school, Ravenwood Academy. I had flourished from being away from my mentally inept mother who relied too heavily on her daughters to take care of her. I worked hard and was rewarded with being the captain on the soccer team and one of the best swimmers on the swim team. I was on the fast track to graduating early when my father called me. My socially awkward older sister, Isabella, had gone into a catatonic state after her serious boyfriend abandoned her in the woods before leaving town with his family. Ravenwood Academy granted me leave to go home to help, deeming it a family emergency.

I tried to prepare myself for what Bella looked like. Charlie had given me a brief description of her depressed state but I was still unprepared for when I saw her hunched over in her chair staring blankly out the window in her room. She looked like she hadn't showered in days. Charlie didn't enter Bella's room with me, instead he left to go back downstairs, giving Bella and I some privacy. Dropping my bag on the floor next to the door, I made my way over to her. I walked around till I was in her field of view, treating her like a wounded animal. I held my hands up and slowly made my way to her. Charlie had told me how Bella went crazy when Renee came to take her to Jacksonville. I gently laid my hands on Bella, pulling her up from her chair, she didn't even register what I was doing. Going down the stairs I led her into the kitchen, Bella went and sat at the table while I cooked a simple grilled cheese sandwich. I watched as Bella picked at it, taking small bites every now and then.

While Bella was at school I was staying on top of my school work but when she got home I would take care of her. This went on for another week before Charlie decided that I would go back to my school and Bella would go live with Renee again. That sent Bella into action as she made plans with a friend that night, that seemed to placate Charlie for now.

Soon after her movie night with her friend, Bella reached out to Jacob Black, our old childhood friend. I stayed back letting Bella and Jacob spend time alone, hoping he would help heal Bella in ways that I couldn't. After a while the old Bella started showing again which made Charlie and I very happy, and showed me that I could go back to school knowing Jacob would take care of Bella.

The week before I was set to go back to Ravenwood Academy Jacob ghosted Bella and she relapsed back into her depressed state, forcing me to postpone my trip back to school.

I sat on the couch typing up an email to my teachers when Bella came bounding down the stairs, freshly showered, dressed in sneakers, jeans and a hoodie.

"I'm going on a hike, Cece."

"Wait. I'll go with you. You know dad would freak out if he found out I let you go by yourself."

Bella looked like she was going to argue but seemed to decide against it as I threw on my own hoodie and slipped on my running shoes.

We walked for quite a long time until we came to a field filled with dead flowers. I hung back in the tree line, giving Bella some privacy as it seemed like this field held some sentimental value. Bella had walked to the middle of the field before she sank to her knees, her head was hung before she abruptly stood up facing a figure at the other end of the field. I quickly made my way to stand next to Bella, now that I was closer I could see the man's dreadlocks and chiseled face. Bella recognized the man as she called him by name.

"Laurent."

I was startled as the man seemed to appear in front of us, I was even more startled when I saw that the man had dark red eyes.

"I must admit, I didn't expect to find you here."

His voice held an alluring edge to it, but I was far too scared for it to really affect me.

"I live here. But you… I thought you were in Alaska with Carlisle's friend."

Bella grabbed my hand as Laurent walked closer.

"Irina. I was. It was kind of him to arrange that, given my association with James and Victoria. "The Enemy."

Laurent started to circle us like a predator. His eyes assessing us like he was debating on how best to kill us. He ignored Bella's comment about him helping her in the past as he continued his little dialogue.

"I went to visit the Cullens, but their house is empty. I'm surprised they left you behind. Weren't you sort of a pet of theirs?"

I frowned at his words. Why would the Cullens treat Bella like a pet? Looking at Bella I saw her fake smile fall from her face, fear taking over her expression. She hesitated in answering, like she was thinking of something to draw out the conversation.

"Um… something like that."

"Do the Cullens visit often?"

"Absolutely. All the time. I'll tell them you stopped by. Will they be able to reach you in Alaska?"

I squinted my eyes in suspicion at Bella. Why would she lie? None of this was making sense. I looked at Laurent who was watching me, he must have been watching for my reaction to Bella's answers to see if she was being honest or not.

'I don't think so. Irina's "vegetarian" family was pleasant enough. But the dietary restrictions were difficult… living on nothing but animals."

I flinched back as Lauren appeared inches from us. He leaned in toward us, like he was going to share a secret with us.

"Tell me Bella. Do you ever feel compelled to… cheat?"

Laurent smiled, flashing his pearly white teeth in a predatory way before straightening back up.

"But that's not why I left. I came back here as a favor to Victoria."

There was that name again. Who was Victoria?

"You're still friends?"

Laurent shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"More or less. She asked me to get the lay of the land with the Cullens. Because, well… I'm afraid Victoria is quite put out with you."

"That's… too bad."

I was trying to piece everything together but nothing was making sense.

"Yes. She feels it's only fair to kill Edward's mate, given he killed her mate. Eye for an eye, mate for a mate."

Pulling Bella behind me I took a step forward. Putting myself between Lauren and Bella.

"The hell you will. You are not going to touch my sister."

Laurent smiled at me, his attention solely on me.

"Sister? Well, sister of Bella. I have no qualms with you, so I will give you this chance. Step aside, let me kill Bella and I will let you live."

My eyes went wide at his words and before I could even register what I did, my hand had struck Laurent across the cheek. My hand tingles and numbness as Laurent brings a hand up to his cheek in offense but doesn't make a move or sound. Bella spoke up from behind me, bringing Laurents attention to her.

"Edward will know who did it. He'll come after both of you."

Laurent seemed to forget about me as he focused on his conversation with Bella.

"I don't think he will. After all, how much could you mean to him if he left you here unprotected?"

A look of sorrow crossed Laurents face as Bella came to stand next to me again.

"Victoria sent me here for information. She won't be happy about my killing you."

"No, Laurent…"

My heart was racing, I didn't want to die. I didn't want my sister to die. Laurent started to shush Bella as she pleaded with him. He gently cupped her face, he seemed genuine in his attempt to comfort Bella.

"No, no, no. Don't be upset. I'm doing you a kindness. VIctoria plans on killing you slowly, painfully. Whereas I'll make it very quick. And you smell so… mouth watering.

Forcing my body to move I rush Laurent, pushing and banging my fist against his chest, which seems to have no effect on him besides pissing him off as he harshly grabs me by my upper arms, stopping me from hitting him. Laurent shakes me a little before pulling me against his chest and forcing my head to the side. Squeezing my eyes shut I prepare to die as I hear Bella beg for my life but soon everything goes quiet and Luarent moves away from me.

"I… don't believe it."

Letting me go and pushing me to the ground I look behind us to see an enormous black wolf stalk out of the woods. The black wolf lets out a low disturbing growl, its sharp teeth gleaming as it steps into the light. I watch in horror as four more wolves soundlessly emerge from the trees. Their hackles are up, lips curling, and their bodies are crouched, ready to spring. Bella is frozen with fear as they come closer, I spare Laurent a look. He had begun to slowly retreat but quickly turned and fled causing the wolves to give chase. I curl into a ball as the sound of thunderous paws and snarls go flying past me. I stay curled up until I feel Bella pull me to my feet and together we run from the field, not once looking back as we run all the way home.