Chapter 22


Bella let out a loud warning snarl as she was thrown into a rather violent phase, now standing in her wolf form; her sharp golden eyes watching Jake's movements carefully. She sent out several deep warning growls to Jake as she and he began to circle each other, as she felt her now much shorter coat stand on end. Bella snapped her lethal jaws out in a secondary warning as Jake antagonized her further, seemingly doing all that he could to provoke her to make the first move. As far gone Bella was with anger in her newborn and shifter state, she refused to do anything to put the family or the treaty in danger.

Luckily as it may be, Jake had apparently forgotten or no longer cared about the treaty and effectively made the first move, aggressively lunging at Bella and successfully tackling her as they went rolling and wresting down a small ravine, landing with a splash in a steady and shallow stream, with Jake on top. His lethal fangs sunk deep into Bella's shoulder, where her neck and shoulders met, effectively shredding through her skin and muscles. Bella snarled in pain as she put her ears back, bringing her strong hind legs up and effectively kicking Jake off her, her claws ripping through his exposed belly.

Jake landed a few feet away with a light thud and a slight whimper, allowing Bella time to get back on her paws. Bella could not help but let out a whimper of her own as she felt her life supply seep out from the open wound, knowing full well that a large chunk of flesh was now missing. The pain in her shoulder from her now torn open flesh caused her anger to finally reach a breaking point. Blinded by her anger, her carefully constructed plan was thrown out the window as she blindly lunged forward with miraculous speed and brought her razor sharp claws down against Jake's face diagonally, easily slicing across his face, his flesh and fur separating through her claws like butter. Jake roared in anger and moved to tackle Bella once more, but she evaded, launching herself to the side at the perfect moment, skidding to a stop as Jake tumbled into a nearby tree. He jumped back to his feet and shook his fur to remove the dirt and leaves, growling ferociously. Bella stood tall and held her ground as they locked eyes. Jake snuck his tongue out and cleaned the blood from around his muzzle that was dripping from his open slash marks, effectively staining his lethal canines red with the action. He huffed as he pawed the ground anxiously, and Bella lowered herself close to the ground, getting ready to lunge and meet him in the middle, only thinking about how she would complete the kill.

The two launched forward causing a cloud of dust to come up from where they had been moments prior. Time seemed to still as she watched him move closer and closer with each step forward. Memories of him holding her through each night terror, of each comforting touch he had given and word he had said, of every smile he had etched on her lips, of everything he had done right in her life came to the front of her mind causing her to almost regret what was about to take place. She was going to end the being who risked exposure and do whatever was needed to protect her family. She had chosen a side, and there was no going back. This was it.


Bella put her ears back and bore her fangs aiming to sink them through the under part of Jake's neck when a large black wolf launched himself into Jake, sending him flying and effectively out of Bella's reach. The black wolf along with two others ran after Jake, as the loud sounds of aggressive growling and yipping was heard from the woods, just a few yards away. She growled loudly and let out a ghostly howl knowing that she had lost her target. She was beyond pissed that she was cut off on the middle of her hunt.

As she paced around unsure of what else to currently do, she felt a good portion of adrenaline leave her body and she fell down to her stomach. She rolled onto her side, breathing deeply and tried to stand up but found some difficulty in doing so. Finally, she was able to stand on her own four legs, trembling lightly, and looked to the direction of the wolf fight, hearing what she knew was the cry of pain from Jake. Bella lowered her head and let out a huff, feeling very disorientated over the whole process and ashamed of herself.

' I was going to kill him. Without a second thought, I was ready to sink my teeth into his neck and destroy him. How could I have let my emotions get the best of me like that? Am I really that much of a monster? I can never give into this side of me again' she thought to herself as she hung her head in defeat and disgust.

Suddenly, the smell of chai reached her nose and she lifted her head at Alice's presence. Bella whimpered as she looked into Alice's obsidian eyes, knowing she was beyond livid. The almost pitiful whimpering sound seemed to register something within Alice, who blinked and let out a relieved sigh.

"Bella, I assure you. I am not mad at you, at least in regards to how you had to defend yourself. I would be lying though if I told you I was not absolutely pissed about this whole situation" Alice paused as she handed some clothes, which Bella gingerly put into her mouth, " Go ahead and phase back, get dressed so we can deal with this"

Bella nodded and moved behind a nearby tree and phased back. As soon she was in her more or less human state, the last residual amount of adrenaline abandoned her and for the first time, she was able to feel the pain she was truly in. She struggled to slide on her shirt as her muscles were shot and extremely fatigued. When the fabric of her shirt touched her injured neck, Bella almost fainted from the discomfort and could not stop the whimper that came up from her throat and escaped from her lips.

Bella eventually moved back from behind the tree fully dressed, her eyes instantly becoming pitch black once more as she sensed Jake nearby and heard a deep rumbling of a growl coming from the tree line. She could not help the hiss that came from her own lips as it was purely instinctual at this point.

It was at this moment that Bella felt strong and slightly cool hands grab her left and right arm with relative force. Bella's eyes shot in both directions, looking at Rosalie and Emmett.

"Bella, come on. Relax. This isn't worth it" Emmett of all people tried to reason, but found even his strength to be useless as Bella easily broke herself free from their grasp and took a few shaky steps backward, leaning against a nearby evergreen, gasping in and out for breath and trying desperately to calm herself down. She had been ready to launch herself at Jake and was having a hard time in not doing so now.

"Rose and Emm, step back. Her emotions are all over the place. She's feeling anger and fear, stronger than I've ever felt from anyone. I can't help but feel as if this may not be related directly to the initial fight itself. There had to be something that caused this." Jasper said suddenly, causing Alice to shoot a worried glace at Bella who was currently gripping the tree so tightly that pieces of bark had broken off as her fingers dug themselves deep into the bark. Jasper attempted to send a wave of comfort to her only to have it abruptly bounced right back at him. His golden eyes filled with curiosity, no one had ever been able to shield themselves from his gift to this extent before.

"Bella, sweetheart. Please, come back to us, come back to me. You're safe now." Alice said softly as her concerned eyes focused on Bella, who was visibly fighting her instincts and had had her eyes shut in concentration.

"Bella" a soft, nurturing voice called out causing her to open her eyes and focus on the direction the voice came from.

"Esme…" Jasper warned as she continued to move forward towards Bella.

"She's just overwhelmed." Esme lightly chided as she moved so that she was just inches away from Bella. Esme slowly reached out and wrapped her arms around the trembling shifter, running a hand through her hair soothingly.

At first contact, Bella immediately tensed and attempted to pull away but Esme continued her actions, careful to avoid the deep cracks that were still visible on Bella's neck. As the moments continued to progress, she finally felt herself relax slightly into Esme touch, but still tried to pull back as she came to her senses.

"Oh, God. Mom… I'm so sorry. Please let go. I don't want to hurt you, you're not safe being this close to me" Bella finally said through a strangled voice.

"Shhhh, my darling. I know that you won't hurt me. I know you, the real you. You're my loving, devoted, headstrong and overly compassionate youngest daughter and it's time that you returned to us. You're safe now. We all are. There is no threat." Esme continued to soothe.

Esme finally released her hold on Bella after a few moments seeing Bella's eyes had finally returned to gold. Bella took in several deep breaths before shooting apologetic glances to the family, to each one, her regretful eyes lingering onto Alice's who had moved forward and placed a gentle kiss on Bella's forehead.

"I can read that expression a mile away, and I assure you. Nothing you have done or ever could do would change just how much I love you. Nothing matters to me except that you're still alive and with me. We will tend to your injuries soon, I promise" Alice soothed as her eyes took in the significant damage to her mate's neck, her darkening orbs giving herself way despite her calm voice.


"Yeah, if you can call what you are as living" a voice called out, causing Bella to clench her jaw.

Sam walked back out to meet the Cullens in his human form along with Jake, who was being held back by Jared and Paul, who both looked at Bella with an apologetic and grim expression.

"You're hurt! God damnit, Jake, how could you do something so incredibly senseless?" Sam growled out in anger as he saw the deep and jagged cracks and other faint bruises over her entire left side of her body.

"Yeah but it's whatever. The bleeding stopped at least. As you can tell from his stupid face, I wasn't exactly helpless." Bella replied, her tone laced with ice.

Jasper walked up next to Bella and placed a gentle hand on her lower back, earning curious looks from the family as Bella automatically leaned into his supportive embrace.

"This is the exact reason why I told you to stay away from her. She's not ready for this!" Jasper hissed.

"Not ready for what, exactly? Her wedding is in two weeks and she'll be around humans. If he can't handle her bloodlust…" Sam growled back but was interpreted by Jasper.

"It's not about bloodlust, you moronic fleabag. Bella has had that under control since day one. Hell, she even displayed remarkable control with Jake threatening her. The issue is her being around all of you, especially that pup" Jasper snapped shooting his eyes to Jake who rolled his eyes with a sneer.

"What? Can't let her fight her own battles? I thought Edward was the controlling on. Didn't realize it was a shared family trait" Jake sneered, causing Bella to tense.

"Just because she can doesn't mean she should have to. Just because she's strong enough to endure this pain doesn't mean she deserves to. This is what family does, Jacob." Jasper sighed in frustration, working hard to control his own emotions so he could assist with Bella's if need be.

"Okay, I'm sorry but I'm lost here. What the fuck is going on? I thought Jake and us were all cool" Emmett finally inquired, asking the question that everyone was wondering.

"I'd like some answers to that as well, Bella. Emily has been aside herself. You were her best friend and she doesn't understand why you've tossed her aside. You of all people should know what that feels like" Sam said with a rather harsh tone.


Bella had been looking at the ground during the conversation but shot her head up at Sam's words, her eyes brimmed with venom infused tears, tears that could not fall in her current state. Alice's concerned eyes shot to Bella's, trying to read the emotions that swirled around like a vortex. She did not need Jasper's talent to see the anger and betrayal that were clearly visible for everyone to see. Sam had obviously struck a nerve, but the reason for it was not exactly clear.

"How dare you bring that up, Sam. I trusted you to tell you what had been said. I did not tell you that for you to now use it as ammo against me. Don't you dare to presume that I am acting like him." Bella paused as she felt Alice run a soothing circles against her shoulder blades, " I didn't dazzle and make Emily believe she was the most important being in the world to me. I didn't give her a sense of a family for the first time in her life. I didn't make her feel finally wanted by someone, anyone and then took it all away in a blink of an eye. I didn't tell her she was nothing more than a toy that I had outgrown and tossed aside like she was nothing. I didn't leave her alone in the woods, completely shattered, lost and alone. I didn't make her feel like she was nothing and better off dead!" Bella nearly shouted before taking in a deep and shaky breath, knowing she had just dropped a bomb to the family.

"Wait, is that what Edward told you when we left? I'll kill him! That's not the version we heard at all!" Rosalie hissed in annoyance.

"Bella, I swear. None of us had any idea. I never even received a vision of what was said. He must have made a snap decision to prevent us from knowing the truth." Alice murmured as she suddenly felt terrible for pushing Bella to go back with her to her family when they had all first returned back so long ago when they had experienced their first kiss.

"Look, it doesn't even matter, okay? It's done. It's over. Just water under the bridge at this point," Bella paused as she intertwined her fingers with Alice's free hand, " I know it isn't right to take it out on everyone but I just couldn't bear to see any of you after what happened with Billy and then Jake. It hurt too much and I needed to deal with on my own, in my own time"

Alice's eyebrows furrowed in thought and tilted her head to look at Bella with concern.

"What do you mean? What happened between Jake and you, besides this?" Alice asked, her tone laced with protective anger.

Bella and Jasper exchanged knowing glances at each other before Bella looked up at the sky with a sigh, unsure of what to say or how to proceed. She had wanted to avoid this at all cost, and here she was doing the very thing she had sworn she wouldn't do.

"Isabella Marie Swan, answer me, what happened?" Alice asked again, her tone becoming rather sharp. Bella groaned and looked back down and wet her lips with her tongue before looking at Alice, whose golden orbs were now masked with a veil of darkness. As anticipated, her protective mate instinct was finally making an appearance.

" Jacob and I… We aren't friends anymore. We haven't been since I was changed. The only reason why I'm here at all was because Elijah needed my help in dealing with him and I was the only one who could." Bella finally admitted.

"Pardon? Bella dear, I thought you were best friends?" Esme asked with a concerned tone.

"Yeah, were. We could never be anything now. Best friends don't around being the reason why people get killed. They don't go around being the reason why people get hurt. I never could be friends with a selfish monster like that, like her." Jake sneered.


At this comment, both Alice's and Rosalie's eyes became dark as night and their lips lifted into almost identical snarls, drops of venom dripping off their teeth. Emmett and Jasper both growled deep in their throats and got into an aggressive stance, ready to shatter the jaw that had spoken such harsh words against their sister. However, the biggest surprise came from Esme who moved forward past Bella and stood protectively in front of her, her golden eyes blazing.

"Jacob Black. That is more than enough. I will not tolerate you speaking towards my daughter in that way. Bella may not be what you want her to be, but she's everything to this family and to me. I refuse to let her be hurt by you any longer" Esme stated with a cool but lethal tone causing Bella to look at Esme with surprise, taking in her uncharacteristically cold expression and tone.

"But she…" Jake began to almost whine but was silenced as Sam shot him a stern look.

"Sam, based off of what not only Alice saw in her vision and based on what we heard on the phone call before the altercation, Jake moved to attack Bella first. You know as well as I do that this would normally be a break in the treaty. However, I do not think that it would be wise to end it. I'll agree to overlook this serious lack of judgement under the condition that Jacob is removed as the ambassador. He will no longer be allowed on our land, period. No exceptions. If he crosses the boarder for any reason at all, we will have to act. And we will." Carlisle stated with a calm and collected but grave tone.

"Understood. I know it doesn't mean much at this point but I am truly sorry. And Bella" Sam paused as Bella lifted her eyes to meet his own, " We'll be here waiting for you if and when you are ready" Sam lightly smiled and left with Paul and Jared. Jake stood in spot, obviously fighting the Alpha call.

Bella moved away from her family as she turned and began to walk back towards the bar, needing to collect her bike, crossing her arms tightly against her chest.

"Bella" Jake growled, causing Bella and the rest of the family to stop, Alice shooting him a warning hiss and a death stare as she whipped her head around to face him, "This isn't over. I am the rightful Alpha. Remember our conversation on the island? I will find out a way to break my connection to this pack and when I do, you better be ready. Nothing will stop me from ridding this world from the likes of you."

"You. It was you who told Bella about what happened with Victoria. You're the reason why a wedge was put between Bella and I, the reason why she was in so much pain." Alice hissed out and her advance was only stopped as Bella moved in front of her, putting her calming hands on Alice's shoulders, finally nodding at Alice's words confirming her statement. Bella ran reassuring small circles with her thumb until Alice finally began to calm down.

"Given the outcome of the events that took place, I don't believe that I'm the one that needs to prepare for our inevitable future meeting." Bella said in a tone she almost didn't recognize as she looked over her shoulder and met his gaze, "But don't worry, I'll be ready. Just know that if you ever step to me again, you'll have dug your own grave. The next time we meet, no one or anything will stop me from ending the threat to myself or family that comes with your simple existence."

With that Jake finally lost to the will of the Alpha and ran off towards where his pack lay waiting, ready to administer their own punishment to him for his violation of pack laws. Bella let out a breath as she felt the presence of Jake disappear and knew then that it was time for her to face her own music.


"Bella, we need to discuss what happened." Carlisle said in a gentle but stern voice and Bella nodded with a light grimace, feeling anxiety build in her stomach. She knew the family meeting was inevitable but she was not looking forward to it.

"I just need to go get my bike. Can I please meet you back at the house?" Bella said in a soft tone and Carlisle nodded. Bella stole one look at the family trying to sense any disappointment in her. Much to her surprise she did not find any, but something was definitely off and she couldn't place her finger on it. Bella sighed and walked away, her hands falling from Alice's shoulders, feeling the family leave towards the house all except for Alice who walked next to Bella in silence. Bella could see Alice out of the corner of her eye and knew she wanted to say so much but wasn't sure how to go about it.

Finally, after an excruciating long walk of silence, Bella and Alice made her way to Bella's bike. She started her bike and slid on her helmet, handing the spare to Alice as she climbed on behind Bella and wrapped her arms around her waist tightly, breathing in her scent deeply. Bella did not say anything but began to drive home, her mind working faster than she was driving. It did not take long for her to reach her home. Bella stopped the bike and turned off the engine, as Alice neatly jumped down and secured the spare helmet in the carrier bag connected to the bike. Bella took off her helmet and shook her hair free before meeting Alice's gaze.

"It's going to be okay, my love. We will be inside when you are ready to talk. Please, never forget that no matter what happens, I am always on your side." Alice said with a soft voice and left Bella alone as she moved her bike into the garage. Bella leaned against the nearby counter against her palms as she took in several deep and calming breaths.

' How did it come to this? Why am I unable to stop hurting my family and Alice. What in hell wrong with me' Bella thought to herself as she pushed away from the counter and ran a hand through her hair. She began walking towards the house, and paused as her shaking hand gripped the doorknob, resting her head against the door before taking in one more final breath. ' Here goes nothing' Bella thought to herself with a slight grimace, and opened the door, ready to rip off the final bandage on her past, and let the concluding wound be healed.