Lunar Love Chapter 20.

Disclaimer: The phone call between Rosalie and Edward was taken from Miss Stephenie Meyer only it's been tweaked a little to better fit this story. I own nothing.

…

Previously:

….

"We didn't find anything." she said sadly, "Besides the normal immortal child where an adult vampire bites a human child and they start the change from that. There was nothing about a half-breed born of a human and vampire that we could find. So instead we did some brainstorming of our own." she stopped to look at Hermione's shocked face,

"Oh bloody hell, that's nasty." she muttered quietly shaking her head as if it would get the realization out of her head,

"What? What is it?" asked Bella nervously

"Blood. You need to drink blood for the baby."

"What the hell?" Billy muttered to himself five minutes later, still in the same position his son last saw him. He barely remembered wheeling himself around and dialing Harry's number until he heard his friend's gruff voice on the other side of the line and his own words shocked him out of his stupor.

"We need to get to Old Quil. Have you ever heard of a wolf getting amnesia and forgetting he's imprinted?"

It took him five seconds to repeat himself after Harry asked him to. Five minutes to stop his friends raucous laughter. And another fifteen to finally get to Old Quil's.

…

Now:

…

"What?" asked Old Quil quite clearly shocked at what the other two Elders of their tribe told him.

"Jacob has forgotten about his imprint." said Billy sagely, "His memory didn't even jog when I said her name." he clarified for the older man whose eyes widened ever so slightly at the news.

Old Quil put his pipe down and let out a very tiring sigh before looking towards the other two men sadly, "I have never seen or heard of such sorcery. Our wolves, our children should be immune to such controversies like this."

"Is there anything you can do to fix it?" asked Harry quietly finally able to look at Old Quil directly. To say having the imprint bond completely forgotten like this is a shocking understatement. One Harry nor Billy nor even Old Quil wanted to question.

"I'm afraid that there is nothing I personally can do to fix this." said Old Quil but held up his wrinkled hand to stop the onslaught of words from spewing from his old friends' mouths. "However I'm sure if Jacob imprinted on her once he will do so again." relayed Old Quil causing the other two Natives to take on a very contemplative look.

…

"Thank goodness you're back to eating regular food." Hermione muttered placing the chowder in front of Bella before sitting down at her own place at the table. Just as she was about to take a bite though two sets of glaring eyes began drilling holes through the middle of her forehead so she did the thing she knew the two men in front of her would do. She glared right the hell back at Draco and Ron then vaguely gestured to Harry's apparent direction before speaking.

"Aren't you two older than him? Look at that! He's being a big boy and fixing his own bowl of food perhaps you should do the same." threatened Hermione discreetly smirking as she noticed the wizards' glares intensified as the giggling coming from Bella and Ginny grew a little more louder.

Just as Ron opened his mouth to retort back to the witch, the front door was heard opening and everyone besides Bella and Ginny tensed as they awaited who had entered the house. It was when Hermione recognized the footsteps did she allow her body to relax and finally take a taste of the meal she prepared. Harry and Draco noticing Hermione's now lax position quickly schooled their features to do the same, yet it was only until Ginny glared at Ron and managed to kick him in the shin from under the table, did he too relax.

"Oh wow. Something smells good in here!" shouted a familiar yet tired voice.

Charlie Swan upon entering his kitchen stared at everyone sitting at his table. It was exactly as he had expected. Everyone Hermione had described from her school that was now in the states was here. More specifically they were here in his kitchen.

"Hermione. Bella." the chief of police nodded politely towards his niece and daughter moving to grab himself a bowl. As he finally managed to reach one he turned around suddenly and said clear as day, "Hermione's magical little friends." before continuing towards the chowder Hermione had prepared for everyone. When he had enough, he started walking out of the room stopping only once to stop in front of the red headed wizard.

"Ronald Weasley?" he asked quietly looking directly at the boy. Only the empathic look the man displays for interrogation was on his face at the moment. Ron barely managed a quivering 'Yes sir.' before Charlie removed one of his hands from his bowl and lovingly patted his pistol three times before leaving with a deadly whisper, "I don't like you." followed shortly by a quick, "I'm gonna be eating in my room girls; lots of paperwork!"

"Well that went better than expected." murmured Hermione quietly as Bella quickly nodded her head in agreement taking a bite from her broth, muttering along the way, "Thought for sure he would've gotten shot."

Ron merely glared at the older muggle girl while Harry and Ginny covertly covered there tracks by coughing quietly, Draco and Hermione however had no such qualms as the ever articulate Malfoy heir snorted loudly and Hermione refused to not let Ron see the ever growing cheshire grin on her face.

…

The Death Eaters were speedily walking through the corridor of the decrepit old building, harsh whispers leaving their mouths as they spoke of their new leader and his plans.

"The girl erased his memories apparently." whispered a grave voice a little too loudly for comfort.

"Shut up you moron!" spoke the other voice just as loudly, quickly lowering his volume as he continued, "Don't want anyone overhearing. I don't know what the bloody hell is so important about that. If the brat doesn't remember her anymore he's no use to us anymore."

"Still it's curious isn't it?" asked the first man, "She has never bothered with any of her kind since entering our world …"

"It still doesn't matter obviously he isn't-"

"Don't you idiots have something better to do then speak of the little tart currently attempting to ruin my plans?"

"No sir!" they both yelled, startled and rushing to attention,

"Then perhaps you should do as you are told and continue with your work." the cloaked figure merely glared at them when they didn't take the hint, "Well I don't have all day to babysit you imbeciles, I have a lovely red-haired vampire I need to be meeting."

Still the two stared open-slack jawed at their leader.

"Leave. NOW!" he ordered quite brutally allowing a force of his magic out to push away the two henchmen.

"They seem even dumber than my children." cooed a velvety soft voice from the shadows.

"You have no idea. You should merely be grateful you have yet to meet Petigrew."

…

A slightly shadowed skewed version of Bella sitting down on a couch next to a very handsome human boy could be made out.

If she could look closely she would notice Bella fading to darkness, seemingly blending into the surrounding areas, while the other boy would almost look directly at her then cloak himself from her view. Every time Alice would attempt to see into Bella's future something of this affect would occur and quite frankly it was annoying the ever living tar out of her. Well sort of.

She could only view the two of them from far away almost like she was watching through an old beat up satellite TV trying to make it past the film of static, the closer she tried to really get in and understand the show. She didn't like it. Especially taking into consideration that she was used to high definition and surround sound.

Not to mention the further within the next four months she tried looking into Bella's future the less she appeared, however if she were to look past that time by a few weeks Bella could be seen in her visions. Visions filled with glimpses of Bella, Charlie, Hermione and that boy from earlier, that clearly knew how to block himself from her sight should the need arise. Hell she had even seen that by this time next year Rene would be with both Hermione and Bella though the before-mentioned woman did not look too thrilled about that.

The one thing was for certain right now though. If Bella continued on her path it won't be Jacob nor Edward who would become the permanent fixture for her life.

"Alice dear, is everything alright?" questioned a gentle voice from the door. Alice quickly plastered on a pretend smile and decided to think of these sublime thoughts of her visions for later.

"I think so. Has Edward answered any of our calls yet?" asked Alice attempting to change the subject though Esme's knowing gaze reversed the conversation right back where it started.

"Darling you know Edward doesn't want you looking for Bella." she tried to console gently.

"And I told Edward that I don't care. Bella was my best friend. I don't like how he made us all leave her like that. I've seen her in my visions Esme. If it weren't for Hermione I think she might have done something stupid."

"Well thank goodness for Hermione then huh?" asked the elder vampire, "Your eyes are black Alice. Did you need to go hunting soon?"

"I can manage for a few more hours." the pixie replied nodding her head sagely, "I have to call Edward there's something he should know." she whispered the last part quietly to herself before a flash went off in her eyes and she began calling for Rosalie.

…

The phone in my pocket vibrated again.

It was the twenty-fifth time in twenty- four hours. I thought about opening the phone, at least seeing who was trying to contact me. Perhaps it was important. Maybe Carlisle needed me.

I thought about it, but I did not move.

I wasn't precisely sure where I was. Some dark attic crawl space, full of rats and spiders. The spiders ignored me, and the rats gave me a wide berth. The air was thick with the heavy scents of cooking oil, rancid meat, human sweat, and the nearly solid layer of pollution that was actually visible in the humid air, like a black film over everything. Below me, four stories of a rickety ghetto tenement teamed with life. I didn't bother to separate the thoughts from the voices—they made a big, loud Spanish clamor that I didn't listen to. I just let the sounds bounce off me.

Meaningless.

All of it was meaningless.

My very existence was meaningless.

The whole world was meaningless.

My forehead pressed against my knees, and I wondered how much longer I would be able to stand this.

Maybe it was hopeless. Maybe, if my attempt was doomed to failure anyway, I should stop torturing myself and just go back...

The idea was so powerful, so healing—like the words contained a strong anesthetic, washing away the mountain of pain I was buried under—that it made me gasp, made me dizzy.

I could leave now, I could go back. Bella's face, always behind the lids of my eyes, smiled at me. It was a smile of welcome, of forgiveness, but it did not have the affect my subconscious probably intended it to have. Of course I could not go back. What was my pain, after all, in comparison to her happiness?

She should be able to smile, free from fear and danger. Free from a longing for a soulless future. She deserved better than that. She deserved better than me. When she left this world, she would go to a place that was forever barred to me, no matter how I conducted myself here.

The idea of that final separation was so much more intense than the pain I already had. My body shook with it. When Bella went on to the place where she belonged and I never could, I would not linger here behind. There must be oblivion. There must be relief.

That was my hope, but there were no guarantees. To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub, I quoted to myself. Even when I was ash, would I somehow still feel the torture of her loss?

I shuddered again.

And, damn it, I'd promised. I'd promised her that I wouldn't haunt her life again, bring my black demons into it. I wasn't going back on my word. Couldn't I do anything right by her? Anything at all?

The idea of returning to the cloudy little town that would always be my true home on this planet snaked through my thoughts again.

Just to check. Just to see that she's well and safe and happy. Not to interfere. She would never know I was there...

No. Damn it, no. The phone vibrated again. "Damn it, damn it, damn it," I growled.

I could use the distraction, I supposed. I flipped the phone open and registered the numbers with the first shock I'd felt in half a year.

Why would Rosalie be calling me? She was the one person who was probably enjoying my absence.

There must be something truly wrong if she needed to talk to me. Suddenly worried for my family, I hit the send button.

"What?" I asked tensely.

"Oh, wow. Edward answered the phone. I feel so honored." As soon as I heard her tone, I knew my family was fine. She must just be bored.

It was hard to guess at her motives without her thoughts as a guide. Rosalie had never made much sense to me. Her impulses were usually founded on the most convoluted kinds of logic.

I snapped the phone shut. "Leave me alone," I whispered to nobody knowing she could not hear me any longer. Of course the phone vibrated again at once. Would she keep calling until she passed along whatever message she was planning to annoy me with? Probably. It would take months for her to grow tired of this game. I toyed with the idea of letting her hit redial for the next half year...and then sighed and answered the phone again.

"Get on with it."

Rosalie rushed through the words. "I thought you would want to know that Alice was in Forks."

I opened my eyes and stared at the rotten wooden beams three inches from my

"What?" My voice was flat, emotionless.

"You know how Alice is—thinks she knows everything. Like you." Rosalie chuckled humorlessly. Her voice had a nervous edge, like she was suddenly unsure about what she was doing.

But my rage made it hard to care what Rosalie's problem was.

Alice had sworn to me that she would follow my lead in regards to Bella, though she did not agree with my decision. She'd promised that she would let Bella alone...for as long as I did. Clearly, she'd thought I would eventually fold to the pain. Maybe she was right about that.

But I hadn't. Yet. So what was she doing in Forks? I wanted to wring her skinny neck. Not that Jasper would let me get that close to her, once he caught a whiff of the fury blowing out of me...

"Are you still there, Edward?"

I didn't answer. I pinched the bridge of my nose with my fingertips, wondering if it were possible for a vampire to get a migraine.

On the other hand, if Alice had already gone back... No. No. No. No. I'd made a promised. Bella deserved a life. I'd made a promise. Bella deserved a life.

I repeated the words like a mantra, trying to clear my head of the seductive image of Bella's dark window. The doorway to my only sanctuary.

No doubt I would have to grovel, were I to return. I didn't mind that. I could happily spend the next decade on my knees if I were with her.

No, no, no.

"Edward? Don't you even care why Alice is there?" "Not particularly." Rosalie's voice turned a trifle smug now, pleased, no doubt, that she'd forced a response from me.

"Well, of course, she's not exactly breaking the rules. I mean, you only warned us to stay away from Bella, right? The rest of Forks doesn't matter." I blinked my eyes slowly. Bella had left? My thoughts circled around the unexpected idea. She hadn't graduated yet, so she must have returned to her mother. That was good. She should live in sunshine. It was good that she'd been able to put the shadows behind her.

I tried to swallow, and couldn't.

Rosalie trilled a nervous laugh. "So you don't need to be angry with Alice."

"Then why did you call me, Rosalie, if not to get Alice in trouble? Why are you bothering me? Ugh!" "Wait!" she said, sensing, rightly, that I was able to hang up again. "That's not why I called."

"Then why? Tell me quickly, and then leave me alone."

"Well..." she hesitated. "Spit it out, Rosalie. You have ten seconds." "I think you should come home," Rosalie said in a rush. "I'm tired of Esme grieving and Carlisle never laughing. You should feel ashamed at what you've done to them. Emmett misses you all the time and it's getting on my nerves. You have a family. Grow up and think about something besides yourself."

"Interesting advice, Rosalie. Let me tell you a little story about a pot and a kettle..."

"I am thinking about them, unlike you. Don't you care how much you've hurt Esme, if no one else? She loves you more than the rest of us, and you know that. Come home."

I didn't answer.

"I thought once this whole Forks thing was finished, you would get over it."

"Forks was never the problem, Rosalie," I said, trying to be patient. What she'd said about Esme and Carlisle had struck a chord. "Just because Bella" —it was hard to say her name out loud— "has moved to Florida, it doesn't mean that I'm able... Look, Rosalie. I really am sorry, but, trust me, it wouldn't make anyone happier if I were there."

"Um..." There it was, that nervous hesitation again.

"What is it that you're not telling me, Rosalie? Is Esme all right? Is Carlisle—" "They're fine. It's just...well, I didn't say that Bella moved." I didn't speak. I ran over our conversation in my head. Yes, Rosalie had said that Bella had moved. She'd said: ...you only warned us to stay away from Bella, right? The rest of Forks doesn't matter. And then: I thought once this whole Forks thing was finished... So Bella wasn't in Forks. What did she mean, Bella hadn't moved?

Then Rosalie was rushing through her words again, saying them almost angrily this time. "They didn't want to tell you, but I think that's stupid. The quicker you get over this, the sooner things can go back to normal. Why let you mope around the dark corners of the world when there's no need for it? You can come home now. We can be a family again. It's over."

My mind seemed to be broken. I couldn't make sense of her words. It was like there was something very, very obvious she was telling me, but I had no idea what it was. My brain played with the information, making strange patterns of it. Nonsensical.

"Edward?"

"I don't understand what you are saying, Rosalie." A long pause, the length of a few human heartbeats.

"Alice stayed away from Bella and Charlie. At least from a distance. She's still gotten visions about her Edward and Alice has seen her. She's moved on. With someone else."

A longer pause.

"I'm...sorry. You have a right to know, though, I think. Bella seems to be happy with this boy. Alice saw it, but … It's too late to do anything. Alice says she isn't going to change her mind if she's on this path much longer."

The phone went dead. It took me a few seconds to realize that I'd shut the power off.

I sat in the dusty darkness for a long, frozen space. It was like time had ended. Like the universe had stopped.

Slowly, moving like an old man, I turned my phone back on and dialed the one number I'd promise myself I would never call again.

If it was her, I would hang up.

If it was Charlie, I'd get the information I needed through subterfuge. I'd prove Rosalie's sick little joke wrong, and then go back to my nothingness.

"Swan residence," answered a voice I'd never heard before. A man's husky voice, deep, but still youthful.

I didn't pause to think about the implications of that.

"This is Angela Weber, I'm a friend of Bella's from school." I said, perfectly imitating the young girl's voice. "May I please speak to her?"

"She's not up for calls right now." the voice responded, and I was dimly surprised by the anger in it. The words were almost a snarl. But that didn't matter.

"Well, when will she be?" I demanded, getting impatient.

There was a short pause, as if the stranger wanted to withhold the information from me.

"Don't know," the boy finally answered with a smug tone to his timbre.

I shut the phone again.

…

"Who was that?" asked Bella as she helped herself to another bloodpop before landing gracelessly onto the couch.

"A vampire." spoke Draco spitting out the word as if it was poisoned

"What?" coughed out Bella as she tried sitting up straight.

"I have no idea who it was. Said her name was Angela Weber but I doubt it was telling the truth." muttered Draco finally looking at Bella.

"I have a friend named Angela from school …" trailed off Bella hopefully, though a crestfallen look appeared on her face as Draco quickly nodded his head in the negative.

"I have this thing, most of my family does where certain creatures sound different to us. My dad has the ability too. There's just something about a vampire's voice that's just a little too velvety, too smooth, too unnatural to be human."

"Edward said the first time I met him, 'Everything about me invites you in.'" quoted Bella quietly

"And you still dated him too?" asked Draco back, "It's no surprise you and Granger are related."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" spoke a shellshocked Bella as Draco smirked good naturally

"All I'm saying is once upon a time Hermione believed that even house elves should be given the same rights as wizards." Bella wasn't exactly sure what a house elf was but the tone Draco used suggested that he believed them to be lesser creatures than he.

Bella was not amused.

…

Faster.

Run. Faster.

Images of Billy, then Charlie and finally Bella swam through like a picture book ending too quickly than the thinker would have liked.

But Jacob no longer felt the warmth that accompanied every thought that Bella once brought him. No longer did the love he once felt for the older girl make him stutter in step, feel light-headed and make him want to declare his undying love for her. The very thought of doing so made him nauseous.

Images flashed through his head though this time it wasn't his thoughts he was viewing. Leah before Sam changed, Emily and Sam together, Leah, Emily. Leah. Emily. Leah.

"Jacob you feeling okay?" Emily. Leah. Emily.

"Fine Sam." Bella. Bella. Bella.

"I'm worried about you kid. That's all. You haven't been acting yourself lately. Even the Elders have noticed it." Leah. Emily. Leah.

"Yeah well you all shouldn't." Billy. Old Quil. Bella. Harry. Bella.

Bleach.

Bleach and rotten cotton candy.

The familiar sickeningly sweet smell wafted into their noses. And their senses kicked into overdrive.

Run.

Faster. Run. Run.

Rip. Kill. Destroy.

The drive to destroy his natural enemy, controlled Jake for all of five seconds before a second smell underneath their decaying odor drifted to his wolf. Calling him like a beacon home.

His scent only slightly different. More feminine. Honeysuckle, lilies, and chamomile.

Hermione.

…

Summary: Hermione could not believe how she got conned into going to visit her relatives in the states after the war. There were only three things she knew for sure. First she was a very tired and exhausted warrior from war not yet ready to move on like her parents were forcing her to do. Second she was not allowed to use any of her magic. And third Hermione knew irrevocably and without a doubt that if nothing interesting would happen in Forks, Washington something or someone is going to get blown up.

Pairings: Hermione Granger x Jacob Black

Rated: M+

Edited: 07/09/12

Dark Wolf Love