Bella's pov
I woke, my head pounding, my ribs agony. Once again in the bed of feathers.
It was a dream, there was no voting, no argument, no jasper hurting me, no peter's warning. Nothing. A stupid nightmare again.
I rolled up my pajama teeshirt, and stared at the purple hand prints on my arm. The bruises purple, green and blue. Similar to the ones on my chest. Almost as they had been there for days. My head broke out in a cold sweat and I rolled up the other one. The exact same finger print marks littered that arm.i tried to match my fingers to the bruises, but my fingers were too short.
It was jasper that hurt me…it wasn't a dream, and mates don't hurt mates.
I quickly rolled down my sleeves once again, and took a few deep breaths.
In, and out.
I stood up from the bed, wincing at the pain, on my arms, and my ribs. I made my way towards the bathroom at the other side of the room.
In, and out.
My hand turned the door handle, and I ushered myself inside, locking the door behind me. I stumbled to where the mirror was… and peaked inside.
In, stutter, out.
The woman in the mirror wasn't me. It couldn't be. Had I honestly lost that much weight?; been that ill? My snow skin looked sick, and was covered in a sheet of sweat. My eyes looked hollow and lifeless. My cheeks, sunken in, making my cheekbones jutter out. My lips, a dark pink. Almost red.
In,sigh, out.
I brushed my teeth, ran my fingers through my hair, and sat on the lid of the toilet seat. I found myself staring at the shelf of the bathroom for a long while, a very long while. Hours maybe? But when I finally peeled myself from the shelf, I noted someone banging on my door. And they sounded worried, beyond worried. I unlocked the door, and opened, casting a look behind me to the thing I had been staring at for hours.
A razor.
"Bella!" Esme cried, gently embracing me "my daughter!, are you okay? How do you feel?!"she seemed overly worried, I shook away her fluttering hands
"Im fine. I was thinking" I furrowed my brows "how long was I out?"
Esme looked nervous "well…you see…You woke a few times throughout the operation, so that didn't help. And you may have bled out at a point, so Carlisle was almost about to bite you, but your heart juttered and started again…"
I shook my head in disbelief "what operation?, Bled out? What? Esme!" I was so close to becoming one of them. To not be the weakling anymore, to be with them.
"When you were outside..With jasper.." she said hesitantly "your broken rips pierced your major vein that leads to your heart, with the amount of movement. After you collapsed, Carlisle raced you inside, and spend 12 hours patching you up. We had to clear the house, for the human drinkers."she wrinkled her nose "I stayed, as did rose. We had to keep you sedated, you have to understand. You would have been in a lot of pain" she garbled.
"esme…how long was I out?"
"don't be mad, we did it for you.."
"ESME!"
"a week. Im so sorry Isabella" she hung her head, my eyes bugged from my head. A WEEK? I HAD BEEN SLEEPING FOR A WEEK?
"Edward and Alice are at the airport, I came to help you get ready"she finished lamely. I nodded silenly, my mouth still open. She helped me change into jeans, and a white top, with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows. She brushed my hair, and pinned some back, she slipped shoes on me, and I stood. Thanking her. It was the most awkward time I had ever spent. She left, calling for Rosalie. And I took the chance to roll my shirt up, and stare at the long bandage that covered my chest, to my belly button.
I too, was scarred.
Rosalie entered, smiling sadly at me.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, making sure everything fit.
"Horrible. I just want to sleep forever" I sighed, she raised an eye brow, as she tucked the back of my label in.
"you wont do anything stupid, would you?"
"of course not"
"good"
Silence. She stared at me, I stared at her. I heard the front door bang open, and lots of squealing. I suddenly hugged rose hard. Tears in my eyes. Her rock hard body went stiff for a second, before she hugged me back, squeezing gently. As if I was breakable with a single touch.
"Thank you for being there, with me. I know it was hard…for the blood and all" tears spilled down my cheeks, she grabbed my shoulders gently, careful of the bruises, and made me look at her.
"it wasn't just the blood, even though your blood is the most delicious thing I have ever smelt.. your my sister. Seeing you in pain, on the verge of death. I couldn't leave you. It wasn't possible. I had to fight to stay of course, Emmett wanted to stay, but peter said he would lose control. So it was me,Esme and Carlisle" she smiled proudly, and wiped my tears away "now lets go face those idiots"
She grabbed my hand, and slowly. Veryyyy slowly, we headed down the stairs.
The whole entire family came into view, and I couldn't take my eyes off the two wrenches. Who both plastered fake smiles on their faces. I searched for Jasper's face, but it wasn't to be found… A Tear escaped my eye, and ran down my cheek, leaving a wet trail. Im pretty sure Alice's smile got even bigger.
"It's great to see Bella up Bella, we missed you" Emmett spoke first, patting my shoulder tenderly, he looked depressed and sad. The whole family did. Except those Mongrels standing at the door. They shined with rainbows and daisy's coming out of their asses.
"Thanks Em" my throat chocked up "I missed you all too"
Alice coughed lightly, followed by a giggle. I rolled my eyes slightly, and Edward's eyes narrowed a tinge.
"It's great to see you Bella" Alice beamed, her teeth flashing in the light .she jumped forward suddenly, throwing me off balance and making me wobble. And hugged me, Hard. Crushing where I had, had my operation. Squeezing the bruises on my arms with her rock hard arms. Someone grabbed her shoulder from behind, and I was surprised when it was peter. His eyes were dark, and mad.
"I suggest you keep your hands to yourself" he hissed. Alice winked, giggled, and danced back over to Edwards side.
"Isabella" He nodded in my direction.
"Edward" I returned the favor, with as much coldness as I could muster. I turned towards peter and mouthed thanks. I was pissed at peter, but I LOATHED Alice and Edward.
Esme ushered me into the kitchen, Giving me some pain relief tablets, making me gag. She then laid out a breakfast that consisted of ; Cereal, Toast, Tomato Bacon 2 eggs Sausages, orange juice, crumpets, and a cup of tea. My stomach flipped itself upside down as she laid it all out for me.
"Esme" I pleaded "This is far too much, FAR too much"
"You need beefing up Bells" Emmett joked, plodding down next to me "Your too thin and frail. Plus, Your injured" he beamed a smile, pushing the toast towards me "Now eat"
2 pieces of toast, a crumpet, A cup of tea, and a small glass of orange juice later. I was stuffed.
"You cant be full, you barely eat a thing!. Are you feeling okay? Would you like me to call Carlisle?" Esme fretted.
"No, No, I'm fine" I replied, standing up quickly. I was too fast, my head felt like it was full off wool, and I felt myself falling. I was caught by a familiar pair of arms, who helped me stand. I spun round and glared.
"Don't touch me"I hissed at Edward. My arms crossed.
"I was only trying to help…Bella" Edward's mouth turned up at the corners, clearly amused.
I huffed,and spun on my heel, towards the back door. I noted that Esme had left. I opened the door, and slipped outside. Hoping that the pest wouldn't follow me. But Edward, in old Edward fashion, followed me. I crossed the lawn, aware that he was behind me. I suddenly skidded to a stop, my eyes closed and my jaw clenched.
"Leave. Me. Alone" hissed, my voice full of hate.
"Bellaa" he practically sang my name "What have I done to deserve this kind of reception?"
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" I shrieked "Let me see, Treated me like shit, DOWNGRADED your own brother, also giving up on him. Who is also my mate, AND YOU FUCKING RAN OFF WITH MY BESTFRIEND."I screamed, the wind whipping my hair around my shoulders. "But as always" I laughed with no humor "Perfect Edward Cullen has done no wrong"
I gasped loudly, as he was suddenly in my face, his body towering over me.
"I never said I was perfect. No relationship is flawless. You are one to talk, Isabella Swan" he spat, his eyes coal black, sending a shiver up my spine.
"I know I'm not perfect, I know what me and Jasper have isn't flawless. But I'm happy, and I'm doing something I couldn't do when I was with you" i glared up at him, my body tense, my side throbbing.
"I'm Living my life." I told him, with no emotion. He chuckled, a haunting laugh.
"Trying to pull strings are we now Isabella?" he chuckled "Playing others hearts?, your bolder than before." He flashed his teeth in warning, and I took a step back. Please don't bite me please don't bite me..
"Where's your beloved mate now?" he mumbled, closing the gap between us. I squeezed my eyes shut. Shit hes going to bite me.
"Here" A Voice floated to my ears. It sounded pissed, worried, and more pissed. My body sagged in relief. I peaked open my eyes, to see Jasper standing a few meters away from myself and Edward, who had crouched in front of me.
"Brother, It's a pleasure to finally see you. Safe and sound" Edward's happiness was obviously fake, I could tell that, so jasper obviously could as well. Jaspers black eyes lit up in amusement.
"I wish it was a pleasure, but I would be lying" He replied cockily. I almost found myself giggling. But then I remembered the bruises on my arms, and my mood turned neutral.
"Stand away from my mate, mind reader" Jasper added, seeming more pissed than before. I saw Edwards body vibrate, laughing. He must be sending jasper his emotions. Which no doubt, must have included lust.
I stepped sideways, away from Edward, in which he growled.
"Boy, I suggest you leave her alone" Jasper hissed, his body turning tense.
"But I cant, she's just so beautiful" Edward purred, enjoying Jasper's emotional turmoil. I saw jasper's body, inching to rip his head off.
"Jasper don't"I blurted out "That's what he wants"
"You're.." he laughed " 'mate' is very smart" he smirked over to where I was, and I glared deeper. "but I believe I hear my Alice calling. So I shall take my leave, for now" he was suddenly back in my face, stroking my cheek. Before running off into the surrounding woods.
I let out the breath I had been holding, my body shaking. I knew they never should have came. Both of them.
"Bella" Jasper cradled my name in his voice, he was In front of me. He held my hands in his, and they were on fire.
"Jasper" I blinked away tears "he was here. With me, he was here." I shook my head, my fists clenched. "I should have left the moment I woke, or at least moved myself away from them!.im such an idiot!" the tears were coming faster now, and I brushed them away ashamed. Jasper tilted my face up, towards him, and his lips ghosted over mine. A loving, gentle kiss. My muscles unclenched, I forgot about the pain in my side. My Jasper was here. With me.
"I'm so," I heard Jasper gulp down a small sob "So unbelievably sorry, for…before." His eyes were sad, almost haunted looking. I stroked his cheek gently, his eyes fluttering closed for a second.
"There's nothing to forgive" I told him lightly "I pushed you too far"
"But the answer is never this!" he blurted out, yanking my teeshirt up, revealing the long finger print marks. His eyes filled with tears that would not fall, as he matched his long fingers to the print.
They fitted perfectly.
"Mates don't hurt mates" he mumbled quietly and my cheeks flushed red.
"I didn't mean it, it was just a stupid dream" I blurted quickly, my voice stuttering.
"No…your right…Mates don't hurt mates."
"But…that means" my eyes filled with tears "Were not.."
"Oh, we are" I breathed our relieved "Our souls connect, But it's the simple fact. That we have not mated properly, and we wont, until you become one of us"
"But why? Why not now?"I asked,
"Because it involves the mating bite. Which would vanish during your transition. Also it would change you, but you wouldn't be fully changed. The mating bite doesn't involve as much venom as the change bite. So you'd be stuck between transition. Only the ones who have found their mates, can perform the mating bite"
"oh…That clears up a lot" I tried wrapping my head around it all, but I was too exhausted.
"Indeed it does" he chuckled. He gently swooped me up into his arms, careful of the bruises and the stitches, and walked back towards the house.
"where are we going?" I asked, snuggling into his chest.
"Your dead on your feet, I think you need to sleep"
"but im not" I yawned "tired"
"Sure your not" he winked at me, and the rest was a hazy mess.
I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
-Alice'sPOV—
"You FOOL" I slapped Edward, hard across the face.
"I'm sorry" he whimpered " I could only work with what I had"
"you SHOULD have followed the plan!" I growled at him "Instead of letting your feelings, WHICH JASPER CAN FEEL BY THE WAY, get in your way!" I shrieked. My head full off visions.
"And now, they are back together. Sorted through ALLLL their little tiny baby problems" I added sugary sweet voice at the end, before hitting Edward, who was on the floor, across the head again "IDIOT!"
"Will the plan still work?" Edward pleaded, his eyes full of hope.
"You're faith in me is close to none, brother." I laughed lowly "Of course it will. But we need to speed up the progress. And I have just the idea"
DUNDUN DUUUUNNNN. Remember to review~!. Scary chapter!:*!
Hoped you enjoyed!, this one took a little more time to think!