CHAPTER NINETEEN

Once upon a time, there lived a young woman and she was very much in love. Everything in her life seemed the definition of absolute perfection. She would walk about the town and all eyes would shine bright at the sight of her. She married her sweetheart when she was just eighteen years old and every towns person was sure to show up to the wedding.

Seven years passed by and the young woman lived in a beautiful house at the north end of town. Her darling husband would kiss her often and express his happiness and love for her. They were expecting their first child just before Christmas. Yes, indeed, everything was perfect.

"I don't believe in curses."

"How can you not when the evidence states contrary."

A long sigh.

"Shelly, I only brought this up because…I want you to be cautious. Please listen to me and just make sure that you are being safe."

"I'm not going to allow anyone ruin my happiness. Curses are designed to keep us from reaching our true potential. They hold people back. My husband and I are fine. We are having this baby and we will live until our children are gray. Honestly, Emily. Don't let silly superstitions keep you from finding love."

However, it wasn't but a week after that the young, beautiful, hopeful woman would meet the demise of her perfect life. Her husband was killed instantly and she was left in such despair that even her baby left her as well. Mrs. Shelly Cope would never be the same again.

Mrs. Cope came to work for the Cullen residence almost thirty years after the demise of her husband and child. For a time, she had become somewhat of a recluse. Brought down by her pain and despair, it wasn't until she devised a plan in her head that suddenly the despair and pain began to wane.

Master Edward Cullen was married to a young beautiful woman named Hope. Mrs. Cope could see plenty of herself in this woman. Long gone were the days when Shelly Cope would scoff at the mention of curses. In fact, she had begun to believe wholeheartedly in them and it only seemed fitting that the Cullen's and Swans were responsible for her anguish.

It was simple. Take from Edward Cullen what was taken from her. It would be all too simple. Hope was already expecting her first child so Mrs. Cope had all she needed to cause Edward Cullen the pain he was responsible for.

Mrs. Cope searched and searched for the proper way to exact her revenge. She wanted it to make sure that nothing could ever be traced back to her. But Hope Cullen went into labor sooner than expected and it was a surprise when two little girls came out instead of the one they were expecting. The moment Shelly Cope's eyes fell on the faces of the innocent angels; she knew she could not go through with her plans. It would be devilish thing to take the life of two innocent beauties.

Seeing Hope obtain everything that she dreamed of, Mrs. Cope had no choice but to continue forth with her plans. There would be no hope for Hope. Mrs. Cope slide a special concoction into her food and it was enough to do the trick. Master Edward Cullen would now feel the pain she had suffered from and even though she did come to find some respect for the man after years had passed, she still felt that her master got what he deserved. Justice was served.

The two young Cullen girls seemed to be spared from Mrs. Cope evil doings…for a short while at least.

Mrs. Cope harshly massaged her hands as she thought of the final step she must take. Mr. Black made himself quite clear, as long as the Cullen's and Swans lived, the curse would remain. Mr. Black promised to take care of the Swan girl and the master, all she need to do now was slip the very same concoction that killed the young girl's mother into their morning porridge and the world would be right once more.

Mrs. Cope's felt her nerves began to slip. She stood over the pot with the tiny vial and cursed herself for not having the courage to do what must be done.

"Mrs. Cope."

Hearing a voice from behind caused Mrs. Cope to drop the entire vial into the porridge. Mrs. Cope looked down into its depth and watched as the liquid began to mix.

Mr. Whitlock walked over and began to examine the pot.

"What is that, Mrs. Cope?"

Mrs. Cope felt her mouth go dry. What was she to tell him? How could she begin to explain herself?

"I need you to listen to me," She began. "This is going to sound incredible but please…just listen. I beg of you."

Mr. Whitlock narrowed his eyes but waited patiently for her explanation. He still was unsure what the small vial contained but it peaked his interest. What in the world was Mrs. Cope's extra ingredient?

"What if I could tell you that I have a way to break the curse? Do you know what this could mean? You could feel free to marry the woman you love and not fear death for it. I have been informed that with my help, in just a few short days, we will all be free."

Mr. Whitlock was very curious to what Mrs. Cope was up to. Her eyes held a different kind of craze in them that he had not seen from her before. He felt it would be best to remain quiet until she divulged her plans.

"It is simple. We are cursed because of the Swans and Cullen's feud. We have an opportunity to end that feud forever and restore the town to their rightful place of happiness. Just let me serve this breakfast and we will be half way there. I know it sounds extreme to see two innocent's lives taken but with their sacrifice, we will save hundreds more."

For the first time, Mr. Whitlock began to understand Mrs. Cope's actions and desperation. He felt the breath leave his lungs and not return.

"Your plan is to kill the Cullen family?" He asked point blank but calmly.

"It's a small price to pay," Mrs. Cope replied softly.

"You think you could do something like that? Take a life so easily?"

"It's easier than you may think. The loss of a love one can make the most difficult situations, easy."

"You may say that now but the moment you realize what you have done and know that the blood is on your hands…"

"When I look at my hands, I don't see Hope's blood. I see justice."

Mr. Whitlock felt his blood chill at her admission. Mrs. Cope didn't know why she was being so forthright. Maybe confession was something she desired to give for the past eleven years. Her shoulders already felt the weight lifting.

"Even if you were successful with your intentions, what about the Swan girl? Isabella Swan has left Haven, so your plans may be in vein. You can't assume that ending one of the feuding blood lines will cause your curse to expire."

Mrs. Cope let out a relieved breath. She felt Mr. Whitlock coming to see her view of things. It felt nice to have someone in her corner to help shoulder the burden.

"Mr. Black assured me that he would see to it. I believe he has found her and she in back in Haven."

"Mr. Black?" Mr. Whitlock questioned.

"Yes, Mr. Black came to me with his story of peace and happiness. He will save us all."

Mr. Whitlock walked closer to the pot and watched as the small vial had nearly disappeared. Mrs. Cope scooted closer to look down into the pot herself.

"Mr. Black has Isabella Swan and will kill her if you promise to kill the Cullen's?"

"Just the daughters. Mr. Black said he would take care of the master." Mrs. Cope smiled faintly. "Isn't this good news? Aren't you happy to have your freedom back. Freedom to love and marry whom you choose?"

Mr. Whitlock looked pensive before turning his gaze upon Mrs. Copes wild eyes.

"My happiness can't be true if it means ending another's."

The light faded from Mrs. Cope's eyes and she took a step back but she was far too slow for Mr. Whitlock. With ease he had her pushed up against the stove with her hands behind her back. Mrs. Cope began to squawk loudly as she felt her freedom stolen.

Mr. Whitlock looked around for something to use to detain her while she fought against him.

"What is going on here?" Master Cullen's voice from the swinging kitchen door caused the pair to pause. Mrs. Cope felt the blood drain from her face. Her body went limp with hopelessness.

"Master Cullen. You need to look into the porridge. This woman has a campaign to bring death to you and your children. She is working for Mr. Black. They have wild ideas that if they bring about the Cullen's and Swan's demises then the curse will be broken."

The master was shocked into confusion. How could Mrs. Cope want to do something so horrible? He thought about his quest that he had mapped out in his study and a piece fell into place. Harry Clearwater was with the Black's.

A stuttering sound seemed to leave the master as he tried to work the puzzle. He slowly shook his head in disbelief. He trusted Mrs. Cope. She wanted to kill his children? Kill? The thought ran through his mind until it marred his perfectly crafted face.

"She confessed to killing your wife, sir," Mr. Whitlock said softly.

Master Cullen's head snapped toward the lowly woman and he felt his feet advancing on her. He had one thought in his mind and that was to bring an end to this evil woman.

"Wait! Sir!" Mr. Whitlock pulled Mrs. Cope behind him for the moment. "I know what you must be thinking but you need to wait. There is more. Mr. Black has the Swan girl. He plans on killing her. If you have any chance to find her, it will be through Mrs. Cope."

And like his body had just been plunged into a bath of ice, Master Cullen was able to clear the fog that clouded his mind for vengeance. Easily he pulled Mrs. Cope out of Mr. Whitlock's hands and grabbed her by the chest of her dress shaking her violently.

"Where is she?" He barked.

Mrs. Cope let out a muffled scream. She knew he would harm her if she said nothing. She could feel as frightened tears ran down her face. She shook her head from side to side.

"I do not know, sir."

Master Cullen's hand found its way around Mrs. Cope's long skinning throat and he proceeded to squeeze.

"You took my wife. You wanted to take my children….but if any harm has come to Isabella Swan, I'll be sure to rip every limb off your body. Tell me where she is."

Mrs. Cope's chest began to ache. What was she to do? She couldn't deliver the answers that would cease the strangled hold upon her neck. She could see into the master's eyes and knew there was nothing she could say to clear them.

"I beg you…but I do not know. Mr. Black came to me a week back and said he would make arrangements. If I follow through on my end….we will all be free. Why can't you see for the better good…"

"Killing innocent people? You sought to kill me. YOU WOULD KILL MY CHILDREN! MY CHILDREN!"

Once again the grip Master Cullen had begun to tighten. Mr. Whitlock stepped in and placed a gentle hand upon his master's.

"Sir, I think if Mr. Black has Miss Swan, then she will be somewhere in the woods. He won't keep her far from where he is."

Mr. Whitlock was correct. Mr. Black had an old shed on his property that was just a few hundred feet from the end of the Cullen Estate. In the dark woods stayed many Black's, Ateara's and Uley's. Comprising a community of their own practically, these families associated within Haven but did not identify themselves as supporters.

Isabella Swan sat down against the corner of the shack she had been placed in. So far, her arms bared the abrasive nature that she had been subjected to. Her tiny tummy however remained untouched, thankfully.

It had been a confusing couple of months for Isabella. She had moved quite often due to a lack of funds and when she found herself staring at the white stick that showed her future, the positive test led her to believe that her problems were just beginning. She fought the urge to return to Haven. She should tell Edward, shouldn't she?

It wasn't until she found three large men grabbing at her appendages that she realized her problems paled in comparison. However, when she saw the sign that read "Haven," a part of her was relieved that these men were about to force her to do something she was too scared to do on her own.

There was one tiny window up high in her shack enough so she could not reach. So far, the men had left her alone and after surveying the area to see if there were any possible escape routes, she was left to sit on her own in the corner as she wondered what these men could possibly want from her.

It had been five long months and now Isabella's tummy was just small enough that if you didn't know her current condition, one would think she had put on a little stress weight. She pulled the tiny practical cell phone from out her pocket and checked it for signal. Apparently, her captures were not so bright. But there was no signal to be found. Of course not. How could signal be found in a place that housed people who still dressed up in long dresses and overcoats.

During her time away, Isabella tried hard to investigate Haven. There was very little to find of it in any place she looked. The only article she was able to read was a small one written by a local paper on the fluctuating population but even then the reporter wrote it off as some kind of freak mystery. Isabella had a feeling that the town had probably not been so honest on their birth and death rates probably feeling that any honesty on their parts might put Haven in some kind of spotlight.

But as the darkness began to creep in on the tiny shack, Isabella had a feeling that she was about to find out the answer to her mystery.

A weathered, frail looking man opened the door to the shack and stepped in. Isabella stood up quickly, and was readying herself. The old man appraised Isabella for a long moment and she did the same of him.

"I'm sure you wonder why I have summoned you."

Isabella snorted ironically. Being grabbed and forced into a truck was a summons?

Her hand ran over the small phone in her pocket and she briefly thought about finding a way to utilize the device to help her somehow.

"The Swan's and the Cullen's," The old man announced.

Isabella narrowed her eyes.

"You know this whole town believes in a curse. Fools. Such simple fools."

"I don't believe in curses," Isabella stated.

"Then you are not a fool….apparently."

"Who are you exactly? You know who I am…apparently. I think it's only proper I should have the name of my abductor."

The old man turned toward the small window and looked up out toward the sky. He could tell the sun was just minutes from setting as he contemplated how to make his introduction. Isabella took that moment to fumble for the proper button on her phone. She had never liked the damn thing but now was her chance to use it. She located the recording device on the phone and took a breath waiting for answers.

"I am…a descendent. A man who took up a challenge that my father before me and his father before him and so on placed upon us. A long line of Blacks who were here long before any Cullen's or Swan's. Land is life, Isabella. Isn't that true? Fools! All of them are fools," He finished softly.

Isabella felt her heart beginning to speed up. She could see where this was starting to head and it frightened her.

"I'm sure you've heard of the infamous feuds between the Cullen family and the Swan family. They both came to settle here at the exact same moment and claim this land for themselves. Silly, silly fools. How can you claim something that isn't free to claim? My line has been here far longer than any Swan or Cullen family but they didn't feel the need to stick some silly flag into the ground and trample upon the dirt with bold declarations. Families began to move in and pay respect to the Cullen's and Swan's as if they were any kind of leaders. Our territory was pushed farther and farther into the woods until one day, my great, great, great…grandfather decided to call upon our brother wolves to solve the problem. The town feels that this place is cursed from a feud of two families. Mysterious deaths happening throughout the town. Loved ones lost. Fools dying. The Cullen's and Swan's took everything from us….so…we decided to take something back."

Isabella felt a chill run up and down her spine as she processed these words. She took a small breath.

"All those people…you killed…all those people," Isabella said shaking her head slowly.

"Not all. Some of them were actual acts of God…as your people may call it. We…just decided to give your God a hand."

The eldest Black walked toward the door and opened it.

"The town thinks that there is a curse and I have come to the decision to put an end to it all. I am getting too tired and old. Soon my son will take my place and I don't know if you know him but he isn't the brightest. I can't leave my family's legacy in his hands so luckily for the town of fools, I have decided to end the curse."

"How kind of you," Isabella said in a controlled anger.

"It only makes sense that if the Cullen's and Swans are responsible for the curse, then the only way to end the curse would be to end the Cullen's and Swan's bloodlines. Correct?"

Isabella already knew where he was heading before he even began to speak. She didn't feel fear or maybe she did but it was being masked by a strong wave of anger. He not only planned on killing her but Edward and his daughters. Her own child. This was certainly not a time for fear.

The eldest Black stepped aside from the door and gestured for her to leave the shack.

"And how exactly are you planning on killing me? You've been mighty inventive in the past. What are your plans for me?"

"Walk through the door…and run. In the fairness of sport, we will give you a small head start."

Isabella walked toward the open doorway and gazed out. She looked around the wooded area and could not see a thing that would cause her life to end but as she stepped one foot from the shack, a howl in the distance told her everything she needed to know.

The wolves were coming.

AN: My apologies for the amazingly long update time. I had a baby in December and it has taken over my whole world. I know how patient you have all been and I really appreciate your loyalty to this story. I hope you will enjoy. Sorry to say I don't know when I will be able to update again but i will try sooner than later. Thank you again!