The Cullen Wedding – Part 4

As I made my way back to Billy and Sue, I couldn't stop thinking about what they were saying. Bella was going to die? They spoke about that but Bella and Edward didn't seem as concerned. Why?

"Where's Seth?" Sue asked as I returned to the two.

"Uh, about that." I started as I stood in front of the two. "He left."

This caught Billy's interest as he looked at me carefully. "What happened?" He asked. Billy seems to have caught on that something was wrong.

I bit my lip before explaining. "Jake stopped by." Hearing that made Billy sigh but he allowed me to continue. "A little fight broke out but the pack made him leave and Seth left with them."

"Okay." Billy nodded in understanding. "Thank you."

I didn't say anything as we all fell silent. I glanced at my heels on the ground next to Sue. I picked them up before putting them back on. My feet have had time to breathe and I can't keep walking around barefoot.

It was beginning to get dark. I assumed we would leave soon.

"I'm just going to go freshen up." I told the two. "I'll be back in a minute."

"Okay." Sue said in understanding.

I walked towards the house. The Cullens had told the guests earlier where everything was. I was going to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. I think I need a wake-up call back to reality so this is how I would do it.

I couldn't seem to focus. My mind was filled with the fight from before. The fact Bella would die. My head was spinning.

As I made my way into the house, I followed where the Cullens described where the bathroom was. I walked into the living room when I heard a noise behind me.

I spun around to see the blonde vampire with her hair in a bun from before. The one who was glaring at Seth. The one whose partner was killed by the pack.

I paused as I stared at her. She seemed surprised to see someone in the house at first. But it was quickly replaced by recognition. "You were with them." She stated.

"With who?" I questioned aloud.

"Those mutts." She spat as she walked closer to me. I took a step back but she closed the distance. "You reek of them."

I didn't reply. I didn't know what to say. She reached her hand out to me. "They killed him."

I saw her hand getting too close to my face, so instinctively, I raised my hand to gently push hers away from me. The back of my hand brushed against her arm as I moved it away.

Images shot through my mind. It was a man with dark skin, dreadlocks and red eyes. A name flashed in my mind. "Laurent…" I whispered.

I snapped back to reality as I watched the girl's eyes fill with anger. "Don't you dare say his name!" She screamed as she grabbed my wrists with her hands.

I let out a cry of pain as she used her strength to squeeze my wrists tightly. "I'm sorry." I tired apologising.

She wouldn't listen. "Don't ever mention his name!" She roared.

I could see the hatred in her eyes. All I could feel was pain and absolute terror. She could easily kill me.

Her hands gripped my wrists tightly as she squeezed. Her strength was beyond imagination. The pain spread all the way down my arms as I let out audible cries of pain. It felt like she would break my wrists.

Suddenly, Emmett appeared, grabbing the girl's arm with his hand. "Irina!" Edward appeared on her other side. "Let her go." He ordered.

At this point, I could feel myself shaking in fear. The vampire, Irina, glared at Edward. More Cullens flooded into the room. I recognised them as Alice, Jasper and Rosalie.

"Let her go, Irina." Emmet warned the angry vampire.

Irina glared at them all before slowly releasing me from her grasp. I stumbled backwards only to be caught by Alice. "It's okay." She cooed in my ear.

I watched as Irina was escorted by Emmett and Rosalie out of the house. "I-I d-didn't-" I stuttered but couldn't finish my sentence.

"Calm down." Alice tried to tell me but I couldn't.

I began to panic. "I-I'm s-sorry." I cried out. "I-I didn't mean to see it. I-It was an a-accident!" I shouted to try to clear up the incident.

"I'm sorry!" I shouted. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" I was hysterical as Alice held onto me so I wouldn't collapse.

"It's okay." Alice tried to reassure me. She turned to Jasper. "Jasper."

It was like a wave of calmness hit me. Just like when I first arrived at the wedding. I stared at Jasper. Was this his doing?

It was like time slowed down. Alice and Jasper moved me to a couch and sat me down. I saw Carlisle and Esme enter and talk to Edward but I couldn't hear what they were saying. It wasn't long before they left again.

I placed one of my hands to my forehead. It was then I noticed by wrist. I brought my hands in front of my face to see my wrists were bruised from Irina's grasp.

Alice looked at me with sad eyes. "Does it hurt?" She asked gently.

"I don't know." I mumbled. It hurt when Irina squeezed them but now I don't feel anything.

"It's probably the adrenaline." Jasper spoke up. "It's masking the pain for now."

I frowned. It wasn't very comforting knowing it would hurt later. Movement caught my eye as Carlisle, Esme and Edward walked in along with Billy and Sue.

As soon as Sue saw me, she ran to me. "Maddi, are you okay?" She asked with worry as she kneeled in front of me.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I answered as I snuck a glance at Billy. He, Carlisle and Edward seemed in deep conversation.

Sue continued to fawn over me until Billy and the others came over. "I think it's about time we leave." He told us as I simply nodded.

"We'll escort you out." Carlisle said as he looked at Esme. "But first, let me look at your wrists."

Carlisle sat down next to me as I held out my hands for him to examine. "Can you wiggle your fingers for me." I did as instructed. "Now move your hand." Once again, I did as told. "Any pain."

I shook my head. "Not really."

"Good." Carlisle smiled as he got up. "You haven't broken anything. Just some bruising. When you get home, make sure to put some ice on it."

"Okay." I said as I stood up, ready to leave.

We followed after Carlisle and Esme, just as Bella walked in. "I heard from Rosalie and Emmett." She said as she walked up to me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine. Just startled." I reassured the girl. "But we are heading off now."

Bella nodded in understanding. I smiled at the girl as I gave her a hug. "Sorry we couldn't stay longer." I pulled away from her. "I had a good time here." I admitted, not including the last few incidents. I don't want to ruin their special day so I'll keep my mouth shut.

I turned to face Edward as well with my next statement. "I'm so happy for you two and I wish you the best." I grinned at the two.

"Thank you." The two said simultaneously.

And with that, Carlisle and Esme led us out of the house.

After we left the wedding, we drove back to Billy's. After Sue dropped Billy and I off, she left to go home.

I glanced at my car parked in front of Billy's. "You're welcome to stay here until Embry comes." Billy offered. "Plus, we need to ice them." He glanced at my bruised wrists.

I gave him a sad smile. "Thanks, I'd like that." I admitted as I followed him inside his house.

When we walked in, Rachael and Paul were sitting on the couch watching the TV. "Welcome back. How was it?" Rachael asked with a big smile.

Billy tilted his head. "It was… eventful." He stated.

Rachael let out a sigh. "Yeah. Paul told me Jake crashed the party." She frowned at the thought. "Besides that, how was the wedding?" She turned to me expectantly.

"Uh…" I didn't know what to say. Before I even had the chance, Rachael jumped up from her seat. "Maddi! What happened to your wrists!" She asked as she rushed to my side.

I brought my hands closer to my face as I stared at the purple bruising. Paul stood up as well to check on me. "That doesn't look good."

"It's a long story…" I trailed off, not sure how to explain it.

"Rachael." Billy grabbed his daughter's attention. "She needs to apply ice to it. Think you can help her?"

"Of course." Rachael said as she guided me to the kitchen.

She opened the freezer and found some ice packs. She took them out and grabbed nearby tea towels. "Hold out your hands." She instructed.

Rachael was careful as she wrapped my wrists. "Does it hurt?" She asked carefully.

"No. They look worse than they feel." I explained to the worried girl.

Rachael watched me carefully. "Can you tell me what happened?"

I let out a small sigh. "Let's just say vampires have a strong grip." I told her vaguely. Rachael saw I didn't really want to discuss it so she didn't push further. I was grateful for that.

Rachael finished applying the ice packs. "There." She said with pride. "Just leave them on for a bit and you should be fine."

"Thanks." I smiled at the girl.

The two of us walked back to the living room. I was surprised to see Embry in there. As soon as we walked in, Embry, Billy and Paul all fell silent. They seemed to have been in deep discussion.

"Well, we will leave you to it." Billy suddenly said as he wheeled himself out the room, presumably to go to his room.

"Us too." Paul said as he grabbed Rachael's hands, leading her out the room as well. Rachael threw me a sad smile before following her boyfriend.

I watched everyone exit the room, leaving only me and Embry. I looked at the boy who had a sad look. He was staring at my wrapped wrists. Like it pained him to see me like this. I couldn't bear to see his sad expression anymore so I placed my arms behind my back and averted my eyes.

Suddenly, I felt arms pull me closer as Embry embraced me. "I'm so sorry you got hurt." He whispered in my ear. "I shouldn't have let you go. I shouldn't have left when I was there. I should have made Seth stay to watch you."

"It's not your fault." I mumbled as I leant my head on his shoulder. "There was nothing you could have done."

"I should have been there to protect you." He said with a pained voice. He felt guilty.

I pulled myself out of his arms so I could look at him in the eyes. "You protect me enough." I reassured him with a gentle smile. He looked like he was about to object but I didn't give him the chance. I don't like him putting himself down. "Did Billy tell you what happened?" I questioned.

"Yeah." Embry answered with a small nod. "Edward and Carlisle told him. And he told me, and Paul too."

"Right." That made sense since Billy wasn't there when it happened. "Please don't hold it against the Cullens."

"They hurt you." Embry started with slight anger.

"No. They didn't." I interrupted. "It was Irina. The Cullens saved me."

I could tell Embry was upset but was trying to keep his composure. Thank goodness Embry could control his temper. If it was Paul, he would have lost it by now.

I glanced around the room. I felt like we were intruding in Billy's home. "Can you drive me home?" I asked Embry. "I'd rather we talk there."

"Yeah, of course." Embry said as I grabbed my bag I left here earlier. It had all my belongings and clothes.

"But first, can you help me take these off." I lifted my hands, indicting the tea towels on my wrists.

Embry tilted his head. "Don't those need to stay on?"

I shook my head. "They've been on for a short while and my wrists are starting to go numb."

Embry walked forwards as I extended my arms. He gingerly removed the tea towels and ice packs. He was careful not to accidently hurt me. He placed them on the bench as he got to look at my wrists for the first time.

They were a deep purple. He carefully stroked them with a sad expression on his face. "They look worse than they are." I reassured him but it didn't help. I had to snap him out of his trance. "We should put the ice packs back in the freezer."

"Right." Embry said as he picked up the ice packs, taking them to the freezer.

I rummaged through my bag and found my car keys. I swung the bag on my back by the time Embry walked over. "Here." I passed the keys to him.

We left Billy's house and I hopped in the passenger side of my car. The drive was quiet. We both knew we would talk at my house so we just enjoyed the company of each other.

When we arrived at my house, we quietly went to my room. I could hear my parents sleeping from down the hall. I closed my bedroom door and turned the light on.

I sat on my bed, leaning against the bed frame. Embry sat next to me as I leant onto him. "I assume you want to know what happened tonight?"

"I heard that Irina attacked you, grabbing your wrists." Embry retold what he had heard.

I looked at my bruised wrists. "Yeah. To be fair, it was kind of my fault. I mumbled a name I shouldn't have."

Embry was surprised by this. "What name?"

"Laurent." I replied.

Embry paused as he thought about it. "The name sounds familiar but I don't know why."

I looked at the boy with sad eyes. "He was the mate of Irina." I explained. "He is the vampire with dreadlocks that you and the pack killed after he was going to kill Bella."

Embry's eyes lit up with remembrance. "Oh, I remember him. So they were dating."

"Yeah." I mumbled solemnly. "It's understandable why Irina lashed out like she did. It was my fault."

Embry shook his head. "No, it's not. She shouldn't have attacked you."

"If I was in her position. If someone hurt you, I would be furious if they brought you up." I admitted. I felt my heart hurt just thinking about it.

Embry leant his head on mine. "I will never let that happen. I'll never leave you alone." He stated seriously.

We stayed like this for a moment. Appreciating the fact that we had each other. Eventually, Embry spoke up. "Edward mentioned something to Billy."

I looked up at Embry. I tilted my head, waiting for him to elaborate. "Edward said you were apologising for seeing it by accident." I bit my lip. "He told us about your 'gift'."

I sighed. "I wouldn't call it a gift."

"What is it?" Embry asked as he looked at me.

"I don't even know." I said with exasperation. "Sometimes, images just go through my mind and I know things that I shouldn't. Like I knew Laurent's name, I knew Emily was injured by what I now know was Sam, I knew this dreamcatcher was made by an imprint." I pointed at the dreamcatcher on my door.

"And dreaming that Jacob was hurt?" Embry asked.

I shook my head. "I've never had them like dreams before. Maybe that one was really a coincidence. It usually happens when I touch things." I let out a sigh. "But I can't control it and it's totally random."

"That's what Edward thinks." Embry stated causing me to look at him. "He says you can't control it and it's not very powerful. He believes it allows you to see the past and present, and if it gets stronger, maybe even the future. It's just a little gift you have."

I frowned as I stared down at my bed. "Does that make me weird?"

"No. It makes you, you." Embry smiled lovingly at me. "And I love you the way you are."

"I love you, too." I whispered as I snuggled into his neck.

We stayed like that for a while before I pulled away. "Embry, I have to ask you something."

"Anything." He said with an endearing smile.

I took a deep breath as I built up my courage. "Will you go to the school dance with me?" I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for his answer.

I felt my heart skip a beat as he responded. "Of course."

I placed a hand over my racing heart. I'm sure he could hear it. "Oh, thank goodness." I sighed in relief.

Embry looked down at me with surprise. "What? Did you think I would say no?" I didn't reply which gave him his answer. "Anytime spent with you makes me happy."

"That's what Seth told me." I mumbled.

"Well, he was right." Embry admitted.

I grinned at the boy until a thought hit me. "What happened with Jacob and Bella at the wedding?" I asked with concern. "Jake said Bella would die."

Embry frowned. "You heard that, huh?" He let out a sigh. "We thought they would change Bella after the wedding, but she's going to be human on their honeymoon."

My eyes widened in realisation. "She's going on their honeymoon while still human?" I glanced at my bruised wrists. Irina did this to me and I don't think she even realised it. Now I understand why Jacob thinks Bella is going to die. "Surely Edward won't kill her."

Embry sighed. "Who knows. But there's nothing we can do."

I knew Embry was right. Bella made this choice. She could have been turned and then went on their honeymoon. She knows the risks.

"What about Jake? What happened when you guys left?" I questioned.

"Jake couldn't control himself and phased." Embry explained with a sigh. "We managed to keep him away from the wedding, with the help from Sam's orders."

I felt my heart drop. "Poor Jacob." I muttered.

"He'll be okay." Embry tried to comfort me as he wrapped an arm around me.

I rested my head on Embry's shoulder. "I hope so."