Chapter 14 – Stand Down
EPOV
Alice's vision came true. I was standing 100 yards away from the trio, while Bella was on the ground in the middle of their circle. She was terrified, hoping for me to help her. Why didn't Alice see Jacob standing with me? The wolves were my natural enemy and I didn't care much for Jacob, but he wanted Bella away from them almost as much as I do.
The dark-haired one is mine, Jacob declared. I nodded, looking James, the one who killed my mother. The others could have Victoria, but those men were about to die. My body leaned into a crouch, preparing to attack. Bella gasped for air as James took a hold of her arm. My eyes widened and Jacob took a step back. James chuckled darkly, "So this human does mean something to you," he looked at her, "Why?"
He stroked her cheek, then held strands of her hair. Jacob snarled, baring his teeth. "Don't touch her!" I spoke through my teeth. Laurent smiled and sniffed at her hair, "But she smells so sweet. What do you think James?"
Bella scowled and struggled to get James hand from her arm. James laughed as he pulled her into his chest, "I see why you find her interesting. She's feisty." Victoria stepped forward, took Bella's hand and inhaled at her wrist, "She smells delicious. Have you ever smelled anything like her?" Behind the trio, Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Carlisle and the rest of the wolves came out of the forest.
James pushed Bella back to the ground and he turned around. He stared straight at Alice, Well, this is interesting. James began smirking as he recalled memories of Alice, "Yes, I have. A little human girl about a century ago. Her blood was better than this one's" he caressed Bella's cheek again and she smacked his hand away. James looked back at Alice, "She was a little thing in an asylum in the South. She was looked over by another vampire and he changed her, trying to protect her from me." He stepped forward and pointed a finger towards her, "And there she is."
Jasper moved to Alice's side, crouching in front of her, "You hunted Alice?" Alice was motionless as she tried to recall any human memories, but nothing came to mind. Emmett moved closer to Jasper, blocking Alice from James' sight. James smiled at their attempt to shield Alice, "Yes, I remember her all too well. Mary Alice Brandon was the only human to ever escape me."
Alice gasped loudly, "That was my name?" It was shameful she had to learn about herself this way. James nodded, "Yes, the old vampire that watched over you, your creator, I destroyed him. He was fascinated by you and your little visions. But now," he looked back to Bella, "This one won't escape me." I snarled and James looked back, "Come any closer and I'll kill her." Which would be an awful waste of blood. James looked down at her, "Don't worry, I just want to see what she tastes like. I'm sure she's better than your mother."
My vision turned to red. This monster took my mother, he was not taking Bella. I leapt into the air. Laurent took Bella into his arms and ran with her. Her screams echoed behind them. Jacob ran after her, while I focused on James. I landed in front of James, kicking him in his chest. Through Jacob's mind, I saw Laurent and Bella. Her hair was blowing in the wind. I made myself focus on James and caught his leg as it was coming towards my head.
Taking the advantage, I made a strong pulled and ripped his leg off. The hunk of flesh was thrown across the field and Jasper caught it, then threw it into the flames of the fire. Victoria screamed as she saw James being dismembered. Alice leapt on Victoria's back, keeping her occupied. Victoria was concerned about James. In his mind, he had no concern for her. Alice fought with Victoria and pushed her into the circle of wolves.
James cringed on the ground, glaring up at me. In his mind, he recalled what Bella said to him, Too bad I can't say the same for you. He's going to rip you apart. I smirked at him, "Bella warned you and you didn't listen. I'm going to enjoy this." James bared his teeth at me. He swiped his hand at empty air as I dodged his hit. My arm curved around his neck, ready to take his head off, "Because of you, my life was destroyed." His elbow slammed into my torso, but I barely felt the impact.
James fell back to the ground and my foot smashed into chest, "If you think you're taking Bella away from me too," I leaned in closer, "Guess again." With all my strength, my knee slammed into his chest. He shrieked in pain from the impact. Under my knee, the skin of his chest was dusting away. James's arms fell to each side of his body. Moving quickly, I took them into my hands, tearing them off his body.
He screamed again, then snarled, "Laurent will finish the human and you will have lost everything," he spat at me. My eyes widened and my teeth sank into his neck, ripping out his flesh. That was for my mother, bashing his chest in was for Bella and tearing away his leg was for me.
Emmett came up behind me, "Edward, go. I'll take care of him. Get Bella." James was nothing but a whimpering pile of pieces now, "Thank you." Searching for Laurent's mind, I knew where they were. Following Jacob's foul scent, I ran through the dark trees. Through Jacob's eyes, Bella was on the ground, watching Laurent fight off Jacob. She looked terrified looking at the large wolf fight the vampire to the ground.
I will not be the only one lost tonight, Laurent was getting desperate. He tried to lunge at Bella, but she cringed away from him. She got to her feet, but he caught her ankle. I pushed myself faster trying to save the reason of my existence.
BPOV
Before Edward could get to me, I was being carried away. Laurent pulled me back into his arms. I couldn't help my screams, but it was for nothing. The wind was whipping so harshly, I could barely keep my eyes open. Fighting against the streaming tears, I opened my eyes and saw the giant russet wolf pursuing us. My eyes widened in fear.
What was more terrifying; me being in the arms of a bloodthirsty vampire or that we were being chased by a giant wolf? I prayed Edward would find me soon. The blustering wind suddenly stopped and I was dumped onto the ground and Laurent stood over me. Laurent's hand slammed into my shoulder, pinning me to the grass. My eyes closed as the pain registered to me. "Come closer, dog and I will kill the girl."
The wolf snarled as it took one step back. It was like it understood the threat. It's dark eyes fell on me as he backed away. The animal's eyes were black and focused, almost human-like. The wolf snarled, showing its sharp jagged teeth.
Laurent began to pull me further away. My fingers dug into the ground, trying to get out of his hold, but he pulled me back with one jerking move. Laurent looked at me, his eyes were malice. Behind him, the wolf lunged. A mass of dark fur flew over me, taking Laurent with it. Laurent's hold was broken, not before ripping the shoulder of my dress and exposing my skin. Sitting up, the wolf was at my side, snarling at the Laurent. Laurent glared menacingly, "What is it about this human that drives you so, shape shifter?" Shape shifter?
In all this madness, the memories of Jacob's legends entered my mind. His people were descendents of wolves. For one moment, the wolf looked straight into my eyes, then back to the vampire as he launched himself at us. The wolf's massive head knocked the vampire to the ground near me. Laurent sat up at an eerie speed and looked at me.
I swallowed hard as I realized that my shoulder had a spot of blood exposed and Laurent was staring at it. The wolf charged him, but a swift arm knocked the animal back into the trees. Even in terror, I was concerned for the wolf. He was protecting me. My body cringed along the forest floor, moving away from Laurent.
His cold hand clamped around my ankle, pulling me back to him. He was leaning over me, his teeth close to the dripping blood on my shoulder. My eyes pinched shut, afraid to the pain that was about to come. Everything happened so fast. Something slashed my shoulder, the russet wolf ran towards us with his mouth wide open and Laurent's hold on me was gone.
The wolf's mouth was clamped down on Laurent's arm. Behind the roar of the brutish beast, there was a whoosh of air and Edward was here. His eyes fell on me, then to the wolf holding his prey. Edward sprinted toward them; taking hold of Laurent's other arm, then ripping off his body. There was another gust of wind and another man was standing at the edge of the open field. The moonlight caught in his blond hair and lit ups his pale skin. My eyes narrowed as I recognized Dr. Cullen.
He stood still as he looked over the fight. Tearing my attention from the doctor, something rolled across the grass towards me from the fight. The pale chuck twitched and my mouth fell open. It was Laurent's hand.
I gasped and tried to move. My shoulder flared with pain from a deep gash. I was too afraid to notice the pain before. My body fell against the ground from the pain, making dirt and grass get on the wound. Dr. Cullen snatched up the hand away from me and started a fire, throwing the hand into the flames. Edward stepped away from the wolf, towards the fire. Dr. Cullen spoke quickly to Edward and the wolf. The wolf nodded as Edward did.
The smoke changed to a sweet smell and the flames turned to purple as the body of Laurent was burned. "Watch her, I'll be right back," Edward instructed. He looked back to me, then sprinted into the trees. He left me alone with the large wolf? That terror did not set in until the wolf stepped towards me. I whimpered silently, why did Edward leave me with this animal?
The wolf shook its massive head and turned into the trees. I was alone in the dark field. My wound was starting to burn; it may be infected. My hand rested on it, but the contact only made the pain worse. "Bella?" I looked up at the sound of the familiar voice. My eyes narrowed as Jacob walked toward me. He crossed the field, wearing nothing but some cut-off shorts. My eyes widened, "Jake, what are you doing here? Get out of here, it's not safe."
He ignored my warning as he kneeled down next to me, "No, it's fine now. Are you alright?" I gawked at him, "Jake, you have to go." What if the wolf came back? Jacob crouched by me, "No, Bells, really, it's safe. I'm sorry I scared you." I stared into his eyes and my mind fell on the wolf, "How did you scare me? What are you talking about?" my voice was a bit shaky. He sighed, "Bella, you just saw me and Edward tear apart that bloodsucker." The color left my face, "You?" my voice trembled. He nodded, "Yes." My hand cupped my mouth, "You're a…a…" "A werewolf," he added. "Wha… what," I blinked, "What is going on here?" Jacob moved my hand and looked over my cut, when our heads snapped up to another sound.
Edward was walking towards us. Jacob stood, looking at him. Edward flashed to my side and I clutched myself to him, breaking into tears. This was the most terrifying night of my life. He brushed my hair back, "Are you….." I heard him inhale deeply. I moved back to see his face. His eyes were on my bleeding shoulder. It was red and purple from the blood and bruising. The burning was getting stronger and it felt like it was moving. Edward was motionless as he held me, then suddenly, a dark hand knocked him away from me.
Jacob stood between me and Edward, "Get away from her." Edward's eyes were menacing as he looked at Jacob, "You stay away from her!" They glared at each other as the burning grew stronger. I winced and let out a huff. My breathing increased, as the burning moved down my arm and across my shoulders, down into my chest. My teeth chattered as the pain grew, clutching itself around my heart. My mouth fell open, but nothing came out.
The pain washed over my heart and it was pushed into every vein in my body. My legs collapsed as I let out a piercing scream. My fingers dug into my palms as everything within began to burn. "BELLA!" two voices yelled. My head whipped back and forth against the grass as the burning flames licked at every inch of my skin. This was unbearable, what was happening me?
