Hello Everyone, we have reached the end of this installment in my version of the Twilight Saga. I know that I made many departures from the original source material, and I hope that in doing so, I was able to create something fresh and enjoyable to read. As always, please feel free to leave a review of any kind. If there is an idea or something you'd like to see happen in the next installment, please do not hesitate to let me know. I hope to have the first chapter of Blood Moon out by this time next week, if not sooner.
Thank you!
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX: BATTLE LINES
"THIS IS RIDICULOUS," I SNARLED AS WE STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE RESERVATION. The rain pelted the car, waves of water flowed down the windows. It was only three in the afternoon, but the outside world appeared as dark as night. I couldn't help it. My emotions had gotten the best of me, and so the storm had returned.
"Beau," my mother warned, her voice weak. She stared at me through the rearview mirror. I tore my gaze from her's and stared straight ahead, through over where the road curved, arms crossed tightly over my chest.
"Love," Edward called; his hands forcing themselves through my arms. "It's fine. I'll be right here, waiting. Please. Today will be difficult enough without you massacring anyone."
My tone was sharp and drowned in venom."Maybe it would help me feel better."
"Beau," Edward and my mom said in unison; Edward pleading, my mother stern. I exhaled through my nose.
I knew my dark mood was caused mainly by what today was: Hailey's funeral. It had been more difficult than I would have originally imagined, to get myself here. My body had dragged as I showered and shaved. My hands had been trembling too strongly for me to fasten the buttons of my shirt or to wrangle the tie around my collar—Edward had needed to do each for me. In the week since I had returned, I had been desperate to set this moment aside, to brush it away so that I would never need to face it.
A lot had happened in that first week back. My mother had explained my absence from school on a serious migraine, mixed along with pneumonia—and I'd needed to be hospitalized. That was why I hadn't been able to tell any of my friends where I were…it was a story they all bought. They were just glad that I was alright.
The Cullens return had caused quite the stir around the town. The hospital was delighted, and did not attempt to conceal their joy at Carlisle's return. Angela and Jess had each gawked at Edward and I when they saw us getting out of his car in the school parking lot. Him and I had established a story—that he and the rest of his family had already begun their move back from California when Carlisle saw that I had been admitted into the hospital for my illness. Edward had come to visit me, and the rest was history. I'd done my part well back in September, that no one seemed too surprised that I would have taken him back…after all, he'd had to move away, and neither of us thought long distance would work. But now that he was back, of course, he was with me.
He'd resumed his original class schedule, as had Alice. There were many times that I caught Edward listening to the thoughts of my friends, trying to gain as much knowledge of what the past six months had been like for me. He suffered through each memory, each glance at the life I had created to avoid my pain. Though, he was also in awe. He saw that I had been truthful in that I had not allowed myself to wallow in grief. Though I couldn't agree for the reasons that he was amazed. Everything had been a ploy, a way to distract myself. Star student, yearbook editor, the musical, the college acceptances that grew everyday…none of it had been caused by strength, but by weakness.
Seth had moved in, permanently. He would be starting at Forks High on Monday. Edward, Alice, and I each there to shield him. Jessica and Angela were also at the ready. They'd been over to the house everyday after the news broke that Hailey had been…mauled by a bear. Carlisle and my mother had worked together to ensure that was the story made known to the public.
Seth tried to put on a brave face—especially when he was around me. I made it a point not let my guilt be known when I was around him—but I suspected that he knew that I stilled blamed myself, that I accepted full responsibility. He couldn't handle that right now, and I didn't want him to. It was my guilt to overcome. My consequence to face.
Seth and Sean had left earlier, joining Leah and the rest of them at Billy's. Though Sean and Seth had asked us to join, my mother and I knew that we were not wanted. The news of our betrayal, as Billy had put it when he'd called to berate my mother the first night the Cullens' move back had been made official, had made its way around the entire reservation. While no one in Forks was the wiser, those in the know on the reservation fully understood. And they would not forgive us. Generations of camaraderie, friendship, all gone. Because we would not hate the Cullens. Because…they knew what my choice would be, and what it had always been.
But that didn't matter, not today, I tried to tell myself, over and over. Seth and Sean were all that mattered. Today they would have to say goodbye to Hailey, forever. Within a few hours, her coffin would be lowered into the ground, where it would rest for as long as the earth kept turning.
So it did not matter what Billy, Jacob, Sam or any of the others thought of me. I would ignore their glares, shove aside the feelings of accusations and rage, and deal with it tomorrow. I needed to be strong, for Seth.
I turned and looked at Edward, my eyes void of any light—which frightened him.
"You don't need to wait out in the rain," I reminded him, again. "Go back to your house," I ordered. "I'll be fine."
Edward held my face in his hands.
"I'll be home," he said pointedly, and I knew what he meant. He kissed me, before exiting out of the car, racing back to my room.
My mother's police cruiser remained running, but she did not shift it back into drive. This past week had taken a toll on her. Billy had been like a brother to her, as Jacob had been to me. In one instant, their relationship had withered away. On Billy's end, to loathing, on my mother's helplessness. She understood his reasonings, even if she could not agree. She had made her choice. And like me she would have to face the consequences of that.
"I don't want to do this, Beau," she admitted, and I heard the disgust in her voice. "I don't—," she gasped, sobs echoing from her throat. I felt sick as I watched her body tremble. I placed my hand over her shoulder.
"I know," I told her. "Neither do I. But we have to. For Sean and Seth."
She sobbed, her head slumping down. Her hands left the steering wheel and covered her face.
Without saying a word, I got out of the car and walked towards the driver's door. The rain coated me, and drenched my clothes. I opened the door, and waited for my mom to move. She looked over at me for a moment, confused, before reading the intention on my face.
Awkwardly, she unfastened herself from her seat and shuffled onto the passenger side. I lowered my body into car, and shifted the gear into drive.
Everyone was already inside of the chapel when I parked the car, taking the spot closest to the exit. We sat in silence for a moment. Neither of us ready to walk into the sea of distain. My mom grabbed my hand while we stared out into the storm.
"I know," I whispered.
Each of us exited the car, and slowly made our way towards the small church. We'd each been braced for the glares and whispers, and so we held out heads out high when we entered into the room. It was almost as if we'd drawn out the air from the crowds lungs. I felt the room grow colder. Dark eyes glared at us. I read the shocked expression of everyone.
Sam, Emily, Jared and Paul, shot daggers at me. Their faces wrenched up in disgust. Embry's face was the only, conflicted, one that I saw. He looked at me, the same sense of respect and awe I had seen in his eyes when I'd be dragged by Seth and Jacob from the beach, still there. But there was still reservation and reluctance. Emily's accusing eyes never left mine as she leaned in to whisper something in Sam's ear. I felt my face harden into stone, could feel my eyes grow darker, wickeder. I'd hoped that Sam would know, that I would gladly expose myself for what I was, if he tried anything now. It would be nothing to cause him to burn, and throw his body through the walls of the church.
Jacob and Billy did not turn to look at us. Their eyes remained focus on casket. I heard my mother whimper. And I reached down to take her hand. Together, we moved forward, aiming to take our seats on the right side of the room. Bethany glowered at me as we approached. She urged her children up to their feet as they moved towards the opposite side. Her husband, still a deputy to my mother, and clueless as to why, looked at us apologetically, before following his wife and children. Everyone else on that side moved along with them. The left side of the room shifted in their seats, creating as much space as they could to allow all those who'd rather be crunched like sardines than sit near my mother and I into their pews.
Alone, we sat at the front. Neither of us looked at one another, or at the other side. We stared where Hailey's body laid, her casket closed. The memory of my vision rammed into me. I saw her struggling in Victoria's grasp, fighting with every ounce of strength to free herself. In my mind's eye I watched as Victoria brought her down, closer to her mouth. I remembered the way that her body had trembled as the teeth of the monster clamped around her throat. Her legs kicking violently. Until…the fighting grew fainter, her body and resolve weaker.
And then…her body grew limp.
I clenched my jaw, my teeth grinding together. My mother's grip on my hand tightened. Seth had told her, that I had seen it happen. And I knew that she was aware that the memory was all I could think of.
Low, depressing music began to play from the invisible speakers. Everyone remained seated as the doors behind us opened. I listened as the footsteps of Hailey's second husband, Sean, Leah, and Seth echoed around us. I did not look behind me. I closed my eyes, fighting away tears. And so, I was surprised when I felt someone sit beside me.
I turned to my left, and saw Seth taking his place next to me. He offered me a small, comforting glance. His eyes were stained red, and soaked with tears. I sucked back a sob, before smiling down at him.
Sean took his place beside my mother. He reached for her hands and pressed his lips to them.
Leah had moved to sit beside Billy. She stole only one, insidious glance my way.
The four of us sat together throughout the service. Together. As a family.
Seth had survived his first week at Forks better than I would have expected. It helped, that he already had made friends with mine, through his help of the show. Angela and Jess stuck to him, like flies caught on a trap, whenever he weren't in class. Edward and I were always watching, waiting and ready for when he would need us to intervene. Fortunately, my friends were able to sympathize with his grief. They did not treat him like a piece of glass, already shattered, barely holding on from breaking. They were just gentle. Included him whenever they could. Listening as he tried to break from his shell. They treated him, as they would treat anyone.
It was strange to go back to high school. I was playing a part all over again. It was easier, in many ways. To play the part of an older brother whose younger sibling had experienced a tragedy that no one else could comprehend. I was allowed to be more subdued. Expected to be quieter, less lively than I had been pretending to be.
Edward was never far from me. He was committed to his promise, in proving to me that he would never leave again. In most ways, it made things easier, in other ways, more difficult. Because, after I had watched Hailey Clearwater's casket lower into the ground, I had made the resolve to destroy Victoria myself.
In whatever moments that I was alone, I would practice. Sharpening and perfecting the gifts that I had inherited or stolen. The telekinesis was the simplest to perfect. Focus, set the intention, flick a finger, wrist, arm, even squint. It was as easy and natural as breathing. Of course, my mood effect the overall result. When I was calm, things moved as gently as if I were physically touching them. The more agitated or desperate I was feeling, the stronger the resulting effect were.
Alice had explained to me, that she thought my modes effected the weather. When I was calm or happy, the weather remained as it should be. A constant cloud of overcast littered the air, and covered all of Forks. The only shift were the moments when Edward and I were alone. Then, the clouds would part, and the sun's rays would dance over his skin, casting thousands of rainbow prisms all around.
The angrier or darker I felt, the stronger the weather would become. I wasn't in control of this. And it was not uncommon for Forks to experience multiple weather phenomenas within the same hour.
But what I practiced, what I stressed the most over, were the more formable gifts that I taken from Jane, and her brother.
Jane's power was easy to understand. I'd wanted to hurt her, the way she had hurt Edward. I hated her. The hate, the darkest of emotions, the most lethal, manifested in the burning. I would need to channel that darkness to cause the effect. And I didn't like that. Jane was a monster. And I didn't want to be. I knew myself well enough, to know that I could summon that power, inflict that misery on anyone, as long as I hated them enough. But it came with a cost. A dark cost. One, that I would always want to avoid. If I could.
Alec's power, on the other hand, was one I did want to master. The black fog that he could create, obliterated the senses of all those that it touched. The victim would feel nothing. They would be devoid of all senses. I could render anyone, Victoria, Aro, the entire Volturi guard useless with it. But it had been one thing to use it, when the fog had already been summoned, another to conjure it myself. It took my upmost concentration. I had caused my nose to bleed, each time, as I focused. I pictured the black smoke, setting the intention to evade and protect. All I could muster, were small, black flumes in my palm. They formed and flickered like ebony flames, before fading away into the air. But each time they formed, I felt the air around me stiffen. And I knew that, with more practice, I would be able to conjure and control them.
And so, when Victoria returned, I'd be able to surround her with the darkness. Entomb her in her own body. And then, I'd flick my wrist, and her fairy head would twist and break, and fall to the ground, where I would wait to burn it.
As content as I was, that Edward and his family were back, beginning to believe again, that I belonged with them, I still could not fully run from the fears that chased me.
To my knowledge, Seth had not spoken to Jacob, Sam or anyone else since I'd returned. I knew that, on some level, they resented him as much as they did me. They saw his choice as him turning his back on his own people. The tribe, his brothers, as they guilted him into believing. That had only solidified my hatred towards Sam, though I still tried to reserve that rage towards him alone. I struggled in knowing that Jacob had grown to hate me. When I thought of this, I saw only the small, hyper-active child that he had been in our youth. The same boy who got me into trouble, but who made me feel safe and alive. Away from my mother, Sean, Seth or Edward, I speculated if his hatred was his alone, or an influence from Sam…that also did not help my loathing of the man. If there was anyone I could practiced the burning gift on, it was Sam Uley. Part of me wondered if I would enjoy it—to render him useless and pathetic in front of the pack. And then I wondered if being a witch made one more prone to insidious desires—so I would force those thoughts away.
It was easier than it should be, to ignore all of the negativity. Despite myself, Edward's return had, in more or less ways, broken the spell. The knight in shining armor had come, vanquished the dragon, and with a kiss, awoken the sleeping prince from his cursed slumber.
Perhaps it was the knowledge that my mother understood and accepted what this meant, or the innate knowing that Circe had seen me, during her life, with him. From mortal to witch, to vampire…somehow I knew that she had seen this, had prophesied it.
And yet, my sour mood would surface.
Spring Break started on Monday, and Edward and I were set to go to New York. Thankfully, my father and Loretta could not attend. Hector had come down with a cold, and they were each worried about traveling with him, or even leaving him. I'll admit, I was both relived and bothered by my father's acceptance of Edward's return. I couldn't be sure if it were my convincing act, or his blatened lack of observation where I was involved, that had made him so perfectly at ease when I'd told him that Edward and the rest of the Cullens had come back. As such, Seth, Sean and my mother were slated to go with us. Sean and Seth were eager for the trip, and I understood that they were desperate for an escape—a week where they could forget everything, and be enamored with the Manhattan hustle and bustle.
"It's absurd," I vented to Edward as him and I sat in his car, waiting for Seth to finish his conversation with Jess…was she flirting with him? I watched the way she moved here body, twirling a lock of hair in-between her fingers. Seth's face blushed as he smiled, his eyes glancing down to the concrete. I'd need to talk to Jess about that…
Edward sighed. "Love, it's complicated. The werewolves have a long grudge against us. Of our kind. They have caused strife before us—the wolves are correct to be weary."
"But you're not like other vampires," I spat. "I won't be like that. I'm more dangerous to them now as a human. And believe me, I've thought of it."
"Beau," Edward warned. I looked down into his eyes. "You can't go down there and start throwing people around. We cannot give them anymore reason to be on guard."
"I know," I hissed. "But…how dare they. I mean Billy. How can he be so blinded by prejudice that he just writes off my mom? He's known her all his life. She's just a bystander in all of this. And he treats her like shit just because she didn't kick me out?
"And Jacob—he knows me."
"They each know what you two have accepted. And what that choice means."
"They haven't given us a chance to tell our side of the story. They don't know we're witches. We don't have a choice. We are just as much apart of the supernatural world as they are. More so," I demand, my anger rising. "And to treat Seth the way they have," I seethed. "I'd love nothing more than to go down there, and show them what I am capable of."
Edward laughed once. "You would hate yourself, afterwards."
I shrugged. "Maybe. But still. It would be nice to remind them who they are making an enemy of. If I can take down the Volturi as a human, I can skin a pack of wolves just the same."
Edward's voice was reproachful. "Beau," he sighed, "you can't. That will only put Seth, Sean, your mother and yourself in more danger."
I rolled my eyes. "What can they do that Victoria or the Volturi aren't already planning?"
"Seth, Sean and your mother are not in danger of the Volturi," Edward reminded. "And Victoria," his voice snarled, "she will not live to see the next day once she decides to come back."
I huffed. Alice had been teaching me, the best way she could, to control my visions. She had no memory of having them as human, but thought she understood enough from what I had explained in my dreams, and my mothers, to know that we just needed to trust and focus, intently, on what we desired to see.
I had found many faults in this, that I kept to myself. Each time that I tried to force a vision, I saw only the boy I never wanted to see.
A strange, black haired child with olive-toned skin. Small and meek, but with happy, hopeful eyes. He gazed at Edward and I with wonder, hope, love and acceptance.
"Daddy, Papa," he called. It rupture my chest each time.
Sometimes I saw Edward, wearing some kind of uniform as he stood behind the field, coaching the child and his team with the other fathers. Other times I saw me reading to him in bed, and teaching him how to cook. He was a painful, bitter vision. One I knew that would never exists. And so, I could not understand why I could not force him away. Or understand the ache that doing so would cause. In many ways, it was as if he already were in existence. As if this strange and otherworldly child were already my own, to love and protect. I felt a deep, patently love for him, even though I knew he would never be. My son. My imagined son, who would exist, only, in the darkest, deepest, recesses of my mind. I kept him, only for myself. Never did I tell Alice or Edward about him. They could not see through the fog as I could, because they wouldn't need to. I was the only one who needed to be haunted by this imagined child…who I already love as my mother loved me.
I wanted the less to do with Alice and her gift, knowing that it would cause only strife, though I knew, with more practice that I could see when Victoria would come. And the Volturi.
Seth entered the car then. Him and I relied on Edward to take us to and fro, my truck long, long gone—what was left having been sold for scraps.
"Thank God it's Friday," Seth shouted, hoisting himself into the backseat of Edward's car. "New York City, here we come."
Edward smiled. "I'm glad you'll be joining us," he said earnestly. "You'll love it. It truly is the city that never sleeps. If the mood strikes, you and Beau can even get pizza at three in the morning."
"Oh I'm so ready to try some authentic New York pizza," Seth agreed. Edward smiled at him as he back out of the parking lot. I was relieved, more than relieved, that the two of them got along so easily. Edward had explained that Seth's mind was a wonder—that he'd never met someone so pure and good. Of course, I was granted access into Seth's head now, but Edward and I each tried to prevent that at all cost.
But still, it was a relief to know that Seth and I's relationship had not changed; to know that there was not a semblance of bitterness or notions of guilt he held towards me. Selfishly, I took comfort in that. I had burned my bridge with Jacob; but, whether due to Seth's pure nature, or a deeper understanding within him, I got to keep him in my life.
"We should be able to finish the game, tonight," Edward said enthusiastically as he drove us back to the house. That had been one of the first common interest that Edward and Seth had found: their love for video games.
I'd been a bit irked when I'd heard Edward go on about all the games he'd played. "You never told me that you liked playing video games."
"You didn't seem interested in them, so I never brought it up."
I'd whacked the back of his head. "Your interest matter too, Dummy. What else didn't you tell me?"
Edward offered me my favorite smile. "I'm rather found of hockey," he'd admitted.
"One more battle with the final boss and the game is done," Seth agreed.
Edward nodded. "We'll defiantly finish before midnight. If Beau's snoring doesn't interrupt us," he threw at me with a smile.
I stuck out my tongue at him. I didn't snore.
I turned my head over my shoulder with narrowed eyes. "You need to pack," I reminded him. "We have to be up and head to the airport by—"
"By no later than six-thirty so we avoid traffic, and have plenty of time to get through security," Seth quoted over me, rolling his eyes. "I know. I've read your color-coded itinerary."
I scowled at him. "It's not color-coded."
"It's four pages, front and back—single space," Seth spat, mildly humored. Edward chuckled, shaking his head.
I groaned. "Listen, there's too much to do in New York without going in with a game plan. There's the museums—the ghost tour, the show. The shopping," I added with a grin. "And someone had to plan everything, and figure out the restaurants and subway routes."
"You're really making us do the ghost tour?" Seth moaned.
"You don't have to come. Stay at the hotel with Mom and Sean."
"Aren't our lives frightening enough without trying to provoke the ghosts of soldiers and mobsters?" Edward asked, a single brow raised into his hair.
I smiled at him. "Bite me."
He laughed, biting down on his teeth playfully. And then Edward's face fell, all good humor gone. Our heads turned at the same time as we glared out into the street outside my house.
"What?" Seth cried, his body lurching forward as he tried to see through us.
"What does he want?" I hissed through my teeth.
Seth's voice was panicked. "Who? What's wrong?"
Edward's voice answered. "Jacob. He's waiting for us."
"What does he want?" Seth asked.
"To talk," I answered, reading his thoughts through Edward's mind.
"Beau," Edward's voice whispered in my ear, warningly. I met his anxious gaze, then understood. I looked down at my hands. They were clenched into fist, but whips of black smoke flickered from in-between the crevices.
I blinked, shaking my head. The smoke sank back into my palms before vanishing all together.
Jacob Black was standing in road, just outside of my house. His eyes were dark and menacing, his arms held tightly at his sides, each fist clamped tightly.
The four of us just stared at one another. Edward's car was still running when he revved the engine. The sky turned dark. Thick, sinister clouds formed from nothingness and blanketed the world above. Edward placed his hand on top of mine. Jacob's brows furrowed as he looked around him before his eyes fixated back on my face.
A low, guttural hiss erupted from my mouth. I unfastened my seatbelt, throwing it from off me, and hurled myself from the car. I was pleased when I saw Jacob take three steps back.
"Whoa," he stammered, hands raised out defensively.
I heard the car shut off, and then Edward and Seth exit.
"Beau," Edward called, wrapping me in his arms. "Love, calm down. Breathe."
Jacob's mouth stretched into a humorless sneer, and he staggered closer to where he'd originally been. He stood on the balls of his bare feet, leaning slightly forward, with his trembling hands clenched into fists. He looked bigger than the last time I'd seen him. Somehow, impossibly, he was still growing. He would tower over me now, if we were right beside one another, rather than facing off.
Edward turned his body, shifting me so that I was behind him. I leaned around him to stare at Jacob—to accuse him with my eyes. I would have thought that seeing his resentful, cynical expression would only make me angrier. Instead, it reminded me of the last time I'd seen him, with tears in his eyes. My fury weakened, faltered, as I stared at Jacob. It had been so long since I'd really seen him—I hated that our reunion had to be like this. Seth stood next to me. His face was just as furious as Jacob's, and I heard a deep growl grow in his chest.
"Beau, Seth," Jacob said as a greeting, nodding once toward me without looking away from Edward.
"Why are you here?" I whispered, trying to hide the sound of the lump in my throat. "Are you ready to listen to me, Jacob? Let me explain…"
"There's nothing to explain." The sneer vanished, but his face stayed hard and rigid. "You've made your choice. But I guess it doesn't matter who you hurt, as long as you get your happy ending. What's one dead woman when you get all you want?"
"That's out of line, Jacob," Seth roared. "How dare you..."
"How dare he," Jacob screamed back.
I ignored the stabbing pain of his words, thinking only of Seth. "And Seth?" I accused. "I get why you'd shut me out. But him? How could you do that? All of you?"
I heard his pain ridden thoughts. As angry and resentful as he was with me, he hated that Seth was caught in the middle. That, at least, he regretted. There was a further edge to that thought—another reason why he was here.
"So are you here to yell at me, or start apologizing to Seth?" I asked. Jacob's mouth popped open. I read his thoughts again. He was here for both. Not to yell at me, but to warn me. He was acting as a spokesperson for the entire pack. But that included Seth. I felt my teeth clench together when I caught the bitter tone he held towards me flicker towards Seth.
"He's not done anything wrong," I stated, matter-of-factly.
Jacob sneered again, his thoughts dark. "Actually, he has."
I felt Seth's body grow ridged. My confusion lasted only a moment before my eyes grew wide and my mouth fell. I turned my head to stare at Seth, who was looking down at the ground in shame.
"You didn't?" I stammered, the sound coming out in a whisper, a plea. "When?"
"The night after the funeral," Seth admitted, his voice coated in pain.
Edward's grip on my tightened as he read the revelation in both Jacob and Seth's heads. Seth had purposely kept this from each other us. A part of me was bewildered, amazed that he had been able to achieve such a feat.
But that part was swiftly silenced by my rage that he'd even needed to make such a choice—that he'd felt compelled to make it in the first place. My dark eyes flew back at Jacob. He refused to meet my gaze. I heard a snarl rip from my throat. I yanked myself from out of Edward's embrace and then back towards his car.
"Give me your keys," I demanded of Edward, over the rolling thunder.
Seth's panicked voice called out to me. "Beau, where are you going?"
"To make a fur coat," I seethed from in-between my teeth. My dark glare refocused on Jacob.
"You stood there and let that bastard kick him out of the pack?"
"Hey!" Jacob shouted. "I didn't do anything. And Sam didn't kick him out of the pack. Seth excommunicated himself."
"Because of you," I hissed. "Because you dumb dogs can't let go of your bigotry."
Jacob growled, and his body trembled. I felt the smoke form in my palms. Beyond us, into the forest, I heard a tree snap, the resounding fall echoed around us.
Edward wrapped his arms around me, but his eyes never left Jacob. His glare was a warning.
"Jacob, please."
"Oh what? So Beau is the only one who can be angry."
"I will speak with him," Edward assured. "But I wish you'd listen to him. And try to see where he's coming from. He isn't the monster Sam is trying to make him out to be. Or Charley. You know that. I don't understand. They're family…"
"They've made their choices. Even after everything you put him through," Jacob spat, pointing a finger in my direction. "If you'd seen what it did to him…"
Whether it was on purpose, an accident or out of spite, Jacob recalled in excruciating detail of my bawling in what was left of my truck. It was hideous. Seeing my like that, had left a permeant burn on Jacob's soul. And he couldn't understand why I'd willing welcomed back, a large source of that anguish, into my life.
Beyond the knowledge of what I would be, Jacob's resentment was largely brought on by his inability to forget and forgive them—Edward, for what had all happened. My misery, Laurent, Victoria…Hailey. And now Seth.
"Stop that," I begged—Edward's body had grown taunt, his hands sinking deeper into my flesh as he absorbed the memory of me in the truck, right after I'd been dragged from the sea.
Jacob sucked in a ragged breath, and shook his head.
Jacob shuddered once, and then gritted his teeth as hard as his fists. He kept his eyes on Edward "I don't want to be here. But I promised Sam that I would come. To remind your bloodsucking friends of a few key points in the treaty they agreed to. The treaty, that is the only thing stopping me from ripping his throat out right this minute."
"Careful, Jacob," I growled. "I've picked up a few more tricks since you've last seen me."
"Is that a threat?"
"Yes," I hissed. "It is." A shiver rolled down my spine as I tried to stiffen the black rage that was seeping further into me. I could feel it, in the back of mind—the fire that ached to be released. I shuddered as I understood—if I weren't careful, Jacob would be writhing in unspeakable pain.
"We haven't forgotten," Edward said at the same time that I demanded,
"What key points?" I asked, though I was sure that I already knew.
Jacob still glowered at Edward, but he answered me. "The treaty is quite specific. If any of them bite a human, the truce is over. Bite, not kill," he emphasized. Finally, he looked at me. His eyes were cold. It only took me a second to grasp the distinction, and then my face was as cold as his.
It took every ounce of fiber to swallow the fire that wanted to burn, to force it out of my mind, to where it could not touch anyone present.
"That's none of your business."
"The hell it—" was all he managed to choke out.
I didn't expect my hasty words to bring on such a strong response. Despite the warning he'd come to give, he must not have known. He must have thought the warning was just a precaution. He hadn't realized—or didn't want to believe—that I had truly already made that choice. That I was really intending to become a member of the Cullen family.
My answer sent Jacob into near convulsions. He pressed his fists hard against his temples, closing his eyes tight and curling in on himself as he tried to control the spasms. His face turned sallow green under the russet skin.
"Beau, Edward, back up," Seth warned. His arms were raised out at either side, and he took a step closer to Jake.
"Jake—you've said what you needed to say. Just leave. Before anyone gets hurt."
Jacob snarled in Seth's direction.
I took a half-step toward him, then Edward caught me and yanked me back behind his own body. "Careful! He's not under control," he warned me.
But Jacob was already somewhat himself again; only his arms were shaking now. Seth shot me a warning glance. Jacob scowled at Edward with pure hate. "Ugh. I would never hurt him."
Neither Edward or I missed the inflection, or the accusation it contained. A low hiss escaped Edward's lips. Jacob clenched his fists reflexively.
"You have hurt me," I shot at him.
Jacob's retort was instant. "Ditto."
"So, is this goodbye?"
Jacob spat and kicked at the street.
"Jacob, please," I begged. "It doesn't have to be like this. You know that—"
"But it does, Beau," he answered regrettably. "I wish more than anything that it didn't," his voice broke.
"Then don't let it. We can work this out," I said, motioning between the four of us.
Jacob's response nearly sent me to the floor, would have, if Edward hadn't been holding on to me. "You're the enemy now, Beau." His eyes turned to Seth. "Both of you."
"Well, I guess you should run back to Sam," Seth said bitterly.
"Should I give Leah your regards?" Jacob spat back at him.
Seth growled. "She's made choices, too."
Jacob nodded his head. He shared one, finally look my way, before turning his back towards us.
I felt a wave of bitterness wash over me. His words echoed inside of my ears. You're the enemy now, Beau…
I refused to believe that those words were Jacob's. It was Sam. It had to be. It was his poison, his hatred that had brought this. Seth leaving the pack—Jacob and Billy suddenly hating my mom and I. It was Sam. It was always Sam. He'd made Jacob break off our friendship the first time, he'd forbade him or Seth from telling me the truth. He was responsible for this. And he would pay.
"Jacob," I called out, my voice steady but cold. Jacob stopped walking. I heard him suck in a large breath before turning back to me. He'd come with a warning from Sam, so I thought it only fair to provide one for him to take back to his…master.
"Tell Sam, that if he insists on making me the villain of the story—than that is exactly what I will be."
Jacob's jaw clenched tightly, and his thoughts were a flurry of rage, anguish and fear. Edward pulled me further into his chest. I caught Seth's appalled glance. But I remained firm. "He has no idea what I am capable of."
Jacob shook his head, a grim smile spread on his face. "Oh I think we all have a good idea of how far you're willing to go to get what you want."
My lips quivered, and I held back the vitriol that I wanted to spew.
"Goodbye, Beau."
Jacob disappeared into the forest. The three of us stood around Edward's car. Not speaking. I wasn't even listening to Edward's thoughts, too wrapped up in my own. The wind howled and rippled around us. The storm clouds grew darker, and I felt the first dribble of rain fall on my face.
"We need to get you packed," I said to Seth as I moved towards the house.
"Love," Edward called out to me. I turned, but not to look at Edward, but to Seth.
"You left the pack?" I spat.
Seth nodded his head, his lips trembled.
"Does your father know?"
Seth shook his head. "I don't think so. He hasn't said anything."
"Why?" I gasped, desperate to know.
Seth looked away, biting down on his lips. Edward's answering snarl purred in my ear as the truth played out in Seth's head.
"It was the only thing I could do," he answered, the words clawing at this throat. "To keep you safe. What Jacob said was true. Sam has made you the enemy. He knows what you're going to become, on top of what you already are—he sees you only as a threat. To the pack, the tribe…he was already planning on how to attack, once you were changed.
"But he can't attack you, if I'm with you. Even if I'm not part of the pack, it's against triable law kill another wolf. And that's what he'd have to do."
I was speechless.
"But how?" Edward asked, staring at Seth. "How were able to break away?"
Seth shrugged. "Easy. Sam's an asshole, Beau is my brother. Personally, I'd enjoy watching Beau use his powers on Sam, and Paul…and I'm not going to let any of them make my choices for me."
Edward was still baffled. "But…but you shouldn't have been…"
I closed my eyes. "Edward wants to know how you could have broken away in the first place," I explained, hearing the question, and seeing the reason behind it in his head. "Isn't that impossible. Isn't Sam supposed to be the alpha or whatever?"
"He likes to think so. But the whole alpha wolf thing is just a myth," Seth reminded me. "And besides, Sam has the weakest bloodline. If there were an alpha, it would either be me or Jake."
"What?" Edward and I asked together.
Seth shrugged again. "Doesn't matter. I'm not with them anymore." He looked over at Edward. His warm-cinnamon eyes were fierce with determination. "Nothing gets to him," he said as if it were an order.
"Agreed," Edward said.
Seth sighed and headed inside the house.
Edward and I stood on the porch. I was overwhelmed again, with everything that had just happened, that had come before, and that still awaited me. Seth had forfeited himself from the pack, to protected me. The pack hated me. I'd managed to place myself on the same level as Victoria had in their eyes. One of my best friends, someone who I'd once considered as a brother, despised me. There was nothing I could do to change that. Not if he were unwilling to see past his own blind hatred. I had made my choice, and so had he. The battle lines had been created. And I would have to learn to live with the fallout. And there were other hit lists that I'd managed to be placed on: Victoria's, the Volturi's. They each be coming for me—and as a result the people I loved would be put in harms way.
My time as human was coming to an end. Six months, a year, a little over…the hands of time were ticking closer to the thirteenth hour, the sands in the hourglass of my human life nearly spent. I felt the weight of it all crash over me. My chest burned as my lungs struggled against the force that had washed over me.
"Love?" Edward squeezed me gently. "I'm here."
I drew in a deep breath.
That was true. Edward was here, with his arms around me. He looked up at me with so much love and devotion, that it rendered me speechless, and nearly stopped my heart.
I could face anything as long as we faced it together.
I smiled down at him, letting myself melt into his embrace, lose myself in the golden pools that were his eyes. I leaned down and pressed my lips to his. Together we walked into the house. I felt a wave of calm brush over me. Somehow, even though I couldn't begin to understand, everything would work out in the way that they were supposed to. I would embrace everything that would come, knowing that I would not ever have to do it alone. I would meet my fate, with my destiny joined, solidly, at my side.