Disclaimer: I do not own the characters for Twilight. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer. I do own the original characters created for the storyline. Please support the official release.
Writer's Notes: Welcome to Dear Soulmate chapter four! Someone New:::
Someone New by Laufey~~
Edward… no…
Bella tossed in her sleep. She was getting frequent nightmares since Edward left her in the woods months ago, but since she broke her hand, they got worse. She moaned in her sleep as her nightmare took hold of her full force.
"You are my little lamb. You do as I tell you." Edwards voice was like ice as he went to Bella, trapping her beneath him. He sniffed her neck, inhaling her scent and moaning in her ear. His hand was rough on her body. It hurt Bella. She already knew it would bruise. He ripped her clothes off her causing her to squeak. Who was this… this monster… his hands bruised her flesh as he groped her hard.
"Edward… please…" Bella cried. "I-I I'm not ready for sex." Bella cried more as his hands moved lower over her fragile skin.
Edward didn't care. He took what he wanted. He quickly removed his own clothes, using his speed to where Bella didn't have a chance to escape his grasp. He hovered over her his cold, hard cock ready to take from her.
Bella shot out of bed screaming. She thrashed in the covers and she wanted heavily as she realized she was okay. She was awake now and in her room. That nightmare was different. It felt like a memory and it confused her so much. All of her nightmares were Edward leaving her. Or of James biting her. But never Edward in that way. But it had felt real. She looked at her arms, saw no bruises and sighed. She ran her good hand over her face and sighed again before she got out of bed. She heard some chainsaws outside and that made her frown. She went to the window and saw the Quileute boys there outside. They were helping her dad with cutting up a tree that had apparently fallen during the storm last night. It missed her window by just a little bit.
She walked downstairs and started coffee. It was rainy out still. It was nearing her birthday again and she couldn't believe an entire year had gone by so fast. The weather in Forks was usually rainy. And it was typically cold even if it was still summer. She went back upstairs to her bathroom and brushed her teeth and brushed her hair. By the time she was done the coffee was ready. She poured the coffee out for everyone outside. She knew it was a good idea to buy the toss away coffee cups. Made it easy for her dad when he was on the go all the time. She got a serving tray that her mom had left back when her parents were together. She placed everything carefully on the tray and carefully balanced it so she could carry it outside. She managed to carry it out the door. She forgot her coat… again. It was just misty outside right now anyways. Jake saw Bella first and he went immediately to her and helped grab the coffees. He didn't speak and neither did Bella. She was still upset with him. He had called numerous times over the last two weeks since she broke her hand but she ignored them all. Charlie was suspicious but she told him they had an argument and she wasn't letting him off the hook just yet.
Everyone gathered for coffee, even Sam.
"Thank you, Bella." Sam said with a gracious nod. He saw her hand and the cast and he glanced at Paul who seemed to look away right when he glanced his direction. He knew that Paul was kicking himself for Bella being hurt like she was.
Charlie's phone rang just then. He answered. "Chief Swan."
Bella stood awkwardly holding her coffee and taking a drink. She hadn't even looked Paul's direction yet.
Paul did feel pretty shitty about her hand. He didn't know she would just hit him.
Charlie's voice broke Bella's own thoughts. She had been thinking about the dream she had. Or was it a memory. She was sure it was a memory and it was confusing for her.
"I have to go to the Rez. There's a fight that broke out. Sam you should ride with me too." Charlie said with a sigh.
Sam nodded. "Alright. Paul. "he said and nodded to Paul who nodded back his acknowledgement. He left with Charlie leaving Jake, Paul and Quil. Embry was out on the Rez still on patrol.
Bella sighed. "Well while you're cutting up trees. Dad wants one of the trees taken down back here." She said breaking the awkward silence. She shivered a little and Jake started to shrug out of his hoodie but Paul pulled his hoodie off first and pulled it over Bella's head first. It startled her a little but she realized what Paul was doing. He carefully helped guide her casted arm through the sleeve and he took her coffee out of her good hand so she could put her arm through the sleeve. It was instant warmth. Paul's scent surrounded her as well and she somehow was comforted by it.
"Thanks." She muttered and she walked away showing them where the tree was. Paul didn't say anything as he followed Bella. Jake and Quil followed too only exchanging glances.
Bella looked at the tree. It was in perfect line of the house and if it did come down in the storm, it was likely it would hit her window. Suddenly she felt a chill in her wrist. The scar where James had bit her. There was a vampire nearby. She felt scared then as she scanned the woods.
Paul smelled the leech. It was close by. He nodded to Quil and he slipped away. Jake's defenses were up as well. Paul went to Bella, his instinct to protect her. Not just because of the imprint but that was his duty as well. Bella backed into Paul, feeling his hard chest behind her. His arms automatically circled her.
"Its okay. Something scared you?" Paul asked, his voice calm.
Bella nodded and she shook involuntarily. Paul's arms tightened a little. "Jake, mark the tree. We'll come back to it." He instructed and Jake did as he was told. Paul turned Bella to face him and she did, her face against his chest now. Paul scanned the woods looking. But he didn't see anything. The scent of the leech was fading. He felt Bella shiver again and he looked back down at her small body. She was tiny against him. He was at least a foot taller than she was. And he doubled her weight easily. "Come on. Let's go inside for a bit." He coaxed and Bella nodded her agreement. They walked to the house, Paul's hands not leaving her shoulders as he walked with her.
Jake scanned the woods one last time after marking the tree before he walked back to the house. Quil arrived, shaking his head. He had ran through the woods in wolf form following the scent of the leech that came by but it had disappeared fast. He knew that Sam wouldn't like there being a leech so close by.
Inside, Paul rubbed his hands up and down Bella's arms. She seemed to be in shock at the moment and he didn't know really what to do. He was fighting himself. His imprint was in danger and that made him feel uneasy. However, as a man, he didn't want to care. Bella was a leech lover. It was probably one of her leech friends coming back to check on her. But he acted instinctively.
Bella didn't know why she got so scared. The Cullen's didn't scare her. But now she was scared. The thought of being near a vampire had her physically shaking. She blinked when she felt Paul's arms come around her again, her face against his chest. She was enveloped in his scent and his warmth. She calmed which was unusual. She hated Paul and he, she was sure, hates her.
"It's okay." Paul spoke still sensing fear and confusion. He stroked a hand over her back. He closed his eyes not willing to look at Jake or Quil. Both of whom were staring at him in disbelief right now.
After a few moments, Bella pulled away. "Um, I'll start more coffee." She said and disappeared into the kitchen.
Paul looked at Jake and glared. "Don't start. Quil?" he said focusing on the shorter of the three.
"Uh nothing. Disappeared like it never happened." Quil said lowly.
Paul sighed and nodded. He glanced back up at Bella when she returned. She was still pale but she wasn't shivering now which was good. "I'm going to give Sam a call. Have him check on Colin while he's there on the Rez." He said and went outside to make the call.
The next day Bella saw the boys back outside cutting up trees. Her dad was at work. So the only ones that came were Jake, Paul, Quil and Paul had brought his brother Colin.
Bella looked at Colin. He seemed quiet. Almost distant. He was 15. Quil had told her briefly about him. She felt bad for the kid. She walked over to him carrying a hot chocolate. Her hand was still in the cast so she only carried the one drink. "Hey. I figured you could use something to warm you up a bit." She said gently, offering the hot chocolate.
Colin took it but didn't meet her gaze. Bella lay her hand on his shoulder and he looked up at her. She gave him a smile, showing him that she wasn't going to hurt him and that she was friendly.
Paul looked over at his brother and Bella. He witnessed something that no one was able to do. Colin smiled. His mouth dropped open, astounded that Colin actually smiled. It was the first time in 3 years that this happened.
"Thank you." Colin said his smile still there as he lifted the cup to his lips to sip.
Bella smiled. "Of course. Are you hungry? I can make something real quick."
"Pancakes?" Colin asked, a new light in his eyes.
Bella chuckled a little and nodded. "Yes. I can handle that. How about you come help? I have one hand so I could use two of yours." She said holding her casted hand up.
Colin nodded. "Yeah. That… sounds nice." He said and then he followed Bella inside.
Paul stops there still stunned at what just happened. "He spoke." He murmured.
Jake slapped Paul on the back. "He seems to like Bella."
Paul shook his head. "Jake, he's never even said a word to me. Never." He said and looked at Jake. "He's been completely mute for 3 years."
Jake frowned and looked towards the house. "He spoke to Bella."
"Yeah…"Paul murmured. Something changed for him then. He had a new respect for Bella. She didn't treat Colin differently. She didn't shy away from the weird kid that didn't speak. She invited him in to make pancakes.
Inside Bella and Colin were preparing pancakes. Colin was smiling the whole time helping Bella. He turned on the mixer and pancake batter flung out at both of them. Bella squeaked and laughed which made Colin laugh.
"It was on the highest setting." Bella said with a giggle and she turned it down. "There. Try again."
Colin smiled and turned the mixer on and it started mixing the batter evenly now. "This is fun."
"Cooking?" Bella asked.
Colin nodded and looked at her. She reminded him of his mom. The kind smile, the friendly gestures. Even the way she smiled reminded him of her. "Thank you."
"You never have to thank me Colin."
Colin's smile faltered a little and he looked down.
Bella frowned. "Hey." She reached over and touched his cheek gently making him look back at her. He was taller than she was even if she was older. "Its okay to feel sad sometimes. I want you to know you can always talk to me. No matter what."
Colin studied Bella a moment. "If I tell you something. Can you promise not to tell Paul."
"Of course. This is our secret circle. " She said with a motion of her hand.
Colin swallowed. "I survived and my mom died. The man that… that killed her, killed her because of me."
"Oh Colin, I don't think that's true. You were little then."
"She died protecting me…" Colin said his words like a whisper.
Bella saw Colin's lip quiver and she reached for him and he went to her. She hugged him the best she could with both arms. He rested his head on her shoulder and tears fell. She stroked his back with her good hand, patting him slightly. "Its okay." She murmured. "Sometimes when we're missing someone. We blame ourselves for them being gone." She said, thinking about Edward. It filled her with sadness and she forced herself not to cry. "But, we have to remember the good moments with them. Hold on to happy thoughts and the sadness starts to ease."
Colin wrapped his arms around her tight, crying on her shoulder. He hadn't cried. Not when she was killed in front of him. Not when the therapist talked to him. Not even when Paul talked to him. He shut them out only staying quiet. But now, in Bella's kitchen, like a memory of his mom, they were making pancakes and he was crying.
Paul felt the shift in the imprint. The sadness overwhelming coming from Bella. "She's upset." He said, dropping the chainsaw on the ground. He moved towards the house but stopped when he could hear her.
"It's okay Colin." She murmured.
"You smell like her." Colin managed.
"Like your mom?"
"Yes. It's the shampoo." Colin sniffed.
There was a moment of silence. "I'll keep washing my hair with that shampoo. Will it make you feel better?"
Paul couldn't believe it. Colin. Colin was opening up to Bella about his mom. Three years and he's never cried or spoke. Paul's chest hurt a little and he rubbed with his hand. Her sadness was his sadness. She was feeling empathy for his brother. Paul didn't know what to do with this emotion so he turned away from the house and moved back to the chainsaw and started it up. Jake and Quil glanced at each other but they didn't say a word.
