Chapter 2
Edward was shocked at first, but his hands soon found their way around my waist bringing me closer. I tangled my fingers into his hair and moaned as his tongue traced my bottom lip asking for entrance that I gladly obliged. I forgot that we were in a crowded gym with many vampires staring. It just didn't matter. All that mattered to me was that Edward was mine. Edward was in my arms and I would never get enough of this. He was all that mattered. My world seemed to tilt on his axis, revolving around him. We were molded together and not moving except to the rhythm of our mouths.
I heard a throat clear behind me. I broke the kiss and looked to see Edward's eyes, but they were closed. I looked sheepishly over my shoulder and I grimaced when I saw Emmett.
"Isabella, I need to speak with you privately," Emmett's voice was very low; I was actually afraid of him. I nodded my head and turned back to Edward. He was still a little dazed but the other emotion starting to seep onto his face was fear. I gave him a reassuring smile before placing a soft kiss on his lips before running off behind Emmett. He took us to a quiet spot in a janitor closet. Emmett was facing away from me as I shut the door and awaited the obvious scolding coming.
"Emmett," I began but was cut off.
"Bella, don't even start. Just let me think for a minute," his voice was low and agitated. I stood quietly while he sorted his thoughts. "You need to tell father immediately. Tanya is on her way over to the castle at the moment. I know he will be upset by this. You should get to him and explain first."
I stood silently, shocked by his words. "You are not upset?" I asked in disbelief.
"Of course Bella," Emmett turned around and his eyes were blazing with emotion, "but because you did that publicly. But I am not upset that you have finally found someone truly worthy of you. Izzy, Edward is a great guy and I'm glad it's him and not Felix."
"Wow… I don't know what to say… Thank you?" my thanks came out as a question. He pointed to the door and I remembered Tanya. "Thank you Em," I said over my shoulder as I ran out of the room. I saw him nod his head and run his hands through his hair. "Edward, we must go," I said as I grabbed his hand and tugged towards the door.
"Okay?" his face mirrored his confusion. I just nodded my head towards the door and he followed suit.
"We must talk to my father before Tanya does. Our little scene ticked her off and she ran to daddy. If my father finds out about our public outburst from another source he will be outraged and you will be in danger of his rath," I explained as we ran to the castle. He nodded his head tightly in understanding as I pushed the door open to the castle.
"Good evening Madame Isabella," Angela, one of our human house maids, greeted.
"Angela, where is my father?"
"In his study as usual," she said and continued on with her duties.
"Thank you," I said politely and made my way to his study. Edward's hand was still in mine as I knocked on the door.
"Come in," my father's voice echoed.
I turned the knob and stepped in. Edward followed behind me, never releasing my hand. Tanya was sitting in a chair in front of my father's desk where he was sitting. Tanya was looking at us with a smirk and Aro had a knowing smile. I grimaced at the sight before me.
"Isabella, my dear," my father stood and came around his desk to embrace me. I had to release Edward's hand for the hug but I replaced my hand in his as I was set free of Aro's arms. "Edward," Aro shook his hand with a firm look. "It is convenient for you to arrive when you did. I was about to send someone for you. Please have a seat," he waved his arms to the seats in front of his desk. I took a seat next to Tanya as Edward sat on my right side, his hand still holding mine. I smiled at our intertwined hands. "Now it has come to my knowledge that you to have gone public. Is this correct?"
"Yes father, I am glad to say we have. I am sorry though for our public demonstration of our affection. We got a little wrapped up in the moment. Please excuse our behavior father," I pleaded.
"Oh Isabella, don't be so foolish. I am not upset at all," I saw Tanya's jaw drop, "I am merely happy that you two have realized that you have feelings for each other. It has been quite obvious how you feel about each other. Please do not doubt my feelings of this relationship. I am in full support. I trust that you have no doubt in your own heart about each other?"
I beamed as Edward answered, "Sir, there is no doubt in a single cell in my body that I do not care for Isabella. She is my life now," I felt my dead heart swell with his words.
"As you are mine," I whispered as I stared deeply into his emerald orbs. I forgot where we were until I heard a chuckle. I turned back to my father and awaited his speech.
"Wonderful! Edward, congratulations on picking yourself a fine girl. Isabella, I am proud of you for picking a true gentleman. If you will please excuse me, I have a meeting to attend to," Aro stood and we all stood in respect. I felt my dead heart soaring at how well this turned out. Tanya seemed pissed off and I felt kind of smug about the situation.
The door was thrown open then and a messenger ran to my father's desk. He was out of breath and I expected he ran as fast as his human legs could carry him. "Lord Aro, horrible news. The Lycans have attacked the northeastern border of Gigandet!"
I gasped at the news. "Send out half of my troops now," Aro instructed calmly. He had a feeling it would happen soon. His plans were all laid out for the battle that was inevitable.
"Father, let my group go. We could help," I pleaded helplessly.
"No my child, it is far too dangerous. I am sad to say though that Edward and Emmett should leave out with the others tomorrow when the troops leave for Gigandet."
"NO!" I shrieked. I turned to see Edward's face was composed in a mask and he nodded to his leader in conformation; which made it all the more real for me. "NO! You cannot take him away from me! I just found him father!" I begged.
"I am sorry Isabella. We need all the help we can gather. Other than you Isabella," Aro back tracked his words.
"LET ME GO!" I demanded.
"Emmett, please take her to her room," Aro muttered. Sure enough, Emmett stalked into the room with a masked expression and cold, hard eyes. He didn't even bother to ask if I would mind as he lifted me and carried me to my room. Not like that I complained, I was too busy crying tearless sobs into Emmett's shoulder.
I was set on my bed roughly. I glanced at Emmett whose masked face was contorted in thought. "Isabella, I am so very sorry. I shall miss you greatly. I will return home to you, Edward too, I promise I will watch his back," he muttered his real goodbye to make up for the fake goodbyes tomorrow before he leaves for Gigandet.
"I will miss you too brother," I stood and braced myself for his bear hug. But instead I was met by a loving, tender hug that couldn't belong to Emmett, but sure enough I felt the familiarity of his chest. I sighed and snuggled closer. I would really miss him. He patted me on the head and left. I went back to my bed and sat down.
I started to think over Edward leaving. It didn't seem fair. Edward and I just admitted our feelings. Now they were being ripped apart by war. I knew my place was to stay with the kingdom for fear of another battle here. They would need me here. Edward's place would be to fight elsewhere wherever he was needed. His place was not here, with me. I started to fear what would happen if something were to happen to Edward. I grimaced at the thought. No, nothing would happen. Emmett said so. I trusted Emmett with too much sometimes. He always watched my back no matter the situation. I knew Edward was in good hands.
I heard a knock on my door and I allowed entrance. Alice poked her head in and I noticed how terrible she looked. Alice never looked bad, never a hair out of place. But now she looked tired and distressed. I ran to her and we embraced for several minutes, just sobbing into each other's shoulders. Rosalie came in some time later and joined our sob group. We had somehow made our way to my bed and sat in silence for a long time. Alice was the one to break the silence.
"Stupid Lycans," she muttered in an agitated tone.
"I know," Rosalie agreed with a tight nod. I just looked at my lap where my hands lay.
"We can't just let them go without us," I said after a moment of thought.
"What do you mean? You and Rosalie can fight, but I am useless on a battle field," Alice questioned my thoughts.
"Yes, but you are very good at sneaking and you did excellent in medical school. I did poorly at it and I'm not the best spy," I explained.
"Well, that is a very good plan Bella," Rosalie agreed after chewing over it.
"We simply have to convince our fathers that we are capable of going," I dreaded that conversation…
"Bella, you know they won't change their minds," the all too clever Alice said.
"What do you see?" I asked. I used my telepathic ability to see what Alice saw while she looked ahead. We both sighed as we saw the future.
"What was it?" Rosalie asked annoyed that she was left out.
"They will say no, but it's worth a shot because it was very blurry and that means a lot is still left in the decision. I say we talk to them now," I informed her.
"Let's," Alice said hopping up off the bed.
We ran to my father's study. Markus and Caius were there as well, just as Alice had seen. They welcomed us in, I noticed the maps and other papers lay out on a large desk on one side of the room and several things clipped to a wall that was plastered with several other maps. All three men looked exhausted and their clothes and hair were messy.
"Ladies, to what do we owe this pleasure?" My father greeted.
"We would like to discuss the plans for tomorrow. We wish you to add three more to the list of troops," I took the first step.
"And who might this be?" Caius asked curiously.
"Us," Rosalie squared her shoulders to appear fiercer.
The three men scoffed. "Do you really think we would send our daughters to war?" Markus snorted.
"Of course," Alice challenged.
"Well, I'm sorry ladies but you are not going and that is that," Aro stated.
"Father, you cannot deny the fighting skills I posses," I pleaded my case.
"And you cannot deny mine either Father," Rosalie pleaded hers.
"I could be most helpful in the hospital Father," Alice added.
The elder's looked at each other in shock. They thought we would bow our heads in defeat and leave. They did not expect us to fight it.
"Give us a minute to discuss this," Markus shooed us away with a wave of his hand. We bowed our heads and moved out to wait in the hall. After a few minutes of anticipated silence, the door swung open. They had masked expressions on and we could not decipher whether we were going tomorrow or not.
"After much thought," Aro started.
"We have found that it would be best to keep you here with the kingdom's guard to keep watch over the city. We cannot afford to lose this city," Caius words felt like a sword stabbing my dead heart.
"Yes, your skills will be much needed here," Markus added grimly.
"But," I went to protest.
"No," my father cut me off, "there will be no complaints. You are staying here and that is that."
I held my head high and stormed out of the room. I heard Alice and Rosalie following closely in silence. I went out to the stables where I knew I would find the boys. Sure enough they were there brushing the horses. I cleared my throat and that seemed to get their attention. Edward, Jasper, and Emmett were standing in front of us with masked expressions instantly.
"We just got done talking to our fathers," Alice informed them on our whereabouts.
"Yes, and they find it best that we stay in the city," Rosalie crossed her arms over her chest.
"This wouldn't have to anything to do with you?" I raised an eyebrow angrily.
Jasper cracked first under Alice's hard glare. "Baby, I just don't want you out there in the middle of all that fighting." Emmett and Edward turned to Jasper in disbelief.
Alice scoffed, "Please, I could handle myself. Besides, I would just be there taking care of the injured."
"What else is it?" Rosalie demanded.
"Look, Rosie sweetheart, I don't my girl in danger where I am not for sure going to be able to protect you at all times," Emmett explained, his mask breaking into a face of pure fear of the thought of Rosalie in battle.
"Don't start using nicknames Emmett; you know I can handle myself against a couple of Lycans. My ability can help as well," Rosalie smirked.
"Anything you want to add Edward?" I questioned. He finally glanced at me and I saw his mask break into a look of conflict.
"May I speak to you alone?" Edward murmured. I noticed Alice and Jasper had already disappeared and Rosalie and Emmett were nearly heading on their own. I nodded my head and followed him into one of the stalls. I noticed we had entered Midnight's and I knelt down to my sleeping horse. I gently petted her black mane. "Look, Bella, I love you," I didn't think I heard him because his voice was like a breath of air. I turned around to see he was much closer than I expected. His breath was cool against my face and his eyes were ablaze with emotion. I knew he wasn't lying and speaking the complete truth.
"Edward," I sighed in contentment, "I love you too." I saw his face pull with my favorite crooked smile. His hands cupped my face and pulled me into a kiss. It was sweet and short. I laid my forehead against his. "I am going to miss you so much." I looked up to see his eyes had closed and his smile disappeared.
"I don't want to leave you," he pulled his head back and his eyes opened. "It has always been my dream to leave for war, but now that I have met you, I don't want to leave. I don't want to go and be away from you. Bella, you are my life now. I could never live with myself if something were to happen to you. Whether if I could have prevented it or not, I just couldn't."
"Edward, I feel the same way, but I understand. I don't want you to leave either, but you have to. For the Underworld, you have to. For me, you have to. Go out there and kick some Lycan ass," he chuckled. "Just don't ever forget that I love you and will be waiting for you to get back," I kissed his lips once and smiled before I pulled away. "Please come back to me," I pleaded.
"Of course Bella, I love you and will always love you. I could never forget about you," Edward said and pulled me into his arms.
We stayed in the stall that night. It didn't faze us because we were together and in each other's arms for what might be the last time. He left with the others at dawn. I locked myself in my room afterwards and stayed there for several days. I only opened my door for Angela who brought me my blood. I barely drank though. I left my glasses everywhere with only a sip or two from them. I just wasn't thirsty. I felt like my dead heart had been ripped from me. A deep hole in my chest ached all the time. I couldn't stop thinking about Edward. I asked Angela daily if anything had been reported to Aro. As usual, nothing happened today. I felt the need for a horseback ride. I went to Midnight's stall for the first time since Edward left, which was two weeks ago. I felt horrible for neglecting her, but was glad for our stall keepers. I petted her mane as I sat her up for the ride. We trotted to the gate and I pulled out my cross bow. I didn't bring much with me today; I didn't think I would need it. I wasn't in the mood for killing many. I left the safety of the city and we rode to the forest's edge. It seemed quieter today and something hung in the air but I couldn't tell what.
Midnight was a little jumpy as we made our way deeper into the forest. She was never like this and I began to worry. I decided we should go back. I turned her around to be met by a very large Lycan. It had somehow sneaked undetected by my senses behind me. I pulled in a shaky breath. I didn't have the time to aim my crossbow before the Lycan leapt into the air and knocked me off Midnight. She was a good horse and stayed near. I saw her trying to kick at the Lycan before I was knocked unconscious. The last thing I remembered was screaming Edward's name.
A/N I am so sorry for the long wait. I have been so busy with softball and my two other stories. I am glad I got this chapter out. Now the real plot begins. Any guesses who the Lycan/wolf was? Like I said before, this story isn't really like Underworld. Besides the eye color, name of places/species, and a few other things; this is fully a Twilight fanfiction. Please review. I love to hear them. I got a review from someone who made me think and revise some things. I would like to thank UnLoveableMe for your review. This chapter is dedicated to you. Well, I hope you like the chapter. I will try to update this once a week. Sorry, but I have two other stories and softball. Semester exams will be coming up next month and I will have a lot of stress. So thank you those of you how read my other stories for being patient. I'm sorry if I can't update them all fast enough for your liking. Thank you all!