Chapter 3
Ugh. My head was pounding. I didn't know where I was or what was going on. I stayed still as I thought back over my last memories. I remember bidding goodbye to our troops. Mainly Emmett, Jasper, and Edward. I felt a stab in my chest from thoughts of Edward's carefree smile turning down into the grim line of his mask that I had grown to hate in one night. Speaking of night, I wondered how long I had been out… I let my eyes flicker and then open. I took the scene around me quickly. I was in a cell that much was true. I was chained to the wall with steel chains. I laughed if whoever captured me actually thought those could hold me back. I took in my bearings a little more and noticed there it was cold and damp here, even though that did not affect me. I could smell blood that had belonged to past prisoners. I saw a few bones tied to a chain in a corner. That was fitting. I thought to myself.
I smelt the air again and was assaulted by the disgusting smell of Lycans. I scrunched my nose up in distaste. I felt around my body for the weapons I knew were gone. This made me think of the little knife I stored in my bra as a safety measure. I checked the area with my heightened senses and figured there was no Lycan near enough to detect me. I slipped my hand into my top and felt around for it. I came up empty; which meant they had did a full search on me with my being unconscious. I knew these creatures were cruel, but were they really that idiotic? I am sure they understood the tattoo shaping my left eye (stars) that I was the daughter of the King of the Underworld. If my father was calm after finding about my capture and not killing them instantly, he would be furious to know they had stripped me while unconscious. I scoffed, that is if I was found. I knew I would never escape here alive by myself.
I felt another stab in my chest when I thought of Edward. If he were to find out about my current situation, he would lose it. I remembered his words so clearly 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." He would probably leave the battle in haste trying to get back to me and get himself killed. I cringed at the thought. NO, I was getting out of here now and on my own. I just needed to know who and what I was up against first.
"Hello?" my voice croaked. I must be super exhausted to think my voice sounded like that.
"Hey, vamp is waking up," I heard from a deep voice down the hall.
"We should get Jacob…" but the voice was cut off by a loud growl.
"I'm here. Is that leach ready or not?" I cringed into the wall more out of fear of the voice. I was never one to be scared of someone, no matter their size, especially just a voice. But his voice was low and menacing. It would definitely fit a Lycan, I thought to myself. I had never really spoken with a Lycan before. I had always been the torturer if I went near one, not the negotiator. I was a dark girl, I know. But here I sat; in one of their prisons as their prisoner and they were going to torture negotiate with me.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" that voice asked as the speaker came into my line of sight. If he wasn't my enemy I would have thought him handsome. He was tall and definitely built. His body was a very deep tan, indicating I was dealing with the La Push pack. This was great. Not only was I defenseless and helpless, I was going up against the strongest and most threatening pack of Lycans, EVER. I shuddered at my discovery. If this was the Jacob that was in the ancient stories I heard as a child and the one we were raised to fear, I was scared for my life. This was Jacob Black; the first Lycan ever. My grandfather killed his own daughter when he discovered that Jacob and she were having an affair and she was pregnant. He even made Jacob watch. Jacob was furious and rallied the Lycans together and rebelled against Charles. My father often told me I reminded him of her. He was only ten when it happened. But he remembers her well. I had seen a painting of her and was surprised at how much we looked alike. She had soft brown curls and heart-shaped face as I.
I heard the steel door slid back and brought me from my thoughts. "So, Princess," I shot an angry glare his way. NO ONE, I mean no one, called me Princess. It was an unspoken law in the Underworld. Anyone who did not know me was briefed before they met me NOT to call me Princess. "Tell me, what were you doing in the woods all by yourself yesterday afternoon? You are always followed by others in your guard," his scary grin started to freak me out. Jacob's teeth were white and straight. He had two K-9 teeth that stook out like fangs. Ooh, that was my last defense if I didn't have another. Venom was poinsoness to Lycans. I internally smiled and licked my fangs that had lengthened at my thoughts of them.
I decided not to answer him, but keep eye contact with his gorgeous brown eyes. His long black hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. His dimples reminded me of Emmett. I felt a pang in my chest at the thought of my brother. Jacob's body didn't help. I had to keep my eyes on his if I had any hope in this. Since I didn't have a strong connection with him, I couldn't use my telepathic ability on him.
"HELLO? When I speak to YOU, you WILL answer!" Jacob's voice rose with anger. I didn't let him see the fear that rippled through my body.
"I wanted to go for a ride. That is all," I answered honestly. I hoped my eyes portrayed the truth and not the fear that I felt.
"Then why were you carrying a cross bow and was decked in weapons?" he accused.
"Protection!?" I said in a 'duh' tone. "I was by myself, first of all. And second of all, it would be pure suicide to leave the safety of the castle walls without some sort of protection."
That seemed to shut him up…
"Will you explain to me why I am alive and chained, poorly, to a wall in a cell?" I asked.
"We are holding you captured of course," his tone sarcastic.
"Please, tell me why…" I repeated annoyed.
"You're the princess. The King will offer whatever it takes to get his only child back. You are worth a lot to us," he answered with another scary grin. This time I couldn't hide the grimace that overcame me. His smile faltered but stayed. I saw an emotion flicker across his face but I couldn't place it.
"Oh," I stated simply. I knew my father would do anything to get me out of here. I just wish he wouldn't. I wasn't worth it.
"So daddy will be worried sick about his little Princess," Jacob sneered.
"Yes, he will," I said my thoughts out loud for myself. I hadn't really wanted Jacob to hear that. My voice betrayed me and showed the fear I was feeling. I had never really been scared before. I realized now why. I always had someone there for me. But right now I was alone. I was alone and no one could rescue me. My father's best troops were in another city and I was the best he had left. And I was currently chained to a wall in Lycan's custody. I felt completely helpless and alone. I knew I should be strong. I pushed aside my inner struggles and jutted my chin out with strength. I was going to get through this without showing my weakness anymore. Jacob would never see that side of me again. The side of me that no one had ever seen before. I was never the weak one.
"Good," Jacob's voice was grim and lost the sarcastic tone he had a few moments ago. I brought my eyes from the floor to his. I saw them flicker to a cold hardness before I could decipher the emotion there.
"What are you going to do to me?" I asked with a new found strength in my voice.
"Um, I'm not sure yet, but I will promise that you will be moved into nicer quarters," Jacob sounded almost considerate.
"Thank you, I know I do not deserve this," BELLA! What the hell? Did you just really say that?! Snap out of it. He is a LYCAN. Your sworn enemy! The leader at THAT! I ignored my internal battles.
"I know, but we aren't as bad as you think we are. I know you were raised to be that way," Jacob's hand patted my shoulder. I looked up in shock. Did he just touch me?! No, I just imagined it. Then why does my skin burn where he had touched me? "Sorry," he mumbled and looked away.
"It's okay," I assured him.
"I'm sorry that you're in the middle of this," he said quietly. I wondered if it was so that the others wouldn't hear.
"I kind of put myself there," I told him.
"I guess you did," he chuckled. "Hey, don't let the others know I went easy on you. I'm supposed to be cruel and threatening. But I don't think I have a bone in my body that could do that to you," Jacob confided in me.
"Of course, I don't want that to change. If I have to stay here for a long time, I want to have at least one friend," I hoped I didn't push it with the friend word.
"Good, I could use a friend right now, too." Jacob smiled a genuine smile that made my insides feel warm.
"I have to warn you though; these chains are getting a bit annoying. Unless you take them off, I will take them off," I warned with a laugh.
"Go ahead; we don't use this cell much. I was furious when I found out they put you in here. A princess doesn't deserve to be in a place like this. Trust me, I will make sure that you are put in a better living quarter," he assured me.
"Thank you, you're too kind," I admitted.
"I know, I'm a big softie," he joked.
"You remind me so much of my brother," I felt pain shoot through me. Emmett, how I missed him…
"Really, I thought you were an only child?" he asked.
"Yes I am, but my father adopted him when he was left orphaned. Emmett was my cousin before the adoption," I informed him.
"Oh," Jacob looked around at the door and cursed under his breath. "Do you think you will be okay right here for a few hours? I have some… business to take care of."
"That is fine," a shudder rippled through me. He noticed though.
"Bella," he began.
"Wait, how did you know I liked to be called Bella?" I queried.
"Um, I was in the woods one night when I heard a wolf howl. I made my way over to it and heard you and your group. I kept back because I didn't have back up and I knew it would be suicidal. I didn't know the Lycans you had brought down though. They were probably wild nomads. Anyways, I had walked up to hear you scolding another vampire with bronze hair," he paused.
"Edward," I prompted. "Yes, he had called me Isabella and I told him I did not wish to be called that when we were not around my father," I finished his telling.
"Yes, that is what happened. I disappeared soon when I discovered the Princess was in the woods. I have been sending out a few of my pack every night in hopes we could capture you. Uh, no offense or anything," he muttered the last part, rubbing the back of his neck. I just laughed.
"Just don't call me Princess and we are good," I told him with a smile.
Jacob returned it, "Come, I will get you proper quarters." Jacob stood and grabbed my hand. His free hand reached for the chain and ripped it from the wall. "I need you to play along and don't listen to anything I say. I don't mean it, okay?" his eyes searched mine.
"Okay," I agreed. I placed an annoyed expression on my face. "MONGRUEL, how dare you!" I raised my voice for affect and put venom in my voice. "Is that good?" I added quietly with a wink. Jacob returned the wink with a sly smile.
"DO NOT raise your voice to ME, LEACH!" Jacob smiled and yanked me into the hall. I saw some Lycans in human form turn around to watch us. I got even more annoyed.
"Watch who you're talking to pup!" I hissed.
Jacob pulled me to a stop and threw me against the wall. "You listen to me right now; I'm only going to say this once. I am the leader here and you will respect me. I have nothing wrong with hitting a woman if she is a vampire. You sicken me," he growled. Jacob had taken a step closer to me and hovered over me. His breath hot against my face and the heat from his body radiating over me. I started having difficulties breathing. Luckily, he stepped back after a few deep breaths, and grabbed my hand. We started back down the hall and our little act did exactly what we wanted it to; several faces wore satisfied expressions. I heard a few mutters of 'serves it right,' 'stupid bloodsuckers,' and a few 'just kill it now.' I internally smiled at their comments. I don't know why though.
We stopped outside a door in the cave like tunnels. "This is my room; you will stay here for right now until I can find a safe place to keep you that is not like that cell you were in. I will be back here in a little while. I hope you do not mind sharing a room with me," I cut him off.
"Love to, keeps me company," I assured him.
"Good, well, um, about your diet…" he trailed off.
"If you could, bring me a lion or a deer. Whichever is easiest," I requested. He gave me a baffled expression. "What?"
"I thought you would want a human…"
"Jacob," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder like he did earlier. "I found out a few years ago I can survive off of animal blood. I tried to tell my father this but he said it wasn't vampire like and that I stopped at once. Well I felt guilty seeing humans walk around with bandages on their wrists and seeing housekeepers carry bodies to their backyards to be buried when we could prevent it. So I started to go out and hunt a few animals and keep them in a secret place in the barn. My maid would go out there and drain the blood from the animal and place it in baggies with my name on them. During meal times, Angela would bring me my meals. She made my food special with animal blood instead of human blood. I felt better about it. I felt like I was making a difference. That is why my eyes are murky," I explained this to him.
"Wow, Bella, you have yet ceased to amaze me," Jacob muttered shocked. I just laughed. He opened the door and we stepped into the room. I looked around to find a small cot against one wall and a few books thrown about the room. There were maps covering the walls and on the floor. There was a small dresser in a corner with clothes spilling out of it. A typical guy's room; I smiled brightly. "Sorry, it is a bit messy. I wasn't expecting a new roommate." I saw a blush appear on his cheeks.
"Jacob, thank you. This is more than I can ask for. I know I do not deserve this after all that I have done to you kind. I hope one day I could prove myself worthy of forgiveness of my past actions," I can't believe I was saying that. I never asked for forgiveness like that.
"I'm trying to show you there is a side of us that you do not know about; the side history books and storytelling leaves out," Jacob defended his reason.
"I see now that there is more to your kind than what is portrayed." I answered with an honest smile.
A/N I think that is a pretty good place to call it quits. What do you think? Please review and fill me in on whatever's you want to… I'm really super tired. Um, any predictions on next chapter?