Please, No… Alice, I'm So Sorry

Jasper's POV

March 15th, 2003

Authors' Notes:

So for the next few months we're going to be doing double uploads. This isn't a permanent change to our schedule, it'll just be for the next few months, because after that (around August) we'll be taking a hiatus. This is to help our mental health recover, and to write new content for all our stories (as well as this one).

And because there's some angst coming up hahaha (if you couldn't tell), and some of our cliffhangers are going to be cruel ?

Joy: Also sorry for the late upload! My grandmother had an accident and was hospitalised on the 18th, unfortunately preventing us from uploading the day after

Courtney: We hope you've enjoyed this chapter, and that you'll enjoy the next

I was listless. Wandering aimlessly and searching for a purpose in a way I hadn't done in over fifty years. But without Alice, I was at a loss. I may have only known her for a few weeks, but she'd breathed new life into me, and without her here it felt like I had none of it.

"I'm choosing my family. Again. Over everyone else. Over you."

I crouched down and ran my hands through the stream, washing the blood off. The three drained animals behind me had done nothing to ease the hole inside me. I'd known it wouldn't— nothing would fill this small witch-sized hole, but for a moment it had felt good. Like my whole world wasn't falling apart.

But it was time I went home. Since the moment Alice had gazed at me with that look of pained betrayal, I had taken off over the Olympic Mountains and not looked back. I knew I hadn't left the Olympic area, however I had made a conscious effort not to concentrate on where I was going, I just wanted to get away. Away from what my brother and I may have ruined, and away from the possibility that Alice may never forgive me.

"I need to get my priorities straight, and I can't do that with you."

The world was falling apart around me. Alice was the only good thing I had going for me, the only person I could truly relax around, and I had ruined it so terribly she never wanted to speak with me again.

"We're done, Jasper. I can't love someone I can't trust. Don't call or text me again."

I'd thought our argument had broken me, but that text message had ripped my heart from my chest and lit the hole on fire.

I'd tried calling her immediately, even after her message, however I was too late and had been sent to an automated message.

"The number you have dialled cannot be reached."

That was when I'd realised I'd truly fucked up. Not only had I ruined the best thing to happen to me, she'd also blocked me.

And yet, I still had my phone with me, like an ever present burn against my chest pocket as it stubbornly remained silent. Every second I twitched, waiting for it to ring. But it hadn't, and so I'd forced myself to stay away. She'd made it clear that she wanted space, and if I had any chance in hell at mending everything I'd broken, I had to respect that.

Even if it meant staying away from the love of my life.

In the end, I found myself back at the site of the closest positive memory of her. Our cottage.

However, as I reached the treeline, I was hit with a maelstrom of emotions. Anger, panic, self-loathing, shame; a whirling maelstrom of emotions so powerful I stumbled. My own mirroring emotions rose up in response. My instinct's demanded I leave; before I could turn and run I was forcefully hit with a scent I would recognise anywhere, and it was coming from the direction of our cottage

I followed the scent without hesitation.

After a moment, I saw her there, at the edge of the treeline. Just the sight of her caused another whirlwind of emotions to rage through my body, each of them fighting for control. Seeing her again was the sweetest torture; like gaining the sun but losing the moon.

I stared at her as she paced the clearing, and with every circuit her emotional turbulence only grew, to the point where they were almost tangible. Her magic was flowing just as thickly, her violet eyes were practically aglow as she gestured so manically I was sure she wasn't even aware she was doing it. Her magic practically crackled around her as the now lush clearing continued to overgrow around us.

Before, the grass had been a scant few inches off the ground, and the trees bare, but now the grass was to my waist and the barks of the trees now drowned beneath a sea of green flowering vines.

"I need to fix this!" she muttered, so low even I struggled to hear it. "I've fucked everything up so I need to fix it!" Her hands made another manic, and somewhat absent, gesture that had the tree above me creaking violently. "But where do I fucking start? Do I sit by her door and beg her to see me? Do I buy her a thousand books for every time she's sacrificed everything for us? Or do I fuck off and give her the gift of never having to worry about me again?"

"Alice," I breathed, and she spun around, her violet eyes wide and hands frozen in half fists.

Everything was still for a second before I was hit with another wave of such hurt and fury I faltered. Her eyes narrowed and I realised I'd made another mistake. Just because she was here didn't mean she wanted to see me. She probably just needed the space, the quiet she'd long ago said she craved.

I stepped back, swallowing. "Sorry, I–" I closed my eyes as the wave tripled. "Sorry. I'll go."

Stupid. Stupid! She was never going to forgive me for this—how could I possibly have thought she would be as happy to see me as I was her? How could I have even thought she could still love me after what I'd done?

"You asshole."

I braced myself for more of our last argument, but then I was hit with a different wave of emotions from her; this time so damn much longing it nearly brought me to my knees and all I could think was how much I needed her in my arms. She didn't hesitate, and neither did I. We crashed together in the middle, holding each other as tight as possible. I didn't restrain my strength, knowing her pendant would protect her regardless of how tight I squeezed. And neither did she.

"Darlin'," I murmured in her hair and she squeezed me tighter.

"I'm so mad at you," she whispered into my neck.

She was hurting too, but we held each other tighter and fuck if it didn't feel like coming home.

"I know."

She pulled back just a fraction to look me in the eyes, and like last time, she demanded, "Then why did you do it?" But this time it was with less fury, and more of the desperate ache mirrored in me. "You know how much she means to me."

"Because I'm an idiot and I love you." I threaded my fingers through her hair, cradling her jaw. "And because the last time I loved someone like this, all she cared about was winnin' and bein' the best. All she wanted was for me to sacrifice whatever it took to make her happy." I swallowed. "Because I've never been in love with someone who's willin' to sacrifice herself to keep others safe and the thought of losin' you terrified me to no end."

Her hands fisted in my shirt as she squeezed me tighter. "I'm not her, Jas. I didn't need you to sacrifice others for me or give me everything I want. I needed you to steady me and tell me when I went too far. I needed you to talk me down from the ledge, not help me jump over it. I just— Bella has always been that person for me. She's always been the one to stop me when I can't stop myself. How can I be with you if I can't trust you to do those things?" she sobbed.

My arms trembled around her. "I don't know how to do that," I whispered. "I don't know how to put anyone before you." I buried my face in her hair. "But let me try, darlin'. Please let me try. Teach me to be who you need. To be someone you can trust again."

I could feel her tears soaking my shirt. "I can't. I don't know how. Bella always handled everything like that, but– but maybe we can learn together? I've never had to tell someone what I needed, Bella's just always known." She hesitated. "But maybe…I could try too?"

I held her even closer to me. "Okay. Okay."

I could deal with that. Just the possibility that this wasn't over—that was enough for now. I could work with that.

I let out a slow breath, pressing my face into her hair. Okay. I've been given a second chance; I need to make it count. My resolve straightened. Her sisters mean the world to her. If I can help her fix this rift with Bella, maybe it can help us too.

"So…" I pulled back a little. "How are things going with Bella? Has she come home yet?"

Alice shook her head. "Not much, she spends most of her time with the mutts, and Dad lets her."

I ran a hand down her back. "So what are you planning to do about fixing your relationship?"

This is what she means, right? I thought, anxiety nipping at my throat. Pushing her to make better decisions? And not letting her keep to old habits? But when she didn't say anything, I panicked. I just ruined this. Right as she gave me a second chance, I went and put my foot in my mouth. Fuck, I'm turning into Edward!

Alice seemed contemplative for a moment. "I don't know. What can I do?"

I almost slumped in relief. This constant crash of overthinking and anxiety was exhausting. To her, I murmured, "Maybe show here that you're changing. That you listened to what she said and this is what you're doing to do better. To show you won't go back to old habits."

She was still and quiet for a long time before she pulled back and blurted, "Books! I need books!"

"I'm not followin' you, darlin'. How do…books show Bella she can trust you again?"

She shook her head and stepped out of my arms, her eyes distant as her mind raced. "I need to make up for every birthday and every time Bella's gotten us something amazing and we've gotten something that completely pales in comparison."

I grimaced. "Darlin'... I don't think that was Bella's chief complaint. Maybe…addressing that would be best?"

This feels so wrong. I should just follow along and try to guide her out of this slowly until she thinks it's her idea. I ran my tongue over my teeth, but then froze. No. No, that's what got me into this mess. Alice wants someone to say no to her.

She just shook her head, her eyes lighting up with the possibilities no doubt surging through her mind. "Yeah, but Bella loves books and if when she comes back home she sees thousands of books, she'll be happy again. It's a good idea, right?"

The anxious hope in her eyes made my heart ache. How could I possibly say no?

Say yes, say yes. Tell her it's a wonderful idea and Bella will love it.

I grimaced again. "...No. I don't think so, darlin'."

Everything in me flinched as she froze. I knew she'd said she wanted this, but it felt so wrong.

"Then… What do you think I should do?" she sighed, slumping back into me. "I know she likes books, but I don't know what else to do."

My hands trembled a little. She's not mad? My breath was shaky as I let it out and I tried not to stare at her wide eyed. "Um…" I swallowed, my throat drier than a desert. "Uh…"

But I couldn't think of anything. My brain was entirely blank and for every second my mouth hung open, panic flooded my system. It was like I'd never had a single thought in my head before.

Why couldn't I think of anything? I'd already tore down her idea, why couldn't I give her an alternative? She was expecting something, but I had absolutely nothing? What was wrong with me? I had to give her something. I had to prove I was worth keeping around; I couldn't just say no to everything and not have even a slightly better alternative. What if—

She sighed again, slumping back into my limp arms. "Yeah, I don't know either. Have I really screwed up everything with my sister so bad?" She laughed lightly, a harsh mix of self-mocking and regret. "And is that really all I can think of? Books? Sixteen years of treating my big sister like a maid, and my first thought is books." She scrubbed her hands over her face and leaned further into me. "I don't know what I'm doing, Jas. I really don't. I don't even know what books I would have bought. I know nothing about my sister."

She's hurting, I thought with sudden clarity. She's hurting and instead of helping, I've focused only on my own emotions. My resolve straightened. I might be out of my depth with having a healthy relationship, but I sure as hell can help with her emotions.

I wrapped my arms around her, and for the first time in this conversation, I paid attention to her emotions. Mine were going out of control, but hers I could help with. That was what I was good at.

I rested my chin atop her head and breathed in the swirling guilt, regret, self-mocking, hopelessness—all of it negative and painful. I could help with that.

"You don't know these things about your sister, because she never told you," I started. "How could you know when she put all of her energy into raising you two instead? She might not even know those things herself because she had to become your mother before she could ever really be your big sister. But that doesn't mean any of it's your fault, darlin'. The three of you have been through more than any of us could even imagine, and you had to depend on each other or you never would have made it through any of it."

"It doesn't matter that I was just a kid, Jas! Sure it was excusable back when I didn't know any better, but I'm not a kid anymore! I do know better, and it's just excuses now." She ground her teeth and pressed back tighter against me.

I kissed the crown of her head. "You're right. Things are different now. You know more and you have the time to become better."

Alice nodded into my chest. "I will be better. I'm going to be the best sister she could possibly ever have. Starting from now."

I hummed. "So maybe the books can be a start?" I murmured. She tipped her head back, but I kept my eyes on our cottage. "Maybe you'll think of something different as you buy her books. Either way, doing something will make you feel better."

She pulled away, determination surging through her, cutting through the negative emotions still swirling. "Yes. It will."

"There's a bookstore open late tonight in Port Angeles. We can go after sundown."

"No." She pulled back further. "We need to go now."

I glanced at the sky as she started collecting her things strewn about the clearing. "Forecast says it's supposed to be sunny today."

She snorted. "Don't be ridiculous. It won't be sunny until next Friday."

Right, I thought fondly.

With her things in her arms, she turned to me. "Let's go. I have a lot of shopping to do."

~Scene~

"Where the fuck do I start?"

I watched Alice, somewhat amused as she stood at the entrance to the bookstore looking utterly confounded.

"Well, Emmett said her favourite book was Pride and Prejudice, so perhaps we can start there?"

She was nodding immediately. "Yes. Regency. I'll buy all of them."

She headed into the store, towing me behind and headed for the classics section. I held out my arms expectantly when she started pulling madly off the shelf.

She turned to another shelf muttering, "Need all the women. Where are the female authors?"

There was a surge of bewildered nerves behind me before the human attendant asked, "Can I help you with anything?"

Alice was too far gone to respond, or even notice, so I said, "We're looking to buy a lot of books. The recipient likes Jane Austen, Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. Do you have any recommendations?"

The shop attendant looked bemused, blinking wildly as his mind raced before he nodded quickly. "Yeah, I've got a few."

"Excellent. Get her whatever she wants." I slipped my credit card out of my wallet without dropping any of the books already in my possession. "Darlin'?."

Alice turned to me mid-mutter. I nodded at the attendant who gave an awkward wave. "He's going to help you find some books."

She narrowed her eyes at him before gesturing. "Well? Out with it! What are your suggestions?"

I grinned as the attendant jumped to it, immediately pulling off books from the shelf and handing them to Alice who handed them to me without looking at them. When my arms were full, I pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and murmured, "I'll be back."

I expected an absentminded wave, but she spun around, latching onto my arm. "Where are you going?"

There was a flicker of fear and panic in her amongst everything else. This was uncharted territory for both of us. I knew she hadn't had any long-term relationships, and my only one had been so toxic I couldn't think of anything else. And now we were so attached to each other that even the thought of one leaving left us in a state of panic.

I leaned down to press my forehead against hers and her eyes fluttered closed as she took a deep breath in.

"Another one," I murmured, breathing with her as she did. When her fear and panic died down I pulled back to press a kiss to her head. "You did that well, darlin'. Now I'm going to grab you some food. There's a small bakery around the corner with those cakes you like. Or do you want me to stay?"

"I want you to stay," she whispered, dropping her forehead to rest against the books still in my arms. "But I also want those cakes."

"Then I'll be right back." I squatted a little to look in her eyes. "I promise."

As I headed to the register to drop off the books, she called out, "I want a cupcake for every minute you're gone!"

"Shall I take my time then?"

"…yes."

I chuckled and as I headed out the door, another human sidestepped me to head in. I grabbed his arm before he could and sent a wave of happiness and acceptance through him. "The store is closed today."

A grain of frustration flickered to life, but it was nothing against the positive waves he was drowning in. He smiled easily, saying, "Okay!" and headed back the way he came.

I reached back inside and flipped the 'Closed' sign around. There was no need for any humans to try to go in. After my darling Alice was done there wasn't going to be anything worth buying left.

Heading out, I couldn't help another glance. She looked so radiant bossing the human around that I couldn't help but stop and stare. She was in her element here. Even her roiling emotions were calming—just from bossing the human around.

I was transfixed, watching her as she tore through the shop like a whirlwind. Charlie will have to convert his storage room into a library when she's through, I thought with a smile. Or maybe a-whole-nother buildin' altogether. I could also feel a string of happiness coming from the sales person. They must work on commission, I supposed. Any other employee would be annoyed having to lug around so many books.

Then again… Judging by the wide eyed look he was giving her, maybe a commission wasn't all he was hoping for.

"I have sixteen years of birthdays and holiday presents to make up for!" Alice snapped at the wide-eyed human, her voice slightly muted through the window. "These books are obviously the solution so we need to hurry up!"

The trickle of curiosity that entered the man was as amusing as his growing admiration. If only Edward were here—I'd've like to know what he was thinking.

I leaned against the wall opposite the store, a smile tugging on my lips. No harm in watching her for a minute or two before I get her her sweets. With every passing second my love for my little hellcat grew, and I wondered at how close I'd come to losing it all. I was still so close. Alice hadn't forgiven me for my part in lying to her, and she still might turn around and kick me out of her life altogether.

How do I fix this? My smile twisted into a frown as the anxiety tugged at me from the inside. How do I get Alice to forgive me for betraying her trust? Will she ever forgive me? Or have I broken us forever?

It was these questions buzzing about my head that blinded me of her approach. It wasn't until my body froze against my will that I panicked. I couldn't do anything, couldn't even move my eyes as she leaned against the wall opposite me. Her scent hit my nose and I internally snarled, struggling against her magic.

Victoria just raised an amused eyebrow at me and that's when I realised. I was blind to her emotions, to everyone's. Even five feet away, I couldn't feel the smugness I knew she had to be feeling. Nothing. It was like I was human again. I wanted to rip her throat out, but I couldn't do a damn thing but stare at her.

"Fancy seeing you here, arm candy," she said pleasantly, peeking through the store window. "Are you out with your little mate? Oh you are, how cute. Hmm, she must love reading. Oh, Shakespeare's comedies—never was a fan of them myself." She shook her head with a click of her tongue. "Always so boring and cliche. I preferred the tragedies—so much more interesting, don't you think?" she asked lightly, not seeming to care that I couldn't answer her. "Oh look at her. Your little seer, so totally oblivious. You're out here struggling against her worst enemy, and she's in there, fretting about books," she tutted. "Silly little girl."

She turned around, ducking back out of sight so Alice couldn't see her if she turned. But Alice never did, so focused on the human and her books. I didn't know whether to be grateful she wouldn't start a fight she might get hurt in, or frantic she'd have no warning if Victoria attacked. Victoria's attention was solely on me now, but that could change in an instant, and there would be nothing I could do to help.

Victoria crossed her arms over her chest and continued talking, clearly not expecting an answer. "It's a pleasant day, isn't it?" She tipped her face to the clouds. "Nice and gloomy. Reminds me of England. The little witches must love it here—so reminiscent of their home. Before they burned to death, of course," she chuckled. "Speaking of burning to death." She clapped her hands together cheerfully. "I need a bit of an errand done, and you, my dear Major, are going to help me."

Over my dead fucking body! I raged against the spell to no avail.

"Ah ah ah, no struggling now. It makes everything so much more complicated." She shook her head like she was disappointed in me. I wanted to rip that wicked gleam right out of her eyes. "This will all go smoothly if you just behave."

Her grip on me tightened painfully, but it was nowhere near the blind agony Alice had inflicted on me on our first date. I snarled and fought against her in my mind but my body remained frustratingly still and calm despite everything.

Her smirk was a hateful thing. "Good boy." She settled against the wall, crossing her arms and looking every bit relaxed. "Now I'm going to explain what's going to happen. Just so you have a clear idea." She scrunched up her nose teasingly. "First I'm going to cast a time activated spell on you that will begin in three days. When that happens, my familiar—a raven—will deliver a potion to you that you are going to use to poison the sisters."

No. I wanted to shake my head. That's not possible. I would never betray Alice and her sisters. Never. Nothing on this earth could make me. I will die before I let that happen

Her saccharine smile said otherwise. "It's so cute watching you struggle. So fruitlessly too."

No! I won't do it!

Her laugh made me want to rip her throat out. "Oh, but you will, Major," she said, easily guessing my thoughts. "Your little witches have more protections weaved into their pendants than a Covenant member—so I can't get near them." I tried to lunge for her throat, but I was frozen in place. Her smile grew. "But you can. And you will.

"And as they start to feel the effects, you're going to watch." There was a sadistic edge to her smile now, one reminiscent of her mate's. But it was the compulsion in her voice that made every one of my hairs stand on end. "Even when they beg you, you're just going to sit there and watch them. And no matter how hard you fight to stop it or to express your regret, to them it'll just look like you don't care."

Her magic pulsed tighter, and for a second I could see it. I could see Alice and her sisters—my Alice—writhing on the floor in agony as I stood there, watching. I jerked harder against her restraints and the vision faded.

Even if your magic is strong enough to do that—I snarled silently at her—I will tell my family, I will tell everyone and they will hold me until your magic wears off.

Her smile turned coy, like she was sharing a secret only I knew. And just like she knew what I was thinking, she continued, "Oh, and don't think about asking for help. There's no loopholes for you to weasel your way out of, Major. The moment I cast my spell, you'll forget all of this. Even after your part is done, you won't remember a thing. Even when you and the other lapdogs are running around looking for them—you'll have no idea it was all you."

She chuckled at the thought and I could feel the edges of panic setting in. This was real. I couldn't stop this anymore than I could escape these bonds. I couldn't do anything. Alice and her sisters were going to die and it would be my fault.

Please, no… I had long since stopped believing in any form of higher power, but right now? I'd have believed anything to end this. Please! Someone, anyone! Don't let this happen!

Victoria clucked her tongue. "Well we'd best get started. Wouldn't want to keep little Alice waiting…"

With a chilling smile, she began chanting in a language I had never heard of. A near invisible grey aura surrounded me and seemed to inch closer to my skin. The moment it touched me, it was like swimming with a toaster. Pain cracked through me and I ached to scream, but her magic held strong.

Then, for a moment her brows furrowed as if she were struggling with something. Taking my chance I mentally pushed, trying to break her bonds, Victoria ground her teeth and I could feel the confusion and doubt swirling within her.

Hope surged within me as I continued to push, however I was mentally exhausting myself just as fast. Victoria silently snarled and chanted a bit more forcefully, and I could feel my efforts crumbling as the pain continued to shoot through me.

Eventually she stopped, a vicious smile on her face. "It's done." Though I could see she was also clearly exhausted. As if she didn't expect the spell to take that much out of her.

Alice, I'm so sorry. My darlin' Alice. I hope you can stop me. You're my only hope now.

Victoria leaned closer as I slumped figuratively against the magical bonds still holding me. "You're going to forget this," she said with unwavering authority. "You're going to forget this conversation ever happened, and you're going to forget your part in their 'disappearances'."

She pushed off the wall, still out of sight of the shop window and started heading down the street. She paused at the edge of the sidewalk and glanced back at me. "Except when they're dead." Her smile sent chills down my spine. "That's when you'll remember."

She vanished.

I suddenly felt dizzy, almost stumbling against the wall as I swayed slightly before blinking. Confused, I turned towards Alice, who seemed to be winding down. What the hell—did I really zone out? I thought that was impossible?

I watched as the store attendant followed her to the front counter. She waited as he hurried through the massive pile atop the counter—bigger than the pair of them—before he rang up the total. I snorted lightly when his human heart stumbled at the price, but Alice didn't blink as she handed my card over.

I didn't listen as she talked to the attendant—I was instead captivated by her radiance. Particularly her gorgeous eyes as they landed on me. She raised an eyebrow pointedly at my empty hands and I shrugged in apology as she headed my way.

She frowned at my empty hands. "Where're my snacks?"

"I got distracted," I admitted with a grin. "You were too beautiful not to watch. The way you bossed that human around so beautifully. It was hot."

There was still a part of her that was hurt and mad by what I'd done, but it seemed her shopping really had been therapeutic as she winked at me. "Yeah, well I don't think you were the only one aroused."

I snorted. "Definitely not, darlin'. He'd have licked your shoes clean in a heartbeat if you'd asked nicely."

We both turned to watch the store attendant scrambling to my car with yet another arm full of bags. Apparently Alice had convinced him to load the car too.

"C'mon, I'll buy you two dozen cupcakes to make up for my distraction" I said, winking at her playfully.

She hummed in thought. "You were gone fifteen minutes…" She eyed me. "That means thirty-nine cupcakes."

I bowed gallantly. "Anythin' you want, darlin'."

Alice smiled and we headed to the bakery, her arm around my waist and mine settled on her shoulders. She hummed in delight as the aromas wafted from the open door. Personally I'd have preferred to plug my nose, but I wasn't going to ruin Alice's enjoyment of the experience.

"I love you," I murmured, reaching up to capture a loose strand of hair in my fingers. "So much."

She leaned into my embrace and pressed her face into the collar of my shirt. "I love you too." She pulled back, squinting at me slightly. "Even if I am still mad at you."

I cupped her cheeks in my hands and pressed my lips to each of her eyelids, her cheeks, her nose, her jaw. I brushed my lips against hers. "I will spend the rest of however long you'll have me making it up to you." I pulled back just enough to look in her eyes. "And I'll start by promising to never do it again."

She hummed, her eyes fluttering open. Her smile was humorous, but her eyes were serious. "Good."

The human baker stepped out to serve us and I watched her order, utterly entranced by her. Everything about her was a miracle, and I wanted to spend every second I could earning the love that radiated from her.

"We need to do this more often," she murmured into my chest as the human scuttled off with the order.

"What? Terrifying humans, or shopping?"

She grinned. "Yes."

~Scene~

It was close to midnight when we were passing back into Forks, and as I began to turn towards her end of town, her hand lashed out, slapping down on my wrist. "Stop."

Between the distant look in her eyes and the hard certainty in her voice, I slammed on the brakes. She lifted herself around in her seat to face the way we'd come. Whatever she saw or sensed, had her inhaling sharply. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as she spun to me.

"We need to go to your house." Her hand pressed down on my wrist. "Now."

I didn't bother waiting for an explanation or for a clearing in the light traffic. I spun the wheels, the tires screeching in the night and horns blaring around us as I slammed on the accelerator.

Alice's nails dug against my skin. "Something's happening," she said between clenched teeth. "Or will happen. Or already has." Her eyes darted as she scanned whatever it was she was seeing. "But it's at your house, and we need to be there now." She blinked, inhaling sharply. "Rose."

I glanced at her in alarm as she scrambled for her phone. Was something happening to her sister? Was Rosalie in danger?

I pressed the accelerator to the floor and sped towards my house. Whatever it was, I would get us there as fast as this car would allow.

She swore. "Pick up your damn phone, Rose! This is not the time to forget it exists!" She rung another number while worrying her lip. When the person didn't answer, her anxiety spiked.

"Talk to me, darlin'. What's happening?"

"Something's happening and my family is in danger, and no one is picking up their damn phone!" She paused then, her brow furrowing. "Wait…I have seventeen missed calls from Dad. How did I not— Wait, no! Fuck!"

I glanced at her as she threw her phone on the backseat. "Fucking battery! The one time I don't need it to die on me!" She spun to me. "Give me yours. I need to call Da—"

She stiffened, her eyes widening as she spun to the window. I was just pulling up to my house, barely hitting the driveway when she was already opening the door and stumbling out.

"Darl— Shit." I slammed on the brakes and got out after her. "What's happening?"

"Rosalie!" she yelled up at the house. "Get your ass out here now."

But she wasn't looking up at the house. She was staring into the forest. Her eyes darted from one tree to the next, frantic and anxious, until they settled on one small opening. And that's when I smelt them.

The wolves were here.

I stood behind her, tense and alert. I didn't pull her behind me, despite how much I wanted to, because I had no desire to lose an eye. Frankly that was the one thing she and Maria had in common—they fought their own battles. Still, I wasn't going anywhere.

I felt my brothers and Rosalie join me seconds before Carlisle and Esme did too, just as the wolves broke through the treeline. They slammed to a stop, clearly not expecting us to be waiting for them right here. One of them, the sandy coloured one snarled at us, bristling for a fight, but he stayed behind the alpha.

Carlisle stepped out, face polite but impassive as he held out his arms as if welcoming them. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked calmly

Their anger grew, as did their growls. They were all ready for a fight. I loosened my stance a little, ready to throw Alice out of their range the second they lunged.

Their alpha, Sam, stepped forward, his lips curled into a snarl. Beside me, Edward stumbled. "What? No. She can't be."

"Edward?" Carlisle glanced at him. "What's going on?"

One of the wolves—the woman—stepped out from behind the trees, a jacket clutched over her naked form. "Bella's in hospital and you leeches are sitting here playing house," she snarled, turning to Alice and Rosalie. "And you two—do you even care?"

"Our sister is where?" Rosalie's face paled.

"What happened? We need to go!" Alice said panicking; she ran for the car and I followed.

Bella's in the hospital? Why? What happened to her? Did Victoria attack? I glanced at Edward for any answers the wolves might have, but he had already disappeared, no doubt running for the hospital. Emmett and Rosalie leaped into the backseat of my car as I tore down the driveway. Carlisle and Esme stayed talking to the wolves, to the young woman who'd shifted, and I knew they'd follow when they had all the information.

Suddenly, beside me, Alice collapsed back into her seat as her eyes seemed to unfocus and mist over. I glanced at her, alarmed, and the tears streaming down her face only panicked me further. Rosalie leaned forward, clutching her sister's shoulder. "What? What'd you see? What happened to Bella?"

Alice pressed a hand to her mouth, her whole body shuddering as she whispered, "She had a heart attack."