Author's note: If anyone was confused by the 8 vampires at the end of chapter 2, things will make since in this chapter. Just stay with me!

Disclaimer: If I did own Twilight, Bella wouldn't be whiny, vampires wouldn't sparkle, and there would be a lot more shirtless men. Mmmmmmm… 8-packs.

Chapter 3

They're here…

(Jacob pov)

A blond vampire stepped forward, asserting his authority. Six vampires stood behind him while one was off to the side, a loner. The leader motioned one a bronze-haired. He stepped up to the leader's right. Embry and Quill came to flank me. I was thankful to have them here.

Love you, too. Quill coughed Wuss Puss.

I didn't know you swung that way, Jake.

I thought there were only seven vampires in the Cullen clan.

Embry sniffed. Hey, doesn't that scent seem familiar? The loner's?

Yea. I scented his trail at the Cullen's house. Quill stated. Probably visiting.

Shut up and focus! I growled. Not only do we have to keep an eye on these leeches, but watch Bella's house too.

"Why do you have to watch Bella?" The bronze-haired leech asked. "Did something happen?"

WHAT THE FUCK!

Oh, shit!

Did he just read our thoughts?

"Yes, I did. Now tell me what happened to Bell!" He demanded.

I growled at him. Why do you care? You all left her alone in the forest! You left her! Images of Bella that night flicked through my mind. He looked so… empty. Broken. Lost. The vampire blanched and closed his eyes, as if he wanted to dispel the pictures in my head. I remembered t days Bella spent locked away in her room. How miserable she looked. The way she flinched at the sound of music, threw her books. How she broke down crying at the mere mention of the Cullen name. I evoked the memory of how bloody her nails were when she clawed out her truck's stereo. I recalled how bare her room was when I last entered. The vampire ran his hands through his hair, gripping the strands.

"STOP! PLEASE!" He cried as he pulled at his hair.

The vampire's alpha gripped his shoulder. "Please. Alice had a vision of Bella before she completely vanished from her sight. We are worried for Bella and wish to protect her."

Uhhh….. Vision?

So the legends are true. Embry said. They do have gifts.

Fabulous…

Sam's voice crept into my mind. What did she see before Bella vanished?

I don't trust them!

Be quiet, Paul! Ask them what this 'Alice' saw.

"Tell them what you saw, Alice." The bronze-haired vampire whispered.

A very small, pixie-like vampire stepped forward. "I saw Bella crying and screaming for help as shadows swarmed and consumed her. Now I can't see her at all."

Jared's thoughts joined ours. They might be too late. Remember that chase today? There is no way that Bella got that fast and nimble in one day. She out ran us twice.

The bronze one's head slanted to the side. "My name is Edward, and what happened? Start at the beginning. Please."

Sam started recalling the chase. He began at the moment we found her to how we finally knocked her out. He didn't leave out a single detail. Edward narrated the events to his clan. They all listened to him without interrupting. After he finished reciting the events of the day, Edward's head shot to the loner. "What do you mean?"

Wow Jared snorted. I bet that's annoying as hell.

"Those who know of my talent are rather aggravated by my intrusion."

Dick.

So if I were to, say, think of every sex position known to man, you would hear that?

Edward twitched. "Please don't. I already have to deal with Emmett's thoughts."

A big vampire smirked in our direction. "You mentioned sex, didn't you?"

"Shut up, Emmett!" Edward snarled. The big vampire, Emmett, started laughing hysterically.

You know what, I like Emmett. Quill grinned.

"I was just thinking of what could be going on with Bella." The loner spoke up. "This sounds vaguely familiar. Almost as if I had come across a situation like this in my human life. If you wish me to, I will stay and help you get to the bottom of this predicament."

A blond vampire cover in bite marks nodded. "Thank you, Garrett. You're knowledge and experience will come in handy. We don't know what we are dealing with, and I want us to proceed with caution." The marked vampire wrapped an arm around Alice's waist and pulled her close. She looked as if she were pouting. Embry was curious as to why she was sulking.

"She can't see with you all near." Edward smirked, "It appears she cannot see you wolves."

The feeling of relief flooded through the pack bond. Their seer could not see our decisions. This piece of information would be beneficial in the future. Garrett's head quirked to the side. "Not to interrupt this get-together, but I thought you'd might like to know that the girl you are supposed to be guarding is walking, unaccompanied, into the forest." Everyone's head shot to Bella's yard, and glimpsed Bella's body vanish into the shadows of the trees. The pack scrambled to follow her while the vampires took off after her. We all moved silently through the trees, stalking the woman who managed to slip the notice of eight vampires and three near-by wolves. No one dared to notify her of our presence. We trailed after Bella for an hour or so when she abruptly stopped.

Everyone froze, holding their breath in fear that she would hear us. She stood there for a minute before she moved. "Fuck you and your deviled eggs, mother!" After Bella's declaration, she fell into the awaiting arms of Edward. "Nothing but empty promises and shattered dreams!" She fell silent after her outburst. Edward had a small smile on his face as he held her close to his chest. She breathed a heavy breathe and nestled into his embrace.

"I wonder what the story is behind deviled eggs." Garrett chuckled, "I bet it's funny as shit."

"Piñata…" Bella whined.

Garrett laughed. "I bet that story is funnier!"

"If she wants a piñata, we will get her one!" Emmett beamed. "A big one!"

This guy…

Sam, what did the elders say about Bella? Embry asked.

They didn't say anything. Sam sighed. Only that they want to see her.

Did they look surprised? Terrified? You don't have to be a mind a reader to read body language.

They just shared a look and requested me to bring her to them.

Did they give a time?

Sam nodded. Tomorrow at sun down.

Edward glared in my direction. He looked down at Bella and his gaze softened. When Bella started whimpering, Edwards grew panicked. He attempted to calm her by stroked her face, but she her crying continued. Edward shot a pleading look at the scarred vampire. The vampire nodded and focused his sight on Bella. Her whimpers died down and she relaxed into Edward's arms. Edward breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Jasper."

"Don't mention it. However, something is bothering me. As I focused in on her emotions, I could sense another set inside of her. It felt malicious. When I tried to focus on it, the emotions disappeared."

The leader stared at the scarred vampire, Jasper. "What do you mean 'malicious'?"

"As in 'showing malice, the desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another'. It was tainted with malevolence and lust."

"So it is… was nearby?"

Jasper shook his head. "No. It was inside Bella. Almost as if there was another person hiding inside Bella's body. What concerns me is how fast it disappeared when I started concentrating on him. Carlisle, I'm worried for Bella. I haven't come across anything like this before."

The leader, Carlisle, nodded. "I agree. But we need to figure out what's wrong before we can do anything. All we can do is wait and watch. Edward, why don't you take Bella home? We will go to the house and set up. I'll call the High school tomorrow and get you, Alice, and Jasper enrolled again."

"Come on, Rosie." Emmett slung an arm over a blond model's shoulder. "I wanna eat before we go settle down for the night." She rolled her eyes, but ran off with him. Alice and Jasper left with Carlisle and the auburn vampire. Edward glowered at the loner. He nodded once before cradling Bella close to his chest and walking towards her house. He would have passed me if I hadn't stood in his path.

Why did you come back?

"Because Bella needs me." He whispered. "I was a fool to leave in the first place."

I growled low. She has me to protect her. My pack won't let anything harm her.

Edward glared at me. "Yes, because absolutely nothing has happened to threaten her health."

Her emotional damage is your fault, leech! Take her home and leave!

"Only when Bella commands it of me will I depart." Edward gazed adoringly down at Bella. "Until then, I'm here to stay."

She won't take you back. You're wasting your time.

"If I spend every moment of everyday protecting her, keeping her safe from harm, that is time well spent." He stepped around me and continued on to Bella's home.

Jared trotted to my side. He's right, you know.

What?

About using all his time to guard Bella.

He is a leech! I snapped. They don't protect! They destroy!

Maybe so, but isn't that like saying all werewolves are man-eating machines?

What's your point?

I saw the way he looked at her, Jake. Jared swished his tail. That's not the look of a cold-blooded killer. Something tells me that he will do anything to keep Bella safe.

I scoffed. Could have fooled me. I brought up the memories of the day the Cullens' left.

Sam, if you believed that Emily would be safer without you in her life, would you leave her?

Pain sliced through Sam's heart. I wouldn't like it, but I would do anything to protect Emily. Even if that meant cutting myself out of her life.

We could use their help, Jake. From the look on Edward's face, he would do anything for Bella. He might even go to Hell and back to save her soul.

With that said, Jared trotted further into the woods to execute the nightly patrol. I could hear the others conversing to each other through the pack bond. They seemed to be giving time to think. I looked back at Bella's room window, noticing that it was open.

You fuck up even once, and I'll end you, leech.

The wind carried his whispered reply to me. "I won't stop you, pup."

(Bella pov)

I am relaxing on the couch in the door-less room. Z sits across from me, playing a game of spider solitaire. Cerberus is sprawled on the sofa, bobbing his head to the music coming out of the headphones lodged in his ears. Drake is nowhere to found. Z said something about an errand. He didn't offer anything more specific, and I didn't ask for details. No one spoke. We just lounged in the same room, enjoying the silence as we passed the time doing what we pleased. I had been reading, but I grew more interested in Z's card game. I put down my book and watched him assess the cards. If he seemed stumped, I would point out match. He would nod and move the selected card. Our silence was broken when Drake blinked into existence on top of Z's cards. Z didn't acknowledge him. He just picked up the last deck of cards and flipped them over. Drake stepped of the lines and Z placed a card on each line.

"What is it, Drake?" Z drawled out his name.

"There has been an unexpected occurrence." Drake kneeled and touched Z's forehead with his right index and middle finger. Z closed his eyes, like he was watching a moment from long ago. Seconds felt like seconds as Cerberus and I watched the exchange. Z opened his eyes. His once soft, almost dark pink eyes darkened. They now resembled bloody red garnets. His moves were lithe and smooth as he got on his feet. He straightened to his full height, his posture screaming authority and power.

"Fucking vampires!" He snarled. "Change of plans. We have to lay low until they let their guard down. When they're not paying attention, we move forward." Z looked over at me, and his hard, glowing eyes dimmed. He walked over to the couch I am perched on, and kneeled in front of me. Z stared into my eyes. "Bella, something has happened on your plain that will affect you drastically. We won't be able to see each other for a while because of this situation. I want you to stay strong and keep our deal in your thoughts. This is of the greatest importance, and I can think of no one better to keep this knowledge safe. Under no circumstances are you allowed to mention our pact to anyone, do you understand? "

I nodded my head. Z gave me a slight smile and gripped my shoulders. "Good girl, Bella. Know that though you may not see us, we are always with you. If you truly believe that you cannot put up with reality, then I want you to make a small cut on your hand, and use the blood to draw this symbol." He touched my forehead and an image of three lines appeared in my mind's eye. Two lines that were bent at an acute angle crossed over each other, forming a diamond. A single line ran through the points where the two angles met. Each line had a small circle at the tip. Once the image was burned into my memory bank, Z moved his hand back to my shoulder. "I am sorry to send you back unprepared, but I know you can handle this. I trust you impeccably, Miss Swan."

Cerberus smiled and gave me thumbs up. Drake leered down at me and gave a small wave.

Then everything went black.

I'm home. In my room. On my bed. Beside the very vampire that abandoned me.

I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I was still dreaming. I opened my eyes to see Edward smiling that crooked smile I love so much. He lifted a hand and brushed stray hair behind my ear. He let his fingers liger on my cheek before placing it back on my waist. He felt real enough. I could see him, feel him, I could smell his unique fragrance. I was either dreaming, or my mind had finally snapped. Snapped into tiny, tiny pieces and ground into the dirt. I gave a mental shrug and snuggled into his arms. If I had finally lost my marbles (which is ridiculous, by the way! I have all of them in a box in my closet), then I will bloody well enjoy it! I inhaled his scent and reveled in the sensation of my heart pumping in my chest.

The arm on my waist tightened while the other tucked my head under his shoulder. He buried his face in my hair and took large, unnecessary breath. Edward hands stroked my hair and lower back. He groaned and gave me a gentle squeeze. I relaxed in his embrace, relishing the time I had with this delusion, before I awoke to face reality. Unfortunately, Edward had different ideas. He heaved a sigh and loosened his grip. I bit back the sob forming in the back of my throat. I wanted to hold on tight, but I let him pull away. Edward didn't remove his arms from my form. In fact, it was like he couldn't stop touching me. He nuzzled my hair and looked down at my face.

"Bella…" He breathed.

I stopped him. "Edward… What are you doing here? Am I dreaming? Is this all an illusion because my mind has snapped into small, irreparable pieces?"

He laughed, but it held no humor. "No, my dear Bella. I am here and I am real."

"But you said you didn't want me! You said didn't..." I choked on a sob.

Edward pulled me into his chest, rubbing from the top of my head to the small of my back. "Hush Bella, hush. I'm so sorry for leaving you. I lied to protect you and it didn't work. Please forgive me, Bella!" He buried his face into the crook of my neck.

I wanted to hold him close. I wanted to comfort him and tell him that there was nothing to forgive. I wanted to accept him back into my life. A part of me wanted to do all of those things. A very small part. The other, larger part wanted to yell at him. It wanted to throw insults at him. It wanted to wrap its hands around his neck and strangle him for what he did. It wanted to throttle him, not for leaving, but for returning to me. These urges were not mine. I began to panic at the foreign rage crowding my thoughts. I didn't want Edward here to see me like this. Though I desperately wished for him to chase away the unwelcome fury, but I was scared that I would say something awful and hurt his feelings. I had to get him out of here.

"Edward… I need you to leave." I pushed against him. "I, I need to think."

He pulled away to look at my eyes, his arms remained around. "I'm not leaving, Bella. We have a lot to discuss. I have much to repent for and I must start with my horrid, blasphemous lies to you."

Oh, Edward I will… just not now! "Please… Just leave!"

"No, Bella! At least listen to my apology!"

My vision began to narrow, darkness swimming around the edges of my sight. "Not now! I will! I promise I will! Just back off!"

"Tomorrow, then?" He proposed. "You promise to hear me out tomorrow?"

My vision was almost completely black. "Yes! Now please go!"

He kissed my forehead. "Until tomorrow, my sweet Bella." With that, he used his vampire speed to leave my room via the open window. The moment he left, the darkness swallowed me.

(Draven pov)

Damn it. Damn it! DAMN IT!

That fucking prick! How dare he return! Does he really think he waltz back into her life without a fight? Does he honestly believe that Bella would remain unclaimed in his absence? Did he not know how much power lay dormant inside this female's mind? Well, I would teach this whiny adolescent a lesson in claiming territory. I will make him rue the day he even considered laying a claim to this powerhouse. And I will use this female to destroy him. It's rather poetic, in a way. Using the woman he loves to mentally and physically beat him down.

I lifted the Bella's hand and caressed her flat stomach. She currently slept within her own mind. She fought me off long enough to let Edwin escape, but I managed to overpower her. I loved the way her body felt. She was so soft and supple. I have possessed many bodies in my existence, but none felt this comfortable. I could see me residing in this body for a long time.

My sweet, little Bella... I have big plans for you.

Another chapter… Let me know how you all like this one. And if anyone has suggestions about the next chapter, don't hesitate to send me a message. I love hearing new ideas. :3

-SPN :3