Chapter Sixteen
"You can't be serious." Alice scolded.
"She wouldn't be getting this worked up over it if she didn't want this, Alice." Andrew reasoned, "Emmett told me to find another way to make it right. If this is what it takes to make it right, then.." He trailed off, turning and opening the door.
"Leandra," She crossed the room to me as he stepped outside, "Don't do this. Think about what you're doing."
"I have." I replied, "And I am. If there's a chance that I can get some answers from him then I'm going to take it."
"You're six months pregnant." She reminded me, "Should you be doing this right now?"
"How much longer am I going to have?" I asked, "If Aro comes for him before I have a chance, then that chance is gone forever. You know that." I looked outside, spotting the giant white wolf stepping from the trees, shaking out his fur. That was my cue to go.
She followed me outside.
"What if something goes wrong?" She asked, "What if you get Andrew hurt?" I paused a step, looking over at her, "What if you get other people hurt? What if you get hurt?"
"I stopped living by 'what if's a long time ago, Alice." I mumbled, continuing on.
Andrew met me half way into the yard, lowering his front and allowing me to climb onto his back. He helped me a little, turning his head to give me a boost up with the side of his face. He didn't move until I was securely seated and comfortable, slowly standing back up. Alice stood there watching the whole thing, her arms crossed over her chest and looking very unhappy.
I wasn't sure how long we ran. This time, I wasn't even sure which direction we went, but it was a surprise that Alice wasn't following us.
Before we even got there, though, our path was blocked by three other wolves. Andrew came trotting to a stop, so I had to poke my head to the side to see what the issue was.
I'd seen one of them before, but the other two really caught my attention. They looked a whole lot like Andrew. The difference in the two other white wolves was very obvious next to the black wolf standing there.
These two other white ones had the same lean stature Andrew had, their fluffy fur making them seem bigger than they really were.
All three stood there, obviously not about to move. They stared him down firmly, and I really couldn't blame him for not wanting to just walk right by them.
There was clearly a conversation going on between them, so I just sat quietly studying them. I watched their body language, especially their eyes and their ears. If they were anything like Andrew, their ears would flatten back if they were angry. I didn't see near the amount of tension Andrew would have, so I gathered that they weren't angry. Mildly annoyed, maybe, but not angry.
After a moment, though, Andrew turned around, pacing a few steps back the other direction.
"What's going on?" I asked him, "Won't they let you?" He lowered down, which I took as a hint to climb down. Taking it, I carefully climbed off his back. I wasn't sure about moving from the spot, looking over at the three other wolves just standing there as Andrew slowly paced away a few steps.
Who were these wolves to stand in the way of where I wanted to go? They watched me closely, and I knew they wouldn't budge.
"Who died and made you king shit?" I snapped at them. One of the white ones snorted, glancing over at the other white wolf. I wouldn't go any closer, but I was very irritated. Crouching briefly, I picked up the biggest rock I could find and lobbed it straight at them.
Unfortunately, I'd always had horrible aim. The rock flew right between the black wolf and the white wolf. Said white wolf turned a little to watch after it, before returning his gaze to me.
"Leandra." I turned, looking back the way we'd come at Renesmee's voice, spotting her easily as Jacob trotted along beside her. Of course, as an enormous wolf. It would have been hard to miss him.
"Hey." I greeted quietly. I still couldn't get over how grown up she was. She finally reached my side, "Can you make them move?"
She smiled apologetically, "Sorry. They're not going to move."
"That's bullshit."
"And Andrew will probably be in.. Huge trouble for bringing you even this close." She admitted hesitantly. I glanced over to where he now sat.
"Why?" I frowned, "I told him to bring me here."
"It doesn't matter." She replied, "It was specifically his job to protect you, because he was the one with the deepest bond with you. He should have known better." I sighed hard in annoyance, "Hey, I'm just the messenger. Alice ratted you out."
"Why am I not surprised?" I grumbled, looking over at the wolves again, "Seriously. What are they going to do? I could probably just walk right passed those assholes and they won't do a damn thing about it. He's that way, right?"
"I really don't advise that." Ness spoke up, "Those aren't the only ones you'll be met by. It's true, they won't physically stop you.. That's kind of what I'm here for. It's our job to get you back home."
"Good luck with that one."
"Leandra.." She sighed, "You're not understanding. You caught the scent of revenge. Now, personally, I can't really blame you. He's a horrible person, and I'm not even allowed to spend longer than ten minutes there, but-"
"What did you say?" I asked, frowning.
"About?"
"I caught the scent?"
"Oh." She laughed a little, "Meaning, you found an opportunity. You're not fooling anyone, Leandra. You aren't going there to talk. There's only one reason why you would want to see him, directly after hearing that someone had finally shut him up for a few minutes."
"Talking would be part of it." I admitted, looking down.
"Now, I know Andrew meant well, but this is just not going to happen." She said, "Sorry, but not sorry. It's taking a highly unnecessary risk. A risk you're not allowed to take in your condition."
"I don't care." I replied sharply, "I have my own reasons, so they're just gonna have to move."
"It's not just your safety they're concerned about." She murmured.
"Well then they can all just run scared." I countered, "I don't give a shit. All they have to do is move the fuck over." I stepped away, fully intending to walk right by them, but my arm was lightly grabbed.
"Come on." Ness smiled at my heated glare her way, "Let's go back home and you can take a nice nap-"
I jerked my arm from her hand.
"Don't you get it?" I snapped, "I won't have a chance much longer."
"Doesn't it seem weird to you?" She asked calmly in response, "This isn't like you, is it? Don't you remember what they told you about Aro?"
"I don't care." I groaned.
"You should." She replied, "Look. Sit down and listen for a second." I sighed, but did as she said. I found the nearest boulder, carefully sitting down and taking a breath, "Okay. I'm going to point something out to you, but don't get mad at me."
"No promises." I muttered, dusting my hands off on my jeans.
"Your bond to Jack is still there." She said, "Like you said. You know him better than anyone on the planet, and he knows you. Chelsea couldn't get rid of that in just one try. Jack just couldn't make a bond out of thin air. There had to be one right from the start for him to build on."
"What the fuck are you getting at?"
"You hate him." She went on, "That's clear, but it's still a bond. It's not really revenge you're after, is it?"
"Huh?"
"You know he's in trouble, and that sent you running."
I hesitated, looking away in thought. Really thinking about what she was saying.
"For whatever reason," She slowly sat down beside me, "You're confusing yourself about what you really want. You're entitled to feel the way you feel about this, but that doesn't change the fact that right now, it's just not a good idea to go running to him."
Out of the blue, all my hatred and anger faded just enough to let the way I really felt through, and I started to cry. Why the fuck was I crying? Of course I knew the answer to that, but I tried not to face it. Holding onto all that anger, something I thought I'd gotten passed came back to remind me that I was just as broken as I always was, and that pissed me off even more.
I cried in anger, and in the pain I still felt over what he did to me all those years. I cried in my hatred of him, and I cried because I knew that hating him so much was only hurting me more. I cried because Jack gave me a reason to hate him, and to keep hating him. I cried because I felt so stupid sitting there just sobbing like a baby.
I cried for the ending of a chapter of my life, and I cried in fear of not knowing what was supposed to come next. I cried over years and years spent with him on my mind. I cried over years and years lost because of him. I cried because I was crying over him, something I always told myself that one day, I wouldn't do anymore. I cried because it was the only thing I could do.
"Aw." Ness murmured, reaching over and hugging me. I couldn't even form words anymore. Choking on my effort to keep my sobbing quiet.
"I'll talk to my dad." She assured me, "Maybe something can be worked out. To give you a chance at what you need, but for right now, we've got to get you back home."
Through my tears, I just nodded.
She let me continue to sit there for a moment longer, allowing me a chance to get more of a grip on my emotions before standing up and helping me to my feet. I looked over at Andrew expectantly, and he instantly stood up.
He reached my side, gently nosing my cheek. The way he always did now when he knew I was upset.
"I know." I sniffled, "You tried." I hugged him back briefly before he raised his head and looked back.
"Mikah's coming." Ness translated his distraction, "Andrew has to stay here, so Mikah's going to take you back."
"I thought it was your job?"
"I don't think you'd want Jake to carry you back." She replied with a small smile.
"Not really." I mumbled, absentmindedly running my fingers through the fur on Andrew's shoulder. Once again, I found the feeling of it comforting. Like a live, gigantic teddy bear.
I looked over at the sound of Mikah's sigh. He stood there, shaking his head. Looking up at Andrew, I removed my hand from his fur almost hesitantly.
"Nice job." Mikah told him sarcastically, "Really. Bone-head."
"Mikah, stop." I mumbled over Andrew's light growl beside me, "He was just trying to help me."
"Yeah." He replied, still sarcastically, "He's a smart one. Whisking his heavily pregnant girlfriend off to greet certain death because he wasn't man enough to say no."
"You're not helping." I snapped this time, but Andrew only growled louder. Raising his hands, Mikah shut up with another shake of his head.
I looked back up at Andrew, sighing, "Don't listen to him. You were trying to help me. The only one trying to help me." Hesitantly, he tore his glare away from Mikah to look back down at me, "We've got to talk later. Come see me when you can."
He grumbled his agreement, nosing my cheek again briefly before stepping back.
"One word of advice." Mikah told him, coming to my side, "She's known to fly off the handle now and then. Typically when she wants something like this, it's best to just wait it out. Wait until she's thinking rationally again. Otherwise you get everyone all in an uproar, and what does that get us?"
"I think we should get going." Ness spoke up again, "On the grounds that you guys hate each other."
"I agree." I muttered.
Thankfully, he listened, and carried me home. It was hard to leave the spot we'd just been, but once we actually got home, I realized that they were right. Rushing in probably wasn't the best move.
I let my emotions get the better of me, and that was stupid.
"Stop antagonizing him, Mikah." I snapped the second we got inside, "I don't care if you don't like him." Ness perched herself on a seat back by the window, silently watching us.
"It's hard to like the kid when he's constantly screwing up." He replied easily, "Way I see it, he's got one more chance. If he puts you in danger one more time-"
"Oh, stop it." I rolled my eyes, sighing as I sat down on the couch. Wincing as I leaned back. It felt good to lay back, but hurt at the same time.
With a sigh of his own, Mikah stepped forward. Kneeling down, he lifted my legs for me and placed them on the couch for me. I squirmed a bit, rolling onto my right side before I found a comfortable spot that worked.
"Thanks." I mumbled, and he smiled a little.
His tone was calmer as he spoke now, "What were you thinking?" I looked down at my hand rested over my stomach, "Princess, I'm all for personal growth, but God, you have to be smarter about it. You can't let your emotions get the better of you. Especially right now."
"I know." I sighed shamefully.
"And I know you think I have some sort of personal vendetta against Andrew." He went on, "And I might, but.. He really failed you today. I don't care how much you begged him. He has this really bad habit of giving in when he really shouldn't."
"In his defense," Alice piped up from where she suddenly stood, "He tried. She was pretty ruthless."
"Snitch." I grumbled to myself. I couldn't really be mad at her. Not only would I have instantly regretted seeing Jack like that, but if they had reason to worry, then I probably did too.
"For what it's worth, I agree with Mikah." Ness added from her seat, "He failed hard."
"If I would have physically stopped you myself, you probably would have overreacted and gotten yourself hurt." Alice told me, "I'm just not comfortable restraining you in your current condition-"
"Condition." I scoffed, "God, I'm not dying of some disease."
She went on, ignoring my retort, "So I did what I could to stop you. You weren't listening."
"How is that anything new?" I asked, readjusting how I laid. I was really aching now, and just generally very uncomfortable.
"Don't try to change the-"
"Can we shut up for a second?" I asked quietly, leaving my eyes shut. Thankfully, she did as I asked, but the first deep, slow breath I took caught their attention.
"Are you okay?" Mikah asked, and I opened my eyes.
"Yeah." I mumbled, "I'm just.." I really wasn't sure how to answer. I scooted around carefully, desperately trying to make the discomfort ease.
"What is it?" Alice asked, "Leandra?"
"I don't know." I replied, "It sort of comes and goes."
"Call Carlisle." Mikah looked up, and Alice instantly turned.
"No." I protested, "It's nothing that bad. You don't need to bother him." But nobody was listening. So I just closed my eyes and focused on relaxing.
It couldn't have been more than a few minutes before Carlisle showed up. Being given those few minutes, though, I was able to relax enough and the discomfort stopped for the most part. I still ached, but in a way I was more used to.
It was quickly determined that both the baby and I were fine. What I was feeling before was probably something called 'Braxton Hicks contractions'. Or practice contractions. It was my body's way of preparing itself for birth in a couple of months, and had nothing to do with the little field trip I'd just taken.
That sure didn't feel anything like it seemed it would. It was weird, but definitely not as painful as I thought a contraction would be. I wasn't stupid though. I knew the real thing would be a lot harder.
Despite the fact that it hadn't been anything major, Carlisle insisted that I get more thorough rest. Meaning, stop laying on the hard couch. I wasn't complaining, and almost gladly waddled to my room.
I woke awhile later to Andrew showing up. We laid on my bed, and talked quietly in the dark of my room, which seemed more peaceful. It was this way that I learned who those two other white wolves were. Besides Andrew himself, those were two of the last remaining northern pack. Sons and grandsons of the original pack members. Altogether, there were five that could phase. Counting Andrew.
I hadn't known it was that bad.
"Maybe we can help." I suggested quietly, "How many vampires were there?"
"No." He replied quietly, "They wouldn't accept any help. Before you ask, no. Nobody knows the ones who did this. They seem to be keeping to themselves, but.. It still makes me sad, knowing everyone was forced out of their own territory. They were a small pack to begin with."
"Were you in a lot of trouble?" I asked hesitantly.
"A bit." He allowed, sighing, "But I deserved it. I never should have given in."
"What did they say?"
"That I needed to do a better job of protecting my heir." He replied, "Obviously, this isn't something that can just happen every day. They're expecting one more phase soon, but after that, the three other heirs are female and far too young to protect themselves. He's the next male to be born." He sighed, "I know I'm not related to them, but somehow.. We're still family. If that makes sense."
"You share something with them." I mumbled, my eyes closed, "It makes a lot of sense that you'd think of them as family."
"So in a way," He went on quietly, "They're all counting on you, too. Not to pressure you, or anything."
"Oh, no pressure." I joked lightly, turning over onto my back and looking up at him, "I'm only personally responsible for the next heir of a near-extinct pack of shape-shifters that are depending on me to continue their bloodline."
"No pressure at all." He chuckled, leaning down and lightly touching his forehead to the side of my head. He gently placed his arm over me, cuddling me softly as we both clearly felt a kick. I knew it was as comforting to him to feel that as it was to me. Knowing the baby was doing well enough in there to grace us with his movements was a very comforting thing.
He pulled back just enough to lean down and lightly kiss my stomach. I actually couldn't even begin to comprehend how incredibly sweet that simple action was at first, watching him in the dark as he gently held my belly between his firm hands.
"Don't worry, little man." He spoke softly to my belly, his voice a soothing murmur, "I'll protect you. As long as I'm alive, you and mommy will be just fine. You just work on getting bigger and stronger."
I almost died. The cuteness was too much. I didn't feel any acknowledging movements, but that didn't matter much. I knew the baby heard him. I'd never really stopped to think about Andrew, or his take on this whole situation before. It was now clear to me that he cared about this baby just as much as I did, and it wasn't only just about his instinct to be protective.
Somehow, though, it just made sense. Just like with him and his pack, we shared something together. The baby bound us together with a neat little bow. As weird as it was to think about, it was also pretty amazing.
Once the initial cuteness faded a bit, it made me sad. He knew I was pretty decided in giving him away, yet he called me the baby's mommy. I knew technically, I was his mom, but I wouldn't be raising him.
He looked up at me, and smiled. I did my best to smile as convincingly as I could in return.
Nestled together, he held me as we slept that night. Oddly, I didn't feel the restlessness I usually felt while he held me. Just like before. I appreciated his presence more than I was sure he knew, and I knew that what eased me, eased the baby. A calm mom meant calm baby, so in a way, Andrew was helping the both of us just by being here.
I cuddled closer to him, on my side and facing his bare chest. He had a distinct scent I had a feeling wasn't his cologne. I breathed it in deeply as often as I remembered to until I knew I'd gotten used to it and I drifted off to sleep.
It concerned me to realize that I was no longer as against being considered his mate as I was before. That meant I was coming around to the idea. Getting used to it. I wasn't sure if it was the pregnancy hormones, but the word now had a certain ring to it.
Mate.
It somehow meant more than what we'd started off as. More than just two curious friends getting ourselves into a situation we really shouldn't have. It was more than what it was. It also concerned me to realize that there was more to how I felt than I noticed before. A whole other side to things that I never let myself see before.
It very well could have been the pregnancy hormones. It would make sense. His instinct to protect me was a powerful one, so it would make sense that I'd have the instinct to be protected by him. A mutual, unspoken understanding communicated only by a few subtle changes in us.
I woke slowly in the morning to the feeling of my hair being gently played with. Even with my puny human senses, I could smell that it was Andrew still laying there, so I could leave my eyes shut and know it was him.
After a moment, though, I stirred.
"Stop." I mumbled, reaching up and rubbing my face, "You're making it tickle my face."
"Sorry." He chuckled, and I snuggled closer to him. My arms folded up against my chest, my head tucked under his chin.
"You're warm." I sighed, my eyes still closed.
"Are you cold?" He asked, wrapping his arms more securely around me.
"For now." I smiled a little, "Give it a minute. I'll be burning alive. Uncomfortably overheated is my normal temperature."
He laughed, "I don't want to make you too hot."
"Then I'll just go hug Mikah." I said, "It'll be fine." He laughed again, thankfully not taking offense to that.
We laid there for another few minutes in silence until I sighed and moved. Rolling away onto my back, stretching briefly before sitting up.
"Move." I kicked his leg, "I gotta pee." Chuckling, he did as I asked. Standing and helping me to my feet.
After that day, things calmed down and sped up at the same time.
Thankfully, my birthday was something not overly celebrated in July. By that time, I really wasn't feeling that up to partying, so it was just a small group. I spent some of the day with Heather at her house before returning home with a headache and slight nausea caused by said headache. Officially sixteen now, I didn't feel any different.
August came and went with nothing remarkable to note. More of the same routine. More unflattering and deeply uncomfortable side effects of my condition decided to grace me with their presence. Of course it was decided that I wasn't going to be heading back to school. There was no way I could with so much on my plate already.
September began with a lot of rain, and a weird mix of extreme fatigue and restlessness. I was so tired, yet I was far too uncomfortable to fall asleep. I had a month left of this pregnancy, and I had yet to visit with Andrew's grandma again. I was running out of time, but I really wasn't up to going anywhere and I knew there was no way she would come here, so I wasn't sure what to do. Then again, I wasn't spending too much energy trying to figure it out, either. I was pretty busy being stuck in my pit of despair. My body turning against me in some sick game of tug-of-war for space and, at times, breath.
I hadn't felt any more of those practice contractions, but I was always on edge, waiting for it to happen again. I was told that those things happen all the time. I just don't feel it. I was also told the difference those contractions and real contractions. Real ones were consistent, those weren't. Real ones increased in intensity as time went on, those didn't. Real ones would be far more uncomfortable.
Oh, what a concept. More discomfort.
It made me nervous, though, because that meant they were watching me for signs that the pregnancy was almost over, which it was. I'd noticed it for a few weeks now, every gripe and moan from me was met with at least three different pairs of eyes. When I turned out to be okay, they relaxed somewhat.
But I was far from okay.
I couldn't sleep, but I snoozed the best I could. Laying there, focusing on my breathing and praying for sleep. I felt so tired, and even standing up caused me pain. Laying down was uncomfortable, standing up for any real length of time was impossible. There was a whole lot of pressure in places I really wasn't used to feeling.
At my last appointment, I was told that the baby now weighed close to seven pounds. It wasn't too heavy of a baby, but heavy enough to cause me plenty of issues. I was also told that he had 'dropped', meaning he was getting himself into position. Which was a pretty big sign that things were getting close. He was just chilling in there, head down, head-butting my bladder every chance he got and smashing it to smithereens every time he turned his head.
Andrew now followed me around literally like a lost little puppy. It wouldn't have bugged me so badly if I wasn't constantly aching and sleep-deprived. Constant heartburn and having to pee every time the baby moved. I found myself snapping at him a lot, but he held out. Along with everyone else, he held out.
Space was getting tight, and I really wasn't sure how much longer I could keep doing this. It was easily the hardest thing I'd ever had to go through, purely for the length of time I was being forced to be uncomfortable.
I was now less than a month away from my due date, October 10th, and that really made a difference in what I was allowed to do.
About a week into my last month of pregnancy, I laid in my bed. Desperately trying to get some sort of sleep, but the baby kicking was making it almost impossible. He was particularly active today, which only made it harder. Andrew laid with me, tucked behind me like an extra blanket. Our backs to the door. It was silent in the room, and I was almost asleep.
I was feeling very off, and I made sure everyone in the house knew it with my stash of swear words. I wasn't necessarily in any extra pain, just grumpy. Short tempered, which I attributed to my lack of sleep. My usual last-nerve aching. I'd spent the better part of the day just pacing. Trying to find one step that didn't hurt.
I felt huge, but I knew I wasn't that big.
Andrew had finally convinced me to lay down since I wasn't listening to anyone else. He seemed pretty tense, which only got worse as we laid there. He never said anything, only continued to rub my lower back slowly. It was helping, which is why I didn't bite his head off and spit it out the window. I was already fighting a tension headache as well, so just laying here was helping as I nearly fell asleep.
"Please try harder." I woke to Andrew's quiet whisper after some time in the silence, "She's sleeping."
"No I'm not." I mumbled, taking a deep, waking breath.
"Go back to sleep." Andrew told me gently, hugging me a bit tighter. As tempted as I was to take his advice, I couldn't. Not without rolling over a bit to see who it was he was talking to. Both Jasper and Emmett stood in the doorway, watching us.
"Go away." I mumbled, laying back down, "I'm sleeping."
"Sorry, shorty." Emmett replied, "But your presence has been requested." I frowned, opening my eyes again and rolling back to look at him once more.
"By who?" I asked, "Tell them to fuck off. I'm sleeping."
"We've stalled as long as we can." Jasper spoke next.
"Tough shit." I sighed into my pillow, "Go away." I was rather grumpy, and I had a feeling it had little bit to do with the gnawing nausea in my stomach and the pounding in my head with each beat of my heart.
"It's pretty important." Emmett insisted.
"So is my sleep." I mumbled, "Go away please."
Jasper sighed, "Leandra-"
"Go away please." I repeated firmly, "Now."
"I wish we could." Jasper replied, so I groaned loudly, throwing the blanket back off of me.
"What?" I half whined, sitting up. For a brief moment, I was actually tempted to cry. I did that often, so that wasn't out of the ordinary for me. Andrew sat up as well, looking over at them, and I once again noted his tension.
Before they could answer me, Mikah rounded the doorway, and the look in his eyes told me that I really wouldn't be liking whatever they were waking me up for. His lips were tight in an odd mix of resigned anger. His golden eyes hard, his brow tense.
"What?" I asked again, my tone now a little suspicious. Without answering, Mikah took a breath and shook his head. Don't ask. Just do it. I took a few more seconds to notice that Emmett and Jasper's expressions almost mirrored Mikah's, so I moved to stand up.
"Leandra." Andrew warned.
"I have to." I mumbled, "Just help me up so I can get this over with." He growled, but he knew better than to argue with me. I was going to do it with or without his help.
Andrew, of course, supported me as I rolled to my feet. It made me nervous to realize that I had a feeling I knew what all this was about. I knew better than to tell Andrew to stay back. There was no way in hell that was happening when he literally followed me everywhere.
I stretched with a small sob, whimpering as I stretched wrong and my hips both protested at once. I sighed heavily and stepped passed Mikah out the door.
I rounded into the hallway, looking over into the living room as Andrew, Jasper and Emmett came up behind me. I wasn't really surprised to find that I was right. Part of me had been expecting this, but it still bugged me that Aro wasn't going to take Carlisle's word for it.
I was so tired of this sight. The Cullens grouped nearest the hallway, facing Aro and his usual group. Of course, Jane was closest to him. His usual guard around them both, and even a few that wasn't his usual. Outnumbering the Cullens by at least two. It wasn't unusual for Aro to come prepared, so I'm sure nobody else found this odd either.
As I entered the room, though, I could see exactly who else was here. He brought my attention to him off to the side before I even had a chance to see him for myself. His deep snarl of hatred echoed around me, making me jump back in sudden fear as the sound startled me. In jumping back, I accidentally bumped into Emmett. His hand found my shoulder, both calming me and steadying me as Mikah stepped around us to stand between Jack and I. I vaguely picked up a growl from Mikah, but I wasn't sure over the remnants of Jack's angry noises.
To my surprise, he was back in one piece, and his eyes were once again a deep crimson color. Of course he was restrained, but I couldn't help wondering how long that would hold out. Even against Felix. It was intensely clear that Jack hated me even more than he ever did before, and I had a feeling it was because of what happened as a result of his bite.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" I demanded, turning my outraged gaze to Aro across the room.
"Leandra." Aro greeted with a warm smile, ignoring my question, "You're beautiful, my dear."
"Cut the shit." I snapped, "Why the fuck-"
"In time." Aro assured me, so I chose only to glare over at Jack instead of continuing to demand. That just pissed Jack off, though. Jack was pulling hard at Felix's grip, maybe a few feet away.
"Fuck you." I snapped at Jack, which only made him mad enough to lunge again. I flinched back a bit before spitting a little at him. Hoping to hit him in the eye or something. Emmett had had enough of that, backing me away from Jack.
"Back up." Andrew barked at him, but Jack ignored that.
"Get over here and say that to my face, you stupid fucking bitch." Jack finally replied, despite being tightly restrained. I didn't doubt his sincerity. I was trembling, but oddly, it wasn't just from fear. I did fear him, but that was no longer the dominant emotion. A dark, seething hatred swirled violently in me as I looked at him. His stupid face. I hated him with my whole body. I hated him so much it made it almost easy to ignore the way I ached just standing there.
"Round two?" I asked him, resisting Emmett a little and shaking his hand off my shoulder, "I won that last one. I'm right here, you worthless pile of dogshit." That only pissed him off even more. Giving a fight that actually pulled Felix forward half a step.
"Fascinating." Aro commented with a light smile, having watched our exchange, "Simply fascinating." His confidence in Felix to keep him back was probably what I picked up on, feeling okay to taunt Jack a little more.
"What?" I asked Jack, "Come get me, fuckhead. Or are you too weak?"
"Leandra." Carlisle spoke up, turning to find my other side.
"I fucking dare you to say that again." Jack replied, glaring at me around Carlisle.
"You're weak." I told him, also around Carlisle, "There's one person holding you back." I shook Emmett's hand off my shoulder again. It was a mild annoyance at this point, but it was quickly beginning to really bug me.
"I'm going to make you eat those words, bitch." Jack responded, "You have no idea what's coming for you." Andrew growled, but I had to hand it to him. He was being very calm about all this. Jack and I both flinging insults and threats at each other while neither of us were allowed to approach the other.
"Right." I snorted, "If you weren't so weak, I'd be dead already." I resisted Carlisle this time as he gently turned me away from Jack, "Stop trying to scare me. It just makes me feel sorry for your stupid ass. It's pathetic."
"I'd love to see you heal when I rip your fucking head off." He growled heatedly, as far forward as Felix's grip would allow him to be. Felix just looked bored, so I took that as further encouragement.
"No." I snapped back at him, rounding again to face him around Carlisle's resistance, "You don't get to threaten me. I'm not afraid of you anymore."
"At this point, I don't give a shit if you're afraid." He countered, "I made you a promise."
"Fuck you and fuck your promise." I barked.
"Oh." The sound of his response was a deep growl, his face a dark, stony mask of the same seething hatred I felt inside, "You just wait."
"Whatever." I spat back, "You can shove it right up your-"
"Leandra." Andrew's tone was also a growl, and I knew he didn't like this any more than anyone else did.
"You better listen to that mutt, bitch." Jack chuckled darkly, "Filthy fucking whore." I only glared harder, a blush instantly coloring my cheeks in a visible sign of my raising blood pressure. He spotted that instantly, "What? Didn't they know? Well if they didn't before, they do now, slut. Look at you. You make me want to puke."
"It's better than you, shitbag." I snapped, "I hope you suffered, you sorry motherfucker."
"Bitch, I swear-"
"Go outside." I finally noticed what state Andrew was in at Mikah's command. He was now visibly trembling, and that distracted me enough to allow Carlisle to move me away.
"Go." I choked out through my anger, and thankfully, Andrew listened to me. If he lost his temper here, too many people would get hurt. He rounded, jogging quickly for the side door.
I ignored Jack's chuckle, choosing to let Carlisle move me further away. Forward, into the group of the family in front of me as Jasper and Emmett closed up the back. Jasper glanced over at Jack, but didn't say anything before I turned my attention onto Aro standing there patiently.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him, forcing my tone to calm.
"I simply decided to come and see you for myself." He replied, "It's been awhile."
"I know." I muttered, looking down. The last time he'd seen me, I was two small steps away from suicide. I hadn't been in a good place. I'd still been adjusting to a new medication, and was more aware at that point instead of smothered in depression and denial.
"I'm not proud of it." I added quietly.
"I was never under the impression that you were." He said gently, and for a moment, I thought I heard sincerity in his tone.
"But I meant what I said." I went on, "I meant what I asked Carlisle to tell you. I can't go back to that life, Aro. I'm not asking for much."
"You see," He sighed, glancing down in obviously fake regret, "That is unacceptable to me. I can't let you go. I've searched for far too long for someone like you."
"You should have thought about that before you decided to work with Jack." I replied before I could help it.
"I do apologize about that."
"You knew who he was to me." I pointed out.
"He was also far too valuable to me." He countered, "Once I learned of his gift, my hands were tied. I refused to destroy someone so powerful, yet I couldn't have him out here terrorizing you, so I did what I had to do to keep an eye on him."
Jack scoffed.
"You have something to add?" I snapped, turning to look back at him, "Nobody asked you to speak, bitch. Shut the fuck up."
"Watch it, little girl." Jack warned, tugging at Felix's grip again.
I responded, "Fuck you." He grinned again and chuckled.
"No," He said, "Fuck you. You just wait."
I ignored his threat this time, rolling my eyes as I looked to Aro again, but I noticed Carlisle seemed uneasy. A quick glance around told me the others did as well.
"And then," I went on at Aro, "You bring him here?"
"Why," He murmured, his tone confused, "As I understood it, this is what you wanted." I was suddenly reminded. He was right. He went on, "I was merely providing you the opportunity you craved in a safe, controlled manner." That certainly explained why nobody had ripped his head off yet.
"I apologize for not giving you a chance to prepare." He replied easily, "But I had also heard what happened. How your blood poisoned him."
"He seems fine now." I countered, "Which really sucks. Why couldn't he just fucking die already? God, he's like a disease. He just never goes away."
"I only wanted to see for myself the interaction between you two after such an incident." Aro admitted, and I gave him a look.
"Really?" I asked flatly, "It's the same as it's always been. I hate that fucking asshole."
"I'm sorry, but no." Aro replied, "It isn't the same."
"Yes," I corrected him, "It is the same."
"The fear you once possessed is no longer there." He pointed out, "It's been replaced by hatred and anger."
"Whatever." I said, "Look, the point is, I'm not going back to that life. All I want is to live my life the way I want to live it."
"Once again," He replied, "That is unacceptable."
"You put me here." I reminded him, "If it wasn't for you-"
"I left it optional." He cut me off, obviously already aware of my argument, "If you remember, I merely suggested you to live with the humans. For your own safety, of course."
"You're lying." I muttered, which seemed to surprise him.
"I'm sorry?" He asked, and this time, I shook Carlisle's hand off my shoulder.
"You're lying." I repeated, "You weren't worried about my safety. You knew the whole time that you would go find Jack, so you weren't worried about him finding me. You put me there so I would hate my family for leaving me. You found Jack, knowing exactly where he was the whole time, but made them go looking for him so they would stay away from me."
The silence was heavy after I'd flung my accusation.
"I only wanted-"
"I don't give a shit." I snapped, which also seemed to surprise him, "I don't care what you wanted. You don't care one bit what you did, do you? I'm not going with you, Aro. I won't help you, I won't belong to you. I'd kill myself first."
He sighed, "That is regrettable. I'm sorry to say, my dear Leandra, that there is very little choice."
"Really?" I snorted.
"I'm afraid so." He replied, "I think I've been patient with you."
I scoffed again, "Well, that's just not going to work for me."
"Once again," He spoke slowly but firmly this time, "I'm afraid there is very little choice."
"Once again," I repeated, "I'm not-"
"Can you please get him out of here?" Mikah spoke up from the back, cutting me off, "He's freaking me out."
I knew he was talking about Jack. I wanted to hit him, though, for interrupting. I was just about to tell Aro to go straight to the eighth circle of Hell when Mikah had decided to open his trap.
"Very well." Aro allowed, "Felix?" I looked back at them, and to my surprise, Felix wasn't immediately moving. He continued to stand there like he hadn't heard him. Jack was staring straight at me once again, but this time, it chilled me.
"Something's wrong." I whispered, mostly to myself but Carlisle heard me, looking down at me.
"Felix?" Aro tried again, obvious unhappy that he'd had to ask him twice.
"Sorry." He spoke up, "I'm sorry." I didn't like that. There was something behind that, but that wasn't what had me the most concerned.
As my heartbeat sped up in nervousness over what was happening with Felix, a strange, almost too warm wave of pain centered across my midsection. It wasn't overwhelming, but more than enough for me to notice.
"Carlisle.." I murmured, gaining his attention briefly. Esme moved to my side, probably thinking I was nervous.
"It's quite alright." Aro replied to Felix, "But would you mind too terribly getting him out of the area?"
"I'm sorry." Felix said again, and I frowned. Obviously confused, Jane made her way over to him. To my very intense surprise, and heart-stopping fear, Felix released Jack before Jane even got over to him. Just letting him go, and in even less than a second, Jack was gone.
He was now loose in the house.
"What the hell?" Mikah demanded, looking straight at Aro. I was suddenly squished. Completely enclosed on all sides behind everyone, so I really couldn't see what was going on.
"Mikah, don't." Alice called, but I couldn't see what he was doing. The direction Alice was blocking didn't show anything when I looked passed her shoulder.
I jumped, flinching at the sound of growling and shattering glass further in the room. I must have broken some sort of record with how fast I turned around to try to see passed Carlisle. I cursed my short height as I couldn't see a damn thing.
"There now." My heart dropped at the sound of Jack's smug voice, "Goddamn, he was annoying. Where were we?"
What the fuck was going on?
Nobody bothered to answer him, and I found that to be a bad sign.
"Felix." Jack growled, "Go find that scrawny white animal outside." My heart dropped again, "And kill it."
"No." I shouted, but he ignored me. Nobody would let me through, despite how hard I pushed against them. How was Jack bossing him around now? How did he get Felix to let him go? It suddenly occurred to me, despite knowing it this whole time.
His ability. His ability to manipulate others through their bond to him. All he needed was for them to know him, and he could twist things around, but it really surprised me that he could make even Felix's bond to him so strong that he would disobey a direct order from Aro. If nobody stopped Felix from letting him go, or even Jack from merely standing there free, he must have had most, if not all of them under his control now.
"Kill anything that gets in your way." Jack continued at Felix, "Shit, have some fun. Go nuts." A brief pause before he spoke again, "Now for you. I want that mouthy bitch behind you." Dammit, I couldn't see!
Behind me, I felt my arm taken and looked over at Mikah. He was going to attempt to get me out of here. I shook his hand off and moved forward, closer to Alice. He tried again and I cringed away, clinging to the back of Carlisle's shirt beside Alice.
"Like hell." Alice finally answered him, "You're outnumbered."
"And you're defensive." Jack growled in return, "Not that I can blame you. You saw first hand what I can do. Over and over again. Tell you what, cutie." I cringed at his heavily condescending tone, "Give me that bitch behind you, and I'll leave."
"That's not happening." She replied before I could say anything.
"Do you really want to play this game with me?" He asked, his tone slightly darker. Mikah tried once more, but I wouldn't budge.
"Stop it." I whispered at him.
"Leandra." Mikah whispered in a command, but it was enough.
"Running won't save anybody." Jack told him, drawing his attention, "You set foot out of this house with her, I'll kill every single fucking one of these bastards. Then, I'll hunt your ass down like a dog. There is nowhere on God's green earth you can hide where I won't find that fucking bitch. I'm tired of this shit! I love the hunt as much as the next person, but my patience is so fucking thin. This has dragged on for long enough!" I cringed now at his shouting voice, "What more do I have to do to prove to you fuckers? I'm not playing around!"
"I agree." Carlisle spoke up, "This has dragged on for long enough."
"You don't even start with me." Jack snapped in reply, "Or you'll end up like Aro over there." My eyes widened in disbelief at what he was implying, and I tried again to look passed the wall of people in front of me.
"I dare you." Emmett growled from Carlisle's right.
"Don't tempt me."
"The white one got away." Felix was suddenly back, obviously angry, "He's a wiley thing, but I got three of them."
"Keep trying!" Jack barked at him, "Don't come back in here until you take that fucker out. If he somehow makes it in here, though, leave him. If he comes to me, I'll be the one to take him out."
"Leave him out of it." I shoved hard at Alice, actually managing to move her half a step, but not enough to get through.
"Why the hell would I do that?" Jack asked, chuckling, "You know the rule by now."
"Call him off, Jack." I demanded, unable to help it, and he just laughed again. That pissed me off, "It's not funny!"
"You knew the fucking consequences!" His snarl echoed in the room, "No one touches what's mine."
"I'm so sick of you!" I snapped, shoving against Alice again. I wanted out of this group so I could face him directly, "Let me out!"
"Leandra, calm down." Alice told me firmly, but that just pissed me off even more. I was done.
"You're sick of me?" Jack goaded, "Look in the mirror, baby. You are me."
"I hate you!"
"I know." He sounded so smug, "I made you that way." I shoved harder against Alice, trying to squeeze myself between her arm and Carlisle's arm. Behind me, I felt arms wrap around my arms, hugging me while restraining me. One split second glance told me it was Mikah, so I fought.
I wanted so bad to slap that smug right off of Jack, but I couldn't.
"Just accept it." Jack told me, "I still fucking own you, just as much as I owned your slut mama. I don't let go of what's mine."
"I'm not yours!" I wasn't even sure why I kept denying. He heard the lack of conviction in my tone. Everyone did.
"Yes, you are." He countered immediately, "You always have been, and you always will be. I left my mark on you almost ten years ago now, and I set you up to be me. Even when I'm gone, you'll carry me on in you. I'm not stupid. I know my luck will run out eventually."
"Keep talking, and that'll be today." Emmett growled.
"Right." Jack scoffed but spoke to me next, "Do you remember, you stupid bitch?" Unfortunately, I did. I calmed my struggles against Mikah, panting to catch my breath after exerting myself so much. He was trying to bait me.
"Oh, I do." Jack chuckled when I didn't reply.
"Shut up." I muttered quietly, "Mikah, let me go."
"No." Mikah told me gently, "I won't."
"I remember." I heard the grin clear in Jack's voice. The grin that made me want to throw up, "You know that's going to happen again."
"No it won't." Carlisle sounded so sure.
"I've been practicing." Jack went on, ignoring Carlisle, "Just for you."
"Shut up!" I shouted this time.
"Don't act like you haven't thought about it." He said, "I know you. I know I cross your mind daily. I can't wait to give you a refresher-"
"Shut up!" I shouted louder, "Shut up! Shut the fuck up!"
"Come over here and make me." He invited, "You know me. You tell me what hiding behind them will do."
"You won't touch her." Mikah growled, and I realized just how badly he was pissing him off as well. His job was to hold me back, though, so he couldn't go over there himself.
I stiffened again in his grip, biting my lip at a firmer pain across my belly than I felt before. That concerned me enough to distract me from whatever else might have been going on. It took me a moment to catch my breath.
"Leandra?" Mikah asked gently when I didn't immediately relax, "Are you okay?"
"No." I whispered back, and his arms loosened a bit which helped, but not enough.
"Esme?" Mikah whispered, looking over at her. She looked over at me, and I knew she could tell what my problem was the second her eyes met mine. She just knew. Given the way her expression changed, and how she touched Carlisle's arm.
"I will." Jack also sounded so sure, "You have my word on that. If that fucking wolf hadn't distracted me, I would have had her already. She might have gotten the better of me once, but that's not happening again." He paused for a moment, "Speak of the devil.."
Meaning, Andrew was coming. Jack whistled as if calling a dog, four shrill whistles under his breath before he chuckled. I easily recalled what Andrew told me before about needing to protect me. He just didn't fully realize the threat Jack posed to him.
Would he somehow know? Would those protective instincts get stronger because my labor had just started?
"Andrew!" I called as loud as I could, "Don't!" Even before the door smashed open, I knew he wasn't going to listen to me. I couldn't help the small sob at the sound of breaking glass, flinching a little against Mikah.
I finally got Mikah to let me go, but still couldn't really go anywhere. I shoved forward just enough to climb half way over Alice's shoulder to be able to see to the left. Ignoring the pain that that caused me.
"Leandra." She complained but I stayed half perched up there. One hand braced against her head, the other braced against Carlisle's shoulder. I wasn't strong enough to haul myself over, but I could just see.
I ignored the pile of pieces on the floor off to the side, refusing to even look at it.
"Andrew." I spotted him immediately, "Run. Go." I didn't like the look in Jack's eyes.
"Oh, don't panic." Jack told me, "I just want to talk with the mongrel." That was a lie. Andrew, in all his raging glory, didn't look the slightest bit ready to talk. He looked even more dangerous than he did the other night. It was probably knowing what happened between Jack and I that fueled him now.
I kicked back at Mikah as he tried to pluck me free, desperate to keep watching. It made me feel a little better as Emmett approached Andrew's side. Mikah being forced to fill in his spot.
Jack's slow smile prompted me to attempt to climb over Alice.
"Your move, Jack-ass." Emmett growled, visibly tensing.
"Leandra." Alice complained again, turning a little to move me off of her. I shoved against her the second my feet were on the floor, but that didn't do much good as her arms gently wrapped around me, restraining me now within the small group.
"I'm not stupid." Jack replied, "I think by now you've learned." He was so at ease, it was hard to believe anyone stood a chance against him. He spoke again, "Come on. I'm not after you."
In my struggle, I watched him look at Andrew.
But the second Jack looked at him, Andrew leaped forward. It was far too quick for me to see, but the loud squealing yelp struck me harder than any physical blow I'd ever felt, and I was instantly in sobbing cries.
"Get her out of here." Carlisle turned to look at us where Alice held me. I looked back over in time to see Emmett hitting the floor. Alice instantly turned me away, forcing me forward toward the kitchen.
Mikah grabbed hold of me as I resisted, lifting me off my feet. Holding me in his arms and immediately starting to run.
"Stop." I gasped through sobs, but of course, he wasn't listening. I tried again, "Stop!" The three of us were out of the house at that point, already through the trees. I had no idea where they were taking me, but obviously my words weren't getting through to them.
I waited for a moment as a different, more subtle pain stabbed at me, more centered in my lower stomach. I only sobbed harder, clutching at my stomach as a very sudden flood of warm liquid that got absolutely everywhere in just a few seconds made its appearance. I knew immediately what that was, and I knew I hadn't just peed.
"Shit." Mikah muttered.
"We can't stop." Alice replied, "We're almost there."
Meaning, they had a plan. I took a small amount of comfort in that. We ran through the trees as the pain in my stomach subsided, but I knew better than to consider it gone. It was about to get a lot harder.
We came to a sudden stop just outside of a small house in the middle of the trees around us. Nestled there like it'd been there the whole time. I recognized it as Edward and Bella's house. I was surprised. They were taking me here?
Bella instantly met us outside, took one look at Mikah and his soaked clothes, and turned.
"Come on." She urged us. She must have known that there was only one reason we were here at all. Mikah easily followed her inside the house, Alice bringing up the back.
"Get to it." Alice spoke before she shut the front door. I wasn't sure who she was speaking to, but at that point I didn't particularly care. My head was spinning with how much was going on at once.
There were no pleasantries exchanged, only constant movement. We followed her through the house, to a bedroom in the very back. She stepped into what was clearly a closet, and we paused.
"Fill me in." Bella requested urgently moving aside a whole rack of clothes hanging up.
"Aro's gone." Mikah immediately replied, and she took a second to look over at us, "Jack has most everyone else following him now."
I watched, confused as she pushed aside a thick portion of wall. Behind said wall, was a much thicker steel door that creaked as she pulled it open easily. It reminded me of a bank vault door, but even heavier. Mikah stepped through first, heading downward, down a long set of stairs, to yet another door.
My voice echoed back at me as I cried, so I guessed this stairwell was made out of concrete.
Bella stepped around us, opening this door as well, which opened into a very spacious room. I only saw that as she reached over and flipped on three light switches on the wall beside the door. I was distracted momentarily by how well stocked this room was. Metal shelves lined the walls, stocked floor to ceiling with medical supplies and further in, cans of food and linens. Towels, sheets, thin blankets, thicker blankets and comforters. Clothes on the shelves to my right. Piles and piles of folded plain t-shirts and what looked like folded shorts and sweatpants on the shelves below the shirts as well as unopened packs of socks.
Directly to my left was a small kitchen area. Complete with stove, refrigerator, and sink.
This room had a few pieces of basic furniture. A large bed against the far wall, tables on either side of it. A couple of couches towards the center of the room, but other than that, not much.
It was basically an entire studio apartment underground, but bigger than any of the ones I'd ever seen. Far more spacious.
My observation stopped at the feeling of another contraction. I had to focus on this one because it was more intense than the last one.
"Put me down." I sobbed breathlessly. This time, Mikah listened. Crossing the room to the bed. I felt cold, sticky and uncomfortable, but the bed was decent. Supportive, but not too firm.
It felt good to be able to stretch out instead of being stuck laying half-curled in his arms. Truthfully, these contractions didn't hurt too bad, but those added onto the fear of not knowing what was going on made them ten times worse. I wasn't crying over the contractions. I was crying over not knowing.
As this contraction passed, I sniffled hard and looked around again. To the right of the bed was a doorway that led into a small, dimly lit bathroom. At least I would have privacy in there.
I now understood what they had been so busy with. Building this had to have taken time and a whole lot of planning.
"Please." I looked toward Alice, "Tell me they're okay."
She took a breath, sighing it out, but didn't answer.
"We set this up for you in case we needed to hide you away." She told me instead, "There's no way anyone is going to pick up your scent here."
"Wait.." I said, "Am I staying here?"
"For as long as it takes." She replied, "I know it's a bit extreme-"
"So I'm having the baby here?"
"It looks like it." She replied regretfully.
"No, no, no." I mumbled, shaking my head, "I have to go to the hospital."
"It's too risky." She countered, "We cannot leave him a scent to follow. The wolves are up there as we speak covering your scent. You have, quite literally, vanished off the face of the earth."
"But.." I whimpered, "Pain meds?"
"That is one thing we didn't count on." She admitted, "We thought Carlisle would be here to administer them, or at very least Edward, but.."
"None of you know how?" I asked, now very worried. I was going to have to do this shit natural?
"Not comfortably."
"Then Google it." I stressed, "There's no way I can do this without them."
"We'll do what we can." She assured me, "At this point, labor can take hours. Just.. Get as much rest as you can, okay? We'll be back as soon as we can." I whimpered again, unable to fully express my fear. Mikah moved to walk away, but I reached out and grabbed a solid handful of his t-shirt.
"Uh-uh!" I snapped, "I'm not doing this alone. Please.. Please stay with me."
"It's okay." Alice told him, "You can stay here with her, Mikah. I actually think that's a better idea. We'll keep you posted."
"Where are you guys going?" I had to ask quickly while I still could.
"We're going to speak with Sam." Bella replied, "We need to know how much he already knows. We'll come back when it's safe to do so." I only had enough response in me to nod, biting my lip and breathing slowly. I was scared, but I knew there would be no arguing with them.
The fact that Mikah was encouraged to stay with me made me feel better, though.
A/N: Woo. Okay lol the final chapter is written out. There is a rather intense birth scene in there, so don't be surprised to see an 'ImPORTANT NOTE' at the top of it.
I hope this chapter was worth the small wait. :) I did what I could to get it out as soon as I could.
THANK YOU to my reviewer of last chapter! You're AWESOMENESS! Pure, 100% natural AWESOMENESS!
As I said before, next chapter is already written out, and is the last. I do plan on continuing, because nobody wants me to leave it where I do. Trust me. :)
Until then, my friends!