Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: The Twilight Saga is not my creation; it is the wonderful work of Stephanie Meyer.
Okay some title possibilities that I want to run by you are: Senseless OR Blinded. (Because of the control the new vamp has over the Cullens) Any other suggestions will be taken into consideration as well. Leave them in a review!
Rosalie's POV
I can not believe we have to go to the mutts for help! Are we really that desperate?! What's worse is all of us have to accompany Bella to the border! Carlisle had said we need to 'stick together'. I know the situation is serious and all but really! Is it going to kill us if some decide to stay home, far far away from La Push Reserve? Edward turned from his position in the driver's seat to glare at me.
"I thought you couldn't hear my thoughts anymore." I snapped. Bella turned at my seemingly sudden outburst. Edward rolled his eyes at me and looked back to the road.
"Your face gives you away Rose, trust me." Edward responded with a smirk. I groaned and leaned back in my seat in the back of the Volvo. I still don't see why I couldn't drive my car. Instead, I was trapped in the back of Edward's car along with Esme and Bella. Emmett was driving Carlisle, Jasper and Alice in his Jeep. I felt Esme put her hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off, not in the mood to be comforted. Looking out the window I could tell we were getting close to the treaty line. Heck, I could tell by smell alone.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Edward's hand move to close the partially open windows. So he obviously noticed the putrid scent too. Without turning I saw the corner of Bella's mouth twitch as if to smile. She seemed to think better of it though, and resumed a serious expression. Edward, noticing Bella's lack of happiness, ran his hand along her cheek. Bella's breath caught in her throat and a blush rose to her cheeks. I groaned, to soft for human ears, at the adoring expression mirrored on their faces.
"You and Emmett were worse." Edward snapped, not taking his gaze off Bella. I was thinking of a comeback when Edward's face suddenly brightened. "Your thoughts..." His voice was soft, then louder as he added. "Think something." He had such a hopeful expression that I obeyed without question.
Hey Edward! Can you hear me now? I thought. Edward nodded enthusiastically, turning back to face me. Good. But what does it mean? He responded with a shrug then turned to Esme. He nodded again, probably at something Esme was thinking. I turned my attention to Bella. She had the same hopeful look as Edward but was trying to keep an eye on the road as well as him. Humans, they worry too much. Edward turned his gaze on me but had a smile on his lips. "I can hear Alice and Jasper. They're good too." Edward smiled, looking absolutely elated. In fact, he was so utterly happy that I found myself smiling too. Then his features clouded and his expression soured to one of despair.
"It's gone." Edward said gravely. Even without Jasper's ability, I could tell that everyone was feeling hopeless, myself included. The rest of the way was spent in a depressed silence. It was probably better that way because anything we could have said would only make it worse. We all wore identical expressions of sorrow, at least until we reached the borderline.
Edward swerved the Volvo into the shoulder of the narrow street. Edward's features softened as he turned his dark gold gaze on Bella. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, his velvety voice pouring with concern. Bella met Edward's gaze then turned away when she saw in his expression how much he wanted her to say no. Glancing out the window of the parked car, Bella sighed.
"Of course I want to. Anything to help." Bella stated. She kept her gaze locked on the scene outside her window. I could tell that she was trying to be brave but I had heard her voice shake. Edward unbuckled himself. He put his hand under Bella's chin and turned her face to his. Then, he leaned towards her and brushed his lips against hers. This time, I didn't feel the need to show any sign of disgust at this display of affection, which I found very strange. "So, what do I do now?" Bella asked. Her voice was soft and she looked down to hide the blush that had risen, full force, during the brief kiss.
"I guess we wait." Edward said unsurely. He turned back to Esme and me and asked, "Right?" His eyebrows rose in question and he waited for us to suggest a better idea. Before we could do so, Emmett's jeep squealed to a halt behind the Volvo on the shoulder. I turned and saw Emmett hop out of the driver's seat. In a flash he was outside my door tapping on the fragile glass window. In the next second I had unbuckled and quickly opened the door. Emmett pulled me into his strong arms and held me tight.
"Oh, Em" I sighed and nuzzled my face in his neck. I closed my eyes and felt Emmett move to kiss my cheek. Then I heard Edward's exaggerated sigh. He made some comment that I purposefully tuned out. Emmett ran his fingers gently through my hair. I opened my eyes and looked up into his. I noticed with a shock that they were a dark black. "Em, you need to hunt." I said softly. He gave me a small smile and cupped my face in his hand.
"Not without you." He whispered. Emmett brought my face to his and gave me a long satisfying kissed. I raised my hands to twine my fingers in Emmett's dark curly hair. Emmett's hand not resting on my cheek moved around to the small of my back, pulling me closer to him. The kiss deepened and Emmett made a low sound in his throat when I heard Alice's delicate cough. I craned my neck to look away from Emmett and at Alice. She was smiling with a knowing expression on her pixie like face. I reluctantly pulled away from Emmett and turned to face the others. Emmett stood behind me, his arms twined around my waist.
Carlisle was holding Esme's hand and together they were walking around the silver car. Jasper was leaning casually on the hood of the jeep with Alice, still smirking close nearby. Bella was just getting out of the passenger's seat with Edward at her side. We all gathered in the space between the two vehicles. Edward helped Bella sit next to Jasper on the hood of Emmett's car. Alice danced towards the Volvo and perched herself easily on the small ledge on the back of the car. Carlisle and Esme came to stand next to Emmett and me.
"How's Bella getting to Jacob?" Edward asked from where he was, standing next to Bella. I watched as everyone launched into their own thought process. Edward was giving me a look that I completely didn't understand.
"She can take my car." Emmett said after a few seconds. Of course, she should take one of the vehicles. Why didn't that occur to anyone sooner?
Then Edward looked at Carlisle, his expression almost pleading. "I don't want her to go alone." Edward's request was quiet and I wasn't sure Bella even heard.
"Edward, you know very well we can't send any of us with her. That would violate the treaty and, even in the current situation, we must respect the borders." Carlisle said. Judging by the look on his face, he felt much the same way. Sending Bella alone in one of our cars was a potentially dangerous plan but, in my opinion, not too much so. Alice suddenly let out a small giggle. All eyes turned to her.
"Just wondering if the wolves could hear us if we yelled from here." Alice explained with a shrug. "Anyway, I think Bella would be fine. It's not like the new girl actually knows what our cars look like and she probably doesn't remember what Bella looks like either. Besides, she wants to reveal us as vampires and finding Bella alone wouldn't help her any." Edward gritted his teeth. He still didn't like the idea, I could tell.
"I'll be fine." Bella whispered to Edward, though we could all hear her. I heard a new found confidence in her voice as she added, louder now, "Where is the key, Emmett?" I felt one of Emmett's hands leave my waist to rummage in the pocket of the jeans he was wearing. He pulled out a keychain with keys to the many cars we own. He pulled off the one to the jeep and tossed it in Bella's direction.
To my great surprise, Bella actually caught the relatively small key. Her pale fingers closed around the key and I heard her heart begin to pound. So, despite her determination to show her brave side, she was scared to go out on her own. Edward, hearing her accelerated pulse, took her hand in his. Bella swallowed hard and looked into Edward's eyes. "I can do this Edward." She let her hand slip out of Edward's and got off the hood of the jeep. Then she smiled and gave a worried looking Edward a quick kiss before heading towards the driver's seat.
"Do you know what to say?" Edward called over the roar of the motor starting up. Carlisle moved to put his hand on Edward's shoulder.
"She'll do fine. You forget, Jacob knows of the new vampire as well. Bella has just to ask for the help of the werewolves. I see no reason for them not to agree. This new vampire threatens humans and that's all the werewolves need to take action. Bella will tell them that we are on the same side. It'll be fine." Carlisle explained calmly. Edward looked defeated but backed away with the rest of us as Bella pulled away from the shoulder and back on the road to La Push.
Once she was out of sight, Edward headed towards the woods on the side of the road. "I won't lose her again." He said solemnly. He turned and I knew he was about to run. We all moved to stop him. Before he left he turned back one more time. "Don't worry; I won't cross the border unless it's absolutely necessary." And with that said, he ran. I watched until his lithe body was far in the distance. I sighed.
"He needs to stop overreacting." I said with a groan. Carlisle, Esme and Jasper all shot me warning glances. "What?! You were thinking it too." I said defensively. Emmett pulled me closer to him.
"I know I was." He whispered. I smiled and looked to Carlisle.
"So...what do we do now?"
Jacob's POV
I was busily washing twigs and leaves out of my hair. The shower, which should have been scalding hot, gave me little warmth. I couldn't help but mentally repeat the unsuccessful chase of the new vampire:
All of the Cullens, minus Edward, dove after the vicious new female. I followed shortly after, initially thrilled with the opportunity to finally hunt down a bloodsucker. I phased when I was well away from Bella. Giving no care to my clothes, I let them tear off. I followed the repulsive scent of the sprinting vampires; the new female's trail was the clearest because it stood apart distinctly from the Cullens'. I quickened my pace, pushing my hardest with all four paws.
Then I barreled past the petite future seeing vampire. I noticed she had stepped and was bent over the figure of her emotion sensing partner. He was shaking uncontrollably and crying without tear. That quick flash of what this vampire could do made me second guess myself; did I really want to deal with a being this powerful? Then I reminded myself of all the precious human lives she could take: Bella, my dad, Charlie and many more. I hurtled myself onward, willing my paws to go even faster. I could have sworn I saw glimpses of marble white skin between the trees just feet ahead of me. I vaguely felt the scratches and tears of the branches I was whipping past as I devoted my mind solely to the chase.
A number of times I tried calling out to Sam and the rest of the pack only to get no response. Even if I did, I half doubted he would even come. The vampire was not near La Push or Forks, plus we were driving her farther and farther away from civilization. So, what's the threat? Then the most beautiful laughter echoed off the trees. Though it had a cold edge to it, the sound was more perfect than any voice I've ever heard, Bella and the Cullens included.
Now I found myself speeding after the female just to see her and get a closer look than the one that i had gotten at the clearing with the flowers. I zoomed through the trees, tuning out everything but the female's only mildly repulsive fragrance. In fact, compared to all the vampires I've met, mainly the Cullens, this new girl actually smelled almost nice. Then we came to a small clearing. The four remaining Cullens, the two parental types, the blonde and the brawny one stood on the edges glancing around warily. All four heads snapped in my direction. The blonde snarled ferociously at me. I ignored her and tried to focus on the new female's semi-pleasant scent. Her trail circled the clearing multiple times. I sniffed around trying to find the strongest, most recent scent. When nothing stood out as newer, I started skirting the edge of the trees. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the Cullens doing the same. A flash of white made me turn quickly. Not wanting to alert the other vampires, I carefully made my way over to where I saw the glinting skin.
"Jacob Black..." A startlingly beautiful voice behind me made me flinch. I whipped around to see the female crouching low in a berry bush. I wanted to snarl and lunge at her but found myself incapable of doing so. Instead, I analyzed her perfect face. Her flowing hair, several shades lighter than Bella's, went down to her waist. Her blood red eyes were wide, almost giving her a look of innocence, and framed with gorgeous long lashes. She had flawlessly high cheekbones and a delicate nose. Her lips were full, showing a more vulnerable side even though I knew there were deadly teeth behind them. She smiled as I took in her beauty, showing her glittering white weapons. The vampire brought one slender pale finger to her lips. "Don't tell them I'm here." She pleaded softly in a voice like melting chocolate.
"Lead them away." Half of my brain was telling me to go for her throat now, take her out. The other half wanted to take her in my arms, well paws I guess, and tell her it was alright, somehow. Then I would follow her directions and run away. Her lower lip quivered. "Please." She added in a whisper, her eyes gleaming as she adorned an angelic expression. The part of me that wanted to tend to her every whim won out. I back away slowly, always keeping her beautiful figure in my sight. I was rewarded with another dazzling smile. With a final wink of her crimson eye, the female took off in a blur. Keeping my word, I turned in the opposite direction. Letting out a low growl, I sprinted into the dense forest as if I was after something. As I had hoped, the four vampires ran after me, thinking I had found the trail. The blonde was the first to catch up, keeping a short distance between us. I noticed that she wove gracefully through the tress, not a single branch touching her, whereas I had to ignore the tearing plants that left small marks on the skin under my fur.
"I don't...scent her." Blondie snapped between the gaps in the trees separating us. I had forgotten that vampire senses were strong as well. I didn't stop running and instead, took a sharp turn to the left. Soon, Dr. Cullen was running directly beside me.
"I've lost her." He said solemnly. "I think we should give up." I nodded once and slowed. We waited for his wife and the other two to catch up. "Rose, Emmett, we've lost her." Carlisle explained. "Thanks for your help Jacob." He said, turning to me. I blinked my understanding. Then I felt Blondie's piercing gaze. She was eyeing me suspiciously. I quickly turned in the direction I knew led to La Push. I ran, though not nearly as fast as before. As I loped away from the clearing and even farther away from the stunning female, I felt something in my head begin to clear. Suddenly, I seriously doubted my decision to let her run free. Then I started getting mad at myself. How could I have done something so stupid and irresponsible?! I could easily have just ruined the lives of the Cullens all because I was enchanted by her beauty. And, if the Cullens have to leave, no doubt they would bring Bella with them. These thoughts plagued me my entire run home. Once arriving I phased back and rushed quickly into the house. I hadn't realized I was dead tired until I laid on top of my covers and fell asleep immediately.
I slept until just moments ago when the uncomfortable twigs still matted in my hair woke me which led me here, in the shower trying to work out said twigs. I groaned as images of the female's magazine worthy face clouded my thoughts. When I had first laid eyes on her, I thought I'd imprinted on her, a vampire. But now the only feelings I felt towards her were disgust and hatred so I knew that wasn't true. I tried to free my mind of the poisonous thoughts about the vampire by listening closely to everything around me. I heard the calm steady flow of the shower, Quil and Claire playing in the sand by the beach, and several seagulls fighting over a particularly tasty fish.
Then a different sound far in the distance, out of human hearing range, met my ears. It was a motor but not just any motor. This motor was heavy duty, for off-road traveling and it was running as smooth as silk. Your average Forks resident didn't have the kind of money to keep such a powerful engine running so perfectly which is why I knew it had to be one of the Cullens' vehicles. I growled softly. They were breaking the treaty. I swiftly turned off the water. In the silence, a strange thought wormed its way into my head; what if it's the new vampire, coming to thank me or something. Though I doubt she'd risk her chances driving in the open in Forks, maybe she knew that La Push was Cullen-free. As soon as I thought this I was instantly furious with myself. How could I, after all that's happened, still get excited at the idea of the female coming for a visit? I looked around for something unbreakable to take my anger out on. Seeing nothing, I threw my fist against the tiled wall of the shower. Several eggshell colored squares shattered on contact. Others held shape and toppled to the hard linoleum floor, breaking upon impact.
I looked at my bleeding knuckles, feeling I deserved the temporary pain for being so enthralled with this stupid nameless vampire. She's a leech! I told my self. A bloodsucker! A parasite! She's what I'm protecting those I love from. How could I feel anything but hatred toward such a despicable creature! I climbed out of the shower, snatching a midnight blue towel to go around my waist. I went to my room in search of clothing. Pulling on a pair of worn boxers I moved to the window just in time to see the red jeep pull in front of my house. I recognized it as a Cullen car and tensed, ready to spring into action. Then I got a glimpse of Bella's tear streaked face through the windshield just as the first drops of rain began to fall.
Review!! This is by far the longest chapter! I'll get more to you soon. I'm still taking title suggestions and...REVIEW!!