Warning
"We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality." - Seneca, Roman philosopher
I drove carelessly back home in my old Volkswagen, my newly earned paycheck sitting on the rundown dashboard. I worked at the ancient souvenir shop that the Calls, Embry's family, took over about seven years ago. I usually had the same shifts as Seth and Quil and Embry, which made work kind of enjoyable. We would have stupid competitions, like who could stack the most shelves the fastest. Leah would suck the fun out of it when we worked at the same time, though. She was really, really, really not fond of me, ever since what happened to Sam.
My job overall was alright, though I didn't make much money. Just enough to get the must need essintials; food, drink, clothing, gas for my truck, all that jazz. I was living all by myself at the house that I grew up in, the only house that I had ever really known. Aside from the money I earned at the souvenir store, I had a small, doleful bank account that my parents put together back when the two of them were still alive. It had never been touched, though. My mom hoped that it would go to help pay for my college fund; didn't happen. I had no time whatsoever with my Alpha duties to attend school. And also, I didn't manage to have enough money to go to even a local community college. My older sisters out of pity would send me a few checks throughout every year, mostly like at my birthday and around Christmas time. Rebecca, who still living in Hawaii with her husband and three daughters, my stranger neices, had offered Lord knows how many times for me to come live with them. I told her no every single time that she asked. I felt guilty whenever I would turn her kind offer down, knowing that my rejection hurt her feelings. She didn't know about the pack, didn't know that I was an Alpha of a secret werewolf society. Rachel didn't know about that situation either. Like Rebecca, she wanted me to help me out by having me stay with her family, too.
It wasn't raining when I left for home, which didn't really bother me. I had lived in this shabby town for so long that I didn't care much about the muggy, wet weather. Once I parked the crappy car near my house and grabbed the paper paycheck off of the dashboard, I noticed someone, a girl who didn't look to be from around La Push, was sitting across from the front door. Her frail looking hands were cupping her hidden face. A tight ponytail was wrapped around one side of her slender, pale neck. Panic flowed through my whole being as I stared at Cecilia Cullen's lifeless looking body sitting on the hard ground. Absentmindedly, I multitasked by stuffing my pay deep into the back pocket of my old jeans while I wrentched the car door open. In a few long strides that my legs took, I was next to Cee in no time. Weakly, she lifted her head up, showing off her beautiful face that was looking torn apart. Cecilia smiled with struggle as she gazed up to meet my eyes.
"Hey, Jacob," she said, sounding tired.
The next thing I knew, I dropped onto my knees, facing my imprintee. I felt my right hand touching her thin shoulder blade. She flinched at the radiation of my russet colored skin.
"Are you okay, Cee?" I asked, stupidly. Idiot, of course she's not okay!
Cecilia touched my hand, feeling it's warmth. If the two of us were in some other situation that didn't involve gloominess, I would have grinned at her sweet gesture. The creamy, white skin of her hand stung mine with cold. I flinched a bit myself, not expecting her to be so frozen. How long had she been waiting for me to come home?
"Not really," Cee told me. "I'm being very stupid, Jake." She let out a small sigh.
"You're not stupid," I objected, strongly. I didn't want her to think of herself that way. "C'mon, let's get inside, okay?"
As I spoke, I got up from my knees, taking Cecilia's too cool hand into my hot one. She seemed surprised by my gesture, but nonetheless, Cee didn't refuse it. I was glad she didn't. That made me feel somewhat pleased. A small part of me was glowing.
I led Cee into the house, guiding her the living room. After I let go of her cool hand, she flopped like a carp out of water onto the musky couch, sighing again like she did outside. I went to the thermastat on the wall, making the temperature warm for her. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a purple sweater covered Cecilia's front. I couldn't help but note that it complimented her feminine figure, if you get my drift. I felt my eyes bulge out a bit, taking her sight in. Then, a sickening, odious feeling washed down my spine. Blah, good God, Jake, stop it!
Resisting the urge to smack myself with all of my possible might in the throat, I found an old blanket and gave it to Cecilia. She thanked me sweetly while wrapping it around herself. I sat down beside her, still feeling disgusted at myself.
"How long were you outside?" I asked, concerned for her health.
Cee thought for a moment, her cheeks looked to be warming up by the color of them.
"About an hour and a half."
I froze.
"Tell me that you're joking."
Cecilia nodded a no. A tiny trickle of red heat spread up from the small of my back to my neck. Instantly, I decided not to go into that. I didn't want to lose my control. But, seriously? An hour and a half over me? I wasn't worth an hour and a half...
"What's up, then?"
Cee sighed for a third time while she wound her arms around herself. She looked down to the carpet covered floor, then up to my gaze.
"He's gone," she simply answered, in a hurtful, tiny voice.
I knew instantly who 'He' was. Cecilia's bloodsucker of a boyfriend, Ryan Middleton. This leech was what I refered to as my new Edward Cullen. My new competition. I hated him, even though I didn't know him. Actually, I didn't have to know the vamp to decide whether I liked him or not. Cee told me how much that guy--no, that thing--hurt her. Why did was she, though, feel so attached to that monster? Furthermore, why the hell did Bella and Edward allow her to date that Middleton vamp?
Another tremor of hot ran through my system. I took steady deep breaths, controlling myself in the best way that I could.
"He said it was because I was human. Because I'm not a vampire, like him."
Then, another tremor came over me. Not a wolf-ish one this time.
Inside, I was bursting with absoulute joy and victory. The leech scum was gone for good, for both me and my secret imprintee. Maybe, just maybe, Cecilia would fall for me like I did for her that faithful day at First Beach...
The next thing I knew, before I could respond, Cee covered her face into her hands, wailing with sobs. It caught me by surprise, she was fine a second ago! Now she was crumpling apart. By the looks of it, she held those tears in for a couple of days. My jaw, I felt, was dropped. I probably looked pretty stupid. Without much thinking, I put two hands on Cecilia's shoulders, wanting to calm her down. She peeked through her hands, falling limbly onto my chest. I held her there tightly, her fragile, shaky palms wound around my neck. I shushed her as I let Cecilia stain my old shirt with fresh saltwater that escaped from her green, beautiful eyes. It felt great holding her like that.
A thought ran through my mind as I held her close...
So...was Cecilia planning on becoming one of them? A new member of the Cullen bloodsucker coven? She was going to let her heart stop beating, just like Bella had so long ago?
My stomach dropped, making me feel queasy.
If that were the case, then we could never, ever be together. Even if Cee did end up falling in love with me.
Even though I hated to admit it, maybe Paul was right, maybe Leah was right.
Maybe it was a mistake that I imprinted on Bella's daughter.
--
"Any word from Tanya's coven yet?" questioned Esme, trying not to get her hopes up.
I simply nodded a no to my adopted mother. Her heart-shaped face frowned before she returned to clean the rarely used dinning room. It had been a few weeks since Ryan Middleton rudely left, crushing my daughter. Tanya's family was on a search to find him, which was immensely kind of them. I thanked them countless times before they went on their journey. Ryan made a foolish move that I myself had made so many years ago. It was a mistake that I will always and forever regret. I thought about that as I stood at the large window, looking out into the green forest that was our back yard. I felt someone touch my hand, and by her wonderful scent, I knew who it was at once.
"Don't strain yourself," my Bella whispered, softly. "Cecilia is doing fine. More than fine, actually. You've seen her lately. She hasn't frowned since...well, you know."
I turned away from the forest scene outside and flickered my glance to Bella. My beautiful, indescrible Bella. Her butterscotch eyes glowed as she looked up at me, a smile dancing across her pale lips. I grinned crookedly down upon her, giving her hand a small squeeze.
"That is true, you're right, love," I agreed, quietly. "Our Cecilia is now happy. I wonder..." I trailed off, thinking deeply.
Bella cocked an eyebrow at me.
"What are you thinking about, Edward?" she asked with pure curiousity etched in her voice.
"Perhaps," I began, giving her hand another gentle squeeze. "Perhaps, well...she might just be over Ryan Middleton."
My wife thought hard for a moment. I patiently awaited to hear her philosophies. I still wished, after all of these years, that I could read her mysterious mind.
"Yes...doesn't it seem like she is?"
"Very much so."
"Bella, Edward, you two have a letter."
I twisted my head to face Carlisle. He stood near Bella and I, wearing his hospital attire. A thick peice of ancient looking parchment was clutched in his pale skinned hands. Carlisle placed his hand in front of himself, reaching it out to me. I thanked him and took the letter, examining the old paper. Bella mimicked my actions by staring down at the parchment with curious eyes. Carlisle stayed in his place as Esme came to his side, descending from the dinning room. He touched her hand, holding it with care. From the other room, Emmett and Rosalie were feeling curious. In a flash, they came to see who sent the letter. Jasper and Alice joined shortly.
"Did you know that we would be getting a letter, Alice?" I asked my favorite sister. Though I already knew the answer, I had a little bit of hope that I was incorrect.
Alice frowned.
"No," she said. "I would have told you if I knew."
Oh, no.
In etched charcoal writing, the front of the mysterious note bore both of our names. I opened the letter, tearing apart the red seal wax that was incrusted with an old fashioned "V." I heard my Bella choke back some fresh vemon that flowed her mouth. I let go of her hand, resting my free palm around her waist instead, holding her steady and tight against me. We both read the letter, becoming fearful by each sentence. Bella gasped, covering her lips. I tightened my grip more on her waist, trying to remain sane. A growl errupted from my chest. I reread the letter time and time again, irratating most of my family. They wanted to know what was going on. Strangely, Jasper did not change the mood of the room.
"What is it, Edward?" questioned Carlisle, slowly.
Like Bella did before, I swallowed back wet vemon. I felt the small amount of it slip down my throat. My teeth snapped together, another growl coming out of me.
"The Volturi found out about Cecilia," I explained through clenched teeth.
Everyone's mind went silent, dead. Esme let out a tiny gasp as the rest stiffened, including Rosalie.
"They want her to become a vampire as soon as possible, or she must face death."
With no thinking or caring, I ripped the parchment to shreads, watching the peices fall limb and lifelessly onto the hard wood floor. No. No. No. I would not have that. Never. My family watched me with horror struck expressions on their ivory faces.
"I do not care what the Volturi say," I spat, my teeth still clenched and tight. "Cecilia will have a choice. I will make sure of it. Even if I have to fight them myself. Even if I have to kill them. If I must, I'll find a way."