"Tears are the silent language of grief."

- Voltaire

Loving the Sun

-Taking the Alpha & The Volturi-

Sam needed to bring Jacob's body back to La Push. He would never abandon the rightful Alpha next to a pile of burning leeches. He turned to speak to Paul and a figure captured his attention - Leah was running back to the reservation with Seth chasing after her. Sam would not order her back; it would be to do so. She would carry this death with her for the rest of her life. His heart ached for his first love; he could not imagine what was going through her mind. They had all seen and heard Jacob's elation through the pack mind when he finally won the love of his life. His pack brothers were happy for him. Sam hoped at some point soon they would imprint, now that her mind and heart belonged to Jacob alone.

Bella's gut-wrenching sobs tore pieces away from Sam. He didn't know what happened to an imprint if her wolf was killed. The girl held onto Jacob as if her life depended on it. Jared walked over to him, fresh tears streamed down his face. "We have to leave. Billy needs to be told."

Sam nodded and stepped closer to Bella. "I'm sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am... but we need to go. We have to take him home to Billy."

Her slow heart beat was the only sign of life that emanated from her. If it wasn't for his advanced hearing, Sam would have been certain she died as well. She did not move or loosen her hold on Jacob's rapidly cooling frame. He looked at the Cullen leader for help.

Carlisle eased carefully toward Bella so as to not startle her. He put his hand on her arm and pulled her back. She felt lifeless. Edward stretched his arm out to take her from him. That seemed to bring her back to the present.

She turned her head and when she saw Edward, she glared at him, "YOU!" she yelled.

She wiggled out of Carlisle's grip and stalked toward Edward, trying with all her might to push him. "You did this! It's because of you and your goddamn family that my Jacob is gone! Why didn't you leave me alone? I would have found my Jacob sooner..." - the amount of anger and resentment in her voice seared him from the inside out - "You're a parasite just like they said. You take life wherever you go and don't give a shit about the consequences... I hate you. All of you. Stay out of my life. Get the hell out of Forks."

Edward stood there, immobile, as she spoke. He knew all of her accusations were true; he was selfish, that was what came natural to him. It was the nature of his kind, of his family. After he caught a small glimpse of what she shared with Jacob, he knew in the end he would never have been enough. It further proved what he feared the most; his aura was what made Bella believe she loved him.

Alice broke. Her best friend's hatred toward her was too much. Jasper held his wife steady as he imposed wave after wave of calm into her. He was desperate to take her misery within himself.

Rosalie moved away from Emmett and put her arms around the grieving human girl.

Bella struggled against her; her face flushed as she screamed profanities, the never ending tears trickled from her eyes. Bella's body went stiff and then limped in Rosalie's arms.

Rosalie tried her best to soothe her; she sat on the grass with Bella in her lap and held her like she would a child. She murmured comforting words as she rocked her back and forth.

Carlisle did not know what to do. The Volturi would never leave Bella alone if she stayed human, and with the aftermath of the Newborn fight, his family would need to move once again.

He glanced over at Sam; the oldest member of the pack appeared to have aged right before him. Jacob Black's death wore on every single one of them. The Beta, Jared, picked up the young Alpha's body with the help of who he knew to be their Gamma, Paul. The rest of the wolves made their way toward the tree line in silence.

Sam stuck his hand out to shake Carlisle's. "We do not want your coven around this area. You have all caused her and the tribe much more damage than you could possibly know. The Cullen Coven is no longer welcome here or in the surrounding areas. Respect the memory of the life that was taken today. Respect the girl your family single-handedly tried to destroy."

If Carlisle still maintained the ability to cry, he would have. Everything the older Alpha said was the brutal truth. He should have done so many things differently, and now there was no going back. A precious life was lost; a young man who had many more years ahead of him died because of their unnatural existence. What burned him with acidic hatred toward himself was he knew how their kind affected humans. He knew their presence would trigger the Quileute bloodlines carrying the shifter gene to phase. Yet, he was weak. He listened to his mate, he caved to the beings he called his children. He was as much at fault as Edward, Alice, and Esme. He would forever carry this death and these ruined lives on his shoulders.

Esme wrapped her arms around Carlisle's waist. "We understand Samuel. I can't... I'm sorry. Please know, we are truly sorry. We will leave and never come back. I'll burn the house down myself if I have to." Her voice wavered, a dry sob escaped her. "No parent should have to bury their child. It's because of us that Billy Black will be forced to bury his only son. Please, tell him I'm sorry."

Sam shook his head at the female vampire, "No. I won't relay any messages to him. Apologizing will not bring his son back. It won't fix what you all began. The only comfort I will give him is the knowledge that you will never return."

He turned around and began to jog toward the forest. Bella looked up and took in her surroundings, she saw Sam leaving and scrambled off Rosalie's lap. She tripped and ran to him, "Sam! Stop! Please! I'm going with you."

Edward was next to Bella in the blink of an eye. He tried to help her stand; she shook her head and pushed away from him. He gave her space and cleared his throat. "Bella, I think it would be best if you stay away from La Push for a bit. You don't know if Billy is going to want to see anyone."

As Sam listened to the vampire, he struggled to push back his fury. "Bella is always welcome in La Push. She was the rightful Alpha's imprint and our Chief regards her as a daughter. Whatever she does or does not do is no longer your concern Cullen. Yours or your coven's for that matter."

Bella took the final steps away from Edward. Her eyes and voice held an intense hatred he did know she could possess, "Listen to my words leech. I do not want a damn thing from you or the rest of your family. Leave me alone. And before you ask, I don't give a shit about the Volturi. If they come for me then so be it. The love of my life is gone. I should never have gone to Italy to save you." - she took a deep breath before she continued - "If I see you again, I will burn you myself... Sam? Take me to Billy's. I'm done here."

Sam picked her up, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he jogged in the same direction as his pack.

The Cullen's did not move. Each one processed what happened. Rosalie stayed on the ground with Emmett by her side. Esme dry sobbed uncontrollably as Carlisle attempted to comfort her. Alice and Edward both seemed to be lost. Jasper did his best to calm everyone and think of a plan as far as where they would now go.

Edward read Alice's mind as soon as she received her vision. He nodded at her when she glanced up at him. It was a mutual agreement now.

Alice patted Jasper's leg and stood up. "The Volturi are coming. We have five minutes at the most. No one say anything. Let Edward and I do the talking. No matter what you hear, do not argue."

Carlisle and the rest of the family huddled close together.

It wasn't long before they detected the scents of Jane, Felix, Alec, and Demitri.

Jane greeted the Cullen's as she calculated the scene before her. The Cullen's appeared to have been through a grand fight; the large pyre of vampire limbs caught her attention.

"My you have all been busy little bees. Master Aro ordered us to exterminate the newborn problem, but I see you have taken care of it."

Carlisle showed nothing but respect to the child-like vampire as he addressed her, "We live close to Seattle; I thought it best to solve the issue before it drew the attention of humans."

Alec and Jane shared a knowing look. Alec spoke directly to Edward. "Where is your human?"

"She is no longer a part of my family. She was never intended to be my mate. I discovered this to be true and our engagement was broken."

Jane's laugh sent chills through Edward. "Humans are fickle creatures are they not? Master Aro will be disappointed. Demitri?"

Alice knew that was her cue, "Wait. We have a proposition for you."

Jane waved Demitri off, "Proposition? Stupidity does not become you. All propositions or compromises go through our Masters, as you well know… but I will entertain you Seer. What do you have that our Masters could want?"

"Isabella has lived with our secret for some time now. She will not betray us. I have seen it. If she is left alone to live out the rest of her human life, Edward and I will join the Volturi guard for the rest of our existence. If my mate, Jasper, chooses to join us, it will be his decision. He is an empath and therefore would be a valuable asset to the guard."

Jane was not anticipating this proposition.

Carlisle took advantage of the momentary silence and agreed with his children. "My mate and I will also join the guard. We know Isabella would never speak about our kind. We are willing to serve your Masters and guarantee if Isabella were to ever break our trust you may end us all."

Jane listened to them with great interest. She loved nothing more than to please her Masters. She was not idiotic in the least; the Seer and Mind-reader her Master coveted were offering hundreds of years of service. If she brought them back, along with the patriarch and the empath, her Master would be thoroughly pleased.

"Demitri. Make the proper calls and arrange a private flight for all of us back to Italy."

Demitri and Felix left in a blur.

Alec observed one of the Cullen's and narrowed his eyes at him, "You have not spoken or replied to the Seer. Am I to understand this to mean you are not joining them?"

Emmett glared back at the vampire boy. He knew Alec held powers; he had to tread with care and reign in his irritation. "My mate, Rosalie, and I do not have gifts. The gifted ones of our family are joining you. My mate and I will move away from the state of Washington and head East."

Esme began to dry sob anew. Alice saw that Emmett and Rosalie would not be going with them, so she said nothing. Jasper grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She gave him a soft smile.

Edward seemed to be in a daze. He would never again interfere in Bella's life. He would respect her wishes. He owed her as much.

Demitri and Felix returned; flight schedules were discussed as the plans finalized. Jane granted them a few hours to sort their affairs and pack any belongings from their home.

Esme called and paid an exuberant amount of money for the moving service company to come within an hour of them arriving at the house. All the furniture and anything of sentimental value was packed away and gone within two hours. She gave the movers the address of the Denali coven. Tanya, Irina, and Kate would store everything for as long as they needed. There was no time left to deal with their vehicles, so they were left in the garage.

In half an hour they had to meet Jane for their flight.

Her family waited for her outside, far away from the house. The fumes of gasoline permeated the air inside. She memorized each room of her favorite home, then walked to the front door. Carlisle handed her a lighter and kissed the top of her head. Esme flicked it on and tossed it inside.

No one turned to witness the fire as it grew.

The run to Seattle took less than a five minutes.

They would never again set foot in the state of Washington.

Sorry for the minor delay tonight.

Next chapter will be up Monday.