[A/N: As said before, I do not own anything Twilight. So nyer! Anyway, hope you guys don't kill me for this.]
How to live with Werewolves.
Rule Number Six:
Don't turn your back on a wild animal. Ever.
Last time:
I notice the crease line when I pull the folded part of the photo out. Like a puzzle. It crinkles softly, and as I add more pressure, a figure forms out of the shadow. Flesh. Alive. Real.
I curl into a ball and gasp for air as I hear the front door slam open.
But it's too late.
It's happening.
Golden eyes watch me writhe and scream.
Edward.
There's this loud piercing noise in my ears. Static, really and through it someone shouts a name.
I can't hear what the say at first. The noise is too loud. The pain is dull, and for a moment, I wonder where it had come from.
"Bella?"
Shut up. I'm looking for something, I think and try to remember what it was.
"Bella!" the voice calls, louder now. The volume turns down to a dull thrum in the back ground as I dig around, looking for the source of the pain and the missing thing I was worried about.
"Is she okay?"
"I don't know, God, I don't know!"
"Jacob, calm down!"
"She won't stop screaming…"
"She's got a set of lungs on her, I'll tell you that."
"Shut up Paul!" three voices shout at once.
It was weird. Out of body experience thing. I think. I don't know. But I was safe here, wherever here was. It was nice. Something moves in front of my eyes. The static has stopped now.
"Bella, honey?" someone asks softly.
I continue to look around, trying to find it. Once I think it's close, it disappears again.
"Lamp." I say, as if I've found it. And then stop. No, that's not what I was looking for.
"What?"
I mumble incoherently.
"That's it!" someone growls and suddenly the earth moves. It continues to rock back and forth and I feel like a kid again, on the swings at the play—
Cold water splashed into my face, down my front. I gasp, snapping back into myself with a shriek.
"What the crow!" I cry, shivering already as the showerhead stops spraying water onto me and Jacob stands by, holding me upright. Paul retracts his hand back from the tap and I blink at the four males in confusion. The room seems smaller then normal.
"What are you all doing in my bathroom?" I ask as four pairs of eyes stare back at me.
The static noise was me screaming. I find this out much later, as Jacob rubs my shoulders, breaking the tension in my spine and every other place I didn't know was there.
Parts of it come back, stronger then most. But I remember screaming. And those eyes. But he was never here. Just a photograph.
"You said it was just there?"
"Yes," I answer Sam, looking at my hands while Paul and Embry have a deep discussion about True Blood and how sexy Sookie is, drooling over the TV. Jacob tries for a smile but grimaces when I trace the scar on my wrist.
"When… he left," the conversation in the room dies, as Eric's voice filters softly in the back ground and I take a deep breath. "No—When Edward left," I correct myself, forcing out the name and ignore all the growls coming from the men in the room "he took everything of us with him. Said it would be like… He never existed…" I trail off, the dull throb in my chest reminding me I had some serious issues to deal with.
For once, his voice was still there in my head, much to my dismay and so was Jacobs. But Jakes voice was stronger, I think, as if urging me to go forth, not back.
The growling in the room grows somewhat louder and I look to Jacob, and his hands are clenched tightly on the couch. I can hear the sound of wood splintering and the black material of his shirt bulges. I blink at him, and as his eyes find mine, the noise dies down.
"Maybe it fell from somewhere," I add, softly. "I mean, everyone makes mistakes. He must have forgotten it…"
I realize I'm pushing the knife further in my hollow chest as the cold voice chuckles softly in my head.
He was always so perfect, at everything. Why would he make that single mistake?
"I didn't smell anything in the room." Embry says, and I pause.
"Wait," I say, and close my eyes tightly. I remember screaming. Writhing in pain. How did they know to find me?
It couldn't be coincidence.
"How did you know about me when I was…?"
Jacob looks to Sam, as do Embry and Quil. Sam sighs.
"Bella, when someone imprints, it becomes a literal live connection to us all. If one of the imprints, like Emily" he says, his eyes glazing over "were to be in trouble or pain, it passes on to each of us."
"That's why you were in the store the other day," I accuse Paul, but before Paul can make a retort, Sam continues.
"Instinct does that. Our blood, everything we are, thrives with perfection. We were made to know things. See things. Do things" he continues, and his eyes have that distant look again. He slowly meets my gaze.
The room is heavy with silence.
"Another thing" I say, finger absently running circles on the back of Jacobs hand—how did that happen?
"What is an imprint?"
This time, the silence is filled with something akin to concern. Like they were afraid of how much I should know. But they should trust me with their secrets.
You don't trust them with yours.
The voice inside my head is cold and I brush it off harshly as Jacob takes this one.
"We'll talk about it at the bonfire tonight," he says.
They all nod in agreement.
"We'll meet you there" Sam says and jerks his head in the direction of the front door to Paul and Embry. They follow him and then it's just me and Jacob.
I look up at him as he walks around to the side of the couch and sits down at my feet. He turns up the volume of the TV and we sit in comfortable silence, my calf touching his arm. Warmth comes off him in waves, and I run my fingers through my hair absentmindedly.
My other hand travels to him, my fingers against his neck, between his shoulder and jaw line, where the shirt ends and he shivers as electricity shoots up into my arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake.
I play my tongue over my lips, finally realizing how dry my mouth is and Jake turns at that moment. His eyes watch my tongue and he licks his own lips.
"Jake" I whisper as he moves closer and I realize what's about to happen.
I'm useless to stop it, because everything else in the world fades.
I can see the dampness of his lips now, feel the warmth coming closer and I want this.
More then anything.
Our lips are inches apart when my eyelids flutter closed. I can hear my breathing quicken as he leans in closer, his warm breath fanning across my mouth.
I open my lips to inhale quickly and just when I can feel the touch of his lips, the phone rings.
The phone rings twice.
Rustling of paper. "Hello?"
"This is Bella Swan."
"Hey Bella. It's dad."
"Hey, dad."
More rustling of paper.
"Look, kiddo, I'm probably going to be a bit late tonight."
I clear my throat, feeling Jacobs gaze on my back and I shiver. "No, that's fine. I'm uh, going to La Push with Jacob tonight, dad. Just for a little catch up time."
Silence for a moment.
"I really don't know what to make of you kids now a days." he says and I can practically hear the eye-roll.
"Are you sure you're not bi-polar?" he asks.
"Dad" I say with a groan.
Soft sounds of him laughing, then; "Anyway, I'm ordering pizza tonight so you don't have to cook."
"Oh, yeah, that's fine. Love you dad."
"Love you too, Bella."
Click.
I turn around to tell Jacob about the call, but he's right there in front of me. His chest presses against mine lightly as he pushes me back into the counter and I sigh shakily. His hand reaches up, one braced on the cabinet and the other hooks around my neck.
"Jake…" I say softly, then he yanks me forward, his lips ever so slowly press against mine.
I die. Seriously. Right there.
His lips are warmer then any other part of him, and as they move softly against mine, I find myself clutching at him as the ground beneath me sways.
His tongue darts out, touches my upper lip tenderly before instinct has me opening my lips and his tongue seeks mine in a heated kiss so right my knees threaten to give way.
A moan escapes my parted lips and he growls into my mouth before pulling me tighter against him. His fingers lace through my hair, the heat of his palm brushing against my neck as his other hand lands on my waist.
Frantic now, we grasp at each other desperately and the hole in my chest is long forgotten, thrown out the window. All there is now is him. I've never been this warm before, never realized how cold I was without him. My world tilts on its axis as he devours me, soul, mind and body.
And then he pulls back, allowing us both to breathe.
"Wow," I gasp out as he nods in agreement. His eyes travel to the clock and he chuckles before tucking a strand of my hair out of my face, his other hand unwinding my leg from his hip.
Such intimate contact, I thought with a blush. He smiles toothily at me and then suggests in a light husky tone we should get ready to go. Clearing his throat I notice there's a slight pink hue to his cheeks.
I nod in agreement, and as I go to head upstairs, he bounds up the stairs in front of me, disappearing into my room and exiting a moment later with something in his hand, pressed to his side.
I know what it is, but don't think about it as I keep my eyes on his face. He smiles at me, kisses my cheek and then goes back downstairs.
I rush through the shower, scrubbing the cold from my skin and keep the memories of a certain cold bastard away, instead thinking of a certain warm blooded friend.
When I step out of the shower, I look in the mirror. My image is slightly faded. I step forward, wipe the steam away and notice for the first time I'm glowing. My skin seems radiant, alive, and my eyes are bright and wonderful, my lips pink and pouted. I turn, examining myself in the mirror.
A little skinnier then before. But alive.
Beautiful is one of the words I would vaguely use.
I realize with tears in my eyes I'm coming back.
Bella Swan is coming back.
First of all, I am so, so sorry about the bonfire chapter not being this one, but I really wanted to add this part. It seemed cute and wonderful, and I promise (cross my heart, hope to die and all) that I will update the bonfire chapter next! And yes, Leah is sure to be there, as will Seth, and no, the cold ass sparkly vampires will not be there… Maybe…
[Review Spankabank Time!]
Bripearl, thank you. Love cliff hangers even if they suck sometimes.
Preetoaka Raven Potter Weasley, ranting is rather epic. But yes, as stated way above, Leah will be there as will Seth. Bit wavy on the imprint with the rest of the pack-but maybe I'll chuck it in there eventually!
Crimsoncherry6, Thanks, hun, means so much to me.
Shamelessly Obsessed, (you stalker, you, ha!) I was thinking it'd be funny if Paul or something went off at Mike. So we'll see… and I am sooooo looking forward to the bonfire as well, this is killing me being all vague and stuff!
Enchantress in black, yes, Eddie shall fuck off. I hope. Hah.
Vette58Lover, suspense is hell to type. Thanks for the review!
Jharv241, Sorry to have stumped you but the next chapter is promising. I hope this one explains a little bit.
And! Sonyabrady1971, glad you found this and reviewed!
[End Rant]