Hey guys! So I'm kind of noticing that I'm not getting as nearly as many reviewers like I used to get. I don't know if it's just because the last chapter hasn't been up long enough to accumulate reviews or if people are just losing interest in my story. I'm kind of hoping it's the first reason personally because I love writing on this story. I'm sorry I haven't been as active as I would have like to been lately. School and life in general has been kicking my butt and right now I'm trying to fight off either a sinus infection or a cold. I know, I'm in terrible shape. =P Anyway, I would like to give you guys a heads up that this story is gradually coming to a close. Don't panic though! The key word here is gradually, it's not necessarily over yet. But I am proud to say that I will be having a sequel to this story. Well, only if you guys would want one that is. I do have many more ideas to write on with this story line. So keep in mind that it is a possibility for my readers to decide on. Anyway, here is the next chapter for you guys. Enjoy.
Hidden Soul
Chapter Sixteen
Bella's POV
It's been a few weeks since I have told everyone about me being an Aradia. I am so thankful that everyone took the news well and didn't get mad at me for hiding it from them. Blain had finally phased into a lycan on his sixteenth birthday. He is of course the smallest of the pack with dark chocolate fur and bright blue eyes. Since Destiny was the second oldest, besides Devin of course but we all know why I couldn't include him, of the pack I had her help me train Blain with hunting and help me teach him control. It was a pretty hard task considering when you first phase you have a ton of anger built in you, but with help from everyone, including Rosalie, we managed to finally get him in somewhat of control.
As for Rosalie and I though, things haven't been too great for us. Even though she lives with me now, I feel like I barely get to see her anymore because I am always busy trying to keep Blain under control. The day after I explained the whole Kevin situation as well, Carina brought up an idea about how we should take turns patrolling the area. That way, we can make sure everyone stays safe and that Kevin won't have an opportunity to attack. Unfortunately, that keeps me busy as well so once again I don't get to spend as much time with Rosalie as I would like to. I haven't seen Kevin at school anymore since that one day, but Devin and Alice still make it known that I see them. As of right now, they haven't tried anything with us and I just hope it sticks that way. On top of all of these tasks, all of us have been trying to find the location of my biological father Nathan. I still feel like if I could just find where he lives that he could help immensely, if not end this whole mess.
I have been talking with Charlie and Rene over the phone several times a day trying to help figure out where in the world he lives at. Unfortunately for us though, no matter how hard we try we keep failing even more. Honestly, all of this failure is starting to piss me off beyond belief. I'm not used to losing at all, in fact I hate it. There is just no way in hell someone can hide themselves that well.
Thankfully though, we finally got our answer after several weeks of searching nonstop. It was a normal day at school, and thankfully Rosalie and I haven't fought yet, but the key word is yet. Yeah, that's another thing that has been stressing me out lately. We fight at least once a day now. I will take the blame for this happening though. Since I have been nothing but busy whether it's helping with Blain, patrolling around the area, or even searching for my father it has been stressing me out beyond belief and I have to admit I take my anger out on her without meaning to. In my defense though, I have always had severe anger issues and I try my best to control it, but she is very persistent.
Anyway, it was a normal day at school and Rose and I were walking with everyone to the cafeteria for lunch. I was holding her hand while we were all laughing and just joking around when I could sense someone standing in front of us, meaning they wanted us to stop. I stopped walking and looked up to see who it possibly could have been. To say I was surprised would have been an understatement.
"What do you want?" I asked skeptically to the person.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you…alone. I swear I'm not going to try anything, I just really need to speak to you about something."
"How do I know you're not lying to me Devin? I mean you do hate my mate and tried to attack me." I asked while subconsciously wrapping an arm around Rosalie's waist protectively.
He sighed and looked me directly in the eyes. I could see his pools of dark gray swirling around and meeting with my deep violet eyes. I could tell he honestly did not mean any harm and that he actually did want to talk. I sighed and slowly let go of Rosalie and turned to everyone while saying, "You guys go ahead inside. I'll meet up with you later." Then I turned to Rosalie and kissed her softly. "I love you."
I felt her smile against my lips when I said that and then I slowly walked away from them. I followed Devin outside and noticed he was leading me towards some woods that surrounded the school. Yeah, Forks has a lot of trees. I think he noticed my hesitation because he turned around and looked at me.
"I'm not going to hurt you Bella. I give you my word. I just don't want to risk anyone over hearing our conversation." Devin said as he gave me a genuine smile.
I nodded my head and continued walking. It seemed like we had been walking for a few miles, but I knew it was necessary in order to have some privacy. Once we reached a suitable place, we both stopped and looked at each other.
"What did you want to speak to me about Devin?" I asked while looking at him.
He sighed and looked me in the eyes while saying, "I would like to apologize for my behavior. I realized now that how I acted was wrong and I should have been exiled for my actions. Thankfully, you didn't and I am forever in debt to you. But, I should have just heard you out since you were my Alpha and I should have realized sooner that you would not even consider something if it meant endangering the pack. So I am deeply sorry Bella. For everything and if you would like, I will apologize to your mate as well."
I was taken aback by this. I mean, here is this guy who was hell bent on hating my mate and then tried to attack me. Now here he is standing in front of me apologizing. Let's not forget he's friends with Kevin. I don't know about you guys, but I am kind of skeptical by this. So I just glared at him questionably. "I will accept your apology. But why did you do it Devin? I trusted you. You were like my brother Devin and you went and betrayed me like that. You even had the nerve to assault my mate and attack me, your pack member."
He looked down ashamed of his actions. After a few minutes of silence he looked back up at me and I could see pain, sorrow, and what seemed like regret all in his eyes. I could see that he was truly sorry for what he did. But that doesn't mean I am not skeptical about this.
"You want to know the honest reason why I reacted how I did Bella? Well…I was in love with you Bella, deeply in love with you. I was furious that you weren't my mate and that I wasn't yours as well. I've been in love with you since the whole phasing thing happened. When you told me you found your mate, I was just so furious and I wanted to refuse to accept the fact that I wasn't it. I thought it was wrong to be in love with a human, because we could easily kill them. I realize now though, that I was completely and insanely wrong. I shouldn't have acted that way and I should have respected you and Rosalie. After the huge blow out between us and I left the pack, I went back to our home town in Canada. Let's just say that I got my ass kicked and handed to me by my parents along with yours after they learned what I did. Then your father pulled me to the side and had a deep chat with me to try and pull my head out of my ass. Man, your father sure does have a way with words." I laughed when he said that, which caused him to smile and laugh as well.
"He told me that I needed to get over my "little boy crush" on you and just face the facts that you are happy with your mate. Even after this, my ego still didn't want to accept this. So he then continued and asked me if I wanted you to be happy. Of course I told him that I wanted you to be happy, and so he made me realize how happy you really were with her. But on the way to Canada, I ran into another lycan that goes by the name of Kevin. Bella…I did something horrible…"
When he said this, I swear I could feel my heart sink. I really hope he's not going to say what I think he's going to say… "Devin…what did you do?"
He hesitated and then looked up at me apologetically. "Please keep in mind that I was still furious when I ran into him okay?" I didn't say anything so he continued on. "When I ran into him, he asked me if I knew a Bella Swan. I then proceeded to tell him that yes I knew you and that you were my Alpha but that I left the pack momentarily. He…he then started to ask me all these questions about you and where you were living now. He told me he was an old family friend and that your father had sent him. Kevin was so convincing and I was still furious at you so I let it slip that you were mated to a human named Rosalie. Bella…I'm the reason why he's coming after you. I accidentally let it slip that you were an Aradia. He obviously lied to me at first and then he threatened that if I didn't help him with this mission that he has that he would kill my family and all of you guys off one by one. Bella…I am so sorry…I didn't know that this would lead to all of what is happening now. Once I came back here with Kevin, I slowly realized how wrong I was to betray you like that. Seeing how you and Rosalie acted with one another at Destiny's party…I saw how truly happy you were and I could tell that you two were really true mates."
When Devin was finished, I could feel my blood start to boil. It was taking everything I had not to pounce on him and kill him. It was because of him that Rosalie and my family is all in danger! It was because of him that I have been having those nightmares night after night! It was because of him that Rosalie almost got killed that night! The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I could feel my inner beast begging me to let it out. I was so angry that I was shaking profusely and Devin could tell how angry I was.
"Bella, please calm down. I am so, so sorry! I was so mad at you at the time, I didn't know what I was doing! Please don't hate me! I swear I will help you! I'll help keep everyone safe!" Devin said as he tried to frantically get me to calm down. But sadly it was a little too late for that.
"Calm down? You're telling me to CALM DOWN?! Why in the hell would I be fucking calm when it was YOUR fault that all of this is happening? Because of your dumb ass Rosalie almost got killed Devin! Killed! And you're expecting me to calm down? Fuck you!" I full out yelled at him. I yelled so loud that I am almost positive that Carina and everyone could hear me from the school. I kneeled down on the ground trying not to phase, but as the time went by I was finding it harder and harder not to phase.
During this whole time, Devin had chosen to stay quiet which was a very good choice on his part for once. Normally when I yelled at him, he would quickly jump to defensive mode and start yelling back at me. He was the only one that could actually try and attempt to stand up to me out of everyone. I heard crunches on the ground and I quickly turned around only to see Carina, Destiny, Blain, and Rosalie standing there staring at me. Rosalie quickly ran over to my side and I could feel her little arms wrapping around me tightly.
I was still shaking from anger and I said through gritted teeth, "Rosalie, you need to stand back. If I phase, I don't want to hurt you."
I felt her tighten her grip around my waist as she said, "No, I'm sorry Bella but that is just a risk that I will have to take. Because I know if I let you go right now that you will go off and attack him. Now, no matter what he has done to deserve it, I refuse to let you get into a fight."
"Rosalie…it's his fault that Kevin is attacking us." I said once again through gritted teeth.
I felt her arms tense around me.
"Devin, what in the HELL did you fucking do! What does she mean it's your fault about the whole Kevin thing?" I heard Carina all but yell at him.
Devin then started to explain exactly what he had just told me. When he was done, I felt Rosalie try not to walk over there and hit him. Instead though, I heard something hard hit him several times.
"OUCH! What the hell is going on? Why are there little stones being thrown at me?" Devin yelled as he tried to dodge some more.
I looked up from where I was at and saw several different stones being thrown at him. I couldn't help but laugh and be amazed at this. I then turned to look at Rosalie and saw that she was in full concentration on something. It then dawned on me that she could possibly be doing this.
"Rosalie, are you doing this?" I asked as I looked at her.
"If she is, can you tell her to please stop throwing them at me?" Devin asked as he was still dodging stones.
Rosalie looked up at me suddenly and when she did, all stones stopped. "Woah, how in the hell did you do that? Can you do it again?" Blain asked excitedly.
Rosalie looked surprised by all means when discovering this. "I have no clue how that even happened. All I remember is being so angry and I could feel this power surging in me and that was when Devin started getting stones thrown at him."
"What in the hell are you? Because you are clearly not human." Devin asked as he sighed of relief and started to look to see how many bruises he would have.
Rosalie sighed softly and stood up while helping me up. "I guess it's my turn to confess. I'm an Aloja. I'm basically someone who brings good fortune to someone and we protect the people we love and care deeply for. If we feel threatened, we can produce this shield that can be manifested to surround ourselves or the people we love and care about. When under the protection of that shield, the person is safe from harm. Apparently there was another power that I have yet to been told about. So I will have to talk to my grandma about this later on."
I looked at everyone's faces after Rosalie spoke. The one that was the best though had to be Blain's. His face screamed excitement and I would have sworn he was going to start jumping up and down.
"Oh…my…gosh…that is so…COOL! Man you should try to use that power again! God knows Devin deserves it." Blain said with a smile, which Carina quickly agreed with as well.
"Hey! I take offense to that!" Devin said.
"Yeah well…you should because you're an ass." Destiny said with a smile.
I rolled my eyes at everyone and looked at Devin. "You're not too mad at me are you Bella?" Devin asked softly.
I looked at him long and hard. Am I still mad at him? Yes, I'm furious with him. But I know deep down that he didn't mean to betray me like that. I know how it feels to be absolutely furious and when you are in that state of mind, you don't think rationally. It's like you can't even think or be your normal self. "I'm not going to lie or sugar coat things with you Devin. Yes, I am still mad at you, I'm furious with you actually, but I do accept your apology. I know you didn't truly mean to betray us, but I'm not going to lie, I don't trust you. That is something you will have to work for to earn back again. So that means you will no longer be Beta in my pack if you do choose to come back that is."
Devin smiled at me while saying, "I will accept that Bella. I promise you that I will work my ass off showing you that you can trust me. And I understand about me not being Beta anymore, but I would love to join your pack again. I really have missed you guys so much."
I smiled and we started talking a little bit. Suddenly it dawned on me, he said that he told Kevin about me being an Aradia. I know for a fact that I never told him what I was, partially because I have just figured it out a few weeks ago. So how in the hell did he know about my true father?
"Wait a second, how did you know about me being an Aradia Devin? Because I know when you were still in the pack, I never told you. And I also have just recently found out about all of this and who my true father is a few weeks ago." I asked confused.
Everyone else looked just about as lost as I was. Devin just shrugged and looked at me. "Well, I forgot to mention that my parents also knew Nathan. In fact, they keep in touch with him still because he wanted to keep an eye out on his daughter, which is you."
"Then why in the hell does he not just talk to Charlie or Rene? Why your parents? No offense to them, but I would think Nathan would want to talk to my parents instead." I said.
"I think he didn't want to burden them or put them in any danger. Nathan knows about Kevin, because he had personally knew Kevin's family. But it isn't my place to tell you on how he knows them. I do believe that is something Nathan has to tell you himself." Devin said as he looked at me.
I'm sure all of our expressions are priceless right now. I could tell that we were all in complete shock by this news. After a few more minutes of standing there shocked, I finally found my voice again. "Well, do you know where he is living at? Because I would really like to meet him. I think he could help with this whole Kevin mess you got us into. I mean, you got us into this mess so the least you could do is help me out here."
Devin nodded his head yes at my question. "Actually, yes I do know where he is living. He is currently located in Italy in a city known as Volterra. That is where his castle is at, but the reason why you couldn't find a location anywhere is because he's been in secret to prevent people like Kevin from finding him and attacking. That's why Kevin is coming after you because he knows you are next in line and he seems to have it in his head that if he were to have you in his power, then he could be in control. Bella, you need to be insanely careful when it comes to Kevin. He is extremely dangerous and he won't hesitate to kill you or anyone you love and care about. He won't stop until he has all the power."
"Then that means we have to stop him before he gets it. I won't let anyone cause harm to my family or my mate. So we need to plan a time when we will be visiting my true father. If we are going to do this, we need him to help us." I said as I looked around at everyone.
"How about we head there during winter break? It's coming up in about a month or less. That way, we all won't miss school." Destiny suggested.
I looked at Rosalie while saying, "Would you want to come with us? Or would you want to stay? I'm sure you would want to practice on controlling your power and learning how to work it. It may come in handy for us."
She wrapped her arms tight around my waist and kissed me softly. "Of course I'm going to come with you guys to Italy. I refuse to be apart from you for a long period of time. And if I have to, we could always bring my grandma with us."
I smiled and kissed her back. "I don't want your grandma getting in the middle of this sweetheart. It's bad enough that you're involved in it."
She rolled her eyes at me while saying, "Just because my grandma looks to be 79 years old, she's actually a lot older than that. Did you know she is about 1002 years old in Aloja years?"
"No shit, that's really bad ass!" Blain said excitedly. We all just laughed at that.
"Still, I don't want her to be involved unless it's necessary and as of right now, it's not. So it's settled, we will all leave for Volterra at the beginning of winter break."
Man I really hope all of this works out and that Devin isn't just setting us up.
Hey guys! I'm sorry that the chapter is shorter than it normally is. I just happened to have a little free time during my evening and I wanted to write you all a nice little filler chapter. I have a picture of Kevin's lycan form that I can put up on the website for this story if you guys would like to see it. By next post I will make sure to have it up for you guys. And this is completely off topic but I can't help to address that as I am writing this nice little authors note for you, there just so happens to be a little black mouse darting across my room and making me absolutely freak out here. So if this mouse doesn't kill me in my sleep, I will try my best to update again for you very soon. I would like to thank you all for the continuous support you have shown me and the amazing amount of patience you have for me as well. I will be eternally grateful to all of you. I remember starting off on this website when I was in junior high and I remember thinking "Man, I really would like to write stories on here. But I know that no one will like them." Of course my writing has changed drastically since I have started, but even on my very first story I wrote, I had continuous support and surprisingly people liked my writing. So I would just like to thank everyone who has ever read any of my stories, whether it be this one or my previous ones, for supporting my writing and help me stick with writing. If it wasn't for you guys, I honestly wouldn't have stuck with writing at all. But enough of the cheesy-ness now. Like I said, I will try my best to update as soon as I can, but please be patient with me. Thank you guys. =]