Things are not always what they seem. Enjoy!
Part X
The Scene: The pack and recently assembled Cullens in front of the Black house. Victoria and her newborns are rapidly approaching.
Just to be on the safe side, I held Jacob's hand and kept him near Sam, far away from Eddie (aka Sparkles) and the other vampires. He probably wouldn't have left my side even if I didn't have a death grip on his hand. Sam was suggesting a plan of action and it involved me, so therefore, Jake was all ears.
"She needs to get out of here, Jacob," he was saying when I finally decided to listen. I heard a snort, and scowled when I saw Edward shaking his head. "It shouldn't be a problem anyways. You dogs have a peculiar smell, and the newborns won't be too fond of it, I assure you."
Carlisle shot him a look. "Nonetheless, Bella should get out of here, and quick. Victoria can't be too far off." Esme nodded assent. "It would be appropriate for Jacob to accompany her to wherever it is you plan to send her. He will give off an odor that will send our intruders running. He should probably stay with her the whole time as well."
Jacob looked slightly put out. Sam ended it at once. "Would you rather witness carnage or keep her safe?" Jake straightened up immediately and his face was an unreadable mask. I squeezed his hand tighter.
The rest of the conversation is hazy, for I was too focused on Jacob than I was on paying attention to the discussion. I remember the mountains being mentioned, and it so happened that that was where we ended up going. I was sent to Charlie's to pack a few things, with the excuse that Leah was having me over for the night ("How nice that you two finally decided to buddy up," was Charlie's reply.). She wasn't too keen with the idea, but it worked like a charm.
I put on the heavy parka and fuzzy pants, complete with boots as well, as soon as I got to Billy's. Charlie didn't notice my various bags as I left the house, which was a great relief. Jake gave me a hard time, noting that I looked like a marshmallow, but he did grow concerned once we finally were in the mountains, alone in the tent. I was shivering and my teeth were chattering and my lips were turning blue, despite my thick clothing. He pulled out a sleeping back and got in.
"Come on, Bells, get on in here. I'm not letting you freeze into a popsicle today, thanks." I gratefully snuggled up against him, and instantly felt warm again. Jacob sighed contentedly, and was silent for a few moments. But then the worst was suggested. "Hey, Bella, this might be a bit easier…" I started to crawl out. "Not a chance," I barked. He laughed and gently pulled me back to him.
"Your pack would be nauseated," I mumbled. He didn't say anything, for which I was grateful. However, he must have been thinking something, because a moment later, the tent flap was unzipped and in charged a furious Edward. "I am beginning to feel nauseated," he claimed. I groaned, and pressed myself against Jacob even more.
To my utter amazement, Jake did not stir. He said not a word, didn't even flinch. It was like he knew Edward had been there…which was funny, really. That was near impossible, wasn't it?
He nuzzled my hair, like he was a dog, which made a tickling sensation. I actually giggled, something I never ever did. Edward did indeed look disgusted, but then it occurred to me that that was what Jacob wanted.
"What are you doing here, Edward" I asked, rather rudely, come to think of it. I didn't really want an audience to this display of affection I was getting. He growled, "Victoria came up this way, actually." Jacob stopped frizzing up my hair and stared at Edward. "That's impossible…" "Not really," Edward shrugged. "She most likely caught Bella's scent in yours. She probably has developed an immunity to wolf aroma."
Jake's eyes narrowed. "Pardon me, Bella," he grunted, climbing out of the sleeping bag and heading for the flap. I immediately began to shiver again, mostly out of fear than cold. Edward looked at me longingly, like he wished he could help me. I rolled my eyes, but didn't say anything. If I alerted Jake, things would not end well, for any of us.
Suddenly, Edward looked away, towards Jacob with urgency. I gulped. "What?" I whispered. Jacob looked back at me. "I promise, Bella, that I will protect you, even if I die trying." A lump formed in my throat. Surely he didn't mean…
"Look out!" Edward yelled, and jumped out of the tent. I heard screeching, and at first imagined a panther, but once Jake jumped out and transformed into his wolf form, I could see through the hole. Victoria and one of her newborns was upon us.
I hid inside the tent, looking through the open flap. I was terrified, be assured of that, but I had to see what was going on.
Jacob had gone for the newborn, whom Victoria kept calling Riley. She was talking to him, telling him things. She must have been schooling him in Cullen/Black combat. She was focused more on Edward. It seemed they didn't even care about the tent.
It was gruesome, watching Jacob and Riley fight. Jake was obviously winning this one, but the vampire was not backing down. It got ugly when Jacob lunged at him and ripped off his stony hand. Riley screamed in pain and kicked at Jake, who howled and was sent sailing into the air. Riley noticed me in the shadows and came for me. Jake lie motionless on the ground. I was crying by this time. Riley was almost upon me, his dismembered hand crawling after him, when Jacob, my Jacob, limped over, jumped, and tore his head off. Literally.
It rolled to my feet. I swooned and vomited off to the side, then flicked it away. Victoria, noticing what had happened, ran off into the trees. Edward, breathing heavily, came over to where Jacob was. "Excellent, dog. Couldn't have done it better myself, though I'm shocked to actually be saying that." Jake made a snuffling sound, which may have been laughter, though I can't be sure. He gestured with his nose toward me, and I reached back and tossed Edward the matches. He set Riley's limbs ablaze, away from me and my pile of puke.
I dragged myself over to where Jacob was. He appeared to have a broken rib, because his breathing was raspy and labored. I petted his matted fur and sobbed into it. He whined, which was probably an attempt at consolation, but I was inconsolable. My Jacob was hurt, and I'd just watched him kill, and completely mangle, a vampire. It was revolting, awful, mortifying- but I was glad he was alive.
Edward had stood looming over us, checking the forest for Victoria, but now, as I calmed down a bit, he knelt beside us. "Bella," he muttered. I turned my wet face to him. He looked at me and asked, "Do you hate me?" I shook my head, because it was the truth. I didn't exactly hate Edward. I just didn't like him. Passionately.
I opened my mouth to apologize, but he held up a hand. "I know. But please, forgive me. I assure you that if you don't hate me now, you will in a moment."
He pulled me to my feet. "Isabella Swan, I don't care who knows this, because it's the truth. I have always been, and always shall be, deeply in love with you." I took a step back, but Edward grabbed me and kissed me full on the lips. Right in front of Jake. I struggled to get away from him, but he would not release me. Finally he stopped, and I dropped to the ground with a look of real hatred on my face. "Told you so," he whispered. He stepped back several paces and looked at Jacob.
Jacob, to my amazement, was already on his feet. Wobbly though he was, he was on his feet. Or paws, I should say. His wolf eyes were black, jet black, and his lips were pulled back in a snarl. He growled and his teeth bared. He took wary steps toward Edward, and once convinced that he could indeed walk, charged for him.
I gasped, but not at them. Victoria stood in the trees near me. Now that Edward and Jake were distracted, she could approach. I scrambled backward, but that was of no use. She was coming for me. The end was near, I could feel it.
It was as though the whole thing was in slow motion. Victoria, loping over to where I was sitting in the snow, and then Jacob, giving an unearthly howl as he saw her. I turned, with my last move, to the boy I loved so much. He made eye contact with me for the last time, and just as his eyes reached me, a white light blinded me, and I faded away.
R&R for the sake of it.