The Meadow
It didn't take Edward long to catch up to me. It took even less time for him to pass me. He laughs as he runs towards the meadow. And then we were there. Edward goes out to the meadow, but I stay behind to get dressed. When I walk out of the forest, Edward was lying on his back, looking towards the sky. The sun wasn't out today, but the meadow was still beautiful.
I walk over and sit next to Edward and look up at the sky. The sun was trying to come out, but I could smell the coming rain. The sun didn't stand a chance of coming out today.
"This place is beautiful," I say.
"Not nearly as beautiful as you," says Edward, sitting up and wrapping his arms around me, pulling me into his lap. I giggle and lay my head against his stone chest.
"You're just saying that," I say.
"No, I'm not. You are truly the most beautiful creature I have ever met. Everything about you is," says Edward. I sigh and look at the trees.
"I'm going to be in so much trouble when I get home," I whisper.
"Then don't go," whispers Edward.
"I would love to do that, but I can't. Sam will come looking for me," I whisper.
"Why can't they let you go?" asks Edward.
"Because Jacob thinks he loves me, and he doesn't. All my life I've been told how perfect Jacob would be for me. How I would do good as the future Alpha's mate. I never wanted that, but everyone saw it as such an honor. Our parents practically planned a wedding before I even started kindergarten," I say.
"That doesn't seem fair," says Edward.
"It's not. Now that we're older, Sam's been pushing Jacob onto me more and more. Even my brothers are doing it," I say.
"And you're going to go back? What if they don't let you leave?" asks Edward.
"They never let me leave. I sneak away. They'd have to lock me in a cage if they wanted me to stay in La Push." Edward sighs heavily and wraps his arms around me tighter.
"I don't want you to go back to La Push. I want you to stay with me…forever," whispers Edward.
"Forever is an awfully long time to be together," I whisper.
"Do you not want the same?" asks Edward.
"I want to love someone who can't leave me. Jacob says he loves me, but he hasn't met the right girl yet. Quil and Embry are my brothers and whether they like it or not they aren't indestructible," I whisper, my voice cracking.
"I'll never leave you. Never. You can count on that," whispers Edward. Suddenly three werewolves walk into the clearing, growling at us. "They want you to leave."
"Do you suddenly speak wolf?" I ask. Edward gives me a wry smile.
"I can read their minds," says Edward.
"Can you read mine?" I ask. Edward shakes his head. I stand up and transform into my wolf form, my clothes shredding in the process.
Bella, go back to La Push, demands Sam.
Leave me alone! I shout, causing the wolves to wince. Suddenly Leah jumps on me, grabbing my throat between her teeth. I yelp and throw her off.
Leah! Don't attack Bella! demands Sam.
Tell her not to disobey you, snarls Leah.
If you want me to go back you'll have to kill me! I refuse to leave Edward's side! I scream.
He's a filthy-
His name is Edward, and I love him.
This is forbidden. You are to date Jacob!
I don't love Jacob. He's a good friend, but he's not the one for me. If he was we would have imprinted. The pack growls at me.
You will do as you are told! Demands Sam.
Come on Bells, just do as he says, says Quil. Embry nods his head in agreement.
Don't you think mom and dad would have accepted Edward? They would have wanted me happy, says Bella.
Mom and Dad are gone, Bella, they aren't coming back, says Quil sadly. I whimper as large tears begin to stream down my face. Edward walks over and wipes my tears away.
"You don't have to go. You can stay with me," whispers Edward. Sam growls.
Like hell she can! Bella get home or so help me-! Demands Sam angrily.
Or what? Just because my parents are gone doesn't mean you can take control of my life!
Bella, Sam's not trying to control your life, says Embry with a whine.
Well I refuse to leave this place. I love Edward and I plan on staying with him, I say defiantly. Sam growls and suddenly Paul and Jared were on me. It was all claws, teeth and snarls as I fight them, trying to get away.
Then I notice Edward crouched to spring.
No! I scream. Edward stops and I had a feeling he could read my mind through the pack mind. If you attack there will be a war!
It seems there already is one, snarls Sam. I was still fighting Paul and Jared. Suddenly Quil steps in and bites my nose. I yelp; he might as well have slapped me across the face.
My own brother was against me. That hurt, and not because of the bite. Quil and Embry were all I had left. Then Embry steps in with his tail between his legs and nips my nose as well. Embry didn't bite me nearly as hard, but the intent was clear. He disagreed with me too.
I whine and step back towards Edward with my tail between my legs. I was going to stand next to Edward no matter what though. They needed to know that. Then Paul steps up and bites my nose, followed by Jared and Leah. Then Sam walks up and bites my nose the hardest and I yelp louder, a tear falling from my eye.
I watch as Jacob slowly makes his way towards me. He towered over me by a good foot. I whine and my ears lay flat against my skull. Jacob whimpers and licks my muzzle before turning and walking away. The rest follow him, and it becomes apparent that I was no longer welcome in La Push. Not until I got my priorities straight.
"Let's go to my house," whispers Edward. He begins to walk towards his house and I follow him quietly. My nose wouldn't stop hurting, and I had a feeling that it wasn't going to stop for a long time.
Once to the house we go inside. Esme looks at us with concern in her eyes.
"Is everything okay?" asks Esme. Edward doesn't say anything; instead he leads me up to his room.
"Would you like time to transform?" asks Edward. I shake my head and lay down in the middle of the floor. Edward sits down next to me and wraps his arms around my neck. "I'm so sorry for what happened. I didn't mean for it to turn out this way."
Well it did, I wanted to say. I whine and close my eyes. I just wanted left alone. Soon I fall asleep.
When I wake up there were clothes lying next to my nose and I could hear Edward's soft breathing nearby. I look around and find him sitting on the couch watching me. I huff and stand up before stretching.
"Alice bought you some new clothes," says Edward. I pick up the clothes in my mouth and walk out of the room. I go into the bathroom and transform before turning on the shower and getting in. I stand under the steady stream as tears begin to stream down my face.
My family didn't want me. I chose Edward and they chose to exile me. I didn't deserve this…did I? With a sharp pain in my heart, I realize that I did. The realization only makes me cry harder. I lost everything for him. Was it the right choice? He promised me forever and I promised not to go back if they couldn't accept my choice. We were both keeping our promises, but what if I'm wrong and I don't actually love Edward?
The thought hurt worse than the pain of being exiled. Edward loved me, it was obvious. He would protect me if he had to. We could be together without worrying about growing old and dying. After there were no more tears to cry, I get out of the shower and get dressed. I look into the mirror, trying to fake a smile and failing miserably.
When I walk out, Alice was waiting by the door.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asks Alice.
"I was exiled, there's not much to talk about," I murmur.
"Come with me to my room. I'll give you a manicure and we can talk," says Alice as she grabs my hand and leads me to her bedroom. I sit down on the large sofa and wait for Alice to come back. Suddenly I hear a wolf howling outside. I look out the window and find a beautiful red wolf. It was Amber.
End Chapter
A/N: Dun, Dun, Dun. LOL. Thank you for reading chapter eight. Sorry it's taking me so long to post these chapters. Like I said, I've been busy, as well as forgetful. Every time I get to the internet I forget my key drive. Keep up the reviews and I'll keep on writing! Sayonara.