Frame
We decided to tell the others about our suspicion. It was better if the whole family knew about the possibility that Jane was actually coming. At the very least we would be more protected. It was best if the pack did not know anything about this. It was too risky for them to know. If they patrol the area and Jane meets them... I could not think of what might happen to Leah.
"What will we tell the pack?" Bella asked when we announced them our suspicion. Nessie was with Jacob that time so he did not hear any of it.
"It's too risky for Jacob to know. They would all want to patrol the area if they were to know what was going on. Then if Jane catches them, then she would get information out of them. We're not always with them and we cannot protect them if that happens. We wouldn't know right away."
"Yeah, but what will we tell them? I hate lying to Jake," Bella shook her head. But before I could even answer, Edward interrupted me.
"Leah's coming, Ethan."
"Let me handle this, Bella," I said and she nodded.
Leah entered the house with a bit of shyness. She was still a bit uncomfortable coming here but she did not knock any longer unlike she used to. A smile formed in her face when she saw me, her eyes were shining brightly.
I greeted her with a smile and a kiss on her cheek. She looked around and the embarrassment returned in her face. I was still a bit sad that she did not feel comfortable in my new family. She did belong here. She had so many connections to this family that she should not feel any embarrassment nor awkwardness.
"Is Jacob here?" she asked timidly at Bella.
"Sweetie, Jake's with Nessie right now. Were you guys supposed to patrol the area or something?" I asked her.
She nodded,"Yeah, we were going to patrol the area before I introduce you to my mom and my step dad."
"Ahm, yeah about patrolling, we all just had a talk. We all thought it was best for you to stop patrolling. We think you guys have done enough for us now and we really think that we're safe now," I lied. It was the most horrible feeling in the world. It was as if the floor below me was gone and I felt as if I was going to fall. I tried hard to keep my face as straight as I can.
"Are you sure about that? I mean, you all know that it's all right," she said looking at the rest of my family with curiosity.
"Yeah, we really appreciate what your pack has done for us, Leah. But we've agreed that it we have bothered you enough," Carlisle answered, supporting my lie with a fact that was partly true. They all thought for years that they don't need the pack's protection any longer but they allowed it because of Jacob wanting to be with Nessie all the time.
"What about the treaty? Would that be back?" she asked.
"No, I don't think it would be affected at all. We still need to be able to go to your lands just in case something comes up. Besides, you and Jacob would want to come here to be with your imprint mates, don't you?" Carlisle asked. She nodded.
"Ok. I understand. I'll tell him," she said timidly.
"I'll come around six," I told her hugging her. She freed herself from my arms and planted a warm kiss on my cheeks. It seemed to warm my whole body. She really gave me feelings that I have never felt ever since I woke up in my new life.
"See yah," she said turning around and heading for the door. As soon as she transformed in the woods surrounding the house, I turned back to the rest of my family.
"Thanks," I told them quietly. They don't know how much I appreciate them.
"What exactly do you plan to do with this situation?" Rosalie asked coldly. I never did like Rosalie. She was too vain and self-centered. I must admit that she's outstandingly beautiful but being beautiful does not make her attractive at all. Her personality and her looks could not be more opposite. But I figured she was right. I needed a plan to be alert for Jane without Leah ever finding it out.
"We're going to patrol the area when we hunt. There will be two of us feeding while another two would be patrolling the area," I explained to them.
"And if the pack asked what we are doing?"
"We'll just tell them that we're out hunting. That's why two of us will hunt."
It was agreed that it was to be that way. I know it was a bit cruel of me to lie to Leah. If I could just change the situation, I would. I do not regret coming here because it led me to her. I could never ask for more. That night, I went to her house just before six at night. I usually come here much later than this but it was time for me to finally introduce myself to Charlie Swan and Sue Clearwater as Leah's boyfriend. I knocked on the door a minute before six.
"He's a little early," I heard Charlie say. He was not Leah's father of course but I found out that Harry Clearwater died of a heart attack after he found out that his children phases to wolves like he used to. Then it was Charlie, Bella's father, who took care of Sue. They are engaged to be married.
"Charlie, behave. He's improtant to Leah," the pregnant Sue said as she approached the door to open it. "Hi, please, come in," she said pleasantly. She was in her eighth month in pregnancy. The air brought me her smell. Automatically, my mouth watered and the poison in my teeth started to reproduce frantically. I stopped breathing then. I suddenly realized that it may be a bad idea coming here tonight.
"Thank you for giving me a chance to get to know you, ma'am," I said courtly. From the corner, Charlie scoffed. Sue shot him a bad look and rolled her eyes.
"Aren't you that boy from Edward's class?" Charlie asked. He was nto easily trusting. I was guessing he was seeing this situation like his daugher's relationship with Edward. It was like a replay for him and I'm guessing he won't be as loose to Leah as he was when Bella was dating her husband now.
"Yes sir. I'm Ethan Roberts," I introduced myself as I offered my gloved hand to him. I was all covered up so that my skin would not give out the truth into who I truly am.
"Roberts? Aren't you a member of the Cullens now? Why don't you change your name? My family-in-law not good enough for you?" he asked suspiciously.
"Charlie!" Sue warned. He lifted his arms innocently and she rolled her eyes. "Ethan, I'm really sorry about him. He's just a little...grumpy," she apologized.
"It's nothing, really. I understand. Actually, Chief Swan, the adoption papers are not finalize yet. It's a lot harder to be adopted if you are already older than eighteen," I told him with professionalism in my voice.
"Why do you need the Cullens to be your guardian anyways? Because they have money, is that it?"
"No. It was their decision to take me in."
"What's the deal with all of you anyways? Why are you all like that?" he asked, suddenly exploding.
"I don't think I understand what you're saying, sir," I told him.
"Why are you all so courteous and so damn perfect?"
"I do not think I am perfect, sir," I humbled but I was fighting myself not to smile.
"What's going on here?" the most beautiful voice ask as she descended from the stairs. Then I couldn't help smiling as I saw her. "Charlie, stop sabotaging Ethan for crying out loud," she said pointedly at him.
"I'm just protecting you for your father Leah," he answered.
"I hate it when people think I need protecting," she said frustrated. She looked at me meaningfully. I knew she directed those words to me. I almost laughed.
"Would you give him a chance to let us know how wonderful he really is, Charlie?" Sue asked approaching her fiance and putting a hand on his shoulder. He was outnumbered but I knew I had to work hard to win him over. I didn't want him to like me because of his fiance and her daughter. I wanted him to approve me to Leah because of me.
"Please Ethan, come join us in supper. I've cooked the most wonderful meal," Sue said. I looked at Leah for help but she just stared at me, daring me to make a move.
"Oh, no thank you. I'm full already," I replied pretending to scratch the bottom of my eye, making it pop out a bit, but it served as a reminder that I could not eat human food. Leah smiled from ear to ear getting the private joke.
"What, you think Sue's cooking is not good enough?" Charlie piped up.
"It's all right Charlie. He's full," Sue said irritated at him.
"No, I think he's right. I will eat even if just a little," I told her but looking at Leah, accepting her challenge.
"You don't have to do that, Ethan," Sue said.
"I hate being rude and really I might be a bit hungry," I replied as I said sitting down the table like the rest of them.
The food must be delectable but I couldn't care less. It was bland and tasteless to me. I was wishing that I could drink the blood of bears right now but I had no choice. The venom in my mouth melted the food even before it hit my throat. Leah kept on looking at my reaction every time I place a food on my mouth. She tried hard not to laugh but she kept on snickering. It was hard to pretend even more when Seth, her little brother, entered the dining room. He was shocked to see me actually eating human food.
"So Ethan, do you like mom's cooking?" he would keep on asking me, enjoying the situation.
"I never thought it could taste so great," I would reply him and that would make him, Sue, and Leah smile. Lucky Charlie did not notice it.
The rest of the night went well though Seth kept shooting remarks about my attire yet I only answered him calmly. Charlie was still a bit cold towards me but when I talked to him about baseball, he opened right up. I guess that was all it takes for me to win him over. Leah couldn't help smiling when he finally started becoming warmer towards me. It was getting late and they were all tired so I decided that it was time for me to pretend that I was going home.
"Thank you for the wonderful meal Sue and it was nice spending time with you and your family," I smiled at Sue as I headed out the door. I was ecstatic to know that Leah did not even drop her stunning smile throughout the night. Though she did glare at Seth for saying something that could have exposed not only my identity but also the fact that there were roaming vampires all over the world. "I will see you later, Leah," I said and with that I turned to my car.
The Mistubishi Eclipse purred as I turned the engine on. This may not be as expensive as the other's cars but I found it suiting for me. I sped down the road from their house to the Cullens. The traffic was clear because it was pretty late at night so I was able to drive the roads in such a dangerous speed without any of the cops catching me.
I had to wait for several hours before returning back to their home but this time I did not come with my car but I got there by my feet. I jumped up her window a few hours later and opened it so that I could get in. I found her asleep in her bed, a thin smile etched in her mouth, the light outside gave her such an exotic glow. I wondered if it was me she was dreaming of. That was the first time I wished I had Edward's power of mind reading. I wanted to know if it was me that causes her to smile. I did not want to wake her up and disturbed the peace in her face but I longed to touch her. I cupped my hand in her hot cheeks. Her temperature was like that of the sun but it did not worry me, I would not burn. Her eyes started to flutter and finally opened. Her smile got even wider when she saw me and I was certain that my dead heart would start pumping once again.
"You were great awhile ago," she whispered softly still lying in her back.
"Anything to make you happy," I replied. She blinked several times to finally clear her head. Without getting up, she edged away from me and reached for something small in her bedside table. She then came back to me, reaching for my hand. I placed my hand in her soft, warm palms. She slipped a thick leather arm band in my wrist with clasps at the very end. Etched on the middle of the band was a heart and in each side of the heart was our name.
"What is this for?" I asked her marveling at the band.
"It's just a little something to show how much I appreciate what you did," she explained, finishing with the clasps.
"So I get rewarded everytime I do something very good?" I teased. "What if I did something extremely good, what woud you give me?"
"What do you want to get?" she answered with a question.
"Will you give if I tell you?" I asked touching her face. Her face grew weary as she realizes what is it that I wanted most.
"You know I can't. We do not know if it safe," she said her face was filled with worry.
"Then would you promise me that you will love me forever? Would you promise that you would always be mine whatever happens?"
She smiled,"I promise my heart will always belong to you."
She lifted herself from her bed, kneeling in front of me. Slowly she got nearer and nearer until we were only a hair's width away. I let her lips touch mine gently. I was hungry for her but I know she's the kind of woman who wants to be in control so I let her. I let her get the confidence and courage to let her lips mold against mine. Her lips were the sweetest I have ever tasted and soon I wanted more and more. I found the strength to pull myself away from her. I looked into her eyes and happiness was shining brightly on them. I laid beside her and wrapped my arms around her. A few minutes later she drifted off to sleep once again, her face was etched with peace and happiness.
I left her house before three in the morning with a wide smile on my face. It was a bliss to be with her and I will never ever exchange this for even eternal life. I let my feet carry me to the house without even thinking of it. My head was filled with Leah's smiling face. This was the night that I would remember always. I looked down at her gift; a treasure and a proof of the culture of her people in her. This was now my treasure. I turned west but then stopped as I saw a figure standing in front of me. Her face triggered something inside of me. I ran to her and slammed her against the trunk of a tree while I held her cold, hard neck. Jane did not even flinched. Instead a malicious smile dominated her face.
"Is that the way you would greet me?" she asked slyly. "Remember, I was the one who changed you to the life of eternity."
"You don't know how much I resented being this!" I hissed venomously.
"But you look so happy. You know that if I did not change you, you would never experience what you are experiencing now," she answered sweetly.
"But you did not mean to make me a vampire, did you? You only found me as your prey. You, being so clumsy, have alerted the people and did not finish drinking all of my blood. The venom spread to my veins making me this way. It was not your intention to change me but only to replenish yourself."
"But still you should ever be grateful."
"I've only found this life bearable lately but I'll never find it bearable with you."
"Of course, that's because you've already found someone to make this life bearable," she said looking at the arm that was holding her firmly by the neck. The band that Leah gave to me was in that hand and the heart was evident.
"Don't you dare get near her," I growled. She laughed without humor.
"Remeber what I told you? If I can't have you no one can," she hissed. I threw her back by the neck in the forest floor. She hissed and then ran away as fast as she could. I spat at the air after her. I snapped my teeth and turned back to my path.
I was relieved that she did not stay but I was weary that she's here. This wasn't the last from her. What was weird was she did not even fight when I threw her back but ran away. She did not even gave me the hallucinations of pain. I ran hurriedly back to the house. I know that they already know about the situation and we had to make a plan. I knew Jane was up to no good. That's why she did not even hurt me.
I jumped up to my room and they were all waiting for me there, weary in their faces. I showed Edward what happened and told them my assumptions.
"Maybe she was just waiting for you to attack her," Jasper hypothesized.
"Well then it's your fault. You attacked her first," Rosalie growled blaming things on me.
"Ok, maybe that was the problem. But seeing her just set something on me. It's my fault but I know she did not only come here to taunt me and make me attack her. She now knows that I have someone but she does not know it's Leah," I told them. "Bella, would you look out for her?"
"Yeah, sure," she answered. "What about the pack? What will we tell them? We know that Jane's already here."
"Leah told Jacob not to patrol us any longer so the plan is still on. This makes it more complicated now that she's here but they must not know."
"We must try to talk to her first, Ethan. There's no reason why all of this would lead to a fight. Remember, Aro did not want her to come here. Maybe we could threaten her about that," Carlisle suggested.
"But he must know that she's coming and he let her come here," Edward said.
"Look, we have a plan. Let's just stick with that and see what will happen," Emmet said.
"Alice, keep an eye on things also," I told her. She nodded. She looked sick and frustrated. She must still not see me but she could still see Jane's actions.
For a couple of weeks, we looked out for her but Jane seemed to disappear. We thought that she had gone back to Italy but we were wrong. One night, Leah came to our house banging on the door so hard that the walls that held the door started to crack after just a few knocks. I let her in and she came trudging in the floor. I could tell she just phased back to a human because she was covered in dirt. She was shaking so badly that I was sure she was going to have to phase back to her wolf form.
"What's wr-?" I started to say but she interrupted.
"Do you think I'm stupid?! How could you do this?!" she screamed. Carlisle tried to calm her down but she shook his hand off her shoulder.
"What are you talking about?"
"How could you?! I thought you abandoned your old ways but I found out that you have been hunting humans once again!"
"I haven't Leah!" I told her. I wished I hunted so that my eyes would be amber not dead black.
"Then why was this in the scene of a vampire hunting?" she asked venom in her voice while she held out the arm band in front of me. It was dirty and a bit torn but it was the arm band that she gave me when I introduced myself to her parents. I did not notice that I did not have it until now. I could not tell her that Jane was here but if I do not, she'll think I was hunting humans again.