All characters except for Annabelle Causley and a few others belong to Stephenie Meyer…and, of course, the writer is not receiving any profit for this story whatsoever.
This is an AU out of Stephenie Meyers' Twilight series. This story starts after Eclipse, two weeks before Edward and Bella's wedding.
AN: To answer the question about whether Bella's still human, read chapter twenty-five…also chapter thirtieth. But if you don't want to go back to them, the end of this chapter should answer your question.
Thanks for all the reviews! They keep me going!
Chapter Thirty-Four
"Do you call this patrolling the treaty line? Protecting our people? Hanging around with these bloodsucking leeches?"
Annabelle's head snapped as she looked away from Sam Uley and into Jacob Black's angry eyes as he moved through the pack towards Sam, a glare quickly sending him back to join the other five werewolves.
Jacob stopped in front of Annabelle, trying to reign in his anger, and a stronger emotion that he quickly recognized as jealousy at having found Sam standing so close to Annabelle, before he opened his mouth but, unfortunately, he didn't succeed as he leaned in closer to Annabelle, a sneer on his face, "Moving on to the next werewolf, Annabelle," he whispered softly so only she (and those with vampire hearing) could hear him, "Am I not enough for you? Doesn't surprise me, though. You are a monster of many appetites after all."
Annabelle sucked air into her lungs to try to dispel the stabbing pain radiating throughout her body as her eyes widened in shock at the venom in his words. Locking her hands together to keep herself from slapping him, she stepped away, trying to keep her pain out of her eyes and her words.
"You're an asshole."
"Yeah, well, baby, I'm sure you'll forget about that next time you come around looking for me," Jacob's sneer deepened as Annabelle clamped her teeth over her bottom lip before turning and running towards the Cullen's home, quickly followed by Alice and Rosalie.
Edward moved towards Jacob, only to have Bella grab his arm to stop him, "Edward, don't. I don't want him to hurt you."
"He won't," Edward dropped a kiss on her forehead before turning to Emmett and Jasper, knowing full well he needed to get both of them out of there before everything blew up, "Emmett, Jasper, please take Bella back to the house."
"What?" All three exclaimed simultaneously before quieting down when Edward gave them a look they knew meant that he wasn't in the mood to be questioned.
Turning, Bella walked away between Emmett and Jasper, looking over her shoulder at Edward then at Jacob, her brown eyes bright with hurt at the impossibility of her new family and her old friends ever learning to get along.
"Edward," Carlisle took Esme's hand as he started walking towards the house.
"Don't worry, Carlisle. I just want to talk to him. I won't hurt him. I promise."
Jacob stood with his legs spread out, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched all the Cullens walk away. Turning, he gave Sam a look that was clearly an order for all of them to return to their duties.
Edward walked towards him, stopping several feet away from him, knowing full well that Annabelle was not going to appreciate his need to stand up for her and what he was about to do to Jacob.
"You wanted to say something to me," a corner of Jacob's mouth lifted in a mocking smile as he watched Edward, wishing like hell he didn't care that there was a past between the bloodsucker standing before him and the one that haunted his every minute, whether asleep or awake.
"Yes, in fact I do," Edward cocked his head to the side, feeling impressed with himself at the tight control he had over his anger, "I was just wondering…did you ask Annabelle about the relationship she and I had?"
"I don't see how that's your business," Jacob's lips tightened, hating the fact that he hated Edward for being a part of Annabelle's past more than he hated him for being a part of Bella's future.
"See, I was wondering because I thought that maybe there were some questions you had that maybe I could answer," Edward's smile was somewhat bland, belying his intention behind the statement.
"I don't care about what you can tell me. Quite frankly, I don't care about whatever the hell went on between you and Annabelle."
"Ah," Edward nodded his head, pursing his lips as he shifted, "So you aren't at all curious at what it must have been like to hold her when she was human? You don't want to know that she was easy to talk to, not to mention easy on the eyes? She used to blush every time I came over to visit…she would just go deep red for no reason at all. That's how I knew she had feelings for me before we started going out. After our first kiss –"
"Shut up."
"She would blush and avoid looking me in the eye every time I came over to visit with my family. That was…let's see…before she turned fifteen…yes, we were fourteen when we kissed the first time. I was her first kiss…and she was mine," Edward continued as if Jacob hadn't spoken.
"Stop," Jacob held himself tight, controlling the shaking anger that resulted from the raging jealousy evoked by Edward's words.
"Why," Edward smiled at Jacob, "I thought you didn't care."
"I don't."
"Well, then, let me tell you what it was like to be with Annabelle back then. My favorite thing was holding her hand…she had the smoothest, softest warm hands…even during the winter. But even that couldn't beat the way if felt every time I kissed her…remember how I told you she would blush every time she saw me? Well, the same thing for every kiss we shared. It was interesting because her lips would get all hot along with her face –"
Jacob let out a deafening growl as he phased, moving towards Edward but before he could lunge at him, Edward quickly moved behind him, grabbing him by the nape and forcing him down against the ground.
Jacob snarled, thrashing to get free but stopped as he finally paid attention to the commotion in his head.
Embry: "You imprinted on a vampire?!"
Leah: "You've been screwing around with one of those damn bloodsucking leeches all this time? What the hell is wrong with you?"
Seth: "And you reamed us for taking time out to watch them fight."
Jared: "You stupid idiot! You didn't even try to stay away from her."
Quil: "How the hell is that possible? You know… the sex thing?"
Sam: "Enough! Jacob had no choice about this."
Leah: "You would know."
Paul: "Get over it, Leah. It happened. It's done. But you, Jacob…man, how can you stand to be that close to her?"
Sam: "Everybody, phase down. Give Jacob some privacy."
Leah: "Fucking leech lover –"
Jacob buried his snout into the dirt, placing his paws over his ears as their voices faded away. Pushing himself to his feet, he looked around, finding himself alone in the clearing. Edward had left while he was being mentally bashed by his pack…good thing too, because Jacob was ready to pay him back for that dirty trick of his.
Shaking himself to get dirt off his shaggy fur, he turned a tight circle until he spotted his jeans on the ground, torn to shreds from his anger induced phasing. A growl emerged from his throat before he turned left, heading towards the mountains at a flat out run. He wanted to get the smell of Edward off him…and get some perspective before he faced his pack…hopefully give them time to cool off so it wouldn't turn into a bloody scene.
Esme stood outside Annabelle's door, eyes closed, listening intently at the sorrowful notes of a violin being strung together to compose an achingly beautiful, yet heartbreaking piece of music.
Opening the door, she stepped in, softly closing it behind her so she wouldn't interrupt Annabelle, who stood near her desk, eyes closed as she slowly moved the bow across the violin strings, producing a low mournful note. Sitting on the suede couch, Esme kept her eyes on her newest daughter's face, her compassion for the obvious emotional pain that Annabelle was dealing with causing a sudden growth of maternal love to fill her heart.
"I can't cry," Annabelle lowered the instrument onto the desk before taking the pen and making a notation on the sheet music, "So instead, I let the violin do it for me."
"It's a beautiful piece. What have you titled it?" Esme watched as Annabelle lifted her head to stare out of the windows before sitting on the leather chair.
"I just started writing it. I'll figure out a title once it's done," turning to look at Esme, she couldn't keep the intense pain inside her from showing in her eyes.
Esme felt her heart twist painfully in response to the agony evident in the younger girl's eyes and couldn't help but respond to it.
"Come here, sugar," her voice was low and filled with compassion, her arms opened wide to invite Annabelle into the comfort they offered.
"My mamma used to call me that," Annabelle's lips lifted into a sad little smile as she moved across the room to sit next to Esme, sinking into her maternal embrace.
"I won't do it again," Esme kissed the top of her head as she closed her arms over this hurting girl, wishing she knew how to take the pain away.
"No…please don't…its okay;" Annabelle wrapped her arms around Esme's waist as she tucked her head into the hollow of her shoulder, "It's been so long since I've heard it."
Annabelle closed her eyes as she breathed in Esme's scent, an ache in her heart as she vividly recalled what her mother had smelled like…and even though Esme had her own unique smell, it still offered much needed comfort.
"So," Annabelle's voice was muffled since she didn't want to move from where she was, "How are the others taking it?"
"Well," Esme ran her hand over Annabelle's thick black hair, pushing it over her shoulder and onto her back, "Alice and Bella already knew. Emmett is too concerned about the logistics of it to think of anything else. Jasper's overwhelmed with your own emotions that he can't figure out what he thinks and Carlisle is worried about you."
"What about Rosalie?"
Esme bit her bottom lip, trying to figure out if she should even repeat Rosalie's angry words, "Do you really care about what Rosalie thinks?"
"No, I guess not," Annabelle moved out of Esme's embrace but remained close to her side, "Why is Carlisle worried about me?"
"Once Edward got back from talking with Jacob, he shared something with Carlisle…more than likely, you know what it is," Esme reached out to brush her fingers over Annabelle's brow, her golden eyes filled with a mother's love, something Annabelle hadn't seen directed towards her in over a hundred years, "But I didn't come up here to talk to you about that."
"Then about what?" Annabelle lowered her gaze, realizing for the first time that if she went through with her plan, she would be leaving behind people hurting due to her decision.
"I wanted you to know that you can talk to me about Jacob," a soft smile appeared on Esme's face as she took Annabelle's chin, moving her face up to make eye contact, "I know that Edward's your best friend, but he's biased and, well, doesn't want to hear about the whole situation. Everyone has their opinions, which would make it hard for you to completely open up if you need to. My only opinion is wanting you to be happy. And I am willing to listen to everything and anything you need to talk about without forming any judgments."
"You don't care about my relationship with Jacob," Annabelle stared intently at Esme, seeing the sincerity of her offer in her golden eyes.
"I didn't say I didn't care," Esme took Annabelle's hands in hers, "I do. I care that you're hurting. I care that you feel alone, without anyone to talk with."
"It wasn't supposed to be this way," Annabelle looked down at their joined hands, her voice thick with tears she couldn't shed, "I wasn't supposed to care about him…much less love him. It's just…it's so impossible, what I feel for him. I can't understand why…why him?"
"Oh sweetie," Esme reached out to cup Annabelle's face, looking deep into her bright pain filled eyes, "We can't choose who we love…that's what makes being in love so hard…that's what makes it seem impossible. But darling, there's bravery in allowing yourself to love someone else, no matter how futile it may seem."
Annabelle swallowed at the sincerity and truth behind Esme's words, wishing, for the first time that she weren't able to. Taking Esme's hand and removing it from her face, she held it in both of hers, "Thank you."
"Annabelle," Esme smiled at her as she tilted her head to the side, "I do need to ask you a favor."
"Anything," Annabelle couldn't help promising this to the one person willing to accept her as she was.
"Please…think hard about your decision concerning Jacob…I really would love to keep you as a daughter for another hundred years or so," Esme looked down at their joined hands as she placed her free hand over them, "I know you struggle with what you are…and you will continue to do so if you don't face it and decide to live…you have a second chance at being who you truly want to be and I just hope that you understand you're not alone this time around."
Annabelle bit her lip as she pondered Esme's words before answering, "I promise I will think about it. Once I make a decision, I'll let you know."
"I really hope you will be coming to New Hampshire with us, but what you decide to be best for you…" Esme leaned in to kiss Annabelle's forehead, "Just know that it will hurt to let you go."
Annabelle watched as Esme walked out of her room, closing the door behind her. Closing her eyes as she sank back into the couch, she contemplated Esme's words, realizing with sudden clarity that she did have a second chance at living the way she wanted to, at becoming the person she wanted to be.
The only thing that she had to tackle was making a decision…would she let her regrets at what can't change swallow her or would she accept what happened as done and make the best of it?
Sitting up, she walked into the closet and took the flat box down from the shelf, and moved into the room, placing the box on her desk. She wanted it near once she made her decision.
It was simple. If she decided to end her life via Jacob, then she didn't open the box. If she decided to start anew and truly become a member of the Cullen family, then she would finally face what was in the box.
Easier said than done.
"I'm sorry about what Edward did."
Jacob looked away from the crashing waves to find Bella standing several feet away, the breeze moving her hair around her face, the sun coloring her alabaster skin.
"He sent his wife to do the apologizing for him," Jacob shook his head as he moved over to make room on their log for her to join him, "That's very brave of him."
"No, he didn't send me," Bella sat next to him, placing her elbows on her knees so she could rest her chin on her cupped hands, "He's actually not sorry at all. He believes you deserved it after what you said to Annabelle. I just thought I'd apologize for him."
Jacob scoffed as he moved off the log to sit on the ground by Bella's feet, just the way he used to when they spent time together at First Beach before she married the leech, "How'd you know I was out here?"
"Your dad told me when I stopped by your house."
They sat in silence, staring out at the ocean, watching the sun paint the water into a fiery red.
"How'd the others take it?" Bella kept her eyes straight ahead, wishing she wasn't so aware of how close he was to her.
"It was a bloody celebration," sarcasm dripped from every word, "How'd you think they'd take it?"
"Well," Bella looked down at Jacob, a small smile on her face, "They didn't kick you out of the reservation."
"They can't. I'm the Alpha," Jacob picked up a stone, weighing it in his hand before chucking it towards the shoreline, "And technically, I haven't done anything wrong."
"They don't think it's wrong that you imprinted on a vampire," Bella's eyebrows lowered over her brown eyes, giving her a perplexed look, "I would think if anything would get you kicked out of a pack of werewolves that would be it."
"I had no choice over that," Jacob picked up another stone, studying it intently before sending it after the first one, "They understand that. As long as I keep myself from getting too involved with her, it'll be okay."
"Jacob," Bella stared down at him with surprised eyes, "You and Annabelle have been seeing each other for the past few nights and having…anyway, how much more involved with her can you get?"
"It's just sex, Bella. It's not like I'm planning on proposing to her or thinking of spending the rest of my life with her," Jacob refused to look up at her as he chucked another stone towards the shoreline.
"Jacob, you care about her."
"No I don't."
"You're falling in love with her."
"No I'm not."
"You stubborn, hard-headed mutt," Bella exclaimed in frustration as she rose to her feet, wanting to hit Jacob over the head, "How can you not see it?"
"Okay, fine," Jacob pushed himself to his feet, finally looking at Bella, "I'm attracted to her…and maybe…care about her…a little…and I only said what I said to her because I was territorially jealous…like when one dog walks into another dog's turf…but other than that, there's nothing more. I refuse to let there be anything more."
"Why won't you let yourself love her," Bella stared up at him, wondering why she was forcing this issue. She was, after all, somewhat jealous about the relationship between Jacob and Annabelle.
"Because..." Jacob looked out at the setting sun before returning his eyes to Bella, "I would have to stop loving you."
Bella stood still, her brown eyes locked with his, as she let out a silent "Oh."
"I'm not ready for that, Bella. You're the only one I've ever loved," Jacob shoved his hand into his hair, shifting his feet in sudden self-consciousness; "I never thought…that I would actually imprint. Especially on a vampire. But even if she were human, it still wouldn't have been as easy…not when you've been my center for so long."
Bella pushed her hands into the pockets of her jeans, "I don't know…I don't know what to say."
"There's nothing you can say," Jacob moved a step closer, "Just tell me this. Do you still love me? When you're with your husband, do you find yourself thinking of me?"
Bella sucked in a breath, wanting to lie but knowing he would be able to tell, "It doesn't matter if I do. Edward's the one I chose, Jacob. He's the one that I love and want to be with."
"Yes, well," Jacob shrugged as he stepped around her and headed towards his house, knowing she followed by the sound of her stumbling steps, "You're the one that I chose and want to be with, but I lucked out. So how can you get all bent out of shape about my not being open to loving Annabelle? Not only that, but how can you not understand that it's impossible. Even I don't get why I imprinted on her. The way it works, I should have imprinted on someone that would be the best bet to carry on the genes."
"Maybe imprinting isn't about carrying on the genes, after all," Bella struggled to keep pace with Jacob, "Maybe it's about finding the one person that justifies what and who you are. The one that will define you for the rest of your life."
"A lot of pretty words, Bella, but I don't buy it," Jacob stopped beside the Mercedes Guardian, resting a hand on the hood, "Addiction doesn't justify anything and it sure as hell shouldn't define who you are. One thing, though…only because of the imprinting crap, I can now understand a little more about your obsession with Edward. Remember how I told you that he was a drug to you and that I would have been healthier for you?"
"Yeah," Bella looked down at the ground, not wanting to recall the pain at having to let go of what she had come to think of as her own personal sun.
"Well," Jacob grimaced as he looked over his shoulder to see his father looking out the living room window, "Fate was a bitch and got me hooked. The only difference is…I hate it. I would love nothing more than to find a way to kick the habit."
"It's not so bad," Bella smiled as she moved around the back of the car towards the driver's door, "Being hooked. It's an absolute high that never leaves you. A wonderful buzz. Just go along for the ride and let it take you where it will."
"Spoken like a true junkie," Jacob chuckled as he pushed away from the car, "By the way…a four thousand pound armor car with missile proof glass? What does he think: that you're on the top ten most wanted list?"
"He likes making sure that I'll be safe when he's not with me," Bella shrugged sheepishly, hating the ostentatious car yet needing to defend Edward, "Besides, it's a sweet ride."
"I know," Jacob moved towards the front door.
"Well," Bella opened the car door, not knowing if she should say good bye or see you later.
Jacob gave her a crooked smile, turning to walk into his house but not before commenting over his shoulder, "Tell your hubby he owes me a pair of jeans."
