Wow, I'm a terrible author. It's been FOREVER since I've updated and well, that's just evil. So, here ya go, finally! This one is a weeee bit of a filler. I just gotta find the perfect title for the next chapter and I'll update immediately!
Thanks to my wonderful amazing beta- kikithebookworm! You rock my socks :)
Rose as performed by Ludovico Einaudi
Thinking to myself, I began to wonder how I would actually contact the wolves. I figured I'd call Jake, but then, I doubted he would answer the phone. I had no way of calling Sam either. I started to climb the stairs, thinking to myself, when I noticed that Edward was following me. I felt his hand take mine and I'm sure if my heart were still beating, it would have skipped a beat… or two.
We walked in silence to his room, not making eye contact, but holding hands just the same. I could feel the electricity flowing between our fingers. It finally felt right. I let go of his hand as I opened the door to his room, sweeping into the room. I heard the door click closed. I turned around to find myself face to face with the most beautiful creature on earth, my Edward. I stood there, momentarily stunned, as he stared at me. I watched his eyes rake over my body, my hair, my face, finally my eyes. His stunning golden eyes pierced through me like a knife. Slowly, his hand reached up to my face, cupping my cheek. I nuzzled closer into his touch, reveling in it. He still had that same contorted, twisted, sad look on his face as I brought my hand up to grasp his. His skin no longer felt icy cold; it felt…. perfect. My fingers found his waist, and his hand weaved its way into my hair, pulling me closer to him. I heard him inhale.
"I missed you Bella", he said simply, burying his face into my hair. Again, he inhaled, breathing me in. "You smell like lilacs."
I smiled at this, thanking Carmen silently in my head. I felt his lips in my hair and I closed my eyes, not wanting the moment to end. I felt his lips again, this time on my forehead. I thought I was going to melt right there. Slowly, he kissed down the side of my face, my temple first, then my cheekbones, down my cheek, and along my jaw bone. My lips were quivering when I felt his beautiful red lips graze the corner of my mouth. Reaching up and placing my hand on the back of his neck, I turned into his kiss. His mouth was on my mine and I could feel the hunger and passion. The synapses in my head that once popped so loudly in protest were now silenced. I knew this was right, I knew this was where I needed to be.
His hand tightened in my hair and I tightened my grip on his neck, while my other hand found the hemline of his pants, pulling him closer to me. His mouth hungrily devoured mine, kissing me the way I had wanted him to so many times before. He pushed me back and I fell gracefully onto the chair, while he positioned himself on top of me. I heard him grumble something about getting a bed before his mouth crushed down on top of mine. I giggled a little and I felt him smile against my lips. My hands were in his hair, pulling ever so slightly, and his hands were running up and down the side of my body. I shivered when I felt his hand touch my bare skin where my sweater had risen up. My legs wrapped around his waist and I pulled him closer still. My hands found the base of his t-shirt and I began to pull at it, wanting nothing more than to rip it off. His kiss deepened and I felt his tongue flicker in my mouth. I whimpered softly and when he did it again, I lightly nipped his bottom lip. His lips moved from mine, and he began to kiss my cheek and up my jaw to my ear lobe.
"I love you." He whispered.
I sighed, finally content with my life. "I love you, too." I whispered back. He slowed his kissing down and I was beginning to worry that he was angry about my response, but then his lips crashed down on mine and he kissed me with fervor, as if he was trying to kiss away all the pain and hurt he had caused. I greedily accepted.
"Bella. I'm. So. Sorry." He said between kisses.
"I forgive you, Edward." I responded back. Abruptly, he pulled back and he looked at me, confused and angered.
"Don't, Bella. Don't forgive me just yet." Again, his face was twisted with pain. He pushed me away, sitting upright.
"Edward," I said, resting my chin on his shoulder. "As much as it angered me that you left, as much as it infuriated me to no end that you made such a drastic decision without me, and as much as it killed me that you took everything in relation to you out of my life, deep down, I knew you were doing it to protect me." My voice wavered, as I recalled the pain, "Ever the protector." I clipped.
His hands ran through his hair and he burst out of his chair, "So much for protecting you! So much for keeping you away for danger! You were supposed to experience life first Bella. I was a fool to leave you."
I rose and placed my hand on his cheek, "I wanted this, Edward." My hands fell to my waist and I stared deeply into his amber orbs, "I wanted you, us, me and you forever. Waiting to be turned meant growing older."
"Rightfully so." He retorted.
I growled, "No! Not rightfully so! We are supposed to be together! Don't you see that?"
He didn't respond. Instead, he took my hand in his and turned it this way and that, staring at my fingers and palm. "You were perfect as a human. I wanted you to stay perfect." He murmured.
"Are you actually saying that I'm not perfect now?" I asked incredulously, yanking my hand away from him.
Edward winced at my words. "Bella, you know that's not what I meant! You are more perfect than ever before, love." He said, reaching out for my hand once more. "I should have been here for you."
"Yes, you should have." I grumbled. My stomach was in knots as I recalled the immense pain I felt from him leaving me, from the words he told me.
"It hurt me that you believed me so quickly." He said in a low voice.
I stood up and walked towards the bookshelf, my fingers caressing the spine of Romeo and Juliet. "It hurt me that you were willing to just leave." I turned to face him, "After you promised me that you wouldn't!" I pulled out the book and threw it at him. He caught it easily and placed it beside him. His fingers flipped through the pages, eventually coming to a rest. His melodic and smooth voice filled the room as he read,
"O think'st thou we shall ever meet again? I ... doubt it not; and all these woes shall serve for sweet discourses in our time to come." He closed the book and glided over to me, taking my hand. "Love, knowing that I would eventually meet you again was the only thing that kept me going through the immense pain and torture I was feeling."
I stared at the floor and mumbled, "How did you know we would see each other again? Did Alice see it?"
He chuckled, "No darling, I did not ask her to look into our future. But in my century of living, I have come to realize that..." he paused, to lift my chin, "if something is meant to be, it would eventually be. Despite how desperately I wanted to prove fate wrong, I knew we would be drawn together."
"For someone who doesn't believe in souls, you got a lot of belief in fate." I chided.
He flashed me his crooked grin a finally said, "Bella…. Let me hear your thoughts again, please."
I sighed and moved his hand from my chin to my temple, knowing that this touch would only strengthen what he heard and thought, you need to get us a bed.
A huge grin spread across his face. "I think you're right." Before I knew it, we were laying on the chaise and he kissing me with such zeal and passion that I never wanted to leave.
What seemed like minutes later (even if it was really hours), our lips parted and he mentioned something about seeing the dogs. I giggled and nodded my head, knowing that he was right. I stood up and walked over to my duffle to pull out a change of clothes. I heard him laugh behind me.
"You know, you could have hung your stuff up in my closet."
I continued rifling through my duffle, pausing to think of a response, "I know. I just… didn't get that far when we got here." I bit my lip and pulled out a different sweater. The next thing I knew I was surrounded by his embrace and I could feel his lips in my hair.
"Do you want to tell me what happened between you and Victoria?" He asked gingerly.
I took a deep breath and exhaled and leaned back into him. Barely whispering I said, "She could have killed me." I closed my eyes, replaying the events, opening my mind to him so he could see them.
I heard him growl when he saw her throw me against the tree and into the rock. "I'd kill her myself if that dog hadn't beaten me to it," he snarled.
"No, there's no need to think that. It's done. She's gone." I turned to face him. "Edward, I need you to teach me how to fight." He shook his head ardently, but I continued, "I want to protect you."
"You don't need to fight, Bella. And I'm supposed to be the protector, not you." Again he was trying to prove that I was just a weak, fragile being.
"Edward, I know you want to protect me. Really, I do! But I feel useless. I have all this apparent newborn power and strength, but I don't know how to use it correctly. When the Volturi arrive, I want to know that I can help." He looked at me and reached out to grab my hand.
"I would really much rather you sit this one out, you know." I gave him a stern look and put my hands on my hips. He threw up his arms in defeat. "Fine, fine. I'll teach you how to fight. If I don't teach you, Alice and Jasper will anyway." He grumbled.
He enveloped me in a tight hug and I kissed him, hoping it would calm his nerves. It was meant to be a short, quick kiss, but he pulled me ever closer to him, his lips languidly moving against mine. Again, I was lost in him. My arms wrapped around his neck and he picked me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he braced us against the wall. His tongue grazed my lips and I whimpered again. His kissed down my neck and collar bone, and back up again to my lips.
"Edward. Need. To. See. Wolves." I said breathlessly.
"No." He childishly said, but slowly allowed me to stand.
"Darling," I started, pulling away from him. "We have all of eternity," looking him in the eyes as I said it. "We need their help." Unwillingly, he let me go.
"Fine, but we should talk to Carlisle first."
Five minutes later, we were all sitting in the living room once more. Rosalie was leaning against Emmett, who was sitting on the arm of the couch, Jasper and Alice holding each other, Carlisle sitting beside Esme on the couch, holding her hand, and I was sitting on Edwards lap, again not wanting to part from his touch. Kate, Irina, and Tanya were close by, while Eleazar and Carmen sat in one of the big, overstuffed chairs.
"I suppose I should warn you Bella, the wolves may not take too kindly to us." Carlisle began.
"Why?" I asked. "Other than the obvious."
He then began to tell me the story behind the wolves. They weren't exactly werewolves per say, but shape shifters. The blood of the wolves was passed down through generations, all of which starting with Taha Aki. He told me the story of Taha Aki and the Cold Ones, as well as the Third Wife's Sacrifice. He then went on to explain the treaty.
"When Taha Aki's descendents became men, they no longer turned into wolves. Only when a cold one was near would they return. The cold ones always came in ones or twos so the pack stayed small until we came along. I spoke to Ephraim Black, man to man and promised not to harm the Quileutes. He said that he believed what I had said because my eyes were yellow, not red, and a treaty was offered to the tribe. As long as we didn't bite anyone, they would not attack us. We agreed, knowing this wouldn't be a problem. However, there is a treaty line that we, as vampires, are not allowed to cross. This line separates Quileute land from the rest and prevents us from venturing on their turf. If we do, they will attack and more than likely kill us. That's what they were made for Bella, to kill us." He finished.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, mesmerized by Carlisle's knowledge of the Quileute tribe. I was also saddened that Jacob had become a werewolf because of my family and me. He would still be a normal kid if we weren't around. Life was so unfair.
Carlisle continued, "I have reason to believe that if you asked, maybe they would be willing to help. Jacob seems to be quite taken by you and you do seem to know the tribe as friends. As I mentioned earlier, do not be afraid to offer them anything in return." I nodded my head, again agreeing to the unspoken terms.
"How do I contact the wolves?" I asked.
"Go to the area in which the treaty line was drawn. They will smell you and come. Be prepared for whatever may happen. I would suggest you use your shield." He smiled and took my hand, "Please be careful Bella, we only just got you back."
Again, I nodded my head and stood up. "I'll be back in a bit."
Edward was beside me in a second, "You can't go alone."
"I have to Edward. They know me. They don't know you. Most of them already believe that you were the one to turn me. Let me go, Edward. I'll be fine." I kissed his lips and walked out the door.
I began to run towards La Push, knowing I would stumble along the lines eventually. My insides were fluttering around and my stomach was doing back flips. I oozed nervousness. But Carlisle had a point, if anyone could make them believe, it would be me. I continued running, and with each step I took closer to La Push, the more the smell of dog overpowered me. I heard heartbeats pumping, several different ones. I knew I was on the right path. My head jerked up when I heard a wolf howl. I really hoped they would let me talk before they decided to attack. I climbed the nearest tree, going at least 30 feet in the air, hoping this might delay an attack if there was one. I surveyed the area surrounding me and inhaled deeply. The smell was getting more pungent, and I knew the wolves were close. I kept my eyes peeled and that's when I saw them come into view. Five large wolves, as big as horses, were starting to circle the tree I had climbed. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. I took a deep breath and exhaled sharply and I saw one of the wolves ears twitch. Slowly, it turned its head up to face me. Those same beautiful, brown, piercing eyes still full of disappointment and heartbreak. Jacob. I heard him growl and he bared his teeth at me.
Slowly, I descended out of the tree. I jumped from the last tree limb, and gracefully landed at the base. All the wolves were facing me now, snarls and growls emitting from all of them. The hair on their necks was raised high and all were flashing they're teeth. I knew I needed to stay calm if I was going to make this work. I choked down any feelings of hatred for my supposed "mortal enemy" and turned towards the large black wolf in front and I began to speak.
"Sam, I need to ask you a favor." My voice was soft, but firm. I would not let these wolves see that I was scared. I heard one of them behind me growl. The black wolf turned to leave and I started to walk after them, but Jacob stood in front of me, keeping me from going after him. A moment later, the leaves rustled and Sam came into view.
"I told you not to come back Bella."
"I know… I had to… I needed to check up on Charlie," Jake growled again and snapped his teeth. I looked at him, "I wanted to make sure he was still alive Jake. I also came to warn you and ask you something; something that we would be forever indebted to you for."
"Charlie is fine. Billy and Jake are taking care of him." Sam replied. "You're lucky we haven't attacked you. It was stupid of you to show up like this, we could have killed you Bella."
"I know Sam, I just didn't know how else to do this. We need your help."
"Who is 'we'?" He asked.
"My family, the Denali's and the Cullen's." Again, I heard deep rumbling growls and snarls, teeth snapping behind me.
"What makes you think that we want to help your kind, especially the Cullen's? The only reason they're still alive is because I know they didn't make you what you now are." He retorted.
Slowly, I stepped closer to him, "Sam." I looked into his eyes, and begged, "Sam, we'll do anything to repay you."
"Anything?"
I nodded my head in response.
"What do you need?" he asked slowly. Growls emerged when he asked. He turned to his brothers, "I haven't agreed to anything, but we should know what's going on!" The growls quieted back down.
I looked at Jacob and shook my head, "Sam, you told me to run north, so I did. There I found the Denali coven who welcomed me into their home. I then became aware that one of the women was fated to be Laurent's mate. I had to tell them what happened. When I did, Irina, whom was supposed to be with Laurent was furious with me and ran off to Italy."
Sam's eyebrows furrowed. "What's in Italy?"
"The Volturi. You could say they're sort of royalty. Anyway, they enforce vampire laws."
Sam smirked, "Vampires have laws?"
"They have one that they always follow to a tee. Vampires are not allowed to tell humans of their existence." I said.
"I see. And this Irina told these royal vampires that the Cullen's broke the law?" he admonished.
"Sort of. She told them that I was wild and feral- killing people left and right." Jake whimpered at this. I looked at him, hurt. "Jake! You know I would never hurt anyone!"
The wolves yelped in protest. Sam countered, "It's what you are Bella. You're programmed to kill people."
I looked at him, "And you're any better? You're hard wired to kill people too."
He laughed, "Vampires are hardly people."
My hands went to my hips, "Then what am I, Sam?"
He faltered before answering, "Well, you're, um, you're… Well, you're an exception to the rule!"
It was my turn to laugh, "Are you kidding me? Just because I was a friend to you I'm an exception? The Cullen's are people- maybe not human, but they still have feelings; they still want and need things like you do. More than that, the Cullen's are good people, Sam. You know that!"
He took a moment to think before responding. He ran a bronze hand through his hair and took a deep breath. "What is it you need from us, Bella?"
"The Volturi will be here in three day's time. They're dangerous- they are not people, Sam. They will not hesitate to kill, and they will abide by no treaty. Together though, if you help us, we should be able defeat them."
He exhaled and I looked around to see the other wolves looking at me, one angrier than the others. Sam spoke once more, "I will discuss this with my brothers as well as the Elders. Meet me here tomorrow evening; I'll have a response for you." He turned slowly and walked back into the woods. The other wolves followed, Jake the last to leave.
"Jake?" I called to him. He froze, mid-step. "Jake, I'm so sorry. Please, please believe me." He turned his head to me and looked at me once more before disappearing into the forest.
That's it for this chapter. Please- leave me some sunshine via review :) Thanks dears!
