Alas!

Chapter 43 – Goodbye

Jake's POV

I stayed human. There was no use in me shifting back to my wolf form just to have Sam or someone else take my place as translator. I grabbed my pants from Bella and slipped them on before facing Carlisle.

"Bella, is that you?" he asked as I stood my ground and faced him.

"Hi, Carlisle," she said. I shut my eyes, hearing her walking closer to me. She really didn't understand, did she? The relief that came over Carlisle's face was tangible.

"It's so nice to see you, Bella... I wish we had more time to talk," he said, moving his gaze from Bella, who was now standing beside me, to me.

"What's this about, Carlisle? What couldn't wait til we had more time to prepare for this?" I asked, stepping in front of Bella, as if I could shield her from the answer. He cleared his voice.

"We have to leave town. We wanted to let you know, so that you didn't think we were skipping out on you," Carlisle said, looking away from me. I noticed the pixie step up at his shoulder. Bella pushed me out of the way and stepped forward.

"Wh-.. Why would you leave? No one's making you, you could stay," she said. I reached out to touch her but she shrugged me off. I bit back my irritation. I just had to accept that when it came to the Cullens, there were some things I just couldn't help with.

"We have to leave. We won't be a part of what's to come," Alice said, stepping to stand beside Carlisle. My eyes went from the pixie to Bella's back, and back again.

"What's coming?" I asked, taking a step forward and grabbing Bella by the arm. She tried to shrug me off but I pulled her back. She could fight all she wanted, but I would protect her.

"We can't exactly say," Carlisle said, still looking away from me.

"Bull shit. If something's going to happen and you know, you better have the decency to tell us so we know what to prepare for. Why the hell are you leaving?" I asked, taking a step forward and pushing Bella behind me.

A bark sounded to my left and I glanced to see Sam staring at me. I took in a breath, trying to get myself together.

"... I wish we could talk about this, but it isn't an open discussion. As I said, I just wanted to let you know we're leaving. And we wanted to say our goodbyes," Carlisle said, looking at me and then glancing at Alice.

Alice took a step forward and I met her, snarling.

"Knock it off, Jacob!" Bella cried behind me, pushing me to the side. She made a run for Alice and Alice met her more than half way. I stayed a foot behind Bella, my whole body tingling.

"Alice, please. You guys don't have to leave... If this is about what I said at the diner yesterday-" Bella began but Alice shook her head and placed her hands on Bella's shoulders.

"Bella, this isn't because of you. Please, don't make this harder than it is... We need to leave and I need you to understand that," Alice said, reaching up and brushing her fingers over Bella's face. I bit back another snarl and instead fixed a glare on the incoming Cullen family. They were coming closer, no doubt to say their goodbyes.

Bella threw her arms around Alice and I fought the urge to lurch forward.

"Alice, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, please stay," Bella cried, "Please, don't leave me like before. I can't handle that again-"

"Bella, calm down, shhh," Alice said, stroking the back of her head. She looked over to me and then turned her gaze away. There was no anger, nothing strong. She was weak and aching. "This isn't like last time... I have my email, my phone number... If you need anything, I'm always a technological device away," Alice whispered, closing her eyes.

I eased up a little. The family really was saying goodbye. They would be leaving. I wouldn't have to worry about them at all. Their possible betrayal of housing Edward... They were leaving... Bella and Alice pulled away a little and Alice looked her in the eye.

"Will you always let me protect you?" she asked, barely above a whisper. A second's hesitation and then I saw Bella's hod bob up and down.

"Yes, always," she said. Her voice was thick with tears, with fear. Alice stroked her fingertips over Bella's cheek once more and gave a weak smile.

"Then trust me," she said. Bella nodded again and then Alice stepped away. The pixie's boyfriend took her place.

Bella's POV

"You've always been kind to me, even after our little incident," Jasper said, smiling a little. He reached out and took my hand then kissed the back of it. I used my free hand to stifle my sobs. This family was leaving me... I'd spent over two years knowing no existence without them. How could they be leaving?

"I want to thank you. I think you restored more humanity to me than anything else. You've made living off tofu easier to bare," he said. I laughed lightly and moved forward. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me, tighter than any human would hug.

"Sarai sempre nel mio cuore," he whispered in my ear and then backed away. I looked at him as he turned his back and walked pass Alice. She watched after him but then turned back to look at me, running her hand over her forehead.

"Translation: You'll always be in my heart," Rosalie said. I blinked, not realizing she had stepped up. She gave a weak smile and looked back to Jasper, indicating his comment. I nodded a little as she turned back to look at me. I was still comprehending the sentence when she wrapped her arms around me. Her hug was gentle. It was the sort of hug I expected from a princess.

"We'll miss you terribly, Bella. I know I haven't been kind. I only wish I had more time to explain things to you..." she said. I finally brought my hands up and hugged her back, closing my eyes. I'd finally gotten acceptance from Rosalie and they were leaving... Why couldn't she just have pretended she still hated me? This was so much harder now.

She stepped away, touched my chin and then left. Esme stepped up in her place. I almost broke down. This was only going to get harder. Tears swam in my eyes as Esme's half smile greeted me.

"Oh dear, don't cry..." she said, cupping my face in her cold hands. I laughed slightly and then reached forward, hugging the woman who so reminded me of the mother I had begged for when I was little. Renee was great, but Esme was a mother, not a child. A mother every child should grow up with.

"You call if ever you want to," she whispered and then she was gone. Before I could even respond, Emmett swooped in and scooped me up. He lifted me off the ground in a humongous bear hug, one that could have broken a few ribs had he not done it correctly. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him.

I wouldn't see the big lug ever again. I wouldn't get teased by him, or joke with him. I would miss his never serious attitude.

"I'll miss you, sis. You stay safe," he said, setting me back on the ground. I didn't let go of him, refusing the truth... And the last person I knew still had yet to say goodbye... Tears broke out as Emmett pulled away, playfully punched my chin and then walked away, leaving-

"Carlisle, please..." I whispered, pleading with my eyes. He looked up to me and I could tell it bothered him they were leaving. He glanced back at the rest of his family, broken up in their individual groups behind him. Some part of me registered that Alice was the only one standing alone. When he looked back to me, his eyes were glossed over with tears.

"I have no choice, Bella... This will be the best for you, please understand. That's all we want," he said. As he finished his sentence, I threw myself into his arms. I curled up like a small child, like the child I would have been to him if I had chosen this life. I cried into his shirt as he hugged me.

As I sat in his arms, I realized I hadn't wanted to become a vampire because of Edward. I had wanted this. I had wanted his family. They meant more to me than air at the moment. I couldn't let them leave me. Why did they have to go? Why were they leaving me again?

"Soggiorno sicuro... Stay safe, sweet Isabella," he said, finally pulling away from me. I reached for his arm but then two strong, hot arms grabbed me from behind. Carlisle reached to grab my arm again but Alice was there, pulling him back.

"We have to go, Carlisle. We have to go now," she said, looking at him. She glanced to me as I struggled against Jacob. I locked eyes with Carlisle, his eyes apologetic and tearful. Before my eyes, they disappeared. Every single one of them.

"No!" I screamed, kicking at Jacob. "No, please don't leave! Don't do this again! You can't leave me alone!" I cried after them. They were gone all over again. The wide, gaping hole in my chest that had been there when Edward left was back again. It was swallowing me whole.

"Bella, stop! You're not alone! I'm here," Jacob yelled, wrapping his arms around my flailing limbs.

"No!" I screamed, still trying to go after them. If I left and went to their house, they might still be there. I'd stay with them. I'd let them protect me and I'd stay with them. They just had to stay!

"Bella, please, don't leave me," Jacob whispered in my ear then. The tears wouldn't stop as I collapsed in his arms. He slipped to the ground and held my head to his chest. I sat there and cried in his arms, trying to focus on Jacob and Jacob alone. He would never leave me. I could never leave him. I was thinking crazy when I thought I'd go with them. I could never leave Jacob. My Jacob...

"I'm so sorry," I cried into him as he stroked my back and held me close. For a while, we didn't say anything. It took me nearly a half hour to clear my head, for sanity to appear again. I pulled away and looked up at him. He wiped the last of the tear trails from my eyes and leaned forward to kiss me.

"Let's go home," he said quietly. I gave a little nod and he helped me to my feet. I glanced around and saw that there was no one left with us.

"Where did everyone go?" I asked, feeling like an idiot for having them all watch me break down. Jacob looked at me and stroked my hair.

"They left even before the Cullens did. They knew there wasn't any danger. Quil and Embry took up their grounds and I think Paul went with them. He doesn't want to be alone right now," he said. I nodded a little and he leaned forward to kiss my cheek. "Can you still ride?" he asked. I smiled a little as we pulled away. He smiled too. How he could crack jokes right now, I had no idea. Even worse, I had no idea how I could laugh at them. I took a few steps back and so did he. He slid off the pants and my eyes grazed his body. Every part of it. I bit on my lip a little as he tossed them to me.

"Behave, Isabella Swan," he said, grinning as he backed away. I smiled again and watched him go from human to wolf right before my eyes. As soon as he laid down, I went forward to straddle him. Before I knew it, we were home. Since it was night, he took me straight to his home and he shifted behind his garage.

Then, his lips were on mine. He was feral as he grabbed my arms and put them above my head, pinning me to the side of the garage. I cried out a little as he dominated me, running his free hand up my shirt and over my skin. I thrusted my hips out at him and he growled in the base of his throat. He made me so hot I wanted him to strip me right there, outside.

He dropped my hands and pulled me away from the garage. In one simple movement, he lifted me off the ground, bridal style. A second later, we were on his porch and he was opening the door. He put me on my feet and closed the door behind me as I peered around the room. It was completely dark.

"Billy?" I asked, looking around.

Jake's POV

Please go to http : / / www . youtube . com / watch ? v = Epgo8ixX6Wo for song that goes with this section. Don't watch the video. The song is incredible though.

Too much. Everything was too much on my emotions. Watching Bella be hugged over and over by vampires, watching them get so close to her neck. She could have died several times tonight. Then watching her try to run after them, as though she wanted to go with them. The fear of why they left. Her crying in my arms. Her embarrassment. Everything was too much. After shifting into a wolf, I informed my pack that Bella was fine and that I was taking her home.

Her hips grinding into me on the way home hadn't helped with my overactive hormones and emotions. I couldn't lose Bella. The fear was too much. I listened throughout the house now and realized my dad wasn't home. Sam must have called him over to their place. How long would he be gone?

I didn't care.

"He's not here," I said. Bella turned to face me and I was on her again. I cradled her face in my hands as I backed her up against the living room wall and kissed her passionately. Her hands went up my back under my shirt and then dragged straight down. I hissed a little and put one of my hands on her hip, guiding her down the hallway to my room.

Our first step inside the door, I lifted her shirt and dropped it.

Second, I worked on her pants as she worked on mine.

Third, hers hit the floor.

Fourth, mine followed.

I slid her back onto the bed and followed her, not letting our bodies break contact. I cradled her face in my hand as I slid my body up against hers.

"Ah, Jake," she whispered, elongating her body with a stretch. I pulled away from her mouth and watched her, feeling the wolf wanting to break free and claim her again. My dad had interrupted us one too many times yesterday. I let my fingertips glide over her shoulder, over the curve of her breast, down her stomach, over her hip and to her thigh.

I looked up at her as she looked up at me. She bit on her lip as my fingertips skimmed her thigh and went straight for her core. I slipped a finger through her folds and found her already soaken wet. Her mouth opened in a silent moan as I dipped my finger into her. Her warmth encased me.

"I can't wait, I'm sorry," I whispered, withdrawing my finger. I breathed heavily as I positioned myself above her.

"I don't want to wait either," she whispered. I pressed my forehead against hers as I slid inside her, slowly. Her breath hitched as I slid in. As our bodies met, both our lungs released the air we'd been holding. She reached her hand up and grabbed my shoulder.

"Are you ok?" I asked, my eyes fluttering open to watch her. Her eyes were still shut, but she nodded her head vigorously. I couldn't help a small smile as she pressed her hips up a little. I responded by pressing my hips back down on hers. She cried out softly.

I slid my hand from her thigh, caressing her body as I traveled up until I reached her neck. I cradled her where her neck and jaw nearly met as my lips pressed against hers. Her mouth was hot and sweet with desire. Her tongue searched out mine as I pulled out.

Her back arched as I pressed back in. She broke the kiss and moaned, her head pressing back into the pillow.

"Oh God, so good..." she breathed. I pulled out and thrusted in again. Her back arched more, if possible. I watched her. Every movement. I couldn't tear my eyes away.

"You couldn't be more beautiful..." I whispered. She opened her eyes and I realized I'd been wrong. Her eyes were so lit with passion and pleasure, I never wanted to look away. She leaned up a little, propping her elbow up behind her and brought her hand to the back of my neck. She pulled me closer and kissed me. In that kiss, I tasted more love and devotion than she'd ever put into anything. My tongue slid against hers, urging her to keep going with me.

I found my rhythm and kept with it, keeping her hips rocking with mine. After a moment, she broke the kiss and tilted her head back, letting out another guttural moan. I went to her neck, sucking on it gently. I would never get enough of her...

I thrusted harder, forcing myself away from her neck. I searched lower and found her breast, running my tongue over her nipple.

"God!" she cried out, sliding her hand into my hair and gripping it roughly. She laid back down, flat on the bed and I kept working her. She wrapped her legs around me and I used my hand to pin her hip to the bed to keep her from moving.

"Jesus, Bella... So hot," I murmured against her skin.

"More, Jacob, please," she whimpered. I almost came undone. My mind frantically searched for what to do. She wanted more. More how, more what?

Without really knowing what I was doing, I pulled my hand from pinning her hip down. Instead, I slipped my hand the small of her back and lifted her butt up off the bed. She came down on me at a deeper angle and we both groaned with the intensity. My eyes fluttered open to see she was using her hands to keep herself braced on the bed. Her eyes were clamped shut. Her mouth was formed into a silent cry of pleasure.

"Amazing," she managed to whisper out and I thrusted into her once more like that before letting her hips back down.

"You're amazing," I managed through a moan. My lips were next to her ear, then on her neck, sucking gently. Her heart beat was racing, mixing with mine to make an incredible beat.

"No, Jacob, no marks," she choked out, shoving at my shoulder a little. The wolf in me roared to life, pulling away from her neck and pouncing on her breast. She arched up into my mouth, crying out and digging her nails into my shoulder.

I sucked on her hard as I pounded into her.

I was glad my dad was gone as she screamed. I wasn't expecting her orgasm. I let go of her nipple as she shuddered and caved in around me. Her muscles clamped down on me and pulled me into an orgasm I hadn't been expecting. I groaned and gripped her hip, riding out the last few strokes and calming us both.

I panted as she put her hands on my shoulders, urging me to lay on top of her. I felt everything collapse around me as I rested on top of her and felt her hands drifting up and down my back. I kissed her chest and closed my eyes, pleading in my mind.

"Please, don't leave me... I can't bare the thought of it," I whispered, without meaning to. The words just seemed to flow from me. It was like I had no internal filter. Not a second later, I felt Bella's hand searching for my chin. She found it and lifted my eyes to look into hers. She used her free hand to run through my hair.

"I won't leave you... I was an idiot earlier. I'll never leave you," she whispered, tears in her eyes. I moved up more, sliding out of her and kissed her. I cupped her cheek and kept her lips glued to mine, even as I mumbled against them.

"I love you..."

"I love you more, Jacob."

A/N: Don't forget to leave a review! You guys shocked me with the last chapter!

Don't forget to keep an eye out on "Inevitable Evening" also. From what I gather so far, it's pretty good!