CHAPTER 15

Disclaimer: SM owns it all.

I was frozen in the spot at seeing Sam's body covered in blood and bruises. Carlisle and Esme both rushed to help them while, the rest of us, stood there not knowing what to do.

Carlisle took Sam to his office and asked Esme to assist him. Emmett and Victoria took Seth to the game room we had, so they could distract him. Alice went to hug Leah and she started to whisper reassurance in her ear. I felt a pang of jealousy at watching the display of affection.

"I'm going to hunt." I said to no one in particular, and bolted out of the house before Alice could stop me.

I went deep into the forest looking for something big and tasty. I found it in the form of a mountain lion. After my meal, I felt my strength coming back, but I knew it wasn't enough. I searched again and found a deer; after I drain it I felt satisfied.

I didn't want to go back yet, so I went to my save haven.

I sat there for a while brooding, having Siobhan back brought painful memories. All the lives I took and the lives I destroyed; no matter what I do, I'll never be able to redeem myself. Alice doesn't deserve to have a monster as a mate. She deserves someone without so much baggage; someone like Leah. I let out a sad sigh at these thoughts. Suddenly something that Siobhan said made me wonder. She said that my soul wasn't as stable as I thought, could this mean that Isabella can come back?

I grabbed my phone and dialed a number a voice in the other line answered me.

"Hello."

Hey, it's me. I need to ask for a favor."

"What is it?"

"I need to make sure my soul is bound to me. And I need to protect it, so Isabella cant come back."

"Don't worry, we'll make sure that your soul is bound to you and we are going to perform a protection spell."

I let out a tiny smile at this, "Thank you. It means a lot to me."

"We are in debt with you Bella, it's the least we can do. An another thing, don't feel like you don't deserve happiness, because you do."

I was dumbstruck at this, "How did you know?"

"Have you forgotten that I can read auras and that I can feel your emotions."

"Right! How could I forget?" I said with a sarcastic tone.

"Take care Bella, I'll call you when the spell is done."

"Ok." I hung up the phone feeling a little bit of peace knowing that Isabella will stay locked up.

Happiness, it's a foreign feeling for me, but I 've been blessed with it.

I saw my watch and realized I've been gone for over two hours. I decided that I should go back and find out what happened with the wolves.

I started running and in a few minutes I was in front of my house. I could see that everyone was gathered in the living room. I entered and I haven't closed the door when Alice tackled me.

"Don't you ever leave like that again Bella" Alice said with a hint of anger in her voice.

"I needed to be alone." I said with a neutral voice.

Alice untangled herself from me and forced me to look into her eyes. "Bella?"

We stood there staring at each other for a few minutes, neither of us backing down.

"Damn it Bella! Stop hiding your emotions from me." Alice yelled with tears forming in her eyes.

Seeing her tears crumbled my resolve and I let her see everything I was feeling.

"Baby, why are you feeling so much anguish and sadness?" Alice asked me tenderly.

"You deserve someone better than me." I said with pain in my voice. I knew I was being a little bit overdramatic but that's how I felt.

Just give me a break here the only emotions I've ever felt were negative. I don't know how to act with positive emotions. I know I have to work on that.

"BELLA CULLEN! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?" Alice yelled furious at me.

I cringed at the volume in her voice; I realized that the others have left to give us privacy.

"I'm sorry, it's just difficult for me to accept positive emotions. I don't know how to deal with them." I explained Alice.

Alice came forward and put both of her hands in my cheeks, "My love, when you have positive emotions, you don't have to deal with them. You just need to feel them and enjoy them. If you have a problem, don't hesitate to come and talk to me about it. I love you and it pains me to see you so distant." She told me then she lowered her eyes, "I feel like you are going to disappear and I'll be left alone."

I widened my eyes at the last part. I'm such a jerk! I didn't realize what she must feel at my mood swings. My beautiful angel, I promise you that I'll make everything better.

"Ali, I apologize for my behavior. I promise you that I'll try harder to be what you want and need. Also, I want to apologize for my jealousy, I'll work on it." I said with a smile and Alice rewarded me with a passionate kiss.

We broke it off after a few minutes, "Apologies accepted miss Cullen." Alice told me grinning.

The others came back and when I saw Sam, I cringed, man he looked like shit.

"I'm glad you're back Bella. Apparently the situation with the wolves, have become very serious." Carlisle said with a grim expression.

"Care to elaborate on that." I said getting irritated with the suspension.

Carlisle made a gesture and Leah stepped in and took a deep breath, "Well, Jacob has gone mad. After Alice told him that she didn't want anything to do with him, he went crazy with jealousy." Leah turned and looked at me, "He blames you. Apparently you stole Alice from him."

"I didn't steal anything from him! Alice and I are meant to be." I said getting pissed off at the mongrel.

"Baby calm down. I love you." Alice said softly while caressing my hand.

I took an unneeded breath to calm my temper.

"Bella, we understand the pull of a mate. Jacob doesn't and that's where it lies the problem." Leah said with a grim expression.

Sam made a motion with his hand and Leah gave him a nod.

"Jacob thinks that you've put Alice in some sort of spell and he managed to convince almost the entire pack of this." Sam said with a serious expression.

"He fought me to claim his position as Alpha and he managed to beat me, because he had an outsider helping him."

"An outsider?" Victoria asked intrigued by this.

"Yes! He thought I wasn't going to make it and he told me that he had allied with a vampire. That vampire crossed our territory and I fought with her. She was very strong." Sam said while caressing his ribs.

Can it be? No it's impossible. Siobhan wouldn't do that.

"I was tired when Jacob challenged me for the position and I couldn't refuse. He did landed a few good hits, but I wasn't 100 % in my game. I thought I was done for and then he told me about this vampire that was going to help him to get rid of Bella, so he could be with Alice." At hearing this I let out a guttural growl.

"Over my dead body! I'm going to rip him to shreds for this!" I said menacingly.

"Do you know the name of the vampire he had allied himself with?" Carlisle asked with anger in his tone.

"No, but I can describe her: She is tall, dark wavy hair, she likes to dress in leather." Sam described the vampire and it only confirmed my suspicion.

"Siobhan." I said with disgust and anger in my tone.

"Are you sure Bella?" Esme asked me.

"I'm positive. She likes to use leather; to her it makes her look badass. Did you hear her voice?" I asked Sam.

"Yes, it's deep and husky." Sam answered me.

"Like she just had sex." I nodded confirming what I already knew.

Alice huffed at my side and when I turned around I saw that she had her arms crossed and was glaring at some spot in the carpet and her lips were pressed tightly.

"Anyway, Leah and Seth burst into the woods and they managed to get Jacob off my back. When they realized what happened between us. They grabbed me and brought me here." Sam finished his story.

Carlisle turned to Seth and Leah, "What about you two? I know that you share some mind link with the pack. Aren't you worried that they're going to come here?"

"No, we broke our link with Jacob's pack. We are still part of Sam's pack." Leah explained to us.

"What about your tribe?" Emmett asked them.

"When we took Sam's side. The Elders banished us from La Push." Seth explained while looking at the ground.

"You risk your lives and saved your Alpha's life in the process. Plus, you stand up for what you believe in. You are welcome to stay here and become part of our family." Carlisle told them with a proud smile.

Sam gave Carlisle a grateful smile, while Leah and Seth beamed at him with tears of gratitude in their eyes.

"Oh this is so exciting. I can finally put my cooking skills on practice." Esme said bouncing on her feet.

The rest of us laughed at her display. It was good to see her in good spirits.

Victoria cleared her throat to get our attention, "Guys, we need to come up with a plan. After what happened to Sam and the attack on Bella 3 days ago. We need to train and prepared ourselves of what's to come."

"No you don't." I told her seriously.

"Excuse me?" Victoria said with her hands on her hips.

"This isn't your fight. If someone needs to prepare is, me. Siobhan and Jacob won't rest until I'm dust in the wind. I know Shiv and she will use any mean necessary to kill me." I explained everyone in the room.

"Bella Cullen, we are a family and we protect each other. We will help you fight her and whoever come your way." Carlisle said with a serious expression.

"I don't want you to die! I know she will kill you. Carlisle she is over 600 years old. That makes her strong and let's not forget that she feeds on humans." I yelled at them.

"And you think that we're going to sit here and do nothing? Just watch her how she kills you." Victoria yelled.

"Better me, than you." Was my answer.

Alice jumped at this and started yelling, "WHAT ABOUT ME? DON'T YOU THINK WHAT YOUR DEATH WILL DO TO ME?"

"You'll move on. You're still young Alice, you have your life ahead of you." I told her like it was nothing of importance.

Alice glared at me and in two steps was in front of my face, "MOVE ON? ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS? I JUST FOUND YOU I CANT LOSE YOU." By now, she had tears streaming down her cheeks.

I gather her in my arms and started whispering, "Baby I'm scared! I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Bella let us help you. You wont be able to beat them by yourself." Sam told me.

I closed my eyes still stroking Alice's back. They're right. I need their help.

"OK. I know things will get rough from now on. Carlisle you need to get us human blood." I told him bluntly.

"WHAT?" They all said in unison.

"You heard me. If we want to become stronger we need human blood. I'm not saying we need to hunt them. We just mix it with animal blood and we are good." I explained them.

"How did you come up with that?" Esme asked me curiously.

"Well I've been doing that mix for over a 100 years." I told them casually.

"That's why you're so strong!" Emmett exclaimed in awe.

"Yes. Now I need you to do the same and not only that. We need to train, that also helps with the getting stronger part." I said.

"Well, seeing as we have two powerful foes. Extreme circumstances called for extreme measures. I'll arrange everything in the hospital." Carlisle said not liking the idea, but knowing that I was right.

"Don't worry about us Cullens. We understand the situation and you can count with us." Sam said and the others nodded their approval.

"OK, now that everything is settled. Go and have some rest." Esme order us.

I turned around to face Alice and stole a kiss from her. She giggled at this and leans in to have another one.

This one was more passionate and after a few minutes we broke apart.

"Ali, I want to take you somewhere." I told her with a smile.

"Really! Where?" She asked with a curious look.

"It's a surprise." I said grinning.

Alice gave me a pout, "Tell me where are you taking me."

I shook my head and grabbed her hand to lead her outside.

"I need you to close your eyes and to trust me." I said while brushing my lips against hers.

"I trust you with my life." Alice said and to prove her point, she closed her eyes.

I carried her bridal style and took off to my favorite spot.

The clearing was a few miles apart from the house. It was beautiful, full of flowers and trees and it had a small pond.

I noticed that the sun was out and before I could warn Alice, she had opened her eyes and saw me.

"Bella, you're so beautiful." She told me while stroking my cheek.

I snorted at this, "Please Alice. I'm supposed to be a badass vampire and I sparkle in the sun! How lame is that." I was so mad that I dropped Alice on the ground in my tantrum.

"Oh my God! I'm sorry baby I didn't mean to drop you." I said with a nervous laugh.

She dusted herself off, "Only you Bella can ruin a romantic moment with your tantrums!" I cringed at the volume in her voice.

"Sorry my love. I promise you it wont happen again." I told her sheepishly.

Alice started to look around the clearing and picked up a few flowers. She started to hum a song but she wasn't facing me.

I let out a smile and sat on the ground getting comfy and enjoying the view.

After a few minutes Alice turned around and what she did took my breath away.

Alice had made a sort of crown with the flowers and she put it on her head and danced her way toward me.

This spellbound me; never in my existence have I encounter such a beautiful creature.

I got up from the ground and met her halfway. I grabbed her from the waist and we started dancing in the clearing. The music that was playing was from the nature and the birds. I had a big smile because I was dancing with the love of my existence.

"Mi amor. Te amo tanto." I told Alice in Spanish.

"Yo te amo mas." She told me smiling.

"My beautiful Angel! My soul mate. Now that I found you, I won't let anything happen to you." I whispered softly and kissed her.

"Really? Your soul mate? So you don't feel anything for Shiv? Alice asked me with a hint of jealously.

I groaned at that, I was hoping that she hadn't caught that. "The only thing I feel toward Siobhan is disgust. The only person I love is you baby." I finished with a kiss on her forehead.

A noise in the forest alerted me that we weren't alone. I told Alice to quiet down and in an instant a russet wolf came toward me at full speed.

I pushed Alice out of the way before Jacob collided with me.

"Just the mongrel I wanted to see." I said hissing with my game face on.

He bared his fangs at me and lunged again. I met him halfway and we started to fight. For his part he was trying to sink his teeth on me, while I was landing punches in vital parts.

Finally I found an opening and threw him away 15 feet away. In an instant I was on him, pummeling his face and torso. I was so far away that I didn't realize he wasn't alone.

"Tsk Isabella that's not the way to treat my pet." Siobhan told me at the entrance of the clearing and to my immense horror she put an arm around Alice.

Siobhan on her part let out a deviously grin.