"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves." ― William Shakespeare
A recap since it has been so long: Following Sam imprinting on Bella and her drug/alcohol abuse after Edward's abandonment, Sam and Bella have just about fallen in love, made especially prevalent due to their impending parenthood together. However, trouble brews due to the emergence of Victoria who has killed Harry Clearwater and just recently Jessica Stanley. The Cullens have returned to Forks as Alice saw a vision of Bella breaking the hypnosis she, Edward, and Jasper tried to put on her. Additionally, the situation has worsen as it's been discovered that Victoria's accomplice, Riley, may be the most powerful vampire due to his ability to copy the powers of anyone else when they are near. Coupled with the creation of the newborn army, it will be very difficult to find a solution! Fingers crossed for our star-crossed lovers!
Shock. Pain. Despair.
It's all that remains.
I can't conceptualize loss anymore. I can't define it. I only know how it feels. A gaping hole in the middle of my chest. Everything happy or even content sucked right in to never return. There aren't words anymore; if there ever were.
I am alone for a long time. I hear Charlie and other officers shuffle around inside the dining room. I might even hear him come up and hesitate to knock on my door. I know he hears me sob and I know it makes him feel as helpless as he felt when I reacted to Edward first leaving. It makes me cry more. Eventually, the sounds downstairs disappear.
Then Sam comes into my room and cradles me as I struggle to breathe.
But not even he can make the pain stop.
Jessica's lifeless face haunts my dreams.
I know what a vampire bite feels like. I know the agony she must have been in until those very last seconds.
An abyss surrounds me. I can't think. I can't feel. I can only suffer. Boundless blackness. A never-ending hollow chasm.
But then, I do feel something. It snaps me awake.
Like a grasshopper running across my skin, a feather tickling my stomach. But entirely from the inside.
I know exactly what it is. And it propels me to cry all over again. Even if the tears can't come anymore, my chest heaves with shock.
Sam wakes up.
My body works quicker than my mind. I'm grabbing his hand and pulling him near before I can even think the steps through.
The look of awe he gives me shatters my heart again. I don't deserve it. Our baby does, but not me.
Emotion overwhelms. Secrets spill from my lips.
Sam's eyes grow hard and disappointed when I admit that I offered to let Victoria take me if it meant saving everyone else. I know he isn't wrong to be mad, but I can't regret it if the chance that it worked would have come true.
But the most painful thing to admit is just how scared I am. I'm terrified. I'm terrified because I'm worse than a liability in all of this. I'm useless. And it could get everyone killed.
Maybe an hour after dawn, loud knocking wakes us up. There's just enough sunlight for me to have a half-second glance at Sam's glowing auburn skin and be surprisingly grateful that the impenetrable diamonds of cold vampire skin aren't the thing beside me. But realization comes over right after.
I reach over and cover Sam's mouth before he can move. His eyes grow wide before he understands a second later.
My throat burns, but I still call out, "Yeah?"
Charlie clears his throat. "Hey, Bells. May I come in?"
I release Sam and sit up in bed, "Uh, no, not right now. I need to get dressed first."
It's not a complete lie, only not the full truth. It's just enough for him not to push the issue. I can visualize Charlie nodding right outside my door, right down to the minute hairs on his mustache that he brushes with his fingers when he feels awkward. Which is often, just like me.
"Alright, well, look. I'm going to need to take you down to the station so you can make a statement about your friend. Sorry to ask, Bells. I know it's a lot."
My eyes squeeze shut. If possible, my throat grows drier. I don't know if I can speak.
But I feel the warmth of Sam's arm fall over my shoulders and squeeze me just enough to ground me back on Earth.
His obsidian eyes glow with the same magic that encompasses his whole being.
"Okay," I tell Charlie. "I'll be down in a minute."
We wait until Charlie's footsteps indicate he's downstairs.
Sam looks at me.
"Sorry," I mouth to him. I make myself slide out of bed.
It's a chore to get dressed when my whole body aches. I know it's only partly from stress and partly from pregnancy. The symptoms shift to be less painful, but never fully comfortable.
Sam looks at me curiously. His Adam's apple bobs in his throat. His eyes are large, but not particularly smoldering like they were the night of the party. He looks at my chest and at my belly. My whole body burns. I ache to touch him again.
"I'll text you later," I finally tell him.
He nods, not saying anything else until he gets to the ledge of my window. Looking back at me, he makes my heart skip again, "I'll wait for you."
Talking to the police isn't as hard as I expected. I would never have pegged myself as becoming a better liar through all of this.
No, I didn't see anyone.
No, I didn't see anything.
Could it have been an animal? They ask me.
What else could it have been? I respond.
In a way, I wonder if this is the first time I've ever asked myself that question relating to what they are. It hurts a very deep and hidden part of me that I didn't know was there.
The deputy hands me a box of tissues. He looks like he's considering patting me on the shoulder, but I won't let him get close. I can't even let Charlie hug me right now or he'll find out about my condition. So instead he walks me out with an arm over my shoulders as I hug my orange backpack close to my chest.
I'm not prepared for the sight at school. Everyone is outside, tears streaming down their faces. Already, pictures of Jessica's happy face are hung up around.
Never forget: Jessica Ann Stanely. Our Class Valedictorian.
The tears well in my eyes again and I'm forced to turn away. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mike, Eric, and Angela, but I don't go near them. Instead, my arms wrap around my backpack straps, shaking
How can I ever forget?
Mike catches me off guard. He's embracing me before I know it. Then he immediately pulls back from our hug with a strange expression on his face. He looks down at my middle, and I'm careful to pull my shirt fabric back over my expanding body. His eyes widen but I catch his gaze back up to my face.
"Later," I mouth to him. I hope he sees the pleading in my eyes to not mention this to anyone else. Angela tugs him away.
Everyone at school knows I'm the last person who talked to Jess. The person who invited her over to my house. The person responsible.
They aren't wrong.
Maybe that makes it hurt the worst.
I've had enough.
I bolt to the bathroom the same way I used to during my first trimester morning sickness. But this time I just dry heave from shock in one of the stalls.
I fumble for my barely used phone in my backpack. Sam's contact pops up immediately. Just seeing his name saved on my phone surprisingly gives me just an ounce of relief.
Can you pick me up after dinner with my dad? I think it's time we talk to the Cullens.
The message hurts to send to Sam. I don't know exactly why I don't want to bring him around all of them, but I know it needs to be done. Rosalie is right. He replies quickly.
Okay. Let me know when.
Hearing from him is enough to put a little bit of stability back into my legs. I leave the bathroom and find Eric, Mike, and Angela at lunch. We all sit together, but no one says anything.
I only break the silence momentarily by making noise while I text Rosalie of my intention to bring Sam over tonight. She also responds fast, affirming I'm making a smart decision.
As if any of my decisions lately have been smart. It feels as if everything I've done lately has just been reactive. Useless.
Charlie is surprisingly home after I get back from school. He's talking to various people on the phone but I can feel him watch me curiously as I make dinner.
There's only so much longer I can wear baggy sweaters as the weather warms up a little. I'm finally grateful Forks rains so much that I can at least stay slightly bundled up for now. The paranoia of him finding out about the baby is slowly driving me insane. I do need to tell him soon.
Dinner is another awkward affair, but I remember I should at least let him know that Sam is coming to get me.
Charlie's eyebrows perk at the mention of Sam, much like they used to with Edward. Only with much less disdain.
"Sam Uley?" he asks.
I nod.
"That's right," he mumbles. "He said you called him right after you, uh, found your friend."
I swallow and try to remain calm while looking into his eyes. Charlie is too perceptive for his own good. For my own good.
"Well, Billy continues to speak highly of him," Charlie finally shrugs. He's probing me for more information, but now isn't the time to get into it. I can only hope my face isn't turning too red.
"He's going to bring me to Leah Clearwater's house," I lie. "Because, um, she knows how it feels."
The allusion to Harry causes my dad to tense up. He looks at me more seriously now. "You can talk to me, you know, Bella. I'll, uh, always listen."
I reach across the dining table and hold his hand. It takes him by surprise. "I know, Dad. Thank you, I mean it."
Sam picks me up in his construction van. It's the first thing that nearly brings a smile to me all day.
We don't talk on the ride to the Cullens' though. I don't even bring up how it's interesting Sam seems to already know where they live. But I chalk it up to wolf scent abilities; another reminder of what sort of insane world I'm living in.
Finally, when for the second time today, I can't take this burning anymore, I reach over and squeeze Sam's hand. He's momentarily frozen but soon squeezes back. Our fingers intertwine for the rest of the ride.
The sun is almost below the horizon now.
Esme is the first to greet us outside. She radiates warmth and hugs me tightly. I hug back, letting myself burrow into her neck and smelling her perfume. She did always know which scents to wear to appear most human.
"I have missed you so much, Bella. Leaving you wasn't right," she looks back up at the house where everyone else resides. Her voice grows quiet, "What they didn't wasn't right."
"It's okay," I say.
She shakes her head but doesn't press the issue. I see her offer a small smile to Sam as she leads us inside.
Just as I feared, the first person whose eyes I seek out inside is Alice. But I tear myself away from her gaze immediately. I don't know what emotion she's displaying. It doesn't seem right to call it guilt or regret, but it is undoubtedly uncomfortable.
My stomach drops. The memories of that night press into me. I don't want to think about whether Alice feels guilt or not. She didn't seem affected at the moment. I'm going to get nauseous if I think about it anymore.
I find Jasper next. In the split second I stare at him, he looks even more in pain than he usually does. So I move my eyes to Rosalie. I won't chance trying to look at him right now.
"Hello again, Bella. I'm so sorry for everything that has happened to you," Carlisle greets me inside and helps me take off my coat.
I don't know how many more I'm sorry's I can take today. I just nod and will myself to say anything other than thank you.
"This is Sam," I look at him and then back to the Cullens. "He's the father."
The words burn my throat, but they all comprehend what it means. Rosalie reacts the least, of course. The others don't blink as they take in the sight of both of us standing together.
But I hear a sickening crunch and find Edward holding on tight to the giant wooden dining table in the middle of the room. I know enough that he's likely broken a piece of it. His gaze only centers on Sam. For the latter's part, he stands tall and broad and refuses to break from my side. Neither looks at me much, only each other.
"Edward, be polite," Esme coos at him. He only loosens his grip on her table a bit. I can still hear the hissing of wood fracturing. I try not to wince at it, definitely not picturing myself under that hold.
"Oh, come on," Rosalie rolls her eyes. "It's a baby, what did it ever do to you?"
Emmett chuckles, "It's not the baby, babe. It's how it was made."
"Not helping," she hisses at him.
My cheeks burn and I look at the ground. I can't even imagine what Sam must be thinking. And I still haven't heard a word or any sound from Edward himself. Later, I know I'm going to be putting this moment in the top ten most embarrassing moments I've had to ever endure.
Carlisle finally straightens his posture and walks over to Sam, extending a hand and offering a genuine smile. Sam looks surprised.
"Well, let me extend my congratulations then, Sam."
The two shake hands, but Sam's reserved features barely break to show any gratitude.
"I can remember the nerves I felt upon realizing I would be a new father myself," Carlisle smiles over at Esme who beams in response. "But a very worthwhile endeavor if I might say."
I almost smack myself upon remembering the real reason we're here, "Uh, Sam is also the Alpha, by the way."
Carlisle nods again, "Of course. You must be very worried about Bella."
"Yes."
It's the first word Sam has said this entire time. But he leaves no doubt that he means it. I feel my cheeks grow even hotter. The awareness of my body increases to new levels. I wonder if Sam or anyone else even notices.
Still, I cross my arms and try to plead my case. "But I'm worried about everyone. I can't be responsible for any more deaths."
Carlisle's features droop. In fact, everyone does. I look around the room hurriedly, trying to understand what's going on. Even Sam looks away from my
"We're all dedicated to keeping you safe, Bella," Carlise explains softly. "And none of it is your fault."
Multiple pairs of golden eyes all look between themselves.
"What's wrong?" I ask, feeling a worsening dread.
Sam takes a step toward me. I can feel his breathing on my back. Despite the warmth, I wrap my arms around my shoulders to stop any incoming shaking.
"Alice," Carlisle finally gestures to her. Her sharp golden eyes look up to find mine. It's the first time we've looked at each other since they've come back. My stomach flops. "Please describe what we've long suspected."
She shifts her golden gaze from me to Sam. The flicker of distrust lasts barely long enough for me to catch. I worry my lip between my teeth.
"It's a newborn army."
Sickness pools at the base of my spine. I don't know what that is, but her tone tells me enough.
"And the other vampire?" Sam asks pointedly. Other vampire?
"Stronger than anything we've ever seen before," Carlisle adds. "He can copy everyone's ability. Coming in contact with Edward and Alice cemented their plan with the newborns."
The information coming from Carlisle won't seep into my brain properly. Copying people's abilities? Clearly, he means copying Edward and Alice, who are already so powerful. I try to shake the thought off for now.
"But what's a newborn army?" I ask, annoyed again that the conversation always seems to tiptoe around me. I close to cross my arms and tap my feet like a disgruntled teacher, despite the fear coursing through me.
Jasper is the one to speak up, "When a vampire turns, they are at the height of their strength and speed. And bloodlust. They are nearly impossible to control, but some vampires have used groups of them to steal large territories, as in the Spanish American War. Victoria is creating her army of newborns," he says the last part with an expression I can only describe as brokenhearted, "to come after you."
My throat hitches. I stumble backward and bump into Sam's thick chest. He catches my arm effortlessly to steady my movement. I look up to see Edward's glare increase, for me or Sam, I can't tell. I try to look at anything else but him.
Esme immediately walks over to me with concerned features, "Bella, can I get you some water to drink?"
I nod.
She's back faster than I can blink, handing me a glass and pulling out a dining chair for me to sit in. I let her guide me and watch me take a big enough sip. Everyone else watches me as well, despite the awkwardness of my drinking. I only make eye contact with the floor. The words bubbling in my chest fight to break free.
"It's not just me," I finally say. "Victoria said she aims to 'annihilate' all of you too."
No one says anything else.
I sip more water until a realization hits me again. Something Rosalie said to me days ago.
"This other vampire…" I trail off.
"Riley," Edward bites out. I look back up at him. His voice still unnerves me, especially with the malice.
"If Alice can't see the wolves in her visions, then he can't either," I deduce.
Sam frowns at me and I shoot him an apologetic look for forgetting to tell him this. He softens up, only slightly.
Alice's eyes narrow at Rosalie, but she still responds, "He managed to discover that last night too. It's not enough to change the future. Right now, it looks like they are going to win."
My eyes squeeze shut. My brain can't process everything. And I know everyone keeps looking at me, which makes it all worse. I rub my temples to stop the incoming headache.
"We are not defenseless, Bella," Jasper asserts once again. "I have experience fighting and defeating newborns. We will teach these skills to your pack."
He directs the last bit towards Sam, who nods in response, "We are ready."
Alice scowls, "It won't be enough."
"Don't say that," Esme interjects. "The stress isn't good for Bella."
"She's right," Rosalie says. "We need to think of a way to get Bella out of here."
"There are still the tickets to Jacksonville," Edward finally says in a complete sentence, still, he is only looking at me.
The memories of my failed birthday hit me across the face. I could visit my mother, sure. That would definitely require explaining that I'm pregnant, which I know is an eventuality anyway. But could I leave everyone while they have to go through with all this? It doesn't seem right, even if I am far more of a liability than aid in battle.
Alice rubs her temples exasperatedly, "They'll know instantly she isn't here."
"So what?" Rosalie hisses.
"They'll destroy the entire town," Alice rolls her eyes. "And then just track Bella down somewhere else."
Esme clutches at her chest, in what I can only assume is a force of habit since her heart has long stopped beating, "But surely the Volturi wouldn't stand for that."
"But if there are no survivors, they won't get involved," Jasper responds, looking pained to say so. Suddenly, I recognize this expression to be the same one that he wore that night with Edward and Alice.
I almost shake my head to snap myself out of the thought. There are greater pressing manners than wondering what Jasper feels about it.
"What's the Volturi?" I ask. "Victoria mentioned that word to me too."
No one immediately says anything for a second. I look back up at Sam who seems just as perplexed as I am.
"What did she say about them?" Edward asks me, intense eyes demanding an answer.
I won't keep it from him: "I think, maybe, that they'd kill me instantly if they knew? She wasn't clear what."
Both Sam and Edward's expressions harden at the information, but the vampire looks more concerned. In fact, the rest of the Cullens look equally unhappy.
A deep sigh comes from Carlisle, who effortlessly once again takes the lead in our conversation. All bodies pivot to listen to him.
"The Volturi believe in killing any human who knows about the existence of vampires; it helps keep our kind free from a coordinated human attack that would plunge the world into chaos. They are a kind of royal class, our government really, all vampires must answer to them. Victoria knows if they learn about you being aware of vampires and still remaining human, they will insist on killing you or demanding you turn immediately."
"Yeah," I sadly agree. "She said she wouldn't tell because she'd rather kill me slowly."
I squeeze my eyes shut. I don't want to replay my conversation with her just moments before discovering Jessica's body.
Carlisle steps toward me and smiles in an affirming manner, "We've actually been wondering why the Volturi have been allowing Victoria to create her army. The risks for exposing the secret of vampirism are quite high with many newborns collected in one area."
"What's the reason then?" Sam asks.
"They have been jealous of Edward and Alice's powers, even Jasper's too, for a long time. Aro, the leader, collects vampires with special abilities to create the strongest layer of protection possible for him. But there are obviously still some gaps. If Edward and Alice can not be compelled to join his guard, the Volturi may hope they can be killed by Victoria's army. Additionally, this Riley character must also change their calculus considerably, if they know of his existence."
"They have to," Alice asserts. "Victoria likely offered to hand him over once their business with us is over."
I take another sip of water, which I immediately regret. It stops all conversation as everyone turns to look at me partaking in another human necessity. I finally give up and put the glass back on the table, standing up once again. Esme looks at me worryingly but I make a gesture to let her know I'm fine now.
"Alright, we'll count your leaders out then." Sam grunts. He moves slowly in my direction, but my skin sizzles and I can't let myself move towards him when everyone else is watching. I'm sure my face is stark red. "What plan do we have now?"
"Their plan is to distract the bulk of our forces with the newborns," Alice says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "They know we would likely put Bella in a location far away from the fighting, most likely with Edward to guard her. That's where Victoria and Riley would go without any obstruction."
"Great, so we'll just do something different!" Emmett exclaims like everything is suddenly solved. I don't allow that flicker of hope to bubble in my chest though.
No one looks like they agree.
"That isn't so simple either," Alice nearly hisses at him. "When we came into close enough contact with each other, we both witnessed hundreds of scenarios happening. They win in all of them. They know we'd choose to keep Bella in a separate location while most of us attack the newborns because in most other scenarios, failing to do so means Forks is the nearest target for their hunger. It's our best choice if we want to save the most lives."
"That's not happening," Edward growls. His fists are balled and his almost shaking with rage. My mouth falls open to see him so close to an outburst.
"As much as I don't like you, I have to agree," Sam adds with the same level of anger in his voice, but clearly more control. "Figure something else out."
"Like what?" Alice snaps. "Riley will know any plan the second he comes near us. And then he'll just tell Victoria"
Sam walks toward her, "We have time to figure out another way."
His posture is threatening, enough to scare me, but it doesn't move Alice an inch. Despite being at least a foot and half-shorter, she doesn't budge one bit. Maybe she believes she's stronger. Maybe she's right.
"They are going to be here in less than two weeks!" she yells back.
"Alice, come on," Edward interjects. "You know this is an unacceptable outcome to me."
I almost scoff at that.
"I didn't say we'd roll over and let her die!" she moans. "Just that this is the best strategy for now!"
The whole room explodes with everyone's voices trying to outmatch the next.
"Alright everyone, please remain calm," Carlise attempts to soothe the atmosphere.
"Remain calm!" I hear Rosalie yell. "When Bella and that baby are in danger!"
"What else can we do?!"
"Stop!" I yell as loud as I can across the room.
The arguing simmers down as everyone looks at me.
"I'll do it, okay?" I throw my hands up. "If they are expecting me to be somewhere during the fight, that's obviously the best place for me to go."
"Don't be ridiculous," Edward says. I try to look at him, but won't even look back.
His tone snaps something inside of me.
"I can make my own choices," I shoot back, this time it's my fists that ball up. Keep calm, Bella. I take a deep breath and try to think: "Maybe Alice is right about trying to keep everyone else safe. I'm not a strategist, okay? But if Riley's powers work when he's around other vampires with powers, then we just need to keep them separated, right?"
The seconds tick by. Embarrassment floods my cheeks.
"It's a good start, Bella," Carlisle finally says. "But it isn't your responsibility to try to figure it all out, alright?"
"I've already thought of this," I hear Alice quietly bemoan in what I can only assume is in response to my idea. My stomach shrinks and a hand falls on my swollen abdomen. I have to try something, for my baby, at the very least. I don't know if she understands that, however. And she might not ever.
"I think for right now, our best course of action is to have Jasper train your pack to fight the newborns," Carlisle decrees. "Will you all be free tomorrow afternoon?"
Sam straightens up, "Yes."
"Great, then I think it's time for you and Bella to get as much rest as you can," he states. "We do have more time to think and plan," he says the last bit at Alice. "Not all hope is lost."
I try to smile and nod but I don't think it works.
Rosalie is the first to walk up to me and put a hand on my shoulder, "Goodnight, Bella."
"Goodnight, Rose," I say back to her.
Her eyes flicker down to my stomach, but then back up to my face where she gives me a genuine look of sorrow. I bite down on my lip and try not to wonder if she really does think my fate here is hopeless.
Emmett surrounds me in another gentle bear hug that still almost knocks me off my feet. When he releases me, Edward and Alice have already left the room. Jasper hovers at a considerable distance, another vampire refusing to look at me.
Esme hugs me as well, "I hope you can relax a bit back at home."
I smile at her and promise I'll try. Without thinking, I glance up at Sam's chiseled but soft face. The instincts in me argue that I might not ever be able to relax with him. But the thought sends more goosebumps of embarrassment across my flesh.
Carlisle stops me at the front door, "Bella, I am not sure I've had the chance yet to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your friend. And you as well, Sam, for the elder in your tribe. Victoria has taken too much already."
"Thank you," I say. It comes out far more scratchy than I intend.
"And if you need OB/GYN care, please do not hesitate to ask. I can bring equipment here so you have all the privacy you need."
"Oh, okay, thank you," I blush looking up at Sam who remains unreadable. But we both feel the sudden desire to see another picture of our baby. It's as clear as day when I look into his eyes.
"Have a good night, Dr. Cullen," Sam says as our final goodbye.
Sam drives me back to my house. Again, we don't speak on the drive back, only holding hands. But when he pulls up to my house, I can't seem to unbuckle and leave.
"I am not going to let you die," he tells me, eyes burning in such an intense way that all breath leaves my lungs.
It takes me a second to recuperate. "I know," I answer.
He looks down at my abdomen and I blush, again.
"How are you?" Sam asks.
I take his hand once again and let it sit on my belly. "I think we're okay. Can you feel anything now?"
He shakes his head and smiles softly, "Can you?"
"Barely," I chuckle a little bit. "It hasn't been as strong as it was last night, and that wasn't even super noticeable."
"It'll get there."
"I hope so," I whisper.
"It will."
I spend the next day of school in a similar state as yesterday, but the feeling of Sam lightly touching me, my belly, my hands, even my face, sears into my skin. He's all I think about when I'm not still crying over Jessica and panicking over the future.
I know Sam is going to pick me up from school, but I'm still gobsmacked when I see him lingering at the edge of the parking lot with no shirt on. Immediately, I look back at Eric, Mike, and Angela, who all gape at us with open mouths. My face must be beet red. I know that at least Mike and Angela are putting together who Sam is to me, and Eric may know of my condition by now too.
Sam doesn't smirk at me as Edward or Jacob might have. His small smile is genuine and does actually lighten my mood. But still, I have to hiss at him for showing up half-naked on school grounds.
Finally, he laughs, "If we're training today then I'll need to be able to discard my clothes quickly."
He didn't bring his van this time so I toss him the keys to my truck and let him lead me away from Forks High. I'm looking behind my back repeatedly and other students are beginning to notice too. We speed away at a reasonable past and I'm thankful again I'm not experiencing Edward's driving.
I don't try to hold Sam's hand today. Instead, I spend the ride to the Cullen's house with my head straight forward and my legs firmly crossed.
Esme has sandwiches prepared. I can't help myself from taking one and Sam does as well. He actually smiles slightly at her and my heart beats harder in my chest. Carlisle and Esme, despite the nature of vampires in general, are good people. The rest of the Cullens hover on the porch waiting for us to finish. I try to keep my back turned.
Sam touches me on the shoulder and I jump at the contact.
"I'm going to need to phase now and rally the others to our training point," he looks down at me with serious eyes. "Will you be alright?"
Esme links arms with me, "Don't worry, I'll be taking care of her." She winks at me and I blush worse.
Sam leaves and I breathe in through my nose to try to calm myself.
The other Cullens are suddenly all around me. But only Rosalie and Emmett seem to acknowledge me at all. And as Rosalie stares at me, it's clear what her focus is on. I wrap my arms around my stomach in response.
"Let's go," Jasper says, looking down at me a second too long as he passes. Esme and I are left to trail behind the group, which I'm perfectly fine with.
While Esme does offer to carry me and run instantaneously to the meeting spot, I decline. I don't want the effort to somehow bring back my nausea. Esme smiles and tells me she understands completely. I want to ask her about her baby, but the thought of losing mine even right now hurts so much that I can't imagine she wants to talk about it. So I keep my lips pressed together.
As a result, we're the last to arrive at the clearing. A new place in the near-infinite forest I haven't seen before.
I see Sam's wolf before anyone else's. He's the largest of them and the darkest in color, solid black. I can find Jacob next, remembering that he's russet. Unfortunately, I don't remember any of the others. And it suddenly pains me that I am not sure I could tell them apart as humans either. I need to work better on that since I know they are all so important to Sam. And with how they all wait behind him, I can tell Sam is just as important to them.
"Can you translate?" Carlisle asks Edward who just nods in response. His face remains expressionless and I look away from him, for the millionth time since I've had to see him again.
Carlisle directs his attention to the large pack of wolves, "Thank you all for coming. As you are aware, we need to prepare for the newborn army. Thankfully, Jasper here has experience dealing with this type of vampire. We are in the best of hands."
Jasper doesn't waste a second stepping out to the center stage. It takes me by surprise how natural he looks leading when he so far has seemed content to stay in the periphery. I think I remember Edward once telling me how Jasper spent time in the army as a major.
"Newborns fight like children," Jasper's voice booms across the forest, easily commanding the attention of everyone. "But that doesn't mean they aren't deadly. The two most important things you'll need to remember are, first, don't let them get their arms around you and, second, don't go for the obvious kill. That's all they'll be prepared for."
Shivers tingle up my spine and I clutch onto Esme a bit tighter. But I'm not given any time to think more about what I've just heard.
"Jasper, they're asking you to wait to start as another member of their pack is on their way," Edward interrupts.
I scan the clearing waiting for another wolf to join. Everyone else appears to do the same.
"Very well," Jasper agrees.
Finally, I hear the sounds of a running animal and I have to fight my instincts to crouch and hide. It's another wolf, gray and slightly smaller in shape than others. It joins to watch Jasper continue his demonstration.
Then something in the air electrifies me. Nothing drastic, but somehow powerful all the same. Like a shock dancing up my arms. I look around, perplexed but oddly content.
I blink a few times and breathe it in.
Then chaos erupts.
There's yelling, howling, and hissing coming from just about every being here, vampire or wolf. I see a million pairs of teeth barred. And then the wolf I assume must be Leah, the smallest of them all, whines and runs off into the forest.
She's here, isn't she?
I panic, trying to find the strip of red hair I know so well by now, but nothing shows itself. It then hits me that the wolves and Cullens are growling at each other.
"Edward," Carlisle hisses. It's the closest I've ever heard to an angry tone from him. But there's a concern in his intonation that also strikes me as odd. I realize suddenly that the Cullens don't know why the wolves have gotten angry.
Edward ignores him and looks directly at me. Yellow eyes almost bring me to my knees.
"There's been another imprint."
What?
I look around again, frantically, but there's still no trace of Victoria or any other red-eyed vampire. I'm not even sure I can feel relief about that, however. Something is painfully off.
"It shouldn't be possible…" Edward murmurs.
Jacob's wolf hisses loudly and then takes off into the forest. I watch his auburn fur disappear with an odd sense of regret coming over my senses.
Edward finally stops looking at me and moves to face Jasper. I gasp as I realize the other vampire has a sick look on him, the first time I've ever seen a vampire display that kind of feeling. He looks paralyzed in shock.
"It appears the female wolf has imprinted on you," Edward tells Jasper.
No one blinks.
I'm not even sure there's any sound coming from the forest at all.
Only a growing eerie silence.
My hand falls to my stomach in that protective urge that never ceases to leave. The old feelings of my first-trimester nausea threaten to return. It feels like everyone is on the edge of something that should not be crossed. Dread fights to overtake the curiosity pooling inside of me, but the need to know is stronger.
"What's an imprint?" I ask, slowly and unsure.
All eyes turn to me.
A/N: Wow, I first have to say I am so so sorry for taking sooooo long to update. I had a million things come up in my personal life: the death of a family member, finishing up my degree program and getting started with my new job. It completely zapped the energy out of me even though I really did want to keep writing. Hopefully now that I am out of school, I can start to bring back updates at a regular pace. I only have 12 more chapters planned (!).
Story will definitely be continuing to move at a faster pace now. And I promise I do have a reason for Leah imprinting on Jasper even if it shouldn't be possible. I have had this story planned out since the beginning so hopefully I can execute it well lol.
But a giant thank you for anyone still reading. My goal is absolutely to complete this thing so any future Sam/Bella lovers can have more to read about them and maybe even be inspired to write something like I was from a past fanfic.