(Bella pov)

I stood in the meadow, surrounded by fragrant violet flowers and thick trees. It was night but the stars were bright, the moon illuminated the wood. A sudden, strong wind blew, threatening to knock me down. Across from me, a giant russet wolf formed. We were distant yet I could see into his jet black eyes perfectly, I could hear his voice on the wind's breath.

"You call me here every night, y'know."

"I don't."

"You do."

"You tell me lies every night."

"I tell you truths you already know."

The wolf took a few steps closer to me, his eyes locked on mine. I wanted to back away, to run, but my legs locked me in place. He lifted his head and gestured to the sky, I followed his gaze and looked up, my memories flashed across the stars. We watched them together.

"You don't love him." The wolf said at last.

"I do!" Tears formed in my eyes, hearing the familiar lie.

"He's a drug to you. They all are. Look!" He gestured to the sky again. More memories flashed by, times I was with Edward, times I was with the Cullens and the intoxicating feelings they all gave me, the way my head spun, the way I would cross mountains just to inhale that sweet, sweet intoxicating scent, the months I went without contact with any of them. The literal pain it had caused me. The hallucinations I desperately chased. More memories followed, other times when the Cullens had caused me pain, when Edward had imposed his will over mine again and again. The imagery faded away and with it the stars. All that was left was the moon, giant and overwhelming in the stark, cold darkness.

"He is death. You're death's bride."

"I-I- I'm not! I- I-" My chest tightened as I sobbed.

"Dead is dead, Bell's. It's suicide no matter how you try to frame it."

I fell to my knees, the weight of every word he uttered on the wind's breath crashed down on my shoulders. Dream Jake loped closer to me and stared deeper into my eyes, his snout just an inch from my nose.

"You were never actually interested in immortality, Bella. Or even eternity with Edward. Those are lies you tell yourself just to get by."

"No." I whispered weakly.

"You really just want to become someone else, you want to kill who you are now and be reborn as someone 'better' because you've never felt like you mattered as you are. That's crap Bella. You matter. You're loved. You will be missed, no matter how hard you push everyone away."

Charlie stood silent behind the wolf then, his eyes filled with heartbreak. Beside him, one by one my human friends formed. Mike, Angela, Ben, Eric, Tayler, even Jessica. Renee stood behind the wolf on the opposite side, and beside her Phil formed. Billy stood among the rest, free from his wheelchair. The quileute pack slowly formed around him, all as their human selves. Emily stood among them.

"There's still time, you don't have to do this."

"But I already chose, Jacob! I can't just unring that bell, I hurt you, I promised Edward, the Cullens, too many people are counting on me-"

"STOP! Stop living your life for other people! Put yourself first for once! Look deep into yourself and answer, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?!"

The Moon overhead crumbled and was replaced with the Sun. Bright, hot, blinding sunlight surrounded the meadow and chased away the ghosts of my loved ones. Wind swirled wildly and the wolf changed forms, changed into me, garbed in a white wedding dress covered in blood, my eyes glossed over and red. My skin melted and decayed away, revealing my skeleton, then I faded away with the meadow.

I jerked up straight in bed yelling at the top of my lungs, "I WANT TO LIVE!" My ragged breath filled the dark, silent room. My eyes and cheeks were soaked, and my body was drenched with sweat. Edward wasn't here tonight, he had something he had to take care of with his family. I was completely alone in my bed, completely wracked by the emotions my latest nightmare incited in me. A moment later my bedroom door quietly creaked open and Charlie stuck his head in, the light from the hall flooded with him. He walked in and placed a hand on my shoulder, soothing me, telling me it's okay. I nodded and finally managed to catch my breath after a moment.

"C'mon kid." He gestured for me to get out of bed and follow him. We walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. He gestured for me to sit at the kitchen table as he flicked on the lights and went into the kitchen cabinet and refrigerator. I looked at the wall clock and noticed it was three in the morning. He returned carrying two small glasses of ice, a bottle of clear brown liquid and two cans of coke. He sat everything on the table and sat down in a chair beside me. I gave him a quizzical look as I assessed the bottle of Kentucky bourbon, he poured the liquor which cracked the ice then opened the cans and poured cola on top. He handed me one of the glasses. "You look like you could use a nightcap." He took a swig of his drink. I hesitated for a second, knowing Edward would shit a brick when he found out, then remembered dream Jacob and took a healthy drink. It was strong, sweet and savory at the same time.

"So, you've been having nightmares again." Charlie began, setting his glass down and looking over at me. "Does this have anything to do with pre-wedding jitters? Or is it because Jacob's still missing?"

I was surprised he got straight to the point, confrontation isn't one of Charlie's strong suits. Or even conversation for that matter. I took another healthy drink, Charlie poured me more while I deliberated then began to speak, "Can it be both? I-I…" more tears threatened to well up in my eyes. I didn't know where to even begin, how much to even share. Charlie wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"Just listen, and before you accuse me otherwise, I'm putting my personal bias for Edward aside, okay?" I bit my lip and nodded, Charlie continued, "It wasn't all that long ago you and I had a conversation over my five star spaghetti dinner about how much… time you spend with Edward and the Cullens. Remember?" He prompted me, I nodded again, listening, trying to keep my emotions at bay, wondering where this was leading. "Your decision making lately has been very… 'Edwardian' and not very… 'Bella'. What I mean is, you've been having these nightmares again ever since you came to me and announced your engagement. Even the colleges you've applied to are very… unlike you. Alaska? Dartmouth? You always swore you would go to college in Hawaii or somewhere sunny and warm. You wouldn't even let me help replace your truck when it broke down. That strange, black money guzzler in the driveway isn't you Bella." Flashes of my beloved, totaled chevy crossed my mind, Edward hated my truck and he swore he had nothing to do with its demise. I of course knew better, but I chose to play dumb and let him replace it with that strange, disgustingly expensive armored behemoth which he said was my 'before' car. I took another drink, feeling my head swim a bit and my nerves settle as I listened to Charlie, "You asked me to give you away at your wedding, Bella, but honey I've got to know that you're going to be happy and well taken care of first. I have to know for sure that this is what you want." He looked into my eyes.

"Of course it is, Dad! I love Edward…I-I" tears fell hard now, and my voice caught in my throat.

"You love Jacob, too." He stated. I looked at him shocked, I never told him anything about Jake and me. He chuckled a little, "Really, Bella, Honey, it's not a secret. You call out for him every night. You don't have to like it, doesn't make it any less true."

I looked down and watched my tear drops collect on the table. Finally, I managed to speak. "Doesn't matter. I-I… I love Edward more."

Charlie downed the last of his drink and sat the glass back down. "I think you want to love him more. I think you're putting not only everyone else's happiness, but also specifically his happiness above your own. Ever since you two started dating, it seems like you've been on this hell bent mission to change everything about yourself, what makes you who you are, what makes you Bella, to become his ideal Bella." I looked up and for the first time saw tears in the corner of my father's eyes, and heard them in the tone of his voice. "I just, I want my little girl back." He said quietly. "It seems like you've been trying to say goodbye for a while now, Bella. Promise me this isn't going to be goodbye." I looked into his pleading eyes and choked out, "No, it isn't going to be like that, Dad." My heart broke with the lie. The wedding was in less than two days. This wasn't how I wanted to leave Charlie.

I felt a fair bit tipsy by then, never having partaken in alcohol before, when Charlie helped me back into bed. For the first time in eternity I enjoyed a long, deep, dreamless sleep. I woke up hours later far into the afternoon when Charlie would be at work. I groaned and turned over to find a cold, pale statue standing by my bed, angrily glaring down at me.

"Really, Bella? I leave you alone for one night, and you turn to alcoholism?" the statue growled.

I covered my blurry eyes with my pillow, "I had a drink with my dad, that's hardly a reason to call AA."

"You're underage. And alcohol is-"

"It's legal if your parents give it to you, and my dad's a cop anyway. It's not like my liver's going to rot out over two glasses of bourbon Edward."

"First, I find out you went to La push alone, again, then I find out you're drinking?"

I crawled out of bed and stood up with my blanket wrapped around me, slowly walking around my room and gathering my morning necessities before heading to the bathroom as I spoke. "Yeah, Edward, I did. In case you forget, Jacob is still missing. He's seventeen. That's kind of a big deal. The wolf pack helped you and your family in our blackest hour, I would think that would have changed your attitude towards them a bit." I snapped as I grabbed a tank top and sweatpants from the closet.

He silently followed me as I gathered up my toiletry bag. "You're not going back, Bella. You chose me, remember? If you can't obey and behave, I'm going to have to forbid you from seeing Charlie."

My back snapped ramrod straight. I turned to him. "You're going to forbid me from seeing my own father?"

"If that's what I have to do to protect you from yourself, absolutely. Your bags will be packed by sunset." I stared at him, incredulous. Dream Jacob's voice echoed in my mind.

"Is this going to be our marriage, Edward? Is this our future?"

"'To love, honor and obey' Bella." He quoted at me.

I threw my things to the ground. "I'm not sure this is going to work out for me Edward." I wrapped myself in my internal rage to ward off my cowardice.

He stepped closer and took my chin in his long fingers, squeezing, hurting, "You made your choice Bella. You agreed to marry me, and you're going to. I'm your protector, remember Bella? I make you happy, I can give you the world Bella, just as easily as I can take it away. If you're having a hard time saying goodbye to Charlie, I can do it for you."

I began to shake as the weight of his veiled words fell upon me. He was making it clear, if I had any doubts he would take them out on Charlie.

"Smile, Mrs. Cullen, our big day is tomorrow. Our future lies brightly before us." He released me and I fell backward. He turned to leave out of the window, pausing to glance behind me before jumping out. "Alice will be here tonight, while I'm at my bachelors party." He leaped down and was gone.

I remained sprawled on my bedroom floor, numb. Everything dream Jacob had been telling me the past few months rang in my ears. He had warned me, and warned me, and I had refused to listen. I felt gut punched at the realization that Jacob was the one for me and always had been, but my stupid stubborn pride blinded me to the absolute monster Edward was. All the Cullens were. He was right, about everything, and now I'm powerless to do anything about it. I began to sob. Jacob was lost to me now, and I had no one to turn to.

(Jacob pov)

Conflicting emotions roared in my head as I ran through the forest, making my way back to La Push. Guilt, for basically abandoning my disabled father for as long as I did, for abandoning my pack who kept badgering me to come home, anger for that condescending invite that sparkly douchebag sent me to the wedding, the note he'd written still made my blood boil even all this time later. He won, he's got my soul mate, he really didn't need to dunk on me while he was at it. My paws pounding into the dirt, I followed my nose which told me human civilization was nearby, the night was pitch dark but my wolf's eyes still saw the forest around me clear as day. I knew I would be back in La Push in less than two hours, and there would probably be a very agitated welcome committee waiting for me when I got there. I still wasn't even sure why the hell I was going back. A son's loyalty to his father? A wolf's loyalty to his pack? Hell, maybe I just like the pain Bella's loss had left me. Because I was losing her, in every sense of the word. Tomorrow she'll give her vows, promise her life and soul to that blood drinking demon, then she'll die. She'll surrender everything that makes her, her, that makes her Bella. My Bella. I slowed and stopped running, lifting my head to look up at the Moon, in its waxing gibbous phase. There was a time when Bella had compared Edward to the moon, saying he lit up her dark night. Sadness filled me as I remembered that she also said I was her personal sun, I granted her light and warmth. I had made her want to live. My broken heart hardened with resolve. No, this isn't how her story is going to end. How our story is going to end. I loved her, with every fiber of my being, with the very essence of my soul. I'm not going to let her just doom herself to an endless night, not without a fight. Not without trying one last time. She was worth fighting for, even if she didn't think so.

I took off running again, and this time I didn't slow or stop until I entered La push and then made my way to my house. I had expected an annoying barrage of crap in the hive mind even though everyone had decided to unphase earlier when they realized I was coming home, not wanting to risk aggravating me again. I was mildly surprised they had actually kept their word, but also incredibly grateful. I unphased when I reached our driveway and prodded, naked, to the door. Dad had left the porch light on, and a stack of folded clothes on the porch chair. Apparently someone's been talking. I put on the pair of sweatpants and the cotton t-shirt, the unfamiliar friction of cloth on my skin was surprisingly uncomfortable. I would have to get used to wearing clothes again, and not being coated in fur.

I opened the door and walked in, seeing my dad in his wheelchair, the tv and living room lights on, on the coffee table were two big bags of fast food, and two giant cups of soda. He looked up at me and tears welled in his eyes. "Welcome home, son." Emotion hit me like a tidal wave, I took two long strides, bent over and wrapped my arms tight around him. "I'm sorry." It was all I could choke out. We hugged for a long time then he finally gestured to the bags on the table.

"I figured you'd be starving, so I sent someone out for food."

"Thanks, Dad." I gratefully took a seat on the floor next to him, crossing my legs and digging into the bags. They'd been sitting for at least an hour or two, so they weren't super fresh but I didn't care. It was a hell of a lot better than what I'd been hunting in the forests.

As I began to scarf down the burgers and fries, my dad asked, "Son, I'm so glad you're home. And I don't want to risk bringing anything up, but I am curious, did you come back to go to the wedding?" He seemed wary, like he was seriously afraid I would Audi five thousand again. Guilt and shame struck me hard.

I swallowed my mouth full and took a healthy drink of cola. "Sort of. Not really as a guest though." I took another bite of burger, I was starving for human food.

He looked over at me a bit surprised, then smiled brightly. "That's the son I raised. You know I've always thought the world of Bella. No one wants to see her go through with this."

I nodded as I finished another bite. "I know she loves me, dad. I don't really know how to describe it, but I can just feel it, ya' know? She belongs with me, and I'm going to bring her home."

"Well, then, son, what's the plan? You've missed so much school already that you've been given the boot a long time ago. With everything going on, have you given any thought to your future? With or without Bella?"

It was a good question, a question I had asked myself a thousand times and had thought through way more than I care to admit. I unwrapped a chicken and bacon sandwich with a mouth full of fries. Afterwards, I took another gulp of soda, mostly to buy time to think through my wording. Finally, I began, " Well, I've actually thought a lot about it. Me and Bella used to talk about our future plans all the time," a pang of sadness, I squashed it by eating more fries, " Obviously a lot's changed since then. But basically, I kind of figured I'd get a G.E.D when I turned 18 and then maybe a trade school for mechanics. Bella already graduated and she used to gush about how she wanted to be an english teacher, and write a novel someday. She used to want to go to college in Hawaii, and things have been insane this past year, so I kind of figure I'd follow her there."

"For trade school?"

"I'm sure they need mechanics in Hawaii as much as here."

"Well, it's an okay plan so far. How do you intend to afford the move there?"

"Well, you know I used to do a bunch of auto work and repairs for people out of the garage, most of them would pay me for my labor so I do have a bit of a savings. And you also know that the tribe council pays us a meager fee for running patrols. I also have both the motorcycles and the rabbit that I can sell."

"You worked so hard on them."

"I know, and I'm proud of them. I know they'll find good homes. Anyway, I plan to find honest work once we get there so Bella can just focus on getting her degree. I'm a blue collar man, dad. I'm never going to be loaded like Cullen but I'll provide for her just fine."

He collapsed a hand on my shoulder as I finished off my food. "I'm proud of you, Jacob. Just don't forget your old man again, eh? I'm fine with you leaving under normal, healthy conditions. Just, don't run out on me again, okay?"

Emotions swam through me and all I could manage was a heartfelt nod. My dad looked at the watch on his wrist. "Well, 'sun should start rising soon and you've got an appearance to make in a few hours. Best get a shower and something decent on." I agreed and gathered up my trash, threw it all away and began to make my way towards our tiny bathroom when my dad called out for me. I turned around. "Oh, and Jake? Bring our girl home, okay?" I smiled and gave a thumbs up before heading to the bathroom.

(Bella pov)

The morning was somber, I made breakfast for Charlie as he asked me what in all were his errands for the day. I numbly answered as I placed plates overflowing with pancakes, bacon, eggs, and a bowl of homemade biscuits and sausage gravy in front of him. Charlie looked down at the spread, shocked. "Bella, honey, are you okay? Is there a reason you… made all of this?" I couldn't tell him that cooking settled my nerves, that with every task it felt like the inevitable was just that further away. "I'm-I'm fine, Dad. Just, felt like cooking." What I really wanted was to tell him hell no, I am not okay, none of this is okay, but I knew Alice was camped out outside, listening, waiting for her que to bust in and usher me towards the Cullen's mansion for bridal makeup. I never realized until now that Alice was never my best friend, she was always Edward's. She had no problem playing prison warden the entire night. I tried multiple times to quietly escape the house, to get a phone call out to someone on La Push; Emily, Billy, Sam, anybody, but of course she foresaw my every action. She made it clear that I was to behave and not ruin this for her or for Edward. That if I disobeyed she wouldn't just stop at Charlie. I turned away to hide the tears welling up in my eyes. "Bella, honey-" Charlie began but was interrupted then by a very cheerful Alice stepping gracefully through the front door, cheerfully and loudly announcing her presence. "Bella! Glad I caught you in time! I hope you haven't eaten too much, we wouldn't want you to not fit in your wedding dress!" She 'teased' as she pinched my belly and hid a sneer at the sight of the food on the table. There was no way I could hold any of it down anyway, though I resented the insinuation she made about my weight. Charlie made a strange face and began to protest when Alice talked over him and insisted that she was losing important daylight in making me a presentable bride. She grabbed my arm and escorted me out to her yellow porsche parked on the curb.

The drive over was entirely too short, with Alice humming a cheerful tune the whole way. I stared dejectedly out of the window, dread filled me to my core. Movement in the side mirror caught my eye, and to my surprise I could see dream Jacob, staring into my eyes. 'There's still time, you don't have to do this.' echoed in my mind. I averted my eyes from the delusion, there was no more time.

The sight of the long driveway, decked out in strings of light and streams of flowing white ribbons and flowers made me sick to my stomach. Alice quickly ushered me inside then up the overly decorated stairs to the dressing room. She sat me down in front of the long, large mirror and began to assemble her tools of torture. I sat as still as I could the entire time, not wanting to anger her as she literally painted my face on. Even with her vampiric quickness it took hours. When she was finally done and had gone to get Rosalie to fix my hair, I looked deep into the mirror in horror. I didn't even recognise myself. Suddenly, despite being alone in the room, dream Jacob formed behind me in the mirror again staring deep into my eyes. 'This isn't you, Bella. It never was.' Tears threatened to fall, but I fought them as hard as I could, I really didn't want to anger Alice. I carefully stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the yard that had been all but transformed into an outside chapel. Edward stood by the chaplain, talking with him and Carlisle. Esme stood dutifully by his side, beaming with pride. Jacobs' voice entered my thoughts once more, 'He is death. You're death's bride.' I had never looked at the Cullens with a critical lens before, I had just been so dazzled by all that they were and what they represented that I never truly stopped and looked'. I did now. What I saw were corpses, animated, sentient corpses. Beautiful corpses, sure, but corpses none the less.

Rosalie and Alice walked in then and I thought I would have a coronary. Alice chided me for moving, delivered a few veiled threats and reseated me in front of the mirror. I suppressed a shiver as they both worked on my hair. I was amazed by how different they suddenly looked to me. Like I was truly seeing them for the first time. Finally looking past the beauty, I could see now that death clung to them like a bad perfume. For the first time, I saw the broken capillaries under their skin. The dead, dark veins that were rather prominent beneath their pale pallor. Skin so pale and so lifeless it actually had a gray tint to it. I couldn't believe that I had wanted to become that at one point, that I was going to soon. I tried to keep from having a complete panic attack as they finished my hair. Charlie and Renee had come into the room at some point, giving me an heirloom and well wishes that I was honestly too numb to appreciate. Charlie tried to get a moment alone to talk to me, but Alice would have none of it. She ushered him out and instructed him to take his place by the stairs. She placed the sapphire comb in my bun and helped me down the stairs in the sky high heels she stuffed on me. She guided me to Charlie, who wrapped his arm around mine, she handed me my bouquet and cheerfully instructed us to wait for the bridal march. Her eyes lingered on mine, silently reminding me to obey and behave. She left to take her seat with the guests. Charlie and I stood together in front of the fancy big door, finally alone as the music began to play. I shook like a leaf, my father had to practically hold me up. He looked down at me and asked, "Bella, honey?" I returned his gaze, completely at a loss for words. The music began to transition. Suddenly, the door behind us slammed open and a gust of wind drew our attention. It was Jacob.

He strode over to us, hair long, dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and a random tie. He said nothing as he simply held out his hand for mine and stared into my eyes. Tears began to flow freely down my cheeks, Charlie turned and cupped my face in both of his hands, his own eyes filled with tears. He smiled and said, "Run, baby girl." I returned a tearful, heartfelt smile and nodded, my chest full of new found hope. And faith, faith that everything was going to be okay now. Together, Jacob and I could face anything, could overcome any enemy. I tossed the flowers behind me and took Jacob's hand. He smiled brightly as I kicked off my heels and we ran out the door and to his motorcycle, once seated behind him I yanked the engagement ring off my finger and tossed it into the yard. He revved the engine and I wrapped my arms tight around his firm, muscular frame, the sun shining bright as we took off towards the highway. Towards the beginning of our story.