The next morning, I drove Bella and I to school. She wasn't herself, she must have had a nightmare last night. When we did get to school, Edward was waiting for Bella. I frowned, he didn't look right. I can only assume what he was going to do. Edward opened Bella's door. "How do you feel?" Edward asked her Bella as she got out of the car.
"Perfect." Bella lied. She cringed as the door closed.
"I'll see you at lunch, Bela." I said softly. I gently squeezed her arm, assuring her I was there. I left the two and headed into school. I noted that Alice and Jasper weren't at school. I guess Jasper needed some time for himself and his wife followed him. During lunch, I didn't listen to Bella and Edward's conversation. Once school was over, Bella dropped me home, before she drove off to her job. I got started on dinner. I managed to get it all done and got it on the table just as Charlie got home. Edward showed up not long after, and Charlie chose to ignore him, understandable. Charlie took his food and sat on the couch to start eating while watching ESPN. Edward was sitting in the armchair and staring at the TV. He wasn't ok. I sat in the kitchen, 'doing' my homework. Once I was done, I washed all the plates and had just sat down again when the front door opened. I looked up when Bella walked in. She saw me and we nodded.
"Dad? Edward?" She called.
"In here." Charlie replied from the lounge room. She rounded the corner after hanging her raincoat.
"Hi…"
"Hey Bella." Charlie greeted, not looking away from the TV, "We just had grilled chicken, it's still on the table if you wanna heat some up."
"Ok…" Bella trailed off. Edward turned his head.
"I'll be right behind you." He said before turning his attention back to the TV. Bella sat next to me, and I looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. She gave me a small shake of her head. I nodded slowly. I turned back to my homework, and then I saw Bella shift. There was a click, and I looked up to see her pulling her camera away from her eye. She gave me a smile. I rolled my eyes with a smile as she headed over to the lounge room to take photos of Charlie and Edward. When the show ended, Edward stood.
"I better get home." He said.
"See ya." Charlie told him, his eyes not leaving the screen. Bella scrambled to her feet, following Edward out the door. It started to rain, and that prompted me to check on Bella as she hadn't come inside yet. She was standing outside in the rain.
"What are you doing, Bella?" I sighed. I grabbed a jacket and wrapped it around Bella. "Come on, inside." I guided Bella into the house. She slipped out of my hold and hurried upstairs.
"She ok?" Charlie asked me.
"Yeah, she's ok." I told him.
TIMESKIP
The next day when we got to school, Edward was even colder towards Bella. He was ignoring her, which I could tell hurt Bella, which made me want to hurt him. No one, and I mean no one hurts my sister. During lunch, Bella handed her camera to Jessica, who proceeded to take pictures of almost everyone, and they used up all the film. Edward led us back to the car. Bella dropped me off at home again and then went off to work again. Bella returned home late, and said a brief hi to me and Charlie before retreating up to her room. It was the same throughout the week. However, one day, Edward asked to come over. Bella was chattering nervously as she drove us home. Charlie hadn't gotten home yet, and Edward was parked in his spot. When we got out of the truck, Edward hopped out of his car. "Come for a walk with me." Edward suggested, taking Bella's hand. Before Bella could say anything, Edward pulled her away. I grit my teeth, glaring at their retreating figures.
TIMESKIP
I sat, listening to the world. I wanted to make sure that Edward and Bella returned safely. When I heard the squeal of tyres, I stepped out of the house, and my anger flared. Edward's car was gone. Bella wasn't home. Edward better have died to save him from my wrath. I closed the door and headed out. I didn't care that I hadn't let Charlie know where I was, my main focus was to find Bella at all costs. I followed my nose, Bella's scent lingered in the air but it was dampened by the rain. I went slowly, picking over roots and ducking under branches. I soon found Bella, curled up in the mud. "Oh, Bella." I trailed off. I heard some snuffling, and the scent of wet dog infiltrated my nose. I watched as a large black wolf stepped up to me. The Wolf snarled lowly at me, I let out a small growl of my own. "I won't hurt her, Samuel, she's my sister." Sam took a step back. "Hurry up and shift, I don't like being in a one-sided conversation. Sam let out a small growl and backed away. I gently ran my hand over Bella's hair. "It's ok, Bella." I said softly.
"He's gone…" Belle moaned. "He's gone…" I looked up when Sam appeared.
"What are you doing?" He said gruffly.
"Finding my sister." I told him. "I think it's best you carry her, Charlie would be suspicious if I'm carrying her." Sam only nodded. I took a step back as Sam lifted Bella into his arms. Together, the two of us headed toward the house. "You don't have to worry about me encroaching on your land." I told him.
"It's not that I'm worried about." Sam muttered. "You haven't hurt Bella or Charlie. I'm still wary of you."
"I think that we should have a meeting ourselves." I told him. "Your treaty was with the Cullens, I was following their lead." Sam only nodded. We neared the house when I saw the group assembled. Charlie, Dr Gerandy, Mr Wever, Mike along with his father, and a whole load of others.
"I found them!" Sam boomed. Charlie turned to us and ran. He held me in a hug for a moment before pulling away.
"Alex, what were you thinking?" Charlie demanded, holding my shoulders.
"I-I'm sorry." I said. "I wanted to find Bella, she didn't come home."
"I'm just glad you're ok." Charlie said. He then turned to Sam. Sam put Bella in his arms, and Charlie grunted a little.
"Maybe I should hold onto her." Sam suggested.
"I've got her." I hung back as Charlie and Doctor Gerandy went inside. I stood outside for some time, taking in the crisp air before following the group inside.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with her." I heard Doctor Gerandy said, causing me to look over at him, my mood dampening. "Just exhaustion. Let her sleep it off, I'll come check on her tomorrow." The Doctor checked his watch, "Well, later today, actually."
"Is it true?" Charlie whispered, leaning close to Doctor Gerandy as he stood. "Did they leave?"
"Doctor Cullen asked us not to say anything. The offer was very sudden, they had to choose immediately. Carlisle didn't want to make a big production out of leaving."
"A little warning might have been nice."
"Yes, well, in this situation, some warning might have been called for." I watched as Bella slowly pulled the quilt that was on top of her over her ears. I sighed softly. I turned to Charlie.
"Dad, you head to bed." I said. "I'll keep an eye on Bella tonight."
"Are you sure?" Charlie asked softly as everyone left.
"I'm sure." Charlie nodded and headed upstairs. I knelt next to Bella, gently pushing some of her hair away from her eyes. "Just rest, Bella." I told her softly. "I've got you…I promise." Bella's eyes fluttered closed.
