Chapter 22: Tigress

Victor didn't get far before he felt something burning in his chest. When he looked down, he realized his little mouse was awake.

And she had set him on fire.

Victor was quick to drop his mouse, trying to pat himself out and when he looked around his mouse was gone.

On his chest was now a small circle that was still smoking.

….

Bella ran with all her might noticing that her speed was faster than normal.

She could vaguely recall the changes that took place in her body but she ignored it. She just wanted to get away from Victor and find Demetri. With all they had gone through, she wasn't sure she could kill him like he requested. He had saved her life more than once in their short time together. He had distracted their enemies and taken many beatings for her. She couldn't just let him go now.

It felt like hours before she found Demetri. With her new sense of smell, she could smell his scent. He smelled like death with a mixture of dirt.

He was hiding in a tree.

"Demetri!" she called.

He looked down at her with black eyes.

"Bella… stay away…im not in control and you smell delicious.." he warned her.

She stepped back as she looked at him in concern.

"You have to kill me, Bella. Before I kill you. I'm barely hanging on. I can't seem to focus on anything.."

Bella let out a growl of discontent.

There had to be a way to save him.

"Demetri, do you know if Aro is here yet? I know my mate was supposed to join up with him but I have no clue where we are or what direction to go. Can you give me some help?"

Demetri growled as he climbed higher in the trees. Even though he couldn't run, he could still use his hands.

"he's just north of here. That's about a day's journey with human speed."

"I can do that. Demetri…I think I have a way to save you. and if you don't like it, I'll end you myself. You won't like this but can I get you some animal blood?"

Demetri gagged and shook his head.

"OK, well can you follow me from the trees? And hold your breath?"

Demetri nodded.

"All alright you guide me and we will survive this."

….

"My king! We found the enemy's fortress!" one of the guards reported to Aro. They had decided to pair up a Volturi guard with a member of one of the pack, and a tiger clan member. All of them in a team of three.

"What did you find inside?" Paul questioned.

" it looked like some old fortress. Lady Isabella's scent was strong alongside the scent of the Volturi tracker." Kamie, one of Paul's guards answered.

"King Paul, may I touch your guard to see for myself?"

Paul nodded wordlessly.

Aro reached out and touched the young woman's hand. He then pulled back.

"I know that location. it's only a few hours from here. Were there any guards around?"

This time Jane spoke.

"no master, we followed the scents of our enemy and they are at least a day old. but the scent goes back and forth from one place to another. We think they are only visiting the place a few days at a time and then leaving."

"I think we should station two of my members in the shadows of that area. We are undetectable to cold ones." Paul explained.

"yes, I sensed that. That would be wise." Aro agreed.

"kamie? What of my wife? Did you follow her scent?"

Kamie shook her head.

"I am sorry my king, we tried to follow it but it suddenly disappeared about a mile away from the building."

"very well. Thank you. why don't you gather Junior and Kaden and tell them to stake out the building."

"yes, my lord. " Kamie was about to walk away but then turned back around to address her king.

" my king…please…don't forget to eat. Mr. Swan has made a delicious stew. He saved a giant bowl just for you..lady Isabella would want you to keep up your strength."

Paul put a gentle hand on Kamie's shoulder. "thank you kamie. I will eat, I promise."

With his assurance, kamie walked away.

"you have a very good relationship, with your subordinates." Aro acknowledged.

Paul shook his head and said, "They are not subordinates, they are my family."

….

Bella side glanced at Demetri as she watched him swing from the trees like a monkey. He may not have had his legs but he could use his arms proficiently.

"Bella! We have company!" Demetri shouted overhead.

Turning around, Bella growled. Victor and a man she didn't know was with him.

"little mouse, little mouse you've been a bad girl."

Bella didn't hesitate as she launched herself at him.

She had had enough of this man. He had abused, tortured, and raped her. She wouldn't allow him to live.

As soon as her claws sank into his skin, he screamed and went invisible, throwing Bella against a tree.

Bella stood, shaking off the snow. She was going to be black and blue by the time this was over but she had to fight. Her body was truly weak but the adrenaline was keeping her going.

Closing her eyes, she made sure to use her new senses to find Victor. The other guy was being occupied by Demetri but that wouldn't last long.

It was something she learned from Paul. When one of your senses was cut off, the other would become stronger.

Right now her eyes would be useless, but her nose and ears would do. She allowed all the scents to feel her nose.

All around her was the smell of bleach, sugar, and death. It made her want to puke. But something stood out.

A scent that unfamiliar wasn't pleasant but it wasn't horrible either. She couldn't describe it. instead of overthinking it, she launched herself towards it claws extended. She felt herself impacted by something.

Victor's back appears to her as he screams and claws at her back. Bella bit into his shoulder and pulled it off.

Victor screams, and that is when she smells blood In the air.

It's her blood.

Bella screams as she's thrown backward.

Victor has the upper hand, as he punches her in the ribs.

"nooo!" she hears Demetri scream.

She's dizzy and bruised but not defeated. Still on her back, she kicks Victor in the face with both legs.

Victor is thrown back and Bella makes a last-ditch move. With her wedding ring, she throws herself onto Victor pressing it into his chest.

While he is weak, Bella rips off Victor's head and throws it into the snow. She does the same with the rest of his limbs.

When she looks up she is relieved to see Demetri almost in one piece. His arm is missing but the other guy is dead and already burning. Bella even in her exhusation tosses victors limbs into the fire as he screams.

The last thing she does is hold his head in her lap as he stares at her in anger.

"my face will be the last one you see before I throw you in those flames. Even after all the abuse, you put me through, I was the one who had the last laugh. burn in hell..and say hello to your sister for me."

With that said, she threw him in the fire.

"Bella?" Demetri croaked.

Bella turned to him, as she slowly sat down. Her vision was starting to see black spots.

"I can't move anymore."

" don't worry, someone will be here soon," he confirmed.

"how do you know?" she asked.

"I can sense Jane, not too far from here. Plus I think all the smoke and flames are a good signal."

"It's getting hard to breathe dem.." Bella tried to speak as her breathing became labored.

"oh no you don't girl.. don't you dare pass out on me. you've survived this long. you can do this.."

"I..." gasped "Can't" Bella struggled.

"You gonna have to. Your pregnant Bella. Now you sit here and im gonna crawl my way to Jane. I'm gonna get you some help. Just hang on.."