The drive to the Hoe forest seemed to go on forever, even though the drive was only 20 to 30 minutes long. The thoughts about the upcoming events stayed in my mind. I snapped out of the fog that was in my brain once Emmett parked his jeep. We were here. I watched as Emmett and Alex got out of the car.
I just remained sitting. Rosalie wasn't moving. I turned to see her concerning gaze. "Can we stay in here for a few moments? I need some time to think."
"Of course. We can stay in here for as long as you would like. We can even stay in here when the dogs arrive. Why don't we stay inside this nice jeep the entire time?"
I laugh at her antics. "I wish, but we can't. It will be good to train and talk strategy with them." Rosalie just grumbled in reply. I smile at her. I pause and quickly decide to change the subject. "I know we've talked a little bit here and there about this, but why did you want to adopt me?" Rosalie gave me a small smile.
"You know about my past life. What happened to me." I grimace at the memory of her sharing her story with me. I already knew about it but I received full details about what happened. Details that weren't mentioned in the books. It was heartbreaking about what happened to her.
"Yeah."
"You know that I never wanted this. I always dreamed about being a mother. I felt so alone for a long time until Emmett came along. He actually reminded me of my friends toddler. I felt a connection with Emmett. I started to feel whole. Almost." I watch her as her eyes start to glaze over. "Life started getting better. I felt happy to have someone."
"But it wasn't complete," I reply.
She smiles sadly and shakes her head. "No. I always felt that something was missing. That our family wasn't complete yet. I never voiced my thoughts though. I knew everyone was content with how things were going." Rosalie stares off into space. As if she is reliving every moment of her immortal life. "I kept moving and pretending that everything was fine. Don't get me wrong, I was happy but not completely. It wasn't until that night; when I found you."
I think back onto that memory. Hanging upside down in my car seat until Rosalie arrived.
"I never told you this, but I wasn't even supposed to go hunting that night. I wasn't even thirsty. Jasper and Emmett decided to go hunt, I almost stayed home but I felt a pull. Like something was telling me to go with them."
"And you did," I say.
She smiles. "Yes, I did. I didn't really hunt. I just watched them while they fed. Emmett was playing with his food again," she laughs. I can just see Emmett taunting a giant grizzly bear. It's one of his favorite things to do. "Everything then stopped suddenly. Jasper looked alert and before we could stop him; he was off running in the direction of a road. I didn't even realize that we were close to a road. The closer we got to it, the stronger the smell was. Emmett got to him first. The smell of the blood was overpowering; even for me. We almost left until I heard you. It was at that moment I felt a stronger pull. I let it lead me over to the car. Once I saw you, I knew you belonged with us. That you were meant to be part of our family. I felt complete and whole as soon as I saw you."
"I always wondered why you stayed with me in the hospital," I reply. I give her a small smile, which she returns back to me.
"I couldn't bring myself to leave you. I immediately told them we needed to adopt you. I put up a huge fight. Esme was really the only one with me. Carlisle was conflicted. Jasper and Edward were dead set against it. Emmett wasn't thrilled with the idea but he would never go against me. Alice never gave us her opinion. I know now that she saw you with us. So she knew you would be part of the family. All conflicts ended when everyone met you. Our whole family felt complete once you started living with us. I felt that you were the child I was always supposed to have. I finally could be a mother. You don't know how happy you make me Sophie. How grateful I am for you."
"You mean the world to me Rose. I hope that you know that."
"Always remember how much I love you. How much we all love you. I don't completely understand this concept about our lives being in a book series, but I'm glad that this happened. I'm glad that you were brought here because I need you. I was devastated when I thought we lost you. I felt that a part of me died. I don't want this life for you but I can't live without you. I couldn't stand it when you get older and die from old age. I would rather you turn than die. Its selfish of me to ask but I want you to become like us. So that we can always be together."
I pause in thought. "Rose, I've made my decision. I want to become a vampire. I want to be with you for the remainder of time that I have left. I don't want it to happen yet. I've decided to wait a couple of years so that I can travel and see the world."
"Well at least your not throwing your life away like Bella. She wants to be turned as soon as possible. She's not even considering the well being of her father. He'll be devastated when she's gone." Rosalie just grumbles in frustration. Bella really wasn't her favorite person.
I sigh. "I know Rose." Rose takes that moment to turn her head.
"The dogs are here. Let's go."
I nod my head and step out of the car. I head over to Alex and notice the werewolves coming over to us. It's at that moment that I notice Edward was here, standing next to Bella. Edward notices me and gives me a slight nod. I just smile at him in return.
The atmosphere in the air becomes tense. Carlisle is the first to talk, trying to ease the tension. "Welcome," he says.
"Thank you," responds Edward. So he's going to be our translator. Edward stares at them and continues to talk. "We will watch and listen, but no more. That is the most we can ask of our self-control."
Carlisle nods in understanding. "That is more than enough. My son Jasper" - Carlisle waves a hand in his direction - "has experience in this area. He will teach us how they fight, and how they can be defeated."
"Are they different from you?" Responds Edward.
"They are all very new, newborns, they are only a few months old. You could say that they are children. They will have no skill or strategy, just brute strength. I'll let Jasper explain more."
I watch as Jasper takes over after Carlisle. He goes over the basics and not to go for the obvious kill. I continue to watch as my family start to fight each other. The pack just watches them. Observing their every move. Emmett of course loses to Jasper which causes him to start cussing. I can't help but to laugh.
Edward battles against Carlisle, and of course he loses from turning his back to Carlisle. Honestly Edward, battle 101, never turn your back on your enemy. I just continue to watch until it's Alex's turn.
I scrunch my eyebrows. "Your going?" He gives me a smile in return.
"Of course. I haven't had a good fight in over 50 years. Its about time that I came out of retirement." I smile and watch in anticipation as he stands in front of Edward. Oh good lord. Of all people he has to fight against. I have a feeling this is payback for this morning.
I'm on edge the whole time as I watch Alex and Edward blur in and out. Edward throws out a punch but Alex ducks just in time. I look over and notice Bella to be on edge as well. I turn just in time to witness Edward throwing Alex into a tree. He's on him in an instant. I jolt in fear. Please don't let this be a repeat.
Alex just smirks in return. "Edward, let me go." My eyes widen. Alex is using his gift. I don't know whether I should be happy or upset. The wolves are here to witness it. Edward struggles but lets him go. He takes a step away from him. My family is soon standing straight in alarm. Alex wasn't done just yet though. "Now, walk over to Sophie and apologize for what happened this morning."
Edward instantly turns around and makes his way over to me. I can see him struggling. He stops right in front of me. "Sophie, I'm sorry about this morning. It was never my intention to hurt you." I can see him struggling but at the same time, he's being sincere. His eyes hold remorse.
"Thank you," I reply. It's at that moment, Alex's power wears off. Edward has control again. He looks aggravated.
"Really? Did you have to do that."
Alex shrugs. "Not really but it felt good." A growl is then released from one of the wolves.
Edward sighs. "Nice going Alex. They are asking what that was." I walk over to my idiotic boyfriend and push him a little.
"Really? You just had to show off. Not the best moment for that display." Alex just shrugs nonchalantly. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me further into his side.
"You probably know that some of us have gifts. How Edward can read minds, Alice can see the future, and Jasper is an empath. Alex also has a gift. A powerful one," explains Carlisle.
"What kind of gift is it?" Edward's voice is low. He's not happy.
"Alex has the gift of persuasion. Whatever he tells you to do, you have do it." More growls fill the air.
Edward's head snaps to the side. "Calm down Paul. It's not like that." I look at a silver/gray wolf. I instantly notice his eyes and can only assume this is Paul.
"It's not like what?" I ask. What did Paul say this time?
"Paul thinks that Alex used his power on you so that you would fall in love with him. He thinks your a puppet in this game." Rage overcomes my body.
"Listen here Paul. It's not like that. I am not a puppet and he did not use his power on me."
"How do you know that? He could be lying to you. He has you all fooled," responds Edward.
I let out a little growl. "I know because his powers don't even work on me! I got curious when we first met and he tried it on me. It didn't work. So no, I did not fall in love with him because of his powers." I huff and cross my arms in front of my chest. Paul continues to get on my nerves.
I just receive a growl in reply before he runs away. The rest of the pack growl back but they turn around to leave.
"Be careful. We will be on guard," says Edward. The wolves are then gone.
"Great. Thank you for that. Now they are going to be keeping a closer eye on us," says Rosalie.
"I don't know what the big deal is," responds Alex.
"The big deal is that they see you as a bigger threat now. Paul almost jumped to kill you. You need to be careful." Edward looks frustrated.
"Fine, I'll be careful. But, I can't promise that I won't use my powers during the battle. I will use them to keep her safe. I will always use them if it is for her safety."
Edward just glowers at him. "Fine. I'll see you back at the house. I have further things to discuss with a certain person."
I look over his shoulder and notice Jacob walking over to Bella. I guess they are going to talk further strategy. I nod my head in reply.
"Come on." I don't protest as Alex sweeps me up into his arms.
"Such a gentleman," I tease. He just smiles and kisses my forehead.
"Anything for you." I then close my eyes as he runs into the forest towards home.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. More chapters will be coming up soon. I'm planning on having Eclipse done by January or sometime in January. I can't promise anything though. Life is crazy sometimes. I hope you all have a happy holiday season! Until next time!