A/N: Hello lovely readers, It's been a while. I'm still writing this story and will be until it's finished, so don't worry a bit. It may take time for chapters to roll out, but that just means they'll be better in quality. I hope everyone's doing okay during this pandemic and you're all still here. I wish you all good health. Thank you for sticking around this long and I'll try and update sooner than I have been. I appreciate your patience!
WARNING: GRAPHIC MENTIONS OF SELF HARM, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, MENTAL ILLNESS, PANIC ATTACKS, MELTDOWNS, ABLEISM, VIOLENCE, GORE, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, GRAPHIC LANGUAGE, UNDERAGE SEXUAL SITUATIONS, ABUSE, STALKING, MANIPULATION, AGE GAP, AND TRIGGERING IMAGERY. IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY THIS OR DO NOT ENJOY IT, DO NOT READ.
Chapter Twenty-Three.
Third Person POV:
The large, Gothic mansion sat on a large plot of land, raining drizzling from the sky and beating against the window akin to a calming melody. Bread baked in the oven, and bacon and eggs sizzled on the stove. Esme Cullen stood there, red 'Kiss the Cook' apron tied around her neck and waist, hair pinned into a bun atop her head. The newest member of the family, Brandon, sat on a kitchen stool and worked on his Calculus homework as he waited for his boyfriend to come home from practice. The room was warm and comfortable.
He couldn't wait for breakfast for supper. It was his favorite and he was glad the human part of him could enjoy this at least.
A tiny pixie-like girl entered the room, carrying a sketchbook and a pencil. "Esme, can I have your help with something-"
Her words cut off before she could finish them. The items in her hand fell to the floor, her whole body tensed. Her eyes glossed over.
"Alice? Alice, what do you see?" Esme coaxed, turning off the stove and gently holding her daughter's shoulders. "Honey, what's wrong?"
When Alice came back to the present, she took in a gust of unneeded air. And started to scream.
With a warm cup of blood, courtesy of their in-case stash after being stranded in a cabin and almost ripping each other apart many moons ago, Alice recanted what she had seen. Jasper, her husband, wrapped an arm around her, sending her good feelings to calm her down.
Edward sat away from the group, on the opposite side of the large couch. Brandon watched him with fitful eyes. What happened? Who's Bella? He wished that Edward hadn't closed himself off again, they had just gotten to a good place in their relationship.
"I saw her dead, dead! Because of Victoria. She was bleeding out of the mouth and crying for someone but I couldn't make it out clearly. My best friend was gone!" Alice sobbed, breaking into hysterics again. Jasper took the cup from her hand and sat it on the table before pulling her into his arms. He rocked her gently, sending her waves of comfort and ease.
Rosalie pursed her lips, trying to think of how to word her words right, before saying, "We were idiots for leaving her in harm's way. We left for her benefit but only endangered her life more."
"The wolves killed Laurent from what Irina had said, which means they are capable of protecting her. I do think we should fix the mess we left, though," Carlisle says, and Edward scoffs. Brandon goes to grab his hand but the redhead pulls away, making the half-breed sink in on himself. What was going on?
"Are you sure it's wise to go back like this unannounced? We left in such a hurry, and poor Bella," Esme trails off heart clenching. Her youngest son hadn't said much about what had happened, but she knows it wasn't a good breakup. And by the way Edward had acted at first, she can't even imagine what Bella had gone through. What Bella probably is still going through. "If I must be honest, I think we made a bad decision to leave so hastily. We didn't even tell her goodbye."
"What are you trying to say? That I didn't care about her?" Alice questioned accusingly, sniffling. Jasper rubs her back soothingly. "I hated leaving her. It broke my heart."
"Darlin' she's just saying that we weren't fair to Bella, and we weren't. You know it, I know it. Bella was willing to give up everything and we threw it back in her face."
Alice glares at Jasper for a second before bursting into sobs. "I can't believe I did that to her. What's wrong with me?" With a sigh, he pulls her into his chest and rocks her. Edward stays silent, looking at his fingernails with disdain.
Brandon felt at a loss. Bella had dated Edward? They had left her? A cold chill ran down his spine. Would they leave him?
Edward's arms wrapped around him, tight and secure. The perfect pressure when he needed reassurance. "I will never leave you," He whispers into Brandon's ear. "You're my one and only. Without you, I have no reason for living this destitute existence."
Rosalie snorts from across the room. "Wow, can't even save the theatrics until after we find a way to save your ex's life."
"Rose! Was that really appropriate?" Esme questions, but can't help feeling the same way. As the matriarch, she must keep her kids in line. Maybe she should be more proactive, seeing as how her surrogate children are acting with each other…
"Can you blame me? Bella could literally die and all that dolt is thinking about is professing his undying love for his one and only through depressing and obsessive poetry."
Brandon covers his ears as Edward growls at his sister. "At least I have enough brain cells to write poetry. Tell me, do you compare Emmett to a summer's day, or are you too stupid to understand my reference?"
"I've been with Emmett for more decades than you've been jerking off your little pencil dick, Eddie. Was it weird when you discovered sexual pleasure at the ripe age of eighty-three?"
"Enough. Both of you," Carlisle stands, walking to the front of his family with a stern expression. The squabbling siblings shut their mouths tight, still giving each other side eyes as they give their father their full attention. The flames of the fireplace glow brightly behind him, and his golden eyes are bright from his latest feeding. "Is that what we do in bad situations? Fight amongst ourselves? I'm ashamed of both of your behavior."
"Edward doesn't care about Bella, and Rose is getting in trouble for calling him out? I'm sorry, how does that make sense? I'm smelling favoritism," Emmett scoffs from his spot beside his wife, top lip curled as he growls.
Carlisle shakes his head. "Edward will right his wrongs. We all will, as a family. Why are you assuming he doesn't care about Bella by his actions? Can you read minds now?"
"Well, no-"
"Your brother has anxiety, and sometimes he can not articulate his emotions well. He's still a teenager, too. Please be more understanding of him."
Rosalie hisses, "Shouldn't respect be received by those who give it? Edward made the decision we should leave in the first place. He broke Bella's confidence, he shot her self worth into the dirt. He left her to die of hypothermia in the first place-"
"How was I supposed to know she would follow!"
Edward slams his hand on the coffee table, splitting it in half. Brandon jumps back, senses overloaded. Shoving his face into the couch cushions, he starts to hum to himself. Esme hurries to the boy, pulling out a pair of earplugs and sunglasses from her pocket. Peeling his face away from the cushion, he hurriedly takes the items and sighs in relief as the sounds and lights are muffled.
Don't freak out now, Brandon. It's okay, you're okay. Everything's okay.
"Edward," Esme sighs in disappointment as she sits back down in her seat, shaking her head. "Don't you understand when I say to not break the things I buy? I loved that coffee table. I loved it so much."
Edward is still angry, and despite the fact that he can't stop digging himself into a deeper hole, he says, "Why does it matter what gets broken if we're rich?"
"I like the things I have. I want to keep them nice until I have to replace them. But that never happens because you get angry and break anything in your path even if it's someone else's things." Guiltily, Edward opens his mouth to start apologizing, but Esme holds up her hand. "No, I don't want to hear it right now. Come find me later tonight and we'll talk about it then."
Edward nods, looking dejected. Brandon shuts his eyes, leaning into Edward's side. He just wants to sleep. What are they going to do to save Bella? He wishes he could be of more help.
"I will be contacting Billy Black and Sam Uley tonight to inform them what is going on. I assume they are aware of what's going on with Victoria, since the Chief's son is close friends with Bella."
"What is the plan after that, Carlisle?" Jasper asks, rubbing Alice's back. She looks up with teary eyes, looking like a kicked puppy.
Carlisle looks at all of them before squaring his shoulders and speaking confidently.
"We will protect her, no matter what the cost."
"Rachel! Rachel, Rachel, Rachel!" Sam bursts into the Black residence, eyes wide and crazed and trembling. Rachel grabs him by the throat, pushing him quickly out the door. Shutting it behind her, she points to the forest. "They're back! They're- They're coming back-"
"Phase." She says once they're hidden in the trees and he does so without any further prodding, bursting out of his clothes like when he had first changed. She follows after, slipping off her tank top and shorts with ease.
His brain quickly filtered through the stilted conversation with the patriarch of the Cullen family and the vision that their seer had involving one of their own. Rachel growls, digging her claws into the dirt.
Those fucking leeches ruin everything! She thinks angrily. They broke my sister and ruined our futures. I wish they would all just burn!
You and me both, sister, Sam agrees, burning with the same rage of his alpha. If she was angry, he was. If she was sad, he was sad too. They were connected and no matter what, anytime and anywhere he would always know where his alpha was.
I know I'll have to make a shit decision to protect Bella. I'll have to let them come back to fight against her. Even though it could trigger more children phasing, Rachel pauses her thoughts for a moment before continuing. But we are fighting blind. Maybe with their help, we'll understand how to stop their kind.
Whatever you choose, we will fight beside you. You wouldn't make a bad decision, Rachel.
She hoped he was right. With a huff, she shakes the raindrops off her fur. I'm sorry for what they stole from you. This isn't permanent. After everything is settled, things will be different. I promise you.
She leaves without another word, phasing out and dressing again. Sam stays phased, running into the forest to contemplate.
A future he always wished for? Even when he was forced to stay here? What a possibility...
You're just letting them come back like nothing has happened? Like they didn't almost kill one of our own, Quil growls, looking up accusingly at his alpha. Rachel just rolls her eyes. This isn't funny! What do you think this will do to Bella? This will break her.
I'm well aware of the consequences, Quil. Do you think I haven't thought it through?
Well then, don't let them come back! Jacob exclaimed to his elder sister angrily. Bella had been through enough and he wasn't going to let her be hurt again. Especially by Edweird and Doctor Acula.
Rebecca eyes him in warning from beside her sister. Watch it pup, you speak out of term.
What do you suppose I do to fix this then? What is your grand plan? Rachel questioned, and when both boys stayed silent, she huffed. Even though I hate them with everything inside of me, they're the only way we can beat this. They have a mind reader, a seer, and god knows what else up their sleeve. If anyone is going to stop the redhead leech, it's them.
Jared pipes in then. How do we even know they have experience with this? They couldn't even kill her the first time.
They killed her mate, that has to count for something, Seth exclaims with a shrug. He wishes Collin and Brady were there, but they were running patrols with Sam and Paul. They would agree with him and Rachel on this. So would Embry, but he was guarding Bella, Charlie, and Riley. Bella said they were old, especially the patriarch and the seer's mate. And the doctor's from England, so they're probably loaded with knowledge.
I hate those fucking leeches, but you're right, Rach, Leah says through their mind link, and a wave of understanding flows through the pack. If anyone can help defeat a tick, it's another tick.
Thank you, Leah. I appreciate your support in this decision.
Of course, you're going to support her, Jacob sneers, you don't even like Bella!
Leah shrinks back from her mate, growling lowly. You know nothing, you insufferable brat. God, why did I have to imprint on such an asshole?
Better an asshole than a bitch.
Seth tackles Jacob, biting into his throat with enough force to drip blood. Jacob stays down, unable to move without getting his throat ripped out.
Enough! Seth, get off of Jacob and go back to your spot. Jacob, get your ass up and do the same. The two of them angrily went back, Seth baring his teeth at the latter. The three of you need to get your shit together. I know you're going through your own personal things, but you're being incredibly rude and immature. Especially you, Jacob. And to think, if I hadn't come back you would have been alpha. I'm glad I saved us that headache.
Whatever, I never wanted to be alpha anyway, Jacob retorted sulkily. Rachel ignores him, continuing the meeting.
So, are we all in agreement?
Jared snorts, Like we really have a choice in the matter, oh gracious, alpha. He usually wasn't so disrespectful, but the stress was beginning to get to him and he hadn't seen his imprint since yesterday because she was grounded.
All of you need to get your heads out of your asses! How disrespectful to someone who is not only your alpha but someone that's like an older sister! Rachel is intelligent and capable of making a decision that will benefit you all, and you want to be childish because you think she's wrong? Rebecca is so angry, trembling even in her wolf form. None of you can think of anything better, so shut your fucking mouths.
Well said, sis. Okay, meeting adjourned. Leah, Seth, and Jacob, please stay back.
The rest of the wolves quickly disappeared, phasing out and heading back towards home. The last three stay, Leah moving to stand between Seth and Jacob in case things get heated again.
Do we have to do this now? I have to get back to dad. You know, since you decided to start this meeting and leave him defenseless, Jacob thinks to his sister. Rachel just huffs in response, not giving him the reaction he wants.
Whatever is going on, we need to fix it before the leeches come back. We have to be strong and in unison. If we give them a blind spot, who knows what they could do to us.
You think they would hurt us? Seth asks, cocking his head to the side. Rachel nods and Leah rubs comfortingly against her little brother's side.
We need their help, but who knows what their intentions are. They left Bella, but what if they want to fix what they've done? Or get Bella back and make her a leech themselves?
I understand. We should all have a clear head and shouldn't be fighting. If we're blind sided by our problems with each other, the redhead could sneak up on us and hurt her, Leah nodded in understanding. Turning to Jacob, she swallows her pride and decides to apologize. I'm sorry if I've made you feel bad for what happened, even though you and Bella are cool now. It really hurt me when everything happened. Especially how you treated your friend and your girlfriend. I love you, I really do, and I want to be happy again like when we first imprinted. But we both need to grow up a bit and have trust in one another.
I'm- I'm sorry. For everything. I should have talked to you about my feelings I still had for Bella, and my fears about her hurting Embry. I should have known she wasn't the type of person to use someone else for her personal gain, but I was blindsided by my anger. I want to be happy with you again and I want to stop fighting. You deserve to be appreciated and loved, but what I've been doing is far from that. I'm so sorry for treating you like garbage, especially in your parents home.
Let's start tonight. We both don't have patrol, so why don't we go on a date and take things slow again?
Jacob feels happiness engulf him. That sounds great. I'll pick you up and we can go around six. Looking around his imprint, he locks eyes with Seth. Seth, I'm so sorry. I deserve all the ass beatings you've been giving me. You were just trying to protect your sister. I hope you can forgive me and I can become like a brother to you again, if you'll let me.
It will take some time. Just give me time, please, Seth says coldly, and Jacob nods in understanding. They look back to Rachel, waiting on her next orders.
Thank you for dealing with your issues without giving more of a fight. You guys can go now. I'll see you at home, Jake. They bid her a goodbye and she's left by herself and her own thoughts. She hopes she's made the right decision, but only time will tell.
Jacob goes home to check on his dad and then heads through the woods to Forks, running in his human form so that his sister won't hear. She won't approve of him telling Bella what's going on until she knows more, but he can't keep this from his best friend. He needs to be better for her and Leah, starting now.
When he gets to the backyard, he knocks on the backdoor a few times. He can hear Bella and Embry downstairs in the living room. Riley is sleeping upstairs. Charlie is at the station, he presumes. When the door opens, he's met with Bella's smiling face.
"Jake, what are you doing here?" Embry comes up behind her, face stone as he wraps his arms around her middle. "Is it news on Victoria?"
"Sort of. Can I come in? You might want to sit down for this."
Bella's brown furrows. "Sure, come on in. Would you like something to drink? I just made some sweet tea."
"That sounds good, thanks honey."
When they are settled in the living room, Jacob guzzling a glass of tea anxiously, he finally starts to speak. Setting the glass down on the coffee table coaster, he says, "There has been some big news and I want to let you know before anyone else does. You deserve to know."
"What are you talking about, Jake?" She questions, grasping Embry's hand tightly, he leans into her, laying his chin on her head. "Why are you being so ominous?"
"You're going to need to brace yourself. This might break you."
"B-break me? What are you talking about?"
Embry glares at Jacob, snapping, "Whatever you need to say, you better just say it before she has a panic attack." Jacob nods, swallowing spit and running a hand through his hair.
"Okay," He takes a deep breath before squaring his shoulders and looking her in the eye. "Bella, honey, they're coming back. The Cullen's are coming back."
"W-what?" Bella's face turned sheet white, and her nails dug into Embry's hand. She could feel her heart start to pound in her ears. Did he say the Cullen's? Did I hear that right? "No, they c-can't- How-"
"The seer had a vision of something horrible happening to you, and they said they want to take responsibility for everything they've done," Jacob growls, and Bella folds in on herself. Embry let's go of her hand and pulls her onto his lap, cradling her like a small child.
Bella grasps the collar of Embry's shirt, trying to catch her breath even as her heart cracked into a million pieces.
Bella's POV:
I was drowning. When the words left Jacob's lips, everything sunk to the bottom of an ocean that flooded into my lungs and made my head throb. With a gasp, I wrapped my arms around Embry and tried to calm myself, to do anything but fall deeper and deeper into the waves that crashed under my skin.
Embry, ever my anchor, wrapped his arms tightly around me and started to sing, doing his best to soothe my panic. I gripped his bicep, nails almost breaking the flesh from how hard I was holding him.
"I can tell by the look in yours, you've been hurting…"
His warmth, his tender voice, him just being there made it easier to breathe. Slowly, I came back to myself. For a moment, I marveled at how easy it was becoming to deal with things. Before, I would go for the blade without a second thought. Now, I could abstain.
Leaning down to kiss my forehead, Embry asks, "What do you want to do, baby?" I fought the urge to snap, how the hell should I know, and swallowed the saliva that's collected in my mouth.
"When are they arriving?"
Jacob frowns, gaze so heavy that I can't meet his eyes. "Tomorrow. They're traveling by car," He sneers then before exclaiming. "Why the fuck would that leech even need a car, stupid fuck acting like he can come back here and-"
"We don't need to talk about this right now," Embry cuts him off before leading me to sit on the couch. I'm thankful for that, I had no idea how long my legs would hold me up. He leans down to press a kiss on my lips, cupping my face and caressing my cheek with his thumb. "You're going to be okay, angel. I'm here, all of us are here to support you right now. I'm not leaving you no matter what."
I nod, nibbling my lip as I blinked back tears. I didn't want to cry over him anymore. I didn't want to fall to my knees in despair at the sound of his name. Maybe I could just rip the bandaid off-
"E-Edward can't control me anymore," I rasp, mind becoming more and more dazed as I speak. "Edward Cullen doesn't control me anymore. I'm my own person."
Embry presses a kiss to my lips, so warm and tender, and smiles sadly. "You're right, baby. He doesn't control you. You're your own person."
Blinking hurriedly, I try to clear my vision and focus on his dark eyes. But it's not working, everything feels dreamlike. I feel like I'm slipping into a dream that I never want to wake from.
"E-Em," I grip his arm, try to hold on tightly but he feels like he's already disintegrating from my grasp. "I-I feel funny…"
"Bella? Bella, baby," I lean into his chest, shutting my eyes. Everything felt funny, it didn't seem real. It was like I was in dreamland. "I'm here, I've got you."
"Here, put this in her mouth," Jacob says from faraway, and something is pushed between my lips and settled on my tongue. The sour flavor hits my senses instantly, and my eyes snap open in sudden awareness. "You back with us, honey?"
I nodded, sucking on the sour candy. The dreamlike state was falling away, for which I was glad for. "How did you know to do that?"
"Quil dissociates sometimes, so I always try to keep sour candy or a sucker on hand."
"Dissociates? What's that?"
Jacob licks his lips and sighs. "Dissociation is a trauma-response that's kind of like losing touch with reality and yourself, or even losing time. You probably dissociated because of the stressful situation that had to do with your trauma."
"Trauma?" I sputter, furrowing my brow. "I don't have trauma. I'm just crazy."
"Baby, no," Embry exclaims, kissing my temple. I relax into him, his warmth seeping into my cold bones. "You do have trauma. You have divorced parents, a childish mom, and your dad wasn't really around that often. And then the leeches on top of that wasn't a good combination."
"I just feel so defeated… Why do I have to be like this? What's wrong with me?" Tears prick my eyes and I blink them away. I was sick of crying, sick of being sick. It was so exhausting to live like this.
Embry holds me close, rocking me back and forth. Thankfully I had him to keep my afloat and make sure I didn't crumble into a million pieces.
He kisses my cheek and says, "You're just sick, okay? Nothing is wrong with you at all. I'm sick too, and so is Jacob and everyone else. Most people have trauma and mental illnesses. It doesn't make them less, and it doesn't make you less either. A year from now you're going to be happier and healthier, and you'll understand how precious you are, despite what you might think is wrong with you."
"He's right, honey. The fact that you're still here, fighting through all of your hardships shows that you're healing and you're going to be okay one day."
I wished I could believe them, I really did, but I still wasn't there yet. Nodding, I lean against Embry and close my eyes. "No more talk. I want to nap now."
"I should head out, I'm supposed to be taking Leah out," Jacob said, but didn't make a move to leave. I felt Embry nod against me.
"Bye then."
"See ya." The sound of Jacob's footsteps entered my ears until they disappeared all together, and the back door opened and closed.
It was silent for a moment as Embry continued to rock me, starting to hum under his breath. Picking me up, he carries me upstairs to our room. I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow, exhausted already from the day's events.
Later that night, Jared and Kim surprise us with supper. They bring in some fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy, and two cheesecakes for dessert. We settle in the living room, the guys and Kim intent on watching the game, and I pick at my plate. It's delicious, and I love fried chicken, especially when Embry had made it for me. But my stomach is still unsettled and I feel another panic attack coming on.
Turning from the TV, I see Jared feeding Riley. Ever since Riley had ended up in Forks, the couple had started to dote on him. I was starting to wonder if there was something more there, like with Rachel, Paul, and Jayden. That was one thing I could be happy about, I guess. My brother deserved to be loved and cared for.
As I ate my food, I could feel myself lose my senses. The thrumming in my body was hard to ignore, and when my plate was mostly empty I sat it on the coffee table and stood up.
"Excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom," I say and head towards the stairs. As I reach the first step, Embry grabs my arm. I turn around to see if staring at me with worry, so I try to put on a brave smile.
"You okay?" Embry asks and I nod a little too enthusiastically.
"Yeah, of course."
I can tell that he doesn't believe me when he says, "Bella…" I don't give him time to answer as I turn around and head up the stairs.
"I'll be right back," I whisper, knowing Embry can hear me. I hated to worry him, but I needed to get away from everyone. I needed some time to myself to stop feeling like this.
Inside the small bathroom, I sat on the toilet seat and tried to catch my breath. There had been too many things going on, too much, too much, too much. I just wanted to breathe, just once without something new causing me to fall apart.
Why couldn't I heal? Why couldn't I thrive, just like everyone else seemed to be doing?
My eyes zeroed in on dad's fresh razor on the counter, and I knew I couldn't stop myself this time. So, I did the only thing that came to mind, not caring about the consequences.
Just to destress, I told myself. I just need it to calm myself down.
Breaking the razor in the bathroom, I slowly lifted my shirt sleeve and pressed down, hissing as it burned. As blood started to drip from the wound, my body finally relaxed. Everything felt airy and light.
The door slammed open and Embry stares down at me, eyes wide and jaw tight. Tears pool in his eyes.
"Bella," he says, voice cracking. And just like that, what I just did settles into my system. Tears pool into my eyes and my chin wobbles as I try not to cry. Blood drips onto the floor, staining it red.
"I-I-" What can I even say in this situation? My progress, all gone. Back to square one again. "Embry."
Embry quickly gathers me into his arms, grabbing a wad of toilet paper and holding it to the wound. With his other hand, he grabs the razor out of my grip and throws it onto the floor. "I've got you, baby. I'm right here."
"I-I'm so sorry. I don't know- it just kind of-" I can't finish my sentence as I start to sob.
"I know, I know," He exclaims, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. "It's okay."
"No, it's not! I've ruined all my progress," I cry, and I feel so stupid. Why did I do that? Why did I make such irrational decisions sometimes? "What's dad going to say when he figures out I messed up again? He'll be so disappointed!"
Embry holds me tight as I cry, rubbing my back and holding the toilet paper until the bleeding stops. When my cries have subsided, I look up at him and try to calm down. He pulls the toilet paper away, inspects the wound to make sure it isn't bleeding, before deeming it alright and tossing the toilet paper.
Then he wraps me tightly in his arms and starts to rock me. "Baby, recovery is linear. You've had a rough day and it makes total sense that you try and use your old coping mechanisms."
"But I-I thought-" I can barely finish my sentence, I'm so tired. Today had been a bad day and I was ready to escape to dreamland.
"You are getting better. One day, your first thought won't be to go for the razor, but you're still healing. But believe me, honey, when I tell you that you are getting better. Every day I see you blossom more and more into the person you were always meant to be. You're so strong, and tonight is just one small blip in your recovery story."
Leaning my head against his chest, I let myself relax in his warm arms and believe his words. "Thank you for staying by my side as I deal with my stupid illness. I wish I could repay you for all you've done for me."
"You've stood by my side just as I've stood by yours. Don't think for a second that this is one-sided, because even though we don't have the same issues, you've still saved my life. You got me away from my mom and supported me when my emotions got too much. You're always there for me and I know I'll always be able to count on you, no matter what."
"I feel the exact same way."
We sat there for a while longer, rocking back and forth, until Embry decided a bubble bath would do me some good and started to run a bath.
As it filled up, he left me sitting on the toilet seat to talk to Charlie. I felt embarrassed as he took great care in grabbing the razor before he left, but I didn't blame him. I wasn't in my healthy mind right now, and better to be safe than sorry.
When he comes back, he puts in some lavender bath salts and when the tub is full, he shuts it off.
"Okay, I'll close my eyes and cover my face while you get undressed and in the tub, okay?"
"You can watch, it's okay-"
"The first time I see you naked I want it to be special. And I want both of us to be in healthy head spaces to enjoy it," Embry exclaims, still covering his eyes.
I nod to myself and say, "Okay, I can get behind that."
When I'm undressed, I slide into the tub. The bubbles cover any private areas, thankfully, and Embry is able to uncover his eyes and settle on the toilet seat beside me.
We sit in silence, just enjoying each other's company as I relax in the tub, the bubbles and bath salts working their magic on me. For the first time all day, I don't feel anxious. Whether it be from exhaustion or Embry's tender love and care, I don't care. I was just happy to have the heavy feeling out of my chest.
After my bath was finished, the rest of our night was spent cuddled under my blankets. Even with the day I had, I was grateful for Embry's constant love and attentiveness. As I drifted off to sleep, I hoped that we would always be like this, deeply in love and there for each other.
Embry's POV:
It had been a while since all of us had been together. As I settled on the floor of Sam and Emily's living room, looking around as everyone milled in. Collin sat down beside me and bit at his fingers anxiously. Without missing a beat I grab a chew band from the stim item pile on the table and hand it to him, and he takes it gratefully. Biting into it, I can feel him relax.
Ever since Emily met Jayden, she had started to research that disability and one thing led to another, and she figured out that both Collin and Sam had a lot of those same traits. They both didn't really get jokes and had their secular interests. They also had trouble with their emotions, and Collin in particular had sensory issues that she used to pass off as just grumpiness. After her discovery, She began to watch both of them closely and when she noticed Collin liked to bite himself when anxious, she bought stim toys to keep around the house.
Collin's hands healed and he felt better than ever. His aggression had gone down too, which might have to also do with his two imprints. He wasn't looking for a significant diagnosis, but he was happy that he was finally understood.
Sam, on the other hand, hadn't come to terms with it yet. But Emily and the rest of us made sure he knew he had our support.
I was whisked out of my thoughts as the rest of them walked in, Jacob and Leah coming in last holding hands. I grimaced and focused on the front, trying not to let my anger simmer.
Even though Bella and Jacob were back to being best buds, I hadn't spoken to him except for when I had to. I was still angry, so angry, and I felt like he didn't get it. He didn't deserve Bella or Leah or any other girl because he just treated them like trash. Who treats their own imprint like that?
"I call this meeting to order," Rachel says, tapping a pointing stick at a large white board she had rolled in. "First on the agenda, as all of you know, the Cullen's are back. They're here to help us fight the redhead and teach us about newborns and all that jazz. Now, I don't care how bad they smell or how angry you get at them, no attacking! We may hate them, but we need to keep civil until the white men leave."
I hear some grumbles about the no-fighting rule, but it seems that everyone is in agreement. When we quiet down, Rachel speaks again.
"Now, we all have our strengths in this pack. Some of you are better trackers, some are faster, some are stronger, some are better strategizers," With each category she taps the word underlined on the whiteboard. "Today we will be figuring out what exact category each of you fall into before the Cullen's get here. We need to be unified and strong in front of them, not a bunch of children."
Collin raises his hand, waving his arm wildly until Rachel calls on him. "But I am a child."
"I know, but you're going to pretend not to be. We have to be mature and strong and like adults," She answers and he nods, chomping on his chew band again.
Rachel goes to open her mouth, but Quil beats her to it. "What about the imprints and partners? Where will they go when we actually have the battle?"
"They'll stay here, with Emily and the young wolves. If you're under sixteen, you aren't fighting and will be guarding the humans."
"But I want to fight!" Seth groans. "I want to be of some use!"
"You don't think protecting our soulmates is important, bro?" Paul questions with a raise of his brow.
"Well, when you put it like that…"
"Now! Back to our meeting. Aside from today's festivities, I have also been behind the scenes working on getting you guys back into education. A few teachers at the tribal school know the secret, so I talked to them about homeschooling. I know Sam talked about this before, but this really needs to be implemented so that you guys have good futures. We may be werewolves but we're not just werewolves."
"What about the ones that have trouble not learning in a classroom? I know I have a lot of trouble learning if someone's not teaching me," Brady exclaims, and I hear a few of the others hum in agreement.
"Well, I've thought of that too. You all will be given time to patrol that won't affect your school time. Here, I've printed off patrol schedules." Sam and Emily hand them out to each of us. "I've also taken into account if you have a job, are a parent, or are guarding someone."
"So I see you know who's going to homeschool and who's not?"
"It wasn't hard to guess."
"Does this start today or tomorrow? Because I already patrolled and I'm exhausted," Jared asks, leaning tiredly back on the couch.
"It'll start today after we finish our activity. Everyone patrols for four hours, so no one will be super exhausted like they were before. Everyone has a buddy to patrol with that I think will benefit them, too. Because of the issues in the pack, no one except Collin and Brady will be patrolling with their partners. This is because they have school and I can trust them, unlike some people."
"Cough-Jake-Cough!" Paul coughed under his breath and we all chuckled to ourselves. Jake growls from his seat and I just roll my eyes.
"Now, what do you guys think? Does this seem like a good thing for all of you?"
Jared raises his hand, waiting on Rachel to call on him before saying, "I think this schedule is pretty solid. This works out great for me and I can see Kim a lot more."
"This will be good for us, I think. Everyone has a schedule that works and maybe during the kids breaks they can have a different schedule to switch things up," Quil says, raising his eyebrows cheekily at Brady who just punches him in the shoulder.
"Okay, all in favor of the new schedule?" Everyone raises their hands and Rachel claps her hands eagerly. "Okay, good! Now onto the next item on the agenda. We're having a bonfire to honor the new imprints and partners! That also means Bella, because none of you were welcoming to her! So we're going to welcome all of them into our weird family and make them feel loved."
"So, if anyone has any dessert requests, I have three slots open. The rest of you need to bring some food, though. I'm not cooking this time," Emily says, rubbing her small baby bump. The room bursts into talk of food, and I let myself relax into the simplicity of the conversation. Bella was finally going to be a part of the pack, just like she always should have been. She may have been around some of them, but they would become her family, just like they had mine.
The meeting ended a few hours later after all of us had figured out our special abilities in the pack. I had found out I had better hearing and sense of smell than most of the pack, Paul saying it was because I was an emo wallflower, and with another packet on how to train my ability at home, I was finally able to leave. I hopped onto my motorcycle eagerly and started back towards Forks. Towards home, towards Bella. I fought hard to keep concentration and not think of her lovely features; big brown eyes, pretty pink lips, and strawberry-scented hair I loved to lose myself in. Maybe that was because I had a sensitive nose?
When I pulled into the empty driveway, Charlie must have been at work, I entered the house and found Riley and Bella watching Wuthering Heights together. Ever since he had entered her life, she had made it her mission to become as close as possible to him. That meant, every day they would each pick a movie and watch it together. So far, they have watched Gone With the Wind, Indiana Jones, Great Expectations, Blade Runner, and now Wuthering Heights.
Leaning down to press a kiss to her lips, I sat down beside her and leaned in to sniff her hair. She giggles, neck ticklish, and I press a kiss there. Bella turns to me with reddened cheeks, glaring cutely. I nod to Riley over her head and he grins back, also blushing. They must have gotten that trait from Charlie.
"How was the meeting, cheesehead?" Bella whispers loudly and I smile, kissing her again.
"It was good. Want to see my new patrol schedule? I'm with Rachel now."
She takes it from my hand, scanning the page appreciatively. "Nice, only four hours? And of course, she would make a packet for this."
"I know right? I also figured out I'm good at smelling and listening. Better than most of the pack, I guess. So she also gave me a packet to train my senses at home."
"Maybe I can help you! I could cook you things and you could guess what they were?"
"As long as I get to eat it afterward, I'm game. Speaking of cooking, I haven't done that in a while…"
"Do you want to?"
"Yeah, I miss it. I didn't notice it had been so long, honestly. With all this stuff going on, it didn't seem like a priority."
"Well, how about maybe we can take turns cooking from now on? Even dad and Riley can-"
Riley cut her off, smiling bashfully. "Um, I might need a lot of help. I suck ass in the kitchen."
"And you also suck ass at Jared's, but that's never stopped you," I teased and he turned as red as a tomato. Bella admonishes me, smacking my arm lightly.
"Don't tease him about his love life! And please for the love of god, don't put that image in my head, Embry Call."
"Sorry, sorry," I say with a cheesy grin that said I was anything but sorry. "But you both blush so easily! It's like an all-you-can tease buffet!"
Bella and Riley both pout, using the same expression Charlie does when his favorite team loses. It just makes me laugh harder. This family was spitting images of each other.
The phone rings, breaking me out of my reverie. Trying to stop laughing, I stand up to answer the landline that hangs from the wall.
"Hello? Swan residence."
"Embry? Is that you, son?" Qld Quil asks from the other end and my laughter quickly dies off. Why would he be calling?
"Old Quil? What's up, why are you calling?"
"Us elders and the alpha's had a quick meeting and we came to the conclusion of something."
"What did you come to the conclusion of?"
"You know how your mom left your house?
My heart started to pound in my chest. Swallowing, I said, "Yeah… what about it?"
"Well, it's yours, if you want it. We also thought it would be a good idea if you and the Swan family moved into the home while the vampire is on the loose."
"Uhm…" Suddenly the room was too hot, and my mouth was too dry. Small arms wrap around my waist and I look down to see Bella, sweet brown eyes looking up at me with worry. "That would be the best option, wouldn't it? To keep everyone safe."
"Yes, I think so too. You can move in as soon as you can."
"Sounds good. Thank you." I hung up without waiting for a goodbye, which I knew I would be chastised for later because it was very disrespectful, and leaned my head against the wall.
"Embry?"
"Yeah?" I croak out, and I feel hot tears start to drip down my face.
"Are you okay?"
"No… no, I'm not," Turning, I wrap my arms around Bella and hold her tightly. "Bella, they want me to go back to that house."
"What house, honey?" Bella asks but I can't answer, my mind filled with memories I don't want to be a part of. My grip loosens on Bella and I can feel her push them away. I sit down at the dining room table, images of bottles being thrown at me and cigarettes being pressed into my skin racing through my mind.
"I don't wanna go back! All I'll think about is her. Fuck!" My hands press against my eyes and I sob. Why can't I be normal? Why can't I just forget about what happened? She's not even here anymore!
Tiny, cold hands cup my cheeks and suddenly dark eyes encompass me. "I know that is going to be hard for you, Em. It's going to be one of the hardest things you do in life. But that house is just a house, and it can't hurt you."
"I know… I know it can't. But it's terrifying."
"I'll be by your side through this whole thing, okay? You're not alone anymore. Together, we'll fight the demons of that house and make it our home."
"You really mean that?"
"Yes, I do. I love you, Embry."
"I love you too. So much." Bella wraps her arms around me and I lay my head on her chest, cradling her close. My beautiful Bella, always knowing exactly what I need. We stay like that for a long time, just loving each other tenderly.
When Charlie gets home that night, Bella fills him in on everything and he says he'll take time off work. I eat silently, not having the energy to do anything else.
I fall into bed that night and fall asleep instantly, but bad dreams plague. Just like before.
It didn't take long to pack up the small things we'd need and move to La Push. Bella packed a lot of her room decor, though, to make it feel as homey. I don't really think it'll work, but to each their own, I guess.
"Home sweet home," I exclaim sarcastically as I enter the little home I used to share with my mom, my body tense as I take in the state of it. Just as she'd left it, aside from a light cleaning and no fruit in the bowl on the table. But the bowl was still there, as was everything else. It wasn't like at the graduation party, where I could ignore everything and just pretend my life wasn't shit. It was just there, with no party or music to cover it up.
My life was in a box at the back of Bella's closet and the remnants of it sit here in this downtrodden house. My hand goes up to play with my hair absentmindedly, a nervous habit I've had since I was small.
"You okay, son?" I jump as someone touches my shoulder, breaking me out of my thoughts. Charlie states up at me, concern marring his face and I look at my feet in shame. Why does he have to see me live like this? "Embry?"
"I'm fine, Chief. Just reminiscing."
"I know we're not close, but I'm here if you need to talk. I know what it's like to have a not so good relationship with a parent."
I can't look up but I nod in affirmation. "Thank you."
Bella was at a therapy appointment, but I wished wholeheartedly that she was with me now, helping me deal with this mess that was my fucked up life. As we headed further into the house, memories resurfaced that I tried so hard to shove down. Everything seems okay until I see the mark in the wall where she threw a beer bottle at my head. Immediately, my chest clenches and I can't be in here anymore. I need out.
"I-I need to get out of here. I'm sorry I just- I hate it here."
I didn't give Charlie room to reply before I moved past him and ran out the door. My body runs to the forest on autopilot and once I'm safely cocooned by the tall trees, I start to cry. The world feels like it's falling apart around me, and I wish more than anything that Bella was here, that I wasn't so alone with all these thoughts and feelings I had threatening to break me.
Crumbling to the forest floor, I cried into my hands and let the waves of panic wash over me, knowing it was futile to fight against it. I hoped that none of the pack found me like this, I didn't even want to think about it.
Fuck my mom and fuck whoever my deadbeat dad is! I shouldn't have to deal with any of this because of them! I didn't do anything to deserve this!
Anger courses through my veins and without thinking I punch the hard dirt, over and over until my knuckles become open and bloody.
"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" Everything threatens to spill over and I can't do anything but keep hitting the ground, the pain settling into my bones and anchoring me. "I hate you!"
"Embry!" Arms wrap around me, tugging me into a sitting position and I push against them. "Buddy, it's Paul. It's okay, I've got you."
"Paul?"
"I'm here." I relax into his hold, crying openly. Blood drips from my hands onto my clothes, staining the material of my jeans. Paul kisses my forehead, rocking me softly in his arms. "Paul's got you."
Later, Paul and I sit side by side on the ground, my chest finally calm and body not feeling like it's caving in on itself.
Quietly, I lick my lips and ask, "Why does it hurt to be there?" I trace a sun into the dirt, feeling more at peace as time goes on. Paul hums, deep in thought.
"It'll be traumatic for a while, especially with all of the memories. But maybe you guys can make it a real home while you're there. Do some painting and decorating. It makes it a lot easier to make new memories and make it a happy place."
I look up, resting my cheek on my knee. "Is that what you did?"
"Mhm, Sam and Jared helped me. She passed a few months before I phased for the first time, and dad and I had our own place but we fought a lot. It's better now that we live apart, we can't live together because we're too similar." He turns to me, eyes soft. "It doesn't feel like hers anymore, or anything bad. It feels like mine and Rachel's and Jayden's and home. I want that for you too."
"I want that too," I say as I wipe my dirt covered finger on my pants and scrub my eyes with my jacket sleeve. "I don't want to feel like this anymore. It hurts to be there and reminds of all the bad memories and how she up and left me without a thought."
Paul wraps an arm around me and kisses my forehead. "Your mom can get bent. I'll be your new mom, okay?"
"What?" I question with a laugh, and he grins at me.
"You need a mom and I'm basically like a mom. So, I'm your mommy now."
"Oh my god, stop talking."
Paul puffs out his chest and waggles a finger at me. "Is that any way to speak to your mother, Embry Wayne?"
"I hate you so much right now!" I cackle, and Paul starts to laugh as we sit there together. After a few minutes of bliss, I take in a breath and smile. "Thank you, Paul."
"Don't mention it, kid. Come on, let's get back. The Chief is probably worried sick."
Together we walk back to that horrible house, Paul's arm wrapped tightly around me to keep me grounded. When we made it to the front yard, Bella shot out the front door and jumped into my arm. Paul moves his arm as I catch her, breathing in her strawberry scent deeply.
"Don't you scare me like that again, you hear me?" Bella says in my ear, haggard and out of breath. "Don't run off like that. I was so worried when dad called me."
"I'm sorry I worried you, baby. I just- well, you know."
She pulls back and looks at my face, eyes teary as she nods. "I understand it can get too much sometimes. I wish I could take that pain from you and keep it as my own." Leaning in, she kisses me hard before pulling away. "If you need to leave a situation, tell one of us and we'll help you. Please don't go off on your own right now in the woods. Especially when she's out there."
"I promise I won't do it again," I kiss her again, holding her tightly against me. When I pull away, I kiss the tip of her nose. "I love you."
Bella smiles at me, soft and endearing. "I love you more."
Third Person POV:
"Where the hell are they? Aren't vampires supposed to be punctual?" Rebecca growls under her breath, stomping a twig underneath her foot. "Fucking leeches, keeping me away from my babies. Bunch of sorry good for nothing-"
"It'll be okay, sis. Let's just calm down and get through this meeting in one piece, okay?" Rachel wraps an arm around her twin's shoulder, squeezing her with reassurance. Along with them, Embry and Jared were also in their human forms. The rest of the pack stood phased, on edge as they waited for their mortal enemies. Bella held on tightly to Embry, leaning against him with her eyes closed. Everyone could hear the little pitter-patter of her heart, almost like a hummingbird. She was so anxious and they were trying hard not to feed off of it.
"I'm here, you'll be okay," Embry whispers, kissing her temple. Bella nods back but doesn't speak, any words she attempts getting caught in her throat.
They stand there in silence, waiting and waiting until finally, they all step through the treeline at human speed. Impossibly beautiful and imposing, and smelling like bleach.
The patriarch, Carlisle, holds his hand out to Rachel over the treaty line and she takes it without any hesitance, shaking it firmly. He gives a small smile that she doesn't return. Paul bristles and grumbles but stays put.
"It's nice to meet the new alpha, Miss Black," Carlisle says as his arm returns to his side. "I see the pack has grown exponentially."
"No thanks to your kind."
"What is that supposed to mean, mutt?" Rosalie, Rachel remembers Bella saying, narrows her eyes, scowling. "What do we have to do with that?"
"I would appreciate if you didn't use derogatory names towards me, Rosalie. And to answer your question, your kind caused our phasing. Vampires trigger our genetics and we can't control it. None of this would have happened if you hadn't moved to this place."
The matriarch's mouth drops open in shock. "We did this?"
"Yes, you did," Rebecca snaps, uncaring about the vampire's feelings. "So after we take care of the redhead, the treaty is null and void. You won't be welcome in Washington anymore."
"That isn't fair! This is our home!" Rosalie exclaims with a hiss. Carlisle puts a hand on her shoulder, trying to quiet his fiery daughter before she gets them all killed.
"No, this is our home. Our people call this home, not you. You stupid white colonizers-" Rebecca is cut off as Rachel covers her mouth and gives her a stern look. When she pulls her hand away, Rebecca looks down at her feet, cheeks tinged red.
Rachel sighs, wishing this meeting could be over already as she looks down at her sister. "Let's not get into a fight, please. I know you're angry but this is no way to act right now."
"I'm sorry, Rach."
Rachel turns back to the other side of the treaty line, trying to keep her temper at bay as she stares at these callous immortals. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way, why don't we talk logistics? Why didn't you take care of the redhead and the one in the meadow?"
"There was one in the meadow?" Alice, the seer, asks with wide eyes. Rachel nods.
"Bella called him Laurent. He tried to eat her and we took care of it," She pauses, licking her lips as she squares her shoulders. "Why did you endanger not only her life, but numerous others? They could have wiped out the reservation if it hadn't been for us. They could have wiped out Forks. You're supposed to be century-old vampires and yet you made this stupid, immature decision to leave because your little brat decided he wanted to ditch his girlfriend."
Alice scrambles to find leverage in the situation, saying, "That isn't what happened at all! Edward left for her safety, and-"
"And look at how well that turned out. She's almost died like five times," Jacob says, swallowing as he tries not to think about it.
"We had no idea it would be like this-" Alice tries again, but Rachel points a finger at her, at all of the coven.
"But you should have. You should have known not to even get involved with humans in the first place, but here we are. For old ass vampires, you guys are so childish. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
The clearing is quiet as Rachel's question lingers in the air. Bella closes her eyes, leaning into Embry's chest for comfort. He kisses her forehead, holding her tightly to his warm body.
When Carlisle finally speaks, he looks solemn, "You're completely right, Miss Black. We made a terrible decision and we've come to rectify that. Once we've done that, we no longer have a reason to ever live in Washington again."
Immediately his family starts to protest, except for Brandon, who stands next to Edward's side feeling a lot of confusion.
"Carlisle, you can't be serious-" Rosalie tries to argue again, but Esme cuts her off with a look.
"We are not going to live in this area if it destroys young children's lives. That is intolerable. We must do and be better from now on." As the Cullen children quieted down, Rachel found her bearings and started to speak. But Rebecca cut in, looking straight at the vampires with a dark look.
"Now, let's talk about us working together. No one will know you're here. You are to stay in your old home and not venture around any other humans. Personally, I don't trust the little twink to keep it in his pants," Rebecca says and Edward tenses, glaring at the woman.
"Excuse me?"
But she waves off his words as if they're annoying flies. "I mean, look at your new side piece. Does he know the secret, Eddie?" Brandon blushes and swallows.
"I'm actually a halfbreed. You know, mom was human and dad was a vampire," He laughs nervously. "My whole family is a mix of vampires and humans and halfbreeds."
Rachel raises an eyebrow. "Huh, I didn't see that coming. So, what sort of vampire characteristics do you have?"
"I'm faster and stronger, but I don't produce venom and I can't change people. I also age like a human, but that's because I eat more human food than drinking blood. Honestly, I hate blood and only drink it if I'm injured or sick because it helps me heal faster."
"And you drink from animals?"
He nods, a bright smile appearing on his face as he starts to flap his hands. "Yes, my whole family does! Since hearing of the Cullen's many covens have started the trend. I grew up on mostly deer blood as a baby."
"How did… How do you exist? I didn't know that vampires couldn't have children."
"We'll, usually they can't, but my mother was human when me and my two sisters were born. Then she was changed. Another time I can get into the logistics of this stuff with you, because if I start now I can go on and on."
"Yes, I'd like that very much. I notice you don't smell like the others and it's probably because you eat mostly human food. Now does that mean you won't be fighting, or you will be and need to drink blood to keep up strength?"
"I'll have to drink blood, yes. And yes, I'll be fighting."
Edward scowls, head snapping to stare at his boyfriend. "No, you will not be."
"It's not really your decision, Ed."
"You can barely function if someone argues, how are you going to do during battle?"
"I'm disabled, yes, I know. But I've been around long enough to have been involved in my own family affairs. I don't need you to demean me so I listen to what you say."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you-"
"Yes, you did. And this discussion is over. They need to get back to the meeting and you need to shut your mouth."
"…Anyway, starting tomorrow night, we should start training together. There will be several training sessions over the next few days because not everyone can be around for every practice, due to the patrol schedules we have. You should also patrol, according to this schedule I've made," Rachel is handed a stapled packet of papers and she quickly shoves it into Carlisle's hands. "We also have some of the limited information on our fighting skills and some of our contact numbers."
"You're very thorough, Miss Black," Carlisle exclaimed, flipped slowly though the packet with a look of intrigue.
"Yes, I am. Okay, I think that should cover that? We will meet here during the evening tomorrow."
"We will see you then, thank you for meeting with us under these circumstances." They shake hands once more before the pack and vampires start to filter away. Tomorrow night, the training would begin.
Bella's POV:
Everything was going so well until he spoke to me. As we turned to leave, the meeting adjourned, someone called my name. Without thinking I turned around, and suddenly I was looking into golden eyes.
"Bella, I'm sorry," Edward said and I could feel my body start to tremble. All I could remember was when he had left me, abandoned me. The cruel words he spat. "I'm so sorry for all the trouble I've caused for you."
"You're not good for me, Bella."
Pain shot through my chest and I pressed a hand to it, trying to find some aleve. I couldn't get a breath and I clung to Embry with my free hand, trying to calm myself down. But he was right there. Edward was talking to me like he did nothing to me.
"Baby, listen to my voice, okay? Embry's here," He leans down and cups my face, trying to shield me from everything. "I'm gonna take a little time, a little time to look around me. I've got nowhere left to hide, it looks like love has finally found me." He cocoons me in his arms as he continues to sing and I slowly find myself again, in the panic that seizes me.
I had no idea how long it took me to calm down, but once I did, Embry looked down at me with a sweet smile.
"I've got you, baby. I'm not leaving, I'm right here," Embry presses a soft kiss to my lips and my eyes flutter shut for a moment, reveling in it.
"Let's go home," I whisper, opening my tired eyes to look up at him again. Without anything needing to be said, Embry wraps an arm around me and leads me back towards the truck. I couldn't wait to get home and take a long bubble bath and forget any of this mess happened.
But life couldn't be so kind to me to leave it at that.
"Bella, wait! I'm sorry! Please, talk to me! Let me explain," Alice screeches with a sob from behind me and I pause in my step, clenching my jaw. No, no more. I won't let you ruin me any longer. I can't let myself be broken again. Steeling myself, I look up at Embry and nod solemnly, and we start walking again. "I'm so sorry!"
As Alice continues to scream, I leave without glancing back, and for the first time, the hole in my chest starts to fully close.
Back at the old Cullen mansion, the family settles into the home to clean. Brandon sits on the steps outside, the dust bothering him, head in his hands as he tries to sift through his thoughts.
How could Ed keep this from me? I thought we were solid… How can he just act like everything's okay when he did that to her? Caused this much pain?
"Brandon," Edward whispers, and Brandon tenses but doesn't speak. The air between them is tight and strained. Edward wonders how this happened, how they got to this place. How will he ever fix it? "Please, talk to me."
"You belittled me in front of everyone. Not to mention, messed with that poor girl," Brandon says, wiping a tear that's slipped from his eye. "You can't just do stuff like that, Edward. You're over a century old, but you still act like a child."
Edward looks at his feet, unsure of what to say. "Brandon-"
"What makes you think you can tell me what to do? Or tell me what I can't do? I'm not an infant just because I'm disabled. I'm autistic, I'm not incapable. Maybe you should get out of your little bubble and learn about other people and their struggles and maybe you'll have some damn empathy and intelligence about things that aren't to do with being melodramatic about your horrible and perilous existence."
"I'm sorry for upsetting you."
Brandon stands to his feet, screaming, "You should be! I don't need my partner to put me down when the whole world already does! You're supposed to be my soulmate, the person I trust and confide in, but today you've shown me that maybe you aren't that person. Maybe I need to find someone that will treat me with the respect I deserve!" He finishes with a sob, his heart aching with embarrassment and pain. How can someone treat him like this, least of all the person he trusts most? "You never told me about Bella. How could you leave her in the forest by herself? You could have broken up with her at her house! I don't know what was going through your head when you treated her like crap, but it scares me. Are you going to treat me like that? How am I supposed to be with someone who can throw people away so frivolously?
Edward stands frozen, not knowing what he can say to make it better. He messed up, first with Bella and now with Brandon. How was he supposed to fix this? The redhead covers his mouth as he starts to cry, eyes filled with tears that will never fall. I'm a monster, even more so than I first thought. My sweet Brandon, how can I live with myself? What will I do if I lose you?
"I'm going to go to sleep now." Brandon leaves Edward outside by himself, sobbing into his hand and feeling sorry for himself. As he walks into the house, the gap between them grows large.
As he drifts off to sleep on Edward's futon, Brandon wonders if they'll ever be okay again.