A/N: Hello lovely readers, It's been too long. I've gone through quite a few life changes, including getting married and having my son, but I'm back and ready to get back into it! I've still been working and planning on my stories in my abscense, so stay tuned. Thank you for sticking around this long and I'll try and update sooner than I have been. I appreciate your patience! And if you want more of my content, check out my other stories!
WARNING: GRAPHIC MENTIONS OF SELF HARM, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, MENTAL ILLNESS, PANIC ATTACKS, 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-Four.
Brandon wakes up thrumming with anxiety. So, he does what he always does when he gets like this. He puts in his earbuds, starts playing his calm down playlist, and gets to baking.
Soon the kitchen is filled with the sweet aroma of cookies and brownies, and Brandon's brain is devoid of Edward and all of the constant stress that comes from him. The only thing that's on his mind is mixing, pouring, and plating baked goods. Edward thankfully stayed away, hiding off in the woods some more.
Probably sulking, Brandon thinks angrily. Go get some therapy already, jerk.
After Brandon is done baking, he packs everything into Tupperware and heads to La Push with Emmett, who is the only one crazy enough to take him there.
"You're doing a good thing, bro. Belly has a huge sweet tooth and she'll gobble those down."
"D-do you think… that she'll like me? Even though I'm with Edward?"
"She's not going to judge you, I don't think. She's a softie at heart, so you have nothing to worry about."
The ride is quick and soon we are at the treaty line. Immediately, two wolves appear on the other side, one gray and one tan. Slowly stepping out, I tell Emmett goodbye and walk up to the line.
Flapping my hand at my side, I say, "Um, would it be alright if I cross over? I wanted to bring Bella some cookies to apologize. You can have some too if you want."
They stare at me for a second and I avert eye contact to start at the ground. I don't look up until a hand waves to get my attention, and a tall guy with a shark-like smile motions me over.
"I'll walk you over, half-leech."
We walk in silence until we get to what I assume is Bella's house, and the boy turns to me. Without speaking, I take a few cookies out of the Tupperware and hand them to him. He eagerly grabs them and shoves them into his mouth.
Swallowing roughly, he says, "Tell her Paul sent you, alright?" I nod and then he turns around and runs back from where he came, yelling, "Thanks for the cookies!"
Staring off after the boy, I slowly turn back around and gulp. It's just a simple house, nothing to be scared about. My heart hammers in my chest as I walk up the porch steps and open the screen door. Hesitantly, I knock on the door and wait.
The door opens, and Bella Swan stands there with sleepy, swollen eyes and a milk mustache. Her hair is in crazy disarray all over her head and she has del bags from lack of sleep.
As she takes in my presence, she quickly wipes her mouth and tries to pat down her hair. "Hello?"
"I'm sorry, Paul sent me!" I shove the cookies at her and look down at my feet anxiously. Oh no, she hates me.
"You're… sorry?"
"Edward is a dick and I had no idea he left you like that. We got together not too long ago and I'm starting to see the person he truly is, and I'm not sure I like it."
"I understand what you mean." She pauses, eyes softening as she looks at me. "Come in, make yourself at home."
The place was quite cozy and smelt of cinnamon apples. I followed Bella to the kitchen, setting the cookies on the table and sitting in a chair. No one else was in the house, which was odd.
"Collin's outside somewhere patrolling, don't worry. Embry had to go to work but we're safe."
"Ah, I see."
A silence set in as she took a cookie from the Tupperware and slowly ate it, then quickly grabbed three more and started begging out.
After she ate five cookies in quick succession, she said hesitantly, "So… you're dating Edward."
"Yes," I fiddled with my hands anxiously.
"How's that going?"
"Not so good, honestly. He's not the boy I thought he was."
She nodded in understanding before speaking again. "How did you guys… how did you end up together? I had no idea he was bi."
"We met at school and he was so standoffish, but when we became partners in English class, we both found out that we had a lot in common. He didn't know I was a half-breed, but I knew from the start that he was a vampire. It took a long time to be able to tell him about myself because in our world half-breeds are kind of kept secret. Most vampires don't even know we exist and we happen by accident." Bella nodded, urging me to continue. "After he tried to protect me from something and I instead protected him, I finally told him the truth. Then he asked me out on a date, and the rest is history."
Bella was silent for a moment, pensive. I was worried I had said the wrong thing and opened my mouth to apologize, but she started to speak.
"All this time, I wondered how the Cullens were, how Edward was, and now I know they didn't even care about me at all. I was nothing more than a piece of furniture in their weird life here in Forks. A plaything Alice got to dress up, a child substitute for Esme. A way to show Edward how much control he had. Did they even care about me?"
"I think so, when I first came into the family they were all very sad like a tragedy happened. Once I started spending more and more time with them, I noticed they started to change and get over whatever was bothering them. There's no doubt that the tragedy was abandoning you."
Bella propped up her chin on her chin and said, "That's all good and well, but the fact that they didn't tell you about me shows how much they really cared. Not to mention, I knew the secret. What if after he left me I started blabbing to everyone? The Volturi would catch wind of that very fast. And they left me to deal with a vengeful nomad whose mate they killed protecting me. How was I supposed to deal with her myself? Thank god for the pack or I'd be dead by now."
Fuck, the Cullens were very irresponsible. I can't believe Carlisle and Esme would let Edward of all people dictate their decisions. They made a good start in going against the family's wishes and refusing to live there again, but more needed to be done. Edward needed to understand that his actions had consequences.
"I'm so sorry for what they've done. If I had known, I would have done something. Anything. I know how it feels to be abandoned by someone you thought loved you." Bella's eyes widen and she opens her mouth, then shuts it. She does this a couple more times, brow furrowing. "You want to know how I understand?"
She slowly nods, cheeks reddening with blush. "Only if you're comfortable with that."
"Oh yeah, I've dealt with it in therapy and I know it wasn't my fault. I'm fine to tell you about it." I took in a breath before beginning. "Okay, so, when I was twelve my dad left my mother and me. I was eating breakfast at the table and I said good morning and he just stood up and walked out the door. We never saw him again."
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry."
"Nah, it's cool. I've dealt with these things and I'm healed by them. But what has helped me is to understand it wasn't my fault. It was his. He decided to just up and leave me, he missed out on all my special moments. And a couple of months ago, he found me on Facebook and tried to get in touch with me, and I was able to tell him off and block him. He no longer has power over me anymore."
Bella was silent for a second, nibbling on her bottom lip before saying quietly, "I wish I could get to that point. It was last year and I still struggle with even saying his name. What he said to me broke me down completely, and then my best friend Jacob and I were almost together and he imprinted on someone else. He didn't tell me and my feelings grew and grew until I walked in on him sleeping with his imprint."
"How did you get with the guy you're with now?"
"He was Jacob's best friend and had gone over to check on me, and found my suicide notes. He ran to the cliffs and saved my life, and continued to save it. And along the way, he became the person I love the most."
"You're already healing, Bella. I hope you know that. It's still a fresh trauma, so give yourself some time and by the end of the year, I promise it will be much better. It took me a long time to be like this. You just have to keep putting in the time and effort for yourself." Pushing my nerves, I swiftly pull her into a hug and try to shove all my love into her. She hugged me back, at first hesitantly and then with just as much vigor.
When we finally pulled away, there were happy tears down our cheeks and a relaxed look on our bodies.
"How about we get to know each other today, Bella? I'd like to be friends with you if that's okay."
Bella smiles, looking at me for a second before reverting her eyes. "I'd like to be your friend too, Brandon."
Embry's POV:
"You're just like your fucking father!" A hand slaps against Embry's cheek, and then he's pushed to the ground. Staring up at his angry mom, he feels so small he can barely move.
He's twelve again, and he was caught sneaking out for the first time with Jacob and Quil. They wanted to stay the night on the beach, they just hadn't anticipated Seth blabbing and Harry catching them and taking them home. Now he was feeling his mother's wrath. He wishes he could just go to bed.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself? You just going go sit there all stupid?"
"I'm sorry, momma."
"Just go to your fucking room, I don't even want to look at you anymore!" He scrambles to his feet and another slap hits his face, busting his lip open.
"NO!" I sit up with a start, still tasting the blood in my mouth and feeling the ache in my from where she had hit me. Looking at the other side of the bed, I notice the distinct lack of Bella. After having a mini heart attack, I remember that she was staying at Emily's for a classic movie night.
Thank god, she doesn't need to see me like this.
Pulling myself from my bed, I stand and head to the window. Tears fall down my cheeks before I can stop them, and I feel so fucking weak. Nightmares, really? How pathetic was I?
I push open the window and smell the rain that falls, trying to calm myself. Sleep wouldn't be coming anytime soon, and it was too early to make anything. And I could even wolf out and take a run to clear my head because I couldn't leave Charlie unprotected.
The stresses of my life felt like they were overtaking my body and I couldn't do anything about it. Too much, everything was too much.
So, I did what I was best at. Shut the window, slid back into bed, and swallowed everything down. Because nothing was wrong if I ignored it, right?
"And it just doesn't make sense when they say buy two for two, because it would be cheaper to buy a four-pack than two packs of two, you know?" Quil asked me as we sat at my house, the TV playing quietly in front of us. This was the first time Quil had been allowed to hang out over here, partially because he was kind of annoying to my mom and partially because she didn't want me to have nice things. "Like, they're not going to force me out of my damn deal. They should know what kind of person they're dealing with, I'm a regular there!"
"A regular that is easily persuaded any other time," I joke, rolling my eyes at his antics. "Remember the time they said you were getting a special deal of six for four dollars, but when you calculated it only came to one for free and not two?"
"That was the most they've swindled out of me, and I've decided to be vigilant ever since. No one's going to pull the wall over Ole Quil V!"
"Yeah, yeah, dude. You're the master."
After everything that happened, it was nice to spend time with my best friend again. I had been angry at him for outing Bella and I, but he became one of our biggest supporters quickly after, and our friendship strengthened again.
But we always came back to the subject of our lost brother.
"So, hey," Quil paused, scarfing down the sandwich in his hand in one bite. "We need to talk."
I couldn't help but play dumb. "Bout what?"
"You need to forgive Jacob."
"And why is that?"
He sighs, and I can tell he's getting frustrated. But he just didn't get it. "He's our best friend, bro. The three amigos, remember?"
"That was before my amigo tried to break up me and my senorita and broke her down again."
"That wasn't all Jake's fault, you know that. Bella said it herself. She was a loose cannon."
Growling, I turn to him and bear my teeth at him. "Hey, don't call her that."
"Well, it was true. She's a lot better now, you have to admit."
I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm just not ready to forgive him, okay? I just need some time. I mean, he never even apologized to me for what he did."
"Alright, I'll leave it for now, just think about it okay?"
"Fine, but only for you."
"Good enough for me," He dives into his pocket and pulls out his phone as it chimes with a text. "Ah, this girl is going to be the death of me."
"What girl?" I waggle my eyebrows at him. "Are you still fooling around with Jessica Stanley?" He grins goofily and I can tell he's smitten.
"Well, of course! She's my best friend, besides you, of course."
I smile, happy to see my best friend happy. Ever since everything had happened, it was like a dark cloud had come over him. "Tell me about her."
The rest of the time was spent learning about Quil's girl, who was most definitely more than his best friend. I'll let him figure that out on his own, though.
Bella's POV:
The bonfire burned brightly in the dark night, and the smell of grilled food filled the air. I work with Emily and Kim to fill the food table to the brim, a happy grin on my face. I'm in my element in the kitchen and it was great to have someone eat my food that wouldn't just grumble and say good job Bells and leave it at that.
Arms wrap around my waist and I melt into them, smiling wider as Embry kisses my temple.
"That looks good, baby," he exclaims and I hum in response. I loved his hugs. "You outdid yourself."
"It's just what I usually make for you."
"Yeah, but it's delicious. You should be proud of yourself." Turning around, I wrap my arms around his neck and frown. He has deep bags under his eyes and I can tell he didn't sleep well last night.
"I could have stayed home so you could rest, honey."
"Nah, I'm fine. We'll just sleep extra well tonight, right?"
I press a kiss to his lips. "For sure. Now, let's go make our plates before the wolves descend."
When our plates piled high, we settle on a log and I hungrily bit into a hot dog that Sam had grilled. I groaned as flavor burst into my mouth, laughing as I saw Embry turn scarlet red.
"Bet that's not the first hot dog you've moaned over, is it Swan?" Paul leers, smirking in my direction. I scrunch up my nose in distaste.
"It must be surprising to hear those sounds, what with your meager size and all," I snap back lightheartedly and everyone erupts in laughter. Rachel's laughing the hardest, slapping her knee as he scowls.
Chuckling to myself, I eat the rest of my hot dog quickly. The rest of the night is spent catching up with friends and being one big happy family. We for sure needed it, especially after what happened at the last one.
Seth's POV:
"What are we doing?" Adam leads me towards his house, hand warm and comforting as we sneak away from the bonfire.
"I want to get you alone for a little while," he turns and presses me against his house, kissing me roughly. I can't help but kiss back. I love him so much.
He leads us inside and toward his room, not bothering to turn on any lights. Once the door is closed, he pushes me onto the bed and covers me with his body.
"I love you, Seth," he whispers, hand traveling down to cup me through my jeans. I jump in surprise, eyes widening. Is this what we're doing?
"Adam? Are we…?"
"You didn't say you loved me back…"
He presses a kiss to my neck and I throw my head back. I feel hot all over. "I love you too."
I whine as he grabs me again and I let myself be stripped bare, giving myself up to him.
He held me through the night, his arms holding me tightly and keeping me safe. I was so lucky.
No One's POV:
"No! Stop, don't!" Bree screeches as Victoria grabs at her wrist, a scowl marring her features. The basement smells rancid as they stand inside, and a half-rotted corpse stares back at her. "Let go!"
"You will be a good girl and come upstairs with me, Breanna. Or so help me, I'll snap your neck like I should have done when I found you pathetic and starving in the street."
Tears ran down Bree's cheeks at Victoria's words and she tried desperately to get out of Victoria's hold. But to no avail, the vampire drags her up the stairs. She felt splinters and cuts on her legs, but she ignored the pain and continued to fight back. Why was Tori so strong?
She was thrown onto the couch, body slamming against it before falling to the floor. Immediately she tried to scramble away but Victoria stomped down on her ankle, causing it to snap. Bree screeched in pain, and her vision blackened at the edges.
"Shut up, you little brat! I just need you to change and use that gift of yours and everything will be perfect!"
Change, Bree's mind echoed as she tried to keep conscious, knowing she was in trouble if she passed out. Gift?
"Heidi better be right about this plan because once her bosses hear about this, there will be a target on both of our heads." Victoria takes her wrist into her hand and snapped that one too for good measure. She needs to know who's boss.
Bree screams and tries to escape, even as she loses herself in the black abyss of her mind.
Victoria smiles wickedly, white pearls bright and menacing, and she brings the broken wrist to her mouth, kissing the skin there before going in for the bite.
Something tackles her to the ground and in the painful haze Bree sees a blonde man stand up, pulling Victoria with him. He looks down at her with alarming red eyes and she shudders. As the blackness dissipates, she slowly hobbles to her feet. Victoria tries to escape his hold, but he quickly gets her back in his hold.
"Come on, girl!" He exclaims in a thick southern drawl. "Get a move on while I hold her off!"
With one last glance, Bree hurriedly hobbles out of the house and into the woods. Once again, she is alone with no one to protect her. But there is a silver lining on the horizon.
Isabella Swan.
Embry's POV:
"Embry," Bella says, pulling away from my lips to speak. I start to kiss down her neck, sucking a mark right where her shirt covers her collarbone. "Hng- Embry, we need to go. Leah and Jake are waiting on us."
Jacob, great, I think to myself as I pull away and capture her lips once again. She tastes like the coffee she had this morning and I can't get enough. With one final peck to her lips, I pull away and grin as she heaves in deep breaths. Blush runs down her face and chest, and probably other places I try not to think about.
"Alright, let's go," I said before standing up, trying to make my dick go soft. Pulling Bella to her feet, she glares at me playfully before we leave the house, walking hand in hand through La Push.
We walk in silence, our arms swinging as we walk leisurely. This is what I like about Bella, there doesn't need to be words between us. Neither of us are extroverts and sometimes we aren't going to talk, and that's okay. I was blessed with a girlfriend that wouldn't pressure me to speak, and I was very thankful.
When the little red house came into view, I felt my stomach tighten with anxiety. Bella squeezed my hand before we headed inside, and the rest of the pack was waiting on us.
"Sorry we're late," I say and everyone waves me off. Collin and Brady slip off the couch, giving up their seats to us. We quickly settle next to Seth and get ready for whatever news Leah and Jacob have in store for us.
Leah stands, running a nervous hand through her hair. Jacob is beside her, beaming. "Okay, I'll just come out and say it! I'm pregnant."
The whole room is silent until it explodes in noise. The pack immediately stands and offers congratulations."
Bella sits there for a second, almost in amazement, before her face breaks out in a pained smile. Standing to her feet, she heads straight to Leah and hugs her tightly. I'm right behind her, nodding to Jacob above her head.
"I wish you all the happiness in the world, both of you," When she pulls away, I can see her eyes are filled with tears. "You're going to be wonderful parents and that baby is going to be so loved."
"Thank you, Bella. I really mean it," Leah says back, voice catching with emotion. Bella turns to me, eyes full of grief, and after hugging Leah myself I lead her out of the house and towards the beach.
"It's okay, baby. Let it out," I whisper as we stare at the waves, kissing her temple. She sobs, trembling in my arms. "I'm here."
"I don't even know why I'm upset. It's so stupid."
"Jacob broke your heart, and even though you've forgiven them it probably seems like icing on the cake. And that's okay. You're allowed to feel that way. You're still healing."
Bella doesn't answer, shoving her face into my chest and crying. I start to sing, eyes closing on their own accord.
"Don't tell me it's not worth trying for, you can't tell me it's not worth dying for," I slowly swayed us, breathing in the scent of her strawberry shampoo. "You know it's true, everything I do, I do it for you."
No One's POV:
Bree Tanner slowly makes her way through the forest, stomach aching and ankle and wrist swollen and purple. She can barely feel the pain anymore, it's so numb and cold. She shivers, trying to rub some warmth into her bum wrist to no avail.
It had been two weeks since she escaped. After pulling out her emergency money from her left sock, she stayed a couple of days in a dingy motel before ultimately running out of money and having to resort to hitchhiking. Now, four days had passed since she had eaten and she had kept to the shadow of the woods, worried about being caught and hurt again.
A mantra played in her head: Isabella Swan, Isabella Swan, Isabella Swan. She continued on, dazed and in pain, before coming to the tree line and seeing a large sign. Could it be?
Bree hurriedly headed towards the sign as fast as she could and felt a surge of relief as she read what it said.
The City of Forks Welcomes You!
For the first time in weeks, a smile fills Bree's face. All of the exhaustion and hunger had been worth it. She had made it.
Bree Tanner feels her body get hot and without warning, her eyes roll into the back of her head. She falls to the ground in a heap, just as a truck drives by.
Quil Ateara slams on his breaks as he sees a girl faint by the Forks welcome sign, the thought of his new car part wholly forgotten. Stepping out of the truck, he hesitantly walks toward the girl.
"Hey, Miss? Are you alright?" No response. Quil hurriedly goes to check her pulse. It's very faint, but still there. Tilting his head back, he howls into the sky.
The sound of heavy wolf paws echoes in the air.