*POV BELLA*
Not long after Paul and Leah's wedding, Victoria left. She came over to bid us all a farewell and promised she would visit if she was ever in Washington again. It wasn't a sad thing for us. She mostly kept to herself. We would come across her scent in the woods sporadically. A few times we discovered her scent by the Res, but she never crossed over. Though she never gave us a motive to question her activities, I was never completely at ease with her. I don't know what it was but there was just something about her that made the hair on my neck stand up around her. I talked to the others about it, they all just said it was the Alpha in me. Besides Lauren and her foolishness, things were great. She tried a few times to get me alone. Edward, Emmett and Rosalie made sure it wouldn't happen. Causing Lauren to make comments as she walked away, not realizing we could all hear her. Many times, Alice had to be held back from hurting her. With Valentine's Day coming up, Jake and I were racking our brains to come up with date ideas.
Jake: what about dinner and a movie?
Bella: you do realize they don't eat human food. It would seem odd to sit at a restaurant and they're both not eating.
Jake: yeah, I guess you're right. Well, have you gotten her a gift? And how much did you spend, I need to make sure I top it.
Bella: joke's on you cause I spent nothing. I decided to get my imprint tattoo and make her a gift. It would be more meaningful. Besides, how can I top her ring?
I laugh as Jake's face changes from pouting to realization that he could only top my gift by a ring. One he's not ready to give.
Jake: damn it you're right! Maybe I should get Edward a ring, but then he'll think I'm ready for marriage…
I see Jake's thinking face fill his features. Giving him a minute to think over that idea.
Bella: well… I craved her out a wolf. One resembling my wolf.
Jake: fuck! Why didn't I think about that? Wait! My dad taught you that. It would only be right I make one for Edward.
Bella: too late! Come on let's go to the mall, I'm sure we can find something else to get him.
Jake: it's not going to be as good.
I laugh as I pull him along to the car. We talked over Edward's likes and dislikes, finally deciding to get him something personalized relating to his piano. It doesn't take long for us to make it to the mall. We head straight to the music store at the end of the mall. After an hour of looking throughout the whole store, we give up and asked the lady behind the counter for help. After showing us a few things, she finally pulls out a small wooden piano that looks very much like Edward's. To make it even better, it's also a music box, and she can add any music to it. Jake lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. He quickly asks her if she could have it play "Ab Ovo" by Joep Beving, Edward's favorite song. She asks us to give her an hour. We tell her no problem, stating we would go grab a bite to eat. When we get to the food court, we're overwhelmed by all the choices. Deciding to just get some of everything and we'd meet up at a table. I get food from a pizza spot, Chinese spot and smoothie place. Quickly scanning the counters looking for Jake, I spot him at a wing place, placing an order for 40 wings and 2 large fries. I shake my head as I pull another table next to the one, I sit down the food on.
Lauren: geez Bella, that's a lot of food.
I instantly freeze. Locking eyes with Jake, I shake my head at his whisper of if I need him. I turn to face Lauren. Our first time actually speaking since our kiss.
Bella: yeah, Jake and I haven't ate all morning. What's up Lauren?
Lauren: cutting straight to the point huh… I just wanted to apologize for kissing you that day. I can fully see that Alice is your choice. And as hard as it's been, I have to accept that.
Bella: thank you. I wish seeing us together didn't hurt you. But I'm sure one day, you'll meet someone, and it'll all be a thing of the past.
Lauren: actually, I'm leaving. I'm moving back to Seattle. While I accept that you chose her and I agree, one day it won't hurt… I can't sit by and watch you with someone else. I meant what I said Bella. You're the only person I've ever loved. Probably the only person I will ever love like this. Maybe I'll be back when it stops hurting. Maybe I'll find someone and move on completely.
Bella: shit, Lauren… please don't take this the wrong way. I know Forks is your home and I wish this didn't hurt you as much. You should be able to live here too. But I understand. When would you be leaving?
I see tears form in her eyes. She clears her throat and glances over to Jake. He's fully listening but still standing by the counter, giving us space to talk.
Lauren: as soon as I find an apartment. I already resigned from the school. I hear your wedding will be this summer. Don't think I want to be around for that. Besides I see how Alice and Rose look at me. If looks could kill, huh?
Bella: oh… yeah… Lauren, listen, I'm sorry for hurting you. Truly I am. I hope you find happiness one day. Everybody deserves that.
Lauren: even a complete bitch like me?
Bella: don't call yourself that. And yes, no matter what, you deserve it too… uh, I'm sure Jake is waiting for us to finish talking to eat. Hopefully you're able to say bye before you leave. If not, I wish you the best of luck.
I extend my hand, not wanting to give her a chance for a hug. She looks down at my hand, I see a single tear fall and it tugs at my heart. She was my first love. She knew me better than anyone else at one point.
Lauren: Bella, can I have a hug? I promise I won't do anything like kiss you again. I just… I just want to end on a good note.
I look at her and see the girl I once fell in love with. Not the bitch that has been trying to break up me and Alice. The girl who held my hand every time I went to visit my mom's grave. The girl who kissed my tears away. The girl who would do silly things to make me laugh after those tears. The girl who ran over at 2 in the morning one night just to give me a hug because I was breaking inside, risking her dad catching her… my wolf whines at the thoughts, snapping me back to reality.
Bella: I'm sorry Lauren but I can't.
I lift my hand once more. She nods her head as a tear runs down her face. She glances down at it and with one last look at me, she turns to leave. Unable to look away, I watch as she turns and walks out the door to the parking lot. My eyes finally break away when Jake clears his throat. He doesn't say anything as I sit down and start eating. Doesn't say anything as we finish our meal. Doesn't say anything as we get up, clean up the table and walk to pick up the gift. By the time we get back to the truck I'm in a better mood and we joke around about the gifts. We're still cracking up as we pull up to the house. I'm instantly tackled to the ground and I get out the car. I look up to a dark eyed Alice. A sense of panic immediately runs through my body.
Alice: I've missed you!
I chuckle at her.
Bella: Is that why your eyes are dark?
Alice: no they're dark because I smell a hint of Lauren on you.
Bella: oh… yeah well, she…
Alice: It's ok baby… Jake told Edward what happen, and he told me.
I glare at Jake.
Alice: hey look at me, I'm not mad. I love you. We can't control what Lauren does. Butttt we can control what we do.
I'm caught off guard as Alice grinds on me, jumps up and runs off into the woods. I smell her arousal, and my wolf instantly jumps into action. I run off after her, following her scent to our spot.
*POV ALICE*
Valentine's day has officially become my favorite holiday. Bella made me the best gift I've ever gotten. A wolf carved out of wood, painted the same as her wolf even her eyes. She also surprised me with a tattoo that the wolves get representing their imprint. Her's is actually a lot like the drawing I put on her car. A tribal wolf in gold but it has blue eyes. The same shade of blue she sees in my eyes. It definitely topped my gift of cooking her, her favorite meal and the necklace. A necklace with the Quileute word for love with our initials underneath. She says it's the best gift she's ever gotten. And proudly wears it. After some sexual bribing, I was able to convince her to go to the spring dance with me. Giving me and Rose a reason to go shopping. After spending 5 hours looking for outfits for everyone, we pull back up to the house. We smell the pack, Charlie, Billy and Bella all there. I share a look with Rose before dashing into the house when we hear Emmett yell out "fuck".
Alice: what's happening?
Carlisle: I'm glad you girls are back. We have a small problem.
Rose: what is it?
Charlie: there's been a lot of killings and missing people in Settle. They've even asked me to go help out. Apparently, a few people from Forks have gone missing there also.
I look over to Bella, Jake and Edward. Esme and Edward have a grim look on their faces. While Emmett is bouncing on his feet.
Alice: what else?
Carlisle: one… or two of us, should go. Emmett has agreed to go with me. There's a possibility of it being a vampire or vampires running loose there. And honestly, unless there's a really good serial killer there, it's vampires.
Alice: ok?
Carlisle: Alice if there are vampires and they're not controlling themselves when feeding. By vampire law, the Volturi could get involved. If they come to Washington, they could also come here since they know we're here in Forks. If they do, they could come across the wolves…
Rose: Get to the point Carlisle!
Carlisle: I'm afraid there would be some issues, given how they feel about the werewolves.
Alice: they're not werewolves.
Edward: it wouldn't matter to Caius. He almost lost his life to one.
Rose: so we have to get ahead of this. Especially if it is a vampire.
They all nod their heads yes. Yet there is still something they're not saying. Bella looks to Jake, and they share a nervous look before Jake nods. She gets up and starts walking to me.
Bella: babe…
Alice: NO!
Bella: Alice… As alpha…
Alice: No, no, no!
Bella: Jake, Sam and I are going.
I look over to Jake and Sam, they both look away and avoid looking at me.
Alice: why? Carlisle and Emmett are going, Jake and Sam…
Bella: Carlisle and Emmett are going on behalf of the Cullens, in case anything is happening with vampires. Jake and Sam are going on behalf of the wolves. And I'm going for Charlie. If for any chance, it's vampires. I can't leave him unprotected.
I look over to Charlie and he gives me a sheepish grin. I understand. I completely understand. But just because I understand, doesn't mean I agree or like it. I know it's selfish of me to ask. I know because of the imprint she has to do whatever I say. I know I have the power to stop it.
Edward: Alice…
Before I can even say anything, I'm pulled into a vision.
A group of vampires running out of Seattle. I look around 20 vampires. All red eyed vampires. I scan through to the front. Victoria. With red eyes. She's running with another vampire with very young features.
Before I can process, I'm pulled into another vision.
14 vampires running through the woods, past the "welcome to Forks" sign. 2 of the vampires bump into each other and start fighting.
I'm pulled out of the vision by the sound of Edward breaking the counter he was lending against.
Bella: what happen?
Carlisle: Alice what did you see?
Alice: vampires… started with 20 running away from Seattle. Then 14 running in the woods, heading here. Victoria is leading them. Her and some boy. 2 of them started fighting though.
Edward: he's Riley Biers. He's the first local to go missing.
Bella: he went to school with us. He was a grade before me. Wait, Victoria?
Alice: she had red eyes like the others. I thought vampire groups of that size couldn't coexist together.
Carlisle: to my knowledge they can't. Not without fights. The Volturi are the biggest group because they have certain gifts that hold them in harmony. Even with that, they still have their disagreements and their fights.
I think back to the only other time I ever heard of something like this. Only situation that comes to mind is Jasper… his story of how he was turned.
Edward: Alice! That's it! An army of newborns! That's why the 2 started fighting. They're very temperamental, uncontrollable, they're only focus on blood. It would take a lot of humans to create an army. That's why there's been so many deaths.
Bella: wait, an army of vampires is coming to Forks?
Bella is instantly by me. I'm sure her wolf needing to make sure I'm safe though there's no threat in the area.
Alice: an army being led by Victoria. How? Why?
We all share looks with each other. All trying to think of reasons why.
Charlie: is there any chance that this Victoria knew the other vampire? The one that Alice killed.
Edward: I never heard anything in her thoughts. But then again, we were never around her long enough for me to see.
Sam: whatever her reason, Victoria is bringing a bunch of human drinking blood suckers here.
Emmett: she can bring it! Between us and the pack…
Rose rushes over to smack Emmett in the head.
Carlisle: it wouldn't be without great risk. Even if the 2 killed each other, it'll still be at least 10 newborn vampires. Plus Victoria and this Riley. She must have made him before she came here. Alice, any idea when this would happen?
Alice: there was no more snow on the ground. I saw the purple flowers I like, starting to grow again.
Bella: they start growing around April. You say without great risk, but there's 7 of us and 6 of you guys. We can surely take them.
Edward: Bella, you guys don't understand. Newborns are a lot worse than even a new shifter. Newborns are stronger than even us. Their human blood still runs through them. Their emotions only know one thing, blood. Who knows what Victoria has promised them to get them to come here. But whatever it is, it's not good.
I see the anger flash in Sam's face before Edward is even done.
Sam: we were created to fight vampires. We are as strong and as fast as you. We can handle it even if you're too afraid to fight with us.
Emmett: we're not afraid! We're just not dumb to know this wouldn't be a great risk.
Sam and Emmett start bickering back and forth. Jake and Carlisle get in the middle, trying to stop them and keep them apart. Edward and Rose joining in when Jake and Carlisle aren't successful. I look over to Bella, I see the anger shift into her eyes.
Bella: ENOUGH!
Her word rings through the house and everyone stops.
Bella: Sam, cut your shit. They're not afraid. They know more about their kind than we do. We need their help and I'm sure you insulting them will make them not want to.
Carlisle begins to correct her, but she holds her hand up to stop him.
Bella: I know you guys would never leave us Carlisle. I was just reminding my idiot pack member. Sam, they are our family just like we are theirs. These vampires are coming here. Doesn't matter the reason why. They're coming here and they're a threat to the people in Forks and on the Res. We need to be ready. We need to train. Carlisle, Edward… seems like you 2 know the most. Would you be willing to train us?
Carlisle: actually… Alice, knows the most. She's lived with Jasper longer than us. During the time he taught her and when it came time for us to learn, she helped Jasper in training us.
I see her body tense and the anger flash over her face.
Bella: Alice…
Alice: we can start tomorrow.