I've been trying to upload this chapter allll weekend. Glad FF is back up!
LAWLESS23- thank you for reading and reviewing. Yesss, I always felt Charlie didn't get enough airtime. And I agree, I think he should follow his daughter in the forever life. He would make a kick ass vamp! But I understand his undying love for his wife and wanting to never leave her (Forks). We just have to find a way to convince him otherwise.
Hope you guys had a good holiday. Enjoy!
*POV BELLA*
Alice: time to wake up wolfie.
Bella: five more minutes.
Alice: our cousins will be here soon. I figured you'd want to shower and eat before they get here.
Bella: ugh… yeah, I do.
Alice: your clothes are in the bathroom. Water is already running at your desired temperature. Now get a move on.
Bella: oh? Want to join me?
Alice: I would love to, but our cousins will, now be here in 80 minutes. Come on, hop to it, I'll be downstairs waiting with your breakfast.
Bella: ugh… fine. As long as you add bacon.
Alice: a whole pack will be waiting for you. Now up, up before Jake eats it all.
Upon her mentioning Jake, I run to the bathroom to wash up. We agreed that it would be best for just me and Jake to be here when they arrive. Didn't want to overwhelm them with all the wolves. Besides, with us being mated to Edward and Alice, we're already family. I let the water run over my tense body. Compelling my muscles to relax. Though I know they are family to the Cullens, they are still new vampires. If Jasper can turn on the Cullens, what's stopping these guys. It doesn't take long before the smell of bacon comes creeping into the bathroom and I quickly wash off. Throwing on some clothes and racing down the stairs, taking two steps at a time. I hop over the table and sit down next to Jake. Who has half a five stack of pancakes and a plate of bacon, in front of him. I reach over and grab a strip before Jake can stop me.
Esme: your plate is right here Bella. Stop taking Jake's food.
He scowls at me before taking back a piece of my bacon. We eat as the others talk about the Denali coven. Emmett mentions us taking a trip up there one day. Wanting to show me how he hunts bears. Suggesting we double team them. I just nod my head at him, listening to his stories about hunting. It doesn't take long for us to hear the sound of a car turning into the driveway. I take one last sip of my coffee before grabbing Alice's hand as she leads me to the living room. The others joining us right away. Esme and Carlisle head to open the door for the coven.
Carlisle: Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen, Eleazar… thank you for coming! Please, come meet Bella and Jake.
One of the females, tells Carlisle of course and I hear them walk into the house. My body once again tense up as the new scents hit me full force. I see Jake's do the same. Alice, noticing, squeezes my hand and starts rubbing the back of my hand.
Carlisle: Bella, Jake… this is Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen and Eleazar.
Tanya: aahhh the famous Bella, it's nice to finally meet you.
I stand up to shake all their hands. Noticing how much colder their bodies are compared to the Cullens.
Bella: nice to meet you all. And like Carlisle said, thank you for coming. We appreciate the help.
Kate: oh dear Alice, those eyes. I see what you meant….
Alice: Kate!
I look over to Alice, but she's glaring at Kate. I make a mental note to ask about that later.
Tanya: sister, behave. Besides, we're here for more important things. Please tell us everything.
I sit back and relax into Alice, while her and Carlisle tell them everything that's happened. The others adding in little parts and thoughts.
Carmen: I knew I never liked him for a reason. All because you didn't want him and found your mate. He shouldn't even call himself a man.
All the others nod while Eleazar stares at me. His gaze making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It's as if he's looking at a rat in a science lab. And I'm the rat.
Tanya: though I want his head, it belongs to one of you. Know that we'll let you two do the honor, if we get our hands on him.
Her words pull me from Eleazar's stare. I give her a small nod and a smile, hoping she understands my thanks.
Kate: well, when do we meet these wolves? Maybe we'll find mates among them too sister.
Rosalie: geez, can you be anymore thirsty?
Kate: since you won't share Emmett, I have to find someone else dear Rose.
Rosalie growls and gets into position to attack but Emmett grabs her. Tanya pushes Kate towards the doors, telling her to take a run and come back with her shit together.
Bella: we can meet the wolves whenever you guys are ready. They're just waiting for my call.
Tanya: the sooner, the better. We have limited time to train together. I know you all have already trained with them. We just need to learn their moves and switch up teams. Let's get to it.
I look over to Jake and Edward, they both take off to the Res to get the others.
Carlisle: Alice will be in charge of training. She's trained with Jasper, she knows his moves, and she's our best fighter. Eleazar will be her 2nd. We know they won't have all of the newborns by the time they get here; I still just want us to be prepared for the numbers. Edward's gift will help us greatly, I just wish we all had it.
Eleazar: Carlisle, my friend, we're unable to share his gift but we might be able to share another.
They all follow his scrutiny back to me. Making me REALLY uncomfortable. My body involutory starts shaking causing Alice to wrap her arms around me to help me calm down.
Carlisle: what do you mean Eleazar?
Eleazar: Can Edward read your mind Bella?
Bella: no.
Eleazar: could Jasper feel your emotions or manipulate them?
We all turn to Alice.
Alice: no, nor could he feel mine when Bella was around. But I can see her future.
Eleazar: possibly because she is your mate, and you are her imprint. Her body, heart and mind lower their defenses for you. I'm sure no one else can… unless she wants them to.
I nod my head, thinking about the times I've cut off my thoughts to the wolves and even shielded Jake's from the others.
Eleazar: And I'm sure it protects you and will protect you, when you're around her. Bella, if you are willing, when Edward gets back. I would like to help you try to lower your shield to let him read your mind.
Bella: anything to help. I kind of already do it with the wolves. When we shift, I can close off my thoughts to them and help Jake close off his.
Eleazar: you all can communicate telepathy?
Bella: yes, but only in wolf form. How does any of this help the others?
Eleazar: well, my theory is… If you can learn to lower your shield, you can learn to expand it. Conceivably flexing your shield, you can shield others. Protecting us from Jasper's gift. And any powers his newborns might have. While we can't have Edward's mind reading. We can at least have some protection.
We all turn to the patio at the sound of running paws hitting the ground.
*POV ALICE*
Edward: can you please not think about my little sister like that!?
Bella: shit my bad, Eleazar said to relax and go to a happy place! Ok, ok, ok… let's try again.
Rose, Carmen and I laugh at Edward's face. I mouth to her, "last night?" causing her to grin and nod back. Her grin makes me curious as to what moment she's thinking about.
Edward: ALICE! There has to be another way….
Carlisle: uh Bella, can I make a small recommendation? Considering what will be happening at the moment, you won't be able to focus on happy thoughts to get your gift to work.
Bella: I need to think about the other outcome…
Carlisle: yes. I know it hurts to think about the other outcome, but we must mold your shield to work in all circumstances.
After 10 minutes of frustration, I see her face drop as the dark thoughts start running through her head. In no time, her entire body starts trembling in anger. I instinctively take a step to soothe her, but Carlisle grabs my arm.
Rose: look at Edward.
I see Edward stagger back with a pained face. We all freeze as our eyes bounce back and forth between Bella's shaking and Edward's face. After what feels like forever but is really only 10 seconds, both Edward and Bella fall to their knees. Edward cradling his head and Bella drenched in sweat. I yank my arm away from Carlisle and run to her, putting my cold hands all over her face. I feel her instantly relax into them. When she finally opens her eyes, they're dark. I don't take my eyes off of hers, waiting for them to turn back to my favorite color.
Bella: Alice… Alice don't go…
Alice: I'm right here Bella. I'm ok. I'm safe. We're safe. I'm right here.
I see her eyes lighten with each word I say till, finally the green slip back in. She gradually stands, pulling me up with her. As if a switch was flipped, we're pulled out of our little world and the sounds of others start to fill my ears again. We both turn to see Edward still kneeling.
Bella: shit I'm sorry Edward!
Much like Bella, Edward's eyes have darkened. We all watch as he slowly comes to. He focuses on Bella, staring at her as if she's a puzzle.
Edward: how?
He slowly stands, still keeping eyes on her.
Bella: how what?
Edward: how did you do that? Don't get me wrong, it's great that you can but how?
Carlisle: what happen son?
His eye contact finally breaks away from Bella and towards Carlisle.
Edward: at first, I didn't hear anything from Bella. And then out of nowhere, I'm hit with thoughts of losing Alice. They came like a train bulldozing into my brain. I was hit with feelings of immeasurable anguish. It was so strong, it crippled me. When I tried to get out of Bella's mind and focus on someone else's. I realize I couldn't hear anyone else. I couldn't escape it. Before I knew it, I couldn't hear anything. Like nothing. Not Bella, not any of you, not even the highway or the animals. For the first time since I was human, I only had my thoughts. No one else's. No other sound. My brain didn't understand what was happening and it went into a panic. And then I heard Bella say my name. It was like a rubber band snapped. I could hear everyone else again.
Carlisle: Bella, what happen to you?
Bella: well… at first, I was struggling to let myself think about losing Alice. But then I figured, I almost did lose Alice once before. So I started thinking about those feelings. How I would feel if she didn't come back from Alaska, how I would feel if I had to watch her love Jasper, how I would feel if she told me, this was all a lie... Well one thought led to another and another… eventually, the thought of living in a world where Alice doesn't exist… it knocked the wind out of me. I felt like something broke inside of me. Like my wolf was dying. My whole world just went dark… then I heard Alice. She was the light to guide me out the darkness.
My wolfie, forever the romantic.
Alice: this is not a lie. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me for life, like it or not.
She pulls me into a deep kiss, and I do my best to put all my love into it. Making sure she knows our love is true.
Eleazar: *cough* alright ladies.
We both jump but Bella doesn't let me go.
Eleazar: as unpleasant as the experience was for both of you, we're on the right track. You were able to control your shield in your human form. If you two are ok, we'll try it a few more times. Once Bella is able to control it better, we'll try extending it to others.
They tried a few more times, each time Bella was able to lower her shield quicker. Their recovery wasn't getting shorter, but it was understandable considering it was mental work . By nightfall, Bella was able to lower her shield within seconds. Carlisle suggested we break for Bella to eat and sleep. Also giving Edward a chance to hunt. Hoping it would help both of them to recover quicker. I pull Bella into the house and up into our room.
Alice: go shower, I'll go cook you something and we can watch a movie while you eat.
Bella: burgers? And fries?
Alice: anything you want.
By the time I get downstairs, Esme is already taking out the burger patties and potatoes. I grab a few potatoes and start peeling them.
Esme: I swear, Bella gets more and more impressive every day.
Alice: yes, she does. I just wish all this wasn't happening to her because of me.
Esme cleans off her hands with a towel and turns me to face her.
Esme: Alice, this isn't happening because of you. This whole thing started and will end with Jasper. He knew you weren't his. He knew you never was nor would have been, Bella or no Bella. You and Bella are family, he's coming after you two, he's coming after all of us. Now come on, lets cook your girl some food. She definitely deserves it after today.
We don't talk more on the subject, instead switching over to prom dresses and colors. My mind welcomes the distraction. By the time we're done, and I make it upstairs, Bella is knocked out. I place the tray on the side table, turning off the light and sliding in next to her. She instinctively curls up next to me as I turn on the tv and set the volume low.