*DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the Twilight Saga and it's characters. This is purely artistic fiction drawn in inspiration from Stephanie Meyers words.

*This story features dark Edward.

* Jacob maintains his pre-wolf personality, but a little animosity with his transformations.

*Includes a stronger Bella arc.

*The timeline begins after the infamous cliff jump incident in New Moon and divulges from the original.

*Quileute wolves do not imprint on anyone unless both parties are at least 18. There are NO huge age gaps (ex. 4 and 16), and it happens between anyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

*Quileute wolves also do not cut their hair out of respect for their personal and spiritual beliefs. It does not affect their transformations.

*There will be warnings for certain chapters that contain disturbing imagery that some may find triggering.

*This chapter features a pov change.

BELLA POV

My wailing alarm clock melded into my subconscious dreams. The noise was mildly annoying, cutting through my fully submerged, stagnant thoughts at first. My mind stirred sluggishly—I was actively struggling to wake up. The powerful lull of sleep compelled me to give up my fight. I was falling deeper into whatever dream I was at the mercy of, which sedated my body. Eventually, the noise quieted and it was a faint, continuous drone around me. I recognized it as the heart monitor in the emergency room. No wait—that was impossible. I hadn't been in the hospital for weeks. Darkness filled the barren room I was in, consuming my barely visible body. My eyes darted toward the nearest window, attempting to see if I could open the half-closed shades. I tried to reach for the cord in my tired state, but my body didn't respond to my command. A pair of eyes on the opposite side of the room locked with mine. I knew without a doubt that they weren't Jake's, they were much too bright in hue. Something was off. My heart skipped a beat inside my chest, and the monitor beside the bed protested loudly. I scanned my surroundings, concluding that I was in my bedroom. Strangely enough, machines from the hospital were crammed into nearly every space between the walls and bed.

"Alice?" My voice was small, uncertain. "R-rose?"

No answer.

"Carlisle?" I tried again, "hello?"

Again, nothing. Just pure silence. The pair of eyes narrowed, staring at me from the corner of the room, wreathed in absence of light.

"Who's there!? Show yourself!" I was growing even more nervous, my body was still too broken and tired for a conflict.

My fears were realized. The figure stepped forward into the thin sliver of light escaping the lattice of the closed shades. I thought I saw a man with long blonde hair, it was drawn into a ponytail. There's no way. James is dead. I blinked rapidly, shaking my discombobulated head. The figure shifted in my sleepy vision, the blurry swirls of color becoming more vivid and clear the longer I stared. The haziness lessened, and I came to the delayed realization that the person before me wasn't James. It was someone else. A man with auburn hair, the likeness of disheveled, worn-down brass. He was closer—so much closer now, his eyes watching mine intently. I wasn't dreaming, I couldn't be.

"Hello, Bella." I knew that voice. I'd heard it so many times in my dreams, nightmares, and hallucinations. It inundated my life, like a sinister sickness.

"Oh my God... what are you doing here? Where is Jacob? Get away from me!" I tried to scream, but it died after it left my throat. The sound was nothing but a garbled, muted grunt. He was on top of me suddenly, hovering just above my body in my bed. Edward's eyes were parallel with mine, but the color was foreign to me. The sunny topaz I had previously obsessed over was ravaged by a bold contrast of crimson. The bright hue circled the inner, outermost portion of his iris, swallowing the remnants of saffron inside it. They were fixed on my facial features, meticulously studying my every move.

"Shh. He left not long ago. I watched from your window and waited until he was gone," his expression softened, "I came to apologize."

"Apologize? After t-trying to murder me?" I choked, "you did this to me. You hurt me—"

He cut me off, "I know, Bella, I know. I cannot make amends for my wrongdoings. They are far too great and too many." He exhaled a puff of air, his mouth twisted into a straight line, "I can never take back what I've done. Going without blood for so long had severely warped my mind, I went completely mad."

I remained silent. My chest tightened considerably, restricting my breathing. My throat was closing, it felt like I was swallowing glass and sulphuric acid at the same time. The result of a futile attempt at holding back my emotions. Moisture clung to my long eyelashes, the beginning of tears.

He continued, his voice dulcet, "it pains me to see you this way. Even more so to know that it's by my own doing." His crystalline hand lifted to touch my cheek. I recoiled, shutting my eyes tightly. My heart began a disjunct, anxious waltz, the reverb playing in my ears. A pitiful, exasperated sigh escaped him, "I know you must be terrified of me now, and couldn't possibly ever want anything to do with me ever again."

I wrenched open my eyes, glowering at him. Cold resentment froze my mind, but I instantaneously thawed under a surge of scalding bitterness. I couldn't believe his unmitigated gall.

"You tried to kill me, Edward," I swallowed dryly, "of course I don't want you anywhere near me." The breath hitched in my throat, "you became the exact thing you swore to protect me from."

"Yes, you're right. I suppose I did." He paused, caressing the thickest part of my cheek with his knuckles, "my offer still stands. I will never stop loving you. I'll be here for you once you come to your senses."

"Edward," I angrily spat my words, "why the fuck would I ever want you again? Let's say for argument's sake, that in another world, another universe entirely... On a completely different, demented plane of existence, one where I was stupid, and deluded enough, to disregard any semblance of self-preservation and still be enamored with you—what seriously makes you think I'd love you after that?"

He frowned, choleric towards my unbecoming vocabulary, "I don't know, Bella. By all accounts, you shouldn't and hopefully won't. In this world or the next. You've finally seen what horrendous atrocities I am capable of." His brows knit together, "you used to be dazzled by my face, my smell, a few well-placed words... Oh, how I wish I could turn back the cruel hands of time. I'd give anything to hold you as I once did—to be unbothered, at peace, and truly happy."

"You didn't answer either of my questions." He was deliberating, mulling over his words carefully. He pursed his lips, leering down at me.

"I know something you don't," he whispered serenely, his hand cupping my jaw tenderly. The temperature difference sent jarring chills down my spine. "Something you won't admit, not aloud at least."

"And w-what is that?" My eyes bore into his, and the icy waft of his intoxicating, sweet, mint-scented breath washed over me. His lips were mere centimeters away from mine. My mind was swimming, scrambling for an escape. This wasn't happening.

"The not-so-hidden truth—the sobriety of this situation—is that you're addicted to me as much as I'm addicted to you. On an ineluctable, molecular level, I'm a part of you, an immutable portion of your DNA. I always will be. My venom is coursing inside you. Bella, you can't willfully ignore your love for me. It attracts you to me like the sea is drawn to shore. No matter how much time passes, days, weeks, decades... I'll wait patiently for you to say the words, to admit you do want me."

His lips brushed my cheek, blood filled my face and my jaw popped open in sheer surprise. The contact was a familiar but pained form of ecstasy I had long forgotten. I fought back mentally. No, he can't. Please. Don't do this.

"I'll never say them, Edward. I love J-Jacob." I gritted, frantically doing everything within my power to turn my head away from him. I needed to get away.

His stone grip gingerly locked my chin in place, and I was forced to look into those damning eyes. They were oddly sullen, twin, violet-colored crescents of perpetual exhaustion hung underneath them. As I unwillingly stared, a lifetime of tragedy shone under the veil of his inner mechanisms. I felt... regret. Worse still, reemerging feelings of longing were sprouting faster and faster inside my ruined rib cage. They secretly crept through hidden, minuscule fractures on my healing heart. Desire fluttered within my soul like delicate, blackened, Death's-head hawkmoths of deceit. What was wrong with me? Stop.

"I know you are more intelligent than that. Try to understand—really think about it. You're lying to yourself, Bella," he whispered, an air of cynicism thick in his voice. "Your life is empty, meaningless without me, as mine is without you. We are meant to be together, now and forever. Our relationship is a form of complex perfection, divine intervention intrinsically written by the hand of God, and as sure as the stars paint the beautiful heavens above—you are and will always be what binds me to this world," he was closing the gap between us, I knew what was happening and I openly trembled in his frigid embrace. My eyes tightly shut again, bracing for the inevitable.

He continued, emotion straining his tone, "I need you, Bella. Please consider the only real option you have. Come back to me, love me as you once did. Marry me."

Deafening silence and then, all of a sudden, his alluring yet cataclysmic lips were on mine. They were so much softer than ever before, ardently different from my memories, molding expertly to mine. I locked my jaw in a weak attempt to fight his advances, he anticipated this and threaded his slender fingers through my hair. Edward cupped my face, firmly securing my head in his unyielding grasp. Under his control, he angled my chin upwards and deepened the kiss, readily devouring any lingering hesitation I held. Edward had never done that before. This kiss was unlike any others I'd had previously with him. It was unadulterated, passionate, and desperate albeit feathery.

The sensation of his body, his lips on mine, was too much. Everything about this—and us—was completely overwhelming. I couldn't believe this was happening. There was no way in hell. I screamed inside my mind, my thoughts were eroding with every waking second he touched me. I was falling. Delving further into the massive void I dug inside myself when I loved him. The desolate place where I was someone else, someone alien, purposefully and resolutely under his intransigent spell of devotion. Tears spilled over my cheeks, and he pried open my mouth. I succumbed against my better judgment, my crumbling will, and my physical inability to resist. I was kissing him back, lost in the crashing tidal waves of my unfurling, gnarled feelings. Jacob's beautiful face flashed behind my eyes. Wake up!

"Know this," he said breathlessly, an inaudible murmur, "you're mine." He grimaced, kissing along the line of my jaw. His lips paused once they touched the gauze over my now-healed bite, reticently removing the bandage with detailed precision. A pained groan left him, he traced the contour of the barely visible indentation with the tip of his icy index finger. In an instant, Edward lifted all of his statuesque weight off me. He pivoted forward on his hands which now resided on either side of my pillow. I cracked open my eyes, and he was gazing into my soul.

"Charlie is coming." His dark voice muttered, "I'll be waiting for you when the right time comes. Where the snowflakes are silently falling, and the end is near. Call out for me—"

My door loudly creaked open, and I was subsequently ripped from sleep. He dissolved from the room and my subconscious altogether. Edward was gone. Charlie peeked his head around the flat edge of the wall trim. My drowsy, weary eyes peeled open, studying the time displayed on my blaring alarm clock. It was half past eight in the morning. I unintentionally slept in, waking up later than I originally planned. Heavy perspiration coated my brow in stark comparison to the rest of my freezing-cold body. I was confused, wracking my brain over the deeply personal nightmare I'd awoken from. Was it a dream? I hoped with all my might that it was, it seemed so real. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, shook my head, and shakily flicked the off button on the alarm.

"Hey sleepyhead, you're gonna be late if you don't get up soon. Today's the big day." Charlie stepped into the room. A rectangular package covered in canary-colored wrapping paper was tucked under his right arm. Surveying my room, I tried to sluggishly decipher if anything was out of sorts. I repeated a scientific ultimatum to myself—it was a sleep paralysis dream, nothing more.

Charlie laughed, "rough night, Bells?" He placed the flat box on the foot of my bed, rifling his hand through my messy flop of deflated curls. I mustered a little energy, sitting up groggily. The suddenly prominent weight of my casts forced a grunt of objection out of me. I couldn't wait to be free of them.

"Yeah, you could say that." I wrinkled my nose and scrubbed my right hand down my face, "what's that?" I pointed to the gift with my unburdened hand.

"A graduation gift," Charlie backed up into the door frame, acquiescently tossing his hands up in the air, "your mother and I coordinated. Uhh, she coordinated me." He pulled out a small, silver digital camera, complete with a purple bow taped to the top from one of his flannel pockets.

"I thought I told you no presents, like... ever," I willed my lower half over the side of the bed, dragging my deadweight right leg with difficulty.

"Yeah, well, mine isn't wrapped. Doesn't count," he smirked. Charlie placed it on top of the gift from Renee.

"That's cheating." I paused, repugnantly observing the flat box. A photo album? What else goes with a camera?

"I like to call it improvising. Anyway, you better get a move on. The ceremony starts at 10, Bells. Jake'll be here soon." Right. Graduation. I stood from my bed, clumsily grabbing at the crutches propped against my nightstand. He handed them to me despite my stubborn rebuttal.

"Thank you—for everything," I pushed the giant, metal supports aside for the moment and hopped forward on my good foot. With the momentum, I pulled him in for a hug. "Love you, dad."

"You're welcome. Love you lots, kiddo," Charlie sighed softly, rubbing my back and petting my hair. The sound of the front door slamming shut startled both of us. "Speak of the devil," he wheeled around after making sure I was stable on my crutches, "up here, Jacob. You better convince Bella to move faster or she'll be late for her own graduation."

Jake bounded up the steps, clearing three or four in one of his long-legged strides. The action spooked Charlie who had only just turned around to leave my room and came face to face with him.

"Easy now, this is an old house." He huffed, grumbling to himself, "boy is taller than a linebacker, grows a damn foot every time I see him." Charlie plodded slowly back downstairs to the living room.

"Sorry, Chief Swan." Jake bellowed, leaning over the railing. He rotated on the balls of his feet, facing the opposite direction. Ignoring my fatigued state, he quickly enveloped me in his fiery arms. Jake didn't seem upset. Thankfully, there was no sudden looking me over and searching of my room... that was a good sign. Why did I have that nightmare? Guilt strangled my thoughts. It wasn't like I wanted it. I tried to actively wake up.

"How's my favorite person? Did you get any sleep?" He pressed a kiss to my forehead, cupping my jaw with one of his large bear paws. I reveled in the closeness, home was inside his embrace.

"Eh... extra tired, and no. I never sleep well when you're not here," I said quietly, covering a yawn with my hand.

"I know, me too." He pulled away reluctantly, "are you excited?"

"Not really." I took out the dress Alice had given me from my newly stocked closet. "Sort of loathing it." The hem of the fabric was begrudgingly too short, I was grateful that my ceremony gown touched my ankles. The only positive was that the dress was soft, almost like one of Jake's t-shirts. Almost. I hated that it cost so much.

"Aww, don't be that way. I'm happy I get to be a part of one of the most important days of your life." He flashed one of his signature, bright, Jacob-y smiles. My knees buckled, and I quivered with my crutches. He helped steady me and chuckled.

"What's so funny, Jake?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." He held me close for a brief moment before gently shooing me toward the bathroom. "Go get ready."

"Yeah, I heard you. I'm hobbling as fast as I can." I grabbed my dress, discretely hiding the underwear I planned to pair it with. Jake resumed his usual spot on my bed. When I made it to the bathroom a few minutes later, he knocked on the door before I even had a chance to start the shower water.

I murmured a sarcastic response to his intrusion, "did you decide you want to join me in the shower?"

His face was contorted with anxious concern and all playfulness evaporated from my expression. Jake grabbed my good shoulder and stared into my eyes.

"Bella, who has been in your room?" He hissed softly.

"M-my dad. Why?" A dark, terrifying feeling gnawed at the back of my mind. Wait... was it a dream? Oh, God. My heart plummeted into my stomach.

"No, I mean other than Charlie. I smell a leech." He pulled me into his arms protectively.

"Do you recognize the s-scent?" My heart began to pound incessantly inside my chest, I wanted to be sick. Bile rose into my throat, and I swallowed uneasily, pushing it down. What if Edward really was in my room? I was jumping to conclusions.

"No, I don't." He released me and looked away toward my room. A wave of relief washed over me, and the tense muscles in my upper body relaxed. My hand flew up and skimmed the bandage still in place over my neck, ease filled my heart for a brief moment.

"I doubt it was a drifter, they wouldn't have left either of us alive." That was a true statement, especially with the Cullen's being so close. It signified their hunting territory.

Jake furrowed his brow, "they all smell awful to me—like overly flowery chemicals, mostly bleach." He rubbed my back slowly, sensing my apprehension, "this one is harsher, less sweet. It's not like the other scents I've come across."

"Could... could it be hers? Is Victoria h-here?" The room began to spin.

"No, I know her scent. I'm not sure whose it is. Hold on." He left to go back to my room. I started the extensive process of taping a bag over my casts. The warm water helped calm and ground me. Jake returned when I had already finished and was towel drying my hair into fluffy, damp submission.

"Anything?" My stomach twisted into intricate knots.

"You're missing a shirt—one you always wear. It's a red one. That and one of your pillows is missing."

"I wondered why I slept wrong," I rubbed the back of my stiff neck. "When do you think they came?"

"Probably after I left last night and sometime before you fell asleep. The scent was very faint, I almost didn't catch it. It was on your bed..."

"I did have to get my cap and gown ready. I laid it on the kitchen table around 11."

"It had to be then. Someone snuck in while I was talking with Seth and Leah about the battle tomorrow."

"What do they want with my stuff?" I squeaked, running a paddle brush through my wet hair.

"I don't know. Do you think any of the Cullen's would know why?" He was visibly frustrated, pinching his index finger and thumb together on the bridge of his nose.

"Jasper maybe. I'll have to go see them after the ceremony."

"I'll go with you." He scrubbed the same hand down his face, "I'm not leaving you alone. Not until this is done and you're safe."

Jake grimaced, "the one time I leave you alone since... since the accident and a leech breaks into your house."

"It's ok. We'll figure it out later." Due to the nature of my limited range, I couldn't clean certain parts of my body. I was learning to ask for help more often. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure. Anything." He recalibrated, rubbing my right arm gently.

"Can you... wash my back? I have to make sure I keep the area around my cast clean but I can't reach my back. Alice usually helps me." I blinked rapidly at my boldness, "is that too weird?"

"Y-yeah, I can help." His voice wavered slightly. "No, it's a normal thing. I'd imagine we'll have our fair share of showers together in the future."

Blood filled my cheeks, I was blushing again. I handed him a wet washcloth, facing away from him and the mirror. Lowering the towel wrapped around my body, I clutched the excess material to my chest. He gingerly ran the warmth over my shoulders, down my spine, and over every square inch of my back as I requested. It was extremely soothing. Jake rinsed the cloth and rubbed it over my skin once more for good measure. I stole a glance at the reflection of his expression in the mirror. What I saw surprised me. He did not blush, but instead was drinking the experience in. His eyes told a story of innocence, they were tender. Goosebumps cropped up all over my skin and I shuddered.

"Are you cold? I'm sorry—must have taken too long." He rang the cloth out and hung it up.

"N-no, I'm fine," I sighed, his hands were like fire on my icy skin. Truthfully, the contact made me miss being fully mobile. I wanted nothing more than to lay in his arms without these hindrances. There was more intimacy to that action than anything we had done before. Jake loved me, and I craved being physically close like we used to be. Everything was a fraction of how it was.

"But you have goosebumps, Bella." I turned to face him, but only a quarter of the way.

"Nothing's wrong," I admitted, playing with my hair. He did not respond but instead turned away from me, sensing that I needed to change. "Your touch felt nice."

"Oh," he sighed contently, "do you want me to leave?" His voice was quieter, deeper in timbre, and tranquil.

"No, I never do. Where you are is fine." I stripped off my towel, and changed into the underwear I had set aside. Shuffling the material of the dress up over my leg cast was difficult, I pulled the spaghetti straps up and tried to even the body out. The end of the material stopped right above my knee and I felt ridiculously self-conscious. I wasn't used to seeing my body in this sort of clothing.

"Ready?" He whispered, covering his face.

"Yeah, I guess I am. Just need the cap and gown." I grabbed my crutches, leaning onto them for support.

He turned around sheepishly and when he dropped his hands, his eyes widened. The blush I had expected earlier heated his face, and I tried not to blush in tandem. Did he think I looked nice? Maybe he thought I was indecent.

"Is that the dress Alice gave you?" He asked.

"Yep, one of them. Did the length give it away? I would have preferred to wear jeans and flannel but the school said formal wear only."

"You can't get away with wearing jeans to everything." He smiled, affectionately kissing my forehead. "You look absolutely beautiful, you always do."

"Says you. Let's get going, my dad's probably beside himself downstairs."

The entire drive to the stadium, Charlie was openly spewing questions about what colleges I planned on visiting. I'll admit that applying went on the back burner for the moment, but I had successfully sent out requests and been accepted by eight different universities. Two were small community colleges and the rest were big-name ones. Once we parked, I swore I caught Charlie wiping away stray tears with the back of his wrist.

"Alright, Bells, break a leg—" he stopped himself, "I mean, good luck." Jacob and I tried not to laugh, exchanging looks with each other.

"A little too late for that, dad."

"Knock it out of the park, girl," Jake squeezed my good hand. My heart inadvertently skipped a beat.

I gave them both hugs and made my way listlessly toward the line of my peers. Once I found the correct spot in the procession, I waved back at them while they disappeared into the growing mass of families. I was doing well until I nearly fell up one of the multiple flights of stairs. Julia, one of my past biology classmates in line behind me, helped me up the first set of stairs that led to the stage. I meekly thanked her. Although it wasn't my first time wearing a cast, I declared I'd never get used to kitten heels. Or any type of heels for that matter. I was forced to wear them by Alice, and the fact I wasn't allowed to wear my tried-and-true converse. Refocusing, I realized Jessica was standing one person in front of me. While the principal was announcing the speakers of the commencement, she flashed a passive-aggressive smile at me and leaned over the railing we were against.

"Hey, how're you doing? You haven't talked to me since the accident." She scoffed, somehow making it about herself, as usual. She hadn't visited me in the hospital.

"As good as I can be, Jess. How're you and Mike?" I changed the subject.

"We... we uhh—we broke up. He's going to WSU." She stammered, "we c-couldn't get past irreconcilable differences."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that." That came as a big surprise to me despite the fact they'd been fighting for months. I still felt sorry for both of them. No one deserves heartbreak. I knew that all too well. "Did you love him?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't matter. There'll be more hunks in my future. For now, being single gives me more time to focus on becoming an R.A. and extracurriculars when I leave for Yale." Her name was spoken over the intercom as one of the commencement speakers, and she shuffled up the stairs. "Gotta go, Bella. Talk later," she murmured, putting on a fake smile. I simply stared at her as she walked away.

Time went by at a snail's pace. It felt like forever until I could see the podium. The presentation line moved one by one, I was getting closer and closer to the main stage I'd have to cross. When I stood at the edge, and the person in front of me walked forward, I searched the swath of people in the crowd for Charlie and Jake. It didn't take long. They were side-by-side in one of the first rows. Charlie was trying desperately not to cry, a proud smile plastered on his scrunched-up face. Jake was grinning from ear to ear. I almost missed my name being called when I saw his expression.

"Isabella Marie Swan," the voice announced, "academics, honor roll."

My heart was light, I hurriedly finagled my crutches forward. I tried not to lean on them too much, and at the present moment, I felt almost normal as I floated across the stage. The pain that shot up my leg angrily cautioned me and I went back to relying on them once I reached Mr. Molina. He handed me my diploma and shook my hand with a curt nod. I could hear both Charlie and Jacob cheering—louder than anyone else—and my face turned beet red. I exited the stage and down the ramp to sit with the rest of my class. Once the last name of the presentation was read, Jessica made her closing speech.

"As the proud valedictorian for Forks High's Class of '09, I request that you please adjust your tassels to the right side of your cap. This final step solidifies your achievements and symbolizes your completion of all courses required at this establishment of education. The commencement has concluded—congrats to all my peers on this momentous occasion! I hope everyone has an excellent rest of their evening. Please be safe on the journey home."

When I reluctantly stood up from my chair, Jake scooped me into his arms and twirled me. Thankfully I was at the end of my row, and wouldn't bump into anyone. I'd forgotten how strong he was. Suddenly, I was super aware of everyone's inquisitive eyes on us. My face flushed again and I hid it in the collar of my gown.

"Pump the breaks, Casanova. She's still got broken bones and two left feet," Charlie joked lightly, he held not one but two bouquets for me. One was full of daisies and lilies, and the other was an elaborate assortment of red roses surrounded by greenery. Jake set me down on wobbly feet, and Charlie pulled me into a strong, profound hug.

He stifled a sob, swallowing his emotions, "I'm so proud, Bells." He stroked my hair for a few minutes, sniffling quietly. "You did so good, kid. You were the prettiest one up there." I sighed slowly, enjoying the moment.

"Where did these come from? Are both of them for me?" I grabbed the flowers from Jake, forcibly burying my growing humility.

"Yeah, I got the roses for you," Jake looked down at his feet, "we hid them in the cab before you got in the truck."

I managed to keep the orchid Jake got for me in the hospital alive—just barely. It was my favorite flower. It lived on top of my dresser beside the cactus I stole from Renee's house in Phoenix.

"Jacob wanted to show off," Charlie muttered playfully. All of us laughed and everything was perfect. The looming threat of vampires and the war crept into the back of my mind, followed by this morning's discovery. We had to leave. I needed to think of something, an excuse to break away.

"Hey dad, is it ok if we leave now?"

"Why? Don't you have friends you want to talk to?" He eyed me suspiciously, "today is about celebrating."

"That's exactly why I want to leave," I wasn't lying. The Cullen's were my friends. More like a second family, really. "We have plans."

"I see. Yeah, we can go." Charlie shrugged. As relaxed as he was when it came to parenting, it was part of his job to give me the third degree sometimes.

We ran into Angela, who was hugging her folks goodbye on the steps of the school. As we exited the double doors, I stopped to talk to her.

"I'll wait for you at the truck, Bells." Charlie nodded politely and walked towards the Chevy.

"Hey girl, good to see you," she was more reserved than normal. I wondered what was up.

"Yeah, likewise. I wanted to say thank you—you're a real lifesaver," I paused, "without you, I doubt I would have been here today."

"No way, Bella. Give yourself some credit." She gave a light shove to my good shoulder.

"I do, but your excellent notes helped."

"I'm glad you found time to study in recovery. I know I wouldn't have had trouble if I had someone like Jake to help." She shot him a wink and he straightened.

"I didn't do much." He rubbed the back of his head earnestly, "she's the smart one."

"Aww, he's modest, too? You better hold on to this one."

"I plan on it." I chuckled, leaning on my crutches further. "How are things with Ben?" Angela fidgeted, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose. Her mouth formed into a straight line.

"He's good. He's moving in a week, taking up an internship in Florida."

"Oh, Ang'. Are you gonna do long distance?" The words were difficult, I covered my empathetic frown.

"No, we decided it'd be better if we separated. I'm thinking of taking a gap year before college anyway. I want to do more photography."

"So you're staying in Forks?"

"Yeah, for now. You can't get rid of me that easily." She smirked.

"I didn't say I wanted to. I'm glad you're sticking around. I don't know what I want to do yet either."

"Text me some time and we'll get lunch. It'll be nice to catch up," Angela pulled me into a spirited hug. "Don't be a stranger."

"I will," I hugged her back, somehow it felt like a permanent goodbye. I hoped not. I recalibrated, "sorry. I meant I'll text you. I won't be a stranger."

"I gotta go. I'll see ya later, Bella. Bye, Jake!" Angela left with her parents a few minutes afterward and we joined Charlie in the Chevy.

"She seems nice. Is she one of your friends?" Charlie quizzed me yet again.

"Yeah, that's Angela. She gave me notes to study while I was in the hospital."

"That was kind of her," he paused, "is she Jay Weber's kid?"

"Uh yeah, I think so. I don't know her parents' first names."

"Huh. Small world," he was thoughtful.

"No, dad, small town." I elbowed his side, "everybody knows everybody, here. You're also the chief of police."

"Right, Bells. Where you guys off to after this?" Jake sensed my discomfort and took over.

"We plan on going to La Push. Have some catching up to do with some of our friends."

"Just be safe out there. Stay the night at Billy's if you need to. You're both adults now, so I don't care as long as I know where you're at."

"Thanks, dad, I'll keep you up to date." I resumed our conversation, thankful that Jake was quick with his words.

"Yeah, you're good at that. It's one thing I'm appreciative of." He trailed off, "has this thing always been able to get up and go, or am I losing my marbles in old age?"

"I did a tune-up and some routine maintenance on her the other day. She's running like a brand new truck now." Jake covered for me yet again, confidently tapping the dash.

"Hmm. Bella always drives like a granny, guess I don't mind that." The corner of his lips tipped up on one side, "better to be safe than sorry."

"I do not," I pouted.

"Hey, all I'm sayin' is, I don't have to worry about you hitting anyone. Just about them hitting you." He scowled as we pulled into the driveway. "Alright, I'm going to grab a bite of lunch at the diner. Congrats again, Bells. Go have fun," Charlie kissed my forehead briefly, hopping out of the truck. Jake took over the driver's seat, and my dad drove away in the cruiser.

"Alright, should we let them know we're on our way?"

"Yeah, I'll call them." Alice picked up after one ring, almost as if she expected a phone call from me.

"Hi, Bella," her voice was strained, all usual bubbly-ness muted.

"Hey, Alice. Is... is everything okay?" I asked, worried at her response. Jasper intercepted the phone.

"She's alright. I reckon she's havin' a vision. Give us a moment." There was mild shuffling on the opposite end of the line for a few seconds until Alice answered again. Her voice was muddled with heavy concern.

"Where are you?" I pressed the speaker button. My increasing nervousness caused my hands to start to shake.

"We're on the way there. What's up?" Jake answered for me, shoving his foot down on the gas. We were in the country, with no stop signs or lights to prevent us from rushing.

"I'm not entirely sure, I think I saw someone in Bella's room."

"Yeah, you're a little late on that one, Alice." I shut my eyes, trying to swallow my anxiety.

"What do you mean?" She paused, "I wish I could see around Jacob. Having holes in my sight is annoying."

"I'm sorry, I didn't choose to be a werewolf." He harrumphed, and we turned onto the drive to the Cullen's house. I reopened my eyes, noticing Alice already standing in the driveway. Jake slammed on the breaks and we got out slowly, mostly due to my inability to move properly. Jasper joined us moments later, along with the rest of the family. We converged in the living room to discuss tomorrow and Alice's new vision.

"The only logical explanation is that it was one of Victoria's." Carlisle proposed.

"Right, why were they in her room?" Jake was pacing, "they could have killed both her and Charlie, but didn't? That part doesn't make sense." He huffed impatiently.

"Victoria wants revenge, she wouldn't let someone else take that away from her," Jasper replied.

"It's possible that they were gathering your scent. Something for the newborns to lock onto." Emmett added, leaning forward from his seated position.

"You're right, Em'." Jasper nodded, "they need something for the newborns to focus on, otherwise their insatiable bloodlust would tear apart the whole town."

"So that's why they took my pillow and a shirt?" I was in shock.

"I saw him passing it around." Alice fidgeted, "after I saw him in your room."

"Are they still planning on arriving sometime tomorrow afternoon?" Jake wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"Yes, the time hasn't changed. I know exactly where." Alice responded, leaning her head on Jasper's shoulder.

"Where are you planning to go with Bella?" Esme reached for me, holding my hands in hers.

"I was going to take her up in the mountains, my scent will cloak hers. They won't be able to pick up on it." He swallowed, rubbing my arms, "from there, Seth will protect her and I will go back to the battle."

"What? No, you can't. It's bad enough everyone else is fighting, I can't lose you—"

"I can stay with her," Emmett interjected.

"No, you're our strongest line of defense," Jasper said.

"Seth is capable. He's too young to fight but heaven forbid, if one were to find you, he can protect you." Jake reassured me.

"Jacob..." I pulled from his arms, glaring at him.

"Bella, I can't stay back. I'm an alpha now, and one of the fastest and strongest of us. I need to defend my pack—this includes you." He was determined, and I was visibly angry.

"They'll be here in the afternoon. It will take you a full day to hike up that mountain with Bella as she is." Alice said matter-of-factly.

"We can leave tonight. Charlie already gave us the go-ahead, I'll call my dad for a coverup. We'll camp at the peak of one of the smaller mountains nearby."

"Tonight?" I whispered, everything was moving too quickly. My head spun on my shoulders.

"Yes. It'll be the safest bet. It's not even early afternoon yet, it gives us plenty of time to prepare."

"All of us will go hunting, so we can be at max strength." Carlisle placed a cold hand on my good shoulder. I remained quiet, still processing.

"Then it's settled." Jake agreed, hooking his pointer finger under my chin. "Everything will be okay, Bells. You have to trust me on this."

"We'll talk about it later." I removed myself, facing away from him. Why would he do this?

Silence enveloped the room, I said my goodbyes to everyone. Rose and Emmett were the first to leave. Before we departed the house, Esme provided us with camping gear for the mountain. We'd need it for how cold it was predicted to be tonight. Alice gave me more clothes, of the winter variety, and led us to the trail that reached the mountain peak.

"This is it. Take care of my sister," Alice said protectively, hugging me close. I remained silent, breathing in her French perfume.

"I will," Jake responded, adjusting the large bag strapped to his shoulders. It was enormous, similar to the size of my full body if I balled up. It was even larger in comparison to his towering figure. He was going to carry me, the tent, and supplies all the way there? Absolutely not. He couldn't possibly.

"I'll see you when this is all done." Alice smiled warmly, "then we can have a girls' day."

"Yeah, I hope so." I laughed quietly, Jake hoisted me into his arms.

We decided to forgo bringing my crutches. I could manage to stand on my feet for a few minutes, and I'd be mostly sitting or laying in the tent. At least Jake and I would have tonight before all hell broke loose. I was looking forward to spending a night alone with him. Something told me tomorrow wasn't going to go as planned and my stomach lurched. My mind replayed the words from this morning, 'where the snowflakes fall and the end is near.' What the hell did that mean? I'd had somewhat prophetic dreams before but I hoped that my premonition was severely wrong. This was happening—the beginning to the end of my running from Victoria, and the final severance from Edward. It was his fault in the first place that she was still hunting me. As Jake trekked the incline, my eyes became heavy and I fell asleep in his warm arms. Sleep was quiet, and this time, was full of calming nothingness. A feeling of déjà vu struck me, and I stirred groggily. I felt eyes on me in the darkness of my subconscious.

"You can't escape me..." A woman's raspy voice whispered. My eyes snapped open and I gasped for air.