Chapter 25:A War Won But a Big Loss

Alright forewarning! These next chapters are about to get dark! They are inspired by Lost To Me by Lynn7808. It's a Bella X Jacob fanfic! s/6474207/1/Lost-To-Me

May 1st 2007

Verona hissed as Amika dropped her right on the boundary line between forks and LA push. The reservation was just a few miles away and her distraction worked perfectly. Seattle was filled with newborns and the clearing was filled with her allies. Of course, her only focus was getting to Bella Swan. The moment she had the sniveling little human in her clutches, Edward would come running.

She scented the air and snarled. She couldn't smell Bella's intoxicating scent amongst the smell of wet dog, smoke, and rotten eggs.

"Where is that rotten egg smell coming from!" She screeched.

A chuckle was heard as the sound of hooves met her ears. She gasped as a centaur appeared behind her.

"That offending smell would be."

Verona hissed and crouched—a wicked smile on her face.

"Oh, I recognize you. You're one of those red-eyed centaur. You serve King Anatos of the kingdom of Greland Artunin. What are you doing here? This whole battle is beneath you."

Verona continued to smile as she caught him off guard. Unlike other supernatural creatures, centaurs were the most exuberant of them all. They didn't care if humans saw them and they were conquerors. But Verona had been alive a long time and had seen her share of the world. Most didn't know but centuries had a long history of civil war amongst themselves. Eventually, the strongest one of them Anatos, overcame the battle and won. From them all he ruled the centuars forcing their kind to retreat into the mountains and desolate islands. No humans ever saw them again.

"It is you, child, who is beneath me! All of the mess you have caused! I will end you!"

And then he took out something that looked like a javelin and aimed it at her. Verona of course, jumped back, avoiding it.

"So much for a strong centuarian warrior! How could you miss!"

Verona felt a chill in the air, as he smiled at her.

"Who said I was aiming at you?"

She followed his eyes to the tree he had impaled.

Confusion and worry filled her as she stared at his javelin. She didn't get the chance to run or speak, as lightning sounded in the air, and pain filled both her legs.

"You see, I was simply here as a distraction. And it seems I got you exactly where he wants you." The centaur laughed.

Verona screamed as someone grabbed her by the neck and held her up.

It was then electric blue eyes stared at her with a fury like never before. Whoever this man was, he scared her.

It was fear that she had never felt before. A fear that if she had been human, would have made her piss herself.

"You." he purred.

Verona shivered as fear and yet sexual arousal filled her. It was as if spiders were crawling up and down her body.

"I've been waiting for you. You know I can smell fear. It's running rampant in you and it tastes good." the man hissed.

Verona didn't understand. Alice never mentioned anything about this man. She surely would have if he had been a threat. But he couldn't be. He looked human from a distance but up close she could see he was anything but.

"W-who are you!" she hissed as she tried to kick at him. However, pain filled her body again as lighting struck, causing her legs to ignite in flame.

She screamed in agony but as fast as the pain came, it disappeared.

"Im the one who is going to end your pathetic life."

"But why-" she choked out as he squeezed her neck causing it to crack.

He laughed deeply and terrifyingly as he whispered in her ear.

"Because you messed with my mate."

"M-mate?! I've never seen you before a day in my life!"

"Thier once was a girl named B-E-L-L-A."He spelled it as if she were stupid.

Realization hit her as she realized he was talking about Bella.

"N-no! Y-you can't be! Edward is her mate! He's going to come for her and I am going to kill them both!" she said venomously.

He laughed and shook his head.

"You are a day late and a dollar short witch. Bella Lahote is mine. She is marked, mated, and filled with my seed. Edward Cullen is dead, killed by my very own hands. Matter a fact, I have his heart in a jar of resin. I think I'll put yours in it too."

And with that said Verona's fate was sealed.

…

Aro's elation could be felt as Caius ripped off Amuns head. The moment the man was gone, the glossy look that had once been over Benjamin's face was gone, and suddenly it felt as if he was being released from a fog.

Benjamin held his head as confusion filled him.

"W-whats happening?" he groaned as he fell to the ground. Of course, Aro was by the young mans side grabbing his hand and seeing everything the young man ever saw.

"My, my, my, such young and pure talent. manipulated and accosted by Amun. Caius! This young man will have a place in our guard! Amun was holding this young man's mate captive! He was a prisoner alongside her."

All around them were the sounds of cheering and celebrations as the last of thier enemies were taken down.

"Finally it's over!" someone shouted.

"Hey! Don't get distracted! Let's clear this battlefield of the fires and we can all go home!" was Oscar's tired order.

"You heard the man!" Aro directed any nearby vampires "Let us get this cleaned up and we can go home."

….

May 2nd, 2007 La Push

Bella shifted in her sleep as chocolate-covered cherries filled her nose.

Immediately she sat up taking in her surroundings. Gone was Jacobs's bedroom where she had fallen asleep only yesterday and now the warm tones of the bedroom she shared with her husband met her sleepy eyes. As she turned, a low snore filled the room, causing her to freeze. Next to her sleeping on his stomach was Paul.

"How long have I been asleep?" she asked herself. "When did we leave Billys? and why don't I remember?"

"Kitten?" Paul purred as he turned on his side and pulled her close. "Did I wake you?"

"Paul? What happened? When did we get home? Is everyone ok? Did we win?"

"Slow down kitten. The battle was yesterday, it didn't take us too long to clear the battlefield. I killed Verona and all the newborns are gone. The Volturi had to pay a few people off to keep quiet about the few things they did see but all in all we won. The pack came to Billy around ten at night, and you were knocked out cold in Baby Alpha's bed. I carried you home and we've been asleep ever since."

He paused as he turned to look at the clock on the nightstand.

"it's five am, we have plenty of time to sleep. Everyone is going to gather together around 6 pm. That gives everyone time to sleep, rest, and heal."

"But was anyone hurt?" She asked in worry as she rubbed her chest.

"No, kitten. Why?"

"Because I felt this horrible wave of fear for a few seconds before it went away and I didn't know what to do."

"Ohh, that was probably the pack fear. Sam had apparently fallen into a giant hole during the battle. But he came out unscathed. You have nothing to worry about. Your dad is staying at Billy's and everyone else is safe. Just rest for now."

With that Paul kissed her passionately and pulled her close to him. Bella sighed in contentment and allowed the river of exhaustion to carry her away.

…..

8 pm, Oscar's cabin in the Woods

Paul held Bella close as she sat between his legs. The party was coming to an end and it was time to say goodbye.

Rosalie and Emmett had given thier goodbyes just a few hours prior, not wanting to have a lot of fanfare.

The three kings had gathered at the doorway, thier guard and new members ready to take off as soon as they gave the order.

Paul soot fluidly as he helped Bella up, guiding her over to where her grandfather stood.

"Oh precious one, so much life in you, I am eagerly awaiting to see what you accomplish in this life," Aro told her gladly. He then turned to look up at Paul, a flicker of something in his eyes.

"You will take care of her young wereleopard?"

Paul didn't respond, only giving Aro a simple eyebrow arch. Did the man really have to ask?

Aro of course laughed and shook his head.

"We will be in contact soon! And please shifters of forks and lapush, please be at peace! No vampires will be crossing here any time soon and If they do, it is grounds for death! You have the Volturi behind you!"

With a quick kiss on Bella's forehead, the three kings and their guard were gone.

Next, were Carlisle and Esme. The latter smiled at Bella with unshed tears.

"You are going to make a beautiful mother Bella. I just know it."

It was Carslile however, who put a thick manilla envelope in her hands.

"For you and the tribe. You will have our protection until the end of our days. If any of you need anything, please don't be afraid to contact us. Other than that, we will not be returning."

Paul couldn't help but be surprised by the change in the once peaceful doctor's demeanor. It was as if a seriousness that wasn't there before had taken over and would never leave.

"Thank you. For all that you have done." was Sam's diplomatic response as he and Jacob stepped beside them.

The couple nodded, Esme hugging Bella, and once again in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

"Sam? Jake? If you guys want, you two can talk to the council about whatever is in this envelope." Bella said as she put it in her alpha's hands.

Sam held it in confusion.

"But.. they left this for you."

Bella shook her head.

"No, they left it for us."

Sam smiled, leaning down to kiss Bella on the top of her head.

"You're a good sister."

"Shut up." Bella joked. Sam ruffled her hair and shoulder-bumped Paul as he went to find Emily.

"Paul? You ok honey?" Bella whispered up at him.

"Always kitten."

"Did- did your mom leave already?" she asked.

'Yeah, she and my brother left right after the battle. I.. I think I need to visit my dad.."

"I think you should too. She's not going back to him is she?" Bella questioned.

"No, according to her she can't. She is the chieftess of her tribe and she is married with kids and grandchildren. She can't walk away from that and I can't hold it against her." Paul said as he watched Jacob hug Leah. Jacob glanced at Paul and nodded.

Jacob understood the weight Paul's mother carried.

She had a tribe of people on her shoulders, she could t walk away from that. But in that sacrifice, Paul's father had lost it all again.

"Think we can sneak out of here?" Bella whispered unnecessarily. It gave her a sense of privacy even though everyone could hear her.

"Of course. What do you want to do?"

"Let's get our dads together and watch a movie or something."

As the couple left, Bella couldn't help but smile as she caught Emebry and Helen making out against a tree.

"What's going to happen with the centaurs? Are they going to rebuild?"

Paul picked her up as he lazily walked them through the dark forest.

" They asked Jacob if they could stay permanently. Apparently, Embry and Helen have really hit it off and a lot of the centaurs feel comfortable with us. There is no point of going back to a life of struggle when they can thrive here."

"Good. I like Helen. Anyway, now that the drama is over. Can we finally focus on us? We haven't had the chance to pick out paint for the nursery."

…..

August 5th, 2007 Forks police station

Bella squeezed the stress ball and ground her teeth as another contraction hit her.

She was now 9 months pregnant and today was her last day before she went on maternity leave. She should have been on maternity leave earlier but she refused to do so. She had a low-stress, desk job and didn't want to leave it. But the time had finally come. She couldn't hide the grimace of contractions that were hitting her.

"Bella? Sweetheart? Are you okay?" Phyllis one of their new officers on the force asked.

"Yeah, im fine just Braxton hicks." Bella breathed. However, she knew it wasn't Braxton hicks. Her body was trying to warn her. It was time.

Phyllis pursed her lips but nodded and went to get a cup of coffee.

The past four months have been a whirlwind of changes, not just for herself but for the pack as well.

With only the rare nomad vampire passing through, the pack didn't have to phase as often or barely at all these days. Which left all of them to pursue their own paths. The pups were able to catch up on any of the school work they missed because of the battle while some of the older wolves decided to get their G.E.D. Not to mention, the centaur refugees, were now permanent members of the tribe and had helped fix up many old homes that needed restoration alongside the pack.

Life was moving on at a steady pace and Bella wasn't going to complain.

She was unable to hold back a groan as another contraction hit her.

The station door opened as a haggard-looking Jared walked in.

"Bells! Quit fighting it for crying out loud. Let's get you to a hospital."

The moment, the battle ended, the pack had been all over her. It was always one of her wolves guarding her no matter where she went. Especially if Paul was at work, or in Seattle. They hovered like mother hens.

"What are you talking about jared!?" she accused.

"We can feel it, Bella. The pack can feel your pain! Now let's go! Paul on his way from Seattle!"

Fear made Bella sweat."j-jared, I cant do this… I -Im not ready.." she cried.

Jared sighed and helped Bella up from her desk.

"Do you remember when you talked me through my break up with Kim? I was terrified and relieved at the same time. That's how your feeling now and everything will be ok. Let's get you to a hospital.

….

5 hours of grueling labor, had produced three beautiful bundles of joy.

"Hungry?" Paul asked as they finally laid the babies down in the nearby cot.

" I could eat," Bella told him in exhaustion. The labor had been long and hard, it didn't help that the pack, the refuge gang, and their fathers had hovered over them for hours. It took a veteran burse to finally kick them out.

" Knock Knock." A kind voice whispered.

Husband and wife turn to see their nurse smiling happily at the tired couple.

" Are we ready to take the babies back to the nursery? It's important to get some rest, especially with these three cuties"

Bella bit her lip in contemplation. She was exhausted and she did need sleep but she
didn't want to be far from her babies either.

Seeing her struggle the nurse spoke.

"Mrs. Lahote you will have the rest of your children's life to lose sleep over them. For tonight allow us to do it. Just so you can get the rest you both deserve."

Bella sighed and kissed her children on the forehead. Whispering promises of the next day in their ears.

Paul did the same as he purred over them, his big hands dwarfing over their small Bodies.

" ok.. thank you.." she told the nurse. The latter didn't blink as Paul let out a warning growl. By now everyone in La Push knew about the supernatural creatures that live amongst them and most found it an honor to serve them.

" It's no problem, sweetheart. "

With that said Bella watched the nurse wheel her children away.

" back in bed now," Paul murmured as he picked her up bridal style and helped her into the very uncomfortable hospital bed.

" I'm going to get fat if you keep carrying me."

Paul smiled, flashing her his canines.

"Never."

He then buried his face in the crook of her neck inhaling her scent.

" love you." He murmured.

" you know I love you more than anything." She whispered.

"Impossible," Paul told her as he reached for a passionate kiss.

Bella reciprocated, eager for his touch.

As they pulled apart, resting their foreheads together, she laughed.

" you know that's how we got triplets in the first place."

" we might have to make some more in a few months." He responded huskily as he pulled the covers over her.

Bella shivered.

"Paul.." she groaned.

Her husband chuckled and kissed her on the forehead.

" I'll be right back. Gotta make sure the food is edible."

Bella smiled once again as he walked out of the room exhausted and yet deeply fulfilled.

Before she knew it, the darkness claimed her.

…..

Bella groaned as she felt the bed dip.

"Paul?" She called sleepy.

" That's not my name, beautiful."

Bella's eyes shot open as the unfamiliar voice spoke to her.

Sitting on her bed was a man. He had long red hair, a red beard, and glowing red eyes.

Bella did her best to scoot back but something or someone squeezed her ankle. Hard.

Bella hissed at the pain.

"Who are you? Get out of here!." she exclaimed.

She opened her mouth to scream but his next words made her freeze.

" scream and ill slit the throat of those babes you hold so dearly."

Bella gasped as she realized who this man was.

He was one of the centaurs that defeated Verona but what was he doing here?

She ground her teeth as she prayed for Paul to hurry back.

" Now here is what you and I are going to do. We are going to leave this hospital right out this window here silently and you will not cause a fuss. Understood."

Bella nodded slightly glancing at him and then at the door that led to the hall.,

She followed his instructions as they approached the window and as soon as he turned she ran.

Her attempts were futile however as her legs were swept under her and the last thing she remembered was her head hitting the floor.

…

Clayton smiled in satisfaction as he held the beautiful woman in his arms. If he could he would have kept her for himself but he had bigger plans. Plans that included a big promotion for him. This girl was so rare for her kind. The only one left. He groaned as he beat back his bestial urges when her scent hit him. Now he knew why supernatural creatures were so attracted to her. She smelled divine but getting access to her had been hard. It had taken months of planning and distractions.

All of it paying off.

His only goal now was to get her to his king.

Then he would be restored his honor.

….

"open the gates! The soldier Clayton returns!" A guard shouted from the gates.

Clayton neighed in greeting and rushed towards the palace. The unconscious woman is covered in his arms.

" I need to see the king! It is dire!" He shouted to the knights guarding the castle.

" no one sees the king without an audience!" The knight shouted back

Clayton stamped his hoofs in retaliation as he made his claim.

" Tell the king I have found the bride he seeks! He will not deny me then!"

Ten minutes later the castle gates opened and a castle guard guided him in.

They led him to the throne room where Clayton felt like his heart would beat out of his chest.

King Anatos was waiting.