A&B Chapter 4 - Wide Awake
So what does a desperate guy do when all his apologies, love notes, dozens of tulips, stalking and pouting don't work? His desperation hits a new time low.
"Marry me, Bella."
She gasps as absolute horror and dread crawl into her soul, causing her goosebumps and nausea. Bella couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, that the events in Volterra killed some of his brain cells or did a number on his self-preservation. Perhaps one of the guards hit him too hard on the head?
What's worse, in her head, she can almost hear Leah's voice teasing her about her taste in boys. The she-wolf had always said Edward Cullen was an idiot, which means that Bella Swan is a far bigger idiot for failing to realise it sooner. What did she ever see in him, she wonders?
Oh right, the vampire allure, and the false sense of family he brings to the table. They're a big reason why she hasn't unleashed her full rage on him.
A surge of fury fills her lungs and she can feel her head throbbing due to an incoming headache. She pinches the bridge of her nose in frustration.
Fucking idiot! Which part of her rejections indicate she will ever forgive him, let alone say yes to his immature proposal? She's appalled. And that's stating it mildly.
It doesn't help his case as she remembers that his proposal came in the form of an instruction, a demand on his part. It wasn't even a question. The audacity!
Behind her, she can hear Leah growling in her wolf form. Thank God her stay at the Rez had been insightful. It truly felt like a haven, where she was able to escape Edward's pitiful attempts for forgiveness, Rosalie's sympathetic looks and Esme's solemn smiles. The whole experience was suffocating her, paralysing her brain from being able to think things through. Finally, she was able to breathe again, and it never felt so liberating.
She also drowned herself in Leah's pain and heartbreak because their suffering was similar in nature. Bella tentatively listened to Leah's rant about the cruel cruel life which tore Sam away from her. To make matters worse, she learned she was part of the pack and now has to endure a life under her ex-boyfriend's commands as Jake refused to claim the Alpha title. It was Bella's 18th birthday party that altered her relationship with the Cullens and it was Sam's transformation that broke the young lovers' hearts.
When Leah and Seth were busy on their patrols, Bella and Emily shared some qualities together. She used the golden opportunity to inquire about their imprinting bond.
"Did you feel it too?" Bella nonchalantly asked as she took the dry towel from Emily's hand. The pack had large and frequent appetites, she wondered why they didn't just opt for paper plates or styrofoam instead.
"I had always been curious about him, even when he was madly in love with Leah. But when our eyes first met after his transformation, I just knew."
Bella's hand paused mid-air.
Emily took away the already dried China plate from her hand. The girl was infamous for being clumsy. She figured it was safer for it to be in her hand as the other girl was deep in thoughts.
"What exactly did you feel?"
Because Bella was in her own head, she doesn't fully remember Emily's answer. But she remembers the emotions Emily was trying to convey that day. It was so strong that she could feel it in her heart, just like when tremors could be felt before an earthquake. She got her answers there and then. What she feels (or felt) for Edward is nothing compared to what Emily and Sam share. In her heart, she did feel the presence of envy lingering for much too long. She wondered if she'd ever be lucky enough to experience that kind of love.
It helped make things clearer for Bella that she started to carefully design her plans. The first order of business was to speak to Edward and end things for good. It's clear that whatever residue feelings she had for her ex-boyfriend had turned platonic. She will always care for Edward, maybe even love him to a certain degree. But she does not want to be with him, romantically.
When Edward broke up with her, something changed. With the absence of Edward's presence and the complete disappearance of the Cullens, her brain wasn't so fogged anymore. There weren't heavy steels anchoring her to Edward. The experience was painful, downright depressing but she had clarity. She understood that perhaps she fell in love with the idea of him and his family. And perhaps, Edward too was disillusioned by the idea of finally meeting his mate after years of loneliness.
But Isabella Swan is wide awake now.
Bella's aware that both Leah and Edward are patiently waiting for her answer. In those golden eyes, she sees a layer of illusion within them. She had been correct in her assumption that this conversation will not go down well as she wished. Whilst breakups are best done in private, she's relieved she followed her instincts and asked Leah to accompany her. Although, something tells her that the she-wolf would have insisted on coming anyway, with invitation or not.
She reaches out to the ring box in Edward's hand, his eyes lighting up with excitement by her response. Once her fingertips touch the soft material of the box, she releases a sigh as she gently closes the lid, shuttering his undead heart in the process.
"My heart no longer beats for you, Edward. I'm sorry."
Her heart has never soared more than at this moment. Ending this chapter unburdens her from an unknown weight previously crushing her shoulders. Again, the taste of freedom feels like the gloomy sky in Forks turns blue and bright. It's almost like she could hear the birds chirping and see the rainbow forming.
Huge wings spread across her back as they're unclipped and she's free to roam the Earth however she pleases, figuratively of course. A huge grin threatens to break free from her lips and it takes every ounce of control for her to rein in the excitement. There's no reason to make this unnecessary cruel as he did her. The painful memory from their breakup seeps through and she summons every strength she could gather to remind her that she's no longer that poor and heartbroken Bella.
Today, she is different. Today, she takes charge of her life and sets the course in a whole different direction. A surge of pride swells in her chest, soaking in this monumental moment in her life.
Pain, sorrow, and hurt flash in those bronze eyes before they finally shut in defeat, his head lowered. Even Edward knew it was a long shot, but it was one he had to take before coming to terms with reality.
Rosalie and Jasper's threats echo in his head. They've made an agreement that if Bella says no today then Edward must respect the human's decision and leave the poor girl alone.
It is a bitter truth to swallow. His ego tries to claw its way out but after witnessing the unwavering strength and conviction behind Bella's eyes, he knows this has come to an end, and there's no more room for negotiation or second chances. Where there used to be a glimmering light in those doe eyes one year ago, it is now replaced by sympathy and resolution.
Like a broken tape, he hears Alice's words playing in his mind.
"Has it ever occurred to you that she may be someone else's mate?"
Alice didn't want to reveal the private information to him but she saw no other choice to make him understand. To ensure he doesn't inflict any more pain over the human, Alice made him swear on his mother's grave that he would guard the information to himself. She reminded him of how he owed Bella for saving his life.
When Rosalie was fighting him about this, he initially refused to accept this reality. He was so strong-willed in this belief that he believed no one else could understand him. It took Esme to have a one-on-one conversation with him to help him see the errors of his ways. Rosalie may not have personally cared about Bella Swan but she and Esme are willing to fight Edward for Bella's right to choose. They both went through horrors and traumas which were caused by cruel men. They warned him that going down this path would eventually lead to more terrible choices and soon enough, he should be no different than those evil men. The discussion ended with visuals of the consequences that he will have to pay by the hands of Rosalie and Esme.
Pretending to dust off the dirt from his slack, Edward slowly stands up from his kneeling position and shoots Bella a solemn nod.
"I am terribly sorry for everything," he muttered, not able to look Bella in the eye. In the blink of an eye, he vanishes. Bella releases a heavy sigh, her legs almost gave away but Leah is quick and she catches Bella in time to help her friend to stand upright.
When Bella regains control of her wobbly legs, Leah releases the hold on her friend's shoulder. "Well, that was surprisingly easy."
"And?!"
While Bella Swan was occupied closing one chapter in her book, the Queens were occupied with their own battles. Heidi interrupted their meeting, informing Athenodora about Edward's proposal. It's been about two days since Athenodora sent her away on this mission to shadow Isabella Swan and give them the latest updates surrounding the human.
If it weren't for Sulpicia's quick reaction, Athenodora would have been successful in heading for Forks. The blonde hissed and tried to break free from her best friend's tight clutch but Sulpicia was ready and held her ground.
"There's more."
Black eyes glare into red orbs, challenging. While Sulpicia understands Athenodora's needs to protect her mate, she is aware that the other Queen's rash actions are a direct result of her emotional turmoil. Heidi hasn't finished her update and she knows there's more coming.
"She rejected him. In her exact words, her heart no longer beats for him."
Athenodora feels like she's just been punched on the throat. Her legs give away and she retracts her claws from Sulpicia's now scratched arms. Ever since they started planning for Aro and Caius' downfall, she has been on the edge. Not having the ability to be her mate has been unbearable and to add on the stress and pressure onto planning the demise of the current Kings have made it worse for her. Hence why Sulpicia has been a bit more generous with forgiving her friend's temper lately.
At least Heidi came with good news. That's one less obstacle to think about.
"There's something else troubling you," Sulpicia remarked, noticing Athenodora's frown.
Athenodora, usually composed and confident in her abilities as a vampire, found herself unexpectedly rattled. Bella, her mate, is in grave danger, caught in the midst of a precarious situation that threatens not only her life, but also their bond.
"We need to know if the Seer's vision remains unchanged. If she doesn't see Isabella Swan changed as shown to Aro, that means…"
"Aro will order for her execution," Heidi finished.
Sulpicia pities her friend. Athenodora can't even rejoice in the good news of Bella's rejection of Edward's proposal for one minute. Now, her friend has to worry about her mate's safety. Due to Bella's rejection of Edward's proposal, then that means her future may be uncertain. She may not even become a vampire.
Athenodora didn't come this far to allow Death to rob her of her mate. Both of them had sacrificed so much in their previous life to endure another cruel fate such as this.
"We have but one choice," Marcus spoke.
Three red eyes lock on his. After a passing moment, Athenodora understands what he's trying to convey and she nods in agreement. There isn't any other way.
"We need to expedite our plan and get to Isabella Swan ourselves."
"Athenodora!" Sulpicia yelled in horror.
Heidi and Marcus take a few steps back in horror as they see a ball of fire appearing in the palm of the Queen's hand.
Athenodora's velvety eyes glow as the room temperature increases, "I need to meet with the Seer."