Picking up the Pieces, 23: Battle
Title: Picking up the Pieces
Author: exquisite_ugly
Rating/Warnings: M (language, future explicit sex)
Summary: Bella returns to Forks a few years after having married Edward and moving to Alaska. Mistakes and regrets, loneliness and grief, she severs ties and returns to those she truly loves to start over. What will she come home to? AU, A/D/R, M-language/sex
*~*~*
This is the end/Hold your breath and count to ten/Feel the earth move and then/Hear my heart burst again/For this is the end/I've dreamed and dreamed this moment/So overdue, I owed them/Swept away, I'm stolen/Let the sky fall, when it crumbles/We will stand tall/And face it all together
*~*~*
BPOV
My muscles were tensed, coiled, and my body was set to spring at any moment. I'd spent too much of my life in fear of these vampires and I was done. No more would they hold that power over me, no more would they interrupt a life I craved. My lip curled back and my snarl matched Jacob's. He was in wolf form right next to me, the sheer size of him overwhelming. His russet head turned toward me, his familiar eyes locking with mine, and he inclined his head slightly.
I knew what he was telling me without having the ability to hear his thoughts. We never needed to hear each other's thoughts; we were already in tune to each other's feelings and emotions. He knew I was poised to attack immediately, but he was asking me to stay calm and hold back for now, so I did.
Aro's eyes were glued to me, narrowed slightly, and his mouth moved unintelligibly. For vampires, they were caught completely off-guard and couldn't seem to figure out what I was. I knew they'd be able to detect I wasn't a full vampire, but they wouldn't know of the fact that I was a hybrid.
"You hid her from us, duped us," Caius hissed, still eyeing me warily. "Whatever respect we had for your family is gone."
"What are you?" Aro said silkily, but I felt his uncertainty, even though it was well-hidden. "You wouldn't have gone to the trouble to fake a death only to be a vampire now. I know you aren't."
"We did what we had to," Carlisle said quietly. His voice was as steely as it got. "We always maintained a careful relationship with you, but Bella didn't want this life anymore. She left and came home and we did what we had to do to preserve her life. There are no regrets."
Aro's eyes narrowed on Carlisle. "I guess the pleasantries aren't so necessary anymore, are they? We gave the order for Isabella to become a vampire or be removed as a problem; you ignored that. We've come to finish what you did not."
Jacob's snarl was vicious as he shifted slightly in front of me. I could see his muzzle quivering, the glint of his much larger fangs, and the murderous intent in his eyes. He would forever be my protector whether I needed it or not.
Aro's calculating look landed on Jacob and the pack behind him. When his eyes landed on mine again, I felt Jacob press against my leg, signaling me. We both felt the Volturi's confusion over me and what exactly I was and it was time to exploit that. I leapt straight up into the air from a standing position, gracefully arching as I caught hold of the branch of a sturdy tree and swung myself up high.
The distraction was what the Cullen's and the wolves needed. The thunderous crack as the vampire bodies collided was enough to send a resounding boom through the area and shake the leaves. The snarls rolled from the pack as the snap of their jaws could be heard for miles. I swung through the trees, dropping down in a crouch and springing at Jane.
"Whatever you are," she said, her lip curling, "I'll destroy you and enjoy it."
"You're just pissed your power never worked on me," I replied with a taunting smirk.
She hissed furiously and leaped at me. The feeling of fighting something that had frightened me for so long was tantalizing and I threw myself into it. Jane caught hold of my arm, twisting and pulling, but I threw her off-balance by flinging my body along with the twist. She struck out, sending me crashing into a tree.
Jake was there within seconds, his teeth sinking into her arm in his fury. My eyes narrowed as she zeroed in on Jake and I leapt again as she turned on him. She caught him in the side, but it was fairly minor as I caught hold of her arm and Jake her leg. Together we both pulled and I was left holding an arm.
"Bitch," she snarled. I flung the arm and threw myself to the side to avoid her barreling at me. I took another vicious hit, but I kicked her as hard as I could into a tree and dove onto her. The vampire and the wolf inside me warred against each other, but in the end, the wolf teeth I had was what ended her. The strength of my teeth was what separated her head from her body.
I backed up, horrified and fascinated by what I did.
Jacob wound around me briefly. He was congratulating me in his own way, but he immediately took off with an angry growl to go after another vampire. I saw Brady stalking nearby and knew he would take the parts to burn, so I turned and followed Jake back into the fight. My body was buzzing with energy as my senses took in everything around me. My sensitive hearing picked up the resounding boom as bodies collided, the leaves rustling as a light snow began to fall, and the crackle of a nearby fire.
Suddenly, that last thought crowded everything out when I saw a flash to the right of me disappearing on its own deeper into the forest.
Charlie.
Instinctively, I knew, and I felt the fury raging inside me as I raced away to follow. In seconds, I was in the clearing where the fire was. Charlie stood near the fire, his eyes fixed on Demetri. He didn't so much as move except to flick his eyes toward me. Demetri half-turned to me, his eyes glittering in the firelight.
"Think you can get to me before I get to him?" he taunted softly.
The images flashed through my mind of losing Charlie, of seeing him killed right in front of me and unable to stop it. The unbearable pain it would cause to lose a man who always stood behind me, who loved me regardless of the mistakes I made in my life, and who helped me countless times to figure out any problems I came across?
I couldn't bear losing my dad especially to this abomination.
Brady and Collin were flanking Charlie, teeth bared, and I knew they would protect him no matter the cost, but I was the one that needed to stop this. I was the one that brought this to our home and put the people I loved in danger. I would end it. Before I could get a word out, Charlie had his gun up, aimed directly at Demetri.
I shook my head slightly, confused. He'd done this before and he knew it wouldn't make a difference. Demetri tilted his head back slightly and laughed outright. He stared malevolently at my father, and I tensed, ready to attack and rip him apart before he ever touched Charlie. Collin and Brady's growls rose to join mine.
"Do you really think a gun will stop me?" Demetri started to say, but we were both cut off when a blast from Charlie's gun rocked the forest. It was nothing like a gunshot I had ever heard.
Whatever shot out of his gun - which upon closer inspection was bigger than what I'd ever seen Charlie handle before - slammed so hard into Demetri that he catapulted through the air, crashing into a boulder. The shot had ripped his arm clean from his body and I wasted no time as I flew at him. Collin and Brady held back, understanding that I needed to do this on my own.
I was furious that he had targeted my father and I let him see it as I stood over him. My hands clenched convulsively around his neck and I leaned down, hissing, "You got bested by a human and now I'll end you for targeting him."
The rage in his eyes was apparent as I used my strength to rend him to pieces. Charlie wasn't far behind me, his eyes glazed as he stared at the remains of what I did. He looked at me then, and I felt fear at what he would think of me. I had just killed a creature in front of him, not even thinking how it must look to him.
I had seen it before, though the experience of doing it myself was strange, but he never had.
I didn't know what to say, but he finally nodded at me, a small smile curving his mouth. "Go. Go get them, honey."
I chuckled, but before I raced back to help, I looked back at him. "What on earth did you shoot him with?"
"A piece of his own kind," he replied, smiling mysteriously.
I shook my head in confusion, but saw what he meant lying near Demetri's body. It was a sparkly piece of vampire in the shape of a bullet. I frowned, but pocketed it quickly. I raced back to help as Brady and Collin began to gather what was left of Demetri. Riding high on my power, I darted through the brush and didn't pay as much attention as I should have when I felt something strike me hard from behind. I rolled and slammed into a tree. My body wasn't as rock-hard as a regular vampire's body; the pain briefly ricocheted through my body. I still managed to get up, though, grateful nothing seemed to be broken.
Aro was there, his dark eyes flat and unexpressive. His mouth was twisted into a grotesque shape as he advanced on me. Jane was one thing and she hadn't exactly been easy to kill, plus I'd had the help of Jake. Aro was much older, much more experienced, and much more dangerous. I struck out, trying to catch him by surprise, but he anticipated it and easily moved out of the way and landed a crashing blow to my shoulder. It ached and throbbed, and I swallowed painfully.
"What are you?" he asked his voice low and pleasant. The undercurrent of banked fury left me feeling nervous.
"Nothing you've ever seen," I said.
He smiled slowly as we circled each other. "That's true. Do you ever wonder why this happened to you specifically?"
Aro had caught me off-guard and hit me again, so fast and so hard that my head spun. His smile finally turned evil, transforming his face into something twisted and grotesque. It was a world of difference from the calm demeanor he always wore.
"You are the only known person with a shield, Isabella. Your mind is protected and your body is that of a hybrid. You're quite simply… a freak of nature. You'll never live a normal life," he said and laughed. He had known exactly where to hit as that thought, that fear of what I'd hidden since this happened finally broke to the surface.
*~*~*
JPOV
The fight continued to rage on as the pack and the Cullen's held their ground. I'd known Bella had gone after someone, though not being able to see her worried me. I struggled because I wanted to go with her, make sure she was okay, but I knew she could handle herself. I was entangled with another leech anyway.
Dude! Get this fucker off of me.
Quil's voice burst into my head and I raced over to help him. We took down a huge one together, barely escaping our heads being smashed with a ham-sized fist. My paws pounded the ground as I threw myself at another one. I caught sight of Paul and Jared tag-teaming a leech, taking turns grabbing any extremity they could and shaking their heads viciously.
You should grab his dick and act like the dog you are with a bone, Leah snarked. I couldn't help laughing as they both yowled and cringed away from the leech.
She gave what could best be described as a smirk, teeth glistening as her lips curled back. She took over and dove on the leech with no qualm and ripped his arm right off.
Now THAT'S how it's done.
I sniffed the air and suddenly became aware that Aro wasn't anywhere nearby. I jerked around, ready to take off when suddenly Bella's voice blasted into my head. Jake! No, it's not true. It can't be!
Immediately, my body stiffened. Leah's head jerked around and she stared at me. No one else seemed to take notice; they hadn't heard, but Leah seemed to know. Without a second thought, I took off through the woods, barking orders to the rest of the pack, knowing Leah was on my heels.
Stay back for now. I'll let you know if I need you, I ordered.
How the hell could I hear Bella? She didn't have this ability before now. I crashed through the forest, my paws shaking the ground as I pounded my way toward her. When I reached the clearing, I saw her fighting with Aro and struggling. Leah circled them one way while I went the other. My heart was slamming in my chest, fury trying to claw its way out. This filthy fucking leech was dead.
Bella saw me, eyes full of fear, but I could tell she feared something other than just Aro. I tried to reassure her with a look, but she was backing away and shaking her head. I looked at Leah and she nodded. I barely even had to think it; she already knew to approach this one carefully.
"So, this is the one that you so desperately crave? I can tell even in mutt form that this is him. Does he know you're defective?"
The fur along my back bristled and I gave a warning snarl. Leah feinted to the side, going in toward him to distract him, and I dove. I managed to catch his leg, but not for long when he flung me back so hard I felt a rib crack.
"Jake!" Bella cried out.
Aro's smile was slow and icy. "You're defective, so maybe I should make him defective, too. Or better yet, maybe I shouldn't. Just the fact that he can procreate and you can't will be torture enough."
I could see the tears in Bella's eyes as he jabbed viciously at her strongest weakness.
"And considering what you are now, that makes it even better; a vampire with wolf fangs and human parts. Who on earth would want you?"
I could feel the pack in my head, their rage palpable as they began to crowd behind me. Even the Cullen's were beginning to move in closer, but the main thing I was focusing on was Bella and the red that was hazing my vision. I had never wanted to kill something more than I did this fucking bloodsucker that was tearing Bella down mentally.
Leah dove in and took a major hit to allow me room to take another shot. Her yelp of pain ringing in my ears, I ripped his hand off, eliciting a furious roar, but saw stars as his other fist struck my head. I dodged the worst of it, but the pain made me feel sick.
Bella came forward, breathing heavily and kicked out viciously. There was a crack as she made a connection and he swung around. There was a flurry of blows, and I threw myself back in to help her, but when we were all thrown back I saw something that nearly made my heart stop. Bella was leaning against the tree, the golden-brown color of her eyes fading back to her normal color, her skin tone warming, and her fangs receding.
A brief moment of shock and her eyes connected with mine. Her mouth opened and the blood coming out trickled down her chin. Frozen, I stared at her, horrified. Aro's grin was triumphant and as the pack collectively bunched to pounce, Bella pushed slowly off the tree.
"Aro," she gasped. He turned to look at her, his eyes bright with a feverish gleam and she gave him a bloody smile. "Here."
She slammed a very human hand right into his face, smashing whatever she had in it against him. It sent cracks spiraling across his face. He leapt back in shock, splintering, and the pack ravaged and tore the rest of him into pieces. I phased back immediately, knowing the fight was over, and ran to Bella as she collapsed.
"Bella, Bella," I whispered as she looked up at me blearily. "Honey, hold on, it's okay."
Carefully, I ran my hands over her, feeling that she had at least one cracked rib. Her breathing was short as she struggled and she was fading in and out of consciousness. I barely felt the tears that slid down my face and landed on her.
"I see them, Jake. It's a little boy and girl. But why are they covered in red?" Her eyes were glazed in fear and confusion.
I felt the pack gather around me as I bit my lip to keep from crying out at her disjointed rambling. Embry was carefully deposited next to Bella. He was pretty badly hurt, but he was awake. He struggled to sit up, but Leah pressed him down with one damaged paw. I saw the Cullen's hovering in my peripheral vision, but every time one took a single step toward us, my pack growled. They had banded together in a circle around us, protecting us from view.
Suddenly, Charlie broke through the circle of wolves. His fear was gone as he made his way to his daughter. "Bella?" he whispered. He knelt next to me as the pack enclosed us again. "Jake, what the hell happened?"
"Jacob. I'd like to help if I can," I heard Carlisle say through the buzzing in my head. "Please, hear me. I'm not going to harm anyone, you know that."
The words finally penetrated. I looked up at Charlie as tears slid down his face. "Carlisle wants to help. We need to let him."
He nodded and Carlisle knelt next to Bella, checking her pulse, feeling the same areas I did. He continued to feel, listening carefully to her breathing, and he said, "Her lung collapsed. The broken rib punctured it which is why she's bleeding. I can fix this, Chief Swan, Jacob. I have my medical bag at the house."
Carefully, I picked Bella up as if she were made of china. She felt so breakable, her skin pale and breathing labored. We were closer to Charlie's house, so we hurried inside. I laid her on the sofa and reluctantly backed away as Carlisle came in with his bag. I stood staring out the kitchen window, the pack settled on the porch, and Charlie sat at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.
Someone had called Billy for me, so it was moments later that he came into the house with Sue. "Jake," he said. He reached for my hand, squeezing it tightly. I held on to him, needing that lifeline, afraid of what would come next.
*~*~*
BPOV
There were voices floating in and out of my consciousness mixed with images of a little girl with black hair in pigtails and a little boy with a warm, sunny grin. All I really wanted to do was continue to watch them play in the clearing, darting around and chasing each other while their laughter rang in my ears. It felt like something was missing, though, something vital to me.
The voices were intruding on my time with my children, though.
"She'll heal from this, Jacob. Her lung has been inflated. The puncture and ribs will heal. She's been through a lot and just isn't ready to wake."
"Jacob, she has a reason to live."
I floated in and out, wanting to reassure that I was happy, but afraid to swim through the murky unknown to break free and be able to feel pain again. It was safe right where I was; where no one had to deal with someone who was defective.
I dug my toes into the sand, smiling as the sun's rays lit my children's hair as they now played and splashed in the shallows. Their squeals mixed with the call of the gulls. Frowning, I glanced around when I thought I heard my name being called. Who would be calling me? The whisper on the wind reminded me that there was still something missing.
"She's afraid to come back," a wise voice intruded again. "She was told she was abnormal, not a person who should be cherished because she has this unique gift. She was made to feel inferior, defective, and she's afraid to recognize anything real."
Annoyed at having my feelings so clearly stated, I retreated again, but that whispery voice broke through this time loud and clear.
"Isabella Swan, you fucking listen to me. You never were and never will be inferior. You are not defective. I need you like I need to breathe, so wake up and come back to me."
That warm, husky voice finally penetrated; what I had been missing and craving, and I began to struggle to the surface. I knew I was almost there when the pain in my side began to pulse. My eyes felt glued shut, but I struggled to open them. It was taking so long, but I felt the faintest squeeze of my hand. It was Jake and his heat, his strength, filled me and I opened my eyes.
Everything was bright and harsh. I cringed, but Jake knew and he had the lights flicked off so I could see easier. My body throbbed, and I knew I was human again because of how much pain I was feeling. When my eyes met Jake's, the tears that had been pressing against my eyes spilled free. He carefully stretched out next to me on my old bed at Charlie's and held me as gently as he could.
It hurt to cry, but I couldn't stop.
He laced his fingers with mine, bringing them up between us to hold tightly to his chest. "Shh, honey, it's over. You're going to be fine and everything is going to go back to normal again."
When the flow finally ebbed, Jake kissed me gently. "Do you need anything?"
"Everything hurts," I admitted.
He left and came back with medication. Charlie was right behind him, worry lines creasing his forehead. I tried not to cry again as he sat next to me and smoothed my hair back. "Thank God you're awake," he said quietly. "You've been out for almost two days, baby."
I couldn't believe it'd been that long. "What happened to me? I'm fully human again, I guess?" I asked wearily.
They nodded and explained the punctured lung, the cracked ribs, and fractured wrist. I remembered having trouble breathing and the horrible stabbing pain in my side, but the fractured wrist confused me.
"You hit Aro in the face," Jake said. I could see the glowing pride in his expression. "And Bella, you did it as a human. I don't know how, but you cracked his face apart and the pack finished him off."
Charlie explained to Jake how Billy had given him a piece of vampire that Ephraim had kept from his first kill. It was shaped to fit into an actual gun and they tested it before Charlie brought it with him to help. It was genius.
"It seemed like it might come in handy," I added, a bit amazed. "And that's how I fractured my wrist. I almost can't believe it, but I remember it. Everything hurt, I was furious, and I just wanted to end it."
Charlie smiled. "You certainly did. My daughter the warrior."
I blushed and Jake chuckled. After Charlie left, Jake gave me the medicine and stretched out next to me again. He helped propped me up so I could swallow the pill. "Jake? What about the other wolves? The Cullen's?"
"Everyone was okay. Embry was hurt pretty badly, but he's recovering, too. Leah was hurt, but it was minor. We nearly got into another fight with the Cullen's while you were out because of it and what happened to you."
I bit my lip, but he added, "We settled it. I gave Carlisle leniency to stay because of you. He took care of you and wanted to make sure you were on the mend first. I don't know if the others actually left yet, but we haven't done anything about it so far."
His brow wrinkled as he gritted his jaw. "What's wrong?" I asked fuzzily as the medication began working.
"I think you're going to need to settle the score with Edward first. He needs to hear it from you again."
I nodded, cringing, but knew it was inevitable. I was beyond grateful to Carlisle, to the fact that they all came to help, though I knew it was more out of a sense of a duty than anything else. It had been a promise before I ever left Alaska. I would thank Carlisle for everything he did for me and tell Edward he needed to be out of my life once and for all.
"Get some sleep first," he said quietly. "I'll be right here."
I drifted off, wrapped in his arms and comforted by his presence. We would deal with everything else another day.
Chapter 24
*~*~*
AN: Two more chapters to go! Hope you enjoyed the battle. :o)
Author: exquisite_ugly
Rating/Warnings: M (language, future explicit sex)
Summary: Bella returns to Forks a few years after having married Edward and moving to Alaska. Mistakes and regrets, loneliness and grief, she severs ties and returns to those she truly loves to start over. What will she come home to? AU, A/D/R, M-language/sex
*~*~*
This is the end/Hold your breath and count to ten/Feel the earth move and then/Hear my heart burst again/For this is the end/I've dreamed and dreamed this moment/So overdue, I owed them/Swept away, I'm stolen/Let the sky fall, when it crumbles/We will stand tall/And face it all together
*~*~*
BPOV
My muscles were tensed, coiled, and my body was set to spring at any moment. I'd spent too much of my life in fear of these vampires and I was done. No more would they hold that power over me, no more would they interrupt a life I craved. My lip curled back and my snarl matched Jacob's. He was in wolf form right next to me, the sheer size of him overwhelming. His russet head turned toward me, his familiar eyes locking with mine, and he inclined his head slightly.
I knew what he was telling me without having the ability to hear his thoughts. We never needed to hear each other's thoughts; we were already in tune to each other's feelings and emotions. He knew I was poised to attack immediately, but he was asking me to stay calm and hold back for now, so I did.
Aro's eyes were glued to me, narrowed slightly, and his mouth moved unintelligibly. For vampires, they were caught completely off-guard and couldn't seem to figure out what I was. I knew they'd be able to detect I wasn't a full vampire, but they wouldn't know of the fact that I was a hybrid.
"You hid her from us, duped us," Caius hissed, still eyeing me warily. "Whatever respect we had for your family is gone."
"What are you?" Aro said silkily, but I felt his uncertainty, even though it was well-hidden. "You wouldn't have gone to the trouble to fake a death only to be a vampire now. I know you aren't."
"We did what we had to," Carlisle said quietly. His voice was as steely as it got. "We always maintained a careful relationship with you, but Bella didn't want this life anymore. She left and came home and we did what we had to do to preserve her life. There are no regrets."
Aro's eyes narrowed on Carlisle. "I guess the pleasantries aren't so necessary anymore, are they? We gave the order for Isabella to become a vampire or be removed as a problem; you ignored that. We've come to finish what you did not."
Jacob's snarl was vicious as he shifted slightly in front of me. I could see his muzzle quivering, the glint of his much larger fangs, and the murderous intent in his eyes. He would forever be my protector whether I needed it or not.
Aro's calculating look landed on Jacob and the pack behind him. When his eyes landed on mine again, I felt Jacob press against my leg, signaling me. We both felt the Volturi's confusion over me and what exactly I was and it was time to exploit that. I leapt straight up into the air from a standing position, gracefully arching as I caught hold of the branch of a sturdy tree and swung myself up high.
The distraction was what the Cullen's and the wolves needed. The thunderous crack as the vampire bodies collided was enough to send a resounding boom through the area and shake the leaves. The snarls rolled from the pack as the snap of their jaws could be heard for miles. I swung through the trees, dropping down in a crouch and springing at Jane.
"Whatever you are," she said, her lip curling, "I'll destroy you and enjoy it."
"You're just pissed your power never worked on me," I replied with a taunting smirk.
She hissed furiously and leaped at me. The feeling of fighting something that had frightened me for so long was tantalizing and I threw myself into it. Jane caught hold of my arm, twisting and pulling, but I threw her off-balance by flinging my body along with the twist. She struck out, sending me crashing into a tree.
Jake was there within seconds, his teeth sinking into her arm in his fury. My eyes narrowed as she zeroed in on Jake and I leapt again as she turned on him. She caught him in the side, but it was fairly minor as I caught hold of her arm and Jake her leg. Together we both pulled and I was left holding an arm.
"Bitch," she snarled. I flung the arm and threw myself to the side to avoid her barreling at me. I took another vicious hit, but I kicked her as hard as I could into a tree and dove onto her. The vampire and the wolf inside me warred against each other, but in the end, the wolf teeth I had was what ended her. The strength of my teeth was what separated her head from her body.
I backed up, horrified and fascinated by what I did.
Jacob wound around me briefly. He was congratulating me in his own way, but he immediately took off with an angry growl to go after another vampire. I saw Brady stalking nearby and knew he would take the parts to burn, so I turned and followed Jake back into the fight. My body was buzzing with energy as my senses took in everything around me. My sensitive hearing picked up the resounding boom as bodies collided, the leaves rustling as a light snow began to fall, and the crackle of a nearby fire.
Suddenly, that last thought crowded everything out when I saw a flash to the right of me disappearing on its own deeper into the forest.
Charlie.
Instinctively, I knew, and I felt the fury raging inside me as I raced away to follow. In seconds, I was in the clearing where the fire was. Charlie stood near the fire, his eyes fixed on Demetri. He didn't so much as move except to flick his eyes toward me. Demetri half-turned to me, his eyes glittering in the firelight.
"Think you can get to me before I get to him?" he taunted softly.
The images flashed through my mind of losing Charlie, of seeing him killed right in front of me and unable to stop it. The unbearable pain it would cause to lose a man who always stood behind me, who loved me regardless of the mistakes I made in my life, and who helped me countless times to figure out any problems I came across?
I couldn't bear losing my dad especially to this abomination.
Brady and Collin were flanking Charlie, teeth bared, and I knew they would protect him no matter the cost, but I was the one that needed to stop this. I was the one that brought this to our home and put the people I loved in danger. I would end it. Before I could get a word out, Charlie had his gun up, aimed directly at Demetri.
I shook my head slightly, confused. He'd done this before and he knew it wouldn't make a difference. Demetri tilted his head back slightly and laughed outright. He stared malevolently at my father, and I tensed, ready to attack and rip him apart before he ever touched Charlie. Collin and Brady's growls rose to join mine.
"Do you really think a gun will stop me?" Demetri started to say, but we were both cut off when a blast from Charlie's gun rocked the forest. It was nothing like a gunshot I had ever heard.
Whatever shot out of his gun - which upon closer inspection was bigger than what I'd ever seen Charlie handle before - slammed so hard into Demetri that he catapulted through the air, crashing into a boulder. The shot had ripped his arm clean from his body and I wasted no time as I flew at him. Collin and Brady held back, understanding that I needed to do this on my own.
I was furious that he had targeted my father and I let him see it as I stood over him. My hands clenched convulsively around his neck and I leaned down, hissing, "You got bested by a human and now I'll end you for targeting him."
The rage in his eyes was apparent as I used my strength to rend him to pieces. Charlie wasn't far behind me, his eyes glazed as he stared at the remains of what I did. He looked at me then, and I felt fear at what he would think of me. I had just killed a creature in front of him, not even thinking how it must look to him.
I had seen it before, though the experience of doing it myself was strange, but he never had.
I didn't know what to say, but he finally nodded at me, a small smile curving his mouth. "Go. Go get them, honey."
I chuckled, but before I raced back to help, I looked back at him. "What on earth did you shoot him with?"
"A piece of his own kind," he replied, smiling mysteriously.
I shook my head in confusion, but saw what he meant lying near Demetri's body. It was a sparkly piece of vampire in the shape of a bullet. I frowned, but pocketed it quickly. I raced back to help as Brady and Collin began to gather what was left of Demetri. Riding high on my power, I darted through the brush and didn't pay as much attention as I should have when I felt something strike me hard from behind. I rolled and slammed into a tree. My body wasn't as rock-hard as a regular vampire's body; the pain briefly ricocheted through my body. I still managed to get up, though, grateful nothing seemed to be broken.
Aro was there, his dark eyes flat and unexpressive. His mouth was twisted into a grotesque shape as he advanced on me. Jane was one thing and she hadn't exactly been easy to kill, plus I'd had the help of Jake. Aro was much older, much more experienced, and much more dangerous. I struck out, trying to catch him by surprise, but he anticipated it and easily moved out of the way and landed a crashing blow to my shoulder. It ached and throbbed, and I swallowed painfully.
"What are you?" he asked his voice low and pleasant. The undercurrent of banked fury left me feeling nervous.
"Nothing you've ever seen," I said.
He smiled slowly as we circled each other. "That's true. Do you ever wonder why this happened to you specifically?"
Aro had caught me off-guard and hit me again, so fast and so hard that my head spun. His smile finally turned evil, transforming his face into something twisted and grotesque. It was a world of difference from the calm demeanor he always wore.
"You are the only known person with a shield, Isabella. Your mind is protected and your body is that of a hybrid. You're quite simply… a freak of nature. You'll never live a normal life," he said and laughed. He had known exactly where to hit as that thought, that fear of what I'd hidden since this happened finally broke to the surface.
*~*~*
JPOV
The fight continued to rage on as the pack and the Cullen's held their ground. I'd known Bella had gone after someone, though not being able to see her worried me. I struggled because I wanted to go with her, make sure she was okay, but I knew she could handle herself. I was entangled with another leech anyway.
Dude! Get this fucker off of me.
Quil's voice burst into my head and I raced over to help him. We took down a huge one together, barely escaping our heads being smashed with a ham-sized fist. My paws pounded the ground as I threw myself at another one. I caught sight of Paul and Jared tag-teaming a leech, taking turns grabbing any extremity they could and shaking their heads viciously.
You should grab his dick and act like the dog you are with a bone, Leah snarked. I couldn't help laughing as they both yowled and cringed away from the leech.
She gave what could best be described as a smirk, teeth glistening as her lips curled back. She took over and dove on the leech with no qualm and ripped his arm right off.
Now THAT'S how it's done.
I sniffed the air and suddenly became aware that Aro wasn't anywhere nearby. I jerked around, ready to take off when suddenly Bella's voice blasted into my head. Jake! No, it's not true. It can't be!
Immediately, my body stiffened. Leah's head jerked around and she stared at me. No one else seemed to take notice; they hadn't heard, but Leah seemed to know. Without a second thought, I took off through the woods, barking orders to the rest of the pack, knowing Leah was on my heels.
Stay back for now. I'll let you know if I need you, I ordered.
How the hell could I hear Bella? She didn't have this ability before now. I crashed through the forest, my paws shaking the ground as I pounded my way toward her. When I reached the clearing, I saw her fighting with Aro and struggling. Leah circled them one way while I went the other. My heart was slamming in my chest, fury trying to claw its way out. This filthy fucking leech was dead.
Bella saw me, eyes full of fear, but I could tell she feared something other than just Aro. I tried to reassure her with a look, but she was backing away and shaking her head. I looked at Leah and she nodded. I barely even had to think it; she already knew to approach this one carefully.
"So, this is the one that you so desperately crave? I can tell even in mutt form that this is him. Does he know you're defective?"
The fur along my back bristled and I gave a warning snarl. Leah feinted to the side, going in toward him to distract him, and I dove. I managed to catch his leg, but not for long when he flung me back so hard I felt a rib crack.
"Jake!" Bella cried out.
Aro's smile was slow and icy. "You're defective, so maybe I should make him defective, too. Or better yet, maybe I shouldn't. Just the fact that he can procreate and you can't will be torture enough."
I could see the tears in Bella's eyes as he jabbed viciously at her strongest weakness.
"And considering what you are now, that makes it even better; a vampire with wolf fangs and human parts. Who on earth would want you?"
I could feel the pack in my head, their rage palpable as they began to crowd behind me. Even the Cullen's were beginning to move in closer, but the main thing I was focusing on was Bella and the red that was hazing my vision. I had never wanted to kill something more than I did this fucking bloodsucker that was tearing Bella down mentally.
Leah dove in and took a major hit to allow me room to take another shot. Her yelp of pain ringing in my ears, I ripped his hand off, eliciting a furious roar, but saw stars as his other fist struck my head. I dodged the worst of it, but the pain made me feel sick.
Bella came forward, breathing heavily and kicked out viciously. There was a crack as she made a connection and he swung around. There was a flurry of blows, and I threw myself back in to help her, but when we were all thrown back I saw something that nearly made my heart stop. Bella was leaning against the tree, the golden-brown color of her eyes fading back to her normal color, her skin tone warming, and her fangs receding.
A brief moment of shock and her eyes connected with mine. Her mouth opened and the blood coming out trickled down her chin. Frozen, I stared at her, horrified. Aro's grin was triumphant and as the pack collectively bunched to pounce, Bella pushed slowly off the tree.
"Aro," she gasped. He turned to look at her, his eyes bright with a feverish gleam and she gave him a bloody smile. "Here."
She slammed a very human hand right into his face, smashing whatever she had in it against him. It sent cracks spiraling across his face. He leapt back in shock, splintering, and the pack ravaged and tore the rest of him into pieces. I phased back immediately, knowing the fight was over, and ran to Bella as she collapsed.
"Bella, Bella," I whispered as she looked up at me blearily. "Honey, hold on, it's okay."
Carefully, I ran my hands over her, feeling that she had at least one cracked rib. Her breathing was short as she struggled and she was fading in and out of consciousness. I barely felt the tears that slid down my face and landed on her.
"I see them, Jake. It's a little boy and girl. But why are they covered in red?" Her eyes were glazed in fear and confusion.
I felt the pack gather around me as I bit my lip to keep from crying out at her disjointed rambling. Embry was carefully deposited next to Bella. He was pretty badly hurt, but he was awake. He struggled to sit up, but Leah pressed him down with one damaged paw. I saw the Cullen's hovering in my peripheral vision, but every time one took a single step toward us, my pack growled. They had banded together in a circle around us, protecting us from view.
Suddenly, Charlie broke through the circle of wolves. His fear was gone as he made his way to his daughter. "Bella?" he whispered. He knelt next to me as the pack enclosed us again. "Jake, what the hell happened?"
"Jacob. I'd like to help if I can," I heard Carlisle say through the buzzing in my head. "Please, hear me. I'm not going to harm anyone, you know that."
The words finally penetrated. I looked up at Charlie as tears slid down his face. "Carlisle wants to help. We need to let him."
He nodded and Carlisle knelt next to Bella, checking her pulse, feeling the same areas I did. He continued to feel, listening carefully to her breathing, and he said, "Her lung collapsed. The broken rib punctured it which is why she's bleeding. I can fix this, Chief Swan, Jacob. I have my medical bag at the house."
Carefully, I picked Bella up as if she were made of china. She felt so breakable, her skin pale and breathing labored. We were closer to Charlie's house, so we hurried inside. I laid her on the sofa and reluctantly backed away as Carlisle came in with his bag. I stood staring out the kitchen window, the pack settled on the porch, and Charlie sat at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.
Someone had called Billy for me, so it was moments later that he came into the house with Sue. "Jake," he said. He reached for my hand, squeezing it tightly. I held on to him, needing that lifeline, afraid of what would come next.
*~*~*
BPOV
There were voices floating in and out of my consciousness mixed with images of a little girl with black hair in pigtails and a little boy with a warm, sunny grin. All I really wanted to do was continue to watch them play in the clearing, darting around and chasing each other while their laughter rang in my ears. It felt like something was missing, though, something vital to me.
The voices were intruding on my time with my children, though.
"She'll heal from this, Jacob. Her lung has been inflated. The puncture and ribs will heal. She's been through a lot and just isn't ready to wake."
"Jacob, she has a reason to live."
I floated in and out, wanting to reassure that I was happy, but afraid to swim through the murky unknown to break free and be able to feel pain again. It was safe right where I was; where no one had to deal with someone who was defective.
I dug my toes into the sand, smiling as the sun's rays lit my children's hair as they now played and splashed in the shallows. Their squeals mixed with the call of the gulls. Frowning, I glanced around when I thought I heard my name being called. Who would be calling me? The whisper on the wind reminded me that there was still something missing.
"She's afraid to come back," a wise voice intruded again. "She was told she was abnormal, not a person who should be cherished because she has this unique gift. She was made to feel inferior, defective, and she's afraid to recognize anything real."
Annoyed at having my feelings so clearly stated, I retreated again, but that whispery voice broke through this time loud and clear.
"Isabella Swan, you fucking listen to me. You never were and never will be inferior. You are not defective. I need you like I need to breathe, so wake up and come back to me."
That warm, husky voice finally penetrated; what I had been missing and craving, and I began to struggle to the surface. I knew I was almost there when the pain in my side began to pulse. My eyes felt glued shut, but I struggled to open them. It was taking so long, but I felt the faintest squeeze of my hand. It was Jake and his heat, his strength, filled me and I opened my eyes.
Everything was bright and harsh. I cringed, but Jake knew and he had the lights flicked off so I could see easier. My body throbbed, and I knew I was human again because of how much pain I was feeling. When my eyes met Jake's, the tears that had been pressing against my eyes spilled free. He carefully stretched out next to me on my old bed at Charlie's and held me as gently as he could.
It hurt to cry, but I couldn't stop.
He laced his fingers with mine, bringing them up between us to hold tightly to his chest. "Shh, honey, it's over. You're going to be fine and everything is going to go back to normal again."
When the flow finally ebbed, Jake kissed me gently. "Do you need anything?"
"Everything hurts," I admitted.
He left and came back with medication. Charlie was right behind him, worry lines creasing his forehead. I tried not to cry again as he sat next to me and smoothed my hair back. "Thank God you're awake," he said quietly. "You've been out for almost two days, baby."
I couldn't believe it'd been that long. "What happened to me? I'm fully human again, I guess?" I asked wearily.
They nodded and explained the punctured lung, the cracked ribs, and fractured wrist. I remembered having trouble breathing and the horrible stabbing pain in my side, but the fractured wrist confused me.
"You hit Aro in the face," Jake said. I could see the glowing pride in his expression. "And Bella, you did it as a human. I don't know how, but you cracked his face apart and the pack finished him off."
Charlie explained to Jake how Billy had given him a piece of vampire that Ephraim had kept from his first kill. It was shaped to fit into an actual gun and they tested it before Charlie brought it with him to help. It was genius.
"It seemed like it might come in handy," I added, a bit amazed. "And that's how I fractured my wrist. I almost can't believe it, but I remember it. Everything hurt, I was furious, and I just wanted to end it."
Charlie smiled. "You certainly did. My daughter the warrior."
I blushed and Jake chuckled. After Charlie left, Jake gave me the medicine and stretched out next to me again. He helped propped me up so I could swallow the pill. "Jake? What about the other wolves? The Cullen's?"
"Everyone was okay. Embry was hurt pretty badly, but he's recovering, too. Leah was hurt, but it was minor. We nearly got into another fight with the Cullen's while you were out because of it and what happened to you."
I bit my lip, but he added, "We settled it. I gave Carlisle leniency to stay because of you. He took care of you and wanted to make sure you were on the mend first. I don't know if the others actually left yet, but we haven't done anything about it so far."
His brow wrinkled as he gritted his jaw. "What's wrong?" I asked fuzzily as the medication began working.
"I think you're going to need to settle the score with Edward first. He needs to hear it from you again."
I nodded, cringing, but knew it was inevitable. I was beyond grateful to Carlisle, to the fact that they all came to help, though I knew it was more out of a sense of a duty than anything else. It had been a promise before I ever left Alaska. I would thank Carlisle for everything he did for me and tell Edward he needed to be out of my life once and for all.
"Get some sleep first," he said quietly. "I'll be right here."
I drifted off, wrapped in his arms and comforted by his presence. We would deal with everything else another day.
Chapter 24
*~*~*
AN: Two more chapters to go! Hope you enjoyed the battle. :o)