Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Destiny, Whether You Like It Or Not

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 26:

BPOV

I was confused.

“I’m confused.”

“What are you confused about Bella?” Jasper asked me. We were all sitting around Cullen Mansion, or as I am quickly coming to call it, ground fucking zero.

“We have face down the Volturi. We have killed a newborn army, not without some casualties, I admit. Why the hell are we supposed to be scared of a vampire nobody has ever heard of and a few half vampires?” I hated to call them half breeds. It wasn’t a very nice name for my favorite kid.

“Bella, you don’t understand how strong this vampire is.” Edward said.

“So he kicked your ass. Big deal. I can do that. 99 percent of the people in this room can do that. And I would give even money on Bell.”

“Bella when I fought him I couldn’t read his mind.”

“Again, so? Welcome to the world the rest of us live in.”

“Bella, I’m pretty sure he could read mine.”

“You think he is a sponge Edward?” Garrett asked. He must be worried. He didn’t even sneer at Edward.

“It’s a possibility.”

“Sponge? Like Sponge Bob Squarepants? That’s what everybody has their panties in a bunch about?” Bell snickered next to me. We have watched that show together a lot.

“Bella, a sponge can soak up other vampires’ powers to use against that vampire.” Jasper clarified for me in a calm voice.

“Okay, so what?” It’s not like he can soak all our powers up at once. We have the numbers. He is just one guy.”

“We don’t know who he has Bella. He may have the Denali’s.” Carlisle pointed out.

Well color me scared. “Okay. I still don’t see what the big deal is. What are a few Succubus going to do? Spread their legs and hope to distract our men?”

“Bella maybe you should take this more seriously.” Charlie said quietly from the corner.

“I do take it seriously Charlie.” See how he likes that. “I have been in battle before and I know how serious it can get. Maybe you should shut the hell up and listen instead of worrying about me all the damn time.”

Wow. I’m a bitch. Let me check faces. Yep the consensus is I’m a bitch. Great. Garrett was even looking at me with a concerned face. Rose looked impressed. This is bad.

“I’m sorry Dad. That was uncalled for. I need some air.”

Garrett stood to follow me. I raised my hands. “I’m sorry baby. I need some time to myself. I just…” He nodded at me and sat back down. He understood. I took off out the door and was pleased to hear that nobody was following me.

Garrett POV

“Little bit okay? She has seemed more bitchy than usual lately.” Peter noted. Can’t get anything by Peter. I sighed.

“She is emotionally and mentally tired. She hasn’t had much peace since she was turned. She has had a lot of drama in her life, especially recently. Things have changed she never saw coming. And every time we turn around we have some new enemy to fight. I think she just wants to go home. She needs to relax. She is not relaxed. There is a lot of tension. And not just from this Joham guy.” I looked around and saw Carlisle and Charlie weren’t looking at me. Kat wasn’t looking at me. Char and Alice were looking away.

“She is barely out of the newborn stage herself. Vampire wise I think we all forget she is still an infant.”

Just because Bella is so strong these people forget that she can’t handle everything. Everybody wants something from her it seems. I do to. I want her happy. But until I can get her back to Texas there wasn’t anything I could do about it. And that still wouldn’t solve the Charlie, Kat problem. Or the Alice and Char not getting along problem. Or the Carlisle versus Charlie battle to see who gets to be number one daddy. And yes I knew about that. A clueless blind man could see it. Hell Edward could see it. All this shit was getting old. And it was wearing on her. I saw Edward look at me and nod. Like I needed his fucking approval to know I am right. I know my woman. The little shit rolled my eyes. Now was not the time to get into a pissing contest with him. A contest I would win hands down. When your wife leaves you for another woman you’re kinda bringing a knife to a gunfight in a shit talking battle.

“So what do we do?” Esme asked.

“I would suggest if you really want to help her there are a few things some of you could do. Number one, if you consider yourself her friend then get along with her other friends instead of pulling her apart making her choose sides. If you see her as a daughter work together to help her instead of fighting for her favor. And if you are fucking her father, have a little tact.” I guess I wasn’t in a very good mood either.

Charlie growled and stood up. I was in his face in an instant.

“Sit the fuck down right now. I respect you Charlie but you growl at me and I will break you in pieces. You could be dead right now but she saved you. Show some fucking respect and lay off her.” Charlie looked taken aback. I had never spoken to him that way but when it comes to Bella she is number one for me. Everybody else can go fuck themselves. Even her “Daddies.” And right now she is tense. And that has me tense. And I have somewhat of a short fuse when I am tense. I walked outside. I wouldn’t bother Bella, but I needed to be near her. And to be away from this group of people.

Bella POV

God I was tired. I thought when I became a vampire I would never be tired again. I guess I was too stupid to realize that there are different sorts of tired. I was sitting with my back against a tree enjoying the sounds of nature. I had my eyes closed. It was the closest to sleep as I could get. I was thinking about life and thinking I was pretty smart at first to want to avoid everybody. I needed 50 years of just me and Garrett. Okay Char too. Which means Peter too. But that was it. Unfortunately I had my dad with me and his mate. I had to take care of them. I have always had to take care of my dad since I moved to Forks my junior year. Took care of my mother before that. Not that he couldn’t take care of himself but he is a new vampire. So am I for that matter. I felt a little ashamed about a fact I was slowly realizing. Life with just Peter, Garrett and Char was wonderful. And I wanted it back. No matter what, when this Joham thing was done we were going to be on our own. With my dad and Kat. Shit.

I was deep in thought. But I wasn’t that deep in thought. No way he should have gotten to within a hundred yards of me without hearing something. But he did.

“Hello Isabella.”

I opened my eyes and let loose a little scream while I was backing away.

“Who the fuck are you?” He was about 6 foot. Short dark hair. Tan for a vampire. Looked Hispanic. Good looking guy. He wore a pair of faded jeans and a white t shirt. He looked very relaxed. Even had sneakers on. Looked like Air Jordan’s. What the hell?

“I think you know who I am, Isabella. But you like to be called Bella right? I have seen much of you in Edwards mind. The boy has somewhat of an obsession with you. But his memories don’t do you justice. I can see why he obsessed over you. You are truly beautiful.”

“Joham…” I whispered.

“Yes. A pleasure to meet you Bella.” He reached out offering his hand. As if. I took a step back and remembered I had a tree behind me. Great situational awareness Bella.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to speak to you. To maybe become friends.”

“Is that right?”

He smiled at me dropping his hand to his side. “That’s right.”

“That why you sent those newborns to kill my Dad? So we could be friends?”

“They were actually supposed to kidnap him and the girl. So I could use them to get you to agree to leave. They would have been returned unharmed to you after that. But I’m afraid the bloodlust got to them. I give you credit. I never would have thought a newborn like yourself would have the guts to change that girl. Bravo dear. Bravo.”

“What do you want Joham?”

“I think it is obvious. I want the half breed and I want you.”

“Me.” What the hell? “What do you want me for?”

“You are magnificent, as I said. And your Mate is brave. I will fill the void left by the Volturi. The void, to your credit, that you helped create. And I want you by my side. You and Garrett of course. Peter and Charlotte would be welcome but something tells me they don’t take orders well.”

“And you think Garrett and I do?” I asked him. I admit I was getting scared. Thank God I had my shield up and knew he couldn’t get to me.

“You are both more reasonable. You are both honorable. Garrett will recognize the need for a government to legislate vampire. He knows they cannot be allowed to run free killing randomly. And he wants to stop evil. It is his life’s passion, second only to his love for you. He just doesn’t understand that there are different degrees of good and evil. But you do. You could help him understand. I am doing this with or without you Bella. But having you would be so much better. I don’t want to be your enemy.”

“I won’t leave the Cullens. I won’t leave little Bella behind.”

“Why? What do you owe them? Nothing!”

“I was left behind once. I didn’t like the feeling. I’ll be damned if I am going to make someone else feel that.”

“I see. What if I promise no harm will come to them? No need to fight? We can go off and you and Garrett could help me and we could all live peacefully? Let the army I am creating do the work. We could be the kings. And the Queen of course.” He added winking at me.

“One problem. You want little Bella to be some breeder for your son. That’s not going to happen. I haven’t even had the sex talk with her yet.”

“Bella, every time I create a half breed a woman has to die. If Nahuel and Bella could breed it could save lives.”

“The blood line would die out. Eventually their offspring would be more human than vampire.”

Who knew taking that damn genetics class in College would pay off?

“I don’t think it will. But we cannot know until we try.”

“Why not Newborns?” I was stalling for time. I needed Garrett here. We could end this now.

“Newborns are too hard to control. They can’t move in and out of the human world as easily as half breeds. Half breeds are strong, indestructible, smart, loyal, calm and don’t sparkle in the sun.”

“So you want to rule humans and vampires?” This guy was nuts.

“No, I want to keep a hand in human affairs to protect vampires.” He was fucking lying and he knew I knew he was lying.

“Bella, I realize you are stalling for time with your questions hoping your mate will feel your anxiety and come running to end me. But it isn’t going to happen.”

“And why is that?” Anytime now Garrett.

“Because I have a shield on us.”

“You’re a shield?” Oh shit.

“No, you are. You are such a strong shield that you can block out the mating pull. You can block out your scent if you want to. You can kill with this shield if you desired. But you don’t know how to use all of your power yet. You are too young to have full reign over it. But I’m not. I could teach you Bella.”

Okay. If help isn’t coming I have to get out of here. This guy was way too freaky for me to be fucking with. I pushed out my shield and realized the comforting feeling I usually have in my brain was gone. It felt empty.

“I need a decision Bella. Will you help me?”

“No.” If I had a heart beat it would be racing right now.

“Then I’m afraid I can’t have you trying to stop me. I certainly can’t have Garrett going after me. So if he is busy going after your killer while going insane, then it will certainly make it easier to get past the dozen guards young Bella has. Are you sure you won’t change your mind?”

“He will kill you. You know he will never stop. ” I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt.

“Yes he will go after your killer. Edward Cullen.”

Uh say what?

“I managed to keep a few of Edward’s articles of clothing. After I tear you apart it shouldn’t be hard to plant his scent. Jealousy is a horrible thing. It can drive a man to kill the object of his affection. After I am done with you a simple phone call to Edward to let him know I have you and he alone can rescue you and he will be on his way, to find your pile of ashes.

“You think you have it all figured out don’t you?”

He smiled at me. “Last chance. Are you willing to die for the Cullens?”

“Yes… but that’s not my first option.”

I attacked him. I have no idea how old this guy is. I knew he was strong. But I was backed in a corner and alone. I went for his throat. I’m not sure what happened next . I felt a hand on my neck and a loud boom as the earth gave way beneath me.

He was on top of me and had me by the throat. I grabbed his hand but couldn’t pry it off. His grip was like iron.

“You are so willful. I like that. But you will learn who your master is. Anytime you want this to end beg me. My offer stands right up until the moment I light the match.”

He picked me up by my throat. I had both hands around his one hand and I couldn’t get him to budge. I felt myself thrown in the air and I slammed against something that shouldn’t be there. I hit the ground on my stomach and stared at him. My foot could feel the wall behind me. I turned to see what it was, but nothing was there.

“I told you Bella. Your shield is exceptionally strong. I doubt anything could break it. Would you like to see what other tricks it can do?”

I felt the shield curve under me and lift me up. What the fuck? The wall threw me at him and I saw his arm for a brief flash before he clotheslined me. I felt my neck snap back and then his other hand was on my chest slamming me down again. My vision was getting blurry. I saw him grab me in slow motion. He twisted my arms around my back and had me in an iron grip again. My back was pressed against his chest. I felt his breath on my neck.

“Bella, Bella, Bella. It really doesn’t have to be this way. You could be so powerful with me. I don’t even need Garrett. But I would take him for you. I’ll even take the little blonde you love so much. Is it really worth burning for?”

I had to concentrate. I had to fight. I couldn’t fight him physically. He was too strong. I needed my shield I needed what he had. I stretched my mind. My head felt like it latched on to something and then my head was in extreme pain. I was almost blinded by the pain. I had to keep going. I almost had it.

“Joham?” I grunted out.

“Yes Bella?”

“GIVE ME BACK MY FUCKING SHIELD”

I felt it. It was there. I tore it out of his mind. I didn’t know how long I had. A dropped it and kicked my leg back into his nuts. He grunted and I fell forward. I screamed.

“GARRETT!”

JOham stumbled back. He fell to a knee on the ground.

“Amazing!” Fucker actually smiled at me. “I have never seen a vampire take back their power from me. Ever! Oh you are truly special Bella. Unfortunately it changes nothing. I bet that little trick took whatever you had out of you. And do you really think I can’t just take it back?”

NO. I had to hold on to it. I pushed and pushed to keep him away. He was slowly draining me. He had his hands on my shield and it was getting weaker. I could feel it going away. I needed to run but I didn’t have the energy. For the first time in my vampire life my feet couldn’t move. He was inches from me. His hands were almost on me. I closed my eyes. And…

He was gone! Flying into a tree. I dropped to my knees and saw the sweetest thing. Garrett…

Garrett POV

Something is wrong. I can’t feel Bella. Anywhere. No matter where I go I should be able to feel a little if she is closer or nearer. I began tracking her scent trail. It ended in a patch of woods. I listened and heard nothing. I know she wanted to be left alone. But this wasn’t right. I called Peter and told him the situation.

“That’s not right. Find her. Char and I are on the way. Find her!”

I heard the Cullens in the background moving to life. I followed her old scent trail and doubled back. She had to be in these trees somewhere.

I felt her! Not the mating pull. Something else. Some the sense that knew she was near. And if she was near and I couldn’t feel her that meant trouble. I ran up and down the forest. I saw her! She was with avampire. She was pushing back with her shield. It was failing her. He was almost about to grab her!

The first skirmish I got into when I was human I was on the front line. I knew the British would fire and it was chance or fate that would determine if I would be one of those who would fall. I had never felt as scared as I was at that moment. Bella looked beaten. Her body had cracks in it. Her amrs were straining. She was on her knees! I thought all this on my way to kick the living hell out of whoever this was. I hit him and he flew off her. I chased him in the air and he managed to get his ground and flip me onto his back. He was going to fall and strike me but I brought my leg up and kicked him in the head. He stumbled back and I was on my feet. I didn’t not have time for this. Bella was on her knees on the ground and her eyes were closed. She was holding her head and looked to be in pain. We were circling each other. I heard movement coming this way. If this was Joham and he could absorb powers we did not need any vampires with powers coming this way. I opened my mouth to yell and he attacked before I could get the words out of my mouth. He hit me in my jaw and I could feel it come unhinged. A good hit. Fucker was strong. Must be a thousand years old. I did the only thing I could think of. The only thing my instincts told me too. I jumped in front of Bella and prepared to defend her or die trying.

“You are a warrior aren’t you? Ask Bella about the offer I made her. The offer I made the two of you. Garrett there is no need for us to be enemies. I think I hear your friends coming. I will leave you with a little reminder of me. I think I will take an arm. If you want it back to hold Bella with she knows the offer.

This motherfucker may be strong but did he just threaten me. I snarled. Not the most civilized response I will admit but it was all I had at the moment. I was more beast than man when Bella is in danger. She was whimpering quietly behind me. Joham moved towards me and I tensed and heard…

BPOV

I hrut. I haven’t felt this bad since Garrett changed me. Since James bit me. But this asshole just said he was taking my man’s arm? I didn’t care if my fucking head split open. That was not going to fucking happen.

“NO!” I gave everything I had . I didn’t just defend. I pushed. The force of it knocked him back. Now how could I keep him down? I tried to manipulate my shield like he had with me but I couldn’t. It was everything I had to keep it strong. Garrett was pressed against me.

“Move baby, I need to see.” I looked at him. If he touched my shield I would retract it and push it out again. See if I can knock him back. Oh God this hurt.

“Bella, you are truly amazing. I thought you were done for and here you are, as strong as ever. Unfortunately I can’t stay and play. I hear your friends coming. Tell little Bells I will see her soon. And I can’t wait to introduce her to my son. I think they will have beautiful children.” He was gone. I don’t know where he went. He was here one second and gone the next. How the fuck did he do that? God he was fast. Peter and Char rushed into the clearing. I saw Charlie and Carlisle and Vicki running behind them. No.

“Get…”

Dammit mouth work already.

“Get back to Bella.”

“She is protected Bella.” I think it was Carlisle?

“GO! NOW!” That was it. I hit the ground. My damn vampire legs would not hold me up any longer. I closed my eyes. I wasn’t asleep. I couldn’t be that lucky. I heard everything going on around me. But I’ll be damned if I could open my eyes.

I felt Garrett pull me up into his arms. I felt Char’s hands running through my hair and her sobs. I heard Peter grumbling to himself about killing something. I kept my eyes closed.

Garrett POV

It was three days before Bella opened her eyes. She was awake the entire time but too weak to open her eyes. That bastard did a number on her. She will not be going anywhere without me again. At least for a few hundred years. She woke up and gave a blow by blow account of what happened. Joham’s plans. His offer. I expected her to be scared. I expected her to be anxious. Looking behind every curtain to see if the boogie man was going to jump out. It’s what I would have done after getting beat like that. It’s what I want to do after seeing her beat like that. Her injuries healed of course. Her shield was so weak at one point Edward thought he could read some of her thoughts. So of course Bella did what I didn’t expect. She got up and was pissed. Her eyes were redder than usual. We drove into Seattle in Carlisle’s Mercedes. She took out a gang of Russian mobsters at the docks bringing in Heroin. She took all 4 herself. We came back and she called a meeting.

“Listen up. We can’t stay here.”

“But Bella the wolves could…” Carlisle started to say.

“Fuck the wolves! They are out of their league here. This guy is ours. But we can’t stay here. He is too fast. There is too much cover for him to work with. He can move in and out to easily without being seen. We have to all leave.”

“We are we going to go Bella?” Esme asked. I already knew.

“Texas, Esme. We are going to Texas. And when he comes to my home field, we are going to end him.”

“What is your proposal Bella?” Alice asked.

“I had a lot of time to think about this over the last few days when my damn eyes wouldn’t open. We are all going to the ranch. It is secluded enough that no humans will get involved. There are no trees around us. At least not that he can use. We will see him coming. Jasper do you think he could use more than one power at a time?”

“No Bella but if he has yours he wouldn’t need more.”

“Because I have an invincible shield right? A shield that can be manipulated. That can move people around. In and out. A real, solid, moveable weapon correct?”

“Yes Bella. Considering what Joham did then it is very probable that you could do the same thing.”

“What if I trapped him in a shield. And I was in control. Would his powers as a shield work?”

“I don’t know. It would depend on your mental strength and mastery over your skills. It is possible if you could get to him first, so to speak, he would not work as a sponge.”

“Then we go to Texas and Jasper you are going to help me learn how to manipulate this thing. How to keep him from taking it. How I can stop his power. Then Peter, Jasper, Charlotte, Garret and I are going to get into a nice, big shield with this asshole. And then the fun will begin.”

“What about the rest of us Bella?” Emmett spoke up.

“Your job is to protect Bells at all cost and stay the fuck out of our way. Emmett, you got a little sister that needs protecting, and for once it isn’t me. Nothing gets by you and Rose right Emmett.”

He looked a little sad but nodded. I looked at Hannah and Vicki and Edward.

“You guys going to work together to protect your child?”

They all nodded.

Charlie walked up to me. “What can I do Bella?”

Stay the hell out of my way. I didn’t say it though. That would have been mean and I am turning over a new leaf today. Tomorrow it may be back to the same old leaf but today it was a new one.

“Keep Kat safe and watch our backs. From the back. Work with Emmett, Peter, anybody you can find on fighting. You need to know anyway. Vicki is very good. She taught me.” I said throwing a wink her way.

“Bella I…”

“Charlie if you want to help me. Help me. Be somewhere I won’t have to worry about you and start learning to protect yourself. Maybe Carlisle could help you. He’s a good teacher too.” I said looking at Carlisle. Carlisle nodded and Charlie scowled.

“It would be a pleasure to teach you how to fight Charlie. I look forward to our sparring sessions.”

“So do I Carlisle. So do I.” Charlie grumbled. I wonder what that’s all about. Charlie used to really like Carlisle when the Cullens lived in Forks. Oh well. More important things to worry about now.

“What do you want me to do Bella?” Alice asked walking up to me with a hopeful expression.

“Alice you have to get us travel arrangements to Texas. You have to look to the future and try to look around Bells to see what is coming. And most importantly…”

“Yes Bella?”

“I need you too shop. I want black outfits for everybody. Leather that’s breathable or spandex. The next time we go into a fight we are going to look like we belong there. And don’t forget the gloves.”

She jumped up and put wrapped her tiny arms around me. Char didn’t growl. Maybe things were getting better. One way or another I would be glad to get out of this damn rain. Davey would be too. He needs the Texas heat to lose some weight.

I took a deep breath and felt Garrett put his arm around me. I looked up and him and kissed him gently. He has been so worried and scared.

“So we are going home?” He asked me quietly.

“Damn straight baby. What better place to have a battle to end all battles than the Alamo State?”

“The Texans lost. The Alamo fell.”

“Yeah but Sam Houston kicked ass in San Jacinto didn’t he?” I was learning my Texas history. Garrett laughed.

“Yes I suppose he did.”

“Garrett, me, you, that damn clearing. That was our Alamo. We survived. Now it’s time to win the war. On our own terms.”

“Lead him in to familiar territory just like Sam Houston did and then hit him when he isn’t looking and least expects it.”

“Yep.” He gets me.

“Baby I am beginning to think you might be a better planner than Jasper when it comes to battle.”

“Sweetie you and Peter say it all the time. Women are evil. When it comes to war, sex, love or all three at once you should always rely on a woman. We have better killer instincts.”

He kissed me on top of my head and held me a little tighter.

I was going home.