Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Sins Of The Past

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 21:

Bella POV

“So you severed it? It’s gone? Like it never existed?”

“Yes Bella.” Chelsea answered, looking at the floor. I don’t know why. She made the right decision. She saved my life.

“Thank you so much Chelsea.” I told her, pulling her in for a hug. Jane had walked in while this was going on and told me the same had happened to her once before. Chelsea had been unable to sever that one but was able to weaken it to the point that Jane could kill the vampire. The thought of my Jane beholden to a male vampire made me ill.

“You are not angry? I thought perhaps you would have wanted to know…”

“No! No. The idea of this mating… it is terrifying. Tying me to a person I don’t know, a man, and… Master Marcus where does this come from?”

He took a moment before speaking.

“No one really knows Bella. But in most cases it can be a wonderful thing. I believe if what happened to you… in your past life… I believe Bella Swan would have been very happy with the vampire. He would have been so drawn to you he would have found you many years ago even as a human. Now your bond to Jane, forged on love and shared past experiences is nearly as strong as a mating bond. It weakened your bond to Garrett, allowing Chelsea to sever it. On some timeline in some alternate universe perhaps you would have been very happy with him.”

The thought chilled me.

“So my choice would have been taken away? Another choice taken away.” I said quietly, trying desperately to control my emotions.

“I need to kill him. Jane killed the one bonded to her. I need to kill this one. What if the bond comes back?”

Master Aro answered me.

“Bella at the time Chelsea was not as strong as she is now. She was only able to weaken the bond to the point from Jane’s end that it would not drive her mad when she killed him. Had she not, the young vampire would have pursued her over the decades. Garrett’s bond was severed completely. I do not believe even if he wished it so, that it would come back.”

“But you cannot be sure Master.” I pointed out.

“I will be watching Isabella.” Master Marcus assured me.

“If it appears it will return…”

“It will be taken care of daughter. I swear to you, your choices will never be taken away again.” Master Aro told me firmly. I believed him. He would never let something like that happen. He took care of me. He always took care of everything.

“There will be an immediate test as well Bella.” Master Aro continued. “Saville has reported that Jasper, Alice, Peter, Charlotte and Garrett are in Forks. We have been monitoring all cell phone calls coming out of La Push. We also tracked Garrett’s phone when it was reported that he was present. Apparently Garrett has been attempting to gather witnesses to our actions in La Push. He has had little success. Without Carlisle supporting the Romanians, word has spread and vampires are distancing themselves from anything to do with us. Tomorrow we go to Forks. We will be staying at the Cullen’s mansion again, kicking out the current occupants. Apparently there is a new wolf, according to your daughter, in play and we wish to find out more and have a base of operations.”

“He will be there?”

“Focus on your mission Isabella. He cannot touch you. If he tries I will turn him to dust myself.” Master Caius promised.

I grabbed Jane’s hand. Despite her smile I knew she was worried. I did not like her worried. I would focus on the mission. But I would be watching this Garrett. Another thought struck me.

My daughter. My daughter was giving us information on the wolves. My Dani.

Aro POV

“Hello?”

“Hello Renee. How are you?”

“What do you want?” she practically hissed.

“Renee are you upset? Whatever have I done to you?” I truly never could stand this bitch but she was good for Isabella. Sulpicia was with Isabella more than her own biological mother when she went through her horrific labor that nearly took her life.

“Tell me who you are? Where is my daughter?”

“Your daughter is happy. As far as who I am, you really do not want to know. Does it truly matter? Is there anything you want that you have not been given?”

Renee was living in Nice, France in a lovely estate fully staffed. Better than this bitch ever would have gotten on her own.

“I want my daughter.”

“Your daughter is gone Renee. She is with her true family now. You did well supporting her these years but it was time. Her choice. We are planning vengeance on the man who raped her as we speak. His name is Billy Black. I believe you know him?”

“That son of a bitch. How? He can’t even…”

“He can walk. The how’s are not important. Know that he will soon face justice. I also have some fabulous news for you. Your granddaughter will be with you soon. Perhaps by the end of the week.”

“I don’t want her.”

That sentence actually caught me by surprise.

“She is 16 Renee. You are all the family she has now.” I pointed out.

“My daughter is dead as you say. Her life was a nightmare. That little bitch dragged her to her death. If I ever see Dani again I will kill her.”

I held in a chuckle. Killing Dani would require ambition. Something Renee Dwyer has not shown in many, many years.

“So you would turn your back on your granddaughter? Your own flesh and blood?”

“She belongs to him. I don’t want her and I won’t take her. Cut off the money, fire the servants, kill me if you want to. I will not take her.”

Fate why do you tempt me?

“I understand Renee. This will be the last you hear from me.”

“I want to speak to my daughter! I know you turned her into a damn…”

“Renee you are going to want to close your mouth and look around you. You are living in a palatial estate in one of the most beautiful places in the World. You have money, cars, servants to cook for you and clean, since you have never shown the aptitude for either. If I ever hear the word vampire leave your mouth, I will watch your daughter slowly drain you into a bloodless corpse. We will know if you do. We always know. You have a life you never dreamed of. You no longer even have to ask your daughter for money you freeloading bitch. Enjoy it. Because if we ever do meet face to face, I will be smiling and you will know your time on this Earth has come to an end. Do we understand each other?”

“Yes.” She whispered, fear finally coloring her tone.

“I didn’t hear that.” I lied.

“Yes you did.”

She hung up on me. How rude. I thought I was rather civil.

Now what to do with Dani?

Dani POV

“And you are sure he said his name was Taha Aki?” Leah asked for the hundredth time.

“Yes bitch. How many times I got to go over this with you?”

We were both into our second bottle of whatever kind of moonshine this was. Apparently the recipe was concocted by that Quil guy I saw in the Spirit world.

“Your Mom may not have as easy a time as she thinks she will. He is the true alpha over the tribe. He can take Billy’s spot. Utlapa you say?”

“Leah seriously lay off the fucking alcohol if it is affecting your memory so much. I want to see more albums. If I fall on the way to your shelf pick me up.”

I made it to the shelf and lifted one of the older albums. I discovered I loved to peruse these. Seeing Mom, even in the company of those assholes, made me smile. She looked so innocent. Still though, I could see something in her eyes. Stress, worry, sadness.

Her life ended when she came to Forks. What 17 year old girl should be faced with what she dealt with? Being tortured and bitten by a vampire, left by another she thought loved her. Stalked by another. Then raped and disfigured by the one group of people who should have kept her safe.

Yes it was Billy Black’s fault. Utlapa or whoever, didn’t fucking matter. It was Billy fucking Black. Still though, I had seen Jacob’s obsession with her. Embry’s and Paul’s as well. It was a matter of time. Billy just beat the others to it.

She smiled though. In these pictures she smiled. This was not the girl who would become the woman she is. This is… I don’t know. Another life?

It occurred to me that since I had been forced to La Push I hadn’t seen any of the sights. I had been at Jacob’s or Leah’s. Apparently much has been going on around me. Angela is missing. Jared thought Kim had returned to his bed only to have his legs broken by the vampire imitating her. Connor and Magnus were killing La Push citizens everyday. Billy refused to leave his house and Paul was in pain and being hidden in Sam’s old house since he couldn’t exactly escape when the State Police made their routine check of his residence.

And I had stayed drunk. For the most part. I was able to get a bit high every now and again.

There was a picture of Mom at First Beach. She was laughing. A real laugh. You almost missed the stress lines under her eyes.

First Beach.

I stumbled to the door.

“Where the hell are you going?” Leah asked, her speech no longer slurred.

“First Beach.”

“Why?”

“Why not? Tired of staying in.”

“You’re drunk Dani. The police are looking for you too. Stay in. You can go tonight.”

“No. I want to see it now. I’ll look out for the cops.”

“I’ll go with you.” Leah sat up from the couch and hit the floor when she attempted to stand.

“Don’t worry bout it. I have my guardian angel with me.”

I don’t know if she responded. She was still on the floor. I knew why she was doing this. She wanted to die. Her life was horrible. Her only love dead after spending years with her cousin and having children. Her mother dead. She had a dead end job and her brother would soon be dead. She wanted to go out fighting, not as a bitter alcoholic hag. I got that. It was a shame. She could have been so much more. She should have been so much more.

The streets were nearly empty. Although the Pack had been hiding the bodies my friends left behind, rumors of disappearances had sprung up. Everyone was frightened. If they had any idea what was coming they would all run. But Billy wouldn’t allow that. He was as determined as my Mom apparently to see the whole tribe die.

I stumbled my way to First Beach. It wasn’t easy due to the uneven ground. The paths were rough and surrounded by trees. If I couldn’t turn into a big dog I might have been scared.

“Kinda freaky, huh Connor?”

He of course didn’t answer. I had no idea if he was here or not. I liked to think he was.

I heard the ocean and rushed forward a bit more, the alcohol already burning out of my blood stream.

Finding the end of the trail I saw it. First Beach.

It really was beautiful. Luke hadn’t been lying.

I stepped out onto the sand, my bare feet loving the feeling of the wet soil sliding between my toes. I missed clothes. Since I had been here I only wore Leah’s old cut offs and tanks. I missed outfits and earrings and shoes. God did I miss my shoes. But right now barefoot was definitely the way to go.

“Hey there.”

I swerved around to see Luke Clearwater standing not twenty feet away. I must have been really drunk not to have heard and smelt him. He was smiling. He was barely dressed.

My senses went on high alert.

“Looking for a little privacy here Luke if you don’t mind.”

“Yeah that’s the thing. I do mind. You have been holed up since you got here. I’ve been wanting a chance to talk to you. Get to know you. I had nothing to do with what Black did to your mother. Why are you holding it against me?”

He was still smiling but his tone was a bit demanding. He stepped forward and I stepped back.

“I’m thinking you can come over to my place for Christmas in a couple days. My family has a big dinner and…”

“We are going to be busy getting slaughtered on Christmas day Luke.”

“Nah. I’m thinking they are coming for Black. Once he is gone there is no reason for them to come after us.”

“Optimistic little fucker aren’t you? Sorry but I have plans. I’m going to watch my parents sort out some family business. Have a nice dinner.”

“You are a cocky bitch aren’t you? Your mother was like that as well from what I hear. Too good for reservation trash. Of course you are half reservation trash. Got a vampire at your beck and call just like she did. Why is that Dani? Why do you think you are too good for us? Because all I see is a fucking stuck up spoiled tease.”

Yeah he was definitely not happy now.

“Connor? Anytime you want to say hi would be good.” I whispered.

“Connor? You know the vampire’s name you fucking whore? He killed my friend Jay.”

“What’s with the names? Weren’t you just inviting me to Christmas dinner?”

“Everybody wants you. The whole damn Pack. It’s all your father and brother think about. Hell even Paul wanted you before he decided he needed to kill you. You are a hot piece of ass. We are going to survive this. What are you going to do then Dani? How are you going to hold off the whole damn Pack? You need someone to protect you. I want to be that someone. You want me or you want me and everybody else? Want to be the Pack bitch your mother was supposed to be.”

I looked in his eyes and saw it. The same madness in the older pack. It was infecting every one of them.

I ran. I took off in a panic. I didn’t know where I was going. I didn’t recognize it until I came to the spot. The spot in Billy’s head. All of our heads. Where it happened.

I turned and saw Luke about to overrun me. He jumped and I screamed, closing my eyes and preparing for the worst.

Luke never hit me. He was on the ground when I cracked my eyelids. Connor was over him holding Luke by the throat.

“Uh…” I started.

“Sorry Dani. I figured you would stay at home and went out for a bite to eat. You are as good at finding trouble as your mother it seems. Now I have a dilemma. Master Aro did not want any more wolves to be killed before the battle. But I am afraid I cannot let this slide, young man.”

Luke apparently didn’t have a response but did gurgle.

“What to do with you? What do you think Dani?”

I looked at the spot my mother was raped on. Where his claws tore through her skin. Where I was conceived.

“I would like you to kill him Connor.” I told him honestly, not a doubt in my voice. Luke’s eyes shot to mine in panic. He tried to phase until Connor bit him.

Luke remained human. He lay still, his hand flying to the spot on his neck where Connor’s teeth had marked him.

Then he screamed.

“Are you turning him?” I asked in disbelief.

“No. While wolves are phasing, according to Master Aro they cannot be turned. It is believed our bites are poisonous though, causing severe pain and eventual death, I suppose we will do a bit of research.”

Luke continued to scream on the ground. He began trying to tear his face off.

Connor stood in front of me ignoring Luke’s screams.

“Are you okay? I panicked when I returned and you were not there. The lush you live with was passed out on the ground. I didn’t know… I followed your scent and saw you run…”

“It’s okay. I’m okay. I mean I wouldn’t have been but I am so… thanks.”

He smiled. He had a beautiful smile. I reached out and hugged him, noticing his scent did not bother me a bit. His body was hard but not that hard. Had I not been a wolf I’m sure he would have been harder. He returned my hug. I felt him relax but then he stepped back. I suppose my scent may have bothered him.

“How about the next time you decide to take a walk you say my name and I will let you know if I am there? Sound like a plan? Because if I have to kill anymore wolves Master Caius will become quite upset with me and I would rather avoid that.”

Despite Luke’s screams I smiled. Perhaps because of them. I didn’t know anymore.

“I want to walk on the beach. Walk with me. Tell me about where you are from. I want to hear about the Volturi. What it is like? What is my Mom like when she is around you guys?”

“What about him? Should I kill him? Put him out of his misery?”

Blood was streaming down Luke’s face from the gashes he inflicted on himself.

“No. Fuck him. He can stay in his misery. Take a walk with me. Please?”

We walked until the sun set. He told me about the Volturi. Mom’s visits over the years. Her learning to fight. Learning their customs. He told me how weak she was when she first arrived. How easily frightened she was. He told me how she grew. How she became stronger. Perhaps not any saner, I thought with a grin, but definitely stronger. I was fascinated by the work the Volturi did. I assumed they were just a really large coven but they really did police the vampire world. I couldn’t believe the power my mother had. He also told me about her affair with the blonde teen girl who apparently was over a thousand years old. I suppose I shouldn’t give her a hard time about age. I immediately regretted what I said to her. I regretted a lot of things. He told me where our money came from. This Aro guy took care of her. All of us I suppose. He seemed to have gone above and beyond.

That night I carried Leah to bed and then got into bed myself. I closed my eyes, wondering if anyone had found Luke yet or if he was dead or still screaming in the forest. I’m sure a patrol found him. He was making too much noise not to. Leah never mentioned him. I suppose they weren’t close. I don’t think Leah was close to anyone other than her brother and he hadn’t been over.

I wondered if Connor was watching me. Was he in this room? I don’t suppose it mattered. I drifted off to sleep and met my mother.

I was at First Beach. It was nighttime and a bonfire was raging. The Pack. They were there. Jacob Black dragged Mom to a log. He pulled her onto his lap and placed a bottle to her lips. He knew she never drank before. Why the hell did he do that?

He tried to kiss her. Mom placed her hand between his mouth and hers. She laughed. He laughed. She stumbled off his lap into Leah’s arms. His smile disappeared when she walked away. He looked like his father. A predator.

She walked towards the woods. I had to stop her.

I grabbed her arm before she stepped into the trees.

“Mom! You can’t go in there.”

She turned around and smiled.

“Who are you?”

“I… I’m… my name is Dani. Look you can’t go in there. You will get hurt. You have to trust me.”

“What are you talking about? Haven’t you heard? The bad vampire is dead. Her newborns have scattered. We won. It’s okay Dani.” She patted my cheek.

“You can’t go in there. These people are monsters!”

Mom no longer seemed drunk. She stood straighter.

“We are all monsters Dani. All of us. I’m a monster as well.”

“No you aren’t! You are good. You don’t deserve this!” I had to make her understand.

“Maybe not. But there is no mercy in this world Dani. Don’t you understand? The stories we are told as children? The ones where good always wins and the hero always saves the Princess and they live happily ever after? They aren’t true Dani. None of them are true. But monsters? Monsters are real. They kill and they get away with it. They love and leave with no consequences. As if you never existed. Souls aren’t real. Hearts are organs that pump blood through your body until they stop beating. That is all they are. Love is definitely not all you need.”

“That’s not true. Just don’t go into those woods. Get that Emily lady to take you home and leave this place. Just go. You will be okay. You will be happy. I promise. Just don’t go into those woods.” I begged her.

“I have to Dani.” She smiled and wiped a tear from my eye.

“Why?”

“How else would I have you?”

She ran into the woods and disappeared behind a tree. I ran after her but she was gone. She was just… gone.

“Mom!”

“Dani!”

I sat up and saw Connor kneeling at my bed side.

“What!?” I nearly screamed.

“You were having a nightmare. You were saying don’t go over and over again. Are you alright?”

“Yeah. I’m… good.” I told him, noticing I was covered I sweat.

“Okay. I will be in the living room. Get some sleep. I have good news. Your mother will be near very soon. She is coming to Forks before she comes to collect you. This is almost over Dani. Soon you will be back to your old life.”

My old life. My old life was dead. There was no old life or new life. Just life or death. Predators and prey. Luke Clearwater was finding that out somewhere at this moment.

A/N Next chapter Bella returns to Forks.