Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Sins Of The Past

By BetterInTexas

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

EXODUS 21:24

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And when you look long into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.

FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE, Beyond Good and Evil

Chapter 23:

Aro POV

The sun rose and the mist settled on the soft grass. A light rain fell from this eternally dampened sky. It was a good day to spill blood. My Outer Guard behind me, my Inner Guard at my side. Connor had joined us after following Dani to the field of battle. At 5:00 AM, Billy Black, arose from his hole and ordered his wolves to phase. Their numbers were meager with the recent losses they had suffered. Dani walked out and phased, followed by Leah Clearwater joined the Pack. Connor, assured that Dani would be safe until the battle, raced ahead to join us.

They moved from the trees as if they were ghosts. Silent and deadly. Truly beautiful creatures. Deadly and strong. With a hundred years of training they could be a formidable force.

The wolf pack formed a line. I saw Black behind the line and Dani in the middle.

“Just as you suspected Brother.”

“You expected me to be wrong?” Caius asked, so easily offended.

I ignored his comment and focused on the line of wolves. Sulpicia and Athenodora stepped up beside Marcus, Caius and myself.

“I truly wish you two would sit this out.” I commented quietly.

“We have been waiting for this for a long time. We will fight. What little fight they plan to offer.” Sulpicia told me with no room for discussion.

“Well they showed up dear. It’s more than I hoped for. Felix, Demetri, Connor, Afton, Diego, Chelsea, Heidi, Saville, Magnus, Jane and Alec step forward.”

As one they stepped up.

“Once the opening salvo has been made, you along with your Kings and Queens will be the front line. The rest shall stand watch for our mystery wolf. When he makes himself known watch Master Caius for a signal. Do not rush the field of battle unless you are called. Isabella are you prepared?”

“Since the day I was born Master.” She whispered, her entire focus on the White wolf hiding behind his Pack as always.

“Patience daughter.”

A howl rose from Black. A symphony of growls. Dani charged.

Alone.

As Caius predicted.

“Alec be prepared if Chelsea is unable to do this. Take away her senses. Connor you have the tranquilizers ready?”

“Of course Master.”

“Chelsea can you see it?” Marcus asked.

“Yes Master.”

I turned and saw Chelsea’s irises had turned black.

“Destroy it Chelsea.” I whispered.

Her hands rose in front of her and her face remained as unmoving as a stone. She growled.

Her hands dropped. I tensed until I looked at Dani.

Dani had stopped running. She shook her head, turned around and growled.

This was not good.

Dani charged the Pack. No she was going after Black.

“Attack!” Caius ordered. We rushed the Pack. They began running towards us. I watched for one attacking Dani but they avoided her. Isabella raced ahead with her newborn speed. She was near Dani. The two had nearly reached Black. They cut through the line avoiding the wolves and Black… ran.

He fucking ran.

The link apparently broken, many of the wolves stopped running.

Until a larger wolf than Black jumped from the tree lines.

The famous Taha Aki has made his presence known. The wolves actually seemed to grow larger. He must be strengthening them.

“He is mine.”

“Not if I get to him first.” Caius cracked. We shall see.

Dani POV

The bastard was making me charge the Volturi. I knew he would do something like this. He was sending me to my death, knowing he would have to control every move I made. I relaxed not making any effort. It would be quick. I hoped Connor wasn’t the one who would do it.

Before I reached the line of vampires my legs stopped moving.

I tried to feel the link to the Pack, the panic and dread everyone was feeling, but it was gone. Only silence.

Only silence.

I turned and looked past the fuckers to my father.

I am going to kill that fucking bastard. I turned for him and he ran. The coward fucking ran. I didn’t spare a glance at the other wolves. They never moved towards me. I did notice the large wolf that I had never seen before emerge from the trees but he didn’t matter. I was going to kill my fucking father or die trying.

He was fast. Faster than I was but not by much. A part of wished I had participated in some sort of training. It didn’t matter. I would follow my instincts. I smelt vampire and noticed my mother running beside me.

My God she was beautiful. Her eyes were bright red and the worry lines under them were gone but other than that she looked mostly the same. She was always so beautiful. My mind went to the girl in Leah’s photo albums and I ran faster. Still she was ahead of me. We were weaving through trees. I had lost track of Black but I had a sinking feeling I knew where he was going.

I stopped when I hit an invisible wall. Hard. I think I actually yelped.

I picked my four legs off the ground and looked at my mother. Black was standing at that spot. The spot he raped her. The place I was conceived. I could hear the waves from First Beach crashing to the shore. A storm was coming. I tried to walk towards Mom. I couldn’t. Something was there. Connor told me. Her shield.

“Stay there Dani. He is mine.”

Caius POV

The battle was much more fun since the other wolf showed up. The wolves got larger. I’m not sure what he did but they seemed to be fearless.

Excellent.

Sulpicia just ripped the throat out of a wolf. He phased human as his dead body hit the ground. He couldn’t have been more than 14. Pathetic. What tribe of warriors brings their children to battle?

The large wolf circled me.

“You must be Taha Aki.”

I could see it in his eyes. He was surprised.

“Yes. I know. Aro knows the legends from Carlisle Cullen’s head. You have been alive this whole time. In the background, watching your tribe. And you let this happen? Pathetic.”

The wolf roared and raised up on his back legs. I struck him in his throat before his roar could be completed. Aro kicked him in the side cracking several of his ribs.

“I said he as mine.”

“I got here first.” I told him. “Now back off.”

A shriek filled the air. Another boy on the ground, rolling in pain. Jane.

Felix had two wolves in head locks. He snapped their necks.

“Where is he?!” Felix yelled over the sounds of battle.

Alec broke through a wolf’s chest and ripped his heart out. Demetri ripped his head off.

Taha Aki raised up and jumped towards me as I perused the battle field. Dora tackled him before he could strike me.

“If he is yours pay attention Caius!” She ran towards another wolf. To this point none had backed down.

Aro struck the great wolf. He rose and I slid under him, striking his belly.

“Master, the Silver wolf! LaHote! He is not on this field!” Felix cried out. I knew he wanted LaHote alive but I didn’t see the pro…

“Felix go!” Aro ordered before I could speak. We both had an idea where Mr. LaHote would be.

Jacob POV

I felt dread all morning. My father ran from the field of battle after ordering us forward. As soon as he was away the order broke and I thought of running. Then he came.

Taha Aki. He was alive. The legends never said if he lived or died. But the Great Wolf was with us. I felt his power enter my body the minute he took over as Alpha. Dad running from the field of battle had pretty much opened the position for him without a fight I suppose.

I wanted to fight. I would fight and I would win for my tribe. For my people. For my Pack.

The optimism lasted thirty seconds until we saw and felt Taha Aki being kicked around like a play toy by two of the Vampire Kings. My brothers were being slaughtered.

A blonde vampire just reached into Seth’s chest and ripped his heart out. Leah screamed and launched herself at the vampire. The female who could be anyone and another female tackled Leah. They quickly ran from her leaving Leah on the ground. I thought Leah might be knocked out. Until I no longer felt her in my head. Her body phased human and I saw her head was no longer attached. Harry Clearwater’s children lay dead next to each other.

“Quil we have to retreat.”

I heard nothing. Looking around I saw he was in a battle with a very large leech. Not the one who threw Sue Clearwaters body in the tribal center but one nearly as large. This one had a long black ponytail and was a bit tan.

I had to get to Quil. That thought stopped when Quil was thrown into me. I felt a sudden pain and saw Tim on the ground. Three female leeches had bit him. Bit him multiple times. They planned to watch him die slowly.

Taha Aki was now surrounded by four leeches. They were playing with him. Quil and I ran to him. Two of the females turned at the last minute and wrapped us up. I couldn’t hear his bones cracking over the sound of mine.

I phased human and vomited blood. Quil was moaning beside me.

The fighting had died down. We had been here less than four minutes. All I heard were moans.

I tried to turn over and see Quil, the only friend I had left.

Jared’s throat was ripped out, his head barely attached.

A little blonde girl stood over me.

“You are Jacob Black. You tried to kiss Bella once correct?”

I tried to speak but blood poured out of my mouth.

“Are you ready to die?”

I nodded. I was ready to die.

“You have massive internal injuries. Give it about ten minutes even with your advanced healing. Have fun dealing with the pain until then. Let’s add a bit shall we?”

I lost my sight as my world turned to pain.

Bella POV

He was standing there. He wasn’t running. He was leading me here. He even phased human. He stood there naked on the spot I was born.

“Welcome home Bella.”

I walked closer to him. Why was he not a wolf?

“I’m confused. What exactly are you so angry about that you have brought a horde of vampires to destroy my tribe? Why aren’t you thanking me for giving you such a beautiful daughter? She has my nose, I noticed. I’m not even angry about you being such a horrible mother that you allowed her to become a drug abusing alcoholic whore.”

I moved closer to him. He backed up.

“Bella we can talk about this. Perhaps a joint custody arrangement?”

Closer.

“Your friends have caused you to have quite a few enemies with their antics. Do you remember Paul? He remembers you.”

Paul LaHote jumped from behind a tree where he had been unsuccessfully hiding from me. He crashed into the dome I had wrapped around Black and myself.

“What is this?” Black asked, backing up and feeling the solid wall he could not see.

“It’s my turtle shell Billy. You are in it with me.”

“Let me out.”

“No.”

A roar caught my attention. I turned and saw Paul had gotten up. He was attacking Dani. Dani fought back but they crashed through trees, out of my sight.

“Our daughter is about to be torn to pieces. What will it be Bella? You going to keep me here or go after her? Because I have seen her fight and she isn’t very good. Better at fucking and using drugs I imagine.”

I heard a yelp. It was Dani.

If I let him out he would run and I would have to find him all over.

Another whimper.

Fuck!

I let down my shield. Black phased and began running but it didn’t matter. Not at this moment. I followed the smell of wolf and the broken tree trunks and found Paul on top of Dani. She was pressed into the ground. He had his jaws on her throat.

He had my baby.

I flew over him and pulled him off a second before his jaws clamped down. We rolled and he would up on top of me. I moved my head to avoid his jaws and hit the side of his head. I know Connor had recently broken his skull. He rolled off. Dani jumped on him and sunk her teeth in his neck. He shook and she was thrown, bringing a chunk of his flesh with her. She hit a tree and appeared to be dazed. I could hear her breathing though. Paul stood up and I kicked him in his side, crushing his ribs. I slammed his snout into the fucking ground.

Repeatedly.

I heard bone crushing. Blood sprayed. I took my fingers and trailed them down his back, scarring him. He finally phased human.

Rolling him over I saw his face was unrecognizable. There was not much left. His nose was gone, eyes swollen shut. But he was breathing. I ran to Dani who was curled at the base of a tree shaking.

“Are you okay Baby?”

The wolf that was my daughter nodded her head. Then in a shimmer of light my baby was human again. I took off my cloak and placed it around her.

“Mom?”

“Yeah?”

“Go get that motherfucker.”

Not another word was needed. I took off after his scent. He had a large head start on me but…

I jumped over a large fallen tree and saw Billy Black’s wolf lying on the ground, His front right leg twisted and a large gash down his left side. Felix stood over him.

“Were you looking for this one sister?”

“Yes Felix. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Have you by chance seen one of these in silver?”

“As a matter of fact I have brother. He is lying in a bloody heap fifty yards behind me. You will also find my daughter there wearing my cloak.”

“Alive?”

“Somewhat.” I admitted.

“Excellent. Will you be long?”

“Just a few minutes. Please ask my daughter to accompany you to the clearing.”

“Of course.”

Felix left me alone with Black. I pressed his jaws together and then broke them in half, leaving them hanging, gums bleeding, and wolf drool covering the ground.

Picking him up by his back leg I began dragging him back to the place I was born. When we reached it I dumped him. He tried to roll over and I slapped him. He phased human. Good.

“How are you doing Billy?”

He tried to speak but his teeth had apparently cut deeply into his tongue when I broke his jaws.

“I’m disappointed Billy boy. We were supposed to fight. You were supposed to fight me. Why did you run Billy?”

“Mhhhmm Hhhuuh!”

“Yes. I am a fucking bitch. Look at the ground Billy. Tell me how it tastes.”

I flipped him over and pressed his head to the dirt, rubbing it in to make sure it got into his nose as well.

“Does that taste good Billy? Was it worth it? Was I worth it?”

He shook his head furiously.

“I’m not sure how to take that Billy. Doesn’t the dirt taste wonderful? Lot of worms in there I imagine. Maybe you can get some and take Charlie fishing?”

He breathed furiously and tried to rise but I was very strong. Stronger than he ever dreamed of being.

“You should have fought me Billy. I may have accidentally killed you. Some people have said that when they finally have vengeance they feel nothing. I would have to disagree. This is the greatest moment of my life. I hope you don’t mind if I take me time and savor it. Judging by the lack of howls and no little puppies coming to rescue you, I would say your pack is dead. Not that you care. At least you will have Paul to share the dungeon with. Won’t that be nice? The two of you seem so close. You and your son in law, living in my home. I can’t wait to take you there. But there are things I have to do first. So lay there and enjoy the dirt. Some of the other vampires might get the wrong idea and think you are theirs to kill. I need to make sure they know you are mine. Do you know how we do that Billy?”

He began panicking and tried to raise up. I hit the back of his skull and he settled down.

“That’s right. We mark our prey. I’m going to mark you now. Hold still.”

I ran my fingers from the top of his neck down his back, leaving deep gashes in his flesh. He jerked but I was able to easily hold him down with my free hand. His screams were the best music I had ever heard in my life.

“This won’t do at all Billy. I have small hands. They don’t resemble the ones on my soul.” I told him truly disappointed.

“Can I have a go?”

I didn’t hear her, I was so caught up in my marking of Billy.

“I told Felix to take you to the battle site.”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ve never been great at doing what I’m told. You know that. Can I try?”

I nodded my head. Dani threw off my cloak and phased. Her wolf slowly approached Black and sniffed him. He tried to look up and I pressed his face back down.

She raised a paw and placed it on his neck, dragging it down his back. Black screeched loudly, nearly hurting even my ears. The marks were perfect.

“Yes. That is better. Thank you Dani.” Dani backed up and phased again. I whispered in Black’s ear while Dani redressed in my cloak.

“Only one other thing to do Billy before we have you ready for your trip. You see Italy has very strict animal control policies. Customs won’t let a dog through unless it has been neutered.”

I rolled him on his back and was rewarded to see pain and fear in his eyes.

“Dani you can leave if you wish. Or turn away. I will be right with you.”

“I’m staying. I’ll hold his arms down.” Dani grabbed his arms. Black was too weak to fight her. I showed him the blade. His eyes began looking side to side for an escape. There was no escape.

The knife was not exceptionally sharp but it sliced through his testicles and the base of his dick easily enough, thanks to my strength.

I got off of him and he shot up and then back down, rolling silently holding the area where his dick had been. Using one hand to dig the dirt up, I buried it a foot down in the exact spot he raped me.

Play time was over. I grabbed both of his legs and threw him over my shoulder. I would have to burn these clothes because of the stench of wolf blood but it was fine. It was worth it. I walked slowly so Dani would not have to phase. We reached the area of the battle field. It was…

“Gross.” Dani finished my thought.

Bodies of disfigured dead naked men lay everywhere. Dani walked to one body. I saw it was Leah Clearwater. At least her head. Her body was next to her brother’s body.

“I guess she got what she wanted.” Dani whispered.

“Isabella dear I see you have brought Mr. Black back to us. At least most of him.” Master Aro noted. I dumped his body on the ground and three guard members grabbed it. Tranquilizers and other drugs had to be administered. Thank God for their healing abilities. Still even if he died I was satisfied.

“Isabella we have someone here you should meet. The Great Wolf himself. Tahi Aka himself. Can you believe he has been alive all these years, skulking in the background?” Master Caius said, stepping aside and allowing me to see the great chief kneeling naked on the ground.

“We weren’t sure what to do with him. He apparently wished to speak to you before he died. I was in a giving mood seeing how this is Christmas and all so here he is.” Master Caius finished.

I walked up and he stood. Forty vampires behind him growled.

“What do you want?”

“I wish for my people, your daughter’s people…”

I hit him. My daughter was not of these people. He slowly stood back up wiping his bloody lips.

“What can I do to convince you to spare my people? They are innocent.”

“Why didn’t you stop Black? All these years? You were alive and you did nothing.”

“I have always stayed in the background assuring my tribes protection through the tribe. What happened to you and Rachel and Rebecca Black was horrible but…”

“It didn’t affect the safety of your tribe right? Or so you thought?”

“Since my wife died, giving her life to assist me in battle with the cold ones, I have had no desire to become involved in the day to day life of my tribe. I am one with this land. One with the spirit of the great Wolf. I am…”

“Long winded. That is what you are. You have nothing to offer me. I will kill you. Killing makes me hungry. My family is hungry. We have come quite a ways for this Christmas feast and we will not be denied.”

“I can take the spirit of the wolf away from your daughter.”

That caused me to pause.

“What do you mean?”

“I am the Great Wolf. I can remove the spirit of the wolf from her. She would return to her mortal self. No sign of the wolf ever being in her. She would not be bound to this land.”

“She isn’t bound to this land!” I argued.

“She will always be drawn here as long as she shares a soul with a wolf.”

I looked at Dani. She had been walking around the field of battle, taking the bodies in. She was staring at me now.

“Like it never happened?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“You expect me to let you live if you do this?”

“No. I expect you to not slaughter my people. Over three hundred souls that never harmed you.”

I glanced at the Kings and Queens.

“It is your decision dear.” Mistress Sulpicia told me with a smile.

“Do it.” I told him. He looked over at Dani and said something in his own language. I didn’t understand it and that made me nervous.

Dani hit the ground and screamed. I grabbed Taha Aki by the neck.

“Wait!” he gasped.

“Bella stop.” Master Aro said quietly.

Dani was no longer screaming. She stood up and I noticed it immediately. She wasn’t as tall. Her body, her face, her hair. She no longer looked like a 24 year old woman. She looked like my daughter. I raced to her and took her in my arms.

“Dani? Are you okay?”

“A little warning would have been great.” She mumbled. I sniffed. She smelled like her.

“Try to phase.”

I watched her face intently.

“I can’t. I can’t. It’s gone. Whatever was inside me is gone!” I wrapped my arms around her and brought her close. She didn’t appear to mind my cool hard body. She simply grabbed hold of me and cried. She continued to cry. I continued to hold her. Once she settled down, I let her go and walked back to Taha Aki.

“Okay. It is gone forever? I have your word?”

“It is gone. Her birthright as a member of this tribe is gone. Her heritage. The pride of being a member of the tribe. Does this make you happy?”

“Incredibly. Felix? Demetri?”

I give him credit. He did not scream as Felix and Demetri tore him to pieces.

“You never actually gave him your word Bella.” Master Caius reminded me.

“It was understood.” I replied.

“He never said we couldn’t slaughter the tribe. I have a tanker truck full of diesel waiting. I was thinking we pack all the bodies up in the Tribal center, drive the truck into it and boom. Instant great tragedy. Horrible, horrible thing to happen on Christmas. A drunk truck driver. Already have a body ready for the driver. So what do you say? It will be fun.” Master Caius was so persuasive.

I looked at my daughter. I looked at Black wrapped in chains next to Paul on the ground.

“I wish to go home Master. I am sure Dion is missing Alec and Felix and I want to open our presents. But first there is something I wish to do.”

“What would that be dear?” Master Aro asked.

I walked up to him slowly. I could do this. I glanced at Jane and she nodded. She understood. I didn’t know if she was ready but I wanted to try. Standing in front of Master Aro, I opened my arms.

“Are you sure?” he whispered.

“Yes.”

Master Aro gently took me in his arms. I didn’t panic. I didn’t panic.

I did cry though.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you my daughter. I love you.”

I backed up, wiping my eyes and went to Master Caius. I hugged him. I hugged Master Marcus. Felix, Demetri, Connor. Every male member of the guard walked slowly to me and I hugged each one. When I was done I turned to look for Dani and Jane. Jane was in Master Aro’s arms. He was shaking. So was she.

Master Caius broke the moment.

“Well now that the emotional stuff is done who is going to start a bonfire? Bodies don’t burn themselves people. Lets get to work if we want to make home by morning. Its Christmas morning. Let’s get these chestnuts roasting!”

The outer guard moved and Dani walked over to me.

“So I am going to Italy?”

“No.” I told her.

“Why not?”

“Because you have a chance at a life without the supernatural. You have a fresh start. I no longer have to hide you Dani. You can go to school and have friends and…”

“I want to stay with you!”

“You can’t!”

“I just got you back. For the first time in my life I feel like I have you and you are going to abandon me?”

“Look at me Dani! Do you not understand what I am?”

“You are beautiful.” She told me quietly.

“I am a vampire. I have always wanted to be a vampire. But this life is not for a 16 year old girl. This was not the life… Dani you can be anything. Go anywhere, do anything. Are you really ready to give up your life and conduct missions for the rest of eternity, fighting other vampires and werewolves and shifters? Look around. Look at the bodies. This is what I am. I love this. It doesn’t have to be what you are.”

“So I go back to New York?”

“No. The apartment is gone.”

“Grandmother?”

I hesitated.

“She doesn’t want me, does she?”

I said nothing.

“So what the hell am I supposed to do? You don’t want me, she doesn’t want me…”

“I do want you. But I want you to have a shot Dani. Just a fucking shot. That’s all I ask. I have a place for… Master Aro…”

“Let me guess. A fucking boarding school?”

“No Danielle. There is someone who needs you. Someone who needs you very badly. Would you listen?” Master Aro asked, appearing behind her very quickly.

Dani POV

It was a beautiful place. I never thought I would find South Carolina beautiful but this area and this house was beautiful. Perfect place to study. I refused to go back to school. After what I had seen I had no desire to put up with the petty socialite shit that goes on anymore. I had no desire to go back to being the person I was. I had no drugs on me. There was no alcohol in this house. I still smoked because damn, I had been through a lot of shit.

I missed Mom already. I had an idea I wouldn’t be corresponding with her much. Mom was never much for correspondence.

I would miss him.

“Connor?”

Nothing. Still I suppose he could be my imaginary friend. My dark haired gorgeous guardian angel. He barely spoke to me when they all left. He simply said goodbye and gave me his beautiful smile. It wasn’t till he was gone that I realized I had fallen in love with him.

Not that a man like him would want anything to do with a brat like me. I would change though. I may never see him again but I wanted someone like him.

Okay I didn’t. I didn’t want anything to do with a man after being in Billy Black’s head for so long. I only wanted him.

I would focus on what mattered.

“I am assuming you are Ms Swan?”

I turned from the view of the lake out back and saw the doctor.

“Yes. Danielle Swan. Doctor King?”

“Yes. Good to meet you. He just woke up. I believe a cook will be here momentarily to begin his meal. I was told you wish to learn to cook from her?

“Yes. I will be taking over his care. I’ll be finishing school online. How… how is he?”

“Remarkably well. His memory is almost completely intact. He lost some early childhood memories but nothing major. His motor skills are good for the most part. He tires easy and requires a cane at times. Sometimes he has problems coordinating multiple movements at once. Physical therapy will help. There are also exercises you can help him with. I imagine one of the best things he can do is fish off the pier in the back. Just make sure he doesn’t fall in. Do you fish?”

“No, I hope to learn though.”

“Well it will be very therapeutic. Coordinating the reel and the rod will help his motor sensory skills. Other than that he has no real problems. I would say it is a miracle but he is a very strong individual and I am a very good doctor. Having you here will help as well. I believe not being lonely will make a world of difference in his motivation.”

“Good. I’m here for the long haul.”

“Of course I will continue to check on him and coordinate his rehab so if you need anything call me day or night.”

“Wow. Are you this available to all your patients’ family?” I asked. He laughed.

“Dear I have no other patients. Would you like me to introduce you?”

“No. I will. Thank you Doctor.”

He left quickly and quietly. I walked down the hall and slowly opened his door. He looked up from the paper he was reading in bed.

“Dani?” he whispered. For some reason this caused me to smile. He knew me.

“Hey Grandpa. I kind of need a place to stay and was wondering if I could crash with you for a few years.”

Tears immediately began streaming down his face.

“I have been waiting a very long time to meet you.”

“Yeah? Me too.” I managed to say before emotion overtook me.

“You are staying? With me?”

“If you will have me.” I told him.

He got up from the bed and nearly fell. I stepped forward and helped him regain his balance. Then he pulled me into a hug. It was so hard I could barely breathe but I didn’t care. I didn’t care a damn bit.

I finally knew where I came from.