Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Venom

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 07:

Charlie knew this was coming. He had hoped to hold it off as long as possible. But here she was. He knew her brother would not be far behind. Probably in a tree listening in. He called Jake the moment he saw her car coming down the street. Jake said they would take care of the mindreading jackass. He only had to deal with Alice Cullen. Renee had turned her away a week ago. Now it was his turn.

He opened the door and saw her. This time Charlie saw her through new eyes, filled with the knowledge of what she really was. She was beautiful. Eerily beautiful. Charlie was a bit ashamed that he had never noticed these differences when she visited Bella so often. Her gold eyes stood out. Her pale skin even without direct sunlight seemed different. Luminescent even. Perfect. Not a blemish, not a freckle, not a hair. Completely smooth. Her posture was perfect. She didn’t slouch in the slightest. Her weight shifted from one leg to another at a steady pace as if she was planning it. He supposed she was. A blink every few seconds. One blink. No more no less.

Charlie wondered why she was here. She surely had already seen a vision of how this conversation would turn out. He and Billy had discussed this possibility. Billy pointed out that she couldn’t possibly see the future at all times. Her visions came when they came. Bella had told Charlie on the phone two nights ago that at times Alice would blank out. This meant she was having a vision. These visions came at any time regardless to time and place.

Charlie had to agree. She couldn’t possibly see everything all the time.

Still they agreed to act as if she could.

“Hello Charlie.”

“Alice.”

“May I come in?”

“Bella doesn’t live here any longer.” Charlie told her sharply.

“I know. What I don’t know is where she is. I know she isn’t in Florida like Jacob Black believes. I was hoping you would tell me.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because she is… was my best friend and I care deeply about her.” Alice seemed sincere. Charlie supposed living as long as they had, blending in with humans would make them excellent liars.

“So deeply you left her without a word, hmm?”

She at least did a good job of looking ashamed.

“I am sorry about that. The idea of telling her goodbye was too hard.”

“I know. It was very hard on her. Of course you didn’t think about that, did you? Where is your brother?”

“Not here.”

“Obviously. But he isn’t far behind is he?”

“He is in Forks.” Alice admitted.

“Which is exactly why I will never tell you where Bella is. He will know. She doesn’t need that hurt again. Especially in her condit…”

“What condition Charlie?”

“None of your damn business Alice.”

“Please tell me. Please.”

Charlie took a deep breath. If Jake was right this could buy Bella time. Quil said she was coming along quicker than either he or Chris expected. Charlie wasn’t sure how he felt about his daughter performing some sort of magic. He had always been a practical man. The last couple months had turned his beliefs upside down. Still she as alive. When he talked to her on the phone she sounded good. She sounded happy.

This weekend he had planned on seeing her for the first time since she left. Now with the Cullen’s returning he wasn’t sure if he could.

“Why should I? You left her. Her life is none of your business.”

“If she is sick Carlisle can help.” Alice argued.

“The last thing she needs is to see any of you. She is in good hands.”

“Charlie I am begging here. Please tell me she is okay.” He noticed Alice’s eyes had become wet. Bella had told him they couldn’t cry. Her eyes shimmered with tears that couldn’t fall.

“I won’t tell you where she is. But after you left she became depressed. Very depressed. She would hardly eat, hardly left her room.

Then she began hanging out with Jacob Black. I believe they were on their way to falling in love. She got better. She smiled again.

Then she became sick. It happened quickly. Headaches, vomiting. Drowsiness, aching. Cold pale skin. I took her to doctor after doctor. Eventually she had to submit to some very painful tests. She was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. I am assuming since your father is a doctor you know what that is?”

Alice nodded.

“I placed her in a special hospital. She survived but the virus ravaged her. I have had her in a recovery center for the past few months. I won’t tell you where. It’s not your business. But she is fine. She will be back in a few months, maybe longer depending on her progress.

So she is fine. She was sick. She nearly died. But she is fine now. At least getting better. Now I need to get to work. I am telling you now if I find out your family has made any attempt to find her I will personally make sure that you never see her again. She hasn’t forgiven your family. Remember that. You have no place in her life any longer”

Alice at least had the decency to look ashamed.

“I understand Charlie. Thank you for your time. When you talk to Bella please tell her…”

“No. We don’t talk about your family. Ever.” Charlie told her forcefully.

Alice nodded and walked to her car. Bella had been sick. She was being hidden. What broke her heart was that she was being hidden from Alice’s family.

While this had been going on Edward Cullen had attempted to get close enough to Charlie to read his mind. He had planned to enter Bella’s room as before. Before he could get close he was bombarded with thoughts while still in the woods.

A scent that he had not encountered in decades. A rumble of large footsteps running towards him.

They emerged from the woods surrounding him.

Horse sized wolves.

All growling. All thoughts focused on tearing him to pieces.

One phased to human in a shimmer of light.

“Come down Cullen.”

Edward jumped to the ground. He had seen Jacob Black’s image from Alice’s head. He was a good looking guy. Jealousy ate at him. He had wanted Bella to live a normal life. He wasn’t prepared for the reality of it.

Now he saw Alice’s suspicions of the strange scent were correct. She had not been here when young Jacob’s grandfather made the original treaty. But her description of the scent along with Jacob Black’s appearance was enough for Edward. He was not surprised the wolves had returned. He was surprised at the number of them.

Edward came down, hoping to pick up some clue of Bella’s location from one of their minds. However their thoughts were not of Bella. Their thoughts were of the leech in front of them.

“I don’t believe I have to remind you of all people of the treaty Jacob Black.”

“No you don’t. What are you doing here?” Jacob responded.

“I have come to check on Bella.” Edward responded truthfully. He had hoped that the mention of her name would bring thoughts of her to the packs mind. Especially Jacob. He was disappointed.

Jake did not know where she was. He had conditioned himself to not think of Bella. He saw the wisdom now in his father’s and Quil’s insistence that he not know where she is or much about what she was doing. Should he slip, Cullen would not get much. The meditation exercises he had been doing with Sam had prepared him to control his thoughts.

He wanted to give Cullen something though. He thought of the lies he and Sam had concocted. Visions of the way Bella looked when he had last seen her in person filled his head. A thought of Charlie telling him that Bella had meningitis and would be going off to receive treatment. He thought of nothing else but the lies. He controlled his thoughts.

Edward was taken aback by Jacob’s thoughts of Bella’s appearance. They did not know of his power. They couldn’t… unless Bella told them? No, she would never betray his family, no matter how much he hurt her.

Still though if she knew Jacob was a wolf and assumed they wouldn’t be back, as Edward told her, it really wouldn’t be a betrayal, would it?

Edward felt the pack were hiding their thoughts. They were almost too focused on Edward. Bella’s name brought no image of her. They were purposely not thinking about her. Jacob was showing specific images. Almost as if he had rehearsed this.

Whatever the reason, they gave nothing away in regards to Bella’s location.

“She is not your concern any longer. You left.” Jacob actually smiled. Edward bristled.

“I think I can decide myself what is and is not my concern.”

“Edward.” Edward was taken aback by Jacob’s casual use of his name. “I don’t believe you have a true appreciation of your situation. You are alone. Surrounded by my pack. Treaty be damned, if I feel you are a threat to my… Bella, then I will order you to be killed now.”

“I expect you to honor the agreement your ancestors made.”

“I expect you to know that you have hurt her enough and leave her alone.”

“You would like that, wouldn’t you? I understand you and Bella dated for a brief period?”

Jacob smiled.

“Yes.”

“Yet you have no idea where she is, do you?” Edward grinned. He hoped antagonizing Jake may give him a clue. He was disappointed to see only Bella’s very ill image in Jacob’s head.

“No I don’t. But she isn’t near you and that is enough for me. She will be back one day. She will be mine.”

“We will see.” Edward whispered. He had been conflicted about coming back into Bella’s life. Faced with her possible boyfriend, a monster like him, made his mind up for him. He would do what it took to win her love again. Her forgiveness. Jacob would not have her.

“You may leave. If you go near Charlie again we will attack.”

“The treaty states we only agree to stay out of La Push.”

“Again, I don’t care about the treaty. You approach or get anywhere near Charlie again and we attack.”

Edward nodded. It was time to leave. He would get nothing from the heads of these dogs. He doubted they knew anything regardless. Jacob knew more he was sure, but he was hiding his thoughts. He was very good at it. Too good.

Jacob knew what Edward could do. It was the only explanation. Edward began to walk away and he was hit by another thought. A thought Jake had no difficulty bringing to mind. It wasn’t a memory but a product of his dreams. Edward would not know the difference.

Edward saw Bella moaning beneath Jacob. They were covered in a blanket but he recognized her hands clawing at Jacob’s back. Her face burying itself in Jacob’s shoulders.

He growled and turned. Jacob was still grinning.

“You have a vivid imagination.” He said coldly.

“You have a habit of snooping into people’s head. That’s not polite. Yes Bella told me. We are in love. She tells me everything. Goodbye Edward.”

“Fair warning. We are moving back to Forks. All of us.” Edward informed him.

The Pack growled.

“I warned you…” Jacob started.

“I will stay away from Charlie. But you cannot dictate where we live so long as we do not cross the border of La Push. If you don’t like it I don’t give a damn.”

Jacob was no longer grinning.

He finally nodded. “See you around then Edward.” Jacob’s last thought was an image of his jaws closing around Edward’s head. Edward ignored it and left, jumping over two wolves.

He met Alice at the Cullen house.

“What did you learn?” he asked her.

Alice informed him of her conversation with Charlie.

“Meningitis? It would account for the symptoms I saw in Jacob Black’s head. But where is she? Why the secret?”

‘I don’t know Edward. What do you want to do?”

Edward had lost Victoria in the Pacific Ocean. She could be anywhere. But he suspected he knew exactly where she was heading. He had chased her alone. If she was afraid to fight him she must have another target. Bella.

“If we don’t know where Bella is, it is likely that Victoria has no idea either. She will come back here looking for Bella. I will kill her then. Call Carlisle and ask him to use his connections to find Bella. She is in a recovery center somewhere. If we cannot reach her we will at least know where she is. In the mean time we wait here. She won’t be gone forever. She will be back.”

“And when she does return?” Alice asked.

“I will do my best to win her forgiveness Alice. To try to win her love.”

“You won’t leave?’

“No Alice. I can’t stay away from her any longer. If she will have me I will never leave her again.”

“You hurt her. We all did.” Alice pointed out.

“Yes,” Edward agreed.

“Thank you Edward. Thank you for trying. Understand though. No matter what I won’t leave her again either. Even if you decide to leave again.”

“I know Alice. It won’t be an issue.”

Edward had already decided. He would not let Jacob Black win her. The love Edward and Bella shared was deep. If there was a chance she would forgive him he would take it.

BPOV

“I understand. It is time to move Charlie.” I heard Quil say into the phone.

This couldn’t be good.

“I don’t give a damn what people think. Harry would understand. We have bigger concerns than the gossip of a reservation and a small town.”

“Good. They came back sooner than I thought but it is fine. Bella is coming along faster than we imagined. She is a natural. The enemy is also moving faster. Did you see the paper? Did you read about the town in France?”

“Exactly. It has begun. She will be in America soon. Perhaps a few months. The players are coming into place. Soon it will be time to play the game we cannot afford to lose.”

“No. Charlie can definitely not see her now. They will follow.”

“Good. Keep me updated Billy.” Quil ended the call and turned towards me.

“What’s up punk?”

Punk?

“You tell me old man.”

“The Cullen’s came. Alice and Edward. They are in Forks now. It appears they will be staying.”

I nodded. We suspected this but not so soon.

“Everything is happening so quickly.”

‘Yes Bella.”

“Why can’t we bring Charlie here?”

“The more people here the harder it is to keep this place hidden. My wards are only so good. I am an amateur at magic Bella.” Chris told me walking in. Yesterday he had worked with me on controlling the weather to a certain extent. Feeling the natural forces around me. Today Quil would be teaching me how to tap the energy of the earth. To gather strength from the world around me. Chris said magic is basically tapping into the power of the universe and more directly our planet, a living organism. I didn’t believe them until I felt it myself. Now I could conjure up a small rain shower.

I was still convinced Chris conjured the flash flood on the cattle drive but he wouldn’t admit it. If that was true he was much more than an amateur.

“So what are you doing with Charlie?” I asked.

“He is moving in with Sue Clearwater. The story will be that he is helping her since Harry’s death.”

That was a surprise. Charlie would not be happy about this. Harry died the night Leah and Seth phased. He was one of Charlie’s closet friends. If Charlie moved in the gossips around the area would surmise Sue and Charlie had been having an affair.

I simply nodded. This was bigger than the opinion of a few gossips. The Cullen’s wouldn’t be able to stalk Charlie at night, listening to his thoughts. He would have a place where he wouldn’t have to be on guard.

“So what happened in France?”

Quil slid a newspaper over to me. The New York Times. I knew Chris received a dozen papers from around the world. The headline was large and clear.

“The village of Bugarach missing.” The title of the article read.

“179 people have gone missing overnight. Authorities have no clue what has happened to the residents of this small village.” I continued reading.

The article went on to explain that a mail carrier had delivered packages on Tuesday to the small town. The same mail carrier arrived the next morning and found the small town deserted. Signs of struggle were present in homes, small amounts of blood. But no bodies. No clue where the residents, alive or dead, had gone. The main communication lines had been cut. Police suspect a terrorist attack on an unprecedented scale. It is the only theory they had. I had another.

“Vampires? She took out a small town?”

Chris nodded.

“I have to go to France.”

“You are not ready.” Quil said immediately.

“I don’t have a choice. People are dying. It is starting.”

“We believe it was a trial run Bella. If you go runnin off halfcocked and get killed the world is screwed.” Chris told me. I saw the wisdom in his words but the idea of hiding while Irkalla ran roughshod over humans sickened me.

“Then we had better pick up the pace. We don’t have a year. I would bet half those people were turned into vampires. She is building an army.”

“Yep.”

“Then let’s get to work.”

“Breakfast first.” Chris ordered.

I didn’t feel like eating. But a look at Quil dared me to say no. He was right. I needed to be strong. I needed to keep training. Physically and metaphysically.

Jacob POV

Five months. Five months of the Cullen’s living in Forks. Five months of increasing vampire attacks on our people. We had not lost one as of yet. Not a resident of La Push. Forks has lost residents. Two have been killed in the past couple months. The Cullen’s did nothing. Carlisle claims they are trying. He claims it is not his coven who are the perpetrators. Only their still golden eyes have prevented us from attacking. This and the fact that Bella insists she needs them. A month ago I was finally allowed to speak to her on the phone. I had been begging to meet her in the spirit world but Old Quil would not permit it. He said her focus was to remain on her training.

Charlie has not seen her either. The two of us had to rely on phone calls. Still though she sounded so good. She told me she loved me every time she ended the call. It was something but the desire to touch her, to claim her as mine was growing by the day. Edward Cullen’s constant presence on the border did not help.

He hoped to get a thought from a nearby wolf as to Bella’s location. The Pack however was in the dark. All but Sam and I. Sam knew more than I did. I still had no idea what Bella was doing. She wouldn’t say. I knew she could walk in the spirit world. At least she had once. Other than that, I didn’t have a clue. Sam and I patrolled together so the pack would not pick up any thoughts. Sam was good at hiding his. He told me when Bella returned it would be time to take my place as Alpha. Then all would be explained.

Bella’s insistence that we not hurt the Cullen’s told me I would most likely not like what would happen when she returned. She had said on more than one occasion to remember no matter what I was the only one she loved.

She has been gone 6 months. I was told she would be gone a year when this started. I didn’t know how much longer I would last.

Howls rose in the distance. I ran out and phased. Seth and Quil were patrolling.

I felt my pack phase in. Sam as well. We were racing towards the border. I saw her. Bright red hair. The surprise was this leech was being chased by the Cullen’s. All of them. We chased along the border. She jumped back and forth almost sensing where the border line was.

/Do we cross the border Sam?/ Jared asked.

/No./ Sam said firmly and without hesitation. I agreed. If we crossed over they would see it as an invitation to come into our land. That was not happening.

The leech was in front of me. I nearly had her. I was about to overrun her when she jumped across the border. Emmett Cullen nearly had her. She jumped and he followed. Paul hit him in midair.

We were by Paul’s side, the immediate threat to a pack member taking precedence over the leech we were chasing. I saw her stop and smile. Then she was gone.

“Please stop!” Carlisle yelled. He was in front of Emmett. I give him credit. He was not afraid to step in front of Paul to protect one of his own.

/Back off/ Sam ordered. He knew what I knew. We could not kill these bastards.

Paul was still growling but Sam’s order had him backing up.

The Cullen’s including a growling Emmett Cullen backed up as well. He merged back into the forest. The chase was over. For now. I hope no lives were lost because we could not get her but I knew they would be.

We fought a seemingly never ending battle against death. We had no help. We were alone. We could only do so much. Dad had been scouring newspapers from all over the world. He didn’t talk about it but I could read as well.

Mass attacks were occurring in Europe. Large groups of people missing. Some bodies were found later, decomposing. Others simply disappeared. Vampires were becoming more brazen. Seattle had a large number of missing people lately. Police suspected a very active serial killer. They were more right than they knew.

We needed help.

I walked in and went straight to the shower. I came out to find Dad on the phone. I heard Old Quil’s voice on the other end.

“She is ready?” Dad asked.

“Yes. She says she is. I believe her.”

“I will have your house prepared. Chris is coming with you?”

“Yes. Also see if the boys could build me a horse corral.”

“A horse corral?” Dad asked. This caught me by surprise as well.

“Yes. Bella needs a place to keep her horse. She can’t very well keep him in Charlie’s yard. Also Charlie’s house will need to be prepared. Utilities, cleaning etc.”

“She is staying at Charlie’s?” I asked a bit loudly.

“Yes Alpha. She will be staying at Charlie’s. Alone.”

My rage began to build in my stomach. Before it could get out of control I calmed myself. Deep breaths.

Bella was coming back home.

“It will be taken care of Quil. It is so soon. Are you sure?” Dad asked. I wanted to scream. Soon? Soon?

“Yes. You have three days. It is time. The enemy has reached the States. She will work her way West soon.”

“I understand. All will be ready.” Dad ended the call and motioned for me to sit.

“Three days. Bella is coming home in three days. It is time. Time you knew exactly what has happened. The whole story.”

The front door opened and Sam walked in.

“After you hear this we will have a pack meeting. You will be Alpha. We announce it tonight.” He told me.

I nodded. Answers. I needed answers. I needed to know why my Bella was going to be living in the one place the Cullen’s could have access to her at any time.

“I’m listening.”

“Have a seat son. This story started a long time ago in Ancient Sumeria…”

BPOV

“Are you ready kid?” Chris asked.

I had just came out of meditation. I had been talking to my sisters. We didn’t know what the future would hold. But we knew where we had to start. A chance to strike the first blow. Perhaps cut the head off the snake and deal with the body later.

I looked in the mirror and was still taken back by the changes I had undergone since I had been brought to Chris’s ranch. I was lean and strong. My eyes had gotten darker. My hair had turned from a mahogany brown to a darker brown with dark red streaks. I thought for once in my life that I was actually pretty.

I felt powerful. I was in touch with the bracelet, the weapon on my wrist. It was a part of me. I had complete control over it. I had control over the forces around me. I had learned as quickly as I could. Time wasted meant lives lost.

Other changes were not as obvious. Only on deep reflection and meditation could I notice them. I felt confident. Confident in myself. I no longer felt worthless. I was a part of something bigger than I was. I had purpose in my life. I had spent most of my short life drifting through, staying in the background. No more. My life, whether it was eternal with Jake at my side or short lived on this plane of existence, would count for something. I would win. Or I would die trying.

I turned to Chris and saw Old Quil standing in the room with him. I missed my Dad, but I was so relieved to hear that Chris would be coming with us. He had recently sold his horses. All but Thunder. Thunder was mine.

Chris tossed me a keychain with a single key.

“You leave tomorrow. Quil and I will follow the next day. We don’t want to be seen arriving the same time you do.”

“What is this?”

“Can’t very well drive back to Forks in Billy’s truck. I bought a Harley. It’s outside. It’s yours. Normally I wouldn’t let you near one. But I don’t imagine something simple as a motorcycle accident can hurt you.” He grinned.

No. Not motorcycles. Vampires, could hurt me. Kill me. Not motorcycles.

I couldn’t hold back the smile. I had told Chris about Jake teaching me to ride. I talked about the freedom I felt when I rode and how it compared to the freedom I felt when I rode Thunder.

I took a deep breath and stared into the mirror. My dark hair hanging straight down to just past my shoulders. I had it thinned out. The waves were gone. My dark eyes looked back at me.

“Yes. I am definitely ready.”

It was time to see my Jake. To make him mine. But first… first I had to say hello to some old friends.

It was time to see the Cullen’s.