Chapter Twenty-Three

The next morning, I woke up to a buzzing sound pulling me from my slumber. My eyes opened only to close them again because of the major headache, it was almost like there was a jackhammer drilling in my skull.

Finally forcing my eyes to crack open, my hand reached over grabbing my phone, without looking at the ID and clicked the button, holding it to my ear.

"I really hope this isn't another emergency...  I'm on strike."

I heard a chuckle from the other end.

"Good Morning to you too."  I heard Paul say.

His voice was deep, soft but aggressive at the same time. I leaned back from my phone checking the time, it was my normal time to get up. I smiled placing the phone back over my ear.

"Since when do you get up at 5 am?" I asked smirking.

"Since Sam went to the hospital to see Emily and hasn't left her side." He told me making me remember the events the last couple of nights.

"How is she?"

"She's fine, the doctors are doing what they can but thanks to your amazing healing, she's not in any pain... she's faking it for your sake though..." He said making me nod. "Sam's worse though... Harry ended up kicking him out."

I frowned in thought.

"What about patrolling?" I asked sighing to myself, finally getting the energy to sit up.

"He's got Jared and I running the Rez." I heard him say and swore I could hear him yawn.

"He had you guys out from last night till this morning?" I asked frowning deeper. "You guys can't go on like that, there's only three of you... you need downtime too... Running yourselves ragged won't do anyone any good.."

"I'll be fine El.... Are you still mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Last night .."

I stared at the wall for a second processing realized he was talking about last night's conversation.

"I wasn't mad at you or anyone, I was worried about Jasper... And Emily and Bella." I muttered tenderly. "And the worst part is Bella doesn't even seem phased by it. Edward's tried to get her to see reason. I'm worried about my second family"  I paused sighing. "But I promise I wasn't mad at you "

There was a long pause before I heard him sigh in relief

"Okay"

Glancing over at my side table I caught the time.

"Okay... I need to start my morning ritual and get ready for school.." I told him smiling reminding myself he couldn't see me. "Don't forget to eat something, take a shower and crawl into bed... Tell Sam I said that was an order and if he doesn't listen I will go full witch."

Paul's loud chuckle echoed through, making my heart burst.

"Night Paul." I muttered quietly.

"Have a good day."

We both said our goodbyes and hung up. I sat there for a few minutes staring at my phone, thinking of everything that happened the las t couple nights. Emily getting hurt and Bella's party... Jasper.

I wish I knew what was coming.

Sighing to myself I finally got out of bed slowly so I could do my morning ritual.

I kneeled on my rug and brought out all my things I needed and did my cleansing ritual and then crossed my legs and mediated for a while.

I heard my alarm going off and saw the time. Feeling a little better I cleaned up everything making sure nothing would catch fire or anything and went over to my closet pulling out one of the random outfits I made.

Getting dressed, I decided to leave my hair down and grabbed my bags and headed out the door.

Making my way downstairs, Bella was already awake taking a shower and Charlie was still sleeping.

Setting my bags down, I headed into the kitchen and got started on breakfast.

I made them an egg and sausage scramble while I decided I wanted to have a breakfast smoothie. I mixed up some strawberries from my garden with a ripe banana, added some almond milk, nutmeg and Cinnamon.

"Hey morning."

I turned seeing Bella walking in, while I sprinkled a hand full of poppy seeds into my blender.

"Morning Bells." I greeted gently. "How you feeling?"

"I'm okay...I think." She told me quietly.

I nodded, flicking off the blender and moved turning the coffee pot on, and grabbed a glass for my smoothie and a couple coffee cups out, placing them on the table and made sure Charlie's paper was in it's place.

"Could I talk to you about something?" Bella asked.

I glanced at her putting bread in the toaster, nodding, turning to her fully.

"Last night before the whole thing with Jasper... When Edward and I were in the study." She said trailing off. "He told me about.... What were they again?" She blinked in confusion.

"The Volturi?" I asked guessing.

"Yeah, that's it." She said nodding.

Scooping the food onto a couple plates, I set them down on the table.

"They're sort of like enforcers for vampires." I told her sneering a little.

"Sounds like you know them, I saw your face."

"Not really." I told her shrugging, turning to pour Charlie's cup of coffee and sat it by his plate before grabbing my smoothie and sat down in my own spot. "But I know of them."

I paused seeing her face, she came to join me.

"It's not really something she liked to talk about but she told me the story once."

She nodded.

"My great grandmother... my gram's mother was a very cold woman, heartless. She sold my grandmother and her two older siblings Elise and Evan into servitude."

Bella looked at me like a student listening to a teacher.

"The three of them were forced into a line and sold like cattle... to one of the top three... "

"Like a slave?"

"Sort of." I said shrugging.. "Things were different back then, people had places in society and sadly that just happened to be hers, the fact they had magic it made the Volturi want them even more... our power alone is pretty powerful... you've seen what I can do."

She nodded.

"So what else happened?" Bella asked chewing on toast.

"Grams turned thirteen... Got her powers and Evan came up with the idea of running away. So the three of stayed serving them while they built enough engery and learned what they could do, magic wise... The three of them had enourmous power due to being a coven."

I heard Charlie's bedroom door open and the bathroom door close.

"Then one day they took a chance, escaped and fled as fast as they could..." I added shrugging. "They ran into Carlisle a few months later while running away from some witch hunters, he saved them, instead of dragging them back to the Volturi, and they stayed with him when he took off for London, Evan said they owed Carlisle they're lives so... But the relationship between our families lasted for years. "

I took a drink from my glass.

"Grams met my grampa Colin when they lived in London they fell in love, some say that's where our immortally comes from." I said with full respect. "Evan stayed in London building his life, he passed away a little before his great granddaughter was born. My grandparents traveled for a long time before settling in Forks, they built our family and the town, her sister Elise soon followed. Together they helped build our family and this town and found more of our family going all the time at back to our founder Agatha. " I paused stopping myself from saying too much about aunt Elise. "I have thousands of cousins around the world that come from different stages it can be a little confusing sometimes but it's because of Esther that we all came together... She was the family glue."

"She really made a difference for witches didn't she?" Bella asked quietly, making me nod.

The talking stopped just in time for Charlie to come down the stairs grumbling a little.

"Morning Uncle Charlie." I greeted placing his plate down. "Breakfast is ready and I packed your lunch it's in the fridge."

He gave me a slight nod and sat down, instantly taking a drink of coffee. Charlie really wasn't a morning person until he had his coffee, it often made me chuckle.

Eventually they sat down and had their breakfast while I tended to my usual morning chores.

Ten minutes later Charlie went upstairs to take a shower and get ready, and Bella and I headed out to the wrangler.

The ride to school was quiet, Bella stared out the window in her own little world. I kept my eyes on the road but found myself doing a lot of thinking.

Pulling into my parking spot, I saw Jazz and her younger sister June getting out of Jazz's car and Quinn was hanging out with her brother, she had a confused look on her face but tried to hide it.

I went to get out but paused seeing Bella still sitting there staring across the parking lot... I  followed her vision spotting Rosalie and Emmett sitting in Rose's convertable, staring in our direction. They were the only ones here.

"He's not here Bella." I told her knowingly; she looked over at me. "After what happened yesterday, Carlisle thought it was a better idea that Jasper stayed home till he was back to normal... Edward stayed home too. Em and Rose came so it wouldn't look suspicious."

"But it was nothing." Bella said frowning. "You and Edward are making a big deal out of nothing."

My eyes narrowed.

"Not a big deal?" I asked sternly. "You're kidding me right? Do you not understand what happened last night?"

"It wasn't Jasper's fault Lena."

I scoffed.

"I never said it was Jasper's fault." I told her firmly making her frown deeply. "It's not just about you Bella, it's also about Edward and Jasper...Carlisle. All of them...." I nodded in Rose and Emmett's direction, they were still staring at me. "Do you know what could happen to them if last night went in the opposite direction? If the tre-" I paused myself stopping myself from giving away too much. "Look I love them, and I trust them, they would never hurt anyone on purpose.... but you can't forget what they are... they have rules.. if they kill even one human, my coven and I can't protect them, we have to step aside and they will-" I stopped myself again, feeling tears in my eyes at the idea. "Last night was the first time in my life I had to use my magic against them... I shot an energy ball at Jasper because of you.... And I hate it."  I trailed off staring at my two vampire friends.

I noticed Quinn and Jazz standing together waiting for me.

"I'm sorry Bella but you've been living in the clouds." I told her before reaching into the back and grabbed my bag, hopping out. "It's time to come back to earth, think about if what you're doing is helping Edward or hurting him and keep in mind that if anything happens to them, I will never forgive you."

She frowned at that.

I slammed the door shut and headed over to my girls.

"Hey is she doing okay?" Jazz asked glancing at Bella who looked shell-shocked at what I just said. I didn't mean to explode but after everything between Emily and Jasper, I was annoyed and worried for my people.

"She'll be fine." I told her sighing. "It's them I'm worried about, I have this bad feeling like I'm losing my family all over again."

Quinn seeing the look on my face launced forward and wrapped her arms around my neck in a tight hug. Feeling my best friend's attempt at comforting me. I patted her back until she pulled back.

The bell rang alerting us that school was starting. We linked, walking into the school.

Once we reached our lockers, we opened them in sync, I shrugged my bag off and made sure my phone was on silent, hanging my jacket on the little hook.

Beside me Quinn pulled out a book out of her bag before setting it in her locker and grabbed her binders and pencil bag, keeping the book in her arms.

"Is that a witches Almanac?" Jasmine asked seeing it.

"Yeah I found it while Grams and I were on our trip." She said nodding. "I haven't been able to put it down, there's a lot of stuff about four in a coven."

"Thornton, Lovelace and Rathmore are the only families in this town." Jasmine told her pointedly.

Quinn shrugged.

"You're really into all this finding our fourth aren't you?" I asked making her nod.

"Just think about what it would do to us." Quinn said happily. "We've already got Earth, Water and Fire... All we need is Air."

Jazz closed her locker and turned crossing her arms.

"I think the three of us are powerful enough... we have a Lovelace in our coven."

Quinn stared at her for a few minutes before shrugging and nodded in agreement.

I grabbed my binder and stuff, closing my locker and we headed to class.

----

School went on pretty fast, while sitting in the back of the classroom. The girls and I were speaking telepathically about a dream Quinn had.

Soon it was lunch and we headed into the cafeteria. I noticed that Emmett and Rose were no longer at school... it made my strange feeling grow.

Bella was sitting at our table scanning the room, I rolled my eyes she clearly didn't get my message across this morning. Sometimes it made me wonder who should have been born first.

"Hey guys and girls." Jazz greeted smiling as we sat down and pulled out our lunches, I instantly bit into my tofu chicken wrap.

"Girl that actually looks good." Jessica told me making me smile.

"I have an extra one." I told her pulling out a baggie. "You want to try it? You wouldn't even tell the difference."

Jessica took it from me smiling in thanks. I glanced over at Bella; she ignored us distracted staring at the Cullen's table. I just didn't care anymore.

I started making small talk with the gang about random stuff, senior stuff and whatnot.

---

"So, have you been getting anything new on the thing in town?" Jazz asked as we walked out of our final class and headed for our lockers.

"No but I can sense it's something big." I told her glancing at Quinn.

"I haven't seen anything new." Quinn added.

"Jared, Sam and Paul have been working overtime, they haven't caught nothing" I said making them nod.

I stopped at my locker, putting in my combo and opened the door, putting things away and grabbed my bag.

"Whatever it is, has to do with what happened last year." I told them, we walked out the big doors. "I have a strong feeling, another fight is coming... I just hope the guys will be okay."

"Paul will be fine." Quinn said wrapping her arm around my shoulder. "He's a protector."

I smiled at her, glancing around I didn't see Bella anywhere when I got to the jeep.

"No Bella?"

"Edward probably gave her a ride home." I told them shrugging. "I should get going... I promised a certain shifter I'd call him when I got home."

"I can't believe you got a boyfriend..." Jasmine said pouting. "I'm so jealous."

I laughed at her, unlocking my door and slid in. Sticking the key in the ignition and kick started the revving engine.

Giving the girls a quick smiling wave, I backed out of my spot and out of the parking lot.

----

At the house there was no one home, so I just hung around talking on the phone with Paul.

I told him about what had happened which he responded in his usual comments about bloodsuckers and leeches.

We talked for hours until around five when he had to go out to patrol and Bella had came in the door. We both said our goodbyes.

"Be safe."

We hung up, Bella came back down and then left spouting something about going for a walk and I got to work making a good spaghetti dinner, Charlie's favorite.

Time seemed to pass by slowly.

Sighing to myself, I let dinner cook and headed upstairs, walking into my room I moved to my closet to change into some comfy clothes just a t shirt and jammie pants, I grabbed a hoodie and threw it on.

Turning I went to my vanity to grab a hair tie, I found a note.

I raised an eyebrow, picking it up and read it slowly.

'Dear Elena,

The family is leaving, you know how Edward is but you also know what's meant to happen will happen, we'll let you know when we find a place and I'll send you emails once a week, don't tell Bella and take care of her and yourself. Carlisle says to remind you that you're always welcome to use our house while we're gone to let out any pent-up magic and Esme left you food. Jasper told me to say thank you. He doesn't blame you for using your magic against him, he knows you didn't mean too. We all do  Emmett and Rosalie, both send you love. We'll send you postcards, just keep them from Bella. We love you.

Love Alice.

'P.S I know we'll see each other again.

I frowned deeply, feeling my heart break like I was losing family all over again. I felt a tear roll down my face but wiped it away.

Letting out a breath, I turned grabbing my hair tie and headed back downstairs.

I walked into the kitchen turning off the stove and just stood there.

'If they're leaving where's Bella' I thought quietly.

Glancing out the window, it was dark out, furrowing my brows.

My phone rang I picked it up without looking at the ID.

"Bella?"

"No Lena, it's me."

"Quinn?" I asked frowning before I thought it through. "What's happened? is it Bella?"

I listened as Quinn told me about her sudden vision.

"I gotta call Charlie, thanks Quinn" I told her hanging up, I moved to dial Charlie's number.

"Chief Swan." I heard in my ear and turned back to the phone, hearing Charlie's voice.

"Uncle Charlie!" I exclaimed. "Bella's missing.!"

I heard faint sounds of a chair falling over and knew that he must have stood up in panic.

"I'm on my way!"

I felt panic in my chest, before I walked out the backdoor, staring into the woods.

"Sam! Paul?... Jared? Anyone who's on wolf duty!"

Within seconds I got several voices back.

'Elena! Elena! Elena!"

"Ellie? What happened? Are you okay?"  I could hear Paul's panic.

"I'm okay... Bella's missing, she's somewhere in the woods." I told them leaving out details. "I told Charlie, he should be here soon.."

"We'll split up and find her." I heard Sam think. "Jared and I will split up, Paul go sit with your imprint.. stay home wait for Charlie."

"On my way Angel, don't worry."

"We'll find her!"  Jared told me.

----

"She's going to be okay." Paul told me rubbing my back.

He had gotten here pretty quickly and was sitting beside me on the front porch.

There were tears in my eyes again, feeling him wrap his arm around me and hugged me sideways, trying to calm me down.

"I've had a bad feeling all day... I knew something was going to happen." I muttered covering my shaky hands.  "I trust Edward, I always have, always will no matter what anyone says."

I looked at him.

He nodded.

"But the idea of my cousin laying somewhere.... him leaving her there, in the woods, knowing there's something in town... I swear I will curse his ass."

Jasmine's Mercades pulled up into the driveway.

I looked up spotting her and Quinn. They wasted no time in jumping out the second Jazz put it in park and came rushing over to me.

"Elena!"

"We came as soon as we could" Quinn asked pulling me into a hug.

I patted her back sighing and pulled back. They gave Paul small nods.

"What happened?" Jazz asked sitting down on my other side. "Edward and Bella?"

"Carlisle and the family are gone." I told them sniffling.

They stared at me with wide eyes.

"Gone? All of them?"

I nodded.

I opened my mouth to say something else but a sound of tires squealing and sirens blaring announcing that my uncle was here, got my attention.

His door slammed, his feet ran over to me like a fast tornado.

"Elena!" He exclaimed, pulling me up from the stairs and into a tight hug. Jasmine and Paul stood up with me and Quinn moved over a little.

I let out a shaky breath, sniffling.

He pulled back slightly and looked me in the eyes.

"What happened?"

"I was making dinner, Bella said she was going for a walk" I told him trying to stay calm leaving out the note part, or the Cullen's or pack. "By the time it was done, I realized how late it was, she should have been back by now."

"Okay, it's okay.' He told me rubbing my forearm gently, giving the girls and Paul a glance. "I'm going to check the woods; you guys stay here in case she comes back."

I nodded, he headed around the house and to the woods. I watched him grab his flashlight from his belt and enter.

I was hoping that Edward was walking her back but something in my head told me otherwise... If Edward really ditched my cousin in the middle of the woods like this...

Paul pulled me into a powerful hug, I suddenly felt like crying again but held them back, burying my head into his shoulder.

----

A few minutes later I was standing in the kitchen, praying to the goddess that my cousin was found alive.

Jasmine and Quinn sat at the table while Paul stood with me, his arms were wrapped around me tightly as we leaned against the counter. I looked at him and sighed laying my head on his shoulder, he kissed the top of my forehead.

Charlie walked back into the house by himself. I picked my head up looking at him.

"I couldn't find any sign of her." He said moving to sit in a chair and let out a sigh. "She must have gotten lost."

"Well, it's a big forest, I showed Bella every trail but maybe she was too caught up and lost track" I told him frowning.

"I'm going to make a few calls, get a party together." Charlie said pulling his phone out.

I stared at him for a few minutes, before thinking of an idea.

"I'm gonna call Billy." I told him pulling mine out too, glancing at Paul.

----

It didn't take long for people to respond to our emergency, all of them were ready and willing to help. I knew Sam and Jared were on it.

I heard a familiar sound of a truck pull up and turned spotting Jacob and Billy, parking in the driveway, Harry was in the back of truck, with several guys including Embry and Quil.

All three of my boys hopped out and tackled me into a hug.

"She's going to be okay Angel." I heard Jake mutter.

I pulled back from them. I could feel Paul watching us but he said nothing.

I gave my friends a small smile. Billy rolled up to us. I glanced at him seeing a look in his eye.

"They'll find her." Billy told me knowingly.

---

Paul and I were standing side by side, his big hand in mine. Watching the adults staring at maps, while I played with my amulet and waited for news from those two wolf friends of mine.

I could tell Paul was keeping his line open, everything Sam was seeing, Paul saw it and I could see it through his.

Jacob, Quil and Embry were standing with us too, they kept making sneaky glances at Paul and I holding hands, I knew I was going to have to answer questions but right now wasn't the time.

But I have to say Embry and Quil was looking more at ease than Jacob. I know Jake and Paul didn't get along, even before Paul shifted he messed with Jacob so naturally there was tension between the two and now that I was dating his 'bully' it probably made him feel like I was betraying him.

Many of the tribe members were here.

Paul's touch was the only thing keeping me sane.

They were working for hours, rotating ventures into the woods, it was near one in the morning, and I was nervous, what was taking Sam and Jared so long to find her.

It was also getting cold, even for me. Paul seemed to notice, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I glanced at him and smiled in thanks, leaning against him, laying my head on his chest ignoring hidden smirks crossing Embry and Quil's face and avoided Jacob's gaze by hiding a little.

"Maybe I should try the Cullen's place again." Charlie muttered making me look at him.

I picked my head sharing a look with Paul, then Billy and then Harry.

"The Cullen's left town, Charlie." Paul told him.

Charlie looked at him, before looking at me.

I shrugged pretending I had no idea what they were talking about.

"We'll find her Charlie." Harry said laying a hand on his shoulder.

I sighed before a buzzing noise echoed through my head.

'Elena! I found her!'

I whipped around like I had been shot and spotted Sam coming out of the woods holding a passed out limped Bella.

"Bella!" I exclaimed alerting everyone's attention and took off running.

"She's all right." Sam told us, in his booming Sam voice. Charlie appeared beside me taking Bella into his arms.

"I got her." Charlie assured us slightly supporting her.

Charlie carried her to the house.

I wiped unfallen tears from my eyes and turned giving Sam a hug.

"Thanks Sammy" I told him pulling back. "I totally owe you."

Sam just smiled at me; he patted my shoulder.

"Go be with your cousin, she had a nasty shock." Was all he told me.

I nodded and headed back to the house, Paul gave me a tight hug, kissing my cheek unnoticed to everyone except Sam... he moved to Sam's side. I frowned when his hand left mine and passed Jacob who looked over my shoulder uncomfortably, I glanced back seeing Sam staring at Jacob.

'Stop being a stalker', he'll shift when he shifts! I thought and nudged Jake. He jumped slightly before looking at me.

"You coming?" I asked gesturing to the house, casting Paul one last look as he headed into the woods to shift heading back to patrol.

Jake nodded, and we walked over to the house together, he casted one last look at Sam before following me in.

I followed Charlie up the stairs, opening Bella's door.

"What were you thinking baby?" Charlie asked in pain. "Why were you out there."

There was a pause.

"He's....gone." Bella told us pained.

Charlie laid her on the bed, covering her up.

I frowned sharing a look with Charlie, watching Bella curl up in fetal position.

I sighed moving to sit beside her and patted her head, she didn't cry or move just laid there like she was dying.

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4/24/2024