Chapter Thirty-Two

It was finally the weekend, the girls and I spent most of the time on witch duty. I was able to send out all of my special orders except for one... I wondered if Jasper was doing okay without his. It's been a while since I got Alice's last email or anything from Rose and Emmett. They normally sent me something once a week to keep me updated on how Edward was doing.

And I would tell them about Bella, leaving out the part about Jacob and the pack.

The last email I got said Edward was still living away from them, almost like he was punishing himself.

I wanted to give them all hugs, especially Edward.

Anyway I was standing in the kitchen, scooping leftover stew I had made for lunch into separate containers and talking on the phone with Quinn.

Paul was at the sink washing the dishes we used. He's been spending most of his downtime here, having meals with us, he's become part of our daily lives. Charlie has pretty much said he was welcome here day or night. Especially on game nights.

Charlie wasn't here, he was working and Bella was sulking in her room, calling Jacob every single second she got.

Anyway on the phone with Quinn, she was telling me about Embry asking her out again but this time it would just be the two of them. Since she and Embry had their first group date with us, she's gained a lot more confidence. Emily, Kim and I have welcomed her into our Imprint sisterhood and even added her to our Imprints only message group.

"Sounds good to me." I spoke into the phone, grinning thinking of my two best friends. "Jasmine's off celebrating June's big thirteen and I'm headed out to deliver some teas and whatnot and deal with..." I paused remembering Bella was in the house but luckily Quinn knew who I was meaning... "Tomorrow we check the barrier so today we're all off witch duty...." I sighed listening to the other end. "Take what time you can get, but you know we're gonna want details.."

Placing the lid onto the container, labeling it, I walked over setting it in the fridge and turned glancing at my bags on the table. We were getting ready to head down to deal with Jacob's makeover which was another reason Paul was with me.

We continued talking until Quinn said she had to go so she could get ready and said a quick goodbye and hung up.

I stared at my phone for a few minutes, grinning.

"Quinn certainly sounded excited." Paul said clearly overhearing the conversation.

"Well I would be too if I had a big date." I said shrugging, moving over to the table so I could double check I had what I needed. "Embry's taking her out on an actual date, just the two of them... and from what I saw in his mind...Flowers, chocolates, he's going all out, I've helped him plan the whole thing without Quinn knowing... Normally I would stay out of it but a few nudges can't hurt."

I watched Paul turn the water off, drying his hands and came over to me. I looked up at him.

He leaned over kissing my cheek and smiled at me.

Glancing at the clock, I saw the time.

"We should get going." I said turning to grab my medicine bag.

Paul nodded, picking up the box I normally carried all the makeover stuff in and walked out of the kitchen, I smiled for a second trailing after.

I grabbed my keys, opening the door for him, he squeezed himself out and headed for the jeep. Closing the door behind me, I had just reached the bottom step when Bella called my name.

'Goddess not again!'

I thought glancing up at Bella.

"You going to see Jacob?"

"No." I said shaking my head. I was lying but she didn't need to know that. "Billy said he's got mono or something." I shrugged.

"Mono?" Bella asked repeating what I said.

"Yeah so I'm going to drop some teas off at the door and then spend the rest of the day with Paul." I added watching my cousin.

Bella's eyes looked over at Paul waiting by the Wrangler. His arms were crossed making him look a little scary. Bella's face dropped and her shoulders fell a little as if she was losing her only reason to live but it was making me mad too.

"Stay away the hell from him Bells.. only gonna say it once..." I told her loudly, turning away from her.

She looked back at me but I had already turned avoiding the look on her face and strolled over to my jeep, Paul grabbed my hand, leading me over to the passenger side and opened the door for me like always. He closed it without saying anything and went over to the drivers seat.

Knowing I was getting a little emotional, he stole my keys from me and started the vehicle.

I stared out the window at my cousin as he backed up and drove off. I closed my eyes and let out a heavy breath trying to calm down.

"It's going to be okay." Paul said reaching over, he grabbed one of my hands and weaved his fingers through mine.

"Bella's stubborn." I muttered running my unused hand through my hair. "When she gets stuck on something she doesn't give up but as long as Jake doesn't open his mouth and let me deal with my cousin, it's less risky... She can't get sucked into wolf world.."

"Jacob knows better than to say anything."

"I won't let what happened to the Cullen's happen again." I told him firmly, squeezing his hand, he gave me a side glance.

I stared out the window, thinking that through and looked back over at him. He kept his eyes on the road.

'I will never let anything happen to him'

Neither of us spoke a word the rest of the ride, I just continued watching him quietly. I could see everything he was thinking, it was like a mini movie on the go.

I was so mesmerized by his features, mind and thinking of how much I loved him, I didn't notice I was staring that hard until he squeezed my hand.

I snapped out of my inner thoughts and looked over seeing we were parked at Black's house. Looking back at Paul he had a smirk on his face.

I blinked having no shame, leaning over to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek and then turned pushing the door open, sliding out.

Grabbing my medicine bag, I dragged the box from the back only for Paul to grab it from my hands.

I smiled at him, heading up the little ramp, glancing back at him.

"Remember-"

"I know, I got it." He said cutting me off.

I smiled at him, turning just in time for Billy to roll up and open the door, spotting us he gave us one of those fatherly smiles.

"Elena... Paul."

"Hey Billy." I greeted smiling big.

He wheeled aside so we could enter, Paul sat the box on the table. My hot head was getting good at helping me.

I reached into my medicine bag, pulling out one of my black bags. Billy took it from me and rolled over to one of the kitchen drawers and came back handing me a yellow envelope.

We smiled at each other. I shoved the money into my bag just as Jacob came walking into the house.

He paused seeing us standing there, his eyes flicked to Paul for a second.

I bit my lip seeing his thoughts going into small overdrive but got over it when he turned back to me, deciding to keep his thoughts to himself.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Time for your shifter makeover." I told him moving over to the table and started setting it up.

"You're not going to make me drink any of that nasty stuff are you?" He asked eyeing me suspiciously.

I laughed.

"Someone has been spending too much time with Jared." I muttered in amusement. "He seriously over exaggerates... It's not that bad... it's much better than you going wolf while I do my job so you can do yours."

I gestured for him to sit. Jake stared at me for a few minutes before coming over and sat in a chair.

Sitting beside him, I handed him a vial. He took a few minutes before drinking it all in one go.

I grinned at him, glancing at Paul and Billy watching us before I got to work.

----

"Okay all done." I said smiling at my work.

A few seconds later I was standing behind Jake after cutting his hair. I brushed loose hair off his back and removed the little apron.

Jacob, Paul and I were the only ones still here. Billy had rolled off into the living room since it was game day... He and Charlie were so much alike.

Moving to grab a broom, I swept up the mess and threw it away before turning to him. Paul was sitting beside Jake on a chair so I moved up, laying my hand on his back, smiling at Jake.

"Out of everyone you're the first I didn't have to threaten." I told him looking him over.

"My hairs gone." He mumbled looking in a mirror, he reached up running his hand over his head.

I laughed.

"You get used to it." I told him knowing my best friend. "Same with the whole inner monologue thing... I think you're lucky in that department."

"Lucky?" He asked looking at me strangely. "I have to see you and Paul sucking faces in real life? But now I gotta see it in my head too?"

Paul's eyes snapped to his, I could feel his aura change and slowly rubbed his back to calm him down. It took a few second.

I smiled at Jake knowing he was just making a joke.

"You only have to deal with hearing the pack's mind... me on the other hand I have millions of voices inside mine at every second, every day." I told him giving him a pointed look. "I can never shut them off."

It calmed Paul down a lot more seeing Jake and I were just being playful. I leaned down kissing my man's cheek.

He gave me a light smile, meeting my eye.

Jacob opened his mouth to say something funny when the phone started ringing. He went to pick it up but then my cousin's voice came out of the speaker. The three of us stopped and looked towards it.

"Hi Jacob, Lena said you have mono." I heard her say and rolled my eyes, moving to put my things back in their bags. Paul helped me, making me smile at him. "She and your dad won't let me visit; would you call me?

The call ended there, and I let out another sigh.

"She's pretty persistent." Jake muttered.

"I know." I told him watching Paul roll up my hair kit, he handed it to me so I could pack it away. "But it's better that she doesn't know, she already got tangled up in the Cullen's and look what happened to them.... if she ever found out... you guys would..." I frowned seeing an image of Paul dying in the back of my eyes and shook my head. "Bella is never to know, it's for her safety and the pack."

Jake saw the look on my face and the worry in my eyes.

Paul seemed to notice too, he stood up and wrapped his arms around me. I glanced at him seeing the soft expression on his face.

"I got it." Jacob told us giving us a small smile.

I think he was finally accepting Paul and I were together.

Packing up, Jacob grabbed all of my bags, Paul wrapped his arm around me and led me out to the wrangler. I smiled at him, enjoying my man's embrace. He would be heading to Sam's for patrol.

"I should get going, I wanna hear about Embry and Quinn's date."

"Me too." Jake said nodding.

"I bet they had a great time." Paul added in agreement, he pulled me into a tight hug.

I took in a deep breath, breathing in his smell and pulled back, staring into his eyes.

This was one of my favorite things to do. I glanced over at Jake just standing there watching us.

"Don't forget to check in with Sammy." I told them both. "That thing the girls and I've been sensing has surfaced... It's part of why we're going to check the town..." I looked back at Paul.

He knew what I was saying and nodded.

"It has something to do with the red head you met last year?" Jake asked making me nod.

"Last year isn't something I like to talk about and I feel horrible you guys have to deal with the aftermath of what the Cullen's and I did." I added frowning.

"It wasn't your fault." Paul told me firmly. He rubbed my back, sliding his hand up, brushing hair from my face and rested his monster hand on my cheek. "You were protecting your cousin."

"Yeah don't worry about us." Jake added siding with Paul. "We'll be fine."

I continued staring into my imprint's eyes, he gave me a small nod. I sighed nodding. Paul opened my door for me, I turned hopping in and closed the door.

"I should get going." I told him biting my lip and turned the key, staring my engine.

Paul nodded.

"Night Angel."

I smiled at him softly.

"I love you, be safe." I muttered looking between him and Jake. "All of you."

I gave Paul one final look and backed up, heading for home... Looking through the rearview mirror like I always did, I saw him standing there watching.

---

When I got home, I noticed Charlie still wasn't home. There was a note on the fridge saying he was working late and Bella was sitting on the couch still making phone calls to Jacob.

I decided to make a quick sandwich and headed to my room, avoiding my cousin.

I hung around my room for the rest of the night, listening to music and sorting through spell stuff and reading one of my healing books until around eight and went to take a shower.

Taking a long hot shower, I got out and retreated back to my room, closed the door behind me.

It was a little chilly so I quickly rushed to my dresser, getting dressed in some purple pajamas and threw Paul's hoodie over my head. Slipping it on, my nose instantly took in his smell, making my heart do a flip. It smelled like him.

I blow dried my hair and tied it up into a bun... suddenly I could feel a strong aura, it was dark. Moving over to my open window, I stared out at the darker than dark woods. I couldn't see anyone, so I tried using my telepathy but there was nothing there.

Frowning deeply, I closed the window and turned away, I could still feel something was watching me but I didn't know what.

My phone rang drawing me out of it, walking over to my bedside, I picked it up seeing Quinn's ID and quickly answered.

"Hey how'd the date go?" I asked shaking off my strange feeling.

If there was anything out there, the boys would know... Paul would tear it apart without second thoughts.

'It went great, he was the perfect gentleman... and he's so funny.'

"Awe that's great Quinny." I said laying down on my bed.

'But that's not the only reason I'm calling.. listen I saw something'

She started to tell me about a dream she just had. Poor Quinn it woke her up from a deep sleep.

-----

After school the next day, I walked into the kitchen carrying a basket form my garden and sat it in the sink so I could wash off the berries and washed my hands, seeing Bella still on the phone.

Last night Quinn had told me about her dream, something was going to happen. It had to do with Bella... a field....a red head and the pack. Quinn mentioned Paul and my entire mind has been going into overdrive, I didn't sleep at all last night. I tossed and turned the entire time, worrying.

Our plan for today was to go into the woods and have a ritual, we needed to check the protection shield and make sure it was working...

Anyway I was waiting for the girls to show up. I rolled my eyes at my cousin and headed into the living room spotting Charlie and Harry checking their fishing gear.

"Hey you guys heading out?" I asked.

"Yup." Charlie said nodding, looking me over. "You and Paul got any plans today?"

"No he's got homework." I told him shaking my head, shrugging. "So Jazz, Quinn and I were going to hang out, he might come over a little later though if that's okay."

"Good." He said making me raise an eyebrow. "Sorry, it's just please stay here and make sure Bella stays home too, no hikes or anything.'

"Why? Is everything okay?" I asked frowning.

"We're issuing a warning about those bears." Charlie told me.

I made an unnoticed glance at Harry seeing the look on his face knowing it wasn't actually bears before I sighed and nodded turning to Uncle Charlie.

"Okay I suppose we can just order pizza and hang out around here." I told him trying to make him feel better.

He nodded, I turned and headed upstairs.

"Wait Lena!" Bella said coming out of the kitchen, I turned to her. "Any update?"

I stared at her for a few minutes and sighed.

"I told you Bells, it's mono." I told her earning a look of praise from Harry.

"He's too sick to even call?" She asked.

My eyes narrowed curious as to why she was so worried about my best friend.

"Just leave him be Bella." I told her loudly feeling angry, I turned and stomped up the stairs avoiding Charlie's confused look and Bella's shocked one.

---

A little while later Charlie and Harry left, and the girls came over.

We managed to move the coffee table so we could sit on the rug in a circle. Our eyes were closed, and hands clasped together.

Trying hard to focus, maintaining the protection shield over an entire town took a lot of our magic combined, while it wouldn't keep things out it would alert us if there was anyone looking for trouble.

We knew James's red head mate would want to retaliate so we've been keeping watch.

Now that the Cullen's aren't here to take care of it, I didn't know what we were going to do, my only hope was the pack could take it down... but when I think of Paul going up against Victoria, I'm reminded of that crazy nightmare.

I still had no idea what they meant, I've told Quinn about it but she says she hasn't seen anything.

Anyway the girls and I were mediating when I heard footsteps on the stairs and opened my eyes looking up.

Bella came into where we were, staring at us, she frowned at me probably remembering my little angry snap.

"Hey what are you guys doing?" She asked.

"Mediating." Quinn told her.

She nodded, I looked her over, she was dressed in outside weather clothing.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"I'm uh...was going to go hiking?" Bella muttered, ignoring my glance. "Please don't tell Charlie."

"Hiking?" Quinn asked looking up, I saw the look in her eye.

"Yeah uh there's a meadow...our meadow" Bella trailed off.

"And you want to find it?" Quinn asked again.

She nodded.

The girls and I shared a look.

'I think we should go, if it's the field I saw last night' Quinn thought.

'What if we run into Victoria?' Jasmine asked telepathically.

'Jasmine we're witches' I thought calmly. 'Besides the guys are out patrolling, If anything was out there, they will know...'

'If we don't go, Bella will get angry and try to go on her own... at least if we're there we can protect her'

I nodded in agreement, standing up.

"Okay but let us come with you." I told her.

Bella looked at us for a minute before shaking her head.

"I want to go alone."

"Bella, there's no way I'm letting you go into the woods by yourself it's too dangerous." I told her sternly. "So, either you let us go with you so at least your protected by magic or.... you don't go at all."

She looked at us frowning.

"We've been sensing something in town, I had a dream a few nights ago" Quinn told her patting my arm to calm me down. "I saw you standing in a field of flowers..." She paused; Bella looked at her curiously. "Trust me you'll want us there."

She continued looking at us for a minute while the girls and I kept sharing looks. Bella sighed and nodded.

"Okay."

I ran upstairs really quick, slipping on my tennis shoes and grabbed Paul's leather jacket he left here.

Going back downstairs, I grabbed the keys to the wrangler, seeing them gathering their jackets and what not and headed out to the jeep.

"So, what all did you see?" Bella asked climbing into the passenger while Jazz and Quinn got in the back.

I stared the jeep up and rolled down the window, it was a nice sunny day so the air was warm. I backed out and drove off.

I glanced in the rearview mirror at the girls before giving my cousin a quick look.

"Just promise me you'll listen to me." I said turning my eyes back to the road. "If I tell you to run, you run and don't look back."

I felt her staring at me in confusion before letting it go.

"I promise."

"We're not trying to scare you Bella." Jazz told her gently. "We just don't want anything to happen to you..."

Bella nodded.

----

"Do you think we can find it?" Jazz asked quietly.

Moving through the woods quickly. There wasn't much of a trail here so there was a lot of fallen trees and stuff but I loved the outdoors so I was used to it.

Tugging Paul's jacket closer, it made me feel like he was with me. I could see a smile on Quinn's face taking in the forest smells. Her element was earth so this was as close as she could get to her power. While we were here, Quinn collected wild herbs and random stuff.

"I think it's somewhere around here." Bella muttered sounding hopeful. "It's gotta be."

I looked up at her seeing her sad aura and felt bad. After cutting ties with Jacob, her mind must have went back to Edward... I wondered if she was ever going to let him go.

Before I could think any further, we pushed through a tree line and stepped onto the edge of a large clearing.

Once upon a time it probably looked beautiful, green grass and flowers and random wildlife but this place was nothing more than brown dead grass.

I watched Bella take a few steps into the meadow and sunk to her knees, tears.

"It's gone..." I heard her whisper. "He's really gone, isn't he? There's nothing left of him at all..."

I frowned sharing a look with the girls before handing my bag to Quinn and headed over to my cousin, kneeling down and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sorry Bells." I told her gently feeling her body shake for a minute. "I wish I could take the pain away, the memories...but I won't do that."

Bella stared at me with tears in her eyes threating to fall.

"Edward hurt you I know and I know how close you got with him and I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have encouraged you soo much." I added making her sniffle. "But maybe this happened for a reason, You and Edward were only meant to be passerbys in each other's life."

"Because it was my fate?" She asked tearfully.

I shrugged.

"I can't really say for sure." I told her glancing around the field. "Fate can change sometimes." I paused thinking of my sudden changes in life as Paul's imprint. In the many months he and I've been together our relationship had changed so much, I loved him and I knew he loved me but who knows what will happen.

"Lena?"

My eyes snapped back to my cousin, I shook my head clear and stood up.

"C'mon lets get home." I told her grabbing her by her shoulders and pulled her up gently. "Charlie and Harry should be back by now."

She nodded, she looked around the meadow with a defeated look in her eyes one last time and then turned.

Trailing after her I suddenly felt a dark energy and let out a groan, reaching up to grab my head. It was dark and powerful... just like the one I felt last night.

"Lena?"

Jazz, Quinn and Bella gave me unsure looks.

"I-I'm fine." I told them trying to shake it off.

Hearing a rustle, my head snapped up.

'Paul?...' I thought thinking maybe he was nearby watching. There wasn't any answer... maybe it was one of the other guys. 'Boys? Jared I swear I will shave your head... let's see what a bald wolf looks like.'

I waited for a few seconds, hoping for a Jared come back snark but it never came.... Instead I got an entirely different answer... I could see through the person's mind and knew right away it wasn't one of the pack.

"Something's here." I said quickly turning to my cousin. "We need to leave now!"

I gave Quinn and Jazz a look making them nod, we turned to leave when movement caught my eye, turning back around again. I came face to face with a familiar face. The vampire Laurent standing just ten yards away.

"Laurent?" Bella and I said in sync, we shared a look.

"Bella.." Laurent said softly, just loud enough that we could hear him. He glanced at me. "And Miss Elena, the witch."

My eyes narrowed, seeing through his mind. Jasmine and Quinn stepped up to us.

'Elena we have to call the pack' I heard Quinn say, grabbing my forearm.

'We can't... Bella's here' Jasmine retorted.

'Jazz's right... Bella will see them, they'll be exposed... Paul could get hurt if she knows...' I thought.

Quinn saw the look on my face and laid her hand on my back rubbing it.

'Paul will be fine, so will Em.' She said making me look at her, I saw confident in her eyes. 'They'll be okay, you have to call them... we're in trouble, it's their job.'

I gave her a side glance, looking between them, Bella and the vampire.... I knew Quinn was right. I bit my lip praying to the goddess before glancing into the woods.

Focusing hard enough, I instantly linked minds with them all.

'Sam! Paul! Jake! Guys?'

'Lena!'

'Angel!'

'Where are you?'

'The thing Quinn dreamed is happening.... Vampire, bad non friendly kind...' I thought back sending them pictures of my location and the monster in front of us.

'Baby are you okay?' I heard Paul ask.

'I'm fine, I'll explain more later...just get here fast and be safe... Bella's with us.'

'We're on our way!' I heard them all

'Stall as long as you can' Sam's voice bellowed.

Nodding at the girls that help was coming, I turned back to the vampire before us seeing he was now five feet away and stared him down.

"I must admit, I did not expect to find you here."

"We live here." I retorted sensing Bella's change. "But you, I thought you were in Alaska with Tanya, that's what Carlisle told me."

I felt Bella look at me but kept my emotions masked the best I could. There were three witches vs one vampire. I could only attack if he attacked first.

"Oh I was." Laurent told me. "It was kind of him to arrange, given my association with James and Victoria...the enemy."

"You tried to help us." Bella said softly.

Laurent began to stroll in a slow motion around us, the girls and I watched him.

"I went to visit the Cullens, but their house is empty." He said tilting his head.. "I'm surprised they left you two behind, weren't you sort of pets to them?"

"People were starting to catch on to them so they had to leave before the secrets were exposed." I told him holding my head up high. "I promised Esme I would watch their place for the time being."

Bella looked at me surprised, I ignored her and kept my attention on the vampire giving off a really dark aura.

"Do the Cullens visit often?" Laurent asked.

Bella took in a deep breath beside me, I nodded at his question.

"Absolutely." Bella told him sounding nervous and not natural at all. "All the time."

"We'll tell them you stopped by the next time I talk to Carlisle." I added firmly. "Can they reach you in Alaska?"

"I don't think so." Laurent said standing more inches from us, I took in his dark red eyes and looked through his mind. "Tanya's vegetarian family was pleasant enough, but the dietary restrictions were difficult living on nothing but animals."

I watched him move closer, praying the boys got here soon.

"Tell me Elena." Laurent said constitutional. "With your magic? Do you ever feel compelled to...cheat?"

My eyes narrowed, I motioned Bella to move back. Jasmine and Quinn stepped beside her so she was protected on all three sides.

"But that's not why I left." He added slowly, smiling. "I came back here as a favor to Victoria."

"You're still friends..." Bella muttered.

"More or less." Laurent said shrugging. "She asked me to get the lay of the land with the Cullens...because well, I'm afraid. Victoria is quite put out with you."

"That's too bad." I told him glaring, flashing my eyes.

"yes, she feels it's only fair to kill Edward's mate, given he killed hers. Eye for an eye, mate for a mate."

"She'd have to get through us first." I heard Jazz tell him.

"Edward would know who did it." Bella shouted looking a little out of it. "He'll come after both of you."

"And not just him." I added with venom.

"I don't think he will, see how much could he possibly love you if he left you here unprotected." He told us. "I feel so bad for what must happen next."

I felt Bella look at me, I gave her a calm smile.

"Victoria sent me here for information." Laurent added. "She won't be happy about my killing you."

Without a warning, he came at us but I threw my hand up.

"Astrice." I muttered under my breath, and made the vampire fly backwards and land on his back on the ground. Turning to Bella. "Woods, now, go."

"What L-lena no."

"You made me a deal, you do as I tell you.... now go and don't look back." I told her firmly whipping back around to the vampire, jumping back to his feet and hissed at me. I held my hand back up, I tossed an energy ball at him causing him to fly back to the ground.

Stepping away from the girls, Jasmine and Quinn knew I could handle myself and stayed around Bella, trying to get her to leave with them.

Without warning, he ran at me again, I went to toss him again but this time he caught me. His cold dark hand was clenched around my throat.

"Elena!" I heard all three girls shout.

"Victoria sent me here for Bella but she did not say anything about the witch... I was told the blood of a witch was the most mouthwatering taste to behold." He muttered leaning forward as if he was going to take a drink but he took in a few sniffs and sneered. "You're stench however has spoiled my appetite."

I knew he was talking about Paul... another reason I wore his hoodies and jackets. A tip I read from Elise's notes..

---------------------------------

New Chapter

5/4/2024

I know I said I was taking a break but I couldn't stop myself.... So here it is.

Like. Vote. Comment. Let me know what you think.