Travelling home was a huge blur.

When we arrived back in Washington I had never been so overjoyed to see such familiar faces. Ever. I saw Jasper first though he didn't stop to greet us and made straight for Alice, embracing her quickly before they shared a passionate kiss. Carlisle and Esme were waiting in a quiet corner, her eyes looking like they could weep when she saw us.

I became overwhelmed with emotion as I ran to her, the tears already running down my face as she caught me in her arms. I had missed them so much. She pulled away slightly to look at my face. "You're such a silly girl." She began to brush my hair away from my teary face as I held onto her arms. "I'm so glad you're safe." She hugged me to her again before passing me over to Carlisle.

"You were very brave." He told me as he rubbed my back. "But still silly all the same." I laughed then as Esme hugged Bella beside me.

"Thank you so much." She addressed us both, grasping both of our hands. Then she grabbed Edward, embracing him fiercely. "You will never put me through that again! Dragging your sisters and Bella into this." She scolded.

Edward grinned. "Sorry, Mom." Then he glanced down at Alice and I. "They dragged themselves into it." He shrugged jokingly.

"Thank you girls, we owe you." Carlisle said sincerely.

"Hardly." Bella mumbled, answering Carlisle's statement. She was swaying slightly from side to side as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

"He's family." I smiled up at Edward and he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"She's dead on her feet." Esme scolded Edward with a pointed look. "Let's get you girls home." Esme placed her hand on the small of my back as she led me along. Edward practically carrying Bella.

We exited the airport quite quickly before I caught sight of Rosalie and Emmett leaning against a black car. Edward visibly stiffened, his jaw clenched.

"Don't." Esme warned him. "She feels terrible." Rosalie looked distressed. Her eyes were black and not their usual golden colour, this had really taken it out of her.

"She should." Edward said purposely loud.

"It's not her fault." Bella said sleepily.

"Let her make amends, we'll ride with Alice and Jasper." By the way Esme kept her hand on my back I knew she meant me too butEmmett wasn't too keen on that idea.

"That one," he pointed at me. "Is not going anywhere until I get my hug." I laughed happily as I jogged over to him. He was such a big teddy bear.

I leapt up, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Hey." I smiled as he swung me from side to side.

"Hi squirt, how you been?" He asked dropping me back to the floor as Bella, Edward and Rosalie hurried into the car.

"I've been better." I admitted with a half smile.

"Don't have to worry anymore, we're coming home." He beamed down at me, nudging my shoulder.

* * *

Jasper let me out the car a few miles away from the treaty boundary, that being as close as they could get me to home. I knew there would be an overwhelming amount of anger waiting for me when I returned. I had been gone for three days without an explanation... my father was going to be furious.

As I ran through the forest I let myself think about Jacob again and how I had left him three days ago. He was sure to be angry as well. He had hurt me badly and when he begged for my forgiveness and for me to stay I just threw it back in his face. I wanted to forgive him, I wanted to throw myself at him, but he had to know how it felt. He had to feel the pain that he had caused me for once.

Hopefully he would come to understand I left for a good reason. It was for Edward, for my second family. He'd never understand my connection with them, that much was obvious, but he needed to respect that. His words from the other night still haunted me even though he apologised. I felt like I was always going to be slightly wary around him now.

About half a mile or so away from the house I could hear my dad's raging voice and the scents of the pack, Seth was missing and so was Tori. I assumed Seth had been assigned to keep Tori out of the mess whilst I had been away saving vampires.

"It's been three days!" He yelled, I could picture him throwing his arms in the air. "How have we heard nothing back? I swear Black, if she has died I'm blaming you for this!" Why would he blame Jacob, I made the decision to leave?

"I tried to stop her!" He was angry at being blamed but his voice shook with worry.

"Sam!" Seth's panic filled voice rang through the trees ahead of me.

"What?" Sam's deep voice demanded.

"They're back. All of them. Charlie called my mom." He said breathlessly as I'm guessing he reached the pack.

"Did he say anything about Aria?" Dad questioned quickly.

"No, Mom made sure to ask and he said he didn't see her." He explained, quieter than before. Wary of not wanting to upset my father even more.

"Then where is she?" He demanded forcefully just as I arrived around the front of the house. They must all be congregated round the back of the house.

"We'll get answers Rob," Sam began slowly. "But if she is... gone. We'll avenge her I promise you." He asserted with power. If I had died they would have known this would not be what I wanted.

I rounded the house, their discussion of my death and the cheek of the Cullens to return without me sparked the conversation of a war. I wasn't going to stand for that.

They were all stood in circle, Dad with his back to me not seeing my arrival. Over his shoulder I saw Jake staring down at the floor. With their heightened senses I was sure nine werewolves would have noticed my presence but they were too busy arguing over if I was dead or not and what to do if I was.

Jake looked up suddenly then, as if I had called him, and his eyes landed directly on me. He strode forward with purpose, pushing past my dad and gaining the attention of the others. He got to me in four strides, my focus off of the pack as he stopped dead in front of me.

He remained silent as he reached forward with his hand slowly and went to touch my cheek. He paused, his eyes searching mine, like he was checking I was real, and then his hand then proceeded to touch my cheek, caressing it with his thumb. His eyes relaxed significantly and once he had confirmed with himself that I was real he pulled me into his arms. "Thank god." He breathed as he held my head to his chest, kissing the top of my head.

I didn't know whether or not I should hug him back. My arms were glued to my sides, he had wished me dead six days ago... I couldn't forgive that, even if it was just the inner wolf talking. Despite my anger, the energy surged between us as we he held me, the immense feeling bringing the tears to my eyes. In both moments, before I left and now, he had never acted so strongly towards me.

"Aria!" Dad called out, the sound of his footsteps nearing as he practically pulled me from Jake's arms and into his own. "I'm so happy you're home safe!"

"I had to do it, Dad." His face hardened immediately at my choice of words but he nodded in acknowledgment before standing to the side and allowing Jesse to hug me too. I felt like I had been punched in the chest. What was he expecting me to say?

"Don't you ever leave like that again." He said into my hair and I felt my heart break thinking about how worried they must've all been. "I'm so happy you're alright." My safety and return seemed to be the thing they cared about the most though I could sense the tension due to the reason why I had gone in the first place.

"I can protect myself Jesse," I began and he gave me a sceptical look before putting me back on my feet. "Against other vampires." I finished and his face hardened just like Dad's.

Jake returned to me then, his eyes watching my face intensely before he moved to stand behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me back into his body protectively. He didn't like the way Dad and Jesse were looking at me. I stepped out of his hold and scowled, he didn't have the right to act like that towards me.

Jake was giving me whiplash. He either wanted me or didn't. I knew he had feelings for Bella and she obviously did for him but Edward was back now, this changed things drastically. She'd never give up Edward for Jacob, she made that very clear when she didn't even say goodbye to him three days ago when we left. Maybe Jake had realised that and that's why he worried about me so much... but I didn't want to be anybody's second choice when they couldn't get what they initially wanted. I wanted to be wanted first.

I looked towards the rest of the pack: Embry, Quil and Paul seemed relieved with my return, Seth, Leah and Sam seemed slightly wary and guarded. Sam was just being protective and Leah and Seth hadn't been around me properly in their new forms, at the funeral they were distracted. Jared's cold dark eyes looked annoyed mostly, he probably hoped that I wouldn't return and had been murdered.

"Let's go inside. You can explain what happened." Dad said emotionlessly. His guard was back up just like when he found out what I was. Everyone obviously thought that if I spent more than two days with the Cullens something bad would happen to me.

Dad and Sam led the way as we all filed into the kitchen, Jake not leaving more than a foot between us. Dad motioned for me to sit down opposite him, Jake taking the seat next to me before he reached over to grab my hand but I flinched away from him. When I finally met my dad's eyes it was then that I realised I was in the exact same seat I sat in when I was interrogated all those months ago.

"Go on." Dad instructed coldly. I didn't get where the harshness had come from. What could I have possibly done whilst I was away? At least Jake seemed to be on my side, but maybe that was just because he wanted to be back in my good books.

"What do you already know first?" I asked trying to see if Jacob told them the right story.

"That you left with Bella and the psychic to stop Edward from getting himself killed. He thought Bella was dead." Jesse said through his teeth making me scowl.

"Don't start Jesse." I warned, my free hand turning into a fist as Dad motioned for Jesse to stop. "Is that it?" Everyone nodded so I continued. "When Edward learnt of Bella's death he didn't want to live in a world without her." Jared scoffed and I glared at him. "We had the opportunity to save him so we didn't think twice. He decided to go to the Volturi in order to get himself killed. But, because of his gift they refused him, wanting him to join them instead. He refused so decided he would provoke them into killing him by showing himself to the humans. We got there just before he could expose himself." I finished as the thoughts of if we didn't reach him in time rushed through my mind.

"Who are the Volturi?" Dad asked curiously, meeting Sam's eyes with worry.

"They are the largest and most powerful coven of vampires. They enforce all the laws vampires have to follow, there aren't many but there are consequences if you choose to forbid them. The majority of them all have abilities." I paused, looking at their faces before continuing, they were sensing a potential threat.  "Anyway we found Bella and Edward safe in each other's arms but they were talking to two members of the Volturi wanting Edward and Bella to come down and meet the rest of them. Edward refused to have Bella in a room full of human blood drinkers but a small girl named Jane appeared, and after that moment we had to do as she said immediately. I didn't realise why at first but I do now..."

Other than Victoria I had never wanted to kill another person, but other than every member of the Volturi I wanted her to die the most. I loved the fact that she couldn't hurt me but the smirk on her face when she hurt Edward made me want to tear her head off.

"Why? What's so special about her?" Sam asked.

"She's gifted. Like some sort of pain illusion. She can use it on you if she looks at you. She tried to use it on Bella but Edward tried to protect her and it got him instead. It's horrifying. She then proceeded to try and use it on Bella again but I tried to protect her as well. Turns out Bella and I are immune to all other vampire powers when I have my barrier up." I explained. I didn't even want to imagine the pain Edward went through, especially as I'm still half human. It would probably kill a full human.

"Did they find out you were half human?" Embry asked and I nodded.

"They hadn't noticed until I moved forward to help Edward." I couldn't tell them about my eyes. "Edward warned me that they wouldn't let me leave. They asked me how I was possible, if I told them about you guys you wouldn't have a chance. They'd kill the whole tribe." They all looked furious then. The fact that there was a more powerful force than them was a definite threat.

"What did you do?" Embry asked.

"I lied. Edward had told me about creatures called Children of the Moon. Real life werewolves. I guess I'm from wolf decent anyway but they seemed to believe me. These wolves aren't like you guys at all, not from what Edward showed me. These are the mythical, horror story type werewolves, the ones that change only on a full moon." I explained and they nodded in understanding. "But that didn't even work in the end as they were about to kill us." Everyone looked concerned or angry and I didn't understand why. They can obviously see that I'm here and alive and well, I just don't get it.

"Why didn't they?" Jared smirked but before I could react Jacob growled at him spitting a 'watch your mouth'.

"You know what Jared, they didn't kill me because Alice Cullen saved us all. If she didn't I wouldn't be here. I'm fed up with you treating them like they are the enemy. I'm part vampire, I am one of them, if you can accept me why can't you do the same for them? They are harmless, Victoria is the real enemy, put your focus on her." I snapped, shoving myself out of my chair and shaking off Jake's hand. I didn't want to spend another moment looking at their judgemental faces so I got myself out of there, speeding away and up to my bedroom.

* * *

I awoke quickly to the sound of my phone ringing loudly, my hands moving around the duvet frantically to find my phone and to shut the sound off before anyone woke up.

I eventually found it, my face contorting in confusion as I saw the caller ID was Bella. I answered it anyway. "Hello?"

"Hi, sorry for waking you but this is really important." She said urgently as I checked the time on my alarm clock, it was 3:24am.

"Why? What's wrong?" I asked as I switched on the lamp, my room lighting up.

"I need you to come to the Cullen house to help discuss something. It's really urgent." She sounded urgent as well.

"Okay I'll be there in about fifteen minutes." I said climbing out of bed. I never get a break.

"Thank you Ari, I'll see you soon." She said before hanging up.

I groaned quietly before undressing and slipping on fresh underwear, a pair of jeans, a shirt and a hoodie along with my converse. I was so not bothering with makeup so I just threw my hair up into a messy bun.

I opened my window, the cold breeze filling the room as I swung my legs over the edge before jumping down. This better be important, I think she forgets I need sleep too.

I got to the house quickly. A small smile spreading across my face as I looked at with all it's lights on and the fresh smell of all their scents surrounding it. They're home.

My smile widened when I saw Emmett run out the front door with a bright smile on his face, the rest of the family following, Edward and Bella hadn't arrived yet.

"Hey kiddo!" He beamed as he wrapped me up in a hug that made my feet leave the floor.

"Hey Emmett." I smiled hugging him back just as tight.

"Still as strong I see." He put me back down as he looked over me. Now that we were away from the airport we could be normal in each other's company.

"Yes but a lot has changed." That sentence held so many other meanings.

"Aria!" Next was Rose. She pulled me in for a hug. "I've missed you." I didn't get to see her at the airport, she was the most understanding towards my change and not wanting it.

"I missed you too." I bit the inside of my lip to stop myself from crying.

I got passed round to the rest of the family as they all told me how much they missed me. To be able to reunite properly after our brief meeting earlier on in the night.

"You're still wearing your contacts I see." Carlisle said as he pulled away from me. "Has nothing changed?" I shook my head.

"They are a fraction lighter than before but that's it. I also have a surprise." I said excitedly. "I can show you if you want."

"Okay." He smiled at me waiting for me to show him as I thought of a moment.

"Give me your hand." He held it out and I took it and allowed the memory to replay.

At the speed I was travelling I was still able to focus on everything I passed. I could see everything that was around me, sense when I would hit something in my path when it was still hundreds of metres in front of me. Everything was more brighter and vibrant, the green of the trees was just unfathomable.

I was closing in on Edward, impressed by my footing of being able to catch up with him, we must have been travelling over hundreds of miles per hour. We were approaching a clearing, the bright sunlight beaming through the trees was growing ever closer. Edward reached it first and I almost lost my footing as I watched his pale skin sparkle like diamonds as the sun hit him.

"What!" I spluttered, my eyes shifting to look at my own skin as I felt the heat from the sun hit it. Thankfully I didn't sparkle, but my skin seemed to have a golden glow appear as the light hit.

"Something else that's different!" Edward shouted over his shoulder, most likely laughing at my bewildered expression. "You're not very fast are you!" He teased and I rolled my eyes at him, his mocking make me push myself to increase my speed.

I got closer and closer to him and his face was a picture when I finally overtook him. "You're not very fast are you!" I mocked, using his words against him as I went harder, turning to look back over my shoulder to see him falling behind.

"That's magnificent!" He exclaimed as he pulled his hand away. "She just showed me her thoughts through physical contact." He explained to the others.

"Do you have any more gifts that you're hiding?" Jasper smirked and I shook my head.

"I don't think so." I smiled before shoving his shoulder.

"Guys Bella's here!" Alice said cheerfully as the sound of Edward and Bella's voices began to whisper through the trees.

"Let's wait for them inside." Carlisle suggested ushering us inside quickly and into the living room on the first floor.

We all stood waiting for them to ascend the stairs, Emmett stood beside me with his arm slung over my shoulder. When Bella rounded the corner as she left the stairwell her eyes widened in surprise when she saw us all ready and waiting for her.

"What can we do for you this morning? I imagine, due to the hour, that this is not a purely social visit?" Carlisle addressed with a smile.

Bella nodded as she stepped further into the room, Edward following her like a magnet. "I'd like to talk to everyone at once, if that's okay. About something important." Bella snuck a glance up at Edward then and I followed her eyes. His face was even yet his eyes held an anger that was reserved just for this situation.

"Of course." Carlisle said, shooting Esme a knowing look. "Why don't we talk in the other room?" Carlisle led the family through the long room towards the dining table, holding a chair out for Bella at the head.

Carlisle sat down on her right and Edward on her left, I took my seat beside Edward. Alice was grinning like a Cheshire cat, obviously already knowing why Bella decided to come here. With a swift barrier removal I was clued in too, this was a meeting concerning Bella's mortality. Emmett and Jasper looked curious and Rosalie was trying her best to be comfortable around Bella now.

Carlisle nodded towards Bella. "The floor is yours."

Bella visibly swallowed. "Well, I'm hoping Alice has already told you everything that happened in Volterra?"

"Everything." Alice confirmed brightly.

"And on the way?" Bella asked pointedly. Bella was referring to the very short conversation they exchanged on the plane on the way to Italy. Alice was contemplating changing Bella herself to get it over with.

"That too." She assured.

"Good, then we are on the same page." Bella sighed with slight relief. "So, I have a problem. Alice promised the Volturi that I would become one of you. They're going to send someone to check, and I'm sure that's a bad thing - something to avoid. And so, now, this involves you all. I'm sorry about that." She made sure to look at us all then, leaving Edward's scowling face for last. "But, if you don't want me, then I'm not going to force myself on you, whether Alice is willing or not."

Was she really going to ask us for our opinion on her becoming a vampire? Surely, it should be her decision only. Of course the family would want her but this was just silly, has she considered what she'd be leaving behind?

"You all know what I want." Bella continued hastily. "And I'm sure you know what Edward thinks, too. I think the only fair way to decide is to have a vote. If you decide you don't want me, then... I guess I'll go back to Italy alone. I can't have them coming here. Taking into account then, that I won't put any of you into danger either way, I want you to vote yes or no on the issue to me becoming a vampire." Bella half smiled then and gestured for Carlisle to go first.

"Just a minute!" Edward growled, stopping Carlisle before he could begin. Bella glared at Edward with narrowed eyes. "I have something to add before we vote." Bella sighed in defeat. "About the danger Bella's referring to, I don't think we need to be overly anxious. You see," he became slightly overexcited then. "There was more than one reason why I didn't want to shake Aro's hand at the end. There's something they didn't think of, and I didn't want to clue them in." He grinned enthusiastically.

"Which was?" I prodded, he was acting like a crazy person. He reminded me of a cartoon character.

"The Volturi are overconfident, and with good reason. When they decide to find someone, it's not really a problem. Do you remember Demetri? He finds people, that's his talent, why they keep him. Now, the whole time we were with them, I was picking their brains for anything that might help us. I saw how Demetri's talent works. He's a tracker, so much more powerful than James. His talent is minutely similar to mine, or Aria's or Aro's. He catches the... flavour, or understanding of someone's brain is the best way to describe it, but he follows that. It works over immense distances. But after Aro's little experiments..." Edward finished with a shrug.

"You think he won't be able to find me." Bella said flatly.

"Or Aria, I'm sure of it!" He smiled smugly. "He relies entirely on his gift, when it doesn't work with you, they'll all be blind."

"And how does that solve anything?" Bella asked.

"Quite obviously, Alice will be able to tell when they're planning a visit, and I'll hide you. They'll be helpless." He seemed deluded with his idea. "It will be like looking for a piece of straw in a haystack!"

Edward and Emmett then looked at each other and smirked.

"They can still find you though." Bella argued.

"And I can take care of myself." Edward shrugged unbothered.

Emmett laughed, and reached across the table to fist bump Edward. "Excellent plan, my brother." He said enthusiastically. Edward then reached across the table to reciprocate the fist bump.

"No," Rose hissed angrily.

"Absolutely not." Bella agreed.

"Nice." Jasper chorused in leading me to roll my eyes at my 'brothers' delusions.

"Idiots." Alice muttered. Esme just glared at the two of them.

"All right, then. Edward has offered an alternative for you to consider," Bella said calmly. "Let's vote." She looked to Edward first. "Do you want me to join your family?"

His expression was stern. "Not that way. You're staying human."

Bella nodded once, seemingly unaffected. "Alice?"

"Yes."

"Jasper?"

"Yes." I could only guess it was to do with not wanting to kill her all the time.

"Rosalie?"

She hesitated, biting hard on her bottom lip as she stared at the table. "No. I don't mean that I have an aversion to you as a sister. It's just that... this is not the life I would have chosen for myself. I wish there had been someone to vote no for me." She explained sullenly.

"I vote hell yeah." Emmett said grinning wildly. "We can pick a fight with this Demetri some other way."

Bella didn't look too pleased with that comment before she moved on to Esme. "I already consider you apart of the family. Yes." Esme smiled warmly.

"Aria?" Bella turned to me along with the rest of the family.

This was a difficult decision for me to make. On one hand I agreed with Rose, as a vampire I was leaving so many things behind. I didn't know if Bella wanted that or not but if changed she wouldn't even get the chance. On the other hand she needed to become one, the Volturi would come to check on her at some point and despite what Edward said she'd rather face them than hide. Also, if Bella did change I'd have a piece of my old life with me after we moved on and I loved the thought of that.

"I'd only want what's best for you. What's best for the both of you. I love you Bells but this is difficult for me to decide. I kind of agree with Rose, you'd be giving up so much." I sighed before meeting Bella's upset gaze. "I didn't get a choice... but if this is what you want I vote yes. Edward I'm sorry but you know deep down this is right."

Bella thanked me whilst I kept my eyes on Edward. He wouldn't meet my eyes, he was just staring at his clenched fists that rested on top of the table. I glanced back at Bella who was now waiting on Carlisle.

"Edward." He began.

"No." Edward growled, his eyes still fixed on his hands.

"It's the only way that make sense." Carlisle insisted and I agreed with him there. If Edward wanted Bella forever he needed to make that permanent. "You've chosen not to live without her, and that leaves me no choice."

Edward sprung back out of his seat and stomped out of the room. Snarling harsh comments under his breath towards the rest of us who has voted yes.

"I guess you know my vote." Carlisle sighed. 

"Thanks." Bella mumbled, it was obvious her thoughts were on Edward's angry departure.

A deafening crash echoed through the house from downstairs. I fought the urge to jump up from my seat to go observe but I knew that would be a mistake. 

"That's all I needed. Thank you. For wanting to keep me. I feel exactly the same way about all of you, too." Bella's voice wavered at the end with emotion.

Esme seemed to notice this too and was by Bella's side in seconds, her arms wrapped around her. "Dearest Bella."

Bella hugged her back tightly. "Well, Alice." Bella began once Esme and herself finished their embrace. "Where do you want to do this?"

Oh my. She wanted this right now?

Alice eyes widened in panic. The suddenness wasn't expected by her either.

"No! No! No!" Edward was back in the room suddenly, his voice bouncing off the walls as he stopped in front of Bella, leaning over her. "Are you insane?" He shouted. "Have you utterly lost your mind?"

Bella faltered, placing her hands over her ears to dull his accusations.

"Um, Bella?" Alice began, interrupting Edward. "I don't think I'm ready for that. I need to prepare..."

"You promised!" Bella reminded her stepping around Edward.

"I know, but... seriously Bella! I don't have any idea how not to kill you!" Alice complained, her eyes wide with worry.

"You can do it. I trust you." Bella thought she was encouraging but it was more like pressuring. This was a big deal.

Edward then snarled furiously causing Alice to shrink back, her face panicked as she shook her head.

"Carlisle?" Bella turned away from Edward to look at Carlisle.

Edward moved quickly, grabbing Bella's face and turning it forcefully to look at him whilst he held a palm out to Carlisle, telling him not to answer Bella.

Carlisle ignored him. "I'm able to do it." I looked frantically between Edward's grimacing face and Carlisle's certain one. "You would be in no danger of me losing control."

"Sounds good." Bella confirmed though Edward still had a hold of her.

"Hold on." Edward said between gritted teeth. "It doesn't have to be now."

I agreed with Edward with that one. Bella transforming was necessary of course but the sudden timing was just uncalled for.

"There's no reason for it not to be now." Bella protested, her face just as serious as Edward's staring back at her.

"I can think of a few." He responded, his hand loosening on her jaw.

"Of course you can." Bella said coldly. "Now let go of me." 

Edward released her face and folded his arms across his chest. "In about two hours, Charlie will be looking for you. I wouldn't put it past him to involve the police." Upon this realisation Bella's face fell, she obviously hadn't thought about the consequences of this decision. 

"In the interest of remaining inconspicuous," Edward began, still talking with a clenched jaw. "I suggest we put this conversation off, at least until Bella finishes high school and has moved out of Charlie's house." 

"That's a reasonable request, Bella." Carlisle pointed out. It seemed like the easier way to go.

Bella thought over it for a moment. As she began to consider this option you could see her understanding it more in her facial expression. "I'll consider it." 

Edward visibly relaxed, his arms unfolding and falling back to his sides. "I should probably take you home. Just in case Charlie wakes up early." 

Bella looked at Carlisle, slightly defeated. "After graduation?" 

"You have my word." He promised. 

Bella accepted his words as enough before turning towards Edward. "Okay, take me home." And then suddenly they were gone. 

Alice gasped loudly as if she has been holding her breath. The sudden noise all making us turn to look at her simultaneously. "I didn't realise she wanted it now." She said worriedly. "He's going to be so mad when he gets back." 

"We all knew she wanted it, just not right this moment, don't be so hard on yourself." Jasper comforted her, rubbing her back. 

"He's right." Esme added, smiling sympathetically. "Bella just got a little overexcited."

Carlisle and Esme then looked at each other with the same nervous expression, hell was waiting to erupt when Edward got back and he'd probably start with Alice, followed by Carlisle and anyone else who said yes. At least Rose was safe. I turned to look at her then, she was still sitting with her head down. She must feel guilty for denying Bella.

"Aria?" Carlisle called, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Maybe you better return home too. With the commotion that your absence has caused, finding you gone again this morning may not be the best thing." He suggested and I nodded knowing he was right.

"Well then, I'll see you guys soon." After a few goodbyes I was gone, running into the darkness and away from the glow of the Cullen house. The only thing on my mind now was to try and make it home without being detected by anyone. Who knew what abuse I'd receive for returning to the Cullens again.

The bubbling rush of the river began to weave through the trees again and I took a whiff of the air to ensure no wolves were lurking on the other side. There was the faintest hint of Jacob and Sam but it was old, a few hours or so, they'd definitely be long gone by now.

I leapt across, narrowly missing the mud on the bank of the river. The further I moved into the forest the harder the ground became, it was fairly warm despite being the end of March, I guess it hadn't rained in a while.

As I walked my mind became distracted, making the subject Bella and her decision again. Edward mentioning Charlie had thrown her, she was only thinking about the present and not the consequences her choice had created. Bella would have to fake her death, of course Uncle Charlie would want to see her body as well for proof. The Cullens would have to leave at the risk of Bella being seen and she definitely wouldn't want to be stuck in their house all day every day. 

She'd never be able to see her family again. Being human was a privilege, to be able to live and die and experience life with its limits. To have children and to grow old, she'd be giving that all up. How could she not think about that? 

In nine years' time, that would be me. Saying goodbye to everything. I understood she was doing it for love, but she hadn't thought about life after. It wasn't going to be as easy as she thinks it's going to be. 

"Aria?" The voice startled me, making me spin around ready to pounce. Jake stood there watching me, concerned, adorned in nothing but some cut off denims low on his hips revealing his marvellous torso. "Why are you crying?" I was crying? 

I reached up and touched my cheek, indeed feeling the wetness of falling tears. Had I really become that overwhelmed? This new life still had its obstacles, and it was going to take a while to get around and used to them. 

"It's nothing." I said quickly, wiping my face. "What are you doing out here... like that?" I said gesturing to his human form before folding my arms across my chest. I had been caught and worst of all by Jake, well maybe not worst but he was up there. 

His face flushed red with embarrassment. "I was kind of following you, I caught your scent out here at the end of my shift. I was curious... I thought you were leaving again." He said seriously and I looked at him in disbelief. 

"I was just visiting the Cullens." I explained, feeling my wall going back up. 

"Why? You've been with them for three days." He tried to keep his voice even, but I could see his bitterness trying to break through. 

"No." I needed to remain calm. "I've been with Bella and Alice for three days. I haven't seen the rest of the family in six months." 

Jacob's POV

She was guarded again. I hated that, but I could only blame myself. 

"You couldn't have waited until the morning?" I couldn't help the bitterness in my voice. Aria scowled at me then, she was becoming impatient as she tightened her arms around herself.  

I was still struggling to come to terms with the fact that Aria was one of them. A vampire. She just acted so normal, still looked normal, it was difficult to understand. She didn't set my body on edge like the others did, didn't send me halfway on my way to phasing. She smelt different to a human but was nowhere near as sweet as a vampire. 

The Cullens were something entirely different, the enemy. Aria was trying to dissolve the line that divided us, and it was just too hard to let go. It was all we knew; they were to blame for our own and Aria's transformation. The reason we were trying to capture the red head was because of them. They put Bella in danger. 

"It was important... I missed them. Bella missed them." Aria continued to explain though she didn't reveal much. 

Bella.

She ran back to them without a second thought, no goodbye, nothing. If they hadn't returned Bella was so close to becoming mine and finally forgetting them. If I kept fighting, then maybe she would see. She deserved someone real, someone that would value her life. 

"Jacob?" Aria was looking at me slightly confused. I hadn't said anything for a while. 

"Of course she did." I spat. It wasn't a shock, really. Despite the mad look on Aria's face at my response, she still looked breathtakingly beautiful. Made entirely for me. 

What was I doing? 

I was sure there was something wrong with me. I literally had the most perfect girl for me standing in front of me, but I couldn't help but let Bella slip back in. 

It was like there was a faulty switch in my brain I had no control over. I knew I should choose Aria; I knew before the imprint there was something between us, that I've always wanted her. 

Something was ticking at me though, telling me to reject the imprint because Aria was half vampire, and that it wasn't right. The human option was better. Whenever I saw Bella, or she was mentioned it was like the switch was flipped again and everything that fought for Aria was closed away again. But each time Aria fought her way back in the feelings were stronger.   

I asked Sam if he knew what it meant, not wanting to go to my dad or Robert. Dad was already disappointed in me for not being with Aria, 'imprints above all else' he had said but before I imprinted, he was ready to turn his back on her. Sam didn't understand how I was managing to stay away from my imprint. With Sam, he wanted Emily no matter what, despite breaking Leah's heart. He couldn't pretend with Leah. 

On some level I knew it wasn't real with Bella. It was just the wolf inside me telling me vampires were bad. That Bella was in danger with Edward and that Aria was one of them. 

"Look, Jake, what's going on?" Her tone was demanding but there was an exhaustion to it, not just because of her lack of sleep but because of me. 

"What do you mean?" I needed the explanation. 

She sighed heavily, dropping her folded arms and looking at me with an unsureness. "Like, you're giving me whiplash. I never know who or what you want. I know how you feel about her." She began, her voice wavering slightly. She moved away from standing beside me to take a seat on the forest floor, her back resting against an old fir tree. It was no secret how I felt for Bella, I had told Aria about my feelings long ago. "It was all you spoke about when you were still normal. She's in love with Edward. Surely you can see that it'll always be him she chooses. I know we have moments Jacob, but I can't be anyone's second choice."  

I let out a breath of air. Was she telling me she liked me? I thought she liked that asshole, Ryan. "How do you mean?" I asked as I took a seat beside her, resting back against the tree as well. 

"I want to be someone's first choice. I want to be wanted. We have had moments; you can't deny that." She looked at me then, her bright blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight. It literally made my heart skip a beat. I could just look at her all day. 

"Aria, you're my best friend." I began slowly and her face fell completely, hurt washing over her perfect features. "Wait, no, you're like-" 

"Please don't say sister." She cut me off quickly, holding a hand over her face, hiding her expression from me. 

"No. Not like a sister." I confirmed, this seemed to soothe her as she removed her hand so she could look at me again. "I was going to say you're so much more than just a best friend." 

She looked surprised by my words, she had obviously not expected that and that made me slightly sad. I watched her as she searched my face, waiting for me to continue and I couldn't help myself when the idea sprang to mind. 

I turned my body slightly to face her, her eyes darting across my movements in a slight unhuman fastness that I had never noticed before. It amazed yet terrified me. I reached forward, brushing the wisps of her dark brown, almost black hair behind her ear exposing her flawless face. 

"Jake." She breathed as she leant into my touch, the bolts of electricity shot through my arm that I felt when I touched her wrapped around my heart and sent it into a frenzy. 

"Shhh." 

Aria's POV

I was definitely dreaming. The whole vampire vote fiasco wasn't real, I was asleep, my imagination was running wild with no limits. There was no way Jake was leaning in to kiss me. 

His free hand wrapped itself around my waist, pulling my body closer to him. My breathing faltered as my heart fluttered, this was really happening. 

He leant in closer then, and slowly pressed his lips to mine. My heart became ecstatic as the electricity buzzed through my veins, the strongest connection to Jake I had ever felt. I was definitely dreaming, nothing in real life felt this good. 

He began to move his lips against mine and I reciprocated, shifting myself closer to place one hand on his jaw and the other on his bare chest over his heart. It was beating just as erratically as mine. 

His lips were like heaven to me... so plump and soft. There was me thinking that all this time he wanted Bella, but here he was kissing me. He had finally put me first, he was changing, proving himself to me after I admitted how I felt. 

The movement of his lips was slow and sensual, no denying it was my most romantic kiss ever, well the one that had meant the most. The way he led the kiss and caressed my side with his hand was sending my hormones into a frenzy. 

I became more confident within the kiss and moved so my body was pressed against his. I ran my hands through his hair, moving to hold the back of his head to bring his lips closer to mine. He groaned, approving of my actions before he squeezed my waist a little tighter, exciting me that little bit more. 

When the need for air became a little too much to ignore, I pulled away. We stared at each other, panting, as we looked over each other's faces wondering who would speak first. Instead, he cupped my cheeks in both his hands and pecked my lips once more. 

"I've always wondered what that would feel like." Jake said quietly as he brushed some of my hair behind my ear. These words surprised me, maybe he had come to his senses, that Bella wasn't meant for him, and I was. 

"Really?" I spluttered, my eyes widening. 

He laughed at my reaction. "Yeah. You're a good kisser by the way." He smirked leaning back against the tree trunk again. 

"Just good? I've been told I'm a great kisser." I teased and he raised an eyebrow at me. I didn't need to mention to him who had told me that. 

"Well, you are." He admitted, extending his arm out, inviting me to lean against his body and cuddle up to him. I moved over, laying my head against his shoulder and wrapping my arms around his warm torso. "Aria, can I ask you a question?" He became serious then and I tried to stop myself from tensing up. 

"Sure." 

"How do you feel about being a vampire?" That wasn't what I expected but, to be honest, I didn't know what I was expecting. 

I decided to be honest. "When you found me crying it was because of what I am. What I had to give up and will have to give up. All these changes have been difficult for me to cope with." There was no point mentioning Bella's involvement in this. It would just create unwanted tension. 

"So, you don't like it?" I noticed the hint of hopefulness in his question and it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't want to ruin the moment now. 

"Yes and no. It's a curse and a gift. I love being this powerful, to have my gifts. It's amazing what I can do now." I explained truthfully and he nodded once. 

"Do you remember when it happened?" He asked slowly and I nodded, flashbacks of her clamping her mouth over my wrist flooding my mind. 

"Yes." Like it was yesterday. 

"Did it hurt?" I could tell he was interested in this by the way his voice peaked. 

"The most painful experience I've ever had. She was playing with me, wanting to see what I was made of, to see how long it would take before I gave up." I began, looking up to Jake to see his eyebrows furrowed in anger. "I began to get so angry. I had never felt anger so strongly before. Then there was this heat inside, starting from my core and then rolling all over my body. I began to shake, and I didn't know how to stop it... Then she grabbed me. Everything I felt before disappeared and all that was left was pain. That's when I blacked out and the next thing I knew, I was at the Cullens'." 

He no longer looked furious like before but now somewhat appalled and confused. "Wow." 

"What?" 

"Before she bit you, the way you described it, sounds exactly like what we go through when we make the transition to phase." My face fell then. Was he saying that... 

"You think that..." I was so gobsmacked I couldn't even finish the sentence. 

"No." My stoic heart resumed beating. "Surely you would have phased before she bit you. Maybe it was just your body panicking." Hopefully that was the reasoning for it. I couldn't ever imagine being a wolf. Ever. Not that it mattered now. 

"You think so?" I needed to check. 

"You would have phased as soon as the anger hit you. The first time is very sudden. Trust me." He explained seriously and I nodded absorbing this new information. If I was to be a wolf, I would have changed long before Jake, or Embry, or Quil. I would've had to do to them what they did to me, I would've given in straight away. 

Suddenly tiredness overcame me, I hadn't slept properly in three days other than a few power naps on the plane. I didn't want to risk missing anything. 

I yawned as I struggled to keep my eyes open. "We should get you home. Robert will wake up soon and worry if he finds you gone." I couldn't help but let out a little laugh then, almost Edward's exact wording to Bella. The men in my life worry too much. 

"It's funny, you sound just like — never mind." Best to not compare the two of them.  

"Alright?" Jake looked at me weirdly before moving to sit up, but I reached my hand out in a flash, holding his chest down so he stayed propped up against the tree. 

"Can we stay here for a little longer? I don't want to go back yet." I couldn't leave this moment just yet. Back home there was seriousness waiting for me, but here, here I could be completely normal with Jake. Just like old times, of course minus the kissing. 

"Sure, but only for a little longer." He smiled down at me before hugging me into his side again. Moments like this were all that I wanted from him. This one would definitely be something I would treasure forever.