I stared up at the nearly empty Cullen house. It was like my brain had wired itself to absorb everything as if it was the last time I was going to see it and it was driving me insane. I didn't want to think about dying, why I couldn't I be as confident as everyone else?

"What are you doing out here?" Edward's voice called from the porch steps and I moved my eyes from looking at my bedroom window to him.

"Just looking." I shrugged nonchalantly. He didn't buy it.

"Aria," He began but I shook my head as I started towards him.

"Yes, everything will be fine." I finished for him as I stomped past him up the stairs.

"Everyone is out hunting still, they should be back soon. Bella is upstairs getting changed." He explained as I stalked past him.

"Well I'll be up in my room until then." I announced, my brain already wanting to take a mental picture of my beautiful Cullen bedroom.

"Alrighty then." Edward shoved his hands into his pockets, silently agreeing to let me be for the next few hours, he was probably going to let Bella know that too.

The clouds were looming darkly leaving hardly any natural light to fill my room and bounce off of the mirrors. I threw myself onto my bed and gathered up my quilt around me, breathing it in. Stranely it smelt of Esme and that comforted me greatly, once this was all over and done with and if we actually win this tomorrow I needed a supernatural mother-daughter talk. Some boy advice would be helpful.

An hour or two passed before Alice burst into my room all smiles and humming to herself. "What are you so happy about?" I mumbled into my pillow as my face was stuffed into it.

"You shall find out soon enough." She beamed at me, her bright white teeth on show. "Now let's get you packed. I think there's a storm coming and even you will be cold tonight." She skipped around my bed towards the closet door behind me.

"I thought I wasn't going until this evening?" I asked, slowly sitting up from the bed to follow her.

"Change of plans." She began as she pulled out a small backpack from one of the bag compartments. "Carlisle and Esme would prefer it if you weren't out travelling alone. I can't see you properly anymore since you let the dog back in." I groaned irritably as I sunk down on the small, plush couch in the middle of the room.

"Really?" I asked exasperatedly. Why does he have to ruin everything?

"Yup. It sucks." She stuffed a woolly beanie hat and some gloves into the bag rather aggressively.

"I kissed him last night." I admitted and she froze before her golden eyes shot to me.

"You what!" She hissed, placing her hands on her hips ready to scold me. She was the furthest thing from intimidating but I let her be.

I sat up and propped myself up on one elbow. "It was a goodbye kiss!" I said trying to defend myself. "Like I know it was a stupid idea but just the thought of possibly not seeing him ever again ran through my mind. And," I added quickly, "what if one of us dies tomorrow, we needed that possible last kiss!"

Then it dawned on me and my mouth fell open into a sort of 'O' shape.

"Damnit!" I hissed, punching a fist into one of the couch cushions. "I'm going to see him in a few hours!" I buried my face back into couch completely humiliated.

"Oh, sweetie." Her voice seemed closer and when I felt her place her cold hand against my back I knew she was beside me. "I get it I really do. I can't empathise with you because I've never been in this situation, I had Jasper and that was that." I turned my face to send her daggers. "But I can sympathise. You're torn between wanting him and knowing what's right. I wish I could help you I really do. Or at least see when the mutt straightens himself out." She grimaced, still agitated by her lack of seeing the pack.

"I know. It's just so frustrating." I sighed, breathing out heavily. "If I had known I was going to see him today I wouldn't have done it."

"That doesn't mean you wouldn't have done it today, though." She said knowingly and I groaned again. Now that I had done it all ready I'm not going to do it again.

"It's going to be so awkward." I complained, rolling onto my side again to look at her.

"So?" She stated crossly. "He's the one that's got to make it up to you. He's played games with you so you make life a little harder for him." She smiled at her plan.

"I guess I can do that." I said approvingly.

"No. You will!" She preached before standing and twirled her way back to packing my bag. I liked Alice's advice, maybe I wouldn't have to talk to Esme after all.

She finished packing my overnight bag quickly and left my room taking the backpack with her. I was to meet her downstairs when I was ready but I had something I had to do first.

Once I was sure the rest of the family were downstairs I went back into my main bedroom and kneeled down beside my bed. I reached into the open space underneath, blindly searching for the little brown envelope I had taped to the bottom of the bed.

My fingers latched onto the paper and I ripped it down from its hiding space and brought it out from under the bed and into the light. I had stashed it under my bed months ago after Carlisle had given it back to me and had completely forgotten about it until this morning.

I opened the envelope and emptied the contents out into my hand. The small white jagged piece of rock rolled out onto my skin and began to sparkle in the afternoon light that shone into my room. The piece of Victoria's neck I had chipped off in our last fight, the morning after we returned from Italy.

I didn't know why I hadn't destroyed it yet, but something told me Victoria might show up tomorrow and I knew I needed that little piece of her with me. No matter who won tomorrow, this little piece of her was going to burn, whether it be me throwing it into the fire or a newborn throwing my own body into the flames. If we didn't get the chance to destroy her after tomorrow I wanted to take something else from her that she could never get back. Just like how she took my human life from me.

* * *

My farewell to the family was quick as I would be seeing them tomorrow before the battle would begin. We took the long way to the clearing, with Edward carrying Bella in his arms, ensuring that Bella's scent would be nowhere near the trail Jacob was going to take with her later. We stopped at the farthest end of the cleaning and he set Bella on her feet.

"All right. Just walk north for a while, touching as much as you can. Alice gave me a clear picture of their path, and it won't take long for us to intersect it."

"North?" Bella asked cluelessly. He smiled and pointed out the right direction.

Bella wandered into the woods, leaving Edward and I for a moment.

"I'll wait here." I said quietly and he nodded once before he disappeared into the trees as well.

The sky was mostly clear, though the wind whipped furiously through the open meadow. In the trees it seemed calmer, but much too cold for June. I could feel the goosebumps surfacing through my long sleeved T-shirt and hoodie and me being cold definitely wasn't a good sign.

The chipped part of Victoria's neck weighed heavily inside my jeans pocket as I thought about the outcomes of tomorrow. I was going to have to tell Edward about my little souvenir. Another family member had to know about it in case the rest survived and I perished.

"Ouch! Oh, fabulous," Bella's voice startled me as she began complaining somewhere from amongst the trees.

"Are you all right?" I heard Edward call to her.

"I'm fine. Stay where you are. I'm bleeding. It will stop in a minute." She said to him earnestly.

"Is everything okay?" I called in their general direction as the smell of Bella's blood began to fill my nose. It was sweeter than any other blood that I smelled but it still didn't appeal to me. "Do you need some help?"

"Everything's fine." Edward said evenly, even though he was talking in a normal conversational tone I could still hear him just fine.

I waited patiently in silence for a few more minutes before Jacob's scent began to swirl into the clearing with the wind. Cue the awkwardness.

He caught sight of me quickly, a brilliant smile on his face. I inwardly cringed. This is what I didn't want.

"Hey." He didn't give me a chance to object as he embraced me tightly. "I'm sorry about leaving so quickly last night."

I gave him I tight lipped smile. "It's fine, really. I know you had orders and priorities." His happiness faltered for a moment and before he could start firing questions Bella and Edward came back into the clearing.

Brooding, angry Jacob replaced the happy one as he folded his arms across his chest, waiting for the couple to join us.

"Hey, Jake," Bells greeted him when they got closer.

"Hi, Bella." His tone was even.

"Hello, Jacob," Edward said.

Jacob ignored the pleasantry, all business. "Where do I take her?"

Edward pulled a map from a side pocket on his backpack and offered it to him. Jacob unfolded it.

"We're here now," Edward said, reaching over to touch the right spot. Jacob recoiled from his hand automatically, and then steadied himself. Edward pretended not to notice. "And you're taking her up here," Edward continued, tracing a serpentine pattern around the elevation lines on the paper. "Roughly nine miles."

Jacob nodded once.

"When you're about a mile away, you should cross my path. That will lead you in. Do you need the map?"

"No, thanks. I know this area pretty well. I think I know where I'm going." I internally rolled my eyes, why did he always have to act so overly confident around vampires.

"Aria and I will take a longer route," Edward said and Jacob's intense eyes flickered to me. "And we'll see you in a few hours."

Edward stared at Bella unhappily whilst I kept my eyes trained to the floor afraid to meet Jake's.

"See you," Bella murmured.

Edward nodded at me then and I knew it was time to leave. I looked at Bella and Jacob once more before nodding back at Edward and then in a split second we were gone.

*  *  *

Edward and I had made it up the mountain in less than ten minutes. Then it took us another ten minutes to pitch the tent that Bella and I would be sleeping in tonight. It frightened me a little that we had to practically weld it into the rock face. I guess Edward was expecting some strong winds.

After that all we could do was wait. We took a seat on the cliff's edge, our legs dangling over the side. We mostly sat in silence, giving each other the space we needed to become mentally prepared for what was to happen tomorrow. Then I remembered I needed to tell him something.

"Edward-"

"Aria, I never thanked you." He began uneasily, his eyes leaving the horizon to look at my face.

"For what?" I asked, utterly confused. I shifted to look at Edward easier, bringing my legs up and over the ledge to cross them beneath me.

"For being such an extraordinary sister." He complimented and then suddenly I became overwhelmed with emotion. "Your resilience is remarkable. The way you have gotten through every obstacle that has been thrown at you this year, I know for certain many of us would not have been able to cope with that. You are truly amazing." He smiled warmly at me as I refrained from allowing myself to cry. "Your strength has really helped and it means so much to the family that you're helping with this task tomorrow." He made the battle sound so causal.

"Edward," I sighed. "I wouldn't have the strength to carry on if it wasn't for your family. If I had been bitten whilst you were gone I couldn't even begin to fathom how my life would have turned out to be." His smile faltered for a second I guess it was due to the thought of leaving me behind when my own family didn't want me. "I'm so happy I've been accepted as one of your own and I couldn't think of a better group of people to spend eternity with." I said honestly and his smile returned.

"It really means a lot." He said but then his smile grew into a smirk. "But don't think you're surpassing me as Esme's favourite. That title is mine." He grinned.

"Oh, please! I took that from you the moment she found out I still needed to be cooked food. I'm her baby." I teased and he scowled playfully at me. We laughed for a moment but I knew things had to become serious. "Edward there's something I need to tell you." By the way the lightness left my voice he could sense this was not going to be a light-hearted topic. "Do you remember the fight I had with Victoria the day after we got back from Italy?"

"I do. Very clearly. Why?" He said sternly, his expression hard.

"Well," I began, reaching into my jeans pocket for the ice cold shard of skin that I had concealed there. "I took this from her." I continued holding my hand out for Edward to have a look. "It's from her neck." I clarified as he took it from my hand to examine it himself.

"Why have you brought this here?" He asked with uncertainty, handing the icy stone back to me.

"I know you've had this discussion with Bella, and I feel the same way too. Whether she is involved or not I think Victoria will make an appearance tomorrow. And this piece of her needs to burn. If I don't get through tomorrow someone needs to ensure it burns for me. She took my life from me so I want to make sure I take something from her. Permanently." I said harshly as I glowered at the small chunk of our enemy.

"You shouldn't think like this. But I promise, no matter what, that this piece will burn tomorrow." He said seriously, clasping my hand in his.

"Thank you." I said softly before I shoved the piece of Victoria back into my pocket.

We waited another fifteen minutes before Jake and Bella's scents wafted through the air, both of us standing from our seats on the cliffs edge to meet them. Even though the sun was still out along the horizon, the dark, purple clouds had surged above us and were releasing their first flurries of snow.

"Bella!" Edward called out in relief. Jacob wouldn't have let any harm come to her, Edward knew that.

Edward blurred to her side as Jacob set her down, he stepped away from Edward quickly as he moved to embrace Bella. "Thank you," Edward said sincerely. "That was quicker than I expected, and I truly appreciate it."

I stayed put on cliff's edge, fighting against the wind as it threatened to topple me over down into the forest below. It allowed me to concentrate on something other than Jacob's confused and slightly pissed off expression.

"Get her inside. This is going to be bad — my hair's standing up on my scalp. Is that tent secure?" Jake said abruptly.

"We all but welded it to the rock." Edward informed him, motioning back to me as Jacob's eyes settled on me again. A shiver ran down my spine as the wind picked up, blowing a handful of snowflakes into my face.

"Good." Jacob looked up at the sky — now black with the storm, sprinkled with the swirling bits of snow. His nostrils flared. "I'm going to change," he said. "I want to know what's going on back home. Aria," he began and my eyes shot down to him. "You better be inside that tent as well by the time I get back." He ordered and I suddenly felt enraged. Who was he to give me orders?

"You're staying?" I asked slightly bitterly, I couldn't get too annoyed with him, it was my fault he was in a mood.

"To keep you updated with what's going on. I'll be travelling down with you in morning." He explained dryly. I guess he was once excited by that prospect but my cold addressing of him earlier changed his mood.

"Oh, alright then." I didn't really know what else to say so I turned with determination not to look back at him and climbed into the tent.

* * *

As soon as night fell the temperature dropped way lower than expected. Bella and I were huddled together in our double sleeping bag trying to gain some heat from each other but that plan was failing. It was so cold that even my high body temperature wasn't doing anything for us and soon enough the both of us were shivering and probably going into the first stages of hypothermia.

Jacob was asleep outside in wolf form, probably in a deep sleep because of his ability to adapt to cold weather. The only thing probably keeping him awake, if he was awake, was the howling of the wind.

"W-w-w-w-w-what t-t-t-t-time is it?" Bella's teeth chattered as she forced herself to speak the words.

"Two," Edward answered uneasily, he had pressed himself into the furthest corner of the tent, afraid his cold body temperature would make it worse for us. He kept his head down in the shadows that the small lamp couldn't reach, hiding worry, pain and frustration on his face. "Maybe..."

"No, it's f-f-f-f-fine, r-r-r-r-really. I don't w-w-w-w-want to g-go outside." Bella insisted between her chattering teeth and whimpers. Edward had already tried to convince us that we should move camp to a site lower down the mountain, but Bella and I were dreading the thought of taking one step outside the tent. If it was freezing in here it would be deadly out there.

"What can I do?" He begged me now, his voice wavering. A low whine came from Jacob in his wolf form outside and I rolled my eyes.

"G-g-get out of h-h-here." Bella said, directing it to Jacob outside the tent.

"He's just worried about the both of you." Edward translated and I huffed. "He's fine. His body is equipped to deal with this." Edward further explained for Bella. Jacob whined again, slightly more higher pitched, like the sound a crying dog makes. "What do you want me to do?" Edward growled. "Carry her through that? And what about Aria... oh I'm sure she'd love that idea." Edward said sarcastically and debated the thought. At least Jacob would be warm. "Make yourself useful, why don't you go fetch a space heater or something?"

"We're ok-k-k-k-k-kay." Bella protested but judging from Edward's groan and the soft growl outside the tent, she hadn't convinced anyone.

Another powerful jolt from the wind sent the tent into a shaking frenzy again and Bella and I along with it. We huddled closer together again.

A sudden howl ripped through the roar of the wind and Bella covered her ears against the noise. Edward scowled. "That was hardly necessary," Edward muttered. "And that's the worst idea I've ever heard." He called out more loudly.

"Better than anything you've come up with." Hearing Jacob's voice startled the both of us as we clung to each other. "Go fetch a space heater," he grumbled, mimicking Edward. "I'm not a St. Bernard." I thought the urge to smile.

The sound of the zipper around the tent door was being pulled down and then Jacob slid through the smallest opening he could manage, while the cold air from outside fought to try and find its way in. A few flecks of snow fell to the floor of the tent and Bella and I held onto to each other as we shivered. I could feel the heat radiating from Jacob's body and it took everything in me to not crawl into his lap. If anyone needed heat it was Bella.

"I don't like this," Edward hissed as Jake zipped the tent door back up.

"You said they needed a space heater, and here I am." Jacob held his arms as wide as the tent would allow him, my eyes almost bulged out of my head when I realised what his intention was. He was clad in just a pair of grey sweats, no shirt and no shoes, his body temperature was ludicrous.

"J-J-J-J-Jake, you'll f-f-f-f-freeze," Bella complained as she tried to turn her head to look at him.

"Not me," he said cheerfully. "I run at a toasty one-oh-eight point nine these days. I'll have you both sweating in no time." I was sure my eyes had fallen out of my sockets now. He could not be serious.

Edward snarled, but Jake didn't even look at him. Instead, he crawled to Bella and I's side and began to unzip our sleeping bag. Edward's hand was suddenly hard on his shoulder, restraining Jacob, his pale white hand against Jacob's russet skin. Jacob's jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring, his body recoiling from the cold touch. The long muscles in his arms flexed automatically. "Get your hand off me," he growled through his teeth.

"Keep your hands off her." Edward snarled back.

"Don't fight." I warned, glaring harshly at the both of them.

"I'm sure they'll thank you for this when their toes turn black and drop off." Jacob snapped. I was sure that wouldn't happen to me, but Bella on the other hand...

Edward hesitated, then his hand fell away and he slid back to his position in the shadowy corner. His voice was flat and menacing. "Watch yourself."

Jacob chuckled and this hurt me. Was he really that excited about warming Bella up?

He moved toward us again. "Scoot over Bella." He said, zipping the sleeping bag open further.

Bella stared at him in outrage as he leaned over her. "N-n-n-n-n," She tried to protest but Jacob just rolled his eyes.

"Don't be stupid," he said exasperated. "Don't you like having ten toes?" He flipped the sleeping bag open then and carefully climbed over the top of her and squished himself between Bella and I. Even though I was immediately thankful for the heat I felt constricted. He zipped the bag back up after himself.

"Wow, you're freezing, Bella. Relax, you'll warm up soon." He said softly and I grimaced.

An overwhelming emotion of outrage and jealousy swelled through my body as Jacob wrapped an arm around the both of us and Bella quickly cuddled herself into his side. I could feel a snarl looming deep in my chest but Jacob's hand on my shoulder silenced me. I knew Bella needed this but she could have been a little more blasé about it. I was furious and there was no doubt this was hurting Edward.

I turned onto my side, facing away from Jacob, to look at the wall of the tent. I didn't want to see Bella cuddling into Jacob like that. Not ever. I squeezed my eyes shut trying to let sleep take over me since I was now warming up.

"Seth is here," Edward muttered to Jacob and I suddenly realised why he had howled.

"Perfect. Now you can keep and eye on everything else why I look after your girlfriend and friend for you." Jacob jibed and I groaned.

"Sister." Edward corrected and I smiled into the sleeping bag. If Jacob wanted to play games so could Edward.

"What?" Jacob asked harshly.

"Aria is my sister." Edward clarified and a growl rumbled in Jacob's chest. I just hoped Edward was grinning satisfyingly.

"Stop it," Bella muttered, her voice fading out slightly as sleep suddenly claimed me.

*  *  *

Brilliant white, yellowy light illuminated the tent signalling the start of a new day. It was warm, too warm, and with the sun casting a glow against the synthetic wall I felt like I was in a sauna. I blinked my eyes open and tried to move but I was constricted, I looked down to see Jake's thick and muscular arms wrapped around me, and when I paid more attention to my surroundings I could feel his breath hitting the top of my head.

I could hear two other sets of breathing letting me know Edward and Bella were still in the tent, Bella's soft, rhythmic breathing told me she was still asleep. "Jacob." I whispered, wanting to get out of his hold. He remained unresponsive. "Jake!" I urged again but got nothing. Today was not the day to delay me.

"Would you like some help?" I heard Edward chuckle behind the mountain of Jake.

"Yes please." I felt so small trapped in Jacob's arms.

Edward unzipped the sleeping bag quickly, grabbing Bella in a split second, cradling her to his chest as Jacob fell out, his bare back hitting the icy floor of the tent. "Hey!" He complained, his eyes flying open. Instinctively, he flinched away from the cold, rolling onto me. I gasped as his weight knocked the breath out of me.

And then his weight was gone. I felt the impact as Jacob flew into one of the tent poles and the tent shuddered startling Bella awake.

The growling erupted from all around. Edward had placed Bella behind him and was crouched in front of her, the snarls rippling angrily from his chest. Jacob was half-crouched too, his whole body shaking while growls rumbled through his clenched teeth. From outside the tent, Seth's vicious snarls echoed off the rocks.

I clambered up and out of the sleeping bag quickly, placing hand on both of their chests to calm them. "Enough!" I hissed. Under my touch Jacob began to instantly calm down. The shaking stopped but the glower on his face didn't let up. "You started that." I pointed at Edward not impressed.

His eyes widened at the accusation. "He was crushing you!"

"Only because you dumped him on the floor! Besides, it's not like he could suffocate me is it. Apologise, that wasn't necessary. We shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves. Not today at least." God, I sounded like my dad.

Edward groaned, he looked up at Jacob with a hostile glare. "My apologies, dog."

"No harm done," Jacob said, a taunting edge to his voice. "I'm going to go talk to Sam." He rolled onto his knees and reached for the tent's zipper. "I'll meet you outside." He said to me and then he was gone.

"How much longer?" Bella asked looking up at Edward worryingly.

"Alice told Sam it should be an hour or so." Edward said softly. "Aria I'll let you get ready." He placed a sweet kiss to Bella's forehead and then swiftly exited the tent.

I grabbed the backpack that Alice packed for me and started pulling the clothes out that she organised for me. I was not surprised to find that they are all black, of course she'd want us fighting in style. She given me black, slightly ripped jeans, a grey tank top and a black zip up hoodie with black timberland boots. There's no doubt I'll be matching the rest of the family.

Bella watched me get ready in silence, her face showing nothing but panic. "Just please stay safe." She begged.

"I'll try my best." I promised her, but her prominent emotion didn't change.

When I finished getting dressed, I began to braid my hair so it was out of my face. "Aria?" Bella's voice now shook with a new emotion.

"Yes?" I asked, now curious as I couldn't decipher what was running through her mind.

"I need to tell you something. Something about Jacob..." She was hesitating but Edward got to her before she could finish her confession.

"Bella, can you come here?" Edward called quickly and the two of us furrowed our brows.

"You can tell me tonight." I gave her hand a quick squeeze before I let her go too.

I sat alone, collecting my thoughts to try and mentally prepare myself for what was coming in less than an hour. Jasper was sure I was strong enough and skilled enough and with my ability nothing would take me down. That gave me a surge of confidence.

The family was strong, there was seven of us fighting and along with the eight wolves we could easily take down twenty-odd vampires now that I wrapped my head around it. We could do this.

I didn't want to cut time too short so I decided it was time to leave the tent, though I was surprised to see only Edward and Seth in the clearing. The ground was covered in a thin layer of snow, I expected that most of it had been blown away by the strength of the wind. It was still cold but nothing like the night before, my above average body temperature could deal with this.

"Hey Edward, where's Bella and Jake?" I asked him, my feet making crunching noises in the fresh snow,  breaking the silence. Edward didn't answer me, he seemed to be distracted. His mind elsewhere. "Edward." I touched his arm and he jumped. Something must definitely be distracting him.

"Huh?" He hesitantly looked down at me and spread a fake smile across his face, trying to hide the sadness that was there seconds before.

"Where's Jacob and Bella?" I asked again, worry lacing my tone. Were they hurt? Surely not otherwise Edward would be right by Bella's side.

"Don't worry about it." He said quickly and then I knew something was definitely going on.

"Edward, tell me or I shall go find out myself." I warned him and he looked torn between what to do.

"Just stay here." His uneven tone told me to do the exact opposite and I dropped my barrier, following Jake's thoughts and both of their scents until I could locate them.

It was a blurry image at first due to my distance but it soon became clear that I was watching a distraught Bella through Jacob's eyes. She seemed to be rambling, afraid to meet his eyes as he urged her to hurry up with what she was trying to say so he could get back to me. Then I was close enough to hear them properly.

"Jake, this is hard for me to admit. Knowing that you're going down there into a warzone I've run out of time... I think I love you." She confessed and it felt like the breath had been knocked out of my lungs as I continued to stagger towards them. Jacob's mind was blank as she stared at him waiting for an answer. What was she expecting?

I reached the small clearing on the mountain top where they were stood together. How could she do this to me, knowing what I felt for him? Or did feel for him? Never mind.

"Bella, I—" She cut him off.

"I need to do this." She said quickly before she flung herself forward, using his shoulders as leverage as she pressed her lips to his. Jacob shoved her off of him harshly and took a few steps back, turning away from her until he stopped abruptly, his eyes finding me hidden in the trees.

Rage.

Anger.

Jealousy.

Betrayal.

How dare she?

What had he done to lead her to do something like that? Surely she couldn't have just suddenly thought that he wanted her to tell him these feelings. There had to be something leading up to this. I took a step back further into the trees.

"Aria, wait." Jacob said cautiously. I took another step back. Bella gasped when she realised I was there too. She looked guilty but I felt nothing but burning hatred towards her. Was this what she wanted to tell me in the tent?! "Aria, please." The angry tears burned my eyes as I shook my head. I took another step back. I looked at Jacob as he stepped forward again. "Please let me explain. Ari you have to let me explain." He said pulling on his hair. I didn't need this now, the battle was about to start.

"No." I spat looking between the two of them.

I glanced at Bella, her hand cupping her mouth with her cheeks flushed red and I couldn't tell whether she was blushing or embarrassed. A snarl rumbled from deep within me and she flinched. I'd never hurt her... but I wanted to.

"I have to go." I said through gritted teeth and turned swiftly into the darkness of the trees with the embarrassed look on Bella's face swirling around my brain.