Chapter 20: The Final Hunt
The moon shone overhead as the wind whistled over the cliff.
Ethan was in his wolf form his dark fur blowing in the sea breeze. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, his mind occupied with one thought: James had escaped. Sam was next to him, waiting for orders.
Sam, go to the Cullens and tell them. "James managed to escape, but he's hurt," Ethan said in a deep voice, still transformed. We don't know where he is, but I suspect he'll go after Bella. Let them be ready.
Sam nodded, and without saying a word she set off in search of the Cullens
In Phoenix, Alice opened her eyes wide as a vision invaded her. She saw James in a building full of mirrors, the place bathing by the glow of lights. Alice's hands quickly drew the image of her, tracing the contours of the place seen in her mind. Bella, who was sitting near her, looked at the drawing and immediately felt a chill run down her spine
"I know that place," she said, her voice trembling. It's the ballet school where she took classes when she was a child
Before Bella could fully process the information, the phone rang. Edward was on the other end of the line.
"Bella, don't worry," Edward said in a soft but tense voice. James escaped, but we'll catch him before he gets to you. Stay safe
The conversation was cut off, Bella tried to calm her breathing. However, shortly after, her phone rang again, this time with her mother's house number, when she answered it was not her mother's voice that she heard but James's.
—Hello, Bella James' voice rang in her ears, each word laced with malice. I have your mother. If you want to see her alive, come to the ballet school alone.
Panic overwhelmed Bella. She knew she couldn't risk losing her mother. She waited for the moment when Alice, Edythe and Jasper would distract us, and taking advantage of her opportunity, she escaped from the house without anyone noticing
The air was tense when Bella arrived at the ballet school. She knew it was a trap, but the fear of losing her mother had brought her there, she opened the doors of the building and entered. When she took a few steps towards her center, a blow from her sent her rolling on the floor.
"Look who's here," James said, with a crooked smile. I was going to do this quickly, but after what your boyfriend and those dogs did to me...—James raised his amputated arm—...I've decided I'll enjoy torturing you. Bella, in the midst of her pain, did not register any of the words James said.
With dizzying speed, James hit her, making her collide with one of the mirrors in her room, one of which stuck in Bella's leg. . Then he grabbed her arm and bit her but before she said this is why they took me away
Before he could end Bella's life, a roar sounded throughout the building. Edward's figure lunged at James with furious force, throwing himself against one of the walls. The fight was fast and brutal. James, weakened by the loss of his arm, could not match Edward's speed and reflexes. Every blow that Edward delivered brought him closer to victory.
In the middle of the battle, Edythe, Alice and Jasper arrived. They joined Edward in combat, dismembering James mercilessly. Jasper was the first to collect the parts of him while Edythe started a fire, throwing the hunter's remains into the flames.
Bella, weak and injured, treated at the scene by Carlisle as the wound on her leg caused her to lose blood
Carlisle, with concern, looked at the bite on Bella's wrist.
Edward, the poison....— Carlisle warned, but Edward already knew.
Desperately, Edward began to suck the poison from the wound, fighting every instinct that told him to keep drinking. Bella felt his breath on her skin before falling into a deep sleep, the pain finally fading
Days later, Bella woke up in the Forks hospital, surrounded by the sound of machines monitoring her. recovery of it. Edward was next to her, with a worried expression.
"You're safe now, I'm sorry this is my fault," Edward told her, gently combing her hair.
Bella, still in pain, looked at Edward with determination.
No, I made the decisions too, Edward...
After a few days after Bella was released from the hospital, the prom came, and despite the injury leg, Bella decided to attend with Edward. The two of them sharing a romantic moment under the dim lights of the dance floor.
"I don't want to lose you," Bella said, whispering as she looked Edward in the eyes.
"You never will," Edward replied, moving closer. at her.
From afar, Victoria, her eyes filled with tears of rage and promises of revenge, watched from a distance, preparing for her next move.
While all this was happening, in the forests of Forks another scene was unfolding.
Under the starry sky, Ethan was waiting next to a small clearing, dressed in an elegant dark suit that contrasted with the rustic atmosphere of the forest. Rosalie arrived quietly, surprised to see him dressed like this. Ethan gave her a warm smile and, holding her hand, said:
— I know your school has a dance tonight, since we can't go together, I thought it would be great to at least have our own dance here.
Rosalie couldn't help but smile as her eyes sparkled with excitement. Without another word, Ethan took out a small radio that he had brought with him and played a slow, romantic song. The melody filled the air, soft and delicate, as the two approached and began to dance.
Their bodies moved in perfect synchrony, the world around them disappearing as it gently spun in the clearing. The sound of the wind and leaves accompanied the music, making the moment seem even more intimate.
"Thank you for this," Rosalie whispered, her eyes fixed on Ethan's.
—Thank you for be here," Ethan responded, pulling her closer to him.
The song continued playing in the background as Ethan leaned his head towards Rosalie's. With an almost ethereal softness, his lips met in a slow kiss full of feelings. The forest seemed to stop as if respecting that moment of pure connection between them.
And so, as the dance continued at the school, in the heart of the forest, Ethan and Rosalie shared their own special moment, one that would be etched in their memories forever.