Chapter 8:
Catastrophic News

Her ringtone had to have gone off at least five times in three minutes. The sixth time it rang, a string of groans emitted from Jacob's throat. Hunter wiped away her eye crust before she peeled them open. They were back in Jacob's room and it had to be at least ten o'clock in the morning.

She rolled over and found his bare back facing her. Last night was a blur. She remembered falling asleep out in the grass but here she was, in a pair of oversized sweatpants and t-shirt. They hooked up. Normally she wouldn't think anything of it but she couldn't help but feel a bit worried. It was a one time thing and she hoped Jacob knew that.

The phone rang again. "Answer it." Jacob groaned, shoving his head beneath a pillow. Hunter climbed over him and snatched her phone off the dresser, "Hello?" She asked, her voice raspy.

   "Why haven't you answered or called me back? It's been like, two days." Bella's voice filled her ears and it wasn't her happy voice. Hunter sluggishly climbed back into Jacob's bed, her legs too weak to stay standing.

   "Sorry, I've been busy and it's only been one day." She mumbled. She knew that response wouldn't settle well with Bella but she didn't care as of now. She was too tired and worn out. "You're so lucky I don't have the strength to ring your neck." Bella hissed.

Hunter bit back an amused smile, "I'm fine so you guys can relax and stay on your honeymoon." There was silence for a few moments, followed by shuffling. Jacob turned onto his back and kept his eyes closed, listening in on the conversation.

   "Yeah about that, we're already back in Forks. Our flight had no layovers luckily, so." Hunter stared at the ceiling in horror. Her eye twitched and she sucked in a deep breath, "That's great! I'm glad you guys had a safe trip."

Her voice was abnormally high and Jacob raised an eyebrow at her. "Thanks but-" Hunter cut Bella off. "Listen, I gotta go. I'll see you soon, bye!"

She flipped her phone shut and covered her face with her hands. "Why me?" She groaned. Jacob leaned onto his elbow and refrained from laughing at her. He didn't understand why she was upset about the married couple's return but he wasn't going to ask. "It's a good life, Hunter." Jacob cooed jokingly.

His fingers lightly tickled her side lightly and she slapped his hands away, "Not for me." She mumbled. Meeting his eyes again felt different this time. There was an unspoken connection that made her queasy.

His tounge slid over his bottom lip and he refrained from bringing up last nights events. He enjoyed himself and it was fun while it lasted but he knew it'd never happen again. "Want some breakfast?"

Hunter nodded frantically, "Yes please."

___

"I'll take the burned ones you big baby." Jacob smirked, placing the normal looking pancakes in front of her. They managed to have the kitchen to themselves which Jacob was hoping for.

Hunter smiled and digged into the hot cakes, her stomach rumbling with anticipation. She hasn't eaten human food in a long time and she almost forgot how good it was. Regardless if it didn't fill her up, it was still nice to taste. "Thank you." She said with her mouth full.

Jacob shrugged his shoulders and bit into his own food. The silence was accompanied by forks clinking against their plates and it was soothing. It felt nice to have a normal morning for once. "So what's the agenda today?" Jacob asked her, running his pancake through the pool of syrup on his plate.

"I'm going to have to go back to the Cullen's now. Bella being back and all." She replied. Being on the reservation for so long felt nice. She was surrounded by people her dad trusted and despite all the drama she caused, it was easier than being around vampires.

Jacob frowned. He didn't want her to leave again. The minute she crossed the treaty line, she'd stay on that side permanently. He only hoped her bond to the pack will stay strong so she'd have to come back. "Are you going to live with them?"

Hunter snorted, "God no. I'll probably stay for a couple of days then head back to my own home." She doesn't need to stay any longer. She's done everything she needed to do. No one here truly needed her. Jacob said nothing. The last time he spoke up about her staying in Forks, they had an argument. He didn't want to admit it but he'd rather have her with the Cullen's than her go back to Ocean Shores.

"My time here is done. It's time to continue on with my life until the next conflict here arises." She explained, finishing up the last bits of her pancakes. Jacob watched her slide from her seat with gloom. He wished he could somehow change her mind.

"Thank you for the breakfast Jake." She told him before pressing a friendly kiss to his cheek.

He pursed his lips at that and stared down at his own plate while she escaped back to his room. Hunter shut the bedroom door and immediately slipped out of Jacob's comfortable clothes. She did so sluggishly yet as quickly as she could.

She was dreading going back to the Cullen's. The time she's spent on the reservation was better than a few minutes she's spend with them. It was mean to think since those people helped to protect her and her deceased boyfriend, and she knew that. It wasn't even the Cullen's she had a problem with, it was Edward.

Seeing him again would determine a lot of things for her; if he's let go of his love for her, if he told Bella, or if he didn't do any of those things. She'd see the answer in his eyes, the way he'd look at her, even the way he'd talk to her will help her understand the new status of their relationship.

She finished tying her last shoe and she sprung off the bed, her hands rubbing on her thighs. It was time to go. Just as she approached the door, Jacob opened it up, his face telling her all she needed to know. "Jake, please don't be sad."

Jacob shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not. I'll see you again." The lie slipped through his lips like butter, a lie that she caught. But she pursed her lips and quickly pulled him into a hug. His warm arms tightly wrap around her waist and he couldn't help but inhale deeply. Her scent was as it always was, sweet and inviting.

He was sure she'd come around again, but until then, he'd be watching the days pass him by. Hunter sighed and pulled away, "Thank you for everything Jacob."

   "You're welcome." He told her. He avoided her eyes out of fear. He'd start to tear up if he saw how serious she was about going away. "Walk me out?" She asked with a smile.

Jacob rolled his eyes innocently and grabbed her hand. The two walked into the dining room only to be welcomed by Billy, Charlie, and Sue Clearwater, Charlie's new girlfriend. Hunter and Jacob's smile fell as they came to a stop. "Charlie." Hunter mumbled.

Charlie turned around and his eyes fall onto their connected hands. Hunter noticed this and shimmed her hand out from Jake's. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

   "Came over for lunch with Billy here." He smiled, running his hands over his jeans. "I didn't know you were still in town."

Hunter bounced on her toes awkwardly, "Oh yeah, I wanted to spend some time with Jacob." Billy rolled over to the couple with a big smile on his face, "Oh these two are inseparable, I'll tell you that much."

Jacob ignored the blush growing on his cheeks, "Dad." Billy held back his laughter. He always got a kick out of embarrassing his son, but he knew when to draw the line. Billy cleared his throat, "Charlie here has some news from Bella."

The two look back at Charlie who nodded, though his face seemed skeptical and confused. "You do?" Hunter asked, curiously crossing her arms. She had a feeling she already knew what he was going to say.

   "They've extended their trip." He started, his hands shoving into his pockets, "Seems like Bella caught a bug and they wanna wait until she feels better to travel."

Hunter gnawed at the inside of her cheek, biting back the anger that was bubbling to the surface. Something was definitely wrong, Bella was telling everyone different stories and it felt weird to be out of the loop. Now she had no idea if Bella was in Forks or not. "She's sick?" Jacob asked, his voice sounding rough.

Charlie nodded, "Yeah, she told me not to worry, but she sounded, I don't know, off." He frowned at the way Jacob and Hunter looked at each other, like they knew something he didn't. But before he could question them, Sue spoke, "She'll be okay, Charlie. Come on. Let's eat."

   "Excuse us." Hunter muttered before grabbing Jacob's arm with a grip that nearly ripped it off. He bit back his painfilled groans and let her guide him out the house. He snatched his leather jacket off the coat hanger and managed to pull the door closed on the way out. "What are you doing?" He hissed, finally pulling his arm out of her dangerous hand.

Hunter brushed her hair back frantically and pointed at his bike, "We're going to investigate." Jacob stared at her incredulously. She looked insane but he couldn't deny that he wanted to know what was going on too. "Come on! Turn on this death machine."

Jacob shook his head and complied, "It's not a death machine. Get on." Hunter huffed and climbed on behind him. As soon as the motorcycle drove off, Hunter let out a yelp. It went down the dirt filled road at an alarming speed, hitting bumps and swerving effortlessly.

She kept her arms around Jacob's waist and her eyes shut. She hated dirt bikes.

___

When they arrived at the Cullen's, anxiety fueled them both. They marched up the very expensive stairs and Carlisle was there to greet them. "Is it true?" Jacob immediately asked, his voice low and dreadful.

   "Hello to you too, Jacob. Hi Hunter." Carlisle smiled, shutting the door softly. Hunter sent him a wave and landed her hands on her hips. "Is she okay?"

Just as Carlisle was about to speak, Bella's voice came from upstairs, "Hunter? Jacob?" They both stiffened, "So, she's here." Hunter sighed, immediately walking up the stairs. She ignored Carlisle's warnings of Bella's sickness and marched up the last few stairs.

She entered the living room and found everyone standing around, scowls on their face for Jacob's presence. Rosalie stood in front of Bella protectively and Hunter refrained from frowning at that. A year ago, the blonde vampire didn't want anything to do with Bella. "I'm glad you guys came." Bella spoke.

Her voice sounded raw and different, different than it was over the phone. Hunter walked forward and Rosalie stepped aside, revealing the human.

Hunter's eyebrows raised and she took a seat on the coffee table, Jacob standing beside her. "You look terrible." Jacob joked.

Bella smiled, "Yeah, it's nice to see you too." Hunter didn't find any humor in the situation, if anything, she was skeptical. In her many years of being around Bella when she was sick, she's never looked like this. She looked like she was dying rather than a stomach bug. "What did you do." Hunter hissed, her eyes scanning the human anxiously. "Did you eat something you weren't supposed to? A parasite?"

Bella frowned, "What? No-" Hunter watched her, silently questioning why she stopped her explanation. She didn't even feel Jacob's hand on her shoulder until now. "Rose, you wanna help me up?"

   "Rose?" Hunter whispered, offended. Rosalie moved over to Bella and the blanket that layed on her lap was pulled off. Hunter's eyes widen at the sight of a very pregnant Bella. Just as Bella got onto her feet, Hunter followed with her mouth ajar.

Bella pulled down her shirt and her hands run against her stomach with a small smile. She was expecting her two best friends to jump with joy, to be somewhat happy for her, but instead she got looks of horror.

Jacob's heavy breaths were softer than Hunter's but their anger levels were rising at the same rate. Hunter's hand snatched up Bella's, a gasp leaving her lips. Everyone made a move to help her but Hunter held her hand up in warning. "Are you- are you kidding me?" Hunter laughed lightly.

Bella stared at her friend in horror. Hunter looked as if she wanted to kill her. "You look like you're dying, Bella." Her eyes focus on Edward who seemed frightened, shocked even. "Knowing you, you probably are."

   "Let go of me." Bella seethed, her dark circled eyes boring into Hunter's. Hunter stared a bit longer, her heart racing faster than it ever has. Bella did even look the same anymore. She snatched her hand back and Hunter backed away from her. She was pregnant.

   "You did this." Jacob spit, moving forward to attack Edward. But he was halted by Emmett's hand. Hunter and Bella stared at each other, each of them hurt by the other. "We didn't know it was even possible." Carlisle said calmly.

Jacob shoved Emmett off him and turned back around, "What is it?" Hunter's eyes went back on Edward, his shameful one's quivering under her's. This meant that he hadn't told Bella a thing. They were still married and now pregnant as well. "I'm not sure, ultrasounds and needles won't penetrate the embryonic sac."

   "I can't see it either." Alice spoke, "And I can't see Bella's future anymore."

   "We've been searching legends but there isn't much to go on." Carlisle added, "What we do know is that it's strong. And fast-growing."

Hunter ran her hands over her face, "I mean, it's obviously a baby." She laughed, "Look at her, she's pregnant." Her scowl returned and she wanted nothing more than to leave and never return. This wasn't supposed to happen, yet here they are.

   "Why haven't you done anything? Take it out of her." Jacob seethed, approaching the doctor angrily. Rosalie glared, "This is none of your business, dog."

   "Rose!" Esme called, shocked at her blatant disrespect. "All this fighting isn't good for Bella."
Hunter held back her laughter. The situation was anything but funny, but she couldn't help it. She felt like a fool. "The fetus isn't good for Bella!" Alice yelled.

Rosalie snapped her sight to her sister, "Say the word Alice, baby! It's just a little baby." Hunter leaned down back to Bella, her eyes trained on the round stomach. "Possibly." Jasper said, coming to his girlfriend's aid.

Bella's frown deepened when Hunter's hand lightly landed on her stomach, a soft gasp leaving both their lips. It even felt dangerous. There was movement underneath and Hunter snatched her hand away in shock. "It touched me." She whispered, feeling tears well up in her eyes. There was no way the baby had formed that quickly in days.

   "Carlisle, you've gotta do something." Jacob pleaded, gesturing to a weak Bella. The smile on her face quickly wiped away, "No! It's not his decision, it's not any of yours."

   "Hunter, I need to talk to you." Edward announced before showing himself out the living room. Her mouth ran dry and she looked up at Bella. She was angry that this happened and she wanted it gone. Bella would die and she didn't want that. But it wasn't up to her. She shook her head and followed after Edward, the heavy sound of her heart beat accompanying her.

Her legs carried her outside and it was then when she felt incredibly nauseous. There was a multitude of things she needed right now, but there was only one strong one. Edward watched her approach him and he gulped, fear filling his features.

   "I always knew you'd ruin everything." Hunter laughed as she came to a stop. Edward watched her carefully, studying her. He had been worrying nonstop about her since he was in her head. He saw her in pain, afraid, and dying. It felt nice to know that she was alive. But there was something off about her.

   "She thinks Carlisle can turn her at the last minute, like he did for me and Esme." Edward explained, his hands itching to touch her.

Hunter's arms crossed over, "Can he?" She could see the way he looked at her but it didn't affect her. He made his decision and she was done. This wasn't about them anymore, it was about Bella.

   "Probability is slight." He replied somberly. "And if her heart fails..." The bile swimming in her throat was rising quickly at just the thought of Bella dying. Losing her would be the cherry on top for her life. "Look, you guys have a stronger connection than she and I have, maybe you can talk to her, change her mind. You can keep her alive."

Hunter shrugged, "And what if I can't? What are we supposed to do then?"

   "If she dies, you get what you always wanted." Edward frowned, "Kill me." Silence lingered over them for a few moments before Hunter snorted and let out a string of laughs.

Edward shuffled awkwardly and he let out a sigh. "I'm sorry." She laughed out, "You think I want to kill you?"

He shrugged, "You wanted to so badly when we first met, why would you change your mind now?" Hunter's laughter ceased and she stood up straight.

Wanting to kill Edward was a result of her curse, it was in her blood to want to kill a vampire. But they grew and learned to coexist, their friendship meant more to her than her nature, at least it used to.

   "I don't know maybe because you're important?" Hunter said with sarcasm. Her eyes were still, the opposite of her pulse. "I wanted you to tell Bella, but instead you come back as a father."

Edward looked away from her in defeat. It was hard to tell Bella everything. Everytime he looked at her he felt guilty and he did everything to try and forget his feelings for Hunter. "I didn't know this would happen."

   "No, but you knew what would happen if you didn't tell her." She retorted, her words spitting hate towards him. "So what? You're gonna go back home and ignore all this?" He asked, angrily motioning to the space between them.

Hunter raised an eyebrow, "All of what? There is nothing more to go on about, Edward. You did this." His hands ran down his face and he refrained from punching the tree beside him.

   "Me? What about you?" He hissed, grabbing a hold of her arm. "You joined the pack. You slept with him." Hunter snatched her arm from his grasp and she shoved him away from her, "How do you even know about that?"

He scoffed, "Please, I can smell it all over the both of you." Hunter's eyes darkened. She couldn't believe he was ridiculing her when he was in love with two people at the same time. "Oh, like you're such a saint? You impregnated my best friend!"

   "No one said I was perfect." Edward mumbled, jealousy and restraint in his eyes. He wanted to tear Jacob to shreds the moment the two walked in together.

Hunter's hands clutch her hips, "Oh, what? so you expect me to sit around while you frolic in the fields with Bella?" Edward paced. "Watching her fall more and more in love with you while you fake it? Hoping and praying that you'll end this misery and just-"

Her sentence was cut short by cold hands softly grasping her face. His golden eyes twinkle brightly and suddenly the world stopped turning. Hunter stayed mute and still, afraid of what might happen next.

They've been in this situation too many times. Fixated eyes, fast hearts, loss of breath. It felt like nothing else existed apart from them. This is how it should be, this is how they wanted it to be. Hunter wouldn't ever admit it to herself but she longed for him.

   "I want you." Edward whispered. He was sure of his statement. Letting his relationship with Bella go on for this long was a mistake, he should've ended it.

Hunter stared at him, finding no flaws in his face. Her knees were growing weaker by the second and she could feel her cheeks burning red. This was stronger than anything she's ever felt, this gravitational pull she felt for him. She felt it even when she was with Winston.

But she couldn't. She wouldn't. Bella was inside carrying his child and waiting for her husband to return. She couldn't do that to her best friend. No matter how hard it was to pull away from the golden eyes, she had to. "You can't." She whispered back, slowly pulling his hands off her face.

Edward shook his head frantically, "No. I've made my decision and I won't let you leave again." Hunter shushed him and loosened her grip on his hands, but he had no intentions of letting go. "It's too late. The decisions have been made already."

   "I can undo it. I promise I'll tell her-"

   "No." She cut him off, her face dropping all emotions. "She's your wife and she is pregnant. She needs you."

Edward said nothing. He let his hands fall out of her's and she slowly backed away. His eyes pleaded for her to stay, to tell him that they'd be together but she didn't. "I'm gonna go talk to Bella now." She mumbled softly before flashing out of his sight.

The wind she created hit him and he shivered, noticing how cold he was when she was gone.