Chapter 42

Bella woke up when her mother rang her phone.

Hey hunni, good morning. Clair said in her high pitched tone

Hi mom, what's up? Bella asked

Nothing much love, just checking in on you to make sure you arrived safely since you didn't sound yourself when we last spoke! Claire answered

I'm good mom. I think now that the case is over that I'm experiencing a 'burn out'. You know from all that excessive searching and driving. Bella saidtrying to brush off her mom's intuition.

You sure you're okay Bella? You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Claire asked

Yes mom, I'm sure. Hey do you and dad want to go on a Caribbean cruise with me for a month? I'll be my treat! Bella asked

Off course honey, you know we don't like passing up visiting new places! Well new places in different decades that is! Claire said cheerfully.

Great, because I already made the reservations! We leave tomorrow!. You guys can pick me up at my place in the morning around ten and we'll go to the airport and catch a plane that'll take us to the cruise ship okay Mom. Bella said

Sounds great darling! We'll see you in the morning then. Love you. Clair said

Love you guys too mom, see you soon. Bella said and hung up.

Bella grabbed her suitcase from in the closet and placed it on her bed and began packing. She was glad that she had decided on booking the reservations to keep herself busy when she had awaken in the wee hours of the morning with Kyle on her mind. Out of sight would mean he would be out of her mind and she was determined after yesterday's tantrum that she was over him.

When she was done, she got out of bed and walked into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. Several minutes later, she walked into the kitchen and grabbed the cornflakes and milk and poured it into a bowl and began eating.

Suddenly, there was several loud knocking on her door causing Bella to jump in surprise.

Bella! Bella I need to talk to you please. Kyle's voice called out from behind her door.

Bella ignored him and continued eating her cereal.

Bella I know you're in there because your car is out front! Please let me talk to you, I'm begging. Karl said

Bella still continued to eat her cereal and did not answer. After five minutes she heard me speak out again.

Okay Bella I'll say what I have to say and leave! Kyle shouted

Bella I'm so sorry for the things I said to you, for lying to you and most importantly for hurting you. My family had nothing to do with my stupid behavior. Matter of fact, they all scolded me from the way I spoke to you.

Bella the truth is, none of the things I said was true. In fact, I do love you! I've loved you for quite a while now. And when you said you wanted to take things slow I thought you chose my father over me after I saw you with him.

Bella I don't want to live my life without you. What we have when we are together is something I would give my life for in a blink of an eye. Bella you remember? Please don't forget beacuse as long as I live I wont! It was the only time my life felt complete.

Also I want you to know that you don't have to be with me but I would like if you can please forgive me. I can't live my life knowing that I messed up and you hate me. Kyle cried

Bella stood listening as tears from her eyes fell into her cereal and yet she remained silent.

Bella please, please say something to me. Please Bella don't give up on what we had! Kyle said crying as he softly pounded on the door.

Bella didn't move until she heard Kyle's engine start and when he drove off. She then got up and emptied her bowl into the sink, washed it and turned it down. And then walked back into bed and buried her face in the pillow and cried until she fell asleep.

Kyle returned to the main house after driving around for several hours thinking how he messed up with Bella. As soon as he parked his car he went to the back of the house and shape-shifted into a werewolf and headed into the forest.

Kyle ran long and hard, attempting jumps he would never had done before. He thought about what his father said to him in his room and then he remembered Bella tears when he accused her with being with his Alpha. Kyle ran even harder until he had reached a peak and stopped.

Wolf are you there? Why won't you answer me? I'm sorry okay! I'm sorry for giving you a hard time and for messing things up with Bella! I know you liked her a lot! Please say something wolf? Kyle said as he overlooked the city from a distance. Then Kyle howled out the most heart breaking, sorrowful howl that caused a chorus of howls from several wolves within the area.

Kyle arrived home an hour later and fell into bed. With his thoughts still on Bella he tossed in bed for hours before he finally fell asleep.

The next day Bella parents arrived at exactly ten and knocked on her door. Bella opened the door and invited them in and walked back into her room. She called Donna and explained that she was going away for a month with her parents and that she should expect a visit from Giles to settle the payment. Bella then grabbed her suitcase and bag and walked back to meet her parents. Minutes later they were off, heading towards the airport.

Bella dear, are you sure you're okay? You haven't said much since we met you an hour ago! Claire said after arriving at the airport

Mom I told you I'm just experiencing a burn out. I'm sure the sun and beaches will fix that no doubt! Bella said and hugged her mom as they walked side by side to check in at the counter.

Are you sure I'm on vacation too with you guys or you brought me as you baggage handler? Peter said as he held the two suitcases and a huge carry on bag.

Sorry dad. Bella said as she ran back to help him with her suitcase.

She took one the suitcase and then she held his hand and smiled at him as they walked to meet her mom. As soon as they arrived, her father ensured that they were both in front of him as he had always done her entire life. It was then that it occurred to her that he was living proof that all men were not bad.

For the next several weeks, Alpha Czar visited the neighboring Alphas and gathered allies against the uprising while Kyle, Karl, Charlie and James stayed back at the settlement and made the surroundings of the settlement more impenetrable and observed the fighting skills of the soldiers on images through surveillance they had put in trees to watch their every move.

Lizzy had regained consciousness and informed them about Jed, the gardener, whose suspicious activity lead her to finding out about the uprising after she followed him and heard him taking about the cave with another rogue werewolf who she could not make out.

Instantly Jed was brought forth before the elder and the pack where he was questioned by Alpha Czar. After several hours of silence, he was eventually killed for his betrayal towards his Alpha and his pack. Now Lizzy was back to her old self but had to take it easy since she was on her last weeks of pregnancy. Today she was in the city, so again she decided to visit Donna and enquire if Bella had returned.

Lizzy! It's so nice to see you even though you look like you're about ready to put down. Donna said as she saw Lizzy come through the door as she had done for the past eight times.

Girl I can't wait! It feels like forever since I've been pregnant! Lizzy said and laughed along with Donna.

She not in as yet but she's expected to be here soon! Have a seat in our waiting room and take some of that weight off. Can I get you anything to drink while you're waiting? Donna asked

Donna if I just sip water I'll have to go to the toilet, I'm good for now, thanks. Lizzy said as she walked into the waiting room and took up a magazine and began to read.