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FIVE; FADED HOPE

     IN BETWEEN THE MONTHS of May and September, tensions ran high in the Cullen home. Edward was often out, seeing Bella, and only came back home a few times in the week. He didn't know how hard it had been for Amelia.

     She confessed she knew Alice was lying to her. She knew her prince or princess wasn't on their way to come see her. Things grew gloomy after that point.

     Amelia left for two weeks. She didn't state where she was going, but Alice had figured it out pretty quickly. Her sister had traveled to Italy to see the Volturi. Rosalie was immediately alarmed by Alice's words, but the pixie-haired vampire reassured her Amelia would be okay.

     The blonde possessed a special bond with Demetri, whom she met centuries ago. The man gave her comfort and advice, although he had a strict bond with the Volturi. Carlisle warned Amelia to be careful wherever she visited him because of the Volturi's power to recruit new vampires whenever they wanted to, especially with the help of Chelsea, who had the power to manipulate relationships.

     Amelia arrived back just in time for Bella's birthday. None of the family spoke a word; Rosalie attempted to ask her sister how her trip was, but Emmett cautioned her it was a bad move.

     Amelia was wearing a dress she bought in Volterra — a dark red, floor length gown that she fell in love with. When Bella came through the door of their home, her family chorused "Happy birthday, Bella!" as the birthday girl blushed and looked down. Amelia smiled, hiding the pain she felt in her own heart.

     It was even harder when Edward wrapped an arm around Bella's waist, kissing her head affectionately. Amelia had to look away.

     The family began stepping forward and saying their hello's. Emmett quickly stepped out to install Bella's gift into her truck. Amelia could sense Edward's warning when she greeted Bella, but she ignored her brother. "Hello, Bella. Happy birthday."

     Bella was confused. Just a few months ago, Amelia was pouncing to see Bella when she entered through the door. Now, when she looked at her, there was nothing but sorrow upon her face.

     "Thanks, Mia."

     "Time to open presents," Alice declared. She led Bella to the table with the birthday cake and presents.

     Rosalie laid a hand on her sister's forearm in a comforting manner. "I'm fine," Amelia insisted. She shrugged the blonde off and joined Alice and Bella.

     Bella was opening her first present. She felt awkward when she saw the box was empty, and Amelia chuckled. Rosalie actually smiled at Bell's cluelessness.

     "It's a stereo for your truck," Jasper explained. "Emmett's installing it right now so that you can't return it."

     "Thanks, Jasper, Rosalie." Bella was grinning and Amelia tried her best to mimic her actions. "Thanks, Emmett!" She called loudly so the man would hear.

     Amelia heard her brother's booming laugh from outside. She shook her head jokingly. She pulled out a small box from the pocket of her dress and handed it to Bella. "Happy birthday. I got it from Volterra and I thought it would suit you for senior prom."

     Bella rolled her eyes. It was obvious Amelia was keeping her promise about dragging Bella to every prom. She opened the pink colored box, and there laid a pair of diamond earrings. Bella smiled.

     "Thanks, Mia."

     "Open mine and Edward's next," Alice's excited voice filled the air. Amelia didn't know what was wrong with her; on occasions such as this, she would be over the moon to celebrate Bella's birthday. Lately, she just felt defeated.

     Bella turned around and glared at Edward. "You promised."

     Emmett came back inside before Edward could reply. "Just in time!" He stood next to Jasper to observe Bella opening her next gift.

     "I didn't spend a dime," Edward assured his angry girlfriend. He brushed a strand of hair away from Bella's face and Amelia's gaze dropped to the floor.

     However, her head darted up when she smelled blood.

     Edward sensed it first. He flung Bella backwards and she smashed into the glass table. Jasper smashed into Edward, and Amelia reacted quickly. She grabbed Jasper's arm, screaming for him to stop.

     "Get him outside."

     Amelia followed Carlisle's orders immediately. It seemed Jasper had calmed himself with the help of Amelia's mental manipulation, and Emmett assisted with taking his brother outside. Amelia sighed, looking into his eyes.

     Their life was still hard for Jasper to get adjusted to. It wasn't easy to live off the blood of animals, but Amelia would rather be less satisfied than kill an innocent human.

     "Jazz, relax. Remember who you are. Remember who we are."

     He was still breathing heavily and he shook his head rapidly. He was whispering, clearly scolding himself for losing control. "It's okay, Jasper. Edward will forgive you."

     However, Jasper was convinced Edward would hate him until the man stepped out. Edward looked at Amelia. "Carlisle wants you in there."

     Amelia was good at handling her self-control. Blood was appealing to her, yes, but she couldn't bear it if she hurt another human being for her own selfish purposes. Therefore, Carlisle always asked for her help in situations such as this.

     "You called for me?"

     "Could you stitch Bella up?"

     "Sure." Amelia took the needle and thread from Carlisle's bag and Bella looked away, refusing to imagine what was happening to her at the current moment. "I apologize for Jasper. He's beating himself up outside over this."

     "I don't blame him. How are you in such control like Carlisle?"

     Amelia released a small laugh. "I don't enjoy my memories when I had to feed on human blood. Luckily, I met Alice before those thoughts drove me over the edge."

     "Is that why you've been unhappy lately?"

     All Amelia did was smile. "You're lucky to have Edward, Bella. Very lucky."

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     "You're not allowed here, Cullen."

     "I haven't crossed the territory yet, Sam," Amelia challenged, raising one eyebrow. Two Quileute boys stood across from her, hands folded over their chests. After Amelia informed them she just wanted to talk, they shifted from their wolf forms into humans. She knew Sam Uley, a local man who was the first to phase because of the Cullen family. She didn't know the boy standing next to him, but she also knew there was another member of their pack that wasn't present.

     Edward announced yesterday of his plans to move to Ithaca for Bella's safety. Both Amelia and Alice were reluctant to leave Bella behind in the dust, but Edward insisted it was for the best. After her disaster of a birthday party, he realized it was best for Bella to be away from him.

     However, when Amelia realized they would not be returning to Forks ever again, she wanted to say a farewell to Mike. The downside of it was that he was in La Push, hanging at the beach with his friends.

     "I just need to say goodbye to someone. No big deal. I won't hurt a single soul."

     Sam's eyes narrowed. "It doesn't matter what you intend to do. The treaty is the treaty. You cannot come into our land."

     Another wolf came into view. He growled at the sight of Amelia, and she snarled, turning to face him.

     Paul didn't know what he had done to deserve this.

      A series of future events were popping up into his mind and he began to whimper, falling to the ground.

     Sam was in a state of shock, and Jared couldn't speak.

     Amelia was confused. "Sam, what the hell is wrong with your wolf?"

     She felt a hand on her shoulder. Edward was staring down at her with wide eyes. "Mia, what did you just do?"

     So much happened in the next few minutes. Sam and Jared were helping Paul, and Edward took Amelia back to their home. She was repeatedly hitting him. "Hey, take me back! I have to say goodbye to Mike before I leave!" Carlisle and Esme were waiting, packing up the last few boxes of Amelia's belongings, which she refused to leave behind.

     "One of the wolves did it. He imprinted."

     Amelia wasn't educated on the Children of the Moon. However, when Edward said the unknown term, a surprised expression washed over Carlisle's face. "No, it can't be. That's nearly impossible."

     "I was just there. I saw his thoughts, his visions. He definitely did it."

     Carlisle sighed. "Well, this changes everything. Mia can't leave. They won't let her now."

     The blonde had enough. She yanked Edward's arm back. "What the hell are you talking about? Why can't I leave? I just wanted to say goodbye to Mike Newton before we left permanently. Is that such a crime?"

     "Mia, you don't realize what you just did," Carlisle said, staring at her with worried eyes. "Something that's never been heard of before. You can't go with us."

     "Why? Does Sam think I was the one to injure that wolf in the woods? Is that why I can't leave now?"

     Esme was unpacking the boxes. "Sweetheart, he imprinted on you. That wolf just became your soulmate."

     Amelia's eyes almost fell out of her head.

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     It was October. Her family was long gone by now, and she was living in an empty house. Usually, Jasper and Emmett would be watching football on the couch, filling the silence with their loud shouts.

     She had been avoiding any human contact. If Bella spotted her at school, she would've been done for. Amelia was upset at Edward for leaving the girl behind when she saw the effects on Bella. Every time she caught a glimpse of her, Bella looked like a walking corpse. She was completely lifeless and Amelia felt the guilt inside of her.

     It was the first day she was supposed to meet him since the incident.

     She ran up to the territory. A wolf was waiting there for her. She knew it wasn't Paul; it was the new wolf, Embry. After a few pack meetings, the tribe agreed it would be best to allow Amelia on the land. The treaty was void when it came to her because she was now an imprint, and according to their law, she had to be treated as one of them. She was a pack member whether any of them liked it or not.

     She and Embry walked in silence. Amelia was at a loss for words. This whole experience — being without her family and treading on La Push territory — was all very new for her. She knew Paul didn't want the imprint. He made it crystal clear, and Amelia didn't want to waste her time.

     If Paul wanted her out of his life, she would leave and join her family in Ithaca.

     She was greeted by cold silence. The whole pack was staring at her judgmentally, picking her apart in Emily's kitchen.

     The woman of the house descended down the stairs, smiling. "Hi! You must be Amelia. I'm Emily."

     Amelia smiled, shaking her hand. Emily flinched at the coldness of her touch. Sam's hands were always warm and inviting. "Nice to meet you, Emily. You can call me Mia."

     "Well, Mia, take a seat. I've just prepared some muffins for the boys."

     It was the first time Amelia had seen Paul in his human form. He was definitely not bad-looking, but he was staring at her as if she was the bane of his existence. She noticed the only empty seat was next to him, and Amelia wondered if the pack had done it intentionally.

     The boy across from her was Jared. He was glaring at her, arms crossed in a pissed off manner. Embry was across from Paul, refusing to take a glance at Amelia. Sam was hovering over the table, cautious of Amelia's presence around Emily.

     Emily laid out a plate of muffins on the table. "Dig in."

     It was the first time Emily had seen their hands reluctantly take food. Paul was clenching his fists angrily, and Amelia twisted in her seat uncomfortably.

     Emily cut the awkward tension. "So, Mia, how are you? Have you done anything today?"

     "Yeah, have you sucked the blood of any animals recently?"

     Jared received a slap in the chest. "Jared, stop. Apologize to her now."

     "I don't have to apologize for anything. It's what she does! She's a killer."

     Amelia stood. Sam watched her hold her head up high. "Obviously, this isn't going to work well. Paul, I'm sorry you imprinted on me, but I'll make the process easier for you. I'll leave for Ithaca in the morning."

     "Mia," Emily spoke softly. "Please stay. They'll behave, I swear."

     "Thank you for your hospitality, Emily, but this wasn't going to work from the start. I appreciate that you were kind enough to give us a chance, but the universe has this relationship wrong. I miss my family terribly, and I'll be glad to join them again. Thank you for everything."

     Amelia bowed her head and departed the home. Emily grabbed Paul's ear and the boy hissed.

     "What the hell is wrong with you?" Emily shrieked. "That was your imprint and a member of this pack! Go and get her back."

     "Why should I?" Paul scoffed. "She made her choice. She's not my responsibility, Emily. If she wants to leave, no one's stopping her."

     "Paul," Sam boomed. "You will go to her home and beg her to come back tomorrow. That's not a request, it's an order."

     "Why?" Paul said, frustrated.

     "Because she's your imprint and she was nice enough to stay behind when her family left her just for you. Give the relationship a month. If you still don't like her, then let her leave."

     Paul huffed. "Absolute bullshit."

c'mon paul just give mia a chance and you'll both be happy