CARLISLE
Carlisle
Carlisle was stunned that his mate was disobeying him; it was the first time she had done so.
But why? Was it because of Bella? That’s no reason to let Edward die. He looked at Esme.
“Please help Edward, Esme. He’s your son, your firstborn.” Carlisle pleaded as he tried to break free from Emmett’s hold.
Esme stared at Carlisle with defiance. “Too many times I’ve followed you, done what you say, and believed in you. For centuries, I’ve done that.
And the one thing I asked of you? You said no. I wanted to stay with my daughter, you knew I loved her, and yet you denied me that. Well, Carlisle, no.”
“But Esme, Edward is your son, and he knows what’s right for his mate, Bella. He’s trying to protect her.”
“They were newly mated. If they were true mates, Edward would want to stay with Bella instead of leaving her.” Alice cut in, speaking for the first time that day.
“Carlisle, I’m going to ask you one thing, and I want the truth. Are we mates?”
Carlisle was surprised by the question; he hadn’t expected Esme to question their bond.
“Esme, I love you.”
“That’s not what I asked. Are we mates?”
Carlisle looked stricken. He did love Esme, even if they weren’t true mates. He had changed her for that love.
Finally, he decided to tell her his truth. “Yes, we are mates. I love you…
“You’re lying,” Jasper said.
Esme looked at Jasper.
“I’m sorry, Esme. I thought you knew. Carlisle is lying, just like Edward. They’re creating a false mate bond.”
“Thank you, Jasper.” Esme turned and looked at Rosalie, her voice commanding. “Kill him.” She was done with Carlisle and Edward.
Rosalie’s dark eyes gleamed with excitement. Despite Esme loyalty to Carlisle and Edward, she had always loved Esme. Now that loyalty was gone.
Rosalie grinned, revealing her glistening fangs, and turned to Edward, squeezing with all her strength.
“No, no, no!” Carlisle cried out. He wouldn’t let his son die.
He knocked his head against Emmett’s throat, causing Emmett to release him and clutch his crushed throat in pain.
Carlisle sprinted toward Rosalie, knocking her away from Edward.
She carried Edward’s head with her as she crashed through the wall and into a tree in front of their house.
Carlisle picked up Edward’s headless body, then looked at Alice, Jasper, and his mate, Esme. He sneered and said.
“You’ll all regret this.”
Carlisle ran outside, the rest of the coven following him.
They saw him pick up Edward’s head from the middle of the yard.
Rosalie hissed, planning to burn Edward’s body. She stood up, ready to fight Carlisle for it.
“You’ll pay dearly for your betrayal, Rosalie.” And then he was gone.
Rosalie and the others were about to follow him, but Esme stopped them.
“Leave him. I promise we’ll get a chance to kill them. But for now, we need to talk.”
Carlisle ran until he reached Canada, seeking refuge in a forest where he had an old cabin. No one knew about it.
Inside, the dusty space was filled with cobwebs and old furniture.
Carlisle closed the door behind him and set Edward on the ground, beginning the slow process of reattaching Edward’s head.
He couldn’t believe his family’s betrayal. He loved them so much.
Carlisle shook his head. As the coven leader, it was his duty to punish them.
Going to the Queens was out of the question. Sulpicia would reveal things he didn’t want to come to light.
Carlisle decided to reach out to old friends; they would help him. After that, he would create a better coven, one that would obey him.
Yes, that was the plan.
Esme
“Why did you stop us, Esme?” Rosalie was angry; she wanted to watch Edward burn for the pain he caused Bella and her family.
“Because they are not important right now. We need to find Bella; I have a feeling that she needs us.” Esme replied.
“What will happen to this coven?” Alice asked.
“I won’t decide for you. You have two options: either stay with me and set things right, or go your own way. I won’t fault you for whatever decision you make.”
Rosalie looked at Emmett; he shook his head, understanding what his mate wanted.
“Emmett and I will join you.”
Alice had a short vision and said. “Jasper and I will join you, and I think you should be our new coven leader.”
Esme felt happy and overjoyed by her children’s faith in her.
“I won’t let you down.” She promised.