The Bonds Between Us • E.Cullen x Fem oc x B. Swan

Chapter 79

Though she hadn't been awake for long, Cori was on high alert as she heard two voices. Bella and Jacob.

Cori's eyes burned their bright purple as they walked through the door, the brunette girl spotting the red head first as she seemed to barrel her way to Cori. "You're okay." Bella breathed out as she hugged Cori tightly.

Using all of her might, Cori moved Bella behind her. Jacob looked at Cori and how protective she was being of the brunette. "I'm in control. I swear." Jacob told her. Though she did turn to Bella, she kept her guard up.

"Did he hurt you? Are you okay?" Cori asked. "I'm okay, Lia. But why does everyone look like something bigger happened?" Bella asked. Cori became quiet, but Sam stepped up. "Cordelia died." He told her and Bella's chocolate brown eyes flickered between everyone's faces. "What? How? I mean- what?" Bella rushed out, panicked. "I'm okay, I'm alive now." Cori told her as tears gathered in the brunette's eyes. "You died." She said, a sense of horror in her voice, before she turned on a dime, a glare settled on Jacob.

The wolf shrank back, knowing this was his fault. "You killed her!" Bella screeched, her eyes wild with unbridled anger. "I didn't mean to. I'm sor-" but Jacob was met with a slap to the face, as Bella winced, holding her hand. "You apologize when someone died Jacob, not when you killed them." Bella growled, her eyes drawn into slits.

Turning to Sam, Bella asked. "Is she okay to go home?" She asked. Sam looked over at Emily and Sue and they both seemed to nod. "Just take it easy." Emily told the redhead. Cori and Bella both nodded. "Then I'm taking you home." Bella stated, "Sam, can you drive Lia's Jeep back?" Bella asked. "Yeah." The wolf agreed. "Thanks." Cori said, shooting the wolf a smile.

"Don't follow us." Bella told Jacob, her glare fierce, and it seemed like he just deflated like a kicked puppy.

The brunette hadn't even realized that one of the wolves was missing, that was until she heard the engine of her truck. Her confused face caused a few chuckles. "Jared went and got your truck. It was still outside of Jacob's house." Sam explained.

Walking in Jared dropped the keys to the old truck in the brunettes hand. "M'lady." He said and Cori chuckled, as Bella shook her head.

Cori sent a wave to the wolves, purposely ignoring Jacob as Bella helped her to the truck. "Bella, I promise I can walk." She told the brunette. "I know, just I don't want you to fall." She told her. After a few seconds, Cori gave up, letting the brunette do as she pleased.

Riding in the truck back home, it was unusually quiet. Cori was of course quiet because she was still healing and well Bella, her mind was reeling.

"What's goin' on in that head of yours?" Cori asked softly. Bella opened her mouth only to close it again. "Bella?" Cori asked getting worried. "How long have you known?" "Known what? About the wolves?" Cori asked. "Yes, Lia! About the wolves. The massive horse like wolves!" Bella hissed into the tight air of the truck. "Awhile." Cori said and Bella closed her eyes as she sighed. "I'm not doing this again." Bella said gently to herself before she glanced over to Cori.

"How long is a while?" Bella asked. "About a month and a half before you got here." Cori told her truthfully. "Before I moved here?" Bella asked, her eyes wide. "It's when Sam shifted for the first time." Cori said.

"Leah asked me to come over, for girl talk. Her and Sam were going through it, and it seemed like he was pulling away. I went to Sam's house and confronted him, and after some arguing, he shifted right in front of me." Cori said, remembering like it was yesterday the panic and fear that ran through her veins. She had never felt like that ever in her existence besides that moment.

"Harry Clearwater, Leah's dad, he heard what I was gonna do, and had followed me over. He calmed Sam down before he was able to attack me. He told me to go home and to never speak of what I saw. And I didn't." Cori said solemnly, "Harry came by the next day and explained what Sam was, and how dangerous he was at the moment. He also explained how he was surprised he didn't go after me. It's explained now, but it wasn't back then." Cori told her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Bella asked, "Jacob's my friend." "It is just like with the Cullen's, Bella. It wasn't my secret to share. I know you understand that." Cori told her. "Even when Jacob cut me off. You lied for him." "I lied for you." Cori told her, a clipped tone to her voice, as Bella flinched.

"He was dangerous. Hell, he's still dangerous. Bella, an argument, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, a rejection, anything could set him off. Jacob is dangerous. I'm not telling you this because I want you to stay away from him, I'm telling you this because it's the truth. Actions have consequences Bella, and his lead to my death today. You won't be so lucky." Cori told her, a tone of finality in her voice.

"Jake won't hurt me." Bella said in a whisper, but Cori heard it as her voice turned cold. "You used to say he wouldn't hurt a fly. But today he murdered me out of spite. If those are the friends you keep around, I don't think I want to stick around." Cori said as Bella pulled into Cori's drive.

Before Bella had a chance to say anything, Cori climbed out, leaving the truck quiet, other than its rumbling engine, and Bella's breaking heart.

A/N: I know there was a lot of hope that Cori's death would bring the two together, but it seems to be pushing them further apart. Let me know what you think will happen next.