My Brother's Keeper// Twilight [ON HOLD]

14. "And so the lion fell in love with the lamb"

ELENA

I brush my hair and begin to braid it down my back. I straighten my form and lift my head. I stand and walk to my door, my hand latching onto the knob. My throat slightly burns as I catch Bella's scent. I shake it off and open my door. I slowly descend the stairs and stand beside Emmett. I cross my arms and clench my jaw.

"If it's bothering you, you need to leave." Alice says, "You just got better, I don't want to throw that out."

"I'm fine, just have to adjust." I state.

"Oh, hey Elena." Bella smiles awkwardly. I fake a smile and wave. Edward glares at me and I raise an eyebrow.

"Now Edward, I may be in a weakened state but we both know that I am still stronger, I don't think the human would appreciate watching you be ripped limb by limb, especially on her birthday. So I suggest you back the fuck off and lose the attitude, I will not hesitate to rip you apart." I threaten.

"You don't have-" I step forward and cut him off. Emmett grabs my arm with a tight hold.

"Try me bitch." I growl.

"Don't start you two." Esme says. "Be civil."

"Why? He deserves to suffer." I snap. "That's all he's ever made me do."

"Elena that is enough." Carlisle scolds.

"Of course you take his side. You don't care if I live or die. I guess it's a good thing that the Volturi favor me then." I state.

"I treat you all equally." He retorts.

"Let's be civil, you only have one 18th birthday after all." Esme flashes a smile, yet her eyes hold a threat.

"Well then, Bella my gift to you is a little piece of advice, leave him while you can he's toxic and he will ruin you. Just when you think he will never do anything to hurt you, he will show his true nature." I pause. "He's a monster, and while you may not ever see it, it's his nature. All he will ever be is a dark, cold, heartless monster. He'll never truly love anyone, he'll never make anyone happy, and he will always be a monster." I smile, "You see Bella, I'm actually quite fond of you. It may not seem like it, but I very much am. You've got this sparkle in your eyes, the same one I had years ago, Edward is the type that dulls it to nothing. Once that sparkle is gone, it doesn't come back. I'm trying to help you, because without that sparkle you become empty. There's an entire world full with men, Edward is not the one who will treat you like should be. Save yourself before it's too late Isabella." I turn and walk out to the terrace. I take my braid out and run my hand through my hair. I feel my eyes start to show through the hazel contacts.

Monster. Cold, dark, heartless monster. True nature. Toxic. Always a monster.

... and I'm no different, but there was a time when I was. There was a time when I wasn't a creature of darkness, a monster locked away, but those days are gone and all that remains are the memories.

"Come on Elena, let's go to the cafe." Lizzy says tugging at my arm.

"I promised John and Sabe I'd be home before 5." I state. "Raincheck? We can go tomorrow for lunch, on me."

"Tomorrow for lunch, noon and no later Elena."

Only, there was no tomorrow. Emmett and I had gone out for a walk. Apparently someone had it out for us, they jumped us. I was quick to fight back, it took a moment for the shock to leave Emmett before he did. I was strong from working around the house and at the log yard, but when two men twice your size want you dead, or close to it, it happens. Emmett went down first, then I was left to take on four men by myself and I was already worn out from fighting so much. They had the upper hand on me and they got what they wanted- Emmett and I were presumed dead then Carlisle found us. The scent of blood led him to us. He was barely able to save me. I was off much worse than my brother, and it still seems to be that way almost a century later.