Kapitel 36: CHAPTER 36

( MC Pov )

Alice and I have arrived at the Cullens' House, and the first thing I noticed was Alistair. He is still there in the attic, I can sense him, and he seems to not be moving at all.

'I guess he knew that I'm here,' I thought while looking at the attic.

Alice then locked her hand with mine, and we shared a look of understanding and nodded. Then we proceeded to the simple yet beautifully decorated room.

We were then greeted by the family. We shared hugs and smiles. I sensed that Edward and Bella were in that room, where there was a moving painting of the Volturi, just like in the movie.

Esme, who knew that I fancy tea, brought me one, and I thanked her.

"Isn't it a bit cold that you didn't bring Bella any gift?" Emmett, who was on my right side, said with a teasing tone.

I sipped the tea, then put it down and answered, "Well, Alice has already taken care of that. You know how she is when it comes to things like this."

I then take another sip of the tea and say, "Seems like you have a visitor."

"Yes, it is Alistair. He'll stay for a few days," Jasper, who was on my left, said while crossing his arms.

"You guys sure he can be trusted?" I asked.

"Well, he is a good friend of Carlisle. I'm sure he can be trusted," Emmett said, leaning on the table.

"Hmm..."

I sipped the tea again and sensed that Alistair had moved. Now he is in front of the house, watching us. Or should I say, observing me.

'He's very cautious, as expected from a coward.'

Then, before long, Alice went to the room where Edward and Bella were talking. A few seconds later, she came out with a cheerful expression and Bella on her arm. She then dragged her down to meet us.

Esme then hugged her, and Alice took Bella's camera to capture a picture of her. Of course, the awkward moment arrived, and I'm here watching from the wall against which I leaned, trying my best not to laugh.

Alice then proceeded with the gifting session. First was Rosalie, who, from the look on her face, didn't seem to care. The next one was Emmett, who made fun of Bella's truck, to which she retaliated a bit.

Then, the moment I've been waiting for: Carlisle and Esme's gift for Bella. If it goes as intended, just like in the movie, it will give me a reason to eliminate Alistair. I hope he reacts just like Jasper did.

Then Bella proceeded to open the gift. And,

"Ouch."

There was a moment of intense silence and I sense that Alistair manage to hold back but, here comes Jasper...

When the blood dropped on the ground, Jasper snapped and went towards Bella, ready to pounce on her. Edward managed to push him back, but at the same time, Bella also got pushed back. As a result, she crashed into the glass vase and was wounded by the shattered glass.

I then immediately picked up on a movement from Alistair, and I was ready. "Here he comes."

*Crash*

Alistair broke the glass window and rushed towards the bleeding Bella. The Cullens, who were taken by surprise because of Alistair's presence, were caught off guard. Fortunately, I was already in his path.

"Arghhh," Alistair groaned in pain as I choked his neck and prepared to snap it.

But I was disturbed by Carlisle, who yelled at me, "Mikael!"

I turn my head towards Carlisle with a questioning look, "He tried to make a move and was ready to kill her."

"Please, Mikael... he's my friend," Carlisle said with a pleading tone. I looked around at the Cullens, and they all wore looks of surprise, except for Esme, who also had a pleading look on her face.

*Sigh*

I then turn my gaze towards Alistair, who was struggling in my hand, and stare into his eyes. I said with a threatening tone, "Consider yourself lucky. If you ever appear on my face again, you'll die without even knowing it."

I then released him, and he immediately zipped out of the house. I can still sense him because I'm not letting him go that easily. I put my signature energy on him to keep track of him. And I guess my feeling was right; he didn't go in the direction of Canada, but he went the opposite way.

I then looked towards Carlisle and Esme, who had smiles of gratitude on their faces. I then looked around and noticed that only Edward and Alice were left in the room with us. Thea went to calm Jasper down, and who knows where Emmett and Rosalie went. I then looked at Edward, and he was looking at Bella with a complicated expression.

Carlisle then told Edward to go to Jasper and try to calm him down because Edward was the only one he would listen to. Carlisle and Esme then proceeded to help Bella up to Carlisle's office. Before they left, Carlisle smiled and said to me, "Thank you for holding back."

I could only sigh and look in the direction where Alistair had gone. He was already far away, maybe he was already in the nearby city. I then took my tea and sat down on the sofa. But Alice approached me, took my tea, and put it on the nearby table. Then she came back to me and proceeded to lean on my body.

I rubbed her back and mumbled, "Have I gone soft..."

Alice, who, of course, heard this, looked up at me, and we made eye contact. Then she said, "No, you haven't... You just got more... Gentle."

We smiled at each other, and then we shared a kiss.

Speaking of gentleness, I suddenly remembered a saying from my past life when I was living my first life. It was so beautiful yet meaningful, I can't even forget how his voice sounded.

"If you're going to be a leader, be strong enough to be gentle..."