As Dean yelled at her, Isabella's eyes fell shamefully at the ground. She watched his feet, planted firmly on front of her as he spat at her, obviously betrayed. Could he really not see that she was doing this because she cared for him so? She only wanted to keep him safe, keep all her friends from suffering the way that her father had- she wanted to spare them that demise because truthfully she couldn't handle it if something happened to them on her behalf. She placed a hand on his and was about to say something to that effect, but he tore away from her and stomped off on a fury. She watched his retreating form, agonized that her decision had to be this difficult.
Then Veratos added to the fire, speaking of how stupid of a decision she had made, also blind to the fact that she was only trying to protect them all as they had guarded her. She didn't look at the huntress, she remained focused on the floor where Dean had once stood, and only looked up when Aleksei addressed her. He and Mina were the only ones that had remained at her side, willing to fight for her life, as they had promised Isabella's grandmother 17 years ago, and probably before then. Even Selene had gone to join the other hunters, viciously betrayed and defeated. Isabella sighed; Lorenzo placed a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it away, and the two French princes only chuckled cynically.
"You are wise beyond your years, little virgin," Emile crooned. "The most valiant girl I have ever come across, to lay your life down on behalf of your friends. I commend you."
"If I'm to go, it will be on my own terms," Isabella growled, her brows furrowed as she fought back tears. Her entire body was trembling with rage. "If one more drop of innocent blood is spilled, Aleksei will turn me, and then you will no longer have your 'human virgin'. I will go to you when I am ready- you have my word- but until then, you must leave."
Guillaume and Emile exchanged glances, slightly appalled at the girl's sudden courageous outburst. She was unwavering in her fury, and knew that were they to break their word, Aleksei or any other of her vampire friends would have no trouble heeding to her wish to turn. Were it Aleksei having said this, they would have easily called his bluff, knowing full well that he would never touch the girl in such a way, especially concerning her humanity. But the virgin was different; she was defiant and unpredictable. She seemed desperate to keep her friends safe and would be willing to go to any lengths to ensure that they were.
"Very well then," Emile responded. "You have six months. If you fail to appear before our father Napoleon, we will slaughter every last human being in this entire country, and that includes your little hunter friends."
"We will eagerly await your arrival, princess," said Guillaume. "Do not fail us."
And with that, the two princes disappeared into the horizon, only their maniacal cackling resounding in the atmosphere. Lorenzo watched her, a bit stunned at her antics; he had never known her to be so outspoken. The years that he had observed her, he learned of her reserved and gentle nature- nothing like what she had just done. He opened his mouth to say something, but she looked up at him with eyes so filled with hurt and anger that he simply couldn't.
"Get out," she snarled. "You are not welcome here either."
"Isabella, I-"
"GET OUT!"
He said nothing else, simply nodded and excused himself. Things were changing, and doing so quickly. He knew if he upset her in anyway, she would result to impulsive stupidity- namely, turning herself into a bloodsucking heathen- so he left, ignoring the triumphant glares he would most likely be receiving. When he was gone, leaving only Isabella and the Avalons, she began to weep. Overhead, a fierce pang of thunder exploded in the sky. She turned tearfully at the two royal purebloods, the only ones that weren't after her for her blood.
"I don't know what else to do," she answered Mina sadly. "If I don't go, they'll keep coming, keep killing innocent people. I'd rather have all of you hate me and be safe, than die trying to protect me."
She remembered Dean and the intense hurt in his eyes. Her heart was so heavy, probably feeling the way his had, as well as her own despair. Without another second's hesitation, the girl sprinted past the purebloods and out into her lawn, where she could see the hunters in the distance. For a moment, she pondered chasing after him; she knew Vera hated her, and Selene probably shared that feeling. But she wanted to be with Dean above everything else; she wanted to keep him safe and alive. She would run away with him if running away from her problems was part of her nature, but her morality wouldn't allow it.
"Dean!" she called, then started running again. "Dean, wait!"
She shoved past Selene and Veratos until she collided with the hunter. She grabbed a hold of his hand and tried to stop him, gazing directly into his eyes, though she was at a loss for words. What was this she felt inside her frantically beating heart? Could it even be possible to love someone you've only known for two days? Despite this, she couldn't deny that she wanted to be near him at all times, which is why she kept defying him. All she could do was stare at him, burning with a desire to kiss his lips and hold on to him.
"Dean, I... I'm just... I'm just trying to do what's best," she said softly, breaking eye contact.
"Whoa, girl," Julian said, collecting her off the ground and placing her back on the bed. "You aren't bothering- I wouldn't have helped you out if I didn't want to. Just relax. I can take you home if you want."
At the same moment, Lukas and Damian appeared in the threshold, watching the girl apprehensively. When Julian looked at them, they cast their gazes to the ground, as if to show respect. He could see that she was trying to withhold some information from him, and he couldn't help but chuckle as he rose to his feet to open the window and allow for fresh pine scented air into the room. If only she knew what they were, she might not feel as safe as she does now. Afterall, treading in the den of a wolf was dangerous territory.
"What were you doing at the school so early?" Julian asked, determined to get her to admit her secret on her own. He had never met anyone aside from his brothers and the rest of his packmates that were keen to the supernatural. They were forced to live in secrecy; although they attended school as normal boys, they were sure that if the council knew of their existence, they would have his entire family exterminated.