Two Ghosts {Leah Clearwater}

25: Irina

"Alice isn't going to be happy," Pandora said when Bella walked down the next morning. Pandora was munching on an eggo waffle, eating breakfast before heading to the Cullens, when Bella all but stumbled down the stairs, prominent dark circles under her eyes. "Nightmares again?"

Bella nodded, setting up the coffee pot.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Pandora frowned, watching Bella carefully.

Bella was silent for a moment before sighing. "I don't know how I'll be as a newborn. I don't want to kill innocent people, Dora. But if what everyone tells me is true; it's inevitable."

"Bella, you have seven vampires who will help you learn how to control your thirst. I can't imagine how hard it's going to be, but I know you'll make it through. Besides, if anyone can learn to control their thirst as a newborn without slipping, I know it'll be you."

Bella smiled, nodding slowly. "I hope so."

"And think of it this way; the sooner you learn to control your thirst the sooner we can hang out again."

Bella snorted, shaking her head. "That's the best motivation a girl can have."

"It better be," Pandora jokingly glared at Bella before finishing off her Eggo. "Alice wants you over at sometime before noon. So enjoy your last moments as a single woman; I'll see you in a bit." Bella nodded, moving to pull Pandora into a tight hug. Pandora held onto Bella for a little while longer, knowing it was one of the last times she was going to be able to hold her best friend like that for probably the rest of her life.

The drive to the Cullens was short, and Pandora wasn't surprised to see Alice waiting outside the front door for her; what was surprising was the small frown on Alice's face.

"Is everything okay, Al?" Pandora asked when she walked up the stairs to the front door.

"Don't freak out," Alice said, blocking the front door from Pandora.

"You know when you say that it actually makes me freak out more?" Pandora rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "What's wrong? The flowers aren't wilted right? The florist said they'd be fine when they were delivered yesterday."

"No the flowers are fine." Alice waved her off, biting her lips. "The Denali's arrived early. They're inside."

Pandora frowned, "and that's bad because..."

"Irina's mate was Laurent." Alice said quietly, averting her gaze. "She holds a grudge against the wolves for killing him. She doesn't believe us when we told her they tried to kill you and Bella."

Pandora felt her heart drop at the mention of the vampire that tried to kill her. "I'm not going to argue with her if that's what you're afraid of. As long as she doesn't bring it up, then neither will I."

Alice sighed, nodding shortly. Pandora narrowed her eyes at Alice, sensing that she was hiding something from her, but dropped it and followed the pixie into the house. She barely made it outside to the backyard when a blonde woman approached them, a distraught look on her face. Her eyes were a similar topaz to the Cullen's, making Pandora believe that she meant no harm. However, Pandora did not like the way she looked at her, as if she did something to personally offend the stranger. It didn't take a genius to guess that this was Irina.

Irina put her hand on Alice's arm, "who is she?" She asked, completely ignoring Pandora.

"This is Pandora; she's the maid of honor and co-planner of the wedding."

"She smells like one of them." Irina's nose scrunched in disgust, making Pandora frown and crossed her arms.

"She's mated to one of the wolves," Alice said quietly, glancing at Pandora.

"She's standing right here," Pandora spoke up. "If you have a problem with me then you can tell me directly."

Irina turned to Pandora, letting go of Alice's arm. "Those mutts killed my mate. Unjustified."

"Your mate tried to kill me and my best friend, the girl who's wedding you're attending. They were protecting us."

"Laurent would never do such a thing. He was trying to be better." Irina insisted, glaring at Pandora.

"Maybe he was, but that doesn't change the fact that I almost died because of him."

Before Irina could retaliate, a woman with elfish features and curly hair appeared beside Irina, grabbing her arm. "Irina, let's go get ready for the wedding."

Irina sent one last glare before walking away with the other girl.

"That was Tanya, Irina's sister." Alice said as she looped her arm with Pandora's. "They have one other sister, Kate, and were all turned together. They lost their mother years ago to the Volturi when she turned a child. Irina never really got over it; she's very protective of the ones she loves."

"I know the feeling," Pandora sighed. "But it's one thing to be protective and another to be blinded by trust and devotion."

Alice sighed, "I know. Even after living for centuries, vampires still make human mistakes. Being immortal does not exempt one from acting human."

Pandora glanced at Alice for a moment, watching the wistful look on her friend's face disappear after a moment. Alice wasted no time after the moment to show Pandora around the backyard, seeking the human girl's approval on the way they set everything up over night.

Pandora freely admitted that everything was beautiful. It was elegant, yet held an air of simplicity that she knew Bella would appreciate. Pandora couldn't help but feel excited for the wedding, knowing it was something that Bella wanted and that she had helped making her best friend's first wedding special. She couldn't help but think about her own wedding, wondering if Leah wanted to have a big wedding like Bella's or a small one like Pandora always pictured them having. A small feeling told Pandora that if they had a wedding, it'd be a small one; Pandora and Leah were both the same in that they didn't like making a big deal out of their happiness, preferring to sit back and enjoy it as it happened.

"Bella will be here soon," Alice declared. "Let's get you dressed up!"

Pandora sighed, letting Alice drag her into the house. She wasn't one for dressing up, but it was Bella's wedding and she'd do anything for Bella. Even if it meant being subjected to Alice's excessive make-over routines.