(A/N): I have a new story for ya'll! It's pack related, but there are some twists in this story. This first chapter is very much an introductory chapter so there won't be much going on, but you will at least get to see what Bella has been up to! This first takes place somewhere in the time in New Moon, after Edward left, but before Jacob became a wolf. After that it's all AU.

And, of course, during the duration of this story I don't own any of the Twilight characters or Twilight storyline.

Enjoy!

Seven Years Ago

BPOV

"So, you guys are really moving, huh?" Jacob asked as we sat on an old piece of driftwood. We were at First Beach and tomorrow was the day that Charlie and I were going to move to Portland. Charlie was offered a high-ranking detective position there and it's better pay than his chief-of-police position here. He struggled with the decision for over a month before deciding it was best for us to move. I think part of the reason was because he was tired of seeing me in a comatose state ever since he left.

"Yeah," I murmured as I watched the waves crash into the sand before retreating back. I've only recently started talking to Jake again and while he didn't completely fill the void that was inside my chest, he did make it better. He has been my sun during this dark time. When he and Billy got the news that Charlie and I were leaving, they were disappointed but understanding.

"I'm really going to miss seeing you around here. Bells." He told me and I smiled weakly.

"I promise I'll keep in touch. You have my number and maybe if I can, I'll make the trip back up here to visit you." I've grown close with Jake and I'd hate to see our friendship go to the wayside just because I move away. I've moved so many times before and I always hated having to make new friends. Jake and also Quil, Embry, and even Angela from school, have made my time here better than just tolerable and I really will miss them. I want them to remain friends with me.

"You better or I'm going to hunt you down and kick your pale ass." Jake mildly threatened and I laughed quietly. Jake smiled at me before wrapping his arms around me—whoa! He's really hot! Does he have a fever? Jake pulled away from me and brushed his long hair back before placing his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure Oregon will have great things for you, Bella. Just don't forget about all of us here in Washington." He told me. I squeezed the hand on my shoulder and smiled at him.

"I won't." I told him. Suddenly I saw a truck pull up from the distance and three large guys get out. I could already tell that one of them was Sam Uley. Jake didn't like Sam because Embry started to hang around them and hasn't talked to Jake or Quil since.

"Jacob." Sam's voice boomed and Jake turned his head to look at them. He scowled before looking back at me and hugging me once more.

"I got to go, Bells." He told me and I looked at him in confusion.

"I thought you didn't like Sam?" I asked. Jake looked down and frowned.

"Things are…complicated. I can't really explain." He told me as we both stood up. I looked back at Sam and his other friends. Embry wasn't with them and I couldn't recognize the other two, but the one on Sam's left was staring at me intently. I couldn't really distinguish his features from this distance, but I could see the scowl on his face as he stared at me. I wonder what's his problem.

"Bye Jake, stay safe okay?" I told him and he grinned at me.

"Aren't I always?" He commented before running off to Sam and the others. I watched as Sam and Jake exchanged a few words before making their way back into the truck. The guy who had been previously been glaring at me, looked back at me before shaking his head and storming back into the truck. I don't know who that guy was, but he apparently doesn't like the sight of me.

Six Years Ago

It has officially been a year since Charlie and I have lived in Oregon. Charlie has really shined in his position and I'm happy that he's actually enjoying his new job. I would have felt guilty if he didn't because I feel like the primary reason we've moved was because of me. I graduated high school rather quickly and while everyone I knew was going to college, I decided to take a year off for myself.

I got a job at a small bookstore that was near the University of Oregon campus and I mostly dealt with college students who were trying to bargain for cheaper textbooks. I didn't mind though, it was an easy job and it paid me enough money for me to have and save. Although I have gotten over my zombie state that Edward's leaving caused, Charlie encourages me to find some friends and go out and do "whatever you young people do." I never had the urge to make new friends since I still had a great group of friends in Washington, but I understood his concern. I just don't know how to make new friends. I'm currently not in school and everyone that works in the bookstore with me is way older than me. I just didn't see how I could make new friends.

Since it was my day off from work and Charlie was gone, I decided to head to the beach and do some light reading. It was cloudy as usual, but not as cold so I just threw on a light jacket and grabbed a blanket before heading out to my civic. My Beast gave out on me a couple of months back and as a surprise Charlie bought me a used, blue civic that I call the Blueberry. It's only a couple of years old and is a more reliable car than the Beast and I absolutely grateful that Charlie got it for me. I packed up the Blueberry and headed towards the beach.

I found this beach a couple of months ago and for the most part it stays pretty empty. I know it's by a Native American reservation, but I never really see any of them around when I go. It reminds me a lot of First Beach, but bigger and less trees around. I pulled up and laid my blanket down by some rocks before laying on the beach and pulling out my book. I stayed there for about an hour or so before the wind started to pick up and reading became practically impossible. Maybe I should invest in one of those fancy, reading tablets.

I folded my blanket up and began to make my trek back to my car. However, a strong gust of wind knocked me down and the contents of the backpack I brought spilt all over the sand. I cursed before struggling to grab everything. I saw a shadow of a person come up and I looked behind me to see a tall, Native American man standing there. He had broad shoulders and toned muscles as evident by his shirtless appearance. His black hair was shaggy, but short and he had a tribal-looking tattoo on the side of his chest. His skin tone was different than Jake's and the other Quileutes. His was lighter, but still a deep brown color that matched his eyes that were currently staring at me with amusement. His eyes were round and his eyebrows were thick, and while he stood over me looking rather tall, he didn't seem intimidating.

"Did you need any help?" He asked before smiling at me with blinding white teeth.

"Um, I'm okay. I just tripped." I told him stuffing the last thing in my bag and standing up.

"Yeah I saw." He grinned and I blushed in humiliation.

"I'm really clumsy." I muttered.

"Seems like I should help you then." He told me before taking the blanket out of my hand and my bag.

"Thanks," I told him as we began to walk to my car. "I'm Bella, by the way. Bella Swan."

"Awan Bennett." He said before extending his hand and shaking mine. "You from here, Bella?" He asked.

"I moved here about a year ago with my Dad. I'm originally from Washington." I explained as he nodded.

"Seattle?"

"No, a small town called Forks."

"Ah, so you must know about the Quileute tribe?"

"Yeah," I smiled up at him. "I have a couple friends from there." I told him as I thought about Jake, Quil, and Embry.

"Well you should know, that the Chinook tribe is way better." He smirked and I laughed.

"And I'm guessing you're a part of the tribe?" I asked.

"Not just a part of it, but a protector of it." He told me with an easy grin as we reached my car.

"'Protector?' What's that supposed to mean?" I asked staring up at him. He opened his mouth, but the sound of his name being called stopped him. I looked around him to see two similar looking guys headed our way. They were both tall, with broad shoulders and toned muscles like Awan and also had the same tattoo on their chests. One had shorter hair though that seemed to fade along the sides. His eyes were less round than Awan's and more of an almond shape and darker brown. The other was a tad skinnier than the other two, but still huge and he had fuller lips with hair that swept to the side, and a small scar that ran through his right eyebrow.

"Who's the pretty girl, Awan?" Eyebrow-scar asked, grinning mischievously at Awan.

"Guys, this is Bella. Bella, these are my friends Jon," He motioned to the one with the shorter hair. "And Josh." He said motioning to the one with the eyebrow scar.

"Nice to meet you, Bella." Jon smiled nicely as he shook my hand.

"Yeah, any friend of Awan's is a friend of ours." Josh said butting in between Jon and I and shaking my hand.

"Are you busy? Josh's girlfriend is making some food if you want to join." Jon offered and I smiled hesitantly. I just met these guys and now they were offering me food? Who exactly are these guys? They all seem friendly though and Charlie does want me to make friends.

"Sure," I shrugged my shoulders.

"Sweet! Mind giving us a ride there? It would be much faster if we drive." Josh asked and I simply nodded. They all piled into my small car and I couldn't stop the laughter that rose in my chest at the sight of three large guys piled in a small car. "Keep on laughing, squirt. Just more incentive for me." Josh said from his position in the backseat.

"Leave her alone, Josh. You're gonna scare the poor girl before she even has a chance to know us." Awan said as I just snickered and pulled away from the beach. With a couple of directions from Jon, we shortly pulled up to a small one-story home with a forest green door. On the way there they had all given me information about themselves. They were all 20 and were surprised to hear I was 19. They had assumed I was younger. I found out that they worked for the tribe—doing what I wasn't completely sure. They had known each other since birth and have been best friends since. They reminded me a lot of Jake, Embry, and Quil, but they were still different from them.

Once we were at the house they all practically fell out of my car before walking into the house with me following shortly behind. We all walked into the kitchen and I saw a beautiful, Native American girl standing behind the stove. She was a little taller than me and had shoulder-length black hair that was pin-straight and thick. She had almond-shaped eyes that were dark brown and high cheekbones. She smiled brightly when she saw Josh before punching him in the shoulder.

"Ow! Mica! What was that for?" Josh pouted and rubbed his shoulder.

"For not taking out the trash when I told you to." She said and he grumbled while still rubbing his shoulder. I really doubt that she hit him that hard. Mica turned towards me and smiled brightly. "Hi, I don't think I've met you before. I'm Mica Howard." She extended her hand to me.

"Bella Swan." I introduced myself.

"Awan found Bella on the beach." Jon told Mica and she raised her eyebrow at Awan.

"She got pushed over by the wind. It was pretty hilarious." Awan smirked and I just blushed again.

"Yup, and Jon invited her for dinner." Josh said before kissing the top of Mica's head and sitting down at the kitchen table with Jon where some plates and cutlery were set.

"I see, well you're more than welcomed here, Bella. There's plenty of food, but do try to get it before these guys. They're animals." She grinned while eyeing the boys. Josh snickered, Jon looked wary, and Awan just motioned for me to take a seat next to him.

"Do you need any help?" I asked her.

"Oh no, I'm practically done. You can help next time." She smiled at me and I just smiled softly back. Next time? There's going to be a next time? I walked over and sat next to Awan who smiled cheerfully at me. Josh gave the run down on me to Mica before she asked a couple of her own questions. I leaned the Mica was a kindergarten teacher and had met Josh in high school and they've been dating since her third year college—so about two years. She's actually two years older than Josh and that alluded to a joke about cougars from him. I began to space out for a bit as I tried to process all that I've learned from these people I just met a little over an hour ago.

"Dude! How could you say that? Ryuu trumps Ken always!" Josh exclaimed as Jon rolled his eyes and they continued their discussion about whatever they were talking about and effectively bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Awan, Koda was looking for you and he didn't seem too happy." Mica said as she deposited just about the largest serving of pasta I have ever seen onto the table.

"Fuck," Awan cursed as he placed his head in his hands.

"What did you do?" Mica asked.

"I may…or may not have…been late to patrol last night." He said uneasily and Mica just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"That's your problem to deal with. Just don't ruin dinner." She said as she brought over an equally as massive basket of garlic bread. "And will you guys put some shirts on? We have a guest for fuck's sakes." She scolded as they all grumbled.

"Bella doesn't mind, do you Bella?" Josh asked and I just shrugged my shoulders. I didn't really care if they were shirtless, it's not like I was attracted to any of them. Don't get me wrong, they're attractive guys, but they just don't do it for me.

"Bella's from Forks. She hangs around with some of the Quileute tribe." Awan suddenly announced and Josh began to howl with laughter as Jon just snickered.

"You know those fools? A pathetic lot they are." Josh laughed. I suddenly got hot with rage at them insulting my friends.

"What's your problem with them? They happen to be nice guys, the ones I know." I asked and crossed my arms over my chest. Josh and Jon put their hands up in surrender, but amusement still shined in their eyes.

"Not trying to cause any beef with you, Bella. Let's just say our tribes go back." Jon explained and by the looks of it, that's all the explanation I'd be getting so I just dropped it. The sound of the front door opening was heard and in walked an absolute stunner.

He was tall like the other guys, but his shoulders were broader and he was built bigger than the others. His hair was short, but was flicked up and a seemingly darker shade of black if that was possible. He had a vertical scar that ran along the length of his forearm and it looked to be from a deep wound. His eyes were positively mesmerizing. They were a mix of a milk chocolaty brown and a light green that reminded me of fresh spring grass. He had a sharp jawline that I just wanted to lick—whoa Bella! Get a hold of yourself! This is just some guy…a really hot guy. Maybe I should have cashed in on that having shirts policy.

"Hey Koda…" Awan said apprehensively.

"You were late." Koda said in a deep voice that warmed me to my core.

"Right, so you see, what had happened was—"

"Double shifts." Koda said interrupting the excuse that Awan was trying to say. Awan sighed dejectedly, but seemed to accept his fate and it made me briefly wonder if Koda was his boss or something.

"I don't believe I've met you before?" I heard Koda ask and noticed that he had taken the empty seat on the other side of me.

"Bella this is Koda Mayes, Koda, Bella Swan. I met her on the beach." Awan introduced quickly.

"Nice to meet a friend of Awan's." Koda smiled a breathtaking grin before taking my hand into his and keeping it there. "I'm sorry you had to see me being a hard-ass."

"When are you not a hard-ass?" Josh snorted causing Koda to glare at him and Josh to flail his arms as to prove his point.

"Okay, let's make this quick." Mica said placing a pitcher of lemonade and a platter of roasted vegetables. "Bella moved here a year ago from Washington—Forks specifically and yes, she knows some of the Quileutes. She's 19 and planning to attend the college in the fall. Koda is 20 and is the leader of this group of monkeys. He is a high-ranking member of this tribe and is widely respected. On the side he also works for the high school as the football coach." Mica explained before plopping down in the chair between Koda and Josh.

"I'm sorry, but I just wanted to get all the bullshit away." Mica said before passing me the bowl of pasta. I laughed and pulled my hand away from Koda's reluctantly.

"Who you calling group of monkeys?" Josh exclaimed but it came out muffled because he had a piece of garlic bread stuffed in his mouth. We ate dinner and stories were exchanged from everybody—including me. I learned a lot about the group and how their dynamic was and they had me in stitches with their stories about each other. It was getting late and it was time for me to go. I had called Charlie earlier and told him that I wasn't going to be there for dinner and he seemed elated that I made some friends. But as happy as he was, I needed to go home still.

"You're welcomed any time around here, duckling." Awan said as he hugged me. Apparently instead of a swan, I'm a duckling—not ugly according to Awan, but just too uncoordinated to be a swan. Koda offered to walk me out to my car and I was giddy to have some alone time with him. The tension between us during dinner was enough to light a flame if need be.

"It was nice meeting you, Bella." Koda said as we stood outside my car.

"Likewise." I smiled.

"Listen, I'm not usually this forward," He muttered as he stared down at the ground. "But would you like to go on a date this weekend?" He asked while scratching the back of his head.

"Sounds great," I smiled and he smiled back at me.

"Great." He grinned. We exchanged numbers and he promised to call me before the night ended to give me the details of the date. I hugged him and his warmth—much like the other guys—had reminded me of the last time I had hugged Jake, they were all blistering hot. I ignored the fact and got into my car and waved at Koda before driving home. I have a feeling that this will be good.

Present Day

My alarm blared from the side of my bed and I groaned before slamming the snooze button. Warm arms wrapped around my waist before I was pulled into a hard chest.

"You know you have to go to school soon." Koda murmured into my ear and I just sighed heavily.

"You're lucky. You don't show up to the school until noon." I muttered and he just chuckled. I reluctantly left his arms and walked into our bathroom. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in Educational Foundations and a minor in English, I went on to teach at a local high school, the same high school that Koda and Jon coach football. Of course, a lot of my students love to find out that we're dating and his players love to rag on him, but it's all in good fun and we make sure not to do anything outlandish on school property.

Koda and I began dating when I found out that he along with Jon, Josh, and Awan were actually a pack of werewolves. I was doubtful at first, but I slowly began to come to terms with it. Hell, I dated a vampire, who says werewolves don't exist either? It didn't take me long to realize that Jake and others were a pack too and once I figured it out, I told Jake. Jake was shocked that I figured it out, but he was relieved by the news. I didn't tell him though that I had met my own pack of wolves here. It wasn't my secret to share.

Coaching football gives Koda enough freedom to run the pack (did I mention that he's the Alpha?) while still earning some sort of income. In about a week will be our fifth year anniversary as a couple. I couldn't be any happier. It has been a long five years together, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Koda made me swear up and down though that I wouldn't tell Jake about them because he didn't want them to know about their pack. Even though I didn't feel compelled to tell Jake, it still irked me that they can know about their pack and not vice versa—but again, not my secret to share.

Telling Jake did make me discover imprinting. I had been so taken aback by his explanation and quickly became riddled with anxiety, fear, and heartbreak. I had been dating Koda for about a year and a half at that point and to find out that I could lose him to someone else was shocking to say the least. However, when I approached Koda with the topic he quickly scoffed told me that, "those stupid puppy dogs are the only ones who imprint, we don't have that." I was relieved to find that out, but it also brought about a new question, why did they hate the Quileute pack so much?

After a lot of badgering, Awan finally caved in and told me that it was a deep seeded thing that had stemmed from their ancestry. Apparently, the Chinook and Quileute tribe were at one time, one tribe, but a man by the name of Kuruk Black decided that Chief Hakoda wasn't fitting as Chief. After a brutal battle for honor and the right to lead the tribe, Chief Hakoda came out as victor and Kuruk left with some others to start his own tribe—the Quileutes. Besides that, they had known all along about their ability to become wolves, but the Quileutes never knew about theirs. Imprinting was something they found despicable and a weak excuse to not find real love and a mate of real worth.

I asked Koda to explain to me about how they found their mates. Koda explained to me that it was much similar to just regular dating, but their wolves are prone to form bonds with who they decide are worth being their mate. Once the bond is formed, the man is allowed to mark their mate. It could takes years or maybe just a few days for a bond to form, but the man will know when who they are with is his mate and will proceed to mark said mate. Koda said a bond did form between us, but I didn't want him to mark me yet. That was about two years ago and lately I've been thinking that I might be ready. Koda has never pressured me or anything, and I do love him deeply.

I still talk to Jake, Embry, and Quil back in Washington and have even visited a couple of times and have met the majority of the pack. According to Jake I haven't met a guy named Paul. He's seemingly always gone or busy when I'm there, but I don't mind. I have grown close with Leah Clearwater and was surprised to find out that Angela is Embry's imprint. Unlike my guys, I didn't have such strong feelings about imprinting. I've seen how Jake, Embry, and the rest of the pack are with their imprints and can see that the love is mutual. Love is love and I'm not going to condemn them on the way they have found it. Everybody in the Quileute pack knows I'm dating Koda, but they don't know that Koda is the Alpha of the Chinook pack. I have begged and pleaded for Koda to come with me to Washington or allow them to come here, but he has remained stubborn about the issue.

"You know, Jake told me that he has a couple of days off from work and things have been slow lately…" I told Koda as I pulled my hair into a ponytail. I looked at him still in bed, in the mirror and saw the frown form on his face.

"No Bella." Koda stated and I frowned back at him.

"I know you hate them, but you haven't even met them!" I exclaimed as I turned around and stared at him with my hands on his hips. Koda didn't say anything and continued to stare angrily at the ceiling. I sighed heavily and crawled back on the bed and looked down at him. "Koda, we have been discussing about getting married soon and I just want you to meet my best friends. I don't want to get married without them there. I'm not looking for their approval, but they're important to me and you're important to me." I told him as he sighed heavily through his nose.

"I'll think about it. But if I do agree, it will be here and the rest of the pack has to agree." Koda relented and I smiled happily before kissing him. Over the years, four other guys have joined the pack. Matt, TK, Alphonse (Al), and Lucas were younger than the other guys, but still in their twenties. They have taken to pack life pretty easily and I see them as my own sons sometimes.

"Thank you!" I said before bouncing off the bed and getting ready.

"This isn't a 'yes' Bella!" He called out to me and I just giggled.

JPOV

"Guess what!" I exclaimed as I walked into my living room to see Embry, Angela, Quil, Sam, Emily, Jared, Kim, Leah, and my beautiful Ness.

"Nessa actually let you sleep in your bed for once." Leah muttered sarcastically and I glared at her.

"Bella has finally agreed to let us visit! Now we can finally meet this Koda guy and see all the friends she has been talking about." I exclaimed and the girls cheered happily while the guys all smiled.

"This is great, from the pictures Bella has shown me, this Koda guy is a real hunk." Kim said as she and Emily laughed. Jared rolled his eyes whiled Sam just chuckled.

"So who all wants to go? It's only about a four hour drive." I told them as I sat down next to Ness.

"I'm down." Embry said as Angela agreed happily. Quil, Sam, Jared, Emily, and Kim all agreed to go. Leah unfortunately had to stay seeing has her imprint—Tommy—was coming back from a work trip and she didn't want to leave. She did mention that if we were still there, that they'd join us. Sam called the rest of the guys and Seth and Paul agreed to go. Colin and Brady had school so they couldn't go, but I was surprised to hear that Paul wanted to go. Paul never really cared about Bella—he didn't hate her, but he never took an interest in her despite the pack having done so. Maybe he just wants a vacation.

"So it's a done deal?" I asked everybody and they all nodded or voiced their agreement.

"This is going to be so awesome!" Quil exclaimed.